Chapter Summaries

Huo Yuhao brought grilled fish to Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong in Suotuo City, where he found them watching Ah Yin's television drama and talking about his other women. He also discovered Flender was staying nearby, and Bibi Dong explained that she had not fought him because he was no match for her and Liu Erlong was there to help.

• Qian Xunji asked Huo Yuhao to tell Bibi Dong to return to Spirit City and to find out whether she had fallen for anyone, warning that it could not be a woman.
• Huo Yuhao traveled to Suotuo City with grilled fish after Qian Xunji and Yan Xi left.
• Bibi Dong told Liu Erlong she would not return because Huo Yuhao's other women were there, while Liu Erlong suggested Bibi Dong act in a television drama.
• Huo Yuhao suddenly appeared and gave grilled fish to Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong.
• Huo Yuhao noticed Flender in the next room, and Bibi Dong said she had not fought him because he was weaker and Liu Erlong was there.

Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong reached Suotuo City, where the notorious thug Bu Le recognized them as the Thorn Roses and hastily apologized. Liu Erlong then unexpectedly reunited with Flender, whose delight faded when he saw Bibi Dong.

• Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong discussed their travels and the nickname Thorn Roses that had spread across the region.
• Bu Le saw Bibi Dong and approached her, but recognized her and Liu Erlong before he could go further.
• Bu Le ordered Tian Ya and Luo Yan to kneel and apologize, and Liu Erlong told the three thugs to leave.
• Flender arrived to confront the thugs and recognized Liu Erlong, who greeted him by name.
• Flender was overjoyed to see Liu Erlong again, but Bibi Dong's cool glance froze his smile.

Flender witnessed Bibi Dong brutally punish Bu Le, then met Huo Yuhao and questioned why he had encouraged Yu Xiaogang to publish theories that were not his own. Huo Yuhao began explaining that Spirit Hall’s library was open to readers and that Yu Xiaogang’s book shared basic Martial Soul knowledge with ordinary Spirit Masters.

• Bibi Dong crushed Bu Le’s vital parts after hearing him talk about preying on women at night, while Flender watched in alarm.
• Huo Yuhao, Bibi Dong, and Liu Erlong discussed Flender’s friendship with Yu Xiaogang and his decision to stop associating with him.
• Flender entered the room, recognized Huo Yuhao as the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, and asked why he had encouraged Yu Xiaogang to publish borrowed theories.
• Huo Yuhao explained that Spirit Hall’s books were available for people to read and that Yu Xiaogang’s Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul presented knowledge ordinary Spirit Masters often lacked.

Huo Yuhao explained why he had let Yu Xiaogang publish Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, while Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong criticized the book and Flender’s defense of its author. Flender apologized to Huo Yuhao after suddenly suffering chest pain and fearing his displeasure.

• Huo Yuhao told Flender that Yu Xiaogang had wanted to publish the book and that Huo Yuhao had intended to use it for his own goal.
• Bibi Dong argued that Spirit Hall could not risk its reputation promoting Yu Xiaogang’s unreliable theories, and Liu Erlong agreed.
• Bibi Dong said Yu Xiaogang knew less than she did and might not even understand the danger of absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.
• Liu Erlong rebuked Flender for expecting Spirit Hall to give Yu Xiaogang access to its rare books and research materials.
• Flender admitted he had been presumptuous, then clutched his chest and gasped before bowing to Huo Yuhao and begging forgiveness.

Huo Yuhao forced Flender to apologize for defending Yu Xiaogang, then left Bibi Dong with a warning to call him if she faced danger. Flender revealed that Yu Xiaogang was teaching at a junior academy in Nuoding City, prompting doubts about whether he could teach responsibly, while Flender considered founding his own academy.

• Huo Yuhao intimidated Flender into apologizing and warned him not to offend him again.
• Huo Yuhao left egg tarts and cake for Bibi Dong, told her to contact him if she faced danger, and vanished.
• Bibi Dong warned Flender not to repeat his behavior, while Liu Erlong acknowledged his loyalty to Yu Xiaogang but questioned whether it was worth the risk.
• Flender told Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong that he had seen Yu Xiaogang teaching children in Nuoding City.
• Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong questioned whether Yu Xiaogang could responsibly teach students, and Flender revealed he was considering founding an academy.

Flender explained his plan to found Shrek Academy for exceptionally gifted students, but Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong challenged whether his selective approach truly counted as education. Their criticism made him reconsider his vision, and he began wondering if he could find promising children and train them before they became sought-after geniuses.

