Chapter Summaries

Chen Mu hinted that the elders would soon establish a Young Master's Guard Team for Chen Xiaojun, stirring excitement and anxiety among his companions. Chen Xiaojun said the idea was not yet formal, but Chen Mu suggested the elders were likely to act soon.

• Chen Mu told Dugu Fu that the Young Master's Guard Team might soon be established, with Dugu Fu and Zhu Wuneng in line to lead it.
• An Mingyuan, Qiu Qingquan, and Yuan Run expressed their hopes of joining the guard team, while Zhu Wuneng worried that they were still studying and he was not ready to command others.
• Chen Mu praised Zhu Wuneng's leadership at Iron Jaw Fortress and said his performance had inspired Fifth Uncle to consider him for Chief Guard.
• Chen Xiaojun explained that Second Uncle had only raised the guard team as a passing idea, disappointing the eager listeners.
• Chen Mu suggested the elders would use the guard team as a legitimate way to give Chen Xiaojun more people to lead and train.

Qingluo escaped her room in the underground fortress, but Lord Zuo intercepted her at the western breach and forced her to reveal her spider-type martial soul. The guards raised the alarm and converged on her as the chase continued.

• Qingluo used a hidden Bone Key to unlock her Soul Power Shackles and slipped out while her seven roommates slept.
• Qingluo crossed the western breach and headed north toward the outer wall to escape the Mountain Fort.
• Lord Zuo attacked Qingluo with black sword gusts, and she used Smoky Mist Step and Martial Soul Possession to evade them.
• The sword gusts struck the walls and ground, alerting the Brocade Guards and prompting them to light the courtyard and sound the alarm.
• The Brocade Guards recognized Lord Zuo and saw Qingluo's eight-legged spider martial soul as they rushed to catch her.

Qingluo fought Zuo Jinhua with her spider abilities as he pursued her through the ruined street. After breaking her web and overpowering her mental attack, Zuo Jinhua chased her into the shadows with a destructive sword whirlwind.

• Qingluo cast her Abyssal Soul Spider Web, but Zuo Jinhua destroyed it with his Ghost-Gold Sword Net.
• Qingluo unleashed her Thousand-Eyed Soul-Snaring Array, and Zuo Jinhua countered it with his Soul-Rending Howl, leaving Qingluo at a disadvantage.
• Qingluo fled using spider silk to swing between ruined buildings, while Zuo Jinhua recognized her registered name and demanded she surrender.
• Zuo Jinhua pursued Qingluo inside a fast-moving sword whirlwind that tore through the street and grazed her clothes.

Qingluo fought to escape Zuo Jinhua’s pursuit through Iron Jaw Fortress while Chen Shurui and Chen Bin tried to intercept her. She summoned swarms of poison spiders to obstruct her pursuers and cause chaos across the rear courtyard, then fled toward the fortress’s upper reaches.

• Zuo Jinhua used Savage Ram Assault to smash the base of the tower Qingluo was landing on, nearly throwing her from the roof.
• Chen Shurui and Chen Bin intercepted Qingluo with sword attacks, but she countered with Half Moon, forcing them back while suffering a wound to her shoulder.
• Qingluo used Demon Spider Summoning to release poison spiders that attacked Chen Shurui, Chen Bin, nearby guards, and Zuo Jinhua, giving her time to escape.
• Qingluo swung across rooftops and summoned more spiders, which attacked guards, servants, and logistics personnel throughout the rear courtyard.
• After four summonings produced more than a thousand spiders and threw the courtyard into chaos, Qingluo fled toward the fortress’s upper reaches.

Qingluo fought Gu Yuanchao on the rooftops but found his purification defense countered her powers, forcing her to flee into the kitchen courtyard. Gu Yuanchao pursued her as the courtyard erupted into chaos, and the kitchen defenders fought off the demonic spiders.

