Chapter Summaries

Gu Hengzhi’s three secret letters about Tang San, Tang Hao, and Xiao Wu drew no response from Spirit Hall, so he abandoned his attempt to use it against them. When the new school year began, Tang San and Xiao Wu arrived at Nuoding Academy, where Gu Hengzhi watched Yu Xiaogang persuade Tang San to become his disciple.

• Gu Hengzhi secretly sent Spirit Hall a letter describing Tang Hao and Tang San, but Notting City remained undisturbed.
• After his first letter went unanswered, Gu Hengzhi sent a second letter to Matthew Nuo, which also produced no response.
• Gu Hengzhi considered killing Tang San himself and reporting Xiao Wu, but neither his plans nor his third secret letter brought results.
• Gu Hengzhi stopped sending letters and focused on studying, cultivation, and growing spiritual herbs.
• At the start of the second school year, Tang San and Xiao Wu appeared as new students at Nuoding Academy.
• Gu Hengzhi watched Yu Xiaogang persuade Tang San to kneel and accept him as a teacher, then jokingly welcomed Tang San as his son.

Tang Hao intercepted two letters exposing his family and Xiao Wu, then searched Notting City for the writer while avoiding actions that might reveal his presence. Gu Hengzhi suspected Tang Hao had intercepted the letters and was still searching for him, as the story shifted to Dormitory Seven at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy.

• Yu Xiaogang changed after taking Tang San as his disciple, becoming warmer and more refined.
• Tang Hao intercepted two of Gu Hengzhi’s secret letters, which revealed Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls and Xiao Wu’s identity as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast.
• Tang Hao investigated the letters and considered Su Yuntao and Yu Xiaogang as possible writers, but ruled them out.
• Tang Hao continued searching for the writer while avoiding a massacre that could expose him or frighten Xiao Wu into fleeing.
• Gu Hengzhi inferred that Tang Hao had intercepted the letters and was still searching for him in Notting City.

Gu Hengzhi and Su Yuntao traveled to the Soul Hunting Forest so Gu Hengzhi could obtain his first Soul Ring from an earth-element spirit beast. They arrived before Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, and Su Yuntao warned Gu Hengzhi about the marketplace’s inflated prices and the dangers of spirit-hunting groups.

• Gu Hengzhi told Su Yuntao he wanted an earth-element spirit beast to complement his Stone Statue martial soul, and Su Yuntao promised to help him find a suitable defensive Soul Ring.
• Su Yuntao bought supplies and daggers in Notting City, then took Gu Hengzhi by carriage toward the Soul Hunting Forest.
• Tang San and Yu Xiaogang also set out by carriage while a ragged drunk secretly followed them.
• Gu Hengzhi and Su Yuntao reached a town beside the Soul Hunting Forest that night, ahead of Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
• Su Yuntao explained that supplies cost much more near the forest and warned Gu Hengzhi that spirit-hunting groups might kill their own clients for profit.

Su Yuntao took Gu Hengzhi into the Spirit Hunting Forest and taught him about soul beasts and Soul Rings. When a powerful Gale Demon Wolf appeared, Su Yuntao sent Gu Hengzhi running and faced the beast alone.

• Su Yuntao explained the roles in a well-balanced Soul Master hunting team and used his Spirit Hall permit to bring Gu Hengzhi into the forest.
• Su Yuntao defeated one Ten-Year Nether Wolf and left another alive for Gu Hengzhi to kill with his dagger.
• Su Yuntao demonstrated how a Soul Ring could be drawn from a slain soul beast and explained that it would dissipate if not absorbed within one shichen.
• After hearing a wolf howl, Su Yuntao used his second Soul Skill to locate a Gale Demon Wolf and judged it to be at least a hundred years old.
• Su Yuntao ordered Gu Hengzhi to flee, then charged the Gale Demon Wolf to hold it off.

Gu Hengzhi left Su Yuntao fighting a Gale Demon Wolf and sought the Earth Deity’s help in finding a suitable Soul Ring. The Earth Deity identified a mutated Earth Azure Bull as a promising target and defeated it, leaving it incapacitated so he could preserve its soul as a spiritual mount.

• Gu Hengzhi used Earth Vein Acceleration to slip away while Su Yuntao battled the Gale Demon Wolf.
• Gu Hengzhi offered the Earth Deity a wisp of Tier-One Faith Power and asked him to find a suitable soul beast.
• The Earth Deity located Earth Mystic Tortoises and Earth Azure Bulls, and Gu Hengzhi chose to seek out the bulls.
• The Earth Deity lured a mutated, two-ring Earth Azure Bull away from its herd and revealed its potential to become a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
• Gu Hengzhi summoned his Earth Deity Stone Statue and fought the bull alongside the Earth Deity.
• The Earth Deity possessed Gu Hengzhi and struck the charging bull with a powerful finger technique, knocking it down.

