Chapter Summaries

Xue Beng visited Grandmaster and Flender to discuss the princes’ efforts to recruit tournament participants and proposed closer ties between Shrek Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Grandmaster agreed to discuss the arrangement with Prince Xue Xing, then asked Xue Beng to become his nominal disciple.

• Xue Beng apologized on behalf of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family for the assassination attempts against Shrek’s students.
• Xue Beng explained how the three princes had built ties with various academies and described Shrek as a potential target for their courtship.
• Xue Beng proposed that Shrek and Heaven Dou Royal Academy become sister academies to keep the princes from competing over Shrek.
• Grandmaster agreed to discuss the partnership with Prince Xue Xing, and Xue Beng was pleased to have completed his uncle’s task.
• Grandmaster asked Xue Beng if he would become his nominal disciple.

Yu Xiaogang proposed taking Xue Beng as a disciple to signal that Shrek would cooperate with Heaven Dou Royal Academy on education but stay out of politics. After Tang San explained his failed attempt to give metal life, Tai Tan offered to send Strength Clan blacksmiths and students to Shrek, then asked whether the academy could teach espionage.

• Yu Xiaogang told Xue Beng that a master-disciple relationship could bring the academies closer and advised him to pursue life as a Soul Master rather than get entangled in imperial power.
• Xue Beng left to report the conversation to Xue Xing, and Yu Xiaogang told Flender he would wait to see whether Xue Beng accepted.
• Yu Xiaogang found Tang San and Tai Tan in the Forging District beside a pile of broken blanks, and Tang San explained that every attempt to give metal life had failed.
• Yu Xiaogang explained that Tang San could not give iron life from nothing, and Tang San told him he also wanted to discuss a new Meditation Method.
• Tai Tan offered to send Strength Clan blacksmiths to teach at Shrek and outstanding clan disciples to study there, then asked for espionage courses.

Tang San discussed helping the Four Great Clans with Tai Tan and Grandmaster before leaving to plan for the competition. Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun ran into Blazing Fire Academy’s team at an ice cream shop, provoking them before their match against Shrek.

• Tang San told Tai Tan he wanted to help the Four Great Clans earn a living, and Grandmaster suggested scouting as a possible profession at Shrek Academy.
• Tang San left Tai Tan and Grandmaster to discuss business while he prepared a plan for Shrek’s upcoming opponents.
• Ma Hongjun visited an ice cream shop alone and complained about being bored while his teammates trained or prepared for the competition.
• Ma Hongjun apologized to Huo Wushuang’s table after disturbing them, then tried to leave when he recognized Blazing Fire Academy’s team.
• Huo Wu challenged Ma Hongjun, but Huo Wushuang urged her to settle things in the arena; Ma Hongjun mocked the team and left.
• Blazing Fire Academy’s team grew fired up to face Ma Hongjun, who remained unconcerned about their reaction.

Tang San and Ma Hongjun discussed Shrek’s lineup and tactics for its match against Blazing Fire Academy, while Feng Xiaotian revealed a possible academy merger and asked Tang San about the political stakes of the tournament. The chapter ended with Ma Hongjun questioning why powerful Soul Masters served princes and emperors weaker than themselves.

• Tang San met Ma Hongjun and proposed that Ma Hongjun replace Dai as Shrek’s main attacker against Blazing Fire Academy, while Tang San took the open position as lead controller.
• Feng Xiaotian followed Tang San and Ma Hongjun to the shop and overheard their lineup discussion, but Tang San remained unconcerned about others learning their plans.
• Feng Xiaotian told Tang San and Ma Hongjun that Divine Wind Academy might merge with Blazing Fire Academy next year at the Third Prince’s suggestion.
• Tang San reasoned that the tournament could influence the imperial succession because princes might recruit elite Soul Masters from competing academies.
• Ma Hongjun questioned why powerful Soul Masters would pledge loyalty to princes and emperors weaker than themselves.

