Chapter Summaries

Key events

• Shrek’s tournament-winning main and reserve team members gather for dinner, with two seats still empty.
• Wu Ming impatiently waits for Yue Ling and complains that Ling Luochеn stopped her from going to fetch him herself.
• While waiting, Wu Ming argues playfully with another female student, who hints that Yue Ling already likes someone. Wu Ming is immediately eager to find out who.
• Gongyang Mo brings Yue Ling from the nearby academy. Yue Ling has been pulled straight from bed and arrives in a jacket, pajama pants, bear slippers, and unruly hair.
• The group welcomes him as he enters. Wu Ming springs up to offer him the seat beside her, but Gongyang Mo takes one of the empty seats first.

Character developments and interactions

• Wu Ming openly displays her infatuation with Yue Ling, becoming possessive when another woman shows interest and eager for him to sit beside her.
• Yue Ling is embarrassed by his disheveled, casual appearance but resigns himself to entering the dinner. His relaxed look contrasts with his usual polished image.
• Gongyang Mo is the one who hurriedly brings Yue Ling, despite Yue Ling’s protests about being dragged out of bed.
• Ling Luochеn remains wary of Wu Ming’s immense power, while admiring Yue Ling for having defeated her.
• The other female student teases Wu Ming with the suggestion that Yue Ling has feelings for someone else, prompting a playful exchange.

Significant themes

• Romantic rivalry and jealousy: Wu Ming’s possessiveness is teased by the possibility that Yue Ling already likes someone.
• Public image versus intimacy: Yue Ling’s pajamas and slippers reveal a more informal, approachable side than his usual dazzling appearance.
• Admiration and reputation: The group’s curiosity about Yue Ling reflects his exceptional talent and the secrecy surrounding him.

Key events

• Yue Ling arrives at a celebratory meal after Shrek’s tournament victory, still wearing his hair in an unusual, sticking-up style. The girls notice his looks, and Wu Ming congratulates him on the Reserve Team’s future chance to continue Shrek’s championship streak.
• The students share food and stories from their travels through the Heaven Dou Empire. Yue Ling listens as they discuss the continent’s political changes: the old Heaven Dou Empire divided into the Heaven Soul and Dou Ling Empires, while Star Luo remains unified under a new imperial family.
• Conversation turns to the mysterious, powerful Body Sect, which protects the Heaven Soul Empire and specializes in Soul Masters with Body Martial Souls. Yue Ling also wonders what happened to the Clear Sky Hammer.
• Yue Ling eats heartily, sharing ribs with Wu Ming and watching Gongyang Mo eat as well. The senior students mostly talk, while the younger ones make short work of the meal.
• Yue Ling learns about Shrek’s annual Sea God Fate matchmaking event, where Inner Court students can pursue one another. He also hears that Inner Court graduation assessments are individualized and based on each student’s greatest strength.

Character developments and interactions

• Yue Ling is respectful toward Wu Ming and accepts her encouragement to uphold Shrek’s winning tradition. He also notices her interest in the ribs and offers her one, though he is puzzled by her pleased reaction.
• One female student, initially interested in Yue Ling, gives up after deciding he is too exceptional to be a suitable match for her.
• The Outer Court students listen eagerly as the Inner Court students discuss dating and graduation, hoping to learn what awaits them.
• Yue Ling is intrigued by Sea God Fate, though he recognizes he may be young for it when he enters the Inner Court.

Significant themes

• Tradition and ambition: Shrek’s championship record places expectations on the next generation.
• Institutional life and belonging: The academy’s matchmaking custom reflects the Inner Court’s close-knit, demanding environment.
• Talent and effort: Inner Court status and graduation depend on both exceptional ability and hard work.
• A changing world: The discussion of empires and powerful sects shows how much the political and martial landscape has shifted over ten thousand years.

