Recaps

Huo Yuhao purified the souls in the underground space and sealed the cavern before returning to the inn. There, he intervened when Dai Mubai tried to pressure Zhu Zhuqing, and listened to Dai Mubai offer his self-serving explanation.

• Elder Yi urged Huo Yuhao to hold to his convictions and explained why the workers shared responsibility for the evil they supported.
• Huo Yuhao used his Purification Flame to release the wandering souls, then sealed the underground cavern with earth.
• Huo Yuhao encountered Dai Mubai pressuring Zhu Zhuqing near the woods by the inn as he tried to persuade her to help defeat two rivals.
• Dai Mubai grabbed Zhu Zhuqing and claimed that neither of them could escape the obligations tied to their surnames.
• Huo Yuhao pulled Zhu Zhuqing away from Dai Mubai and challenged his conduct.
• Dai Mubai gave Huo Yuhao a version of events that favored himself, but Huo Yuhao did not believe him.

Huo Yuhao defended Zhu Zhuqing as Dai Mubai explained his past and insisted that his engagement entitled him to her. Zhu Zhuqing accepted Huo Yuhao’s offer to try Martial Soul Fusion, while the Shrek group watched from the inn.

• Zhu Zhuqing remembered how her sister once protected her and instinctively took Huo Yuhao’s hand as he shielded her from Dai Mubai.
• Dai Mubai blamed his behavior with women on frustration and claimed that he and Zhu Zhuqing were destined to be together, angering Huo Yuhao.
• Huo Yuhao sensed Zhu Zhuqing’s Martial Soul Fusion and asked through their minds whether she wanted to try it; Zhu Zhuqing agreed.
• Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Tang San, and Zhao Wuji watched the confrontation from the inn’s windows.

Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing used Martial Soul Fusion, with Huo Yuhao guiding her through the process and Elder Yi helping bridge their incompatible powers. The fusion ended with Zhu Zhuqing transformed into a three-eyed, cat-eared figure, while Dai Mubai reacted with fear at the familiar gaze in her eyes.

• Huo Yuhao told Dai Mubai that he had no chance with Zhu Zhuqing, then embraced Zhu Zhuqing as the onlookers watched in confusion.
• Zhao Wuji and Dai Mubai recognized that Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing were beginning a Martial Soul Fusion.
• Huo Yuhao guided Zhu Zhuqing as Spirit Eyes and the Hell Spirit Cat merged, and Elder Yi added dark power from Huo Yuhao's Holy Necromancer to help the fusion.
• The black cocoon broke after two seconds, revealing Zhu Zhuqing transformed with a black cloak, cat ears, a tail, and three differently colored eyes.
• Dai Mubai recognized Huo Yuhao's intimidating gaze in Zhu Zhuqing's third eye and grew frightened while Zhu Zhuqing remained absorbed in the fusion's effects.

After Zhu Zhuqing and Huo Yuhao used their Martial Soul Fusion, they confronted Dai Mubai and told him to stop pursuing Zhu Zhuqing. Dai Mubai’s shameless response enraged Huo Yuhao, who nearly strangled him before Zhao Wuji intervened.

• Zhu Zhuqing and Huo Yuhao discussed their Martial Soul Fusion in the Sea of Consciousness, then Zhu Zhuqing told Dai Mubai that she and Huo Yuhao would not separate and he should stop bothering them.
• Dai Mubai suggested that the three of them could be together, shocking everyone in the inn and leaving Zhu Zhuqing and Huo Yuhao disgusted.
• Huo Yuhao took control of Zhu Zhuqing’s body, seized Dai Mubai by the throat, and lifted him off the ground before he could activate his martial soul.
• Zhao Wuji used his Great Strength Vajra Bear Martial Soul to pry Dai Mubai free after Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Tang San rushed to get help.
• Zhao Wuji had Oscar and Ma Hongjun carry the unconscious Dai Mubai away, then tried to soothe Zhu Zhuqing and Huo Yuhao.

Zhu Zhuqing and Huo Yuhao demonstrated their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, which they named Netherworld Walker, before the group settled in for the night. The next morning, they set out for Shrek Academy, while Huo Yuhao continued to consider the need to strengthen himself to contain the power sealed within him.

