Chapter Summaries

Jiang Chen entered the Eastern Palace as Qian Renxue’s personal guard and became acquainted with the guards and maidservants there. After learning the palace’s layout, he took the food boxes meant for Qian Renxue.

• Jiang Chen and Zhao Hu entered the imperial palace after presenting their passage token and appointment certificate.
• Zhao Hu introduced Jiang Chen to the seven other guards, who greeted him respectfully.
• Jiang Chen changed into a guard’s uniform and told the others to resume their duties while Zhao Hu showed him around the Eastern Palace.
• Jiang Chen stopped the two returning maidservants and took the food boxes they were carrying for Qian Renxue.

Jiang Chen brought food to Qian Renxue and discussed Xue Beng's recovery with her. Qian Renxue invited Jiang Chen to accompany her to Xue Xing's birthday banquet and agreed to let him stay in a room near hers.

• Jiang Chen carried food to Qian Renxue's courtyard and shared a meal with her.
• Qian Renxue tested the dishes for poison after Jiang Chen had already eaten some.
• Jiang Chen told Qian Renxue that Xue Beng had improved after treatment but remained weak and was taking medicine.
• Qian Renxue asked Jiang Chen to accompany her to Xue Xing's birthday banquet the next day.
• Qian Renxue agreed that Jiang Chen could choose a room in her residence, and he said he would stay next to hers.

Jiang Chen spent the night guarding Qian Renxue, resisting the temptation to spy on her while she bathed. At dawn, she assumed Xue Qinghe's appearance and ordered him to help her change, leaving him disappointed by the disguise.

• Jiang Chen sent Xiao Ying away after she checked that his palace entry had gone smoothly, then Qian Renxue kicked him out of her room.
• Jiang Chen heard Qian Renxue bathing nearby but resisted the urge to spy on her and went to the roof to cultivate.
• Jiang Chen watched Zhao Hu and the Imperial Guard patrol, then noticed lonely palace maids, eunuchs, and consorts in the distance.
• At dawn, Jiang Chen waited outside Qian Renxue's room and offered to help her wash and change.
• Qian Renxue transformed into Xue Qinghe and ordered Jiang Chen to assist with changing, but he was disappointed that her disguise concealed her feminine figure.

Jiang Chen accompanied Qian Renxue to pay respects to the empress and waited outside her chambers while she met with her mother and Princess Xue Ke. Qian Renxue left in a good mood and returned to the palace without attending morning court.

• Jiang Chen helped Qian Renxue dress and followed her toward the inner palace with Zhao Hu and the other guards.
• Qian Renxue entered the empress's chambers while Jiang Chen and the other guards stood watch outside.
• Jiang Chen waited outside for over an hour and briefly spoke with Zhao Hu and the others.
• Qian Renxue emerged with a gentle smile and ordered everyone to return to the palace.

Jiang Chen teased Qian Renxue in the Eastern Palace, and she chased and beat him before setting out for Xue Xing's residence. They collected Princess Xue Ke and traveled without stopping for lunch, with Qian Renxue entertaining her with stories along the way.

• Qian Renxue stayed in the study reading while Jiang Chen complained about her delay in visiting Xue Xing.
• Jiang Chen joked about Qian Renxue's layered Crown Prince clothes making it difficult for her to pee, and she angrily chased and beat him.
• Qian Renxue decided to set off and collected Princess Xue Ke from the inner palace.
• Qian Renxue told Princess Xue Ke stories in the carriage as Jiang Chen walked alongside it and regretted not being given the driver's seat.
• The party traveled to Xue Xing's residence without eating lunch, and Jiang Chen expected there would be no food for him there.

Qian Renxue attended Prince Xue Xing’s birthday banquet with Xue Ke and Jiang Chen, presenting him with a valuable painting. Prince Xue Xing said Xue Beng was staying at his residence but was too unwell to attend, while suspecting the mastermind behind recent events was among the guests.

