Recaps

Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo won their thirty-two-to-sixteen match and advanced to the top sixteen of the freshman assessment. After Ma Xiaotao spotted her teacher Yan Shaozhe watching, the team drew Platform Two for their next match.

• Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo ate after their exhausting morning matches, then returned to the Assessment Area for the afternoon round.
• Yue Ling drew Arena Five, where his team faced classmates from his own class.
• Gongyang Mo boosted Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao as they overwhelmed the opposing team; Ma Xiaotao drove its frontliners off the platform, and the remaining Spirit Master surrendered.
• Yue Ling's team advanced to the top sixteen, then watched Dai Yueheng and Xixi's team win their match.
• Ma Xiaotao spotted Yan Shaozhe watching from the viewing platform and urged her teammates to perform well in the next round.
• Yue Ling drew Platform Two as the round of sixteen began across eight arenas.

Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo swept through the quarterfinals and advanced into the top four of the freshman assessment. As they prepared for the next morning’s semifinal, Gongyang Mo renewed his resolve to avenge his family and Hundred Flowers Village.

• Yue Ling’s team defeated their quarterfinal opponents, eliminating all three and advancing into the top eight.
• Yue Ling drew Lot Number One and faced a strong team from Freshman Class Six in the quarterfinals.
• Yue Ling’s Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum suppressed the opposing Control Type Spirit Master, and Ma Xiaotao’s flames swept the team from the arena as Yue Ling’s team advanced into the top four.
• Yue Ling and Gongyang Mo returned to their dormitory to recover while Yan Shaozhe took Ma Xiaotao aside.
• Gongyang Mo reflected on his friends and teachers at Shrek and vowed to destroy the Evil Soul Master factions and avenge his parents and Hundred Flowers Village.
• The next morning, Yue Ling and Gongyang Mo prepared for the semifinal, and Yue Ling learned that Ma Xiaotao had already eaten breakfast.

Dean Yan Shaozhe oversaw the freshman semifinals draw, where Yue Ling’s team was matched against Dai Yueheng’s team. Their semifinal began with Xixi targeting Gongyang Mo, but Yue Ling blocked her strike, and Dai Yueheng and Xixi prepared to press their attack with Shishi’s candy boost.

• Yan Shaozhe introduced himself as Shrek Academy’s dean, praised the freshmen, and personally held the draw box.
• Yue Ling drew position number two, setting up a Freshman Class One semifinal against Dai Yueheng’s team.
• Xixi used her speed and lightning attacks to bypass Ma Xiaotao and target Gongyang Mo, while Dai Yueheng restrained Ma Xiaotao with his White Tiger Intense Light Wave.
• Yue Ling protected Gongyang Mo with Heavenly Chrysanthemum Body Protection and enclosed them in Flower Blades with Falling Blossom Storm.
• Dai Yueheng used White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and Shishi gave him and Xixi a boost with her Sweet and Sour Power Candy.

Yue Ling's team turned the semifinal around with his Heavenly Chrysanthemum Domain and defeated Dai Yueheng's team. Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo advanced to the finals.

• Gongyang Mo amplified Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao while Ma Xiaotao clashed with Dai Yueheng, and Xixi repeatedly tried to reach Gongyang Mo.
• Yue Ling revealed his Heavenly Chrysanthemum Domain, suppressing Soul Power and marking opponents while his Flower Blades drove Xixi off the platform.
• Ma Xiaotao wore down Dai Yueheng as the domain disrupted his Soul Power, while Yue Ling's Falling Blossom Drill sent him flying off the platform.
• Shishi conceded after Dai Yueheng fell, securing the semifinal victory for Yue Ling's team.
• The proctor declared Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo the winners and finalists.

After winning their morning match, Yue Ling suffered worsening exhaustion and a mysterious presence in his mind, but he insisted on competing in the afternoon final. Gongyang Mo remained worried as they headed to eat before the match.