• Oscar and Ma Hongjun carried the unconscious Dai Mubai away, while the others gave Zhu Zhuqing time to recover from her anger.
• Zhu Zhuqing explained that Netherworld Walker boosted her strength and speed, let her use Huo Yuhao's Soul Skills, and allowed her to move through shadows, then demonstrated its abilities.
• Zhao Wuji stopped Oscar's suggestion that Zhu Zhuqing fight him and urged her and Huo Yuhao to end their fusion; Huo Yuhao named the skill Netherworld Walker.
• Zhu Zhuqing and Huo Yuhao cultivated together through the night as Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu slept, while Tang San went to the woods because he could not sleep.
• Huo Yuhao reflected that he needed to raise his soul power to contain the Gold of Life and Chaos Energy sealed within him, and the group departed for Shrek Academy the next morning.

After returning to Shrek Academy, Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing resumed cultivating, while Yu Xiaogang arrived and began training the students. Yu Xiaogang matched Huo Yuhao against the other seven Shrek students, and Huo Yuhao eliminated all of them except Tang San, leaving the two ready to fight.

• Zhao Wuji returned to Shrek Academy and told Flender about the dangerous trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, including Huo Yuhao's fourth soul ring and his Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Zhu Zhuqing.
• Yu Xiaogang concluded that the mysterious roars that drove away the Titan Giant Ape came from the Sky Azure Bull Python, and he grew interested in Huo Yuhao's rapid cultivation.
• Yu Xiaogang began training the students the next morning and ordered Huo Yuhao to fight all seven of them at once.
• Huo Yuhao used Spiritual Detection, his soul skills, and his physical attacks to eliminate Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and Ning Rongrong.
• After Xiao Wu fainted, Tang San began slipping into a frenzy, and Huo Yuhao prepared to fight him one-on-one.

Huo Yuhao and Tang San faced off after their teammates were eliminated, and Tang San tried to trap Huo Yuhao with hidden weapons, Blue Silver Grass seeds, and his Eight Spider Lances. Huo Yuhao defeated him with a spiritual attack, leaving the onlookers too stunned to announce the match’s end.

• Yu Xiaogang believed Tang San could defeat a depleted Huo Yuhao and hoped to recruit Huo Yuhao as another twin-Martial-Soul disciple.
• Tang San attacked Huo Yuhao with Blue Silver Entanglement and hidden weapons while secretly scattering Blue Silver Grass seeds across the field.
• Huo Yuhao used Dark Night Judgment to mark Tang San, then hit him with Spiritual Storm as Tang San rushed forward with his Eight Spider Lances.
• Tang San’s seeds sprouted around Huo Yuhao, but Huo Yuhao broke through Tang San’s spiritual defenses with an amplified spiritual attack.
• Tang San collapsed unconscious, and the spectators remained too stunned by Huo Yuhao’s combat ability to declare the match over.

After defeating Tang San, Huo Yuhao examined him and found no unusual abilities beyond the Tang Sect Secret Arts. Yu Xiaogang mistook Huo Yuhao for a twin Martial Soul bearer and offered to teach him, but Huo Yuhao refused and returned to cultivate, puzzled by Yu Xiaogang’s reaction.

• Huo Yuhao ended the match, revived Tang San, and examined him, finding no unusual strength or spiritual power beyond traces of the Tang Sect Secret Arts.
• Yu Xiaogang sent Tang San away to rest with Xiao Wu and the others, then took Huo Yuhao aside and declared that he must possess twin Martial Souls.
• Yu Xiaogang offered to make Huo Yuhao his disciple and help him develop his abilities, but Huo Yuhao politely refused because he already had a teacher.
• Yu Xiaogang grew angry at Huo Yuhao’s refusal, while Huo Yuhao sensed his resentment but did not understand it.
• Huo Yuhao left Yu Xiaogang and returned to his dormitory to meditate, reflecting on Yu Xiaogang’s unwillingness to accept correction.

Huo Yuhao endured Yu Xiaogang’s punishing training and exclusion from Soul Fighting matches, recognizing that Yu Xiaogang was retaliating for his refusal to become a disciple. Watching Shrek’s victories and Flender’s gambling winnings, he reflected on how success had fostered Shrek’s fear of failure and began seeing the academy more plainly.

