Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Gu Mingyuan proposes using Shrek’s one-year pause in active operations against the Holy Spirit Cult to establish the Cult publicly rather than expanding only in secret.
• He suggests reviving the Seven Great Sects through a selection organized by the Sun Moon Imperial Family. The Cult could win a seat through its strength, while the Empire attracts independent factions with access to Soul Tools, rare metals, trade routes, and business opportunities.
• Gu also wants to found a separate sect of his own, giving him a legitimate base for recruiting, making Soul Tools, and doing business. Feng Ling says she will report the proposal to the Cult’s leaders and may arrange secret support.
• Back at Shrek’s Sea God Pavilion, Xuan Zi reports that Zhongli Wu and Zhang Peng forced him to accept a one-year truce by threatening Tang Ya’s mind. He could not bring Tang Ya back.
• The elders discuss what Xuan Zi’s promise means for the Inspection Corps and Inner Court training. Xuan Zi proposes suspending conspicuous operations and withdrawing younger students, while allowing experienced senior students to secretly target isolated, manageable enemies. No final decision is made.

Character developments

• Gu Mingyuan shows political ambition and pragmatism: he sees the truce as an opportunity to build institutions and alliances, not merely as a pause in conflict.
• Feng Ling is cautious about the risks and the limits of Xuan Zi’s promise, but is willing to consider Gu’s plan and possible support.
• Xuan Zi is burdened by his failure to rescue Tang Ya and suggests a covert compromise to preserve some of Shrek’s combat training.
• Mu En remains restrained, but Zhang Peng’s role recalls that Mu En once spared him. His quiet reaction hints at regret or anger over what Zhang has become.

Significant themes

• Opportunity within a truce: A temporary ceasefire can give either side time to strengthen its position.
• Legitimacy and power: The Cult seeks public recognition and economic influence as well as military strength.
• Moral compromise: Shrek considers secretly continuing operations despite its promise, balancing student training against the danger of renewed conflict.
• Consequences of mercy: Mu En’s past decision to spare Zhang Peng is set against Zhang’s later involvement in threatening Shrek.

Character interactions

• Gu persuades Feng Ling by framing public organization and alliances as necessary for the Cult’s survival; she listens but reserves judgment.
• Xuan Zi confesses his failure before the Sea God Pavilion elders, while Yan Shaozhe condemns the Cult’s demand and worries about the effects on training.
• Mu En redirects Xuan Zi from personal guilt to Shrek’s immediate decisions, then responds pointedly to the reminder of his history with Zhang Peng.

Plot points and events

• Concerned that a year-long truce would allow Evil Soul Masters to spread unchecked, Shrek’s Sea God Pavilion debates its agreement with the Holy Spirit Cult. Mu En orders the academy to stop large, public anti-cult missions, while allowing carefully vetted covert operations. The Shadow Network is also tasked with finding Tang Ya and a way to lift the restriction on her Heart Meridian.
• The Cult agrees to approach the Sun Moon Imperial Family about holding a tournament to reelect the Seven Great Sects, while operating publicly as the Holy Spirit Sect.
• The Cult plans to build support through the Xishui Alliance’s trade network, targeting ambitious sects that want better access to Soul Tools and greater influence. Gu Mingyuan argues that sects from different regions should help set the rules and supervise the event so it does not look like an imperial decision imposed from above.
• Shrek Academy is to be invited. Its participation would lend legitimacy to the process—and make it difficult for the academy to sit out without alienating sects hoping to gain from the tournament.
• The Cult funds preparations for Gu Mingyuan’s new sect, including a workshop in Ming Capital and production help from Wu Zhu.
• In two weeks, a proposal to discuss reelecting the Seven Great Sects gains support across more than a dozen cities. When Shrek receives a formal invitation, Yan Shaozhe recognizes that the plan now involves the interests of many sects, not just the Sun Moon Empire, and heads to the Sea God Pavilion.

