Chapter Summaries

After Xu Zhi was executed and the Spirit Pagoda seized his home, Xu Yuan was taken in by his cousin Xu Shengqun and moved to Skysea City. A year later, Xu Yuan awakened Soul Power and a brush Martial Soul resembling his mother's, while sensing that his brain might also be changing.

• Spirit Pagoda Soul Masters told Xu Yuan that his father, Xu Zhi, had fled with research materials and been executed, then reclaimed the family villa.
• Xu Shengqun took Xu Yuan away and promised to seek answers from Qian Gu Dongfeng, but learned nothing useful about Xu Zhi's case.
• Three days later, Xu Shengqun took Xu Yuan from Shrek City to Skysea City, where he was stationed as a Spirit Transfer Envoy.
• A year later, Xu Shengqun awakened Xu Yuan's Martial Soul at the Skysea City Spirit Pagoda.
• Xu Yuan sensed changes in his brain and manifested his mother's writing-brush Martial Soul, while Xu Shengqun recognized that he had Innate Soul Power.

Xu Yuan tested his Heaven Origin Brush Martial Soul and discovered strong Soul Power and Spiritual Power, then revealed to Xu Shengqun that he also had a Brain Martial Soul. Xu Shengqun urged him to keep the second Martial Soul secret and concluded that Xu Yuan should pursue his future outside the Spirit Pagoda.

• Xu Yuan tested his Heaven Origin Brush and measured Innate Soul Power Level 7, nearly Level 8.
• Xu Yuan asked Xu Shengqun to test his Spiritual Power, which measured 81.
• Xu Yuan asked Xu Shengqun to block the surveillance devices and revealed that he had a second Martial Soul: a Brain Martial Soul.
• Xu Shengqun told Xu Yuan not to reveal his second Martial Soul to outsiders and registered his Heaven Origin Brush and Soul Power.
• Xu Shengqun said Xu Yuan could not serve in the Spirit Pagoda because of his talent, and Xu Yuan agreed that another faction would be safer.

Xu Yuan weighed which major power to join and began cultivating with an advanced Meditation Method. He planned to seek the Body Sect’s guidance while studying Shrek as a future option, but he was left wondering what path to take in an era dominated by bloodlines.

• Xu Shengqun analyzed Shrek, the Tang Sect, and the War God Hall for Xu Yuan, recommending Shrek because it would best conceal his identity and leave him free to choose another faction later.
• Xu Yuan guessed that Xu Shengqun meant the Body Sect, and Xu Shengqun offered to arrange for him to become Mu Ye’s disciple while they waited for Shrek’s admissions.
• Xu Yuan studied the advanced Meditation Method and learned that modern Soul Masters used standardized Soul Power circulation routes as starting points, then adapted them to their own Martial Souls.
• Xu Yuan meditated through the night, absorbed vital energy, and felt his Soul Power increase slightly.
• Xu Yuan decided to master Xu Shengqun’s circulation routes before adjusting them to suit himself, then wondered what path to follow in an era when powerful bloodlines could suppress other Martial Souls.

Xu Yuan explored the traits of his mutated Heaven Origin Brush Martial Soul and rapidly mastered his Meditation Method. After Xu Shengqun returned, he confirmed Xu Yuan’s progress, arranged a trip to Heaven Dou City, and began explaining how to face True Dragon Spirits.

• Xu Yuan transformed his Heaven Origin Brush into a spear and discovered that it carried Spear Intent, while its brush form could absorb Heaven and Earth Origin Qi to create ink.
• Xu Yuan practiced spear techniques and cultivated alone for five days, quickly mastering the Meditation Method and breaking through a Soul Power bottleneck.
• Xu Shengqun returned, verified Xu Yuan’s cultivation, and told him they would travel to Heaven Dou City the next day after he contacted the Body Sect.
• Xu Yuan asked Xu Shengqun about countering the pressure exerted by True Dragon Spirits, and Xu Shengqun began explaining their rarity and the possibility of encountering one at Shrek Academy.

Xu Shengqun explained that Xu Yuan could counter Dragon Might by strengthening his Spiritual Power and will, helping Xu Yuan recognize Spiritual Power as his advantage against the Golden Dragon King Bloodline. Xu Yuan then sought advice about choosing a Soul Spirit, but rejected the paths his uncle suggested and favored developing the Heaven Origin Brush as a power attack system.

