Chapter Summaries

Gu Qingnian annihilated nearly a hundred attackers around the White Tiger Duke's Mansion while deliberately sparing Xu Jiawei's group. He confronted the Star Luo Emperor and considered Xu Jiawei's strength, judgment, and loyalty, leaving the two facing one another after the massacre.

• As the attackers charged, Gu Qingnian triggered a devastating attack that destroyed nearby buildings and killed nearly a hundred powerful fighters.
• Gu Qingnian spared Xu Jiawei, the Duke's Duchess, and their companions, leaving their position unharmed amid the ruins.
• Gu Qingnian used Body Flicker to appear beside Xu Jiawei, startling him and the two Guardian Douluos.
• Gu Qingnian recognized the Guardian Douluos as Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu and Giant Strength Douluo Cheng Gang.
• Gu Qingnian assessed Xu Jiawei's Star Crown martial soul, combat ability, political foresight, and willingness to sacrifice his throne for the Star Luo Empire.

Gu Qingnian used the Profound Minister Heart Seal to take control of Cheng Gang, then captured Huang Jinxu and moved to seize Xu Jiawei. Xu Jiawei revealed that he was a Titled Douluo, leaving everyone stunned as the confrontation continued.

• Gu Qingnian exchanged for a technique, then used suction and Repulsion to overpower Cheng Gang and land the Profound Minister Heart Seal on him.
• Cheng Gang collapsed with an ink-green mark over his heart, and Xu Jiawei and his allies hesitated to confront Gu Qingnian.
• Cheng Gang sprang up and seized Xu Jiawei, while Gu Qingnian captured Huang Jinxu and rushed toward the emperor.
• Xu Jiawei released his soul power and revealed nine soul rings, showing that he was a Titled Douluo.

Gu Qingnian used the upgraded Mysterious Emperor Heart Seal to subdue Xu Jiawei and Huang Jinxu, then took control of the fleeing guards and the Duke's Duchess. The six marked people were left unable to resist him, and he warned them that even a Limit Douluo could not remove the seals.

• Huang Jinxu warned Xu Jiawei that Gu Qingnian was trying to control them, so Xu Jiawei and two guards attacked Gu Qingnian.
• Gu Qingnian used Time Stop and upgraded his Mysterious Emperor Heart Minister Seal after Xu Jiawei's crown and Huang Jinxu's aura resisted it.
• The upgraded seal took control of Xu Jiawei and Huang Jinxu, and Gu Qingnian ordered the three men to capture the fleeing Guard Commander and his companion.
• Gu Qingnian punished the three men's resistance with an illusion of repeated decapitation, then sealed the two guards as well.
• Gu Qingnian sealed the Duke's Duchess, released Xu Jiawei and the others from the punishment, and warned all six that no one could remove their marks.

Gu Qingnian forced Xu Jiawei, the two Titled Douluo, and the others to follow his instructions, then vanished. The Star Luo Empire and the White Tiger Duke's Mansion issued public statements that concealed what happened, leaving the continent's factions to speculate about the Empire's submission and possible ties to Shrek Academy.

• Gu Qingnian threatened the six with the Mark, gave them instructions for their public statements, and left using Body Flicker.
• Xu Jiawei ordered the others to follow Gu Qingnian's instructions, then returned to the Imperial Palace as troops sealed off the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
• Qian Duoduo and the others arrived from Shrek, but Xu Jiawei brushed aside their questions.
• The White Tiger Duke's Mansion blamed Dai Huabin for forging an order and arranging an assassination attempt, while the Imperial Palace backed its account and attributed the destruction to a duel.
• The two Titled Douluo praised Gu Qingnian's senior martial brother, and the statements spread across the continent as factions speculated about the Star Luo Empire's defeat and Shrek's involvement.

Gu Qingnian left the Star Luo Empire and headed back toward Shrek Academy as he prepared for an important part of the plot. After spending his entire balance on a powerful palm art, he received new sword techniques and awakened Ice Soul, but the system could not grant his Soul Ring while his trial card was active.

• Ministers and major powers gathered at the Star Luo Imperial Palace after the Duchess, the emperor, and two Titled Douluos issued unusual statements, and the empire later fell silent.
• Gu Qingnian stayed overnight in a nearby city, then set off for Shrek Academy after the Star Luo Empire released its statement.
• The system awarded Gu Qingnian points, Sword Art-Sword Opens Heaven's Gate, and a three-hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring for his actions.
• Gu Qingnian spent all 155,554 of his combined points on Palm Art-One Flower, One World; One Leaf, One Bodhi.
• The system distributed the sword and palm arts but failed to grant the Soul Ring because Gu Qingnian was using a trial card.
• Gu Qingnian's sword energy surged, Ice Soul flew into his hand, and he sensed that he could command blades within a thousand meters.