• Flender said he wanted to establish an academy independently so its purpose would not be shaped by noble sponsors.
• Flender unveiled Shrek Academy, which he planned to fill only with geniuses and monsters.
• Bibi Dong argued that Flender would be relying on students’ existing talent and strong foundations rather than making them exceptional.
• Liu Erlong said genuine education should develop ordinary students, not merely select those already shining.
• Flender admitted that his vision was too idealistic and wondered whether he could find and train gifted children before they joined other academies.

Liu Erlong found her purpose in starting an academy for hardworking commoner children overlooked by the existing Spirit Master system. Bibi Dong agreed to help her, though the academy’s funding and practical challenges remained unresolved.

• Flender left after admitting he needed to reconsider his plans for Shrek Academy, while Liu Erlong and Bibi Dong agreed he was unlikely to give up easily.
• Liu Erlong asked Bibi Dong what they would do after traveling across Douluo Continent, and Bibi Dong blurted out that she wanted a child with Martial Uncle before deciding a child might compete for his attention.
• Liu Erlong told Bibi Dong that Flender’s ambitions had inspired her to address the unfair opportunities facing commoner children.
• Liu Erlong proposed an academy that excluded nobles and sect disciples and accepted hardworking children from commoner families, regardless of their background or prospects.
• Bibi Dong warned that many village children could not afford enrollment and that building the academy would require substantial investment.
• Liu Erlong insisted she would start the academy even if she had to work for Spirit Hall, and Bibi Dong promised to ask her teacher to publicize it at Martial Soul awakening ceremonies.

Huo Yuhao joined his family as they worried over the difficulty of conceiving children, then hurried to the Worship Hall after Qian Xunji called for help. There, he found Qian Daoliu facing a badly injured level 98 Super Douluo and suspected the stranger had come to challenge his teacher.

• Di Yan'er and Meng Hongchen worried that they had not conceived, while Ice Empress questioned whether she wanted a child.
• Huo Yuhao returned from visiting Gu Yuena and reassured Meng Hongchen that her fears would not come true.
• Qian Xunji called Huo Yuhao and Ye Cangwu to the Worship Hall, where an unknown man had damaged the hall in a fierce battle.
• Huo Yuhao brought Ye Cangwu to treat the weakened stranger and privately asked Qian Xunji whether the man had challenged Qian Daoliu.
• Qian Xunji bristled when Huo Yuhao assumed he could not have beaten the level 98 Super Douluo himself.

Qian Xunji asked Huo Yuhao to help recruit the gravely injured Chen Jianjun, the Seven Kill Douluo, into Spirit Hall. After Chen Jianjun refused Qian Xunji’s offer, Huo Yuhao explained the plan to Qian Daoliu before he could punish his son for joking with him.

• Qian Xunji told Huo Yuhao that Chen Jianjun had challenged Qian Daoliu and suffered grave injuries.
• Huo Yuhao recognized Chen Jianjun as a sword fanatic who had sought insight by fighting the strongest sword-wielding Titled Douluo.
• Qian Xunji admitted that Chen Jianjun had refused Spirit Hall’s offer of treatment and recruitment, and asked Huo Yuhao to persuade him.
• Qian Daoliu arrived and suspected Qian Xunji and Huo Yuhao were plotting something through Spirit Sharing.
• Huo Yuhao told Qian Daoliu that Qian Xunji wanted to recruit Chen Jianjun and had asked him for help.

Qian Xunji challenged Qian Daoliu to bet on whether Huo Yuhao could persuade Chen Jianjun to stay, putting Huo Yuhao under pressure to secure Chen Jianjun’s recruitment. Huo Yuhao agreed to try, partly because Chen Jianjun’s survival might also preserve a future Titled Douluo for the Spirit Hall.

• Qian Daoliu praised Chen Jianjun’s talent and warned that his stubbornness would make persuasion difficult.
• Qian Xunji proposed a bet that Huo Yuhao could win Chen Jianjun over, wagering that Qian Daoliu would stop retaliating against him over official disagreements.
• Qian Daoliu asked what he would receive if he won, and Qian Xunji offered to grant him anything he wanted if he lost.
• Qian Xunji urged Huo Yuhao to put the Spirit Hall’s interests first, while Qian Daoliu assured Huo Yuhao he would not blame him for the outcome.
• Huo Yuhao considered Chen Jianjun’s potential and his son Chen Xin’s future, then promised Qian Xunji he would do his best to recruit Chen Jianjun.

After Spirit Hall healed Chen Jianjun, Huo Yuhao tried to recruit him by arguing that joining the Worship Hall would give him frequent chances to fight powerful swordsmen without the constraints of ordinary faction duties. Chen Jianjun was tempted by the offer, but had not yet accepted.