Gu Hengzhi absorbed the Mutated Azure Bull’s Soul Ring with the Earth Deity’s help, gaining his first Soul Skill and freeing the Earth Deity from his restriction. The Earth Deity turned the Azure Bull into a spirit pet mount and returned to the God-Sealing Record to recuperate, while Gu Hengzhi began studying his new abilities.

• The Earth Deity withdrew from possession, and Gu Hengzhi delivered the final blow to the Mutated Azure Bull.
• Gu Hengzhi absorbed the Azure Bull’s Century Soul Ring as the Earth Deity shielded him from its resentment and helped him endure the energy.
• After the absorption, Gu Hengzhi found that the Stone Statue Martial Soul had grown stronger and learned that the Soul Ring had freed the Earth Deity to use all his abilities.
• The Earth Deity used the first Soul Ring to transform the Azure Bull into a Stone Statue spirit pet mount, then returned to the God-Sealing Record to recuperate.
• Gu Hengzhi learned that his first Soul Skill, God-Summoning—Earth Deity, had a deity form for ranged earth control and a possession form for close combat.

Gu Hengzhi tested his newly completed God-Summoning soul skill and discovered that the God-Sealing Record had opened a vacant seat for another deity. While returning through the Soul Hunting Forest to find Su Yuntao, he became lost and encountered two fleeing people and a pig.

• Gu Hengzhi used the Earth Deity's powers to create an Earth Wall, then transformed the Stone Statue into armor and a Dragon-Headed Cane with defensive and attack effects.
• Gu Hengzhi found a new page in the God-Sealing Record offering an empty divine seat and considered carving the Thunder Duke and Lightning Mother, Night Patrol God, or Fire Virtue Star Lord.
• Gu Hengzhi headed back to find Brother Tao, but darkness fell and he became trapped in what seemed to be endless circles through the Soul Hunting Forest.
• Gu Hengzhi followed a light and fighting sounds to two Nether Wolf corpses and an abandoned campsite, then tracked an escape route away from it.
• Gu Hengzhi heard a pig crying and spotted two people, one large and one small, fleeing with it.

Gu Hengzhi intervened when Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were threatened by a Mandala Snake, then killed the beast after refusing Yu Xiaogang’s request to let Tang San absorb its Soul Ring. He left with the snake’s body while Tang San vowed inwardly to make him pay.

• Gu Hengzhi trapped the Mandala Snake with Earth Wall Technique and attacked it using his Stone Statue Martial Soul and Dragon-Headed Cane.
• Tang San and Yu Xiaogang survived the fight, and Tang San declared the 423-year Mandala Snake ideal for his first Soul Ring.
• Yu Xiaogang asked Gu Hengzhi to give the Mandala Snake to Tang San, but Gu Hengzhi mocked him and refused.
• Gu Hengzhi killed the dying Mandala Snake, angering Tang San, then carried its body away through the forest.

Asura God shifted Fate Power and set it back on course, while Tang Hao captured a Mandala Snake for Tang San. The next night, Yu Xiaogang urged Tang San to kill a wounded python for its Soul Ring, as Gu Hengzhi returned with materials from the Mandala Snake and deceived Su Yuntao about where he had found it.

• Asura God sensed that Fate Power had shifted and decided to set it back on course.
• Tang Hao captured a Mandala Snake in Spirit Hunting Forest, intending it as Tang San's first Soul Ring.
• Yu Xiaogang and Tang San continued searching for a soul beast, and Tang San complained that Gu Hengzhi had killed the Mandala Snake they wanted.
• Yu Xiaogang and Tang San discovered a wounded python, and Yu Xiaogang urged Tang San to kill it and absorb its Soul Ring.
• Gu Hengzhi collected the Mandala Snake's skin, gallbladder, and meat, then used a weakened-soul-beast excuse to deceive Su Yuntao.

Tang San discovered Gu Hengzhi’s herb garden and stole its medicinal plants and False Soul Beast grass carp, believing they would help revive the Tang Sect. Gu Hengzhi found the garden stripped bare and received the Earth Deity’s instructions for protecting it with the Mountain-Suppressing Maze Formation.

• Gu Hengzhi registered at Spirit Hall and was confirmed to have Soul Power Level 12.
• Tang San secretly followed Gu Hengzhi to the herb garden and recognized its valuable plants.
• Tang San stole all the useful herbs and the False Soul Beast grass carp, deciding to use them for the Tang Sect.
• Gu Hengzhi discovered the theft and identified Tang San as the most likely culprit.
• The Earth Deity gave Gu Hengzhi an ancient book explaining how to set up the Mountain-Suppressing Maze Formation.
• Gu Hengzhi accepted the book and hurried to arrange the formation around his Spirit Field.