Character developments and interactions

• Mu En balances Shrek’s promise to the Cult against the danger of letting Evil Soul Masters operate freely. His decision limits public action but preserves a narrow path for covert intervention.
• Xuan Zi accepts Mu En’s orders, while remaining aware that the agreement puts Tang Ya—and the wider population—at risk.
• Gu Mingyuan demonstrates strategic judgment, emphasizing that inclusive rule-making is essential to win sects’ trust. He also accepts responsibility for building a new sect.
• Feng Ling lays out the Cult’s political and commercial strategy, explaining how trade ties can turn sects’ ambitions into public support.
• Yan Shaozhe quickly grasps the scale of the proposal and responds by taking it to Shrek’s leadership.

Significant themes

• Compromise and responsibility: Shrek’s leaders must weigh their commitments against the consequences of inaction.
• Power through persuasion and trade: The Cult uses commercial relationships and the promise of Soul Tools to assemble political support.
• Legitimacy and participation: Giving sects a role in setting rules can make a contested process appear fair—and increase their investment in it.
• Ambition and rivalry: Sects support the proposal for varied reasons, from practical supplies and prestige to weakening competitors.

Gu Mingyuan received funding and a workshop to begin recruiting for his sect, while Shrek Academy debated how to respond to the Sun Moon Empire’s proposed assembly of the Seven Great Sects. The Body Sect learned that the assembly might offer an opportunity related to the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Embryo.

• The Great Saint Spirit sent Gu Mingyuan a savings card, a workshop deed, and Feng Ling’s note telling him to begin recruiting for his sect.
• Mu En and Yan Shaozhe discussed sects that had agreed to the Sun Moon Empire’s proposal, while Xuan Zi suspected the Holy Spirit Cult was behind the assembly and wanted to investigate in Ming Capital.
• Mu En instructed Yan Shaozhe to agree to Shrek’s participation in preliminary rule discussions only if the academy received sufficient authority.
• Gu Mingyuan inspected his new workshop, told Wu Zhu to recruit rough-processing workers while leaving administrative roles vacant, and asked Feng Ling to transfer Lin Yan and Jiang Wenzhou to Ming Capital.
• An elder brought Du Busi intelligence about the Sun Moon Empire’s planned Sect Assembly and said it presented an opportunity; the Body Sect had confirmed the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Embryo was in Ming Capital.

Gu Mingyuan tested a modified Soul Tool on an undead skeleton, then arranged for Jiang Wenzhou and Lin Yan to come to Ming Capital. The chapter ended with Gu revealing himself to his old friends.

• Du Busi ordered the Body Sect to investigate Mingde Hall's defenses and planned to accompany an operation in Ming Capital.
• Gu Mingyuan tested Wu Zhu's modified Level Three Ray Soul Tool on the Second Saint Spirit, teaching the undead skeleton to aim and fire through detailed mental instructions.
• Gu Mingyuan considered using Soul Tools to equip his undead army, including a suicide squad carrying hidden bombs.
• A messenger told Jiang Wenzhou that Gu Mingyuan was alive in Ming Capital, and Lin Yan agreed to travel with him.
• After half a month on the road, Jiang Wenzhou and Lin Yan reached Ming Capital, where Gu Mingyuan removed his disguise and greeted them.

Gu Mingyuan reunited with Lin Yan and Jiang Wenzhou, then showed them the new Myriad Manifestations Sect and assigned them roles in its workshop. Meanwhile, the Sun Moon Empire’s leaders arranged their plans for the Sect Assembly, and Shrek Academy chose its delegation for negotiations in the Ming Capital.