• Yue Ling used his domain skill to help secure the morning victory, then left the Assessment Area with Gongyang Mo to rest.
• Yue Ling collapsed in the Dormitory, and an ancient presence claimed that his Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and body belonged to it as it began to fuse with him.
• Gongyang Mo returned at lunchtime and found Yue Ling slumped over Little Pink, but Yue Ling woke and said he was only tired.
• Gongyang Mo considered asking Yue Ling to withdraw from the final, but Yue Ling refused and said he would compete despite his strange symptoms.
• Yue Ling searched his body and Spirit Sea without finding a cause, then left with Gongyang Mo to eat before the afternoon match.

Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo prepared their tactics for the freshman assessment final as academy leaders gathered to watch. They faced three arrogant opponents, and the chapter ended just before the match began.

• Yue Ling and Gongyang Mo joined Ma Xiaotao early to review their tactics for the final.
• Yue Ling told Ma Xiaotao that Xuan Zi had saved him alongside Zhang Lexuan, making Ma Xiaotao jealous and prompting her to vow to surpass Zhang Lexuan.
• Yan Shaozhe, Xuan Zi, and Du Weilun discussed which team they favored, with Xuan Zi backing Yue Ling's team and Du Weilun warning against underestimating their opponents.
• Yue Ling and his teammates saw their three opponents provoke them, and Yue Ling stopped Ma Xiaotao from confronting them.
• The officiating teacher entered the cleared arena as the final was about to begin.

Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo faced a team that unleashed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill in the final. Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo surrendered to escape the spreading mental illusion, leaving Yue Ling alone in the black mist as his consciousness began to sink.

• Yue Ling protected Gongyang Mo while his support skills enhanced Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao, who attacked the opposing team with Phoenix flames.
• The enemy Power Attack Type Spirit Master held back the flames long enough for the hooded man and the girl to prepare their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
• Yue Ling struck the hooded man with Golden Stamen Piercing Ray Strike and detonated it, but the girl survived and released the Nightmare Cage as the hooded man was rescued from the arena.
• Yue Ling urged Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo to surrender before the black mist overwhelmed them, and both left the arena.
• Alone in the arena, Yue Ling activated his Martial Soul domain and tried to steady his mind, but his consciousness began sinking into the illusion.

During Yue Ling’s freshman assessment match, the Nightmare Cage exposed the Evil Soul Master Titled Douluo Remnant Soul hidden inside him, which seized control of his body. As Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe struggled to restrain the possession without harming Yue Ling, Lovesick Heartbreak Red awakened a new domain within his Spirit Sea.

• The Nightmare Cage forced Yue Ling to relive his parents’ deaths, and his buried hatred drew out the Evil Soul Master Remnant Soul inside him.
• Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe sensed Evil Soul Master energy in the arena but could not initially locate its source.
• Yue Ling’s power erupted, blasting his final opponent out of the arena as the Remnant Soul took control and revealed nine Spirit Rings.
• Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe summoned their Martial Souls, while the Remnant Soul taunted them and threatened to take over Yue Ling’s body.
• Xuan Zi seized the Remnant Soul by the throat but could not attack without injuring Yue Ling, whose consciousness struggled against the possession.
• As the Remnant Soul neared full control, Lovesick Heartbreak Red awakened in Yue Ling’s Spirit Sea and spread its domain across the arena.

Yue Ling awakened the full power of his Lovesick Heartbreak Red, whose domain drew out the crowd’s deepest obsessions while purifying the Evil Soul within his Spirit Sea. He suppressed the Remnant Soul and regained control of himself, though everyone else remained lost in the illusion.

