Chapter Summaries

Hai Ya asked the Technology Guild to build a Soul Guidance Battleship, and Chen Lin presented two possible plans. Hai Ya was drawn to the quicker ironclad proposal, while the more ambitious true Soul Guidance Battleship remained a difficult future project.

• Hai Ya told Chen Hong that he had sailed from Amers to Suotuo City to ask whether the Technology Guild would build a Soul Guidance Battleship.
• Hai Ya explained that he saw a ship as a moving island and wanted a safer, sturdier harbor for his people.
• Chen Lin offered Hai Ya two plans for a battleship.
• Chen Lin described a Soul Engine Ironclad Ship that could be built within half a year but would only be a semi-Soul Guidance ship.
• Chen Lin explained that the true Soul Guidance Battleship would function as an enormous Soul Tool, though the Guild lacked the necessary technical foundations, blueprints, and material research.

Chen Lin proposed investing in the Sea Soul Mercenary Group, offering advanced Soul Tools and technical support in exchange for half its equity and future profits. Hai Ya remained wary, while Chen Hong watched his father conduct the negotiations.

• Chen Lin described the future potential of Soul Guidance Battleships, and Hai Ya excitedly asked whether the plan was real.
• Chen Lin explained that the Technology Guild could sell the merfolk only one Soul-Powered Ironclad Ship, with extra charges for some functions, and warned that building weapons of war carried risks.
• Chen Lin considered how taking over Suotuo City could help the Technology Guild secure financing and eventually replace the Gold Soul Coin system.
• Chen Lin offered the Sea Soul Mercenary Group advanced Soul Guidance Machines and technical support in exchange for fifty percent of its equity and future profits.
• Hai Ya frowned at the proposal, and Chen Lin clarified that the mercenary group would remain under Hai Ya's control.

Chen Lin offered Hai Ya’s Sea Soul Mercenary Group Soul Tools and ships in exchange for half its profits, tying its future to the Technology Guild’s overseas ambitions. Hai Ya accepted in principle but asked what the Guild would do if the group eventually clashed with the Two Great Empires; Chen Hong dismissed the concern and considered Spirit Hall’s future and a possible voyage around the world.

• Chen Lin explained that the Technology Guild would invest in the Sea Soul Mercenary Group, supplying equipment in return for half its profits and funding battleship research.
• Hai Ya agreed that the proposal was tempting but warned that the Sea Soul Mercenary Group might fight the Two Great Empires’ fleets within five to ten years.
• Chen Hong asked when Hai Ya expected the conflict, then said there was no need to worry because it would not happen for at least five years.
• Chen Hong speculated that Spirit Hall might be under his influence by then and considered investigating its leadership in Spirit City.
• Chen Hong imagined sending the Sea Soul Fleet west to attack the Douluo Continent’s eastern coast if the Pope failed to strive.

Hai Ya accepted the Technology Guild’s proposal and agreed to provide half the Sea Soul Mercenary Group’s funds, while Chen Lin arranged support and a tour of the guild’s workshops. Meanwhile, Ning Lu confronted Chen Hong about bringing Sophie and Soya home, leaving him nervously insisting that he wanted to study their Martial Soul Aberration Phenomenon.

• Hai Ya accepted Chen Lin’s proposal on behalf of the Sea Soul Mercenary Group and offered half of the group’s current earnings.
• Chen Lin and Hai Ya signed a cooperation agreement, and Chen Lin arranged accommodations and business guidance for the mercenaries.
• Ning Lu questioned Chen Hong about the Three Musketeers visiting the clinic and meeting the cat-eared girls.
• Ning Lu demanded to know why Chen Hong had brought Sophie and Soya home, and Chen Hong claimed he wanted to study their Martial Soul Aberration Phenomenon and help resolve it.

Chen Hong gave Ning Lu Mental Primordial Liquid and warned her to keep it secret, then proposed establishing a free Commoner Academy in Suotuo City. Ning Lu and Ning Quan considered how educating commoners could benefit the Technology Guild in the long run.

• Chen Hong transferred Mental Primordial Liquid to Ning Lu through [Sage]'s Ring, strengthening her divine soul, and cautioned her not to reveal it.
• Ning Quan noticed Ning Lu's improved spiritual aura, and Chen Hong explained that the scarce liquid would also go to his uncle and father.
• Ning Quan reflected that Ning Lu and Chen Hong both produced valuable goods, while Chen Lin seemed to suppress their stat inflation.
• Chen Hong proposed a free Commoner Academy in Suotuo City to teach children literacy and basic Soul Guidance Device Fundamentals.
• Ning Quan recognized that the academy could improve the population and find talented Soul Tool makers among commoners, potentially repaying the guild's investment.