• Gu Yuanchao struck Qingluo with Giant Bullhorn, shattering her Thousand Spikes, Ten Thousand Shields and knocking her across the rooftop.
• Qingluo attacked with Unending Spear, but Gu Yuanchao blocked it with Sacred Radiance Steel Body, whose purification attribute weakened her poison and corruption.
• Qingluo abandoned the fight and escaped by spider silk into the kitchen courtyard while Gu Yuanchao leaped down in pursuit.
• The demonic spiders attacked the kitchen workers, who fled in panic.
• Xin Shouyi used Five Flavors Barrier to disrupt the spiders, while Mai Zheling struck them with Wheat Awns Volley.
• Chen Clan disciples and former Bone-Digging Corps fighters joined the defense and protected the kitchen staff.

Qingluo tried to escape through the kitchen and took Gu Zijian hostage, but he cut free of her spider thread and fought to evade her. Gu Yuanchao charged toward them as Qingluo destroyed Gu Zijian’s wooden barricade and sent more threads after him.

• Qingluo summoned hundreds of venomous spiders to hinder her pursuers and spotted Gu Zijian fighting spiders in the meat-cutting area.
• Gu Zijian used his training and cleaver to kill several spiders before Qingluo wrapped his wrist in a Soul-Binding Thread and dragged him toward her.
• Gu Zijian grabbed a butcher’s knife and cut the thread, then landed and hurled both knives at Qingluo to slow her down.
• Gu Yuanchao charged through the spiders toward Qingluo and his son while Gu Zijian fled toward the stoves.
• Qingluo dodged Gu Zijian’s knives, tore apart the wooden table he used as a shield, and sent spider threads toward him again.

Gu Zijian used Stone Breathing and an iron hook and chain to resist Qingluo, but her Soul Emperor attack knocked him down. Chen Mu arrived in time to cut apart her spider web, forcing Qingluo to flee into the Kitchen Shed as he pursued her.

• Gu Zijian used Stone Breathing to deflect Qingluo’s spider silk with a heavy iron hook and chain.
• Qingluo struck Gu Zijian with her Second Soul Skill, Half Moon, knocking him down and leaving him badly injured.
• Qingluo cast Abyssal Soul Spider Web over Gu Zijian while Gu Yuanchao and the others could not reach him in time.
• Chen Mu arrived and used Plum Blossoms Ninefold to slice the web into fragments.
• Qingluo fled into the Kitchen Shed, and Chen Mu chased after her.

Gu Yuanchao found Gu Zijian alive and pursued Qingluo alongside Chen Mu and the others. Chen Mu broke Qingluo’s mental illusion with his Seven Kill Annihilation, but she escaped deeper into the storage area and summoned spiders to hinder the pursuing group.

• Gu Yuanchao checked Gu Zijian for serious injuries, then rushed after Qingluo and Chen Mu while Gu Zijian took up his chain and meat hook to defend himself from approaching spiders.
• Chen Mu pursued Qingluo through a maze of shelves, cutting through her spider silk and obstacles as she used her Smoky Mist Step and webs to evade him.
• Qingluo used her Thousand-Eyed Soul-Snaring Array to cloud Chen Mu’s senses, but he shattered the illusions with Seven Kill Annihilation and struck her shoulder as she swung out of reach.
• Gu Yuanchao, Zuo Jinhua, Chen Shurui, and Chen Bin followed the chase, clearing obstacles and spiders along the way.
• Qingluo summoned poison spiders to slow the pursuers and fled toward a darker section of the storage area as Chen Mu accelerated after her.

Bi Qingxiu fled through the Mountain Fort’s cooks’ compound, only to find Chen Xiaojun waiting with his allies and every escape route blocked. Zuo Jinhua identified her and revealed her connection to the famed Spider Emperor Bi Family, leaving her captured at the table.

