Chapter Summaries

Yu Tianheng was left alone to face Demon Enchantment after his teammates were forced out of the arena. Though both fighters were badly injured and running low on Soul Power, Yu Tianheng launched a desperate final assault.

• Jing Wuming carried Ye Lingling out of the arena, while Zhao Youyue dragged Dugu Yan out and the remaining injured Heaven Dou Imperial Academy members were thrown out.
• Yu Tianheng realized he was the only teammate left and fought Demon Enchantment with his transformed dragon body and dark lightning.
• Demon Enchantment struggled against Yu Tianheng’s strength and defense as both sides sustained injuries and exhausted their Soul Power.
• Yu Tianheng unleashed Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Dash and Blue Lightning Rushing Thunder Strike, charging after a lightning dragon with power gathering in his fist.

Yu Tianheng exhausted his Soul Power but broke Hu Liena and Xie Yue’s Martial Soul Fusion Skill with his final attack. He conceded the match, leaving his opponents impressed by his strength.

• Jing Wuming and Zhao Youyue sensed the danger of Yu Tianheng’s skills, but Demon Enchantment insisted on facing him alone.
• Demon Enchantment concentrated the red light into his moon blades and shattered the Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
• Hu Liena and Xie Yue emerged exhausted while Yu Tianheng stood wounded but remained on his feet.
• Yu Tianheng conceded, saluted his opponents, and left the arena.
• Xie Yue and Jing Wuming admitted Yu Tianheng was stronger than them, and Zhao Youyue and Hu Liena agreed.

Tang San questioned Yu Tianheng’s rapid growth and the changes to his and Ye Lingling’s powers after Heaven Dou Royal Academy lost to Martial Soul Hall Academy. Grandmaster agreed the apparent mutations were suspicious and planned to ask Yu Tianheng about them after the match.

• Yu Tianheng left the arena after his team’s defeat, while Ye Lingling glared at Jing Wuming for throwing her out of the ring.
• Tang San compared his level with Yu Tianheng’s and asked Grandmaster about Yu Tianheng’s awakened soul power.
• Tang San pointed out that Yu Tianheng’s blue-violet energy had turned blue-black and seemed stronger.
• Tang San asked Ning Rongrong whether Nine Heart Begonia had black-colored skills, and she said it only had healing abilities.
• Tang San said Ye Lingling had used a black soul skill to attack Jing Wuming and Zhao Youyue, leading Grandmaster to suspect mutations and resolve to question Yu Tianheng.

Tang San suspected Jiang Chen was behind Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling’s strange changes, but Jiang Chen prepared Yu Tianheng to conceal the truth. The third round ended with six teams remaining, and Martial Soul Hall Academy stood as the only surviving seeded team.

• Tang San connected Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling’s abnormalities to Jiang Chen and resolved to wait for the Grandmaster to question Yu Tianheng.
• Jiang Chen met Yu Tianheng privately and warned him not to reveal that he was a zombie or that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had submitted to Martial Soul Hall.
• Jiang Chen gave Yu Tianheng a cover story that he and Ye Lingling had consumed a poisonous herb, causing their Soul Power to mutate.
• The third round ended with six teams remaining after the Heaven Dou and Star Luo seeded teams were eliminated.
• Martial Soul Hall Academy was ranked strongest among the remaining teams, followed by Godwind Academy and Shrek Academy.

Tang San turned down Dai Mubai’s attempt to recruit him for the Star Luo Empire and heard Grandmaster’s explanation for Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling’s mutated Soul Power. As the tournament’s fourth round began, Jiang Chen joined the Martial Soul Hall Academy team as a substitute so he could fight Shrek Academy if they met.

• Dai Mubai visited Tang San and tried to recruit him for the Star Luo Empire, but Tang San refused, determined to restore the Tang Sect’s glory.
• Grandmaster told Tang San that Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling had both eaten a poisonous herb that mutated their Soul Power, and Tang San accepted that explanation despite his suspicions about Jiang Chen.
• After resting for a day, Jiang Chen returned to his original appearance, put on the Martial Soul Hall Academy uniform, and joined its team as a substitute.
• Jiang Chen took the substitute position because he feared Martial Soul Hall Academy and Shrek Academy might meet before the final round and wanted to fight Shrek if they did.

