Recaps

As Xiao Yi absorbed her Soul Ring, the Phantom Shadow Saint King and other Vine Tribe powers challenged the Azure Vine Clan over the death of the Falling Star Vine. The Azure Vine Clan summoned its strongest forces, leaving both sides on the brink of war while Xiao Yi remained in the middle of her absorption.

• Elder Tian knocked away the Phantom Shadow Saint King's attack on Xiao Yi, and the Saint King appeared to confront the Azure Vine Clan.
• Elder Qing defended Xiao Yi's actions, arguing that the Falling Star Vine had been young and unintelligent and that Xiao Yi belonged to the Azure Vine Clan.
• Qing Lin exposed the concealed Ghost King Vine King, while Black Elder, Elder Green, Chanyu, Xue'er, the Thorn Vine King, and Old Poison arrived and challenged Elder Qing.
• The Cloud-Grinding Saint King released his Soul Power, and more than a dozen Azure Vine Clan experts answered, prompting other powerful auras to rise across the secret realm.
• The assembled factions recognized the Azure Vine Clan's show of force, and the confrontation edged toward open war as Xiao Yi continued absorbing her Soul Ring.

The Saint Kings and elders confronted the Azure Vine Clan over the Holy Maiden killing Falling Star Vine, while Aunt Yue tried to prevent the dispute from escalating. Elder Qing’s warning about those beyond the clan’s protection reignited the conflict, leaving the gathered factions on the verge of war.

• The Phoenix Immortal Saint King arrived and warned that the Holy Maiden’s strength could threaten powerful Soul Beasts as she grew.
• Aunt Yue appeared and urged the Phoenix Immortal Saint King, Phantom Shadow Saint King, and Old Poison to accept the death as a consequence of battle and give the Azure Vine Clan a chance to explain.
• The Phantom Shadow Saint King and Old Poison agreed to wait for a satisfactory explanation, while Elder Huang called on the factions not to tear their home apart.
• Elder Qing promised that the Holy Maiden would not harm them but warned that some people were beyond the Azure Vine Clan’s protection.
• The Phantom Shadow Saint King and Elder Green challenged Elder Qing, and Elder Tian called for a fight as the Cloud-Grinding Saint King’s avatar appeared behind him.

Xiao Yi used the forbidden Nine Palace Soul-Shifting Art against Falling Star Vine, but a mysterious being called Him intervened and destroyed its spiritual entity. The Sea of Consciousness absorbed the remains and expanded, while the aura released by the intervention caused the Saint Kings to abandon their standoff.

• Xiao Yi invoked the Nine Palace Soul-Shifting Art and prepared to attack Falling Star Vine.
• A vast mental-power vortex appeared above Xiao Yi and Falling Star Vine, stopping their battle.
• An Azure Jade Giant Finger emerged from the vortex and shattered Falling Star Vine's spiritual entity.
• Xiao Yi recognized the being behind the intervention as Him, and the Sea of Consciousness absorbed the energy and expanded.
• The aura reached the Saint Kings, prompting Elder Huang and Black Elder to call off the confrontation.

The author presented a personal explanation of how soul power cultivation and soul bones work on the Douluo Continent. The chapter ended by describing external soul bones as growths that draw on their master's soul power seed and develop alongside them.

• The author explained that a soul power seed produces primordial soul power, which helps transform external energy into refined soul power and is nourished in return.
• The author described soul power levels as reflecting the quality of a soul power seed and its primordial soul power, and proposed that soul rings and soul bones replenish primordial soul power under the world's rules.
• The author proposed that soul bones contain a soul beast's soul power seed and primordial soul power, which can activate skills and be nurtured but remain limited by the bone's original age tier.
• The author outlined how a soul master prepares, mobilizes soul power, activates a soul bone, and releases its skill.
• The author explained that external soul bones have no separate soul power seed and instead grow by drawing on the soul master's own seed.

Xiao Yi completed her absorption of the Falling Star Vine's Soul Ring, breaking through to the Soul Ancestor level as her power and Sea of Consciousness grew. The Emperor's mark evolved into an Immortal Robe, mask, and Wheel Fan, and she emerged with a powerful new soul skill.