• Xu Shengqun told Xu Yuan that True Dragon Spirits suppressed Beast Souls by rank, while Dragon Might could be resisted by strengthening Spiritual Power and will.
• Xu Yuan realized his Brain Martial Soul had given him unusually high Spiritual Power and could help him withstand the Golden Dragon King Bloodline's Dragon Might.
• Xu Yuan worried that dragon- and beast-type Soul Spirits might expose him to suppression, and he also considered and dismissed killing Tang Wulin.
• Xu Yuan asked Xu Shengqun for advice about his first Soul Spirit, since he was nearing Level 10.
• Xu Shengqun suggested vine Soul Spirits or beast-type Soul Spirits that might become combat methods through the Heaven Origin Brush.
• Xu Yuan rejected the Brush God Douluo's approach and said he preferred to develop the Heaven Origin Brush for the power attack system.

Xu Yuan explained that his mutated Heaven Origin Brush could transform into a spear and use Spear Intent, prompting Xu Shengqun to reconsider his first Soul Spirit choice. Xu Shengqun proposed a hundred-year Metal Soul Spirit shaped from a spear, which Xu Yuan’s father had helped research.

• Xu Yuan told Xu Shengqun that his Heaven Origin Brush could turn surrounding Heaven and Earth Origin Qi into ink for attacks, so a Vine Soul Spirit and manifestation-based combat did not suit him.
• Xu Yuan transformed his Heaven Origin Brush into a Pen Spear and described its forward-charging Spear Intent, exciting Xu Shengqun with the prospect of teaching him spear techniques.
• Xu Shengqun speculated that Xu Yuan’s Martial Soul was a fusion mutation of his parents’ Martial Souls and declared that he had found a fitting first Soul Spirit.
• Xu Shengqun explained that Xu Yuan’s father had researched the Soul Spirit Cultivation Method, a project that was ultimately disproved but helped advance the Spirit Ascension Platform and Metal Soul Spirit research.
• Xu Shengqun revealed that the Soul Spirit he had chosen was a hundred-year Metal Soul Spirit shaped from a spear, whose power and Origin were guided by Spear Will.

Xu Yuan chose a path toward becoming an ultimate Weapon Soul Master after discovering the potential of Artificial Soul Spirits, while Xu Shengqun prepared to ease his restrictions on Spirit Pagoda personnel in exchange for transferring the Spear Soul Spirit. In Heaven Dou City, Xu Yuan met Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua and Mu Ye, who examined him and learned that his Martial Soul was a brain.

• Xu Yuan realized that Artificial Soul Spirits could suit his Martial Soul and decided to pursue the path of an ultimate Weapon Soul.
• Xu Shengqun planned to let headquarters personnel operate on Heaven Dou Continent in exchange for Qian Gu Dongfeng allowing the Spear Soul Spirit transfer.
• Xu Yuan traveled with Xu Shengqun to Heaven Dou City and met Zhen Hua at the Forging Master Association.
• Mu Ye examined Xu Yuan and questioned whether he had a Body Martial Soul.
• Xu Shengqun revealed that Xu Yuan's Martial Soul was a brain, and Mu Ye stared at Xu Yuan with excitement.

Mu Ye recognized Xu Yuan’s Brain Martial Soul and learned that his Spiritual Power was already 81, then accepted him as his disciple. Mu Ye led Xu Yuan, Zhen Hua, and Xu Shengqun to the kitchen and revealed a carefully chosen Sea Dragon Tendon dish suited to Xu Yuan’s newly awakened Martial Soul.

• Mu Ye realized that Xu Yuan’s Brain Martial Soul and Innate Soul Power Level 7 made him an exceptional Body Sect prospect.
• Xu Yuan told Mu Ye that his Spiritual Power value was 81, surprising Zhen Hua and strengthening Mu Ye’s interest in him.
• Mu Ye asked Xu Yuan to become his disciple, and Xu Yuan immediately accepted.
• Mu Ye led Xu Yuan, Zhen Hua, and Xu Shengqun into Zhen Hua’s kitchen to share a meal.
• Mu Ye uncovered Sea Dragon Tendon made from a hundred-year Sea Dragon with a trace of True Dragon Bloodline, explaining that it was chosen for Xu Yuan’s current cultivation level.