• Huo Yuhao trained by carrying stones and soaking in medicinal baths, while Yu Xiaogang kept him out of individual and team Soul Fighting matches and pushed Zhu Zhuqing to partner with Dai Mubai.
• Huo Yuhao recognized Yu Xiaogang’s resentment over his refusal to become a disciple, and saw contempt in Yu Xiaogang and Tang San toward him and other potential disciples.
• While watching a Shrek Seven Devils match, Huo Yuhao reflected that Shrek’s repeated victories had made its members fear defeat and resist improvement.
• Huo Yuhao found Flender betting on the match; after the Shrek Seven Devils won, Flender collected the Gold Soul Coins and claimed the academy needed the money.
• Back in his dormitory, Huo Yuhao meditated and realized Shrek was gradually losing its special emotional meaning to him.

Huo Yuhao reflected on Shrek Academy’s flaws and decided to focus on becoming stronger rather than risk confronting Tang San while vulnerable. He told Zhu Zhuqing he planned to leave, and agreed to wait two days so she could compete before leaving with him.

• Huo Yuhao reconsidered Shrek Academy’s reputation, recognizing both its unfair practices and the loyalty its teachers and students had shown.
• Huo Yuhao resolved to prioritize cultivation and address the Chaos Energy within him before taking any risk involving Tang San or a possible god watching over him.
• Zhu Zhuqing returned and realized Huo Yuhao was considering leaving Shrek Academy; he confirmed that he planned to speak with Dean Flender the next day.
• Zhu Zhuqing asked Huo Yuhao to stay two more days so she could compete in an upcoming match, then leave with him; Huo Yuhao agreed.

Huo Yuhao agreed to replace Ma Hongjun in Shrek’s upcoming team match against the Heaven Dou Royal Team, despite Yu Xiaogang’s earlier efforts to keep him out. After watching Shrek’s meeting, Huo Yuhao decided he would leave soon, while Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling wondered whether Shrek’s Huo Yuhao was their old acquaintance.

• Yu Xiaogang called Huo Yuhao to Shrek’s meeting and assigned him Ma Hongjun’s place against the Heaven Dou Royal Team, whose captain Dugu Yan was a level fifty-two Soul King.
• Huo Yuhao accepted the lineup change and listened as Yu Xiaogang and Tang San led the match discussion, then decided there was little reason for him to remain at Shrek.
• Dugu Yan and the Imperial Fighting Team reviewed Shrek’s information and prepared for the match, with Dugu Yan giving the team brief instructions.
• Ye Lingling recognized that Shrek’s Huo Yuhao resembled their old friend, and Dugu Yan planned to ask her about it after the match.

The Shrek Team faced the Imperial Fighting Team, with Huo Yuhao using Spiritual Detection Sharing to carry out the battle plan and hold off Dugu Yan. He knocked Yu Tianheng out of the arena, but Dugu Yan poisoned Dai Mubai and removed him from the match, leaving Huo Yuhao alone against her.

• Flender asked Yu Xiaogang whether Dugu Yan was a descendant of Dugu Bo, and Yu Xiaogang confirmed it with a nod.
• Huo Yuhao connected the Shrek Team through Spiritual Detection Sharing as both teams began their planned attacks.
• Dugu Yan tried to evade Huo Yuhao and support Yu Tianheng, but he dodged her ten thousand year soul skill and used Spiritual Storm to disrupt their attack on Dai Mubai.
• Huo Yuhao struck Yu Tianheng with a single punch and sent him out of the arena.
• Dugu Yan unleashed a barrage of poison attacks, but Huo Yuhao evaded them all.
• Dugu Yan poisoned Dai Mubai's left leg and kicked him out of the arena, leaving her to face Huo Yuhao one-on-one.

Tang San’s team struggled against the Imperial Fighting Team’s defensive formation, which used healing and flight to wear them down. After Oscar was captured and forced to surrender sausages before leaving the arena, Tang San deployed his Eight Spider Lances, revealing the External Soul Bone Yu Xiaogang had warned him to conceal.

• The Imperial Fighting Team retreated into a defensive formation, while Yu Feng harassed Ning Rongrong and Oscar from the air.
• Yu Feng feinted toward Ning Rongrong, seized Oscar as he landed, and carried him toward his team; Zhu Zhuqing wounded Yu Feng but could not stop him.
• Osler threatened to tie Oscar to Shi Mo’s shield, so Oscar handed over several sausages and left the arena.
• Tang San and his teammates struggled to break through the formation as Ye Lingling healed the Imperial Fighting Team and their own soul power dwindled.
• Tang San rushed the defenders with his Eight Spider Lances, despite Yu Xiaogang’s warning that revealing the External Soul Bone could invite others to steal it.