• Bi Qingxiu forced her way through the storage area’s rear door, hoping to reach the Mountain Fort’s wall.
• She found Chen Xiaojun calmly waiting with an old man and two attendants, then dropped her spider armor as the pursuers arrived.
• Bi Qingxiu realized Chen Mu and Zuo Jinhua had guided her toward Chen Xiaojun, and she asked how he had anticipated her route.
• Chen Xiaojun hinted that he had seen through her ability to watch the road and said he had kept her web intact to observe her.
• Zuo Jinhua identified her as Bi Qingxiu, the Soul-Devouring Spider, and described her talent and her younger twin sister, Bi Yunxiu, the Death Goddess.

Chen Xiaojun confronted Bi Qingxiu about her disguise and her role in the battle at Iron Jaw Fortress, then tested her mental defenses. He left her under guard with a seal restricting her mental and soul power.

• Bi Qingxiu acknowledged witnessing Chen Xiaojun fight at Iron Jaw Fortress and praised his strength, while disputing his claims about her appearance.
• Dugu Fu reported that the summoned demon spiders had injured more than ten people and killed three workers, and Chen Xiaojun accepted responsibility for the failed plan.
• Chen Xiaojun ordered Zhu Wuneng to take Bi Qingxiu away and said he would not waste time questioning her if she chose not to speak.
• Chen Xiaojun used Great Siming's Mind Reading on Bi Qingxiu and discovered her unusually strong mental power, opened Upper Soul Nest, and inheritance-grade mental system head soul bone.
• Chen Xiaojun placed the Yin Fiend Abyss-Sinking Seal on Bi Qingxiu, making it difficult for her to use her mental power and slowing her soul power circulation.

Chen Xiaojun and Qin Lüguang restrained Bi Qingxiu and brought her into Iron Jaw Fortress as a guarded guest. Chen Mu took her to a private room, gave her medicine for her wound, and fended off her teasing.

• Chen Xiaojun sealed Bi Qingxiu’s three soul nests, and Qin Lüguang locked down the soul-power channels in her limbs.
• Bi Qingxiu suggested that Iron Jaw Fortress be thoroughly cleaned, and Chen Xiaojun agreed before sending her with Chen Mu to rest.
• Chen Xiaojun and Qin Lüguang discussed whether Bi Qingxiu had come by chance or because of trouble within the Bi Clan, and Qin Lüguang considered killing her for her Soul Bone.
• Chen Mu led Bi Qingxiu to a clean, secluded room and gave her Sword Spirit Balm for her injured shoulder.
• Bi Qingxiu teased Chen Mu about the wound and balm, but he refused her suggestive offer to repay his kindness.

Bi Qingxiu revealed her true face to Chen Mu and teased him, calling it a reward for being the first outsider to see her. After Chen Mu left, she reflected on his words about proving her worth and choosing how to live within the rules.

• Chen Mu prepared to leave Bi Qingxiu in the courtyard and told her she could wander inside the gate while recovering.
• Bi Qingxiu used a hand seal to reveal her exceptionally beautiful true appearance, and Chen Mu reacted with amazement.
• Chen Mu and Bi Qingxiu traded playful teasing, and she said he was the first outsider to see her real face.
• Chen Mu realized Bi Qingxiu could not maintain her Disguise Technique because her soul meridians were sealed, and promised to bring her a veil.
• After Chen Mu left, Bi Qingxiu recalled his advice about proving her worth and wondered whether she could break the rules.

At Goddess Lake, Xia Qingyun and Xue Laixi traded insults while discussing whether Qian Buruo was truly dead and the fate of their generation’s Divine Maidens. Xue Laixi hinted that Lu Xueqi had caused the recent continent-wide martial soul breakthrough, leaving Xia Qingyun to consider the Chen Clan’s connection to her.