• Qian Renxue arrived at Prince Xue Xing’s estate with Xue Ke and told Jiang Chen to leave his saber with Zhao Hu before entering.
• Qian Renxue and Xue Ke entered the banquet hall, where the guests and Prince Xue Xing rose to greet them.
• Qian Renxue presented Prince Xue Xing with a valuable scroll painting through Jiang Chen, and he thanked her for the gift.
• Qian Renxue asked Prince Xue Xing why Xue Beng was absent, and he said Xue Beng had been staying at his residence and was feeling unwell.
• Prince Xue Xing suspected that the mastermind who had monitored him and rescued the two guards was present at the banquet.

Qian Renxue asked to visit Xue Beng, but Xue Xing kept her away. Jiang Chen’s Little Black Sparrow pecked Xue Beng, delivering Snow Swan Kiss powder, and Xue Beng suddenly began suffering in agony.

• Qian Renxue offered to visit Xue Beng, but Xue Xing told her he was resting and discouraged her from going near him.
• Jiang Chen directed Number Two to monitor Xue Beng and Little Black Sparrow to deliver Snow Swan Kiss powder.
• Xue Beng drank a basin of tonic soup while groping the two maids who served him.
• Little Black Sparrow flew into Xue Beng’s room, pecked him until he bled, and disappeared after he struck at it.
• Xue Beng began screaming and clawing at his body, and the old Soul Master rushed to examine him.

Xue Beng's skin erupted in spreading red spots and blisters, forcing the guards to restrain him while an old Soul Master used a pain-relieving skill to slow the outbreak. As Xue Beng begged to be saved, the scene shifted to the lively birthday banquet, where guests toasted and made connections.

• The guards rushed in and pinned down Xue Beng as he clawed at his skin.
• The old Soul Master ordered Xue Beng's limbs tied to the bed after seeing his damaged body.
• A guard ran to notify His Highness the Prince while the old Soul Master used a soul skill to relieve Xue Beng's pain and itching.
• Red spots spread across Xue Beng's skin, swelling into blisters that burst with pus and black blood.
• Xue Beng begged the old Soul Master to save him, and the soul skill slowed the outbreak.
• Guests drank and made connections at the prince's birthday banquet.

At the banquet, a guard told Prince Xue Xing that Xue Beng was gravely injured, and Qian Renxue hurried to respond with Jiang Chen. The little princess followed them, leaving the guests to react to the news.

• A guard rushed into the banquet hall, knocked over a maid, and whispered an urgent message to Prince Xue Xing.
• Xue Xing left the celebration after hearing the news from the guard.
• Jiang Chen told Qian Renxue that Xue Beng had suffered an episode and might not last much longer.
• Qian Renxue announced that Xue Beng had been harmed and was near death, then hurried away with Jiang Chen.
• The little princess chased after Qian Renxue and Jiang Chen while still carrying pastries.

Qian Renxue and the ministers entered Xue Beng’s room and saw that a mutated red-spotted venereal disease had left him near death. When Xue Xing attacked the healer, the Ministry of Justice official intervened, suggesting Xue Xing might be connected to the fourth prince’s fate.

• Qian Renxue led the ministers to Xue Beng’s room, where they heard his agonized screams.
• Jiang Chen moved a guard aside, and Qian Renxue and the officials entered to find Xue Beng’s body severely ulcerated.
• The healer told Xue Xing that his healing soul skill could no longer help Xue Beng and identified the illness as a mutated red-spotted venereal disease.
• Xue Xing attacked the healer, but the Ministry of Justice official blocked him and pulled the old man to safety.
• Xue Beng continued howling that he did not want to die and that he was in pain.

Jiang Chen discovered that Xue Beng’s organs were rotting, and Xue Beng accused Prince Xue Xing of imprisoning him in a stable after he ate three grains of Diao Bai Jin. Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing both died, bringing Qian Renxue and Jiang Chen’s plan to an end.