• Ye Cangwu healed Chen Jianjun completely, including injuries he had accumulated over decades, and Chen Jianjun refused to join Spirit Hall despite owing it his life.
• Huo Yuhao asked whether Chen Jianjun believed Spirit Hall was unworthy of him, then learned that Chen Jianjun sought a powerful swordsman to help him break through his cultivation bottleneck.
• Huo Yuhao explained that the Worship Hall could provide Chen Jianjun with regular battles against level 98 and 99 Titled Douluo, with the Sacred Heart Begonia available to heal any injuries.
• Qian Daoliu confirmed Huo Yuhao's claims, and Huo Yuhao reassured Chen Jianjun that Worshippers had few duties and could live freely.

Chen Jianjun joined the Spirit Hall as the Worship Hall’s Fourth Elder after Huo Yuhao persuaded him with the promise of regular sparring. Reflecting on his distant relationship with Chen Xin, Chen Jianjun left to ask his son whether he would join the Spirit Hall too.

• Chen Jianjun accepted Qian Xunji’s invitation to join the Spirit Hall as the Fourth Elder of the Worship Hall.
• Qian Daoliu welcomed Chen Jianjun and claimed sparring with Qian Xunji was part of the elders’ duty, prompting Qian Xunji to protest.
• Chen Jianjun remarked that Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji had a wonderful relationship and admitted he was not close to his own son, Chen Xin.
• Huo Yuhao suggested Chen Jianjun could mend their relationship by inviting Chen Xin to join the Spirit Hall, and Qian Xunji added that Chen Xin could spar with him.
• Chen Jianjun agreed to ask Chen Xin and left to find him before returning to the Spirit Hall.

Chen Jianjun left Spirit City after challenging Qian Daoliu and decided to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to speak with his son, Chen Xin. The sect learned he was unharmed, and Chen Jianjun returned to its gates, where Chen Xin hurried to meet him.

• Chen Jianjun agreed to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in person to learn Chen Xin’s intentions, and Qian Daoliu gave him a Worship Hall token.
• Qian Xunji and Huo Yuhao discussed the possibility of recruiting Chen Xin into Spirit Hall after Chen Jianjun’s visit.
• Ning Yuanshan and Ning Fengzhi worried about Chen Jianjun’s challenge until a disciple reported that he had left Spirit City without injuries.
• Chen Jianjun traveled quickly back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and a watchman recognized him and sent word of his return.
• Chen Xin sensed Chen Jianjun approaching, left his meditation, and headed for the sect gate.

After losing to Qian Daoliu, Chen Jianjun returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and revealed that he had joined Spirit Hall as its Fourth Elder. He urged Chen Xin to join him in Spirit City, while Ning Yuanshan unexpectedly encouraged Chen Xin to consider the offer.

• Ning Yuanshan and Ning Fengzhi welcomed Chen Jianjun after he returned from his battle with Qian Daoliu.
• Chen Jianjun admitted that he had lost but said the battle had helped him improve.
• Chen Jianjun revealed that he had joined Spirit Hall as the Worship Hall's Fourth Elder and planned to return to Spirit City.
• Chen Jianjun invited Chen Xin to join Spirit Hall, promising opportunities to spar with strong opponents and learn from their battles.
• Ning Yuanshan supported Chen Jianjun's proposal and assured Chen Xin that he could return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect if he disliked Spirit Hall.

Chen Jianjun and Chen Xin left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for Spirit Hall after Ning Yuanshan encouraged them to go. Ning Yuanshan explained that earning Huo Yuhao’s goodwill mattered more than trying to keep Chen Xin, while Huo Yuhao explored Spirit City with Qian Renxue.

• Chen Xin agreed to accompany Chen Jianjun to Spirit Hall, and Ning Yuanshan arranged for them to stay overnight at the sect.
• The next morning, Ning Yuanshan and Ning Fengzhi escorted Chen Jianjun and Chen Xin to the mountain gate, where Chen Jianjun thanked Ning Yuanshan for the sect’s kindness.
• After the two had departed, Ning Fengzhi questioned why Ning Yuanshan had helped Spirit Hall take Chen Xin.
• Ning Yuanshan explained that Chen Xin was unlikely to remain at the sect and that earning Huo Yuhao’s goodwill could protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s future standing.
• Ning Yuanshan advised Ning Fengzhi to keep in occasional contact with Chen Xin, whose ties to the sect would remain despite joining Spirit Hall.
• In Spirit City, disguised as he explored with Qian Renxue, Huo Yuhao teased her about whether Huo Yun’er already knew she had obtained a candied hawthorn stick.

Huo Yuhao welcomed Chen Jianjun and Chen Xin to Spirit Hall while teasing Qian Xunji about his swordsmanship and trying to avoid taking over as Pope. Chen Xin became a Spirit Hall elder and chose to live near the Pope's Palace to get away from his father.