Gu Hengzhi refused Yu Xiaogang’s request to examine his martial soul, then accused Tang San of stealing herbs from the back mountain he owned. Principal Wu looked to Yu Xiaogang and Tang San for an explanation, leaving the theft accusation unresolved.

• Principal Wu told Gu Hengzhi that Yu Xiaogang wanted to question him about his martial soul mutation.
• Gu Hengzhi refused to let Yu Xiaogang study his martial soul or learn details about his soul skills.
• Gu Hengzhi presented the deed proving he owned Nuoding Academy’s back mountain and reported that herbs had been stolen from his garden.
• Gu Hengzhi accused Tang San, citing his absence overnight, Wang Sheng’s testimony, and herb leaves found beside Tang San’s bed.
• Principal Wu turned to Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, waiting for them to explain.

Gu Hengzhi challenged Tang San to a soul duel, wagering that Tang San would post a ten-thousand-word apology if he lost. After Yu Xiaogang prepared Tang San for the match, the duel began before a jeering crowd, which quieted at Tang San’s Century Soul Ring before cheering for Gu Hengzhi’s imposing martial soul.

• Gu Hengzhi proposed a soul duel instead of compensation, and Yu Xiaogang accepted on Tang San’s behalf, setting the match for after school.
• Yu Xiaogang told Tang San that Gu Hengzhi relied on spiritual herbs and explained that Tang San’s python soul ring might be connected to a mutating Golden Python.
• Students gathered at the academy grounds, where a teacher announced the rules and gave both competitors a minute to prepare.
• Tang San released his Blue Silver Grass martial soul, drew mockery from the crowd, and then revealed his Century Soul Ring, silencing many of them.
• Gu Hengzhi summoned his Stone Statue martial soul and yellow Soul Ring, prompting the crowd to cheer for him.

Gu Hengzhi and Tang San fought in the arena, where Gu Hengzhi’s earth-based skills overwhelmed Tang San and filled the field with a sandstorm. Tang San secretly resorted to hidden weapons, and Gu Hengzhi narrowly dodged his first volley as the battle continued.

• Yu Xiaogang recognized the strength of Gu Hengzhi’s martial soul and became excited when he saw Gu Hengzhi use a Self-Created Soul Skill.
• Gu Hengzhi attacked with Earth Spikes and a barrage of Earth Balls and Spikes, while Tang San dodged with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and used a Silent Sleeve Arrow to deflect a strike.
• Tang San attacked with Blue Silver Grass, but Gu Hengzhi blocked it with an Earth Wall, shattered the wall into a sandstorm, and struck Tang San with Earth Element Bodyguard.
• Tang San decided he could not win without hidden weapons and secretly threw a flying knife at Gu Hengzhi from within the sandstorm.
• Gu Hengzhi narrowly dodged the knife with Earth Vein Acceleration, then struggled to evade Tang San’s follow-up volley using the Earth Wall Technique and his movement technique.

Gu Hengzhi defeated Tang San in the soul battle after the Earth Deity shielded him from the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow and lent power to his attack. The referee declared Gu Hengzhi the winner, and his Seven House roommates celebrated as Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu rushed to the unconscious Tang San.

• Tang San fired a hidden Zhuge Repeating Crossbow bolt, but the Earth Deity protected Gu Hengzhi with a barrier.
• Gu Hengzhi used God-Summoning—Form Shift to transform his Stone Statue Martial Soul and overwhelm Tang San with attacks.
• Gu Hengzhi struck Tang San with the Great Desolate Heaven Imprisoning Finger, carefully avoiding his vital areas and knocking him unconscious.
• Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu rushed to Tang San, while Yu Xiaogang vomited blood after his old wound flared.
• The referee announced Gu Hengzhi as the winner, and the Seven House roommates lifted him up in celebration.

After Tang San woke from his defeat, Yu Xiaogang taught him about self-created soul skills and warned him against prematurely cultivating his second Martial Soul. Gu Hengzhi chose the Kitchen God as his second god, completed the summoning, and discovered that the god’s abilities focused on fire sensing and cooking.

• Tang San woke in Yu Xiaogang’s cabin, apologized for losing to Gu Hengzhi, and heard that Gu Hengzhi’s techniques were self-created soul skills.
• Tang San asked about attaching Soul Rings to his other Martial Soul, but Yu Xiaogang warned him of the danger and advised him to wait until he was strong enough.
• Gu Hengzhi chose the Kitchen God of the Eastern Kitchen, Nine-Spirit Primordial King, Fortune-Settling Divine Lord as his second god and carved the deity’s statue.
• Gu Hengzhi prepared food and wine, recited the God-Sealing Record’s incantation, and summoned the Kitchen God, whose portrait appeared on the record’s second page.
• The Kitchen God and Earth Deity greeted each other, while Gu Hengzhi examined the new abilities and found they were Fire Element Affinity and Culinary Grandmaster.