• Jiang Chen used the Eye of Heavenly Punishment and saw that Xue Beng’s organs had begun to rot.
• Qian Renxue urged Xue Beng to name the person who had harmed him, and Xue Beng accused Prince Xue Xing of locking him in a stable.
• Xue Beng’s condition worsened until he died, while officials prepared to arrest Prince Xue Xing.
• Prince Xue Xing killed himself in front of everyone, fearing punishment for his crimes.
• Qian Renxue and Jiang Chen exchanged satisfied glances as they confirmed that Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing were both dead.

After Xue Beng died and Xue Xing killed himself, Qian Renxue brought Princess Xue Ke back to the palace and faced Emperor Xue Ye’s fury. She later told Jiang Chen that Xue Ye had sealed off the news, while her plan to take the throne would have to continue slowly.

• Qian Renxue took the shaken Xue Ke to the palace while officials hurried to report Xue Xing and Xue Beng’s deaths to Xue Ye.
• Jiang Chen escorted Xue Ke back to the inner palace as Qian Renxue entered the council hall.
• Xue Ye raged in the council hall, and Qian Renxue did not emerge until evening.
• Qian Renxue told Jiang Chen that Xue Ye had sealed off the news to hide the empire’s disgrace.
• Qian Renxue decided not to hasten her seizure of power, since increasing Xue Ye’s poison risked exposing her plan.

Jiang Chen arranged for Dugu Yan to stay with Xiao Ying after she arrived at the Sanctuary, while Qian Renxue warned Xiao Ying to keep an eye on him. Dugu Yan learned Jiang Chen’s true identity as the Holy Son of Spirit Hall and promised to keep its secrets.

• Xiao Ying told Jiang Chen that Bishop Salas had brought Dugu Yan to the Sanctuary and asked how she should be accommodated.
• Jiang Chen proposed having Dugu Yan stay with Xiao Ying, and Qian Renxue agreed while instructing Xiao Ying to watch over him.
• Jiang Chen and Xiao Ying brought Dugu Yan from the Sanctuary to Xiao Ying’s courtyard.
• Jiang Chen warned Dugu Yan not to reveal anything she had seen or heard about Spirit Hall.
• Dugu Yan promised to keep Spirit Hall’s secrets, even from her grandfather and boyfriend, leaving Xiao Ying shocked by her humility.

After Xue Xing's death, Jiang Chen enjoyed a peaceful birthday and planned to return to Holy Soul Village after Tang San left for Shrek Academy. Qian Renxue prepared to visit her teacher Ning Fengzhi, explaining that her apprenticeship helped her learn from him and gain familiarity with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

• After Jiang Chen left, Xiao Ying questioned Dugu Yan about why she obeyed him, and Dugu Yan said he was her master and a gentleman.
• Jiang Chen reflected that Dugu Bo's departure and Xue Xing's death had left Qian Renxue's plans without an apparent threat.
• Five days later, Jiang Chen celebrated his twelfth birthday with a simple gathering at Xiao Ying's home, where he cooked and made a cake.
• Jiang Chen thought Tang San would soon leave for Shrek Academy and planned to return to Holy Soul Village afterward.
• Qian Renxue prepared gifts for a visit to her teacher at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Jiang Chen arranged their preparations.
• Qian Renxue told Jiang Chen that she had been Ning Fengzhi's disciple for over a year and that learning from him and becoming familiar with the sect served her future plans.

Qian Renxue visited Ning Fengzhi at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's castle, with Jiang Chen accompanying her. Ning Fengzhi greeted them alongside a girl Jiang Chen suspected was Ning Rongrong.

• Jiang Chen praised Qian Renxue for deceiving her opponent, and she left with him and the others.
• Jiang Chen drove Qian Renxue's carriage from Heaven Dou City to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's castle.
• Qian Renxue entered the castle on foot out of respect for her teacher, while Jiang Chen and the others followed.
• Ning Fengzhi came out to greet Qian Renxue with a young girl beside him.
• Jiang Chen observed the girl and guessed she might be Ning Rongrong before Qian Renxue greeted Ning Fengzhi as her teacher.