Chen Hong persuaded Ning Lu to lead the Technology Guild’s free Affiliated Primary School project, while the Guild’s products and influence expanded across Douluo Continent. The chapter ended with Spirit Hall formally recognizing the New Soul Coin as exchangeable for Gold Soul Coins at its branches.

• Chen Hong and Ning Quan convinced Ning Lu to oversee the Technology Guild’s education initiative, and Chen Hong outlined plans for a future Comprehensive Academy.
• Hai Ya toured the Technology Guild’s Production Workshop with Chen Lin, then left Suotuo City determined to strengthen his alliance with the Guild.
• Ning Lu recruited help and launched the free Affiliated Primary School, which quickly attracted students and support from Spirit Masters across Suotuo City.
• The Soul Power Milk Bottle brought the Technology Guild a surge of income, and the Guild gifted Spirit Hall a production line after it sought to enter the industry.
• Spirit Hall formally recognized the Technology Guild’s New Soul Coin as exchangeable for Gold Soul Coins at any Spirit Hall Branch.

Chen Hong’s Qi Feeding Method let him absorb Mental Primordial Liquid from the Faith Turbulence over Suotuo City, though it required immense Spiritual Sense and a large population. After sensing Tang San and the others had returned, he turned back to his research and asked Mermaid Kelly to document what she knew about Sea Soul Beasts.

• Chen Hong issued New Soul Coins at a dynamic exchange rate while the Technology Guild stockpiled Gold Soul Coins.
• Chen Hong refined three drops of Mental Primordial Liquid from Suotuo City’s Faith Turbulence and gave them to Ning Quan and Chen Lin.
• Chen Hong’s research revealed that the Qi Feeding Method required Spiritual Sense capable of perceiving Faith Turbulence and a large, receptive population.
• Chen Hong sensed Tang San and the others entering Suotuo City but decided to wait for them to seek him out.
• Mermaid Kelly complained about writing, and Chen Hong reminded her that he had asked her to record everything she knew about Sea Soul Beasts.

Chen Hong kept Mermaid Kelly in his courtyard and had her document Sea Soul Beasts and ocean minerals, while Ning Lu discovered Kelly chewing pencils. The chapter ended with Ning Lu revealing a familiar silver-haired girl who greeted Chen Hong.

• Chen Hong persuaded Kelly to stay and record what she knew about Sea Soul Beasts and ocean minerals.
• Kelly bit through pencils and their box after Chen Hong scolded her for chewing their tips.
• Ning Lu arrived, mistook Kelly’s graphite-covered face for evidence that Chen Hong fed her pencils, and watched Kelly dive into the water in embarrassment.
• Chen Hong explained Kelly’s behavior, and Ning Lu teased him about keeping a mermaid in his courtyard.
• Ning Lu brought a silver-haired girl out from behind the door, and she greeted Chen Hong with, “Hey! Brother Hong, surprised?”

Chen Hong reunited with Ye Lingling in Suotuo City, where she described her growth at Heaven Dou Royal Academy and her Imperial Fighting Team. Their conversation left Chen Hong reflecting on the unusual nature of his Martial Soul and why he would avoid competing publicly in the Youth Soul Master Competition.

• Ning Lu reunited Chen Hong and Ye Lingling, then left them to talk privately.
• Chen Hong and Ye Lingling sat by the lotus pond, where she teased him about becoming a furry fan and sensed that his Life Realm had changed.
• Ye Lingling told Chen Hong that she had joined the Imperial Fighting Team, reached the Soul Elder Realm, and come to Suotuo City with her teammates to train for the Youth Soul Master Competition.
• Chen Hong considered how his Mental Power had strengthened his unusual Martial Soul Psychic Power and why he did not want to reveal its secrets as a tournament contestant.
• Kelly secretly listened from the lotus pond while Ye Lingling continued telling Chen Hong about her life at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Chen Hong gave Ye Lingling Mental Primordial Liquid as a secret gift, teasing her into thinking he was about to kiss her. When Ye Lingling realized what he had done, she attacked him and pinned him beneath her.

• Ye Lingling showed Chen Hong the rotating sphere of her refined soul rings and hinted that her control had advanced beyond what he expected.
• Chen Hong approached Ye Lingling to give her a gift, while Kelly objected to being asked to keep it secret and plunged into the water.
• Chen Hong transferred Mental Primordial Liquid to Ye Lingling by pressing his forehead to hers, leaving her briefly calm and mentally clear.
• Ye Lingling blushed in embarrassment, called Chen Hong mean, and pounced on him after he raised a Psychic Barrier.
• Ye Lingling shattered Chen Hong's Psychic Barrier and pinned him to the ground, leaving him unable to resist.