Jiang Chen watched the fourth-round matches and realized Tang San recognized him. After the three strongest academies advanced, Tang San chased Jiang Chen down as he left the arena, and Jiang Chen stayed to face him despite fearing Tang Hao might be nearby.

• Jiang Chen brushed off the three substitute team members who tried to question him.
• Jiang Chen noticed Tang San staring at him, and the two exchanged smiles and a nod as Tang San suspected his identity.
• Martial Soul Hall Academy, Shrek Academy, and Godwind Academy won their matches and advanced to the championship round, where the Pope would present three soul bones to the champions.
• Jiang Chen left the arena early to resume his role as Qian Renxue's guard.
• Tang San called after Jiang Chen and caught up with him, and Jiang Chen decided to stay despite worrying Tang Hao might be watching.

Jiang Chen reunited with Tang San after the competition, while declining to meet Tang San’s classmates. The Shrek group arrived and learned that Jiang Chen was the childhood friend Tang San had mentioned.

• Jiang Chen decided not to hide from the possibility that Tang Hao might target him.
• Tang San recognized Jiang Chen, and the two agreed to find a place to talk.
• Jiang Chen refused Tang San’s offer to introduce him to his classmates as Shrek’s group approached.
• Qian Renxue greeted Tang San and learned that Jiang Chen was his childhood friend and a student at Martial Soul Hall Academy.
• Dai Mubai asked who Jiang Chen was, and Tang San identified him as the Jiang Chen he had mentioned before.

Jiang Chen confronted Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun over their past conflict, then threatened Zhu Zhuqing after she condemned Spirit Hall for sending a Titled Douluo after them. The Shrek group faced a tense standoff in Spirit City as Zhu Zhuqing stood by her criticism.

• Jiang Chen mocked Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun about their past defeat, while they restrained their anger in Spirit Hall territory.
• Jiang Chen reminded them that a Titled Douluo had pursued them and that Sword Douluo had saved them.
• Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and accused Spirit Hall of acting despicably, prompting Grandmaster and Tang San to try to stop the confrontation.
• Jiang Chen warned Zhu Zhuqing that she would not leave Spirit City for her words, then silenced Grandmaster with his imposing aura.
• Zhu Zhuqing defended her accusation, saying Dai Mubai and the others had already learned their lesson after Jiang Chen injured them.

Jiang Chen exposed Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun’s harassment of Spirit Hall’s pope and saintess, leaving Zhu Zhuqing and the Shrek Academy teachers horrified. Tang San asked Jiang Chen to spare the two men and offered to fulfill any condition that would not harm his family or friends; Jiang Chen accepted.

• Zhu Zhuqing resisted Dai Mubai’s attempt to pull her away and defended him against Jiang Chen’s accusations.
• Jiang Chen revealed that Ma Hongjun had harassed Hu Liena and Dai Mubai had harassed the pope.
• Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the Shrek Academy teachers realized the accusations could bring severe consequences.
• Tang San asked Jiang Chen to spare Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun and offered him a favor in return.
• Jiang Chen agreed to Tang San’s offer.

Jiang Chen left the confrontation with Shrek and met Tang San privately at an inn, where their former friendship felt strained. Tang San questioned him about the missing members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and began to make a suggestion.

• Jiang Chen stopped himself from escalating the dispute with Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, then invited Tang San to leave with him.
• Tang San consoled Grandmaster, while Flender punished Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing ran back to the hotel after rejecting Dai Mubai.
• Jiang Chen took Tang San to a private room at an inn near Pope Palace, where they sat together over tea and food.
• Tang San reflected that eight years had changed Jiang Chen and asked whether Yu Tianheng, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan had become zombies.
• Jiang Chen denied any connection to them, and Tang San said he had a suggestion for Jiang Chen to consider.