• Victory celebration: After learning more about what awaits Inner Court students after graduation, Yue Ling listens as Dai Yueheng raises a toast to the team’s tournament victory. The champions and reserve members celebrate together, briefly setting aside their differences in rank. Yue Ling enjoys the rare, easy camaraderie, while reflecting that their paths may soon separate.
• Return to routine: Back at the dorm, Yue Ling notices that Little Pink no longer smells of his eldest senior sister, realizing how much time has passed. Gongyang Mo falls asleep quickly, and Yue Ling finds comfort in the familiar sound of his snores.
• A year later: Yue Ling is now a fourth-year student, and the Sea God Pavilion Council convenes to consider an exception that would let him take the Inner Court entrance assessment early. Yan Shaozhe supports the proposal, citing Yue Ling’s exceptional Soul Fighting District record, soul power of level 58, and good character. Some elders worry about breaking precedent or Yue Ling’s youth, while Elder Lin suggests waiting another year. Xuan Zi argues that Yue Ling’s strength, spiritual power, and demonstrated qualities justify giving him the chance—without lowering the assessment standards.
• Concern over the Evil Soul Master: An elder raises the danger of admitting Yue Ling because of the Evil Soul Master within him. Elder Zhuang unexpectedly supports Yue Ling, remarking that the situation may not be as dangerous as it seems. The chapter ends with the council waiting for him to explain.
  Character developments and interactions: Yue Ling matures from a junior observing his seniors into one of the academy’s rising prospects. The celebration brings seniors and reserve members together as peers, while the council scene reveals divided but serious debate over Yue Ling’s readiness and the risk he poses. Xuan Zi and Elder Zhuang advocate for him; others urge caution.
  Themes: The chapter contrasts temporary fellowship with the separations imposed by status and time. It also explores merit versus rules, the risks of exceptional talent, and whether a person should be judged by a dangerous presence within them.

Key plot points

• The Sea God Pavilion Council debates whether Yue Ling should remain in the Outer Court until the usual assessment point or be allowed to attempt the Inner Court assessment early. The elders worry that holding him back could damage his trust in Shrek and undermine the academy’s reputation for nurturing exceptional talent.
• Elder Zhuang argues that Yue Ling should be allowed to prove himself, without any reduction in the assessment’s difficulty. Mu En agrees, and the council approves an exceptional assessment in the coming days, overseen by Xuan Zi with Yan Shaozhe assisting. If Yue Ling fails, he must return to the Outer Court with no further special treatment.
• Xuan Zi is pleased that his disciple has been given the opportunity.
• Back in the dormitory, Yue Ling tells Gongyang Mo that the assessment is imminent. Gongyang Mo is stunned by Yue Ling’s rapid rise to level 58 at age fifteen and feels the pain of their possible separation.
• Gongyang Mo resolves to enter the Inner Court himself, hoping to catch up and fight alongside Yue Ling. Yue Ling encourages him, noting that he may qualify by fifth year and that he and Ma Xiaotao will be waiting for him.

Character developments and interactions

• Elder Zhuang shows concern for both Yue Ling’s growth and the academy’s integrity, persuading the council that fairness means offering a genuine chance—not lowering standards.
• Mu En balances precedent with Shrek’s founding purpose and leaves Yue Ling’s confrontation with the Evil Soul Master primarily to Yue Ling himself.
• Xuan Zi is relieved that the council supports the assessment and remains confident in his disciple.
• Gongyang Mo reveals how deeply he relies on Yue Ling’s companionship. Though he has lacked a mentor, he has stayed motivated through their friendship and now turns his sadness at Yue Ling’s likely departure into determination.
• Yue Ling recognizes Gongyang Mo’s feelings and responds with reassurance and encouragement.

Significant themes

• Merit versus rigid rules: Shrek’s traditions should not prevent an exceptional student from proving himself, but the standards must remain unchanged.
• Trust and belonging: Unfairly holding Yue Ling back could alienate him and weaken other students’ faith in the academy.
• Friendship and ambition: Gongyang Mo’s bond with Yue Ling motivates him to pursue the Inner Court and become a stronger teammate.
• Facing danger independently: The council acknowledges that Yue Ling must ultimately deal with the Evil Soul Master within him, even as the academy supports him.

