Chapter Summaries

Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe explained the mortal dangers of joining Shrek Academy’s Inner Court, while Gu Qingnian reflected on why the second selection round had been designed around him. The chapter ended with the mystery of why Xuan Zi had waited for Gu Qingnian left unanswered.

• Yan Shaozhe described how eight of twelve Inner Court disciples had died fighting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, and warned the core disciples that becoming powerful required facing deadly danger.
• Xuan Zi explained that Inner Court disciples signed life-and-death waivers and that Shrek’s Inner Court rarely had more than fifty members because disciples died almost every year.
• The eliminated core disciples left the Soul Fighting Zone, while Zhu Lu and others watched Gu Qingnian with interest, and Xu Sanshi departed still longing for Jiang Nannan.
• Gu Qingnian and Yan Shaozhe noticed Xuan Zi’s tears, and Gu Qingnian recalled that Xuan Zi had led the mission in which eight disciples died, an event that drove Xuan Zi into despair.
• Gu Qingnian considered how the rules, divided loyalties, and his own reputation had shaped the selection match, then concluded that the second round had been arranged especially to wait for him.

Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi explained the legacy of the Shrek Seven Devils and the political importance of the academy’s tournament against the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. The seven learned they had been selected as the reserve team and substitutes, while Gu Qingnian realized the elders might still want him to compete.

• Yan Shaozhe recounted how the First-Generation Shrek Seven Devils won the tournament against Spirit Hall and made Shrek Academy famous.
• Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi explained that Shrek Academy stood between the Sun Moon Empire and its ambitions to dominate the continent.
• Gu Qingnian asked whether they were the reserve team, and Xuan Zi confirmed the selection was for reserves and substitutes for the tournament.
• Yan Shaozhe told the seven they would be assessed over five years and would need to enter the Inner Court to compete for Shrek Academy.
• Xuan Zi, Yan Shaozhe, and the third elder considered using Gu Qingnian as an official competitor, and Gu Qingnian sensed what they wanted.

Xuan Zi announced the reserve team for the Shrek Seven Devils and explained why the academy had delayed the selection so Gu Qingnian could compete. After the others left, he questioned Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong about their battle strategy and discovered that Huo Yuhao had orchestrated their Martial Soul Fusion Skill’s decisive attack.

• Xuan Zi revealed that Gu Qingnian and six other students had been chosen for the secret reserve team and ordered them to keep their membership confidential.
• Xuan Zi told the reserves that the continental tournament had been moved forward and that they would depart in two days.
• Xuan Zi asked Gu Qingnian, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong to stay after the other students and Du Weilun left.
• Xuan Zi praised Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong’s performance and asked whether they had deliberately lined up their opponents for their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
• Wang Dong told Xuan Zi that Huo Yuhao had planned and controlled the battle, and Huo Yuhao demonstrated his Soul Skill for Xuan Zi.
• Xuan Zi was astonished by Huo Yuhao’s ability and concluded that the academy had other hidden talents besides Gu Qingnian.

After revealing more of his abilities in the arena, Gu Qingnian left Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi eager to question him the next day. He reunited with Huo Yuhao and the others, and when Bei Bei proposed ranking the new Shrek Seven Devils, Gu Qingnian suggested ranking them by strength instead of age.

• Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi questioned Gu Qingnian about his phantoms, unusual aura, and hundred-thousand-year soul ring, but he arranged to speak with them the next day and left.
• Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi discussed Gu Qingnian’s secrets and his reserve status, then planned to see how he performed at the next morning’s practice.
• Gu Qingnian reunited with Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and the others, while Xu Sanshi sulked over his defeat and Jiang Nannan and Xiao Xiao blushed at Gu Qingnian’s attention.
• Huo Yuhao encouraged the group to work toward representing the academy in the tournament five years later, bringing them closer as teammates.
• Bei Bei proposed ranking the new Shrek Seven Devils, and Gu Qingnian suggested ranking them by strength, leaving the others hesitant.

Gu Qingnian and the others ranked themselves by soul power, making him their eldest senior brother, and He Caitou asked to join the Tang Sect. The group went to find Tang Ya at the Red Tea House, where she welcomed them and explained that she had been working there after school.

• Gu Qingnian persuaded the group to determine seniority by soul power, putting himself first and Xiao Xiao last.
• Bei Bei, He Caitou, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao called Gu Qingnian senior brother, while Wang Dong refused and drew laughter from the others.
• He Caitou asked to join the Tang Sect so he could learn about its hidden weapons, and Bei Bei agreed.
• The group headed to the Red Tea House to tell Tang Ya the news and found her working there.
• Tang Ya greeted Bei Bei and the others and told them she had been working part-time at the teahouse after school.