Chen Hong realized that Ye Lingling’s Nine Heart Begonia resonated with her Soul Rings, strengthening her Martial Soul’s innate ability. After Ye Lingling pinned and teased him, Chen Hong used a Soul Power Engraving to disrupt her Soul Power flow and turn the tables.

• Ye Lingling pinned Chen Hong after his Psychic Barrier shattered, while Chen Hong avoided using mind-damaging Soul Arts against her.
• Chen Hong deduced that Ye Lingling’s understanding of Soul Ring skills had created a powerful resonance with the Nine Heart Begonia and its innate ability.
• Ye Lingling kneaded Chen Hong’s cheeks in revenge as he complained that she was the one bullying him.
• Chen Hong searched for Ning Quan’s help but discovered that his uncle had disappeared.
• Chen Hong drew a Mysterious Pattern with his blood and struck Ye Lingling’s waist, disrupting her Soul Power flow and interrupting her Innate Soul Skill.

Ye Lingling defeated Chen Hong in a playful spar and revealed that her evolved Innate Soul Skill could drain vitality as well as restore it. Chen Hong recognized the dangerous potential of her ability and wondered whether the Chen family had a knack for turning Support Soul Masters into fighters.

• Ye Lingling used her Innate Soul Skill to overpower Chen Hong and made him admit defeat.
• Ye Lingling helped Chen Hong up and straightened his clothes while he praised the strength of her martial soul and Soul Skill.
• Chen Hong recalled that his mother, Ning Lu, had also mutated from a Support Soul Master into a formidable fighter.
• Ye Lingling explained that she could use her life-related Innate Soul Skill to enhance herself and promote her body's evolution.
• Ye Lingling privately revealed that she could also reduce another person's vitality, stunning Chen Hong with her ability to weaken opponents.

Chen Hong praised Ye Lingling after she revealed that her Nine Heart Begonia could manipulate life energy, and he explained how her ability reflected an authority over life. Ye Lingling worried that using it to take life force would make her an evil Spirit Master, while Chen Hong reassured her that the power could be used well.

• Ye Lingling sent Life Energy through her hand into Chen Hong, and he felt his body’s cells metabolizing efficiently.
• Chen Hong congratulated Ye Lingling on discovering a unique path for her Nine Heart Begonia and considered its connection to life authority.
• Chen Hong reflected on Yu Xiaogang’s Luo Sanpao research and the possibility that Martial Souls could develop spirituality.
• Ye Lingling confessed that she feared using her ability to reduce another person’s Life Force would make her evil.
• Chen Hong comforted Ye Lingling and told her that power had no distinction between good and evil if she used it properly.

Chen Hong explained his theory that Evil Soul Masters were potential shepherds whose powers tested whether they could use their abilities responsibly. He reassured Ye Lingling that her ability was not inherently evil, leaving her with the idea that she could prove herself worthy of becoming a shepherd.

• Chen Hong comforted Ye Lingling and described Evil Soul Masters as people who gained power by exploiting others, whom he called “eating people.”
• Chen Hong proposed that Evil Soul Masters were the world’s chosen shepherds and ordinary people were lambs, prompting Ye Lingling to question why Evil Soul Masters were condemned.
• Chen Hong suggested that the strongest Evil Soul Masters might have completed a transition and become gods, while Kelly and Ning Quan listened and reconsidered his claim.
• Chen Hong reframed the lambs, shepherds, and wolves as a matter of perspective, saying power itself was neither good nor evil and that a person’s heart determined how it was used.
• Chen Hong told Ye Lingling that her evil ability marked her potential to become a shepherd, and that how she used it would serve as an examination of her character.

Chen Hong reassured Ye Lingling that her Life Plunder ability did not make her evil, and encouraged her to use it responsibly while concealing his ability to help people avoid the corruption of the Path of the Wolf. After Ye Lingling left to meet her teammates, Chen Hong chatted with Ning Quan and mermaid Kelly.

• Chen Hong reflected that his Soul Skills and Mental Soul Method could let him help others use plundered life force without suffering the usual corruption, but he kept that power secret to prevent chaos.
• Chen Hong reassured Ye Lingling that power itself was neither righteous nor evil, gave her a gift that could increase her Mental Power, and encouraged her to trust herself.
• Ye Lingling felt relieved and delighted by Chen Hong's support, then asked him to meet her teammates before leaving to join them.
• Chen Hong asked Ning Quan whether meditating had helped him gain insight, and Ning Quan teased him for acting like a saint.
• Mermaid Kelly told Chen Hong that he was wrong, but Chen Hong dismissed her argument and told her to believe what she wanted.

After Tang San and Xiao Wu thanked Chen Hong and agreed to his research, Chen Hong wondered why Tang Hao had not visited. A sudden disturbance outside Suotuo City revealed a golden-haired man intercepting Tang Hao as he fled through the forest.