• Xia Qingyun drank liquor at the pavilion while Xue Laixi offered her peeled eggs.
• Xia Qingyun called Xue Laixi “Old Fat Chicken,” and Xue Laixi angrily defended her youthful appearance and figure.
• Xia Qingyun mocked Xue Laixi’s nickname, prompting Xue Laixi to curse Qian Buruo for leaving it behind.
• Xia Qingyun argued that Qian Buruo was probably dead, citing her absence through past calamities and the deaths or disappearance of the Divine Maidens.
• Xue Laixi pointed out that Bo Xian'er was still alive in the Chen Clan and suggested Lu Xueqi was connected to Xia Qingyun’s family.
• Xue Laixi asked whether Lu Xueqi had caused the recent super martial soul breakthrough that shook the continent.

Xue Laixi accused Xia Qingyun of orchestrating the escalating conflict between Heaven Dou City’s surface and underworld factions to advance the Chen Clan’s interests. Xia denied directing the turmoil, though Xue remained convinced she had engineered it.

• Xia Qingyun and Xue Laixi argued over Xia’s extended stay and whether she had caused trouble in Heaven Dou City.
• Xue Laixi accused Xia of using her future granddaughter-in-law and Chen Zhang to provoke court turmoil, attack the Crimson Cult’s Black Nether Legion, and destabilize the city’s balance.
• Xue Laixi claimed Xia had distracted her while the Chen Clan and allied houses seized underworld strongholds.
• Xia denied planning the chaos and said the incident involving Sword Lord Azure Bamboo had been an accident.
• Xue Laixi argued that the Chen Clan had already prepared to exploit the conflict, with the Silver Plume Alliance representing its interests.

Xue Laixi accused Xia Qingyun of using the Chen Clan’s rise to benefit the Xia Family and of taking several girls from her. Their confrontation escalated into a clash of divine powers, and Xue Laixi summoned a crimson-gold divine bird while declaring that Xia Qingyun could not overturn Goddess Lake.

• Xue Laixi accused Xia Qingyun of profiting from the Chen Clan’s influence while shielding the Xia Family from the Crimson Cult.
• Xue Laixi complained that Xia Qingyun had taken Chuxin, Shi Qiong, and Tiantian from her.
• Xia Qingyun provoked Xue Laixi, and the two women’s opposing domains shook the waterside pavilion.
• Xue Laixi recognized that Xia Qingyun had reached the peak of level ninety-six and that her Sun True Fire was evolving toward the third tier.
• Xue Laixi declared that Xia Qingyun still could not overturn Goddess Lake, then summoned a glassy crimson-gold divine bird.

On the final day of the National Tournament’s Heaven Dou Division, Five Mountains Academy used coordinated sensory attacks and combined techniques to defeat Skywater Team. The chapter ended with Five Mountains claiming victory as the remaining Top Eight places were still being contested.

• Jin Xin and Zhou Yi discussed the Underground City, Chang'an Academy's loss, and rumors that Donghuang Xiuyi had hidden injuries after defeating the Heaven Dou Team's seven Heavenly Prodigies.
• The final day began with all 120,000 seats occupied, and Heaven Dou, Moonlight, Chang'an, and Ice Seal had secured the first four qualification spots.
• Zhu Luoxi coordinated Five Mountains Team while Xia Shuyao and Ye Fei trapped Skywater Team in a mist that deprived its members of all five senses.
• Wei Yelin attacked the disoriented Skywater members as Lin Chiluan and Zhu Xuanming combined their powers into Maple Flame Flower Dance.
• Yang Wenxiu fired a Five Elements Spirit-Chasing Arrow wrapped in a typhoon, shattering Shui Binglan and Xue Qingwu's Ice Phoenix and securing Five Mountains Academy's victory.

Yang Wenxiu’s victory over Skywater Academy sparked discussion of the Yang Family’s improved techniques, while Chen Xiaojun and his team assessed Five Mountains Academy’s apparent good fortune and the tournament’s qualification standings. The chapter ended with the final Heaven Dou–Moonlight match set to decide whether the championship and Top Three rankings would require further playoffs.