Huo Yuhao and the others reunited with Tang Ya at the tea shop, where her sudden reaction to seeing Gu Qingnian unsettled the group. As Bei Bei explained their selection results and He Caitou’s wish to join the Tang Sect, Gu Qingnian began forming a plan while Tang Ya struggled with her feelings.

• Huo Yuhao and the others met Tang Ya while she was working, and Jiang Nannan affectionately hugged and praised her.
• Tang Ya dropped her cup and saucer after seeing Gu Qingnian, then tried to hide her distress as Bei Bei came over to help.
• Bei Bei invited everyone to a table, treated them to desserts, and explained that he had taken the job partly to spend time with Tang Ya.
• Tang Ya congratulated the group on passing the selection and learned that Gu Qingnian had excelled while Xu Sanshi had been eliminated.
• Bei Bei told Tang Ya that He Caitou wanted to join the Tang Sect.

He Caitou joined the Tang Sect after Wang Dong jokingly described an absurd initiation ceremony, while Gu Qingnian kept the deed to the sect’s former grounds secret. Later, He Caitou revealed the Soul Tool Department’s Ultimate Soldier plan and admitted he was happy that Gu Qingnian had been chosen for it.

• Wang Dong teased He Caitou with a fake Tang Sect initiation ceremony, and Tang Ya welcomed him as a new member.
• The Tang Sect members shouted their motto, while Gu Qingnian privately considered how they would react if they knew he held the deed to their former grounds.
• After dinner, Gu Qingnian met He Caitou by a fountain at the academy, where He Caitou spoke about envying Gu Qingnian’s talent.
• He Caitou explained that the Soul Tool Department’s Ultimate Soldier plan aimed to create someone who could change a localized war through personal strength.
• Gu Qingnian guessed that He Caitou had been replaced by him as the plan’s candidate and that Huo Yuhao was the backup, then asked whether He Caitou resented him.
• He Caitou denied resenting Gu Qingnian and said he was happy that Gu Qingnian had qualified for the plan.

He Caitou told Gu Qingnian about his hidden origins and his family's slaughter, explaining why he wanted Gu Qingnian's help against the uncle who seized the Sun Moon Empire's throne. The chapter ended with He Caitou asking for help, followed by a site notice about Safari browser issues and a VIP ad-free membership feature.

• He Caitou promised to support Gu Qingnian's plan to become the Soul Tool Department's Ultimate Soldier and asked him for help once his cultivation grew stronger.
• He Caitou revealed that he was a member of the Sun Moon Empire's Imperial Family and the nephew of its current emperor.
• He Caitou recounted how his uncle seized the throne after his father, mother, and three sisters died, and how he escaped through a secret passage.
• He Caitou said he had fled to the Heaven Dou Empire, where Teacher Fan Yu rescued him, and explained that his hatred had endured despite his lack of strength.
• He Caitou stared at Gu Qingnian and asked for help; the chapter then displayed a site notice about Safari browser problems and a VIP ad-free membership feature.

Gu Qingnian pressed He Caitou’s guilt over his family’s deaths, then offered to help him take revenge in exchange for lifelong loyalty. He Caitou began to waver, but Gu Qingnian continued outlining how revenge could fail, leaving his decision unresolved.

• He Caitou asked Gu Qingnian to help him take revenge someday and offered to support Gu Qingnian’s growth.
• Gu Qingnian told He Caitou that he was the main fuse behind his family’s deaths and questioned how his uncle had seized power.
• He Caitou collapsed into despair and self-blame as Gu Qingnian challenged him to consider his role in the tragedy.
• Gu Qingnian offered to help He Caitou avenge his family and reclaim what belonged to him, demanding his lifelong loyalty.
• He Caitou objected, but Gu Qingnian dismissed his excuses and argued that acting alone or waiting to grow stronger would likely leave him unable to avenge his family.

Gu Qingnian intimidated He Caitou into considering submission by revealing his overwhelming soul rings and soul bones, then left him with the Mysterious Emperor Heart Seal and a warning. Back in the dormitory, Gu Qingnian tucked in Huo Yuhao and found himself trapped in Wang Dong’s sleep-induced embrace.

• Gu Qingnian pressured He Caitou to submit and revealed his powerful soul rings, martial souls, and soul bones.
• He Caitou was overwhelmed by Gu Qingnian’s strength, and Gu Qingnian told him to merge with the Mysterious Emperor Heart Seal and keep their encounter secret.
• Gu Qingnian returned to the dormitory and found Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong asleep.
• Gu Qingnian laid Huo Yuhao in bed, but Wang Dong clung to him and wrapped her legs around his waist.

Gu Qingnian teased Wang Dong after she woke up in his arms, then concealed their morning encounter from Huo Yuhao with Body Flicker and a recorded screen. Elsewhere, Ling Luochеn left her dormitory hoping to meet her destined romance, but arrived at the Soul Fighting Zone disappointed.

