Chapter Summaries

Gu Qingnian used the Eye of God, his teammates’ attacks, and his control over ice to break the enemy’s encirclement and bring his team together. He then activated the Three Emperors’ Power with Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, prompting Xuan Zi to recognize Pandora’s Path.

• Ma Xiaotao’s team launched a coordinated assault, surrounding Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao while Ling Luochеn, Gongyang Mo, and Xixi attacked Wang Dong and Jiang Nannan.
• Gu Qingnian transmitted his plan to his teammates, then empowered He Caitou’s Soul Guidance Ray and froze the battlefield to disrupt their opponents.
• Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, and Huo Yuhao exploited the opening to escape, while Wang Dong threw Jiang Nannan toward Gu Qingnian and he pulled her the rest of the way.
• Gu Qingnian reunited his teammates, laid Jiang Nannan and Xiao Xiao on beds of ice, and drew soul power from Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.
• Gu Qingnian triggered the Three Emperors’ Power, draining Huo Yuhao’s and Wang Dong’s soul power, and Xuan Zi recognized Pandora’s Path.

Gu Qingnian, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong used their martial soul fusion skill to defeat Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng’s team, leaving the opponents stunned and immobilized. Xuan Zi appointed Gu Qingnian captain and main control soul master of the Reserve Team after the match.

• Gu Qingnian, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong unleashed their fusion skill, trapping most of the opposing team in the Three-Colored Light and dazing Ma Xiaotao and Xixi.
• Xuan Zi failed to free the opponents himself, so Gu Qingnian released them and then removed most of the harm their minds and soul power had suffered.
• Xuan Zi praised the Reserve Team’s potential and named Gu Qingnian its captain and main control soul master; the Main Selection members accepted his appointment.
• Ma Xiaotao glared at Gu Qingnian, while Dai Yueheng faced him in fear and gave up his arrogance.
• Xuan Zi judged the sparring a success, noting Ma Xiaotao’s strength and the Reserve members’ performances, though Gu Qingnian had overshadowed everyone.

After Gu Qingnian's team won their wager, Xuan Zi announced that the students would depart for the tournament in Star Luo City the next morning. The group ended the day with a feast, though Huo Yuhao was unsettled by the prospect of returning near the Duke's Mansion and Gu Qingnian had hoped to go home and sleep.

• Xuan Zi confirmed that the reserve team had won and made Ma Xiaotao's group honor their wager by calling themselves pigs.
• Xuan Zi told everyone to pack and meet at the academy entrance before departing for Star Luo City, stirring Huo Yuhao with memories of the Duke's Mansion.
• The group realized Gu Qingnian had caused a commotion in Star Luo City, making the atmosphere awkward for Huo Yuhao and Dai Yueheng.
• Nearly everyone invited Gu Qingnian to eat, so he proposed a group meal as a rally before the tournament.
• Gu Qingnian led the group, including Xuan Zi, to a hotel in Shrek City, where they feasted, boasted, and exchanged contact details; Dai Yueheng excused himself and left.

Gu Qingnian, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong prepared to leave Shrek Academy for the Star Luo Empire, while Huo Yuhao worried about being recognized by Dai Yueheng. As the group began its journey, Xuan Zi stopped them to explain why so few Inner Court disciples remained at the academy.

• Wang Dong and Gu Qingnian noticed Huo Yuhao was troubled, and he admitted that returning to the Star Luo Empire made him uneasy because he could not let Dai Yueheng discover his identity.
• Gu Qingnian reassured Huo Yuhao that the group might avoid the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, and Wang Dong urged everyone to cultivate after their difficult battle.
• A muscular figure in a secluded forest asked someone whether Huo Yuhao should be brought to his father, and was told to let Huo Yuhao decide without forcing him.
• Gu Qingnian, Ma Xiaotao, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and the others left Shrek Academy under Xuan Zi and Wang Yan's guidance.
• Xuan Zi stopped the group and asked the reserve team why fewer than a hundred Inner Court disciples remained at the academy, then began explaining the disciples who never graduated.

Xuan Zi explained that Shrek Academy’s Inner Court trained Shrek Watchers to oversee Soul Masters who committed evil, and asked the Reserve Team whether they would accept the dangers and responsibility. The seven chose to join, and Xuan Zi prepared them for their first inspection mission as Wang Yan distributed their Watcher rings.

• Xuan Zi described the Inner Court’s responsibility for overseeing Soul Masters and explained that its disciples served as Shrek Watchers.
• Xuan Zi warned the Reserve Team that inspection missions were dangerous and unpaid, and Dai Yueheng declared that becoming a Watcher was his greatest honor.
• The seven Reserve Team members unanimously chose to join the Shrek Inspection Corps.
• Xuan Zi told Xiaotao to explain their first inspection mission, while Wang Yan handed out Shrek Watcher rings.
• Gu Qingnian received his ring with a faint, elusive expression that the others did not notice.