Tang San shared the legend of the Heaven Dou Empire’s founding before Shrek Academy faced undefeated Blazing Fire Academy in the tournament. The teams revealed their martial souls and soul rings, with Tang San’s crystalline blue silver grass spreading across the platform as the match began.

• Tang San told Feng Xiaotian and Ma Hongjun the legend of the Angel God’s role in founding the Heaven Dou Empire and explained why its royal family was unlikely to be overthrown.
• Feng Xiaotian and Tang San looked forward to facing each other, while Tang San ended their conversation and left the crowded Sugar Water Shop with Ma Hongjun.
• Xue Qinghe, Xue Luochuan, and Xue Haicang discussed the match, with the princes predicting Blazing Fire Academy would win because its flames countered Tang San’s blue silver grass.
• Tang San led Shrek’s team in greeting Blazing Fire Academy, while Dai Mubai and Feng Xiaotian traded insults in the spectator seats over Huo Wu.
• Both teams released their martial souls and soul rings, and Tang San spread crystalline blue silver grass across Shrek’s side of the platform.

Shrek Academy and Blazing Fire Academy fought a fierce match as Tang San’s Blue Silver field blunted Blazing Fire’s attacks and Ma Hongjun countered Huo Wu’s techniques with powerful phoenix flames. The chapter ended with Ma Hongjun striking Huo Wu’s fourth Soul Skill with the Phoenix Emperor, leaving the outcome of their collision unknown.

• Tang San covered Shrek’s formation with his Blue Silver Life-Creating Cocoon and used his Blue Silver field to weaken Blazing Fire’s fighters and protect his teammates from heat.
• Ma Hongjun kept Huo Wushuang occupied while Tai Long, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling fought Blazing Fire’s other attackers, and Ning Rongrong boosted Shrek’s fighters.
• Huo Wu used her Repelling Fire Ring to disrupt Shrek, then absorbed Ma Hongjun’s flaming meteors and redirected them toward Tang San’s team.
• Ma Hongjun’s Fire Phoenix Engulfs the Plains consumed Huo Wu’s pillar of fire, but Huo Wushuang took the attack to protect his sister and collapsed from exhaustion.
• Huo Wu charged and launched Fire Dance Shines on the Sun with her teammates’ help, while Ma Hongjun summoned the Phoenix Emperor and prepared to counter it.
• Ma Hongjun struck Huo Wu’s incoming attack with Fire Phoenix Engulfs the Plains, and the resulting flash left the battle’s outcome uncertain.

Shrek defeated Blazing Fire Academy after Ma Hongjun overcame their combined attack, and the team celebrated the victory as the arena cleared. Huo Wu learned of the loss and promised to become Feng Xiaotian’s girlfriend if he defeated Shrek.

• Ma Hongjun’s attack clashed with Blazing Fire Academy’s combined Fire Dance Shines on the Sun, leaving both sides unconscious or badly exhausted.
• Tang San treated Ma Hongjun and used Lost Mist to cover the arena while Shrek’s teammates treated and carried off the fallen Blazing Fire members.
• Ma Hongjun made a dramatic entrance above the arena, and the referees announced Shrek’s victory.
• Feng Xiaotian rushed to Huo Wu, who learned from Huo Wushuang that Blazing Fire had lost.
• Huo Wu promised to become Feng Xiaotian’s girlfriend if he defeated Shrek, and Feng Xiaotian eagerly accepted.

After Shrek defeated Blazing Fire Academy, the princes discussed the team’s strength and their plans to recruit or investigate them. Back at the academy, Grandmaster continued cultivating Ultimate Boundlessness, while Ning Rongrong surprised everyone with tickets to the Sugar Water Group’s performance.

• Tang San and the others returned to the academy after Ma Hongjun thanked the team for helping him defeat Blazing Fire Academy.
• Xue Qinghe praised Shrek’s talent, while Xue Haicang decided to investigate Ma Hongjun’s axe and consider using the matter to gain a favor.
• Xue Luochuan and Xue Haicang declined Xue Qinghe’s invitation to play go, and Xue Qinghe went to check on Xue Ke’s studies instead.
• Grandmaster practiced Ultimate Boundlessness and considered whether he could adapt it to help ordinary people gain Innate Soul Power.
• Liu Erlong nearly knocked over the exhausted Ma Hongjun with an enthusiastic slap, then threatened the others with training before Oscar intervened.
• Ning Rongrong revealed that she had bought tickets for everyone to see the Sugar Water Group, and Liu Erlong let the group attend.