• Xiao Yi guided the Soul Ring's energy into her soul nests, strengthened her soul power seed to the Soul Ancestor level, and refined the primordial soul power in her Silver Wolf Skull.
• Chen Xiaojun, Elder Qing, and Chen Cong observed that Xiao Yi's Soul Ring absorption was progressing at an abnormal speed, while Qing Xiu noticed the Holy Maiden's Emperor's mark beginning to evolve.
• The External Soul Bone marks spread across Xiao Yi's body and transformed into an Immortal Robe, a mysterious mask, and a Wheel Fan.
• Xiao Yi absorbed the Soul Ring's final energy, opened her eyes, and sensed a powerful new soul skill alongside her greatly increased strength.

Xiao Yi transformed into an Emperor and gained a powerful Robe Body that enhanced her combat abilities and included a unique Wheel Fan for storing life force or soul power. The chapter ended with Chen Xiaojun astonished by the Robe Body’s strength and versatility.

• Xiao Yi appeared in a magnificent azure-and-white Robe Body, and Chen Xiaojun admired her transformation.
• Elder Qing explained that the Robe Body, also called an Emperor Robe, was an Emperor’s mark that strengthened its wearer.
• Xiao Yi discovered she could alter the mask into a veil by willing it, then admired her new appearance and strength.
• Elder Qing and Elder Tian explained that Xiao Yi’s unique Wheel Fan could absorb and store life force or soul power.
• Elder Qing described the Robe Body’s offensive, defensive, control, support, and mental enhancements, and Chen Xiaojun marveled at its power.

Elder Qing explained that Xiao Yi’s Immortal Robe could link her soul bones into an embryonic Soul Bone Set, which Chen Cong recognized as a rare foundation for Divine Gear. In answering Chen Cong’s questions, Elder Qing revealed that the Vine Tribe’s ancient origins and inherited abilities remained partly mysterious, and described the tribe as a distinct race between soul beasts and humans.

• Elder Qing explained that Xiao Yi’s Immortal Robe came from an inherited imprint awakened through her martial soul and could connect her soul bones.
• Xiao Yi sensed the Robe Body’s soul-bone benefit, and Chen Cong and Chen Xiaojun learned it could form the foundation of a Soul Bone Set.
• Chen Cong asked Elder Qing about the Vine Tribe’s Genealogy, Fortune Artifact, Altar, fortune spirits, and external incarnations.
• Elder Qing said the Altar protected Vine Tribe spirit bodies while preventing them from harming others, and that the origins of its fortune spirits were unknown.
• Elder Qing traced the Vine Tribe’s external incarnation ability to an ancient shared ancestor, possibly the Origin Nine Vines, and described the tribe as a distinct race between soul beasts and humans.

After absorbing a twenty-thousand-year soul ring, Xiao Yi reached level 45 and revealed her fourth soul skill, Death and Destruction Frenzy. The elders and Chen Cong discussed her martial soul’s extraordinary devouring power and new true essences, then asked Xiao Yi to explain what she thought of them.

• Xiao Yi withdrew the Immortal Robe, revealing that she had reached level 45 after gaining fifteen levels in seven days.
• Xiao Yi demonstrated Death and Destruction Frenzy, a soul skill whose waves combined death and destruction to overwhelm everything within range.
• Xiao Yi explained that her martial soul had not fully gained death and destruction attributes, but she could sense their true essences along with the true essence of stars.
• Chen Cong and the elders concluded that Xiao Yi’s fourth soul ring had triggered an exceptional evolution and that her martial soul might evolve further.
• Elder Qing and Chen Cong speculated that Xiao Yi’s devouring attribute had grown by consuming the Falling Star Vine’s other attributes, but they found its power and speed inexplicable.
• Chen Xiaojun and Elder Tian asked Xiao Yi what she thought of her martial soul’s devouring attribute, and everyone waited for her answer.

Xiao Yi explained that the Nine Palace Soul-Shifting Art was a forbidden technique that transferred and devoured souls, and that it had fused with her immortal evergreen vine martial soul. Chen Xiaojun feared she might no longer be herself, but Xiao Yi reassured him and explained how she controlled the art in this life.