• Lin Yan and Jiang Wenzhou told Gu Mingyuan about the rumors surrounding his disappearance and the academy’s order that they avoid asking questions.
• Gu Mingyuan led Lin Yan and Jiang Wenzhou to the Myriad Manifestations Sect and introduced them to Wu Zhu, assigning Lin Yan to manage accounts and Jiang Wenzhou to study inscription and track material waste.
• Xu Tianran, Zhongli Wu, and Jing Hongchen agreed on subsidies, participation conditions, and Soul Tool sales for the Sect Assembly, while each planned to recruit people for their own interests.
• Mu En assigned Yan Shaozhe, Qian Duoduo, and Zhang Lexuan to Shrek Academy’s delegation to the Ming Capital and warned Xuan Zi to consult the others before acting.

Bei Bei joined Shrek Academy’s delegation to the Ming Capital, hoping to see Tang Ya, while Gu Mingyuan arranged to experiment with purified souls as a way to cultivate his second martial soul. The chapter ended with Gu Mingyuan agreeing to let the imprisoned souls go free regardless of whether they left behind power.

• Bei Bei asked Xuan Zi and Zhang Lexuan to take him to the Ming Capital, and Xuan Zi allowed him to join on the condition that he followed the group’s orders.
• Zhang Lexuan added Bei Bei to the accompanying disciples’ roster, and Shrek Academy’s delegation departed for the Ming Capital several days later.
• Feng Ling warned Gu Mingyuan that members of the Cult were scrutinizing him before the Sect Assembly and offered to arrange a soul beast for his second martial soul.
• At Electrolux’s suggestion, Gu Mingyuan asked Feng Ling for the imprisoned souls held at three branch altars instead of a soul beast, and she agreed to provide them.
• Electrolux proposed purifying the souls and allowing any willing essence to help Gu Mingyuan condense a soul ring, and Gu Mingyuan agreed to the experiment.

The Seven Great Sects reselection tournament began in the Ming Capital, where Xu Tianran outlined the scoring system and rules for the peak combat trial. Yan Shaozhe questioned how the arena format would prevent sects from ganging up on one holder, leaving the rules unsettled.

• The sect representatives gathered at the Imperial Training Grounds, while Lu Li attended for the Myriad Manifestations Sect under orders from Feng Ling.
• Xu Tianran announced that the selection would have peak combat, young disciples, and soul tools trials, with peak combat worth twice as many points as either other trial.
• Xu Tianran explained that the top seven sects in each trial would earn points toward the Upper Three and Lower Four Sects rankings.
• Xu Tianran said the peak combat trial would use seven arenas, where registered representatives could challenge repeatedly and each sect could hold only one arena.
• Yan Shaozhe asked how the rules would handle several sects deliberately exhausting one arena holder with successive challengers.

Xu Tianran and Jing Hongchen announced the three competition events and their rules, while the Myriad Manifestations Sect chose the Seventh Arena and clashed with the Heavenly Armor Sect over its registration. Meanwhile, Gu Mingyuan began freeing souls delivered to the sect, guided by Electrolux, and succeeded with the first batch.

• Xu Tianran explained the strongest combatant and youth disciple competitions, and Jing Hongchen laid out the Soul Tool Assessment rules.
• Du Busi claimed the First Arena for the Body Sect, prompting other sects to choose different arenas.
• Lu Li chose the Seventh Arena, but Lin Yan and the Heavenly Armor Sect's elder both pressed their tokens into its registration slot and refused to yield.
• Gu Mingyuan inspected the souls from three branch altars and followed Electrolux's guidance to release a small number of them.
• Gu Mingyuan used the All-Seeing Heavenly Eye to remove the souls' restraints and resentment, while Electrolux stabilized damaged beast souls; the first batch regained their freedom.

Gu Mingyuan learned to capture the pure source power released by departing souls under Electrolux's guidance. Meanwhile, Lu Li used custom soul tools to defeat the Heavenly Armor Sect Master in the Seventh Arena, leaving the Myriad Manifestations Sect to secure its ranking while awaiting its sect master.