Blue Sunshine Academy’s disqualified students resented Shrek and hoped for a chance to defeat them. At a Sugar Water Group performance, Shrek and Blue Sunshine were drawn into a staged Soul Fighting match, which began when Blue Sunshine unleashed its Seven Asura Illusion Realm.

• Dong Heguang brought the Blue Sunshine students to the Sugar Water Group performance, where they spotted Shrek entering with VIP tickets and grew more resentful.
• Xue Luochuan arranged for Shrek and Blue Sunshine to be selected for a Soul Fighting match, sending Tang San and six other Shrek members to represent their team.
• Shui Bing'er drew Zhang Jingyang and the other Blue Sunshine students as Shrek’s opponents, and both teams took their places in the arena.
• Blue Sunshine formed a hexagonal formation and combined its gemstone Martial Souls into a pillar of seven-colored light.
• Zhang Jingyang activated the Seven Asura Illusion Realm, which expanded to engulf all seven Shrek members.

The Canghui team trapped Tang San and his companions in the Seven Asura Illusion Realm, forcing them to endure terrifying and humiliating visions. Tang San broke free and unleashed his own killing intent against Zhang Jingyang and the others.

• The Seven Asura Illusion Realm subjected Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and the other companions to frightening illusions, while Tang San found himself back in his childhood home.
• Tang San recognized the scene as an illusion and used his mental strength to assess the Canghui team's fusion skill.
• A mental attack stirred painful memories in Tang San, and the Black-Eyed Man urged him to take those feelings and get revenge.
• Tang San emerged from the illusion and found his companions convulsing as Zhang Jingyang mocked them and threatened to cripple the team.
• Tang San activated Demon Spider Transformation and engulfed Zhang Jingyang and the Canghui team in black Blue Silver Kings and killing intent.

Tang San defeated Blue Sunshine Academy’s seven-Martial Soul combination technique, leaving its members mentally broken and Shrek’s companions exhausted. Xue Luochuan realized his test could damage his standing with Shrek, while Ma Hongjun’s confrontation with Skywater Academy left a grudge between the teams.

• Meng Shenji explained to Xue Luochuan that Tang San’s dark mental counterattack had overwhelmed Blue Sunshine Academy, and Xue Luochuan decided he might need to apologize to Shrek.
• After the black mist cleared, Zhu Zhuqing examined Shrek’s unconscious members and found they needed only several days of rest.
• Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai confronted Skywater Academy, but Tang San recognized that the First Prince, Xue Luochuan, had likely set the test in motion.
• Tang San placed his unconscious companions in the Wishful Treasure Pouch and left the venue with Shrek.
• Ma Hongjun threatened Skywater Academy, and Shui Bing’er apologized as the teams’ grudge was established.

After Shrek recovered from the attack by Blue Sunshine Academy, Xue Beng visited Tang San and brought herbs to help the team heal. He warned that the Third Prince and the Tournament Committee were investigating Ma Hongjun’s Phoenix Emperor, leaving Tang San worried that Spirit Hall might expose their deception and force Shrek out of the tournament.

• Rumors about Shrek’s fight with Blue Sunshine Academy spread, while the academy settled with Shrek and the Tournament Committee and cut ties with Zhang Jingyang and the others.
• Tang San explained that Ning Rongrong and the others were recovering from mental injuries, and the team joked over letters from fans, including men who admired Tai Long and other members.
• Grandmaster arrived with Xue Beng, and Oscar fled from him; Xue Beng explained that he had become Grandmaster’s student and no longer intended to compete for the throne.
• Xue Beng apologized for the First Prince’s actions and gave Tang San medicinal herbs to help the team recover, while Ning Rongrong apologized for her past prank on Xue Beng.
• Xue Beng warned that the Third Prince, Xue Haicang, had noticed Ma Hongjun’s Phoenix Emperor and that the Tournament Committee might investigate whether it violated tournament rules.
• Tang San realized that Spirit Hall could use the investigation to target Shrek and resolved to find a way to help Ma Hongjun pass its scrutiny.