• Xiao Yi explained that the Nine Palace Soul-Shifting Art was created to replenish divine soul power but could also transfer and mingle souls, causing contamination and defects.
• Chen Xiaojun realized the art had combined with Xiao Yi’s immortal evergreen vine, giving it the power to devour souls, attributes, and other substances.
• Chen Xiaojun wondered whether Xiao Yi had devoured another person’s soul and began doubting her identity and whether he could trust her.
• Chen Cong tried to calm Chen Xiaojun, but Xiao Yi stopped him and assured Chen Xiaojun that she was still the Xiao Yi he had always known.
• Chen Xiaojun asked for more details, and Xiao Yi explained that she used the art only against soul beasts in critical situations and could control it because of her previous life.

Chen Xiaojun pieced together a theory that Xiao Yi was the true Lesser Siming, whose soul had merged with the deity’s spirit through the Nine Palace Soul-Shifting Art. He concluded that Xiao Yi would survive the process and might become a true god in the Douluo World.

• Chen Xiaojun connected Xiao Yi’s origins to Lesser Siming’s portrayal in Qin Shi Ming Yue and the verses of the Nine Songs of Chu Ci.
• Chen Xiaojun theorized that the Yin-Yang School had suppressed Xiao Yi’s soul for five years and used the Nine Palace Soul-Shifting Art to restore Lesser Siming’s spirit at the cost of Xiao Yi’s suffering.
• Chen Xiaojun inferred that Xiao Ling understood Xiao Yi’s fate and chose to die to help bring Lesser Siming’s soul back to its rightful place.
• Chen Xiaojun concluded that Xiao Yi would not die from soul exhaustion and possessed the potential and fortune of a deity.
• Chen Xiaojun realized that Xiao Yi might be the deity Lesser Siming herself, with the power to become a true god in the Douluo World.

Xiao Yi revealed that merging with the Azure Vine Spirit Snake had awakened knowledge from her previous life, and Chen Xiaojun identified her as the former Yin-Yang School Lesser Siming, a goddess whose power she may now possess. The Azure Vine Clan learned more about Xiao Yi’s divine aura and the Yin-Yang School, while Chen Xiaojun kept his own sources secret.

• Xiao Yi told Chen Xiaojun that the celestial phenomena had awakened knowledge and arts from her previous life.
• Chen Xiaojun declared that Xiao Yi had been the Yin-Yang School’s Lesser Siming, a goddess, and might carry her divine spirit and power.
• Elder Qing explained that the Saint Kings had sensed a majestic, mysterious aura from Xiao Yi, which had frightened their opponents into retreating.
• Chen Xiaojun described the Yin-Yang School as a powerful organization from another world whose leaders bore the titles of deities.
• Chen Xiaojun refused to reveal how he knew about the Yin-Yang School, and Elder Qing stopped Qing Xiu from pressing him further.

Xiao Yi revealed that Lesser Siming had intervened to destroy the Falling Star Vine and might be dwelling within her. Chen Xiaojun warned that a deity’s descent could endanger Xiao Yi and affect the Douluo Continent, but Xiao Yi said she felt no threat and hoped to remain herself.

• Xiao Yi told Chen Xiaojun that an Azure Jade Finger had crushed the Falling Star Vine after she sensed Lesser Siming awakening within her.
• Chen Xiaojun and the others considered whether Lesser Siming’s divine sense or the deity herself had descended into Xiao Yi and whether she could withstand the power.
• Chen Xiaojun explained that Lesser Siming might be concealed inside Xiao Yi, while Xiao Yi said she felt safe but could not yet control or use the deity’s power.
• Xiao Yi said she wanted to remain herself rather than become a divine vessel, and Chen Xiaojun promised to support her.
• Qing Xiu teased Xiao Yi about Chen Xiaojun calling her a companion, making Xiao Yi blush as the others laughed.

Xiao Yi’s companions accepted that the divine spirit within her was both a destiny and a tribulation, then examined her new soul skill and evolved devouring attribute. After they left the Falling Star Vine behind, an eerie voice beneath the ground laughed at the mention of a deity.