Mu Ye began training Xu Yuan in the Body Sect by feeding him Sea Dragon Tendon and using a secret technique to keep nourishing blood-and-qi energy from settling. Xu Yuan stayed with Mu Ye for a month to build his foundation, and Zhen Hua suggested that his Heaven Origin Brush might do more than form ink by drawing on elemental power.

• Mu Ye explained that Xu Yuan would stay for a month while he prepared ingredients and used the Body Sect Secret Technique to strengthen Xu Yuan's foundation.
• Xu Yuan ate Mu Ye's Sea Dragon Tendon, refined its energy, and gained Soul Power equivalent to about a month of meditation.
• Mu Ye sealed Xu Yuan's blood and qi with Soul Power so the energy from future ingredients would nourish him without settling into his reserves.
• Xu Shengqun gave Xu Yuan a Spearmanship Basics booklet, then left him in Mu Ye's care for the month.
• Xu Yuan summoned his Heaven Origin Brush and demonstrated how it merged Soul Power with Heaven and Earth Origin Qi to form ink.
• Zhen Hua suggested that the Heaven Origin Brush could use elemental power, and Xu Yuan asked whether it could inherit an elemental-control Soul Skill.

Xu Yuan explained his plan to study Mecha Design, Mecha Manufacturing, and Mecha Maintenance, using his Heaven Origin Brush’s Pen Spear form to support both spear training and manufacturing. Mu Ye accepted his choice but set a deadline for results, while Zhen Hua recognized the weapon and asked whether Xu Yuan’s father was Xu Zhi.

• Zhen Hua praised Xu Yuan’s rapid control of the Heaven Origin Brush’s explosive ink and offered to advise him on elemental abilities.
• Xu Yuan told Zhen Hua and Mu Ye that he planned to study Mecha Design and Mecha Manufacturing, and possibly Mecha Maintenance as well.
• Mu Ye and Zhen Hua warned Xu Yuan that modern Battle Armor Sub-Professions were difficult and demanded serious commitment.
• Xu Yuan transformed his Heaven Origin Brush into its Pen Spear form and explained that he would use it to train his spear skills and practice Mecha Manufacturing.
• Mu Ye agreed to teach Xu Yuan spear techniques and decided he would make Xu Yuan focus solely on Mecha Design if he failed to show satisfactory results in all three fields before turning ten.
• Zhen Hua looked at Xu Yuan’s Pen Spear and asked whether his father was Xu Zhi.

Zhen Hua explained how Xu Yuan's father’s Soul Spirit Cultivation Method threatened the Qian Gu Family and led to his conflict with Qian Gu Dongfeng. Xu Yuan vowed to continue his father’s research, and Zhen Hua warned him about the difficulty of that choice.

• Zhen Hua recognized Xu Yuan’s Heaven Origin Brush and revealed that he had known Xu Yuan’s father through his forging research.
• Zhen Hua explained that Xu Zhi’s Soul Spirit Cultivation Method had achieved results but was halted after it threatened the Qian Gu Family’s interests.
• Mu Ye described how Zhen Hua’s forging support could have helped Xu Zhi become a powerful Soul Master, while the Spirit Pagoda’s control over Soul Spirit supply limited Zhen Hua’s freedom.
• Zhen Hua said Qian Gu Dongfeng’s conflict with Xu Zhi became especially dangerous after an unknown trigger one year earlier.
• Xu Yuan thanked Zhen Hua and vowed to complete his father’s research, revealing that he would use the Spear Soul Spirit as his first Soul Spirit.
• Zhen Hua asked Xu Yuan whether he understood how difficult that decision would be.

Xu Yuan committed to developing his Soul Spirit through his own cultivation and discussed learning forging techniques with Zhen Hua. After breaking through to Level 9, he asked Mu Ye why depleted Soul Power recovered much faster than it was cultivated.