Tang San and the Shrek Team turned the match against the Imperial Fighting Team by exploiting Spiritual Detection Sharing and disrupting their formation. After Huo Yuhao eliminated Dugu Yan, the remaining opponents surrendered, leaving Shrek victorious.

• Tang San used his Eight Spider Lances and Blue Silver Grass to pressure Shi Mo and his companion, while Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing attacked and Ning Rongrong boosted them.
• The Imperial Fighting Team regrouped, and Dugu Yan unleashed poison to break free from Huo Yuhao before rushing toward Ning Rongrong; Zhu Zhuqing intercepted her and drew her away.
• Ye Lingling tossed Dugu Yan an Oscar sausage, then jumped from Yu Feng’s flight, while Yu Feng pursued Ning Rongrong; Ning Rongrong wounded him with her purple blade, and he fell unconscious.
• Huo Yuhao took the sausage from Dugu Yan and gave it to Zhu Zhuqing, while Ning Rongrong eliminated Yu Feng and Ye Lingling, then joined Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu in eliminating Osler.
• Huo Yuhao defeated Dugu Yan with Dark Night Judgment and Spiritual Storm, and the two remaining Imperial Fighting Team members surrendered, securing Shrek’s victory.

After Shrek defeated the Imperial Fighting Team, Huo Yuhao reunited with Dugu Yan and helped her cure Dai Mubai’s poison. The next morning, Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing left Shrek Academy together for Heaven Dou City, after Huo Yuhao gave Flender money to improve the school.

• Huo Yuhao went to Dugu Yan and asked her to neutralize the poison that had knocked Dai Mubai unconscious.
• Dugu Yan cured Dai Mubai, then caught up with Huo Yuhao and asked why he was leaving Shrek; he said he planned to return to Heaven Dou City.
• Ye Lingling took Dugu Yan away to review the match and prepare for the Imperial Fighting Team’s departure.
• Zhu Zhuqing told Huo Yuhao she trusted him and agreed to leave with him, relying on their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
• Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing told Flender they had decided to leave, and Huo Yuhao gave him a Black Card worth two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.
• Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing left Shrek Academy and set out for Heaven Dou City.

Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing returned to Heaven Dou City, where he planned to make her the first person to gain a Soul Ring through a Soul Spirit Contract. After meeting Tian Meng and the others, Zhu Zhuqing accompanied Huo Yuhao to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, overwhelmed by how many people he called family.

• Tang Hao destroyed a remote Spirit Hall Branch and continued plotting around the rabbit and Tang San.
• The Sea Princess stayed at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, while she and the others spent their time relaxing and enjoying food in Heaven Dou City.
• Octagonal struggled to keep up with the snow lotus, which rapidly absorbed spiritual energy and grew faster than the other plants.
• Huo Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing returned to Heaven Dou City, where Zhu Zhuqing had reached rank thirty and Huo Yuhao had reached rank forty-eight.
• Tian Meng found Huo Yuhao and brought him and Zhu Zhuqing to meet the Snow Empress and the others at a restaurant.
• Huo Yuhao introduced Zhu Zhuqing to his family and took her with them to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Huo Yuhao gave Zhu Zhuqing a rare plant and explained his vision for reconciling humans and Soul Beasts through mutual Soul Spirit Contracts. After the others doubted the plan’s chances, he revealed that he also sought the power of faith as a path to godhood.

• Huo Yuhao gave Zhu Zhuqing Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone and asked her to represent a new method of obtaining her third Soul Ring, and she agreed before beginning to absorb it.
• Huo Yuhao told the Evil Lord and the others that he wanted to establish the Spirit Pagoda and address the conflict between humans and Soul Beasts.
• Huo Yuhao described how humans exploited Soul Beasts and how expanding cities reduced their habitats, arguing that both groups were necessary to Douluo Star’s development.
• Huo Yuhao proposed that humans and Soul Beasts form mutually beneficial Soul Spirit Contracts and cultivate together, but the Sea Princess, A-Jin, the Snow Empress, and the Wolf King doubted the plan could succeed.
• The Evil Lord questioned whether Huo Yuhao had withheld part of his purpose, and Huo Yuhao explained that he sought godhood through inheritance or the power of faith.