Qian Renxue visited Ning Fengzhi and met his daughter, Ning Rongrong, while Jiang Chen waited outside. After half a month of routine duties and training, Dugu Yan was due to return to school as the Royal Academy prepared to begin classes.

• Ning Fengzhi introduced Qian Renxue to Ning Rongrong, and Qian Renxue gave the girl a luminous pearl.
• Qian Renxue told Jiang Chen to stay outside while she spoke with Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong.
• Qian Renxue emerged near evening, and Jiang Chen drove her back to the imperial palace.
• Jiang Chen continued escorting Qian Renxue, training with Xiao Ying, teaching two girls combat, and teasing Qian Renxue in the evenings.
• Half a month later, the Royal Academy prepared to begin classes, and Dugu Yan was set to return to school.

Jiang Chen gave Dugu Yan his blood before she returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and warned her that her immortal lifespan could separate her from Yu Tianheng. The chapter ended with him asking whether she was willing to turn Yu Tianheng into a zombie so they could stay together forever.

• Jiang Chen fed Dugu Yan a bowl of his blood and told her she could seek Bishop Salas's help when she became hungry.
• Dugu Yan said Yu Tianheng knew about her condition and still cared for her.
• Jiang Chen warned Dugu Yan that she would remain young for centuries while Yu Tianheng aged and died.
• Dugu Yan begged Jiang Chen to help her stay with Yu Tianheng forever.
• Jiang Chen said the only way was to turn Yu Tianheng into a zombie and asked whether Dugu Yan was willing.

Jiang Chen agreed to help Dugu Yan turn Yu Tianheng into a zombie so they could remain together, while planning to bring the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan under Spirit Hall's influence. He also told Dugu Yan to spare Tang San if she met him, then caught Xiao Ying eavesdropping outside the door.

• Dugu Yan asked Jiang Chen to help make Yu Tianheng a zombie, and Jiang Chen agreed to let her bring Yu Tianheng to him later.
• Jiang Chen planned to use Yu Tianheng to keep the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan from being destroyed and make it submit to Spirit Hall.
• Jiang Chen told Dugu Yan not to kill Tang San if she encountered the Blue Silver Grass Soul Master in Suotuo City.
• Jiang Chen opened the door and caught Xiao Ying stumbling into him after she had been listening outside.

Jiang Chen prepared to travel with Qian Renxue to the Star Dou Great Forest so she could obtain her sixth soul ring, planning to visit Holy Soul Village along the way. They left Heaven Dou City under the cover of Qian Renxue’s month-long secluded cultivation, protected by Spirit Hall guards.

• Jiang Chen left Dugu Yan and Xiao Ying, and Dugu Yan concealed their earlier conversation while offering to help Xiao Ying with her massage routine.
• Jiang Chen delayed dealing with Yu Tianheng until after the trip and decided to combine his visit to Holy Soul Village with Qian Renxue’s journey south.
• Jiang Chen returned to Qian Renxue’s room, lingered with her, and was chased out.
• Two mornings later, Qian Renxue announced she would enter secluded cultivation for a month, and she and Jiang Chen departed Heaven Dou City in Spirit Hall carriages.
• Salas sent more than a dozen guards above level fifty, led by a Soul Douluo, while Zhao Hu and the others stayed behind to maintain appearances at the Eastern Palace.

Jiang Chen joined Qian Renxue and Xiao Ying in their carriage, teased them, and then began cultivating while they talked. As the group continued toward the southern region of the Heaven Dou Empire, he focused on keeping his cultivation lead over Tang San.

• Jiang Chen left Ninth Elder's carriage and squeezed into the one where Qian Renxue and Xiao Ying were chatting.
• Jiang Chen teased Xiao Ying about her growth, then caught her foot when she kicked at him and flicked her sole.
• Qian Renxue told Jiang Chen to leave or stay quiet, and he promised not to interrupt their conversation.
• Jiang Chen began cultivating in the carriage and reflected on his level forty-four cultivation and his fifteen-level lead over Tang San.