• Xu Yuan explained that he would use his cultivation to evolve the Spear Soul Spirit and develop Soul Skills from his own Martial Soul.
• Zhen Hua advised Xu Yuan to study forging theory and Auxiliary Forging Methods so he could improve his Soul Spirit and pair it with Metal Soul Spirits.
• Mu Ye served Xu Yuan medicinally prepared Whale Rubber to strengthen his physique and help him endure Soul Rings granted by Soul Spirits.
• On his fifth day at the Forging Master Association headquarters, Xu Yuan refined the meal's medicinal power and broke through from Level 8 to Level 9.
• Mu Ye barred Xu Yuan from using Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to raise his Soul Power for five years, and Xu Yuan asked why Soul Power recovered faster than it was cultivated.

Xu Yuan discussed Soul Power cultivation and the limits imposed by Martial Soul capacity with Mu Ye, then considered researching ways to improve Martial Soul quality alongside forging Soul Spirits. Mu Ye gave him introductory materials on Soul Guidance Arrays to begin studying Mecha Design.

• Xu Yuan explained his idea that Soul Power cultivation expanded the body, and Mu Ye clarified that early cultivation expanded the Martial Soul's capacity and control.
• Mu Ye described how cultivation after Level 30 compressed gaseous Soul Power into liquid Soul Power, gradually filling and expanding the Meridians and dantian.
• Xu Yuan asked whether Martial Soul capacity still limited cultivation after liquid Soul Power filled the Meridians, and Mu Ye said the answer was unclear and likely affected by Soul Rings.
• Xu Yuan proposed researching whether the expansion process could improve Martial Soul quality, and Mu Ye told him he could investigate as long as it did not interfere with his studies or cultivation.
• Mu Ye gave Xu Yuan materials on Soul Guidance Arrays and told him to study them before moving on to Mecha schematics.

Xu Yuan planned to strengthen his Martial Soul through study and began forging practice to build his knowledge and willpower. Elsewhere, Yun Ming sensed a disturbance, while Gu Yue arranged for Na Er to be cared for in Eastsea City and considered the strange aura she had felt.

• Xu Yuan planned to study mecha and auxiliary forging theories alongside research on Martial Souls and Soul Spirits to develop his Brain Martial Soul.
• Yun Ming sensed that something had stirred to the east, and he and Yali vanished to investigate.
• Gu Yue left Na Er in Eastsea City, deciding to wait for three years before intervening herself if necessary.
• Zhen Hua made Xu Yuan complete a grueling hundred hammer strikes, leaving him exhausted and behind on his theory study.
• Xu Yuan accepted that pushing himself to his limits would help train his willpower and felt grateful to Zhen Hua.

Xu Yuan returned to Skysea City after a month of cultivation and study, determined to learn three mecha professions while continuing forging. Qian Gu Dongfeng approved the century-old Soul Spirit Xu Shengqun had requested, and Xu Yuan prepared to collect it the next day.

• Mu Ye accompanied Xu Yuan to Skysea City and reminded him to follow his daily forging tasks and stay in contact with Zhen Hua.
• Qian Gu Dongfeng approved Xu Shengqun's request for a sealed Soul Spirit, then learned that Xu Yuan had innate Soul Power Level 7.
• Xu Yuan returned to the Xu Family, and Xu Shengqun noticed that his temperament had grown more determined.
• Xu Yuan told Xu Shengqun he planned to study Mecha Design, Mecha Manufacturing, and Mecha Maintenance while practicing the Auxiliary Forging Method.
• Xu Shengqun agreed to teach Xu Yuan Mecha Manufacturing and warned him that advancing in the professions would become difficult.
• Xu Shengqun told Xu Yuan that his Soul Spirit would arrive at the Skysea City Spirit Pagoda the next day and that they would collect it together.

Xu Yuan learned how the artificial Spear Soul Spirit had unexpectedly gained the Five Elements Attribute, then went with Xu Shengqun to retrieve it from the Skysea City Spirit Pagoda. Back at the Xu Family, Xu Yuan revealed that he had reached Level 10 and prepared to absorb the spear.

• Xu Yuan practiced the Body Sect Secret Technique to manifest his Brain Martial Soul, but stopped after two hours to recover his blood, qi, and strength.
• Xu Shengqun explained that the Spear Soul Spirit had been cultivated in the hope of gaining spatial power but had unexpectedly developed the Five Elements Attribute, including an unexplained wood element.
• Xu Shengqun collected the Five Elements Spear Spirit from the Skysea City Spirit Pagoda, dismissing the branch tower master's assurances and explaining the differences in strength among Titled Douluos.
• Xu Shengqun brought Xu Yuan home with the Soul Spirit Ball, and Xu Yuan told the spear that he had reached Level 10 and could absorb it.