Plot points

• The chapter reflects on Gongyang Mo and Yue Ling’s five-year friendship. Yue Ling helped Gongyang Mo become more confident, earn a place on the Reserve Team, train under Xuan Zi, and see the wider world during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament.
• As Yue Ling prepares to enter Shrek’s Inner Court, Gongyang Mo feels both proud and afraid of being left behind. He vows to work hard enough to stand beside Yue Ling, though he privately regrets not having been born a woman.
• Meanwhile, Xuan Zi and Dean Yan Shaozhe finalize a three-part Inner Court assessment for Yue Ling, whose victory over the Soul Emperor Wu Ming has demonstrated his strength.
• Wu Ya tells Yue Ling that the assessment will take place at four that afternoon in the Soul Fighting District. Yue Ling returns to the dormitory to prepare.
• While waiting, Yue Ling reviews his abilities: his soul power has reached rank fifty-eight, and he is proficient with his fourth soul skill. However, he is still struggling to develop a truly original self-created technique, rather than merely adapting ideas from Feng Xiaotian’s attack style.

Character developments and interactions

• Gongyang Mo recognizes how much Yue Ling has changed his life and resolves to pursue his own growth so their friendship will not be divided by their differing achievements.
• Yue Ling is focused and determined, but remains unaware of the depth of Gongyang Mo’s feelings and anxiety about their separation.
• Wu Ya encourages Yue Ling and shares the assessment news, while Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe prepare to test him.

Significant themes

• The value of friendship, gratitude, and mutual support.
• Ambition and perseverance as ways to overcome the fear of being left behind.
• Growth through new experiences and challenges.
• The difference between borrowing inspiration and creating something genuinely one’s own.

Key plot points and events

• Yue Ling arrives for his Shrek Inner Court assessment, nervous but eager. Yan Shaozhe explains that it has three parts; the first requires him to withstand an Inner Court disciple for the time an incense stick burns.
• Because Yue Ling is unusually strong for his age, his combat opponent is also exceptional: Zhang Lexuan, the Inner Court’s senior sister.
• The match begins, and Yue Ling attacks immediately. He combines his defensive and offensive chrysanthemum skills, hoping to close the distance and avoid being worn down at range.
• Zhang Lexuan counters with her Moon Martial Soul and fourth Soul Skill, Moonlight Body Protection. Its fluid energy traps Yue Ling’s blades and leaves him suspended and unable to move.
• She follows with Full Moon, which amplifies her attacks, and Moonlight Ray. The blast breaks through Yue Ling’s protection and hurls him away as Zhang prepares further attacks.

Character developments

• Yue Ling shows improved confidence and combat instincts, developed through months of sparring with Wu Ming. He approaches the assessment strategically, but quickly learns how much stronger and more skilled Zhang is.
• Zhang Lexuan is revealed as a composed, formidable opponent. She has watched Yue Ling and Wu Ming spar in secret and feels unsettled that Yue Ling never asked her to train with him.
• Xuan Zi encourages Yue Ling to relax and fight at full strength, while Yan Shaozhe explains the assessment and adjusts its difficulty to match Yue Ling’s ability.

Character interactions

• Yue Ling respectfully greets Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, then asks about the assessment.
• Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe reveal Zhang Lexuan as his opponent; Yue Ling is surprised but accepts the challenge.
• Zhang’s private interest in Yue Ling contrasts with her cool, controlled demeanor during their fight. Their first direct one-on-one battle begins with her decisively taking control.

Significant themes

• Growth through challenge: Yue Ling’s sparring has sharpened his instincts, but the assessment pushes him against a far more experienced opponent.
• Merit and escalating standards: Exceptional ability brings a correspondingly difficult test.
• Unspoken feelings and distance: Zhang’s quiet attention and lingering question about why Yue Ling did not spar with her add personal tension beneath the formal contest.