Tournament Committee representatives Xue Haicang and Salas investigated Ma Hongjun’s use of the Phoenix Emperor, and Flender helped him bluff that it was a legitimate companion weapon. Salas and Bai Baoshan saw through the deception, leaving Shrek with potential leverage against them, while the First Prince arrived for another meeting.

• Xue Haicang and Salas visited Shrek to investigate whether Ma Hongjun had illegally used an axe during the match against Blazing Fire.
• Flender defended Ma Hongjun and claimed the Phoenix Emperor was a companion weapon of his martial soul.
• Ma Hongjun demonstrated the Phoenix Emperor, and Salas and Bai Baoshan recognized that the explanation was false but did not expose him.
• Salas concluded there was no violation, and Xue Haicang apologized and gave Flender tickets to Moonlight Pavilion.
• After the visitors left, Flender scolded Ma Hongjun for revealing the weapon, and Tang San advised him to refine it into a bound weapon.
• Zhao Wuji announced that the First Prince had arrived, and Flender sent Tang San and Ma Hongjun away to meet him.

After the Qualifying Tournament, Shrek’s team rested and visited the Moonlight Pavilion, where Tang San and Oscar demonstrated an ancient tea ceremony. Xue Qinghe briefly encountered Tang San before meeting Ning Fengzhi privately to discuss the tournament.

• Shrek forfeited two matches against Thunder Academy and Godwind Academy, then Skywater Academy forfeited its match, leaving five teams to advance to the Promotion Tournament.
• Xue Ye granted noble ranks to members of the five qualifying teams, and Flender used the Third Prince’s tickets to take a small group to the Moonlight Pavilion.
• Tang San and Oscar performed an elaborate ancient tea ceremony while Tai Long, Jiang Zhu, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling watched.
• Xue Qinghe praised the ceremony, introduced himself to Tang San, and left for an appointment; Tang San later made Oscar break etiquette and suffer the Crimson Purgatory Punishment.
• Xue Qinghe met Ning Fengzhi in a nearby tearoom, where Ning Fengzhi began discussing the tournament.

Ning Fengzhi questioned Xue Qinghe about the succession and Shrek, then visited Tang San and his companions with Xue Qinghe and Bone Douluo Gu Rong. The meeting ended with Ning Fengzhi sizing up the young Soul Masters and turning his attention to Oscar.

• Ning Fengzhi weighed the princes’ suitability to succeed Emperor Xue Ye and questioned Xue Qinghe about his ambitions and how he would deal with Shrek.
• Xue Qinghe endorsed a balanced approach to Shrek, prompting Ning Fengzhi to suggest they visit Tang San and his companions.
• Tang San agreed to teach Oscar how to practice Ultimate Boundlessness after they returned.
• Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe, and Gu Rong entered Tang San’s tearoom, where Tang San and the others greeted them.
• Ning Fengzhi assessed Tai Long and the other youths before questioning Oscar, who introduced himself.

Tang San and Oscar met Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe at the Moonlight Pavilion, where a Martial Soul Chess match exposed Oscar’s unusual food ability and Tang San wagered secret Soul Tool designs. The group left after Tang San won with a rare combination of Soul Cards, while Ning Fengzhi kept the plans and Tang San revealed he had deliberately weakened them.