Gu Qingnian mastered Palm Art, absorbed a new soul ring, and reached level 58 before heading toward Shrek Academy. At Shrek, Qian Duoduo reported that Gu Qingnian had an extraordinarily powerful senior brother, leaving the academy’s leaders wondering whether he possessed a god’s legacy.

• Gu Qingnian awakened to Palm Art and transformed a leaf into a flower in his palm.
• Gu Qingnian absorbed a red soul ring with time- and illusion-based skills, then released his stored soul power and reached level 58.
• Gu Qingnian rode Ice Soul toward Shrek Academy after realizing the selection assessment was underway.
• Qian Duoduo told Yan Shaozhe, Xian Lin'er, and Cai Mei'er that Emperor Xu had apologized over Dai Huabin and said the Duke's Mansion might withdraw him from the academy.
• Qian Duoduo reported that Gu Qingnian's senior brother appeared young and had one golden soul ring and eight red ones, but revealed nothing about his sect.
• Xian Lin'er questioned how the senior brother could have obtained so many hundred-thousand-year soul rings, and Yan Shaozhe wondered whether he had undergone divine trials.

Yan Shaozhe and the Shrek Academy leaders discussed Gu Qingnian’s mysterious sect and his senior brother’s show of force, then debated how to keep Gu Qingnian at the academy. The Martial Soul Department and Soul Tool Department both pledged to compete for him as a vital talent.

• Yan Shaozhe told Qian Duoduo, Cai Mei'er, and Xian Lin'er that hidden records described divine trials that could explain Gu Qingnian’s God-Given Soul Ring and his senior brother’s rewards.
• Qian Duoduo reported that Gu Qingnian had gone out to gain experience with his senior brother, while Shrek’s leaders recognized the senior brother’s actions as a rebuke for failing to protect Gu Qingnian.
• Yan Shaozhe warned that Shrek needed to clarify its position before Gu Qingnian chose to leave, and Cai Mei'er questioned whether his existing sect gave him another purpose at the academy.
• Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo insisted that the Soul Tool Department needed Gu Qingnian and would take him if the Martial Soul Department refused to support him.
• Yan Shaozhe declared that the Martial Soul Department also wanted Gu Qingnian, citing his ability to suppress Xiaotao’s evil fire and help the academy gain two exceptional talents.

Shrek Academy’s leaders agreed to do whatever was needed to bring Gu Qingnian back, then announced Dai Huabin’s expulsion and assigned Gu Qingnian to the continental tournament as his punishment. The students wondered whether Gu Qingnian would return, just as someone was seen flying toward the academy gates.

• Yan Shaozhe, Qian Duoduo, Xian Lin'er, and Cai Mei'er agreed to support Gu Qingnian, and Elder Lin relayed Mu En’s approval.
• Yan Shaozhe learned that Ma Xiaotao had gone missing while searching for Gu Qingnian and ordered people to look for her.
• Yan Shaozhe announced that Dai Huabin would be expelled and blacklisted for allegedly attempting to assassinate Gu Qingnian.
• Yan Shaozhe announced that Gu Qingnian’s punishment would be to compete in the continental advanced soul master tournament.
• Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya read the notice, and a student shouted that someone was flying at the academy gates.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong recognized the commotion at Shrek Academy’s gates as a returning figure drew a crowd. A Soul Emperor teacher went to confront the approaching woman, whose blazing aura suggested she was Ma Xiaotao.

• Students rushed to the academy gates after hearing that someone was flying toward Shrek Academy.
• Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong recognized the familiar presence and joined Bei Bei and the others at the crowded entrance.
• The patrol teacher sensed danger, asked Bei Bei and the others to control the crowd, and flew out to investigate.
• The teacher warned the unsteady, flame-covered figure to stop, but she continued approaching.
• The teacher recognized her aura and tentatively called out, “Ma Xiaotao?”

Ma Xiaotao returned to Shrek Academy in the grip of a severe evil-fire eruption, and Gu Qingnian arrived as she fought a teacher at the gates. The chapter ended as two powerful soul-power surges rose from the academy and someone called out to Xiaotao.

• A Soul Emperor teacher found Ma Xiaotao at the gates and called Du Weilun for help, but the call was cut off.
• Du Weilun contacted Dean Yan after learning that Ma Xiaotao had returned.
• Gu Qingnian approached Shrek Academy and spotted Ma Xiaotao fighting the teacher, then rushed over with icy energy ready.
• Ma Xiaotao's flames faded enough to reveal her condition, and she called Gu Qingnian's name as he drew near.
• Bei Bei's group tried to manage the crowd gathered outside the gates amid rumors about Gu Qingnian's arrival.
• Dean Yan arrived as two powerful surges of soul power erupted from the academy, and someone shouted, “Xiaotao!”