• Yue Ling’s Heartbroken Red Domain spread through the venue, trapping Ma Xiaotao, Gongyang Mo, and Yan Shaozhe in illusions shaped by their deepest regrets and desires.
• Xuan Zi resisted the domain and watched as the Lovesick Heartbreak Red drew the Evil Soul’s hatred and malice out of Yue Ling’s Spirit Sea, compressing it into a blood-red Spirit Ring.
• The Evil Soul’s power weakened as the flower absorbed its negative emotions, interrupting its attempt to seize Yue Ling’s body and returning his Spirit Rings to their normal form.
• Yue Ling used his new soul skill, One Inch of Longing, One Inch of Sorrow, a Strand of Remnant Thought, Breaks the Heart, to bind and suppress the remaining evil thoughts while enduring the skill’s painful backlash.
• Yue Ling subdued the Evil Soul’s Remnant Soul and regained control of his consciousness, while Xuan Zi relaxed and the rest of the venue remained trapped in the domain’s aftereffects.

Yue Ling forced the Evil Soul Master's Remnant Soul back into his body, then collapsed as Xuan Zi caught him and carried him away to have Mu En examine him. Yan Shaozhe emerged from the Heartbroken Red Domain shaken and humiliated, while the arena's other occupants gradually regained consciousness as the Domain faded.

• Yue Ling's Soul Power rose to level thirty-seven during the struggle, but he exhausted himself and fell unconscious, and Xuan Zi caught him.
• The Heartbroken Red Domain made Yan Shaozhe confront his regret over his past with Feng Ling and the evil she became.
• Xuan Zi decided to take Yue Ling to Mu En so the Sea God Pavilion Master could investigate the Remnant Soul and determine whether Yue Ling could be saved.
• Xuan Zi left the arena carrying Yue Ling, while Yan Shaozhe stood alone, dazed and murmuring about Feng Ling.
• Yan Shaozhe recovered his composure and reflected on how Yue Ling's Domain had trapped him in an illusion.
• The crimson Domain weakened and disappeared, allowing everyone inside the arena to regain consciousness.

After Yue Ling's second Martial Soul domain terrified the arena, his team was declared the freshman tournament champion. In the Holy Spirit Cult, Wan Hun discovered that his cultivation had fallen to Soul Saint and blamed Yue Ling, while the Douluo of Abomination secretly planned to encourage another possession attempt.

• Yan Shaozhe ordered everyone to keep the arena events secret, then pursued Xuan Zi after giving Du Weilun instructions.
• Du Weilun announced Yue Ling's team had won the Freshman Elimination Tournament, and Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo left to rest while awaiting Yue Ling's return.
• Wan Hun Douluo discovered that his cultivation had fallen to level seventy-one and that he had only seven Spirit Rings.
• The Douluo of Abomination mocked Wan Hun, then concealed his relief and resolved to help him attempt to possess Yue Ling again.
• Wan Hun vowed that Yue Ling's body, mind, talent, and soul would eventually belong to him.

The Sea God Pavilion Elders debated whether to protect Yue Ling after a Titled Douluo's Remnant Soul became entangled with his Spirit Sea, and Mu En proposed a temporary seal. Mu En then revealed that a vast secret organization stood behind the continent's Evil Soul Masters and said his time was almost up.

• Qian Duoduo argued that Shrek should cripple Yue Ling's Soul Power, while Yan Shaozhe defended him and urged the elders not to abandon him.
• Mu En explained that forcibly removing the Remnant Soul could destroy Yue Ling's Spirit Sea, and proposed sealing it with the Golden Ancient Tree's power while Yue Ling's Second Martial Soul restrained it.
• Mu En said the seal was only temporary and that Yue Ling would eventually need to become strong enough to wear down the Remnant Soul himself.
• Mu En reassured the elders that Xuan Zi would personally watch over and teach Yue Ling.
• Mu En revealed that a vast secret organization was behind the Evil Soul Masters, based on intelligence from Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan.
• Mu En looked out over Shrek Academy and announced that his time was almost up.