Xu Yuan refined the Five Elements Spear Spirit, became a Soul Master, and broke through to the Spirit Connection Realm. After connecting with his Sea of Spirit, he tested at level thirteen with 103 points of Spiritual Power, and Xu Shengqun asked him to try his Soul Skill.

• Xu Yuan subdued the Five Elements Spear Spirit by practicing spear techniques, and it acknowledged him as its master.
• Xu Yuan refined the Soul Spirit's origin, evolving the Heaven Origin Brush-Spear into the Heaven Origin Spear before it returned to brush form with five-colored patterns.
• Xu Yuan condensed a Yellow Soul Ring and officially became a Soul Master as his Soul Power broke through.
• Xu Yuan reached the Spirit Connection Realm and connected with his Sea of Spirit with the Five Elements Spear Spirit's guidance.
• Xu Yuan tested at level thirteen and 103 points of Spiritual Power, and Xu Shengqun asked him to try his Soul Skill.

Xu Yuan demonstrated the two forms of his First Soul Skill: Five Elements Control in Heaven Origin Brush form and the Five Elements Spear Tactic in Heaven Origin Spear form. Xu Shengqun praised the abilities and said they could help Xu Yuan learn his Heavenly Saint Piercing Void Spear Technique, while Xu Yuan struggled to choose a name for his Soul Spirit.

• Xu Yuan used his Heaven Origin Brush to control the five elements, and Xu Shengqun observed that his fireballs grew more powerful as he practiced.
• Xu Yuan explained that his elemental control drew most of its power from Heaven and Earth Origin Qi, leaving much of his Soul Power unused.
• Xu Yuan transformed his Martial Soul into the Heaven Origin Spear and thrust with the Five Elements, producing a strike that Xu Shengqun sensed could affect space.
• Xu Yuan explained the Five Elements Spear Tactic and its five elemental spear techniques, and Xu Shengqun said it could help him practice the Heavenly Saint Piercing Void Spear Technique.
• Xu Yuan asked his Five Elements Spear Spirit what to name it, but found that his two most obvious names conflicted.

Xu Yuan integrated his Five Elements Spear Spirit into both forms of his Martial Soul and added Soul Skill practice to his routine. A year after awakening, he had reached level eighteen, and Xu Shengqun discussed delaying his Shrek entrance exam.

• Xu Yuan merged the Spear Spirit with the Heaven Origin Spear and Heaven Origin Brush, allowing him to use spear techniques in either form.
• Xu Yuan added Soul Skill training to his daily cultivation, while Zhen Hua reduced his forging work to once a week.
• Over the year after awakening his Martial Soul, Xu Yuan advanced from seventh-level Innate Soul Power to level eighteen.
• Xu Shengqun asked Xu Yuan if he remembered his plans for him, and Xu Yuan realized he meant Shrek.
• Xu Shengqun said Xu Yuan would not take Shrek's entrance exam that year, citing the risks of the temperament test and the dangers of entering Shrek too early.

Xu Shengqun planned for Xu Yuan to study at Eastsea Academy under Wu Zhangkong before taking Shrek’s entrance examination in three years, hoping to secure the attention of Shrek’s powerful figures. Xu Yuan challenged the plan’s focus on gaining protection through Shrek, and Xu Shengqun reconsidered the timing of the examination.

• Xu Shengqun told Xu Yuan he had planned for him to take Shrek’s entrance examination in three years and study under Wu Zhangkong at Eastsea Academy first.
• Xu Shengqun explained that he wanted Wu Zhangkong to recognize Xu Yuan’s talent and recommend him to Zhuo Shi, drawing the attention of the Sea God Pavilion.
• Xu Shengqun said he would teach Xu Yuan spear techniques so he could develop Spear Intent and stand out in the examination.
• Xu Yuan argued that Mu Ye already protected and taught him, and that seeking another teacher as insurance would betray Mu Ye’s wholehearted support.
• Xu Shengqun admitted that he had failed to account for Xu Yuan’s existing support and asked what he would think of taking Shrek’s examination immediately.
• Xu Yuan calmly said he was willing to try taking the examination now.