Jiang Chen challenged Tang San’s faith in the Grandmaster’s theories by revealing his five black soul rings and Soul King cultivation. Tang San began to doubt his teacher’s theories but refused Jiang Chen’s offer to join Spirit Hall.

• Tang San urged Jiang Chen to leave Spirit Hall and study under the Grandmaster at Shrek Academy.
• Jiang Chen questioned whether the Grandmaster’s theories could explain Tang San’s ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring.
• Jiang Chen revealed that he was a Soul King with five black soul rings, shocking Tang San.
• Jiang Chen argued that the Grandmaster’s theories suited ordinary soul masters but failed to account for exceptional talents like them, prompting Tang San to question the theories.
• Jiang Chen invited Tang San to join Spirit Hall, but Tang San refused, and Jiang Chen asked him to explain why.

Jiang Chen argued that Spirit Hall’s unification of the continent could bring lasting peace, but Tang San refused to join because of his family’s enmity with Spirit Hall. Jiang Chen left after a final toast, while Tang San remained troubled by the possibility that they would meet in battle.

• Jiang Chen told Tang San that Spirit Hall’s ambitions could end the wars between the empires and bring peace through unification.
• Tang San admitted Jiang Chen’s argument made sense but refused to join Spirit Hall.
• Jiang Chen asked whether Tang San’s refusal was because of his father, prompting Tang San to ask about Tang Hao and his mother.
• Jiang Chen said he knew little about Tang San’s parents, then toasted him and warned they might meet on the battlefield.
• Jiang Chen left the tavern, and Tang San stayed behind, wondering whether his family’s feud with Spirit Hall made them destined to fight.
• Jiang Chen felt pleased with the conversation and prepared to change back into Qian Renxue’s guard.

Tang Hao cornered Jiang Chen in Spirit City and led him to an inn for a private conversation. Jiang Chen tried to hide his worries and answered Tang Hao’s questions about his life at Martial Soul Hall, then asked why Tang Hao had summoned him.

• Tang Hao’s aura locked onto Jiang Chen, and he told Jiang Chen he wanted to talk.
• Jiang Chen followed Tang Hao from Spirit City to an inn, believing there might still be room to resolve matters peacefully.
• Tang Hao removed his hood and welcomed Jiang Chen to sit, and Jiang Chen greeted him as Uncle Tang.
• Tang Hao asked whether Jiang Chen had been doing well at Martial Soul Hall, and Jiang Chen said he had studied at its academy and written letters home to Grandpa Jack.
• Jiang Chen asked Tang Hao how he had come to Spirit City and what he wanted from him.

Jiang Chen met Tang Hao, who admitted he had considered killing him but let him go after learning he would not expose Tang Hao's location. Jiang Chen kept the encounter from Bibi Dong and prepared Hu Liena and the others for the Shrek Team's abilities.

• Tang Hao apologized to Jiang Chen for overhearing his conversation with Tang San and asked about his knowledge of Tang Hao and his current cultivation rank.
• Jiang Chen revealed he had reached Soul King and was the fifth member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, surprising Tang Hao.
• Tang Hao confessed he had considered killing Jiang Chen but chose not to, and asked him to keep his presence in Spirit City secret from Tang San.
• Jiang Chen promised not to tell Spirit Hall about Tang Hao, then left after Tang Hao warned him not to become an enemy.
• Jiang Chen went to Pope Palace and spent several hours analyzing the Shrek Team's possible skills for Hu Liena and the others, but did not tell Bibi Dong about Tang Hao.

The championship match began at Pope Palace, where Shrek Academy and Godwind Academy faced the Martial Soul Hall Academy team. Shrek’s spirits sank when they saw Jiang Chen among five Soul Kings, but Tang San encouraged his teammates to fight without giving up.

• After three days of rest, the academies gathered in the plaza before Pope Palace for the championship match.
• The Martial Soul Hall Academy team, led by Xie Yue, included Jiang Chen and five Soul Kings.
• Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai worried about facing Jiang Chen after his earlier displays of strength.
• Tang San reflected on Grandmaster’s incomplete theories and resolved to surpass them through practical effort.
• Tang San urged Shrek’s team to fight together and give their all, helping his teammates regain their confidence.