Mu En revealed that his life was nearing its end and warned Shrek’s leaders about the powerful Evil Soul Master organization. He ordered Xuan Zi to bring Yue Ling to him so the Golden Ancient Tree could seal the Evil Soul Master remnant within the boy, while Zhang Lexuan struggled with her feelings and her promise to Bei Bei.

• Mu En told the Sea God Pavilion leaders that the Dragon Pill had shortened his life and that Shrek would lose its shield when he died.
• Mu En explained that the Evil Soul Masters belonged to a hidden organization targeting gifted Spirit Masters and academies, and that Yue Ling’s talent made him both a target and a possible future defender.
• Mu En insisted that Yue Ling be protected and ordered Xuan Zi to bring him in for a seal from the Golden Ancient Tree.
• Xuan Zi returned to his courtyard, where Yue Ling lay unconscious, and Zhang Lexuan went to his bedside after hearing what had happened.
• Zhang Lexuan recalled her promise to Bei Bei and struggled against her growing feelings for Yue Ling.

Xuan Zi learned that an Evil Soul Master's Remnant Soul was bound to Yue Ling's Spirit Sea, making removal too dangerous, and brought him to the Sea God Pavilion for treatment. Mu En placed Yue Ling on a Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Jade Bed to suppress his emotions and prepare his Spirit Sea for a seal.

• Xuan Zi told Zhang Lexuan that forcibly removing the Remnant Soul could cripple or kill Yue Ling, so Mu En planned to suppress and seal it with the Golden Ancient Tree's power.
• Xuan Zi carried the unconscious Yue Ling to the Sea God Pavilion while Zhang Lexuan watched them leave, deeply worried.
• Inside his Spirit Sea, Yue Ling faced the weakened Remnant Soul and realized his Lovesick Heartbreak Red had helped stop it from taking over his body.
• Mu En led Xuan Zi to a secret chamber and instructed him to lay Yue Ling on the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Jade Bed.
• The jade bed's cold began suppressing Yue Ling's emotions and reinforcing his Spirit Sea as Mu En prepared to seal the Remnant Soul.

Mu En used the Golden Ancient Tree’s power to seal the Evil Soul Master’s Remnant Soul inside Yue Ling’s Spirit Sea, though he warned that the seal would not last forever. After Mu En left exhausted, Xuan Zi reflected on his responsibility to Shrek Academy, then carried Yue Ling away, still unsure what to do.

• Yue Ling endured the freezing Spirit Sea as the Remnant Soul prepared to make one final attempt to escape.
• Mu En sent Xuan Zi outside and guided the Golden Ancient Tree’s power into Yue Ling’s Spirit Sea.
• Mu En bound the Remnant Soul with golden threads and sealed it in a remote corner of Yue Ling’s Spirit Sea.
• Mu En warned that he could only seal the Remnant Soul temporarily and that Yue Ling would have to break free of his shackles himself.
• Xuan Zi recognized his responsibility to Shrek Academy, but could not find a solution and decided to take things one step at a time.
• Xuan Zi picked up Yue Ling and left the Sea God Pavilion.

Zhang Lexuan remembered how Yue Ling’s care had brought warmth and comfort into her life, even after she confessed her troubled past and feelings of confusion about Bei Bei. Yue Ling woke after Xuan Zi sealed the evil soul in his Spirit Sea, and Xuan Zi insisted that he stay and recover safely.

• Zhang Lexuan recalled how Yue Ling’s chrysanthemum tea eased the cold in her body and how his company made the pavilion a cherished place for her.
• Zhang Lexuan remembered confessing her past to Yue Ling, who returned the next day with food and treated her kindly as usual.
• Zhang Lexuan wrestled with her feelings for Yue Ling and her promise to Mu En regarding Bei Bei.
• Yue Ling woke after the evil soul in his Spirit Sea had been sealed, and Xuan Zi questioned him about it and checked whether he was injured.
• Xuan Zi told Yue Ling to stay and cultivate safely with him, and Yue Ling felt touched by his teacher’s concern.