• Xuan Qingya praised Yang Wenxiu’s arrow and asked Yang Jingxue about the Yang Family’s refined Great Five Elements Wheel, while Han Yiyu teased them about acquiring secret arts.
• The Chang'an Team discussed Five Mountains Academy’s win over Skywater Academy and debated whether its run of favorable circumstances came from luck, strategy, or strength.
• Chen Xiaojun wondered whether Five Mountains Academy’s supernatural-seeming fortune was connected to its status as the Seed Land and the deity Lesser Siming.
• Dugu Fu explained that Yuesi Academy could still secure a qualification place, while Zhu Wuneng, He Qiang, and Chen Mu discussed how injuries had weakened Infinite Academy and Heaven Dou Academy.
• Chu Youwei explained that Heaven Dou’s final match against Moonlight would determine whether Moonlight claimed the title outright or a three-way playoff decided the Top Three rankings.
• Chen Mu predicted Moonlight would defeat Heaven Dou because Yanwu still had hidden trump cards, while Heaven Dou had already used its strongest options.

The Golden Generation members recognized Xiao Che as their former junior and debated his departure from Elder Zhuo’s academy before the final match began. Xiao Che faced the Moonlight Team, leaving his former companions watching to see how he would fight.

• He Qiang recognized Xiao Che, and the others learned he was their former junior who had joined Heaven Dou Academy four years earlier.
• Chen Mu, Chu Youwei, and Dugu Fu criticized Xiao Che for leaving after Heaven Dou offered him soul bones and generous resources.
• Ji Boda explained that Xiao Che had already fought in earlier matches, while He Qiang urged the others to accept his choice and allegiance.
• Chen Xiaojun and Chen Mu discussed Moonlight’s lineup, noting that Tantai Mingxin had replaced Zi Han to provide ranged suppression.
• Xiao Che lowered into a fighting stance against the Moonlight Team, and the referee began the match.

The Moonlight Team and Heaven Dou Team battled fiercely in the championship match, with their fighters and healers trading attacks and support. The contest remained unresolved as Chen Yanwu and Zhu Wuxin faced powerful opponents, and Zhu Wuxin summoned a second Nine-Toothed Rake.

• Xiao Qing attacked Yun Yingluo with wind-and-thunder claws, but she evaded him and stopped his charge with precise kicks.
• Tantai Mingxin pierced Yu Tianya’s wind-blade barrage with moonlight arrows, forcing him to dodge in the air.
• Yan Zaiyang and Bai Yanshan traded fire and ice attacks, while Bai Yanshan’s cold miasma slowed Yan Zaiyang before his Flame Resonance restored his flames.
• Ye Zijun and Hua Xiyan healed and supported their respective teams as the battle continued.
• Chen Yanwu pressed into the fighting with her Illusory Heart Seven Kill Sword, while Zhu Wuxin used her Martial Soul Clone skill to summon a second Nine-Toothed Rake.

Zhu Wuxin and Yue Qingsi displayed their formidable fighting strength against Tang Chen and Ning Zhongtian, while spectators discussed the tournament’s other matches and the Moonlight Team’s underestimated members. The chapter left Xiao Qing struggling against Yun Yingluo as she prepared to counterattack.

• Zhu Wuxin used her twin Nine-Toothed Rakes to suppress the injured Tang Chen with a fierce water-and-fire assault.
• Yue Qingsi unleashed a storm of moon-blade petals, forcing Ning Zhongtian to destroy them with a spear volley and defend himself with his Holy Light Barrier.
• Zhu Wuneng, Dugu Fu, Chu Youwei, He Qiang, Chen Mu, and others watched Xiao Qing and Yun Yingluo, noting that Yun Yingluo was evading his attacks and preparing to counter.
• Chen Mu praised Zhu Wuxin’s strength, and Zhu Wuneng admitted that his sister had beaten him since childhood.
• Dugu Fu and Chen Ze remarked that Yue Qingsi’s combat strength was far greater than her ranking suggested.