Ma Xiaotao briefed the Shrek Watchers on their mission to eliminate the Death Messengers bandits in the Mingdou Mountains and assigned travel arrangements. Gu Qingnian offered to carry the six Reserve Team members on flying swords, prompting Ma Xiaotao to ask for a ride too.

• Ma Xiaotao explained how the Watcher's Rings worked and described the mission to wipe out the Death Messengers, a bandit group led by a powerful Evil Soul Master.
• Ma Xiaotao warned that the mission had to be completed within three to four days and assigned senior team members to carry the younger students.
• Gu Qingnian volunteered to take the six Reserve Team members, then summoned Ice Soul and divided it into six flying swords.
• Bei Bei and the other five Reserve Team members rode the swords as Gu Qingnian lifted them into the air.
• Ma Xiaotao watched Gu Qingnian fly and called out that she wanted to ride with him too.

Gu Qingnian carried Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, and Wang Dong together on an enlarged Ice Soul sword, drawing envy and astonishment from the others. While they waited for the rest of the group, Ma Xiaotao explained the danger and history of Evil Soul Masters, leaving the girls shaken.

• Ma Xiaotao asked Gu Qingnian to take her flying, and he scooped her up in a bridal carry on his Ice Soul sword.
• Gu Qingnian used his sword to bring Jiang Nannan, Xiao Xiao, and Wang Dong aboard, then enlarged it to carry all four girls.
• The group raced ahead of the others and stopped to wait after pulling too far in front.
• Jiang Nannan asked Ma Xiaotao about Evil Soul Masters, and Ma Xiaotao explained that their martial souls required evil methods of cultivation.
• Ma Xiaotao described Blood Infant Douluo's infant-based cultivation, immense power, and eventual defeat after he killed more than a dozen Shrek teachers and students.

During the mission, Gu Qingnian and Huo Yuhao cooked a meal for the Shrek team, and Ma Xiaotao reassured everyone that the academy had resources to meet their deadline. The group reached the Heaven Dou–Star Luo border, where Dai Yueheng borrowed Flying Soul Tools to help them continue.

• Ma Xiaotao explained that the Inspection Corps had to eliminate Evil Soul Masters quickly because they were dangerous and grew powerful rapidly.
• Gu Qingnian asked how the team could finish its mission within three days, and Ma Xiaotao said they would see the academy’s strength that afternoon.
• At the midday rest, Ma Xiaotao asked Gu Qingnian to cook; Xuan Zi assigned the team to gather firewood, fish, and game, and Gu Qingnian and Huo Yuhao prepared a feast.
• After eating and resting, the team continued to the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
• Dai Yueheng entered a military camp and returned with more than a dozen borrowed Flying Soul Tools.

Gu Qingnian confronted the White Tiger Duke over the Duke’s request to meet, then faced him in a tense exchange that ended with the Duke apologizing for his son and proposing they put the conflict behind them.

• Dai Yueheng told Gu Qingnian that his father wanted to meet him, but Gu Qingnian refused to go to the camp cliff unless the White Tiger Duke came to him.
• Gu Qingnian asked Dai Yueheng to fetch his father, claiming his feet were numb and sore, and the White Tiger Duke appeared at the camp entrance.
• Huo Yuhao turned pale and moved to the back when the White Tiger Duke arrived, while Dai Yueheng knelt and greeted his father.
• Gu Qingnian and the White Tiger Duke faced off before the Duke praised Gu Qingnian and reached out to shake his hand.
• Gu Qingnian crushed the Duke’s hand with his grip and declared that no one could match his invincibility, even tens of thousands of years in the future.
• The White Tiger Duke laughed, apologized on Dai Yueheng’s behalf, and proposed that they put the matter behind them.

Gu Qingnian made peace with the White Tiger Duke, then joined the team as they traveled to the Mingdou Mountains to investigate military intelligence. As they prepared to search after dark, he secretly equipped his teammates with swords and defensive soul tools and warned them to flee immediately if he gave the order.

• The White Tiger Duke ended their dispute with Gu Qingnian and told Dai Yueheng to get along with him.
• The Ice Empress worried about the Snow Empress, while the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm suggested bringing her to Gu Qingnian.
• Ma Xiaotao led the team into the Mingdou Mountains, where they advanced deep into the range before nightfall.
• Gu Qingnian secretly gave six teammates and Ma Xiaotao Ice Soul swords and defensive soul tools, telling them to stay ready to run.
• Wang Yan returned after dark and beckoned everyone to gather beside him.