• Gu Qingnian let Wang Dong sleep against him, and Wang Dong briefly woke before drifting off again.
• Wang Dong woke beside Gu Qingnian, and he covered her mouth before she could alert Huo Yuhao.
• After Wang Dong moaned and Huo Yuhao woke, Gu Qingnian used Body Flicker to leave and re-enter the dormitory as if he had just returned.
• Gu Qingnian showed Wang Dong a screen recording of the previous night, and she tried to destroy it before Huo Yuhao interrupted them.
• Gu Qingnian, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao washed up, ate breakfast, and headed to the Soul Fighting Zone as Wang Dong glared at Gu Qingnian.
• Ling Luochеn read that she might meet her destined partner that day, but she reached the Soul Fighting Zone still waiting for romance.

Xuan Zi brought Shrek’s main and substitute teams together before the upcoming tournament, explaining their roles and the plan to conceal the main team’s abilities. Gu Qingnian hoped he would get a chance to compete, but Xuan Zi did not address him.

• Ling Luochеn met the returning Ma Xiaotao and silently compared her unfavorably with the other Shrek Seven Monsters, while admiring Xixi.
• Xuan Zi gathered the students and led them toward the Soul Fighting Zone for a special lesson.
• Gu Qingnian met He Caitou’s gaze, causing He Caitou to tremble and look frightened.
• Gu Qingnian’s group encountered seven Inner Court students in blood-red uniforms, including Ma Xiaotao, who blushed and lowered her head when she saw him.
• Xuan Zi announced that the tournament would begin in four days and that the students would leave the next day.
• Xuan Zi said Huo Yuhao’s group would compete against weaker opponents to hide the main team’s abilities, while ignoring Gu Qingnian’s wish to show off.

Xuan Zi told Huo Yuhao and the other five that they would compete as the reserve team and ordered them to follow the main team's instructions. Gu Qingnian challenged that arrangement, then revealed his rank as a second-year Soul King, leaving the main team stunned.

• Xuan Zi warned the six reserve-team students that they had to win and would serve as the main team's supporting cast.
• Gu Qingnian said he wanted to make the main team their supporting cast instead, and Xuan Zi called him to the front for introductions.
• Jiang Nannan, Bei Bei, He Caitou, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao introduced themselves and stood behind Gu Qingnian.
• Gu Qingnian introduced himself as a second-year student and a rank fifty-nine Control System Battle Soul King.
• Xuan Zi and the main team were shocked by Gu Qingnian's rank, while Huo Yuhao and the others realized their earlier defeat against him had been inevitable.

Gu Qingnian watched the Shrek Inner Court students introduce themselves, while his strength and his connection with Ma Xiaotao stunned the group. When Dai Yueheng’s cold gaze fell on Huo Yuhao, Gu Qingnian shielded him and forced Dai Yueheng to look away; the introductions continued.

• Ma Xiaotao announced that she was a level sixty-nine Soul Emperor, then winked flirtatiously at Gu Qingnian and shocked the others.
• Dai Yueheng introduced himself as a level sixty-four Soul Emperor, and Huo Yuhao recognized him as Dai Huabin’s elder brother.
• Gu Qingnian stepped in front of Huo Yuhao and suppressed Dai Yueheng with a glance, leaving Huo Yuhao deeply moved.
• Chen Zifeng introduced himself as a level fifty-seven Soul King, and Xixi announced that she was a level fifty-six Soul King.
• Ling Luochеn introduced herself as a level fifty-five Control System Soul King, followed by Yao Haoxuan as a level fifty-five Control and Support System Soul King.

Xuan Zi divided the students into teams for a friendly match, and Ma Xiaotao chose Gu Qingnian despite the cost of losing team slots. The teams formed with Gu Qingnian’s side outnumbered four to ten, setting up the match.

• Gongyang Mo introduced himself as a level-fifty-nine support system Battle Soul King, while Gu Qingnian recalled the seven Inner Court students’ future injuries and considered whether he would save them.
• Xuan Zi assigned Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng to lead teams and imposed extra roster losses on whichever team chose Gu Qingnian.
• Gu Qingnian asked to fight all thirteen opponents alone, but Xuan Zi ignored him.
• Ma Xiaotao chose Gongyang Mo and Gu Qingnian, then Gu Qingnian selected Xiao Xiao for their team.
• Dai Yueheng chose Chen Zifeng and Bei Bei, and the remaining students joined his side, leaving the teams at four against ten.

Gu Qingnian rejected the need for tactics and promised to face Dai Yueheng’s team alone, while Ma Xiaotao, Gongyang Mo, and Xiao Xiao agreed to back him up. As the battle began, Gu Qingnian summoned Ice Soul and began a sword technique that multiplied it into a growing swarm of blades.