Yue Ling recovered from the freshman assessment finals while his classmates learned about Core Disciples and prepared for the class assignment ceremony. The chapter ended with the successful freshmen gathered at Shrek Square the next morning, awaiting their assignments.

• Zhang Lexuan and Elder Xuan left Yue Ling to rest after confirming he was stable, and Yue Ling fell asleep wondering how Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo were doing.
• Wu Ya congratulated Freshman Class One on passing the assessment and explained the class assignments and restrictions on Martial Soul Department Core Disciples.
• Wu Ya told the class that Yue Ling was seriously injured and would miss lessons during his recovery, prompting surprise among the students who had fought him.
• Gongyang Mo and Ma Xiaotao missed Yue Ling, and Gongyang Mo remained alone after class while Ma Xiaotao left by herself.
• The next morning, all first-year students who had passed the assessment gathered at Shrek Square for the class assignment ceremony.

Du Weilun announced the Freshman Assessment rankings and rewards, with Yue Ling's absent team named champions and awarded a confidential bonus. He then began announcing which freshmen would become Outer Court core disciples.

• Du Weilun announced Dai Yueheng's team had taken third place and Wang Hao, He Jiajie, and Li Jingjing's team had taken second.
• Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo accepted recognition on behalf of their champion team while Yue Ling remained absent because of his injuries.
• Du Weilun announced that the top three teams could each request an academy-assisted Spirit Ring suited to their needs.
• Du Weilun announced a confidential special reward for Yue Ling's team, to be given to Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo after class assignments.
• Du Weilun praised the freshmen and began announcing the new Outer Court core disciples.

Du Weilun announced the Outer Court's Core Disciples, class assignments, and homeroom teachers, then told Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo that Yue Ling was safe. He gave them a valuable reward for winning the freshman assessment, leaving them about to see what was inside the pouch.

• Du Weilun named the official and temporary Core Disciples, then announced the freshmen's class assignments and homeroom teachers.
• Du Weilun summoned Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo to collect their rewards and assured them that Yue Ling was alright.
• Du Weilun relayed Dean Yan's request that Gongyang Mo water Yue Ling's chrysanthemums and ordered them to keep the recent incident confidential.
• Du Weilun presented Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo with a low-grade Soul Tool pouch containing an exceptionally valuable academy reward.
• Ma Xiaotao untied the pouch as Gongyang Mo watched, and her heartbeat quickened at what might be inside.

Du Weilun awarded Ma Xiaotao, Yue Ling, and Gongyang Mo three carefully chosen Spirit Bones and warned them to keep the rewards secret. After Ma Xiaotao gave Gongyang Mo the storage pouch, she announced she would leave the outer courtyard to cultivate with her teacher, while Gongyang Mo vowed to enter the inner courtyard and fight alongside his friends.

• Du Weilun explained that the Ten-Thousand-Year Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm Bone was for Ma Xiaotao, the Ten-Thousand-Year Mountain-Sinking Earth Gravity Left Leg Bone was for Yue Ling, and the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Dragon Defense Right Arm Bone was for Gongyang Mo.
• Du Weilun officially gave them the Spirit Bones and a pouch that concealed Soul Power, then warned Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo to absorb the bones promptly and keep their rewards confidential.
• After leaving the teaching building, Ma Xiaotao stored her and Yue Ling's Spirit Bones and handed the concealing pouch with Gongyang Mo's Spirit Bone to him.
• Ma Xiaotao told Gongyang Mo she would stop attending outer-courtyard classes and cultivate beside her teacher, and said she would deliver Yue Ling's Spirit Bone to him later.
• Ma Xiaotao urged Gongyang Mo to cultivate and enter the inner courtyard so they could fight together again, and Gongyang Mo vowed he would do so.

Yue Ling relaxed in his courtyard after waking, then was surprised when Ma Xiaotao arrived for a visit. She returned the academy-assigned Spirit Bone and explained the lengthy process she had followed to reach him.