• Ning Fengzhi invited Oscar and Tang San to tea, then arranged a doubles match of Martial Soul Chess with Xue Qinghe.
• The players developed their territories and resources, and Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe offered gold and identity tokens as stakes.
• Tang San offered a sealed parchment scroll, prompting Ning Fengzhi to suspect it contained Soul Tool designs and to stop pressing Oscar about his stake.
• Oscar revealed that his martial soul gave his cooking special effects, and Ning Fengzhi called off Bone Douluo’s pressure.
• Tang San played five rare Soul Cards that destroyed the game, then left with Oscar and the others after winning the match.
• Tang San told Oscar the scroll held early Power Furnace designs whose efficiency he had deliberately reduced, and the group later told the academy they had won five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.

Tang San and Ma Hongjun led Shrek Academy through the promotion tournament, with Tang San swiftly defeating Barak Academy and Ma Hongjun facing Blazing Fire Academy. Ma Hongjun defeated Huo Wushuang but remained in the arena, determined to continue fighting.

• Tang San was chosen to compete first and defeated all seven Barak Academy opponents in fewer than ten moves.
• Dai Mubai proposed that Shrek send four competitors against Blazing Fire Academy, and Ma Hongjun volunteered to lead.
• Huo Wushuang challenged Ma Hongjun with his strengthened fire-dragon abilities, and the two traded attacks in a prolonged aerial battle.
• Huo Wushuang struck Ma Hongjun with Tyrannosaurus Shattering Sky Roar, but Ma Hongjun countered with Phoenix Roaring Sky Strike and blasted him off the platform.
• Ma Hongjun shook off the lingering effects of Huo Wushuang's attack and called for the next opponent.

Ma Hongjun defeated Blazing Fire Academy’s fighters one by one after mastering his control and conserving his strength, but he exhausted himself before facing Huo Wu. Tang San stepped in to fight Huo Wu, setting up their match as the chapter ended.

• Ma Hongjun activated Sun-Bathing Flame Garment and challenged Blazing Fire Academy to send its next fighter.
• Huo Yun tried to evade Ma Hongjun and wear down his Soul Power, but Ma Hongjun controlled the battle and drove him off the platform.
• Huo Wu encouraged Huo Yun after his loss and began to understand that fire could be controlled as well as used for destruction.
• Ma Hongjun defeated the remaining Blazing Fire fighters, leaving Huo Wu as the academy’s last competitor.
• Tang San ordered the exhausted Ma Hongjun to rest, and Huo Wu agreed to fight Tang San while saving her rematch with Ma Hongjun for the finals.

Tang San defeated Huo Wu in the tournament by countering her Ring Fusion attack and using the Asura Art to absorb its power. Huo Wu accepted the loss but vowed to challenge Tang San and Ma Hongjun again.

• Huo Wu charged Tang San and unleashed her Fire Shadow skills, but he blocked her kicks with Blue Silver Avatar Armor.
• Huo Wu trapped Tang San and used Ring Fusion to fire Fire Dance Shines on the Sun at close range.
• Tang San subdued the fireball with Martial Soul Avatar Armor, then used his own Ring Fusion and the Asura Art to transform it into a black crystal sphere.
• Huo Wu admitted defeat after exhausting most of her soul power, while Huo Wushuang and the Blazing Fire team praised her effort.
• Feng Xiaotian promised to avenge Huo Wu and reminded her of their agreement, prompting her to call him an idiot.
• The referee declared Shrek Academy the winner, and the crowd cheered.

Tang San and his teammates discussed their abilities and the next tournament match, while Dai Mubai swore he would remain faithful to Zhu Zhuqing. Grandmaster arrived with Xue Beng and invited the group to visit the Auction House to see a special treasure.

• Tang San explained how he used Ring Fusion and advised Ning Rongrong to focus on Heart Separation Control and the Dharma Sutra.
• Tang San said Grandmaster planned to make the Dharma Sutra the academy's highest reward for students who made major contributions and passed a test.
• The teammates learned that Heavenwater would be their next opponent, and Dai Mubai volunteered to fight them while Tang San sat out.
• Dai Mubai swore that he would only love Zhu Zhuqing, and Tang San advised him not to impose the same vow on his descendants.
• Grandmaster arrived with Xue Beng and invited the teammates to join them at the Auction House to see a special treasure.