Martial Soul Hall Academy introduced another team member as the academies awaited the Pope’s arrival. Bibi Dong appeared before the assembled soul masters, and nearly everyone knelt in respect, leaving Shrek Academy standing.

• Huo Wushuang noticed that Martial Soul Hall Academy had changed another team member, and Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu assessed the newcomer.
• Huo Wu focused on Tang San as the opponent she most wanted to defeat.
• Bibi Dong emerged from Pope Palace in ceremonial robes, and Martial Soul Hall members knelt to greet her.
• Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, and the Godwind Academy teachers knelt, followed by nearly all the other academies.
• Shrek Academy remained standing alone in the square.

Bibi Dong presided over the tournament ceremony, where Tang San resisted her oppressive aura and Spirit Hall revealed three soul bones as the victors’ reward. The soul bones stirred greed among everyone present, including Jiang Chen.

• Yueguan informed Bibi Dong that Tang San belonged to the Clear Sky Sect, and she recalled Grandmaster’s plea to spare him.
• Tang San endured Bibi Dong’s pressure, met her gaze, and used the Purple Demon Eye to resist it.
• Bibi Dong ordered the palace-protecting knights to stand down and welcomed the young competitors.
• Bibi Dong displayed three soul bones, drawing greedy looks from the crowd and Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen watched the tournament’s individual elimination round pass without a fight after Shrek Academy and Godwind Academy both forfeited. In the afternoon, Shrek used its Seven-in-One Fusion Skill to defeat Godwind Academy, leaving Tang San’s Soul Power boosted beyond level sixty but short of the level needed for a Martial Soul Avatar.

• Bibi Dong explained the individual elimination format, and Grandmaster withdrew Shrek Academy to save its strength for the afternoon team battle.
• Godwind Academy also forfeited, allowing Martial Soul Hall Academy to advance directly to the championship match.
• Jiang Chen stayed to watch Shrek Academy face Godwind Academy in the afternoon.
• Shrek Academy used the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill, which raised Tang San’s Soul Power beyond level sixty but did not let him unleash a Martial Soul Avatar.
• The Seven-in-One Fusion Skill proved sufficient for Shrek Academy to defeat Godwind Academy.

Tang San led Shrek Academy to victory over Godwind Academy and secured a place in the championship match against Martial Soul Hall Academy. Bibi Dong entrusted Jiang Chen with planning his team’s tactics for the final, and he promised they would win.

• Tang San defeated Feng Xiaotian and drove Godwind Academy’s members from the arena, sending Shrek Academy to the championship match.
• Jiang Chen saw Huo Wu’s frustration after her plan to defeat Tang San ended in failure.
• Bibi Dong told the Martial Soul Hall Academy team how to counter Shrek’s fusion skill, then assigned Jiang Chen to plan the final’s tactics.
• Gui Mei warned the team that they could only win the match, while Bibi Dong dismissed everyone except Jiang Chen and Hu Liena.
• Jiang Chen asked Bibi Dong for permission to arrange the tactics his own way, and she trusted him with the team’s honor.
• Jiang Chen assured Bibi Dong that Martial Soul Hall Academy would not lose.

Jiang Chen told Bibi Dong he would face Shrek Academy alone, but refused her order to kill Tang San. After discussing the battle plan with his teammates, Jiang Chen asked Hu Liena about the dangerous training grounds of Martial Soul Hall.

• Jiang Chen told Bibi Dong he wanted to defeat Shrek Academy by himself, and she agreed while ordering him to kill Tang San.
• Jiang Chen refused to kill Tang San, saying he considered him a rival who pushed him to grow and would not let him threaten Martial Soul Hall.
• Jiang Chen and Hu Liena joined Xie Yue and the others to review their plan for the next day's match, and the group accepted Jiang Chen's solo challenge.
• Jiang Chen asked Hu Liena about Misty Grand Canyon, and she explained that it and Death Canyon could prove deadly even for powerful Soul Masters.
• Jiang Chen became interested in visiting the dangerous training grounds in the future.