Yan Shaozhe arrived at the academy gates and found Gu Qingnian and Ma Xiaotao together, with Ma Xiaotao on the verge of losing control of her evil fire. He left her in Gu Qingnian’s arms to suppress it with his Ultimate Ice, and Ma Xiaotao pleaded for help as her fire surged.

• Yan Shaozhe rushed to the academy gates, where Bei Bei and the others had been waiting for help.
• Yan Shaozhe reached Gu Qingnian and found Ma Xiaotao’s aura unstable, then examined her and discovered her evil fire was about to erupt.
• Yan Shaozhe learned Gu Qingnian had reached Soul King and handed Ma Xiaotao to him, asking him to use his Ultimate Ice to suppress her evil fire.
• Yan Shaozhe fled with the Soul Emperor teacher and told Gu Qingnian he would clear everyone away from the area.
• Ma Xiaotao clung to Gu Qingnian as her evil fire surged and begged him to save her.

Gu Qingnian carried Ma Xiaotao, whose Evil Fire had flared up, into a cave and used his Ultimate Ice Martial Soul to suppress it. They ended up trapped beneath the frozen pool as Ma Xiaotao released her flames against his protective ice, leaving Gu Qingnian's body caught in an intense cycle of cold and heat.

• Gu Qingnian carried Ma Xiaotao into a secluded cave and sealed its entrance with a blue barrier.
• He found a cold pool in the cave and sat in it with Ma Xiaotao clinging to him.
• Gu Qingnian released his Ice Empress Martial Soul, and Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire began to subside.
• Gu Qingnian froze the pool around them and opened a hole in the ice around Ma Xiaotao's face.
• Ma Xiaotao released her flames against Gu Qingnian's protective ice, while the alternating cold and heat began refining his body.

Gu Qingnian continued suppressing Ma Xiaotao’s evil fire while considering the ways to remove its evil nature. The chapter left her condition unresolved as he assessed the rare and difficult remedies available.

• Inside Gu Qingnian’s Sea of Consciousness, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm praised Ma Xiaotao’s martial soul and suggested it could evolve into ultimate fire, prompting the Ice Empress to tell him to scram.
• Gu Qingnian explained that Ma Xiaotao’s inherited evil fire phoenix grew harder to control as her strength increased.
• Gu Qingnian described the first two remedies: consuming a cockscomb phoenix sunflower or using ultimate ice to suppress the evil fire.
• Gu Qingnian explained that blazing gel from the infernal delicate apricot could evolve Ma Xiaotao’s evil fire phoenix.
• Gu Qingnian described the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent’s inner core as the rarest remedy, then complained that Tang San’s family had monopolized many treasures.

Gu Qingnian considered how to obtain the herbs and methods needed to grow stronger, then guided Ma Xiaotao in using her Evil Fire Phoenix power against the chill of his Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion Torso Bone. The process eased her evil fire and tempered him, though he found her continued effort strange.

• Gu Qingnian considered finding herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, using dual cultivation with Ma Xiaotao, or exchanging for immortal herbs through the system shop.
• Gu Qingnian activated his Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion Torso Bone, suppressing Ma Xiaotao's evil fire as she remained beside him.
• Ma Xiaotao recalled Yan Shaozhe's advice that a partner with an ultimate ice martial soul could help resolve her evil fire, and wondered if Gu Qingnian could be her boyfriend.
• Ma Xiaotao released her Evil Fire Phoenix soul power toward Gu Qingnian, forming a cycle in which his chill repelled and suppressed its scorching heat.
• Gu Qingnian endured the alternating cold and heat as Ma Xiaotao's evil fire eased and his body and soul power were tempered; he wondered why she seemed to have fought so little that day.

After Ma Xiaotao’s Evil Fire was fully suppressed, she found herself increasingly attracted to Gu Qingnian while they rested together in close quarters. Gu Qingnian pinned her down under the pretense of checking whether her Evil Fire had returned, and Ma Xiaotao tried to convince herself that her flustered anticipation was only exhaustion.

• Ma Xiaotao felt refreshed after filtering her Soul Power through Gu Qingnian and suppressing her Evil Fire for the time being.
• Ma Xiaotao admired Gu Qingnian’s appearance and grew flustered when their faces touched.
• Gu Qingnian supported Ma Xiaotao’s waist, flipped her onto the icy ground, and held her hands while claiming to check her temperature and Evil Fire.
• Ma Xiaotao insisted her Evil Fire was suppressed, then privately imagined Gu Qingnian as her boyfriend before scolding herself for having designs on someone younger.
• As Gu Qingnian moved closer, Ma Xiaotao’s heart raced and she told herself that exhaustion and Gu Qingnian’s strength explained why she was not resisting.