• Chen Xiaojun explained that Lesser Siming was a righteous goddess of child-rearing and life, reassuring the Azure Vine Clan.
• Elder Qing told Elder Tian and Mo Yun that Xiao Yi’s divine spirit brought both great potential and greater trials, and that they should nurture her patiently.
• Xiao Yi demonstrated her fourth soul skill, named it Withered Vine Song, and Chen Xiaojun proposed calling her evolved devouring attribute the chaos void attribute.
• Chen Xiaojun gathered most of the Falling Star Vine’s remains, but Elder Tian asked him to leave the roots in case the plant soul beast could regrow.
• After the group left, a voice from deep underground laughed and exclaimed, “A deity?!”

Chen Xiaojun gave the three elders breathing technique manuals and asked them to develop methods suited to their abilities, so support-type Soul Masters could fight more effectively. They agreed to experiment with the techniques during their planned cultivation at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, leaving the village with improved methods.

• Chen Xiaojun asked Zhu Jiazhen how he would fare against stronger Battle Soul Masters, then had Chen Cong demonstrate the power of the Spiral Sphere.
• Chen Xiaojun gave Zhu Jiazhen the Flower Breathing Technique, Insect Breathing Method, and Flame Breathing Technique, explaining how they might help him fight a Battle Soul Saint.
• Zhu Jiazhen agreed to experiment with the techniques, while Ding Bingyuan and Cheng Wenge recognized their potential to strengthen support-type Soul Masters.
• Chen Xiaojun gave Ding Bingyuan water and flame manuals and Cheng Wenge wind, thunder, and sound manuals, asking them to adapt the techniques to their abilities.
• Chen Cong told the elders that they would go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well after Zhu Jiazhen obtained his soul ring, where they could cultivate and improve the techniques for the village.

At the Chen Clan Villa, Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi returned from the secret realm with extraordinary cultivation gains and valuable gifts for Xixi and Rhea. Xiao Yi gave them spiritual treasures and bracelets, while the group left the secret realm’s details undisclosed.

• Xixi and Zhu Wuneng complained about Xiao Yi and Chen Xiaojun’s rapid cultivation, and Chen Cong and Long Ma encouraged them to focus on their own progress.
• Zhu Wuneng asked about visiting Sea God Island, and Xixi said she would take him there once his soul power caught up to hers.
• Xixi questioned Chen Xiaojun about the secret realm, but he teased her and refused to reveal what had happened.
• Xiao Yi gave Xixi Spring of Life essence and gave Xixi and Rhea Spiritheart Cleansing Herbs.
• Xiao Yi gave Xixi and Rhea Green Vine Bracelets made from Qing Xiu’s vines, and they eagerly put them on.

Chen Xiaojun gave Xixi and Zhu Wuneng newly developed rice, spirit fish, and wine, then led them to prepare a feast. Meanwhile, Chen Cong’s conspicuous return stirred concern and speculation across Chang’an City, and the chapter ended as he arrived to visit the city lord.

• Chen Xiaojun presented Xixi and Zhu Wuneng with Ice Spirit Fire Crystal Rice, spirit fish, and Green Vine Wine, and they hurried to the kitchen to cook.
• After learning Chen Cong had returned, Xue Churan, the Ji Family, Liu Ruyan, Ning Jiang, and Ma Rulong reacted and made plans to contact or visit the Chen Clan.
• Beiming Xinghai and Luo Tian discussed the Chen Clan’s possible plans for Chang’an City and ordered closer scrutiny of the Crimson Church.
• News of Chen Cong’s return spread through Chang’an City as residents anticipated another upheaval.
• A messenger informed the city lord that Chen Cong had come to visit.

Chen Xiaojun’s forces moved to consolidate control of Chang'an City’s southwest, recruiting the Green Lion Gang and Iron Palm Gang while eliminating rival gangs. The operation’s leaders reported back to Chen Xiaojun, who had been entrusted with managing the medicinal herb market.