• Gu Mingyuan accidentally let a strand of source power dissipate, then gently caught another and sensed its compatibility with the Demon's Contract.
• Lu Li fought the Heavenly Armor Sect Master in the Seventh Arena, but his Four-Armed Dragon Ape could not break through the opponent's shield by strength alone.
• Lu Li activated Wu Zhu's custom soul tools and used their thrusters to drive the Heavenly Armor Sect Master toward the arena boundary.
• Lu Li gripped the shield and shoved the Heavenly Armor Sect Master out of bounds, winning the match for the Myriad Manifestations Sect.
• Wu Zhu told Lin Yan to record the match points and secure the sect's ranking while they waited for the sect master to return.

Gu Mingyuan completed his second soul ring and manifested the demonic artifact Asmodeus's Dance. Meanwhile, Shrek Academy investigated the newly emerged Myriad Manifestations Sect after Lu Li won a match at the assembly.

• Lu Li secured a victory for the Myriad Manifestations Sect at the Seventh Arena, while Wu Zhu told Jiang Wenzhou that their position was nearly secured.
• Du Busi, Zhongli Wu, and a guardian retainer of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect held the first three arenas as other sects fought fiercely for the remaining positions.
• Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe watched Zhongli Wu, while Qian Duoduo pointed out the Myriad Manifestations Sect's Titled Douluo and Level Seven Soul Engineer on the roster.
• Yan Shaozhe ordered an attendant to investigate the Myriad Manifestations Sect's origins, recruitment, and finances, and Xuan Zi warned him to watch the sect closely.
• Gu Mingyuan let the final damaged beast soul disperse and its essence complete his gray-gold second soul ring.
• Gu Mingyuan activated the ring and formed Asmodeus's Dance, a pair of demonic boots whose Mental Interference could distort an enemy's perception of his movements.

After gaining the Demon Boots and the Soul Tether skill, Gu Mingyuan drew the red talent Reborn God King and sent its occupant, Tang San, to Huo Yuhao by replacing the Ice Empress. The transfer left the Ice Empress’s powers intact but moved her soul into Gu Mingyuan’s sea of spirit, where Electrolux examined her.

• Gu Mingyuan tested the Demon Boots’ improved movement and learned that his new Soul Skill, Soul Tether, could tear a soul shadow from an enemy and damage its soul.
• The system awarded Gu Mingyuan the red talent Reborn God King, whose description warned that the reborn God King had already chosen his path.
• Gu Mingyuan ordered the system to give the talent to Huo Yuhao, choosing the Ice Empress as the spiritual entity to replace.
• Tang San’s confused consciousness was transferred into Huo Yuhao’s sea of spirit, where Huo Yuhao and the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm discovered that the Ice Empress was missing.
• The Ice Empress appeared in Gu Mingyuan’s sea of spirit, and Electrolux examined her and identified her as another Soul Beast.

Electrolux stabilized the injured Ice Empress while Tang San appeared in Huo Yuhao’s Sea of Consciousness and reunited with Yu Xiaogang. Gu Mingyuan disguised himself before the supreme fighting contest ended, as Shrek investigated the Myriad Manifestations Sect’s carefully fabricated history.

• Electrolux found that the Ice Empress’s soul had been damaged and placed her in a Soul-Nourishing Formation to recover.
• Tang San arrived in Huo Yuhao’s Sea of Consciousness, where Yu Xiaogang recognized him and the two reunited in shock.
• Gu Mingyuan altered his appearance and aura, then returned to the assembly venue planning to avoid revealing his strongest abilities.
• Lu Li won the sixth arena for the Myriad Manifestations Sect despite suffering a serious arm injury, and the supreme fighting contest ended with the Body Sect first and the Myriad Manifestations Sect sixth.
• Yan Shaozhe reported the Myriad Manifestations Sect’s history to Xuan Zi, who ordered a deeper investigation into its sect master, Wan Zhanghan.
• The Holy Spirit Cult’s Shadow Network had fabricated the sect’s records and Gu Mingyuan’s public identity, leaving Shrek with a spotless but false history.