Wang Yan and Gu Qingnian used signs of harvested wenlan heartwood to determine that the bandit camp was nearby, then led the group through the forest by following traces. They found a well-traveled path and prepared for battle.

• Wang Yan explained that the rare wenlan trees and missing heartwood suggested an Evil Soul Master had harvested them and that the bandits were close.
• Gu Qingnian independently reached the same conclusion, earning Wang Yan's praise and receiving a one-star reward from the system.
• Wang Yan asked Gu Qingnian to use his Soul Skill to search for traces, and the two followed the clues while the others took up a cautious formation.
• The group emerged from the forest and found overlapping footprints on a frequently used path, prompting Wang Yan to order everyone to prepare for battle.

Gu Qingnian and the Shrek teams tracked the Hand of Death to a hillside cave and prepared to attack. Before the assault began, Gu Qingnian warned everyone to stay away from corpses, then the main team charged ahead while Wang Yan led the Reserve Team after them.

• Gu Qingnian used his Spiritual Detection Sharing to locate tracks leading toward a hillside, and Wang Yan deduced that the Hand of Death was hiding in a cave nearby.
• Wang Yan assigned Ma Xiaotao’s group to lead the assault, kept the Reserve Team with him, and told Gu Qingnian to support both teams from behind.
• The group changed into their Watcher gear, while Gu Qingnian replaced the uniform with a custom black trench coat and white mask.
• Gu Qingnian warned the others not to underestimate the operation and to stay away from corpses, especially the seven members at the front.
• Ma Xiaotao led the main team forward, and Wang Yan followed several seconds later with the Reserve Team, protecting Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao.

Gu Qingnian and the Reserve Team entered the Hand of Death bandits’ cave and joined the assault after witnessing the bandits’ brutal atrocities. As the battle seemed nearly won, the Death Messenger made the corpses explode, and Gu Qingnian rushed to protect everyone with his Ice Soul.

• Wang Yan led Gu Qingnian and the Reserve Team down to the cave, where they found Ma Xiaotao’s team already attacking the bandits.
• Jiang Nannan and others were shaken by the cave’s gruesome sights, so Gu Qingnian calmed them and urged everyone to fight.
• Ma Xiaotao and the Inner Court disciples overwhelmed the bandits, and Wang Yan ordered the Reserve Team to join the battle.
• Gu Qingnian sensed danger and shouted for everyone to scatter as the Death Messenger threatened to turn them into corpse slaves.
• The fallen bandits’ bodies swelled and exploded, and Gu Qingnian unleashed his Ice Soul to shield the fourteen people on the battlefield.

A hidden enemy triggered a devastating Corpse Explosion in the cavern, leaving the Shrek students gravely injured despite Gu Qingnian’s warning and defenses. Xuan Zi arrived and captured the attacker, while Gu Qingnian prepared to control the battlefield and rescue the survivors.

• Gu Qingnian warned the group about the corpses, and the students raised their defenses as the first explosions erupted.
• Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochеn, and Xixi survived with Gu Qingnian’s protection, while the four students at the cavern’s center faced the full blast.
• Gu Qingnian unleashed the Eternal Freeze Domain and Time Stop, freezing many corpses and carrying three students toward the cavern’s edge.
• The hidden enemy detonated the remaining corpses, releasing corrosive poison that injured the students and surviving bandits.
• Xuan Zi entered the cavern, erased the poisonous blood, and pulled the fleeing enemy toward him.
• Gu Qingnian raised his Martial Souls and told Xuan Zi to hold the line while he controlled the field and prepared to rescue the wounded.

Gu Qingnian froze the explosive corpses and pursued the escaping Death Messenger, while Xuan Zi stayed behind to protect and treat the survivors. The Death Messenger reached twelve Corpse Slaves at the tunnel exit, unaware that Gu Qingnian had followed him.

• Gu Qingnian used Tian Meng and the Ice Empress to freeze the cavern and suppress the corpses as the Death Messenger escaped toward Huo Yuhao.
• Gu Qingnian shielded Huo Yuhao, then told Xuan Zi he would pursue the Death Messenger and left the survivors in Xuan Zi’s care.
• Xuan Zi released his Martial Soul, dealt with the surviving bandits, and burrowed away while Wang Yan and Ma Xiaotao’s group tended to the injured.
• Gu Qingnian followed the Death Messenger through the tunnel using Body Flicker and kept Electrolux’s movements under watch.
• The Death Messenger reached twelve Corpse Slaves at the tunnel exit and ordered them to cover his retreat.

Electrolux took control of Gu Qingnian’s body and confronted the Death Messenger, who had mistaken him for an Evil Soul Master. Electrolux freed the twelve corpse slaves to exact revenge, then fell back into slumber after promising Gu Qingnian a wish and hinting he might become his third martial soul.