Yue Ling fought Zhang Lexuan in a Shrek Inner Court assessment, using feints, spirit-bone abilities, and a hidden explosive attack to challenge her despite their power gap. Xuan Zi stopped Zhang Lexuan’s final attack, ending the match before its result was stated.

• Yue Ling used his Velvet Domain and Indestructible Diamond to approach Zhang Lexuan through the dust, then attacked her from two directions with chrysanthemum blades.
• Zhang Lexuan trapped Yue Ling and his blades with Moon’s Binding, then launched Moon Blade at him.
• Yue Ling used Earth Shatter to break the restraints and Lone Sunset Reflecting Moon to block Moon Blade.
• Zhang Lexuan countered Yue Ling’s Falling Blossom Storm with her enhanced moon sickle, which continued toward him after his attack shattered.
• Yue Ling detonated a hidden energy crystal beside Zhang Lexuan, while Xuan Zi erased the moon sickle and ended the match.

Yue Ling passed his first Inner Court assessment after a hard-fought duel with Zhang Lexuan, whose strength and composure overwhelmed him. With the second assessment set for the next morning, Yue Ling and Zhang Lexuan left the academy together for a stroll in Shrek City.

• Yue Ling explained how he had concealed his Golden Stamen Piercing Ray Strike behind his other attacks in a final gamble against Zhang Lexuan.
• Zhang Lexuan praised Yue Ling’s performance, and Yan Shaozhe declared that Yue Ling had passed the first Inner Court assessment.
• Xuan Zi told Yue Ling that Wang Yan would find him the next morning for the second assessment.
• Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe left the Soul Fighting District, leaving Yue Ling and Zhang Lexuan alone.
• Yue Ling invited Zhang Lexuan to stroll outside the academy, and the two headed toward Shrek City.

Tang Ya arrived at Shrek Academy to enroll, carrying the Tang Sect’s recommendation letter and a determination to revive the fallen sect. Bei Bei also came to register alone, and Tang Ya reached the front of the queue.

• Tang Ya walked through Shrek City and reflected on Shrek Academy’s history and influence.
• Tang Ya recalled the Tang Sect’s former glory and resolved to revive it despite its decline.
• Tang Ya joined the registration queue with a letter of recommendation from the Tang Sect.
• Bei Bei arrived to apply to Shrek Academy with a city lord’s recommendation letter arranged by Mu En.
• Tang Ya’s turn to register came.

Tang Ya tried to enroll at Shrek Academy as the last heir and leader of the fallen Tang Sect, but the registration steward demanded proof of her identity. With Bei Bei’s suggestion, she demonstrated the Tang Sect’s Mysterious Jade Hand and was admitted, beginning her effort to revive the sect.

• Tang Ya presented her Tang Sect recommendation letter, but the registration steward questioned her claim and demanded proof.
• Tang Ya recalled how the Iron Blood Sect had killed her parents and seized the Tang Sect’s grounds, leaving her as its sole direct heir.
• Bei Bei suggested that Tang Ya demonstrate a Tang Sect Secret Art to prove her connection to the sect.
• Tang Ya displayed the Mysterious Jade Hand, and the steward agreed to report the matter while allowing her to register.
• Tang Ya gave her details as a level twenty-three Control Type Soul Grandmaster with a Blue Silver Grass martial soul, and the steward enrolled her at Shrek Academy.

Yue Ling and Zhang Lexuan ate noodles in Shrek City after their day together, and Yue Ling spotted Bei Bei walking with a girl. Zhang Lexuan remained composed and said she would report what she saw to Mu En as they headed back to Shrek Academy.

• Yue Ling asked Zhang Lexuan for a hint about tomorrow's assessment, but she only told him it would not be too difficult.
• Yue Ling and Zhang Lexuan ordered beef noodles and tomato and egg noodles at a shop in Shrek City.
• Yue Ling spotted Bei Bei walking with a girl and went outside with Zhang Lexuan to watch them.
• Yue Ling asked Zhang Lexuan about the girl, and she said she would report the matter to Mu En exactly as it happened.
• Yue Ling and Zhang Lexuan finished their noodles and walked back toward Shrek Academy.