Huo Yuhao considered possible divine legacies and alternative ways to pursue godhood, while weighing the dangers posed by Tang San and recalling his painful experience in Qiankun Asking Love Valley. The discussion ended with A-Tai learning that the Ice God did not exist and that the Far North had no Ice God legacy to offer.

• Huo Yuhao told the others he planned to use the Spirit Pagoda to gather faith and explained why he could not safely rely on Sea God Island or confront Tang San.
• Tian Meng suggested Qiankun Asking Love Valley, and Huo Yuhao recalled Wang Dong'er's death there and Rong Nianbing's cryptic response to his questions about the God of Love.
• Huo Yuhao reviewed possible divine legacies at Spirit Hall, Sea God Island, Slaughter City, and Qiankun Asking Love Valley, concluding that most were inaccessible or uncertain.
• A-Tai asked whether they should investigate a clue to the Ice God's legacy in the Far North, and the Snow Empress, Ice Empress, Xiao Bai, and A Ling explained that no Ice God existed.
• A-Tai struggled to accept the revelation that his clan had no Ice God's bloodline, but the Ice Empress comforted him until he accepted it.

Huo Yuhao and the others discussed how he might become a god, and Elder Yi proposed turning his Undead Demiplane into a complete, independent plane that could serve as a new Divine Realm. The idea excited them, but Elder Yi explained that the demiplane still lacked the living cycles needed to sustain itself.

• Xiao Bai promised A-Tai her share of any future reward, and A-Tai stopped crying after recruiting the Wolf King and A-Jin as witnesses.
• Huo Yuhao and the others discussed God Inheritances and gathering Power of Faith through the Spirit Pagoda as possible paths to godhood.
• Elder Yi asked why they wanted to become gods, and the group described their hopes of escaping Heavenly Tribulations and protecting their people.
• Elder Yi proposed completing his Undead Demiplane so its own laws could free its inhabitants from Douluo Star's rules.
• Elder Yi explained that the demiplane still depended on its user's world and lacked life capable of sustaining an ongoing cycle.

Huo Yuhao and his companions settled on their plans for pursuing godhood and agreed to establish the Spirit Pagoda, then took Zhu Zhuqing to Sunset Forest to find her third soul ring. Huo Yuhao introduced her to Soul Tools and the Spirit Pagoda’s work, and the group sensed something unusual as they traveled through the forest.

• Huo Yuhao and his companions chose to pursue god inheritance and self-created godhood while keeping the Undead Main Plane problem as a possible backup concern.
• Huo Yuhao and the others agreed to present themselves as members of the Spirit Pagoda, which would promote Soul Tools and Soul Spirit Contracts.
• Zhu Zhuqing woke after absorbing the narcissus jade muscle bone, and Huo Yuhao invited her to obtain her third soul ring using their method.
• Huo Yuhao took Zhu Zhuqing, A-Jin, and A-Hua to Sunset Forest and explained the Spirit Pagoda’s purpose along the way.
• Huo Yuhao gave Zhu Zhuqing a Class 5 Soul Tool Shield, which withstood her attack but consumed a substantial amount of soul power.
• Huo Yuhao and the others sensed something unusual through Spiritual Detection Sharing as they walked through Sunset Forest.

Huo Yuhao and his companions encountered a fifty-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider, which fled after A-Jin struck it. A-Jin then brought a badly injured Night Shadow Cat from a cave, and Huo Yuhao discovered that its damaged soul origin meant healing its body might not restore its ability to control it.

• A-Hua destroyed a Man Faced Demon Spider's web, and the spider attacked Huo Yuhao's group.
• A-Jin and A-Hua revealed their Titled Douluo strength and Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings, and A-Jin punched the Man Faced Demon Spider until it rolled away.
• Zhu Zhuqing asked whether all the seniors Huo Yuhao had introduced were Titled Douluos, and Huo Yuhao confirmed they were.
• A-Jin entered a cave and returned about half an hour later with a badly injured Night Shadow Cat.
• Huo Yuhao examined the Night Shadow Cat and found its injuries severe, including partial damage to its soul origin that could leave it unable to control its body even if healed.