Six years later, Gu Hengzhi had turned the Peace Hotel into a powerful chain and traveled to Soto City to prepare a branch and wait for Tang San. Instead, he met Zhu Zhuqing, who had arrived in search of her fiancé.

• Gu Hengzhi graduated from Nuoding Academy, expanded the Peace Hotel with his soul skills, and established branches across major cities with help from his former roommates.
• Gu Hengzhi arrived in Soto City to open another branch and hoped to keep Tang San from obtaining the Eight Spider Lances, but discovered that Righteous Heaven Academy had also relocated there.
• Zhu Zhuqing reached Soto City after fleeing the Star Luo Empire and searching for news of her fiancé while escaping assassins.
• Zhu Zhuqing entered the Peace Hotel and learned that its last private room had been reserved by the owner.
• Gu Hengzhi introduced himself to Zhu Zhuqing and invited her to dine with him and discuss some matters.

At the Peace Hotel, Zhu Zhuqing met its owner, Gu Hengzhi, and shared a meal with him. He offered to take her in disguise to see her fiancé Dai Mubai, and she agreed, determined to learn what kind of person he really was.

• Zhu Zhuqing met Gu Hengzhi at the Peace Hotel and introduced herself.
• Gu Hengzhi served Zhu Zhuqing his egg fried rice, and she eagerly enjoyed the meal with him.
• Gu Hengzhi asked Zhu Zhuqing whether she had come to Soto City to find Dai Mubai, and she confirmed it.
• Gu Hengzhi offered Zhu Zhuqing cloaks and masks and invited her to see Dai Mubai in disguise.
• Zhu Zhuqing recalled her painful past, then put on a mask and agreed to go with Gu Hengzhi.

Gu Hengzhi and Zhu Zhuqing visited Shrek Academy, where Gu condemned its admissions and motto before they encountered Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. Ma Hongjun harassed Zhu Zhuqing, and Gu intervened as Ma Hongjun used Phoenix Possession.

• Gu Hengzhi and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at Shrek Academy and watched the examiner reject a youth for being nearly thirteen after taking his fee.
• Zhu Zhuqing objected to the academy's treatment of applicants, while Gu Hengzhi criticized its claims, requirements, and motto.
• Gu Hengzhi led Zhu Zhuqing toward Dai Mubai, and they encountered Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun returning from a brothel.
• Ma Hongjun tried to grab Zhu Zhuqing, who slapped his hand away, while Dai Mubai watched without intervening.
• Gu Hengzhi struck Ma Hongjun's hand away, and Ma Hongjun retaliated by shouting Phoenix Possession.

Gu Hengzhi overwhelmed Ma Hongjun in their fight, but Dai Mubai intervened to save Ma Hongjun from Gu Hengzhi’s finishing attack. Zhu Zhuqing revealed herself, and Gu Hengzhi summoned another unfamiliar divine statue as the confrontation continued.

• Ma Hongjun attacked Gu Hengzhi with his Evil Fire Phoenix, but Gu Hengzhi blocked the flames and countered with earth-based attacks.
• Gu Hengzhi transformed his Earth Deity Statue into armor and struck Ma Hongjun, sending him stumbling backward.
• Gu Hengzhi launched his Great Wilderness Heaven-Prison Finger, but Dai Mubai stepped in and blocked the blow for Ma Hongjun.
• Dai Mubai ordered Ma Hongjun aside and challenged Gu Hengzhi, while Zhu Zhuqing activated her Hell Spirit Cat martial soul.
• Dai Mubai recognized Zhu Zhuqing, and Gu Hengzhi summoned a mysterious divine statue to continue the fight.

Gu Hengzhi fought Dai Mubai, whose White Tiger Vajra Transformation overwhelmed his earth abilities and forced him to summon the Day-and-Night Patrol Gods. Gu Hengzhi unleashed the Great Sun Flame Wheel against Dai Mubai, and their attacks collided with the outcome unresolved.

• Dai Mubai accused Gu Hengzhi of turning Zhuqing against him, and Gu Hengzhi attacked him with an Earth Spike while mocking his behavior.
• Dai Mubai activated White Tiger Vajra Transformation, tearing through Gu Hengzhi's earth attacks and overpowering his Earth Wall with White Tiger Fierce Light Wave.
• Gu Hengzhi narrowly dodged Dai Mubai's enhanced attack and summoned the Day-and-Night Patrol Gods.
• Gu Hengzhi used the Great Sun Flame Wheel against Dai Mubai, who met it with his strengthened soul skills and White Tiger Body Shield.