Yue Ling returned to the dormitory and teased Gongyang Mo about his Shrek Inner Court assessment, while Zhang Lexuan told Mu En about Bei Bei’s apparent affection for another girl. Mu En freed her from the old marriage promise, and Zhang Lexuan realized she wanted to pursue Yue Ling and build a life with him.

• Yue Ling returned to the dormitory, where he gave Gongyang Mo only a few details about his assessment after teasing him.
• Zhang Lexuan told Mu En that Bei Bei seemed to care for a girl his own age and asked what she should do about their promised marriage.
• Mu En admitted that making Zhang Lexuan swear the promise had been selfish and told her she was free to choose her future.
• Zhang Lexuan left Mu En’s room in tears and reflected on her years of protecting Bei Bei and the promise that had shaped her life.
• Zhang Lexuan remembered Yue Ling’s care and realized she had fallen for him and could now openly pursue the person she loved.

Yue Ling began his second Shrek Inner Court assessment, which Wang Yan revealed was a two-hour written exam testing his knowledge of combat. The chapter ended as Yue Ling received the test paper and learned he needed at least seventy-five out of 150 points to pass.

• Yue Ling woke early, prepared for the day, and went to class with Gongyang Mo.
• Yue Ling kept the details of his assessments private when Chen Zifeng and his classmates asked why he could skip class.
• Wang Yan arrived and took Yue Ling to an empty classroom for his second Shrek Inner Court assessment.
• Wang Yan explained that the assessment was a written exam and gave Yue Ling two hours to score at least seventy-five points out of 150.

Yue Ling worked through the basic and intermediate questions in the Shrek Inner Court’s second assessment, applying martial soul theory and recalling examples from Tang San’s experience. He reached the true-or-false section with most answers completed, while the exam’s harder questions still lay ahead.

• Yue Ling began the exam by answering fill-in-the-blank questions on awakening age, spirit ring colors, martial soul categories, and the Grandmaster’s famous saying.
• Yue Ling answered multiple-choice questions about innate soul power, cultivation bottlenecks, the relative strengths of beast and tool martial souls, and martial soul mimicry theory.
• Wang Yan observed Yue Ling’s work and noted that he had answered almost all the questions correctly so far.
• Yue Ling completed the early sections in about fifteen minutes and marked statements about innate full soul power and spirit ring limits as false.
• Yue Ling marked the statement that there are no useless martial souls as true, despite privately disagreeing with the Grandmaster’s theory.

Yue Ling struggled with the Soul Tool theory questions on the second assessment but answered the questions about Martial Soul mutations and fusion skills, along with the remaining topics. Wang Yan collected his paper when time ran out, leaving Yue Ling to face the answer-checking stage.

• Yue Ling finished the true-or-false section early and found that he could not answer the first two questions about Soul Tools.
• Yue Ling wrote about positive and negative Martial Soul mutations, using Ma Hongjun and Grandmaster as examples, and Wang Yan approved of his answer.
• Yue Ling explained the conditions, advantages, and risks of Martial Soul Fusion Skills, giving examples including the Golden Sacred Dragon and Resurrection Divine Light.
• Yue Ling rushed through the remaining long questions, then scribbled incomplete answers to the Soul Tool questions as the deadline approached.
• Wang Yan stopped Yue Ling when time ran out and collected his paper.

Yue Ling completed the theory assessment and earned 101 points, passing the second assessment with an excellent score. After Wang Yan left to submit the paper, Yue Ling headed back to the dormitory to cultivate as he approached the Soul Emperor rank, looking forward to the mysterious third assessment.

• Wang Yan reviewed Yue Ling's paper and found his martial soul theory strong but his soul tool knowledge weak.
• Wang Yan explained the limits of methods for exceeding spirit ring age restrictions, and Yue Ling concluded that they could not eliminate the body's and mind's limits.
• Wang Yan gave Yue Ling 101 points on the theory assessment and congratulated him on passing the second assessment.
• Wang Yan left to submit Yue Ling's paper to Xuan Zi and Dean Yan.
• Yue Ling realized he had no class to attend, then headed to the dormitory to cultivate his soul power.