Huo Yuhao helped Zhu Zhuqing form a Soul Spirit Contract with the dying Night Shadow Cat, giving Zhu Zhuqing a black third Soul Ring and a powerful new skill. The group buried the cat’s former body and returned toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with Zhu Zhuqing and her new Soul Spirit, Little Black.

• Huo Yuhao brought the dying Night Shadow Cat to Zhu Zhuqing and explained that she had agreed to become Zhu Zhuqing’s Soul Spirit.
• Huo Yuhao guided Zhu Zhuqing and the Night Shadow Cat through the contract, and they completed the first Soul Spirit Contract of the era.
• Zhu Zhuqing gained a black third Soul Ring, rose to rank thirty-six, and named the Night Shadow Cat Little Black.
• A-Jin explained that few healthy Soul Beasts would risk joining an unknown contract, so she had brought back the injured Night Shadow Cat.
• Zhu Zhuqing and the others buried Little Black’s former body, then headed back toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
• Zhu Zhuqing demonstrated Shadow Strike, which doubled her speed and let her pass through obstacles, while Huo Yuhao explained that the narcissus jade muscle bone had raised her Soul Power.

Huo Yuhao offered Zhu Zhuqing a place as the first person to use his modified Soul Spirit Contract, promising to provide her future Soul Rings and Soul Bones. As he explained the contract’s protections and limits, he reflected on how difficult it would be to overcome human greed and Soul Beasts’ distrust and achieve coexistence.

• Huo Yuhao privately offered Zhu Zhuqing the first Soul Spirit Contract and promised to secure her future Soul Rings and Soul Bones; she accepted without hesitation.
• Zhu Zhuqing guessed that Huo Yuhao’s own Soul Rings came from the contract and that their colors were disguised, and he acknowledged it without explaining further.
• Huo Yuhao cooked for everyone at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and Zhu Zhuqing gradually grew comfortable among the Titled Douluo.
• Huo Yuhao’s modified contract let each Soul Spirit retain its body, provide one Soul Ring, and evade heavenly tribulations by hiding its aura beneath its Soul Master’s.
• Huo Yuhao recognized that the contract’s promise of mutual benefit could not by itself overcome Soul Beasts’ distrust, human exploitation, and the longstanding conflict between the two sides.
• Elder Yi understood Huo Yuhao’s frustration but could only comfort her, since neither of them could erase human greed or Soul Beasts’ suspicion.

Huo Yuhao planned to fund the Spirit Pagoda by crafting and selling soul tools, hoping to make the continent accept and develop them. After running short of rare metals, he went to Heaven Dou City to find a supplier and discovered that someone was watching him.

• Huo Yuhao decided that the soul spirit contract could not yet be promoted and that he needed funding and support to establish the Spirit Pagoda.
• Huo Yuhao resolved to sell soul tools to encourage their acceptance and development across the Douluo Continent.
• Huo Yuhao crafted soul tools while Zhu Zhuqing cultivated at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, where he told her Little Black would provide her fourth soul ring.
• Huo Yuhao sent Wolf King and A-Jin to search Sunset Forest for rare metals, but they returned with only a small, incomplete assortment.
• Huo Yuhao went alone to Heaven Dou City to seek a rare-metal merchant and sensed that people were following him, with some heading toward the Spirit Hall Branch.
• A carriage blocked Huo Yuhao's way, and he casually opened its door and climbed inside.

Huo Yuhao reunited with Xue Ke, who thanked him for the Mystic Water Pill and explained why orphanages outside Spirit City would be exploited rather than protected. He left the conversation confronting the widespread trafficking and abuse of children, with Spirit Hall’s orphanage as the only limited exception.

• Huo Yuhao used Spiritual Sharing to speak privately with Xue Ke, who thanked him for the Mystic Water Pill and said she had reached rank thirty but feared getting a Soul Ring because of the crown prince.
• Huo Yuhao asked Xue Ke why he had found no orphanages outside Spirit City during his travels.
• Xue Ke explained that empires, nobles, and sects had little incentive to fund orphanages and would fight over control and profits.
• Xue Ke said corrupt managers would take benefits from the children, sending talented ones to their backers, attractive ones to brothels, and others into slavery.
• Huo Yuhao confirmed he had encountered slave traders whose buyers were mostly nobles, and Xue Ke said such exploitation already occurred throughout society.
• Xue Ke explained that Spirit Hall could protect its orphanage in Spirit City from outside interference, and Huo Yuhao stared at his tea in silence.