• Cheng Yun, Mo Yuqi, Zhu Hefeng, and Xia Ying subdued the Green Lion Gang and persuaded Guan Wuzuo and Min Zhiyun to submit to the Chen Clan.
• Mo Yuqi joined the Green Lion Gang as its leader, while Min Zhiyun was told to gather the gang members and follow.
• The Chen Clan’s group brought Guan Wuzuo, Qiu Tianfeng, and their subordinates to a hill where Chen Xiaojun was waiting with his guards and several youths.
• Zhu Hefeng and Mo Yuqi reported that the Red Sand Gang and Soaring Dragon Gang had been annihilated and that the Green Lion Gang and Iron Palm Gang had submitted.
• Chen Xiaojun thanked Zhu Hefeng and the others for their work on the operation to secure the medicinal herb market.

Chen Xiaojun recruited Guan Wuzuo and Qiu Tianfeng’s merged gang into the Chen Clan’s service as the Brocade Guard, then organized a strike against the powerful Ghost Wolf Gang. The Chen Clan forces surrounded the gang’s gathering place and prepared to attack.

• Chen Xiaojun ordered Guan Wuzuo and Qiu Tianfeng to screen and discipline their members, end most illicit income, and begin training under Mo Yuqi as the Brocade Guard.
• Xi Li Junyi estimated that rebuilding the market grounds would take half a year.
• Cheng Hao reported that the Ghost Wolf Gang had over a thousand members, a vicious reputation, and ties to the Heavenly Wolf Sect, while its leader’s former rival had been killed by the Heartless Tower.
• Chen Xiaojun assigned his relatives and allies to defeat the Ghost Wolf Gang’s leaders and forces, and Xixi joined the expedition.
• Cheng Yun’s Sword Shadow Hall squad silently removed guards as the Chen Clan forces took positions around the gang’s gathering place.
• Chen Xiaojun ordered the attack and told his forces to leave no one from the Ghost Wolf Gang able to escape.

Chen Xiaojun and his allies attacked the Ghost Wolf Gang, defeated its leaders, and uncovered the gang’s trafficking victims and an escape passage beneath its Manor. By morning, the southwestern district’s power structure had changed, and the Brocade Guard was rising.

• Zhu Hefeng’s signal began the assault, and Cheng Yun, Zhu Hefeng, and Xi Li Junyi fought Lang Zhenghui while Chen Chen battled Hua Tiguang.
• Xia Ying, Mo Yuqi, the Soul Kings, and the Chen Clan squads helped overwhelm the Ghost Wolf Gang, while Xiao Yi’s Immortal Evergreen Vines trapped and devastated its lower-ranking members.
• After two hours, Xi Li Junyi killed Lang Zhenghui, and Chen Chen captured Hua Tiguang as the gang’s surviving members surrendered or died.
• Cheng Hao reported that the Manor’s dungeon held imprisoned women, children, and the wounded Fierce Tiger Soul Saint’s family; Chen Xiaojun ordered them rescued and the Dark Network destroyed.
• Mo Yuqi discovered a passage beneath the Manor leading outside the city, and the destruction or absorption of several gangs left the Brocade Guard rising in the southwestern district.

The Ji and Liu Families gave the Chen Clan and Sea God Island lavish gifts in gratitude, then discussed the Chen Clan’s plans to establish a medicinal herb market in Chang'an City. The chapter ended with Liu Ruyan presenting Ito Makoto’s letter, which exposed the Crimson Church’s schemes and raised the question of whether the Chen Clan would take on the danger.

• Ji Boda and Liu Ruyan presented the Chen Clan and Sea God Island with soul bones, money, business assets, and other gifts, which Chen Xiaojun accepted after they insisted.
• Liu Ruyan gave Xiao Yi several veils that could block probing gazes, spiritual perception, and some Soul Skills.
• Chen Cong confirmed that the Chen Clan planned to establish a medicinal herb market in Chang'an City, and Chen Xiaojun outlined possible forms of cooperation with the Ji and Liu Families.
• Liu Ruyan chose the third form of cooperation before hearing its terms, explaining that her family would contribute funds, connections, and management without taking a share of the earnings.
• Liu Ruyan gave Chen Cong and Chen Xiaojun the letter Ito Makoto had left, and she argued that its claims about the Crimson Church were supported by evidence from her grandfather’s medical records and other suspicious events.