• A fragment of Electrolux’s memories stirred at the aura of undeath, and he asked Gu Qingnian to lend him his body and power.
• Gu Qingnian agreed, and Electrolux took control of his body despite the Divine Mill stirring briefly in his Sea of Consciousness.
• Electrolux appeared behind the Death Messenger with five gray Soul Rings and dismissed his claims of being the Death God’s messenger.
• The Death Messenger sent twelve corpse slaves to attack, but Electrolux used necromancy to free them from his control and turn them against him.
• The Death Messenger fled, but the Divine Mill appeared in his mind before the corpse slaves overwhelmed him.
• Electrolux said he would purify the freed souls and fall asleep again, promising Gu Qingnian a wish and suggesting he might become his third martial soul.

Gu Qingnian defeated the Death Messenger by breaking his control over the Corpse Slaves, who killed him before dissolving. After Xuan Zi assessed the survivors and arranged treatment, he put Gu Qingnian in command of the team heading to Star Luo City, and Ma Xiaotao stepped down as captain.

• Gu Qingnian used the Chaos Divine Mill to destroy the Death Messenger's will, causing the Corpse Slaves to turn on their master and kill him.
• Xuan Zi arrived, found Gu Qingnian unharmed, and returned with him to the cave where the students were gathered.
• Wang Yan reported that Yao Haoxuan had died, Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng were gravely injured, and most of the other students had survived with lighter injuries.
• Xuan Zi ordered Wang Yan to take the team to Star Luo City for the tournament and placed the remaining Main Selection and reserve team members under Gu Qingnian's command.
• Xuan Zi carried Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng back to the academy for treatment and asked Gu Qingnian to lead the students.
• Ma Xiaotao stepped down as captain and declared that she and the other Inner Court members would obey Gu Qingnian's commands.

After the attack left Shrek’s team weakened, Wang Yan prepared them to compete in the tournament with Gu Qingnian filling in. At Shrek Academy, Xuan Zi resigned over his responsibility for the disaster, while Mu En ordered the Inner Court to equip its disciples with Soul Tools.

• Wang Yan told the injured team to rest before heading to Star Luo City, and said Gu Qingnian would join the main fighters while Huo Yuhao’s group handled the opening matches.
• Xuan Zi learned that the survivors’ conditions had stabilized, though Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng would need prosthetics, and that the White Tiger Duke had not replied.
• Xuan Zi told the Sea God Pavilion Meeting that he would resign as deputy commander of the Shrek Inspection Corps and withdraw from Sea God's Pavilion.
• Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er urged Xuan Zi to stay, but he remained resolved to leave, blaming himself for the losses.
• Mu En ordered every Inner Court disciple to obtain a custom Flying Soul Tool and Defensive Soul Tool, and required the Martial Soul Department to pay the Soul Tool Department for its purchases.

Mu En decided Shrek Academy would not send reinforcements to the tournament, while Tang Ya struggled with her slow progress and the Tang Sect’s decline. In Star Luo City, Gu Qingnian told the team that they would have to compete without reinforcements, then offered them some good news.

• Mu En rejected calls to send reinforcements, arguing that Shrek needed to confront its complacency and that Gu Qingnian had hidden strength.
• Tang Ya worried that her weak cultivation made her unfit to lead the Tang Sect, but resolved to keep fighting for its revival.
• Wang Yan gathered the eleven contestants in Star Luo City for a pre-tournament briefing as registration closed without the promised reinforcements.
• Gu Qingnian told the team that Shrek Academy would send no reinforcements and that every member might have to take turns fighting.
• Gu Qingnian offered to share some good news with the team.

Gu Qingnian tried to reassure Shrek Academy’s team before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament, while Wang Yan privately worried about the injured Gongyang Mo’s recovery. At the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, the elders and students discussed Shrek’s unusual lineup and prepared for the opening round.

• Gu Qingnian joked that his presence was the good news, easing the Shrek team’s tension before Wang Yan explained the tournament rules and announced that Shrek would compete first as defending champions.
• Wang Yan dismissed the need for tactics and sent the reserve team to rest, then asked Gu Qingnian, Ma Xiaotao, and the others to stay behind.
• Gongyang Mo estimated that he would need about twenty days before he could compete, prompting Wang Yan to worry about the team’s prospects.
• Gu Qingnian told Wang Yan to leave the coming challenges to him, insisting that worrying about the team insulted their strength.
• The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy’s elders discussed Shrek’s young and incomplete-looking lineup, and Elder Ma warned Ma Rulong that he would have to leave Mingde Hall if he lost to them.
• Xiao Hongchen suggested Shrek might have suffered an accident, traded barbs with Ma Rulong, and then listened as the elders began arranging their first-round lineup.