After Ma Xiaotao’s evil fire was cured, Gu Qingnian teased her and repeatedly outmaneuvered her attempts to get even. The chapter ended when Ma Xiaotao impulsively kissed him, only for him to push her away, leaving both bewildered.

• Gu Qingnian confirmed that Ma Xiaotao’s evil fire had settled and urged her to return to the academy.
• Gu Qingnian teased Ma Xiaotao about expecting a kiss, then stopped her from pulling him down when she pretended to be weak.
• Gu Qingnian caught Ma Xiaotao as she fell and helped her out of the pool area.
• Ma Xiaotao ripped Gu Qingnian’s jacket while trying to stop him from leaving, then kissed him.
• Gu Qingnian pushed Ma Xiaotao away before she could enjoy the kiss, and she wondered why he rejected her.

Gu Qingnian and Ma Xiaotao kissed in the cave while Dean Yan secretly watched from nearby, then Gu Qingnian asked Ma Xiaotao to soften a piece of whale rubber. Ma Xiaotao helped after bargaining for snacks, and the whale rubber began to soften under her Phoenix Flame.

• Gu Qingnian pinned Ma Xiaotao against the cave wall and kissed her, and she eventually embraced him in return.
• Dean Yan watched the pair from a tree, but Gu Qingnian noticed him and sealed the cave barrier before Dean Yan left.
• Gu Qingnian told Ma Xiaotao that Dean Yan had seen them kissing, embarrassing her as she asked when he had arrived and left.
• Gu Qingnian led Ma Xiaotao deeper into the cave, froze the pool, and gave her a pitch-black crystal to soften.
• Ma Xiaotao complained that she was hungry and doubted Gu Qingnian's promise of food, so he produced snacks before she used her Phoenix Flame to soften the whale rubber.

Gu Qingnian cooked the tough whale rubber with Ma Xiaotao’s flames and ate it to restore his body after the unusually severe eruption of her evil fire. As he finished the bowl, its potent warmth began to course through his limbs, leaving him red and sweating.

• Ma Xiaotao used her Phoenix Flame to soften the whale rubber, which turned dark gold and released a rich fragrance.
• Gu Qingnian brought out cookware in Yan Shaozhe’s precious Storage Soul Tool Ring and had Ma Xiaotao heat several pots with her flames.
• Gu Qingnian cooked the whale rubber and prepared several other dishes while Ma Xiaotao followed his instructions.
• Gu Qingnian ate the whale rubber, and its effects quickly eased his lingering discomfort and restored his strength.
• The whale rubber’s warmth intensified, making Gu Qingnian’s body redden as dark reddish-brown sweat soaked his undershirt.

Gu Qingnian and Ma Xiaotao were overwhelmed by the aphrodisiac effects of the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue, which intensified their bodily heat and Ma Xiaotao’s Evil Fire. After they plunged into the pool to cool down, their disoriented state led to a forceful kiss and intimate contact, leaving both unable to resist the effects.

• Ma Xiaotao helped Gu Qingnian absorb the Whale Glue’s medicinal effects, but he realized it had an aphrodisiac effect amplified by his unique kidney.
• Ma Xiaotao secretly ate the remaining Whale Glue and soon began suffering its effects alongside Gu Qingnian.
• The Whale Glue’s yang energy aggravated Ma Xiaotao’s Evil Fire Phoenix, and their combined heat melted the ice around the pool.
• Gu Qingnian carried Ma Xiaotao into the pool and used his freezing Qi to lower the water’s temperature, but close contact intensified their agitation.
• Ma Xiaotao kissed Gu Qingnian while in a daze, and he responded by embracing and kissing her as both succumbed to the effects.

Gu Qingnian and Ma Xiaotao spent the night together in a concealed cave while Yan Shaozhe discovered them and returned to the academy. By the next day, Ma Xiaotao had awakened, but Gu Qingnian decided their encounter was not over.

• Gu Qingnian carried Ma Xiaotao into a tent in the cave and put up Soul Power barriers.
• Yan Shaozhe found the concealed cave, saw Gu Qingnian and Ma Xiaotao together, and left without confronting them.
• Yan Shaozhe told Bei Bei and the others that Gu Qingnian would return soon, then said he probably would not be back that day.
• Gu Qingnian emerged the next day, brought food to Ma Xiaotao, and found her embarrassed and reluctant to eat.
• Gu Qingnian secured the tent with ice and went back inside as it began shaking again.