• Chen Hong and Kelly worked on their Martial Soul notes and the Illustrated Record of Sea Beasts while Ning Quan cultivated, and half a month passed.
• Tang San and Xiao Wu visited Chen Hong after Tang Hao revealed Tang San's background and secured the two great Soul Beasts' permission for Xiao Wu to leave the Star Dou Great Forest.
• Xiao Wu agreed to Chen Hong's non-destructive research, and Tang San insisted on being present when it took place.
• Chen Hong wondered why Tang Hao had not accompanied Tang San and Xiao Wu, then sensed a tremendous roar outside Suotuo City and surveyed the city with his mental force.
• A golden-haired man caught up with Tang Hao in a forest outside the city and asked why the Clear Sky Douluo was fleeing in such a panic.

Tang Hao confronted Qian Daoliu, who revealed his interest in the unusual powers of Tang Hao’s Blue Silver Empress Soul Ring but showed little hostility. Believing Qian Daoliu had come for revenge, Tang Hao exploded all nine of his Soul Rings and struck with the Great Sumeru Hammer, which Qian Daoliu caught with one hand.

• Tang Hao recognized Qian Daoliu as a Level 99 Peerless Douluo and prepared to fight despite having little chance of winning.
• Qian Daoliu identified Tang Hao’s red Soul Ring as the Blue Silver Empress’s sacrifice and wondered what powers it held.
• Qian Daoliu explained that Spirit Hall had not seriously pursued Tang Hao, while Tang Hao mistook their encounter for a chance at revenge for Qian Xunji.
• Tang Hao exploded his first eight Soul Rings, then hesitated before detonating the final Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.
• Tang Hao used the Great Sumeru Hammer against Qian Daoliu, who caught the massive hammer with one armored hand.

Qian Daoliu fought Tang Hao, recognized the Great Sumeru Hammer’s power, and let him escape rather than risk disrupting Suotuo City. He then approached the city and was struck by the scale of its rapidly expanding industry.

• Qian Daoliu blocked Tang Hao’s Ring Explosion and Great Sumeru Hammer with Angel’s Flame Aura Armor, then reflected on the technique’s power.
• Qian Daoliu chose not to kill Tang Hao, partly because he wanted to observe his cultivation and partly because he feared provoking trouble in Suotuo City.
• Qian Daoliu changed into ordinary clothes and headed toward Suotuo City along the Suo-Wu Highway.
• Qian Daoliu saw Soul-Powered Vehicles and the sprawling industrial city, with factories and shipyards spreading across the plains.
• Qian Daoliu stopped beneath a sign welcoming visitors to Suotuo City and inviting them to define a new meaning for their lives.

After Suotuo City’s alert ended, Chen Hong considered the unidentified Spirit Hall Soul Douluo who had clashed with Tang Hao and urged everyone to stay cautious. Chen Lin discussed the Technology Guild’s coming title ceremony and possible compensation, then persuaded Chen Hong to consider accompanying him to Heaven Dou City to visit Ye Lingling’s family.

• Chen Hong counted the powerful Spirit Masters gathered in Suotuo City and suspected the unidentified Titled Douluo nearby belonged to Spirit Hall.
• Chen Hong warned Chen Lin, Ning Lu, Ning Rongrong, Ning Quan, Ye Lingling, Flender, and the others to avoid making enemies and seek Spirit Hall’s help if trouble arose.
• Chen Lin told Chen Hong that the Technology Guild’s title ceremony was expected within two or three months and that Xue Qinghe and Prince Barry had discussed compensation that might include Suotuo City as a fief.
• Chen Hong declined to accompany Chen Lin to Heaven Dou City, but Chen Lin urged him to visit Ye Lingling’s family there.
• Ye Lingling blushed at Chen Lin’s implication, and Chen Hong said they would discuss the trip when the time came.

Chen Hong cultivated with Ye Lingling’s Life Bestowal and reached level twenty-five, while learning that her life aura could break through his Sage State. The chapter ended with Ye Lingling teasing him into opening his eyes, and Chen Hong claiming she had eye gunk.

• Chen Hong decided to keep cultivating while waiting to see whether Spirit Hall’s higher-ups would summon him to Spirit City.
• Ye Lingling used her mutated Nine Heart Begonia skill to strengthen Chen Hong’s body and support his cultivation.
• After three days of cultivation, Chen Hong reached level twenty-five, and both he and Ye Lingling showed signs of accelerated growth.
• Ye Lingling teased Chen Hong as he used his Sage State, then tested it by pouring Life Energy into him.
• Chen Hong’s Sage State failed to suppress his thoughts, so he opened his eyes and told Ye Lingling she had eye gunk.