• Qian Renxue was caught by Yan Xi after Huo Yuhao refused to help hide her mischief.
• Huo Yuhao met Qian Xunji and questioned whether he could beat Chen Xin in a matched fight, then offered to help cover for his weaker swordsmanship.
• Chen Jianjun and Chen Xin arrived at the Pope's Palace, and Chen Jianjun introduced his son before going to see the Grand Elder.
• Chen Xin recalled his father's awkward attempt to bond with him on the journey and realized Qian Xunji and Qian Daoliu shared the same father-son troubles.
• Qian Xunji appointed Chen Xin a Spirit Hall elder, and Chen Xin chose lodging near the Pope's Palace rather than staying with Chen Jianjun.

Huo Yuhao offered Chen Xin a way to seek insight into the Sword Dao by returning to the body and circumstances he had before his Martial Soul awakened. Chen Xin accepted, and Huo Yuhao transformed him into a six-year-old child.

• Chen Xin asked Qian Xunji when they could cross blades, but Huo Yuhao clarified that he had promised to help Chen Xin improve without fighting.
• Huo Yuhao described Ji Juechen’s devotion to the sword and shared Sword Dao insights that left Chen Xin reflecting on his bottleneck.
• Huo Yuhao suggested Chen Xin and Chen Jianjun relied too much on their Martial Souls, Soul Power, and Soul Skills, then proposed his Soul Skill, Time Cage.
• Huo Yuhao explained that Time Cage would return Chen Xin to age six, before his Martial Soul awakened, and Chen Xin agreed to try it.
• Huo Yuhao transformed Chen Xin into a six-year-old child, then privately told Qian Xunji that he was helping Chen Xin while Qian Xunji accused him of doing it on purpose.

Chen Xin was transformed into a six-year-old by Huo Yuhao’s Soul Skill, leaving him without his Seven Kill Sword or Soul Power but with an unusually clear mind. His father, Chen Jianjun, arrived and delighted in seeing his son as a child before urging him to marry and continue the Seven Kill Sword lineage; Chen Xin’s transformation was expected to last about twelve hours.

• Huo Yuhao lent the childlike Chen Xin a Soul Tool sword, while Qian Xunji secretly photographed him.
• Chen Jianjun entered Pope’s Palace, recognized the six-year-old as his son, and joyfully admired his appearance.
• Qian Xunji and Huo Yuhao explained that Chen Xin would return to normal in about twelve hours or could end the Soul Skill himself.
• Chen Jianjun patted Chen Xin’s head and urged him to marry and have children so the Seven Kill Sword would not end with him.
• Chen Xin’s calm state of mind broke as Qian Xunji and Huo Yuhao teased Chen Jianjun about wanting a grandson.

Chen Xin used Huo Yuhao’s insights about the sword to redirect Chen Jianjun’s attention from marriage and children toward breaking through his cultivation bottleneck. Chen Jianjun asked Huo Yuhao to use his Soul Skill on him, leaving Chen Xin and Qian Xunji amused by the two father and son’s identical childhood appearances.

• Chen Xin told Chen Jianjun that Huo Yuhao’s teachings had made him question the limits imposed by the Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul.
• Chen Jianjun became deeply interested in Chen Xin’s insights and asked Huo Yuhao to let him experience returning to a child’s body.
• Huo Yuhao used his Soul Skill to turn Chen Jianjun into a six-year-old, while Chen Xin watched.
• Huo Yuhao and Qian Xunji suspected Chen Xin had deliberately tempted his father, and Qian Xunji took photos of the pair.
• Qian Xunji asked whether Huo Yuhao’s sword insights could persuade Qian Daoliu to try the Soul Skill, but Huo Yuhao noted that Qian Daoliu’s foundation was the Angel Spirit.

Chen Jianjun broke through to level 98 after meditating with Huo Yuhao’s method, prompting Qian Daoliu to push Qian Xunji to cultivate as well. Meanwhile, Tang Yuehua continued waiting for news of Tang Hao, and Huo Yuhao announced he was going into seclusion before leaving to see Chen Xin and Chen Jianjun.

• Chen Jianjun gained enlightenment while studying the sword Huo Yuhao had given him, and Qian Xunji let him meditate safely in the Pope’s Palace.
• Qian Xunji went to sound out Qian Daoliu about improving his strength, while Huo Yuhao stayed behind to make grilled fish for Xiao Xue.
• Chen Jianjun returned to the Worship Hall and broke through to level 98, leading Qian Daoliu to urge Qian Xunji to use Huo Yuhao’s cultivation method too.
• Tang Yuehua continued waiting for news of Tang Hao and wondered whether Huo Yuhao had deceived her about their agreement.
• Huo Yuhao told Qian Xunji he would enter seclusion, then left the Pope’s Palace to see Chen Xin and Chen Jianjun.