• Gu Qingnian told Ma Xiaotao, Gongyang Mo, and Xiao Xiao to support him while he took on all ten opponents himself.
• Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo charged toward opposite flanks, while Xiao Xiao stayed behind Gu Qingnian with her Nine-Phoenix Ceremonial Flute ready.
• Dai Yueheng formed his team with Chen Zifeng, Jiang Nannan, Ling Luochеn, Yao Haoxuan, Huo Yuhao, and He Caitou, then watched the opposing team’s advance with unease.
• Gu Qingnian called for Xiao Xiao to play her flute, drew Ice Soul, and warned everyone outside the Main Selection to leave the arena.
• Gu Qingnian shouted “Swords... rise!” and began his sword technique, causing Ice Soul to split and multiply into dozens of blades.

Gu Qingnian overwhelmed Dai Yueheng and the other Main Selection members with Ice Soul swords, crushing pressure, and a series of powerful techniques. As his eerie aura intensified, he turned his gaze toward Ling Luochеn.

• Dai Yueheng ordered the team to attack Gu Qingnian, while Yao Haoxuan transformed and used his chest-beating skill to bolster his teammates.
• Gu Qingnian summoned countless Ice Souls and unleashed a demonic technique that briefly froze everyone in confusion.
• Gu Qingnian sent a storm of Ice Soul swords against the team, forcing Jiang Nannan and several others to surrender as Dai Yueheng’s group retreated.
• Gu Qingnian revealed five Soul Rings, including a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, and combined his sword assault with Hollow Technique: Purple.
• Gu Qingnian’s terrifying presence immobilized Dai Yueheng and the others, then he turned his chilling gaze toward Ling Luochеn.

Gu Qingnian overwhelmed the selection team with his ultimate ice, freezing Ling Luochеn and forcing Xuan Zi to rescue her. As Dai Yueheng’s group launched a coordinated counterattack, Gu Qingnian recognized their plan and chose to let the battle grow fiercer.

• Gu Qingnian’s ultimate ice froze Ling Luochеn and immobilized Dai Yueheng and the other selection members until Xuan Zi lifted Ling Luochеn out of danger.
• Ma Xiaotao and Xuan Zi recognized that Gu Qingnian’s Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion aura gave him absolute dominance over other ice users.
• Dai Yueheng’s team prepared a coordinated attack, but Gu Qingnian redirected his ice torrent toward them as a giant sword closed in.
• Chen Zifeng revealed his blood-red Soul Chasing Sword and sent it straight at Gu Qingnian, drawing the others’ attention.
• A figure moved in stealthily with threads of cold lightning, and Gu Qingnian identified the team’s plan involving Xixi’s Thunder before deciding to let the fight intensify.

Gu Qingnian dismissed his attacks and gave Dai Yueheng and his teammates time to fully recover before challenging them to fight him. When all four attacked at once, Gu Qingnian unleashed a terrifying palm technique that made them admit defeat, and the chapter ended with a series of cracking sounds.

• Gu Qingnian dispelled his restraints and attacks, then challenged Dai Yueheng and his teammates to fight him after recovering their soul power.
• Dai Yueheng and the others accepted the chance to recover, while Gu Qingnian's allies and the spectators waited to see what he would do.
• After his group had fully recovered, Dai Yueheng ordered them to attack Gu Qingnian with everything they had.
• Gu Qingnian leaped into the sky and used Palm Art-Fourfold Balance, Great Desert Tathagata Palm, sealing the four attackers beneath a terrifying supernatural force.
• Dai Yueheng, Chen Zifeng, Xixi, and Yao Haoxuan admitted defeat, and a series of cracking sounds followed.

After Gu Qingnian defeated four Inner Court disciples with an illusion, Xuan Zi arranged a second match that tested his ability to lead the six reserve members against Ma Xiaotao's stronger team. The teams took their positions, but neither attacked as Ma Xiaotao's side waited to see how Gu Qingnian would command.

• Xuan Zi revealed that the first fight had been an illusion, and Dai Yueheng, Yao Haoxuan, Chen Zifeng, Xixi, Ling Luochen, Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, He Caitou, and Bei Bei recited their punishment slogans.
• Xuan Zi questioned Gu Qingnian about his fifth Soul Ring skill, and Gu Qingnian said it could draw anyone his gaze reached into a realistic illusion.
• After two hours of recovery, Xuan Zi disbanded Dai Yueheng's team and assigned Gu Qingnian to lead the six reserve members against Ma Xiaotao's seven-person team.
• Xuan Zi barred Gu Qingnian from fighting the whole opposing team alone unless his group lasted five minutes, and warned that he would punish reckless leadership or defeat.
• Xuan Zi started the match at a distance of a hundred and fifty meters, but neither team attacked as Ma Xiaotao and her teammates watched Gu Qingnian for his first command.