After Yue Ling passed his written exam, Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe arranged a dangerous third assessment to test the Evil Soul Master influence inside him. Later, Yue Ling discovered that the Golden Crown in his Spirit Sea could communicate and hinted at a connection to the Hundred Flowers Record.

• Wang Yan gave Yue Ling’s exam papers to Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe, who noted his strong results and weak soul tool fundamentals.
• Xuan Zi told Wang Yan to summon Yue Ling to the Soul Fighting District at six the next morning for his final assessment.
• Xuan Zi explained that the third assessment would test the Evil Soul Master influence inside Yue Ling, and Yan Shaozhe agreed to intervene if anything went wrong.
• Yue Ling entered his Spirit Sea and tried to speak with the Golden Crown, which flashed and conveyed a fragmented message about the Hundred Flowers Record, approval, and energy.
• The Golden Crown blasted Yue Ling out of his Spirit Sea after he peppered it with questions, and he began puzzling over its message.

Yue Ling theorized that the crown in his spirit sea could be used by gaining recognition from plants recorded in the Hundred Flowers Record, but his blue silver grass did not respond. Meanwhile, Wu Ming tried to pursue Yue Ling, and Zhang Lexuan confronted her and forbade her from seeing him.

• Yue Ling connected the crown’s appearance to his fifth spirit ring and guessed that gaining recognition from recorded plants would let him use the crown’s power.
• Yue Ling tried to communicate with the blue silver grass beside his window, but it showed no response, so he gave up and resumed cultivating.
• The blue silver grass and the other windowsill plants subtly stirred as if responding to Yue Ling’s care.
• Wu Ming planned to visit Yue Ling and invite him to share desserts, hoping to spend time together beyond their sparring.
• Zhang Lexuan told Wu Ming that Yue Ling had no particular feelings for her and forbade her from seeing him.
• Wu Ming refused to give up on Yue Ling, and Zhang Lexuan released her Soul Sage aura and challenged her to settle the matter with strength.

Wu Ming found Zhang Lexuan at Sea God Lake and learned that she planned to stop Wu Ming from visiting Yue Ling. Their argument over their feelings for him escalated into a confrontation, which remained unresolved when an unexpected visitor arrived.

• Wu Ming spotted Zhang Lexuan beside a ferry and asked to travel with her to the Shrek Outer Court to see Yue Ling.
• Zhang Lexuan refused to let Wu Ming visit Yue Ling, claiming he was undergoing the Shrek Inner Court assessment.
• Wu Ming insisted that she and Yue Ling truly loved each other, while Zhang Lexuan denied that he returned her feelings and barred her from seeing him.
• Zhang Lexuan released her seven Spirit Rings, and Wu Ming answered with her six rings and Golden Crow Martial Soul as they prepared to fight.
• An unexpected visitor arrived while Zhang Lexuan and Wu Ming faced off beside Sea God Lake.

Zhang Lexuan fought Wu Ming at the shore of Sea God Lake to stop her from reaching Yue Ling, while Xuan Zi sealed off the area so their spar would not disturb the Shrek Inner Court. Zhang Lexuan quickly gained the upper hand, and Wu Ming struggled to resist as she resolved not to give up.

• Xuan Zi sealed the lakeshore with his soul power after Zhang Lexuan and Wu Ming assured him they were only sparring.
• Zhang Lexuan refused to let Wu Ming go to Yue Ling and invited her to attack first.
• Wu Ming unleashed her Golden Crow True Fire skills, but Zhang Lexuan countered with Full Moon and repeated Moonlight Rays.
• Zhang Lexuan pierced Wu Ming's flames and drove her to the ground under a barrage of Moonlight Rays.
• Wu Ming realized she was badly outmatched but thought of Yue Ling and resolved not to admit defeat.