Gu Mingyuan returned to the Myriad Manifestations Sect’s seats and registered Wan Zhanghan for the youth matches. In Huo Yuhao’s Sea of Spirit, Tang San appeared as a weakened divine consciousness, leaving Tian Meng and Yu Xiaogang unsettled as he tried to understand his circumstances.

• Gu Mingyuan reunited with Lin Yan, Lu Li, and Wu Zhu, then signed Wan Zhanghan into the young disciples’ matches.
• Tang San appeared in Huo Yuhao’s Sea of Spirit, where Yu Xiaogang recognized him and Huo Yuhao tentatively identified him as Ancestor Sea God Tang San.
• Tian Meng demanded that Tang San reveal where he had put Bingbing, but Tang San’s divine pressure stopped him from advancing.
• Huo Yuhao told Tang San that he was in the Ming Capital during the assembly to reselect the Seven Great Sects, prompting Tang San to suspect a distortion in space and time.
• Yu Xiaogang fawned over Tang San, while Tian Meng mocked him; Tang San then discovered that he had exhausted nearly all his power and might not even subdue a Million-Year Soul Beast.

Tang San realized the Sea God in the Divine Realm might discover him inside Huo Yuhao’s consciousness and decided he had to flee. The next morning, Gu Mingyuan defeated Wang Yanfeng in the young disciples’ tournament, giving the Myriad Manifestations Sect its first victory.

• Tang San found a faint connection to the Sea God Trident but feared that the Sea God would uncover and erase him if he remained in Huo Yuhao’s Sea of Consciousness.
• Tang San decided to flee Huo Yuhao’s mind before the Divine Realm discovered him.
• At the Imperial Training Grounds, Gu Mingyuan entered the tournament as Wan Zhanghan and faced Wang Yanfeng of the Body Sect.
• Gu Mingyuan used his Demon Boots and Hand of the Kingkiller to wound Wang Yanfeng, whose bleeding would not stop.
• Wang Yanfeng activated his bronze-level second awakening, but Gu Mingyuan used Soul Tether and a strike to the soul to daze him before placing his scythe at Wang Yanfeng’s neck.
• The referee declared the Myriad Manifestations Sect the winner of the match.

Gu Mingyuan defeated two Body Sect fighters in succession, prompting Long Aotian to enter the arena. In Huo Yuhao’s Sea of Spirit, Tang San decided to secure Yu Xiaogang a new body, and Huo Yuhao went to ask the academy’s senior officials for help.

• Gu Mingyuan dispelled Wang Yanfeng’s Blood Curse and defeated him, while the Body Sect elders scrutinized Gu Mingyuan’s unusual equipment and abilities.
• Gu Mingyuan used [Golden Radiance] and the [Sin Mark] to defeat Chen Lü, whose Light Flame left him badly burned after Lang Ya helped extinguish it.
• Du Busi sent Long Aotian into the arena to represent the Body Sect after its two consecutive losses.
• Tang San decided to leave Huo Yuhao’s mind and asked Yu Xiaogang to have the academy rebuild his body with outstanding aptitude.
• Huo Yuhao agreed to Tang San’s request and went to speak with Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe.

Gu Mingyuan defeated Long Aotian by striking his spiritual defenses with the All-Seeing Heavenly Eye, giving the Myriad Manifestations Sect another victory. Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao defended his teacher’s request for a body, but Sea God Tang San took control of him and warned Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe that they had chosen certain death.

• Huo Yuhao told Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe that Yu Xiaogang wanted the academy to reconstruct a body with outstanding potential, prompting Yan Shaozhe to suspect possession.
• Long Aotian activated his silver-rank second awakening and charged Gu Mingyuan, who used the All-Seeing Heavenly Eye to overwhelm him with a spiritual attack.
• The referee declared the unconscious Long Aotian defeated and awarded the match to the Myriad Manifestations Sect.
• Du Busi ordered his disciples to take Aotian back while he watched Gu Mingyuan.
• Huo Yuhao refused to back down when Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe accused Yu Xiaogang of seeking to possess another person's body.
• Sea God Tang San took control of Huo Yuhao and told Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe they had chosen the way of certain death.