• Yue Ling woke refreshed, changed clothes, and enjoyed the quiet of his courtyard.
• Ma Xiaotao arrived at Yue Ling's gate, and he grabbed her wrist before apologizing and inviting her inside.
• Ma Xiaotao explained that she had arranged the visit through her teacher, Xuan Zi, the Sea God Island guards, and Yue Ling's consent.
• Ma Xiaotao gave Yue Ling the Ten-Thousand-Year Mountain-Weight Earth Gravity Left Leg Bone and described its potential benefits.

Yue Ling welcomed Ma Xiaotao to stay for breakfast after she delivered his Spirit Bone, then prepared a meal in Elder Xuan’s kitchen. The dishes were ready, and Ma Xiaotao waited eagerly outside to taste them.

• Yue Ling thanked Ma Xiaotao for bringing his Spirit Bone and invited her to stay for breakfast.
• Ma Xiaotao agreed, and Yue Ling went into Elder Xuan’s kitchen to cook.
• Yue Ling found the pot spotless and used soul beast meat and spirit rice to prepare bone soup, grilled lion meat, and steamed rice.
• Ma Xiaotao smelled the food from the courtyard and grew eager to eat.
• Yue Ling finished the soup, grilled meat, and a cold bamboo shoot dish.

Yue Ling cooked breakfast for Ma Xiaotao, whose delight in his food led them to discuss their studies at Shrek. Ma Xiaotao explained that her evil fire meant she needed to remain in the Inner Court, while Yue Ling was unsure whether his teacher would let him attend the Outer Court.

• Yue Ling used his Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum martial soul to carry breakfast to the courtyard table.
• Ma Xiaotao tasted Yue Ling's cooking, enjoyed it, and ate until she was full.
• Ma Xiaotao asked whether Yue Ling would study in the Shrek Outer Court, and he said it depended on his teacher.
• Ma Xiaotao said she would not attend the Outer Court because her status as the dean's direct disciple exempted her from its usual process.
• Ma Xiaotao explained that her evil fire made Outer Court cultivation difficult, so she needed to remain in the Inner Court to suppress it.

Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao shared a warm farewell before he began absorbing the Ten Thousand Year Earth Giant Bear left leg bone. He successfully absorbed it, rose from level thirty-seven to level thirty-eight, and gained a solution to his difficulty keeping opponents from escaping.

• Ma Xiaotao thanked Yue Ling for their friendship, then challenged him to compete for the Shrek Seven Monsters' captaincy at the next tournament.
• Ma Xiaotao left to cultivate after Yue Ling invited her to visit for his cooking again.
• Yue Ling sat in the courtyard and began absorbing the Ten Thousand Year Earth Giant Bear left leg bone.
• Yue Ling endured the Spirit Bone's heat and energy as it strengthened his body and filled his dantian.
• Yue Ling completed the absorption, broke through to level thirty-eight, and decided the Spirit Bone would help him stop opponents from escaping.

After absorbing the Spirit Bone, Yue Ling reflected on the limits of his Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Martial Soul and the years he had spent tempering it. He resolved to keep pursuing a Power Attack path while developing practical control abilities, leaving his strength dependent on patient training.

• Yue Ling finished absorbing the Spirit Bone and recognized that it could help address the limits of his long-range-focused fighting style.
• Yue Ling recalled how the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum's fragile nature made close combat difficult and explained how he had been tempering his body to cultivate Indestructible Diamond.
• Yue Ling considered sharing the cold yin power in his body with Ma Xiaotao to counteract her evil fire.
• Yue Ling concluded that his Martial Soul suited a path combining control and power attacks, with practical control skills in lower-grade Spirit Rings and destructive attacks in higher-grade ones.
• Yue Ling accepted that he had already chosen his path and vowed to turn his chrysanthemum petals into blades capable of killing enemies.