Tang San used Huo Yuhao’s body to command Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe to find a talented body for Yu Xiaogang, then secretly planned how to regain power. Xuan Zi agreed to carry out the morally troubling task himself, accepting that Shrek’s reputation might suffer.

• Tang San took control of Huo Yuhao and frightened Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe into believing he was the Sea God, then ordered them to find Yu Xiaogang a suitable body.
• Huo Yuhao regained control and returned to the students, unaware of what Tang San had done.
• Tang San recovered in Huo Yuhao’s Sea of Spirit and considered using his knowledge of the future to claim powerful opportunities, while Yu Xiaogang thanked him emotionally.
• Xuan Zi told Yan Shaozhe he would handle finding a body for Yu Xiaogang and take responsibility if Shrek’s actions were exposed.
• Yan Shaozhe lamented how much Xuan Zi had sacrificed for Shrek.

After Long Aotian was knocked unconscious by Wan Zhanghan’s mental attack, Du Busi recognized the Body Sect’s vulnerability and reconsidered its contempt for soul tools. He ordered his elders not to seize Wan Zhanghan, instead planning to investigate whether his third eye was a body martial soul, while warning them to focus on the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Embryo.

• Du Busi examined Long Aotian and found that the mental shock had left his sea of spirit and soul origin unharmed.
• Du Busi reflected on how soul tools could defend against physical and spiritual attacks, then told the elders the Body Sect should reconsider using them.
• Yu Tao and Lang Ya suggested that Wan Zhanghan’s third eye might be a body martial soul and urged Du Busi to recruit him.
• Du Busi rejected taking Wan Zhanghan by force and ordered the elders to approach him privately after the assembly to investigate his eye.
• Du Busi directed the elders to keep close watch on the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Embryo.

Xuan Zi chose Sea God Island as the place to abduct a suitable vessel for the Sea God's requirements, while the Sect Assembly concluded with the new Seven Great Sects ranked. Three days later, Xu Tianran ordered elite troops to reinforce Mingde Hall's warehouses after an alleged Body Sect break-in, giving the imperial forces a foothold there.

• Xuan Zi decided to seek a talented young person on Sea God Island, then set off overseas.
• Wu Zhu won first place among contestants from the original three nations in the soul tool competition with his Class 7 defensive shield.
• The Holy Spirit Sect, Body Sect, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Myriad Manifestations Sect, Heavenly Dragon Sect, Dark Underworld Sect, and Earth Dragon Sect placed first through seventh, respectively.
• Jing Hongchen reported that two Titled Douluos had tried to infiltrate Mingde Hall's Underground Warehouse No. 4, and he blamed the Body Sect.
• Xu Tianran ordered two elite Royal Soul Engineer Corps squads to help reinforce Mingde Hall's warehouses, prompting Jing Hongchen to accept the imperial presence.

Jing Hongchen moved the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Embryo to protect it, while Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe brought an unconscious Sea Dragon Island child to Ming Capital for Huo Yuhao. Du Busi prepared the Body Sect to attack Mingde Hall, and Gu Mingyuan left his compound amid the expected chaos.

• Jing Hongchen abandoned his original security plan and sent three decoy vehicles along separate routes to move the embryo to Mingde Hall's underground base.
• Xuan Zi returned with an unconscious eight-year-old Sea Dragon martial soul prodigy, and he and Yan Shaozhe set out to find Huo Yuhao at Mingde Hall.
• Du Busi ordered the Body Sect to steal the soul tools and rare metals they could not afford, while sending the young disciples away from Ming Capital.
• Feng Ling warned Gu Mingyuan that Du Busi had secretly returned to the city to attack Mingde Hall, and Gu Mingyuan ordered Wu Zhu to seal the compound.
• Gu Mingyuan left the compound and headed for Mingde Hall as the city prepared to descend into chaos.