Liu Ruyan offered the Chen Clan Nether Blood Lilies in exchange for protection, and Chen Xiaojun recognized that the Crimson Church planned to use an ancient ritual to harvest power from the dead. He and Chen Cong concluded that the Church had used blood sacrifice during past calamities to strengthen its members, possibly toward godhood.

• Liu Ruyan offered more than two hundred seventh-grade Nether Blood Lilies and seeds to the Chen Clan in exchange for protection for the Ji and Liu Families.
• Xiao Yi sensed a concealed netherworld aura in the lilies, prompting Chen Xiaojun to reexamine Ito Makoto's letter.
• Chen Xiaojun identified the planned ritual as the Death Spiral Magic Formation, which could absorb the corpses and souls of dead Soul Masters to aid cultivation and potentially help Crimson Church members become gods.
• Chen Xiaojun explained that godhood would require strict conditions, a willing divine successor, and enormous numbers of sacrificial offerings.
• Chen Cong connected the ritual to the Crimson Church's recurring Peerless Douluos and growing involvement in calamities, concluding that blood sacrifice could explain their strength and recovery.

Liu Ruyan pledged the Liu Family as a Retainer Family of the Chen Clan, and Ji Chenglie soon committed the Ji Family to the same alliance. Chen Cong accepted both pacts, leaving the families united under the Chen Clan as they prepared for the Crimson Church’s return.

• Liu Ruyan explained that the Liu Family had carefully decided to serve the Chen Clan and presented its sworn pact and asset inventory to Chen Cong.
• Liu Yirong knelt beside Liu Ruyan as Chen Cong accepted the Liu Family’s pact and praised Liu Ruyan’s resolve.
• Ji Chenglie declared that the Ji Family would also follow the Chen Clan and asked Ji Sijian for its blank sworn pact.
• Chen Cong accepted both families into the Chen Clan, while Chen Xiaojun noted that two more families remained to be won over.

Chen Xiaojun welcomed the Ji and Liu Families into the Chen Clan’s fold by presenting them with rare treasures and martial inheritances suited to their abilities. The families accepted the gifts, convinced they had made the right choice in joining forces with the Chen Clan.

• Chen Xiaojun gave Liu Yirong a supreme-quality Fire Dragon Stone, which she recognized as a treasure that could strengthen the Liu Family’s fire-based arts.
• Chen Xiaojun gave Liu Ruyan the Acupoint Tapping Chapter of the Nine Yin Manual and gave Liu Yirong the Insect Breathing Method, both of which impressed the Liu women.
• Chen Xiaojun presented Ji Boda with ninth-grade black jade bamboo and gave him the Ghost Prison Yin Wind Roar, while Ji Chenglie received the Sound Breathing Method.
• Chen Cong urged the Ji and Liu Families to accept the gifts as welcoming presents from the Chen Clan.
• The Ji and Liu Families bowed to Chen Xiaojun and Chen Cong and accepted the treasures and secret manuals.

Chen Cong and Chen Xiaojun explained the Chen Clan’s resources, benefits, and protection to the Ji and Liu Families as they joined its service. The families agreed to visit the Chen Clan’s village in a few days to discuss their incorporation.

• Chen Cong accepted the Ji and Liu Families’ valuable gifts as contributions and converted them into clan contribution points.
• Chen Xiaojun described the Chen Clan’s martial legacies, rare treasures, cultivation guidance, business support, educational connections, and protection.
• Chen Xiaojun offered the families help expanding their businesses and promised that a Titled Douluo would oversee their safety in Chang’an City.
• Chen Cong said Chen Yu would remain in the village and invited the Ji and Liu Families to visit there in a few days.
• The Ji and Liu Families agreed to accompany Chen Cong to the village and discuss their incorporation into the Chen Clan.

Chen Xiaojun watched the girls in the garden choose Cloud Brocade garments gifted by the Liu Family. As they debated styles and comfort, the group comforted Xia Shujing about her lost sweetheart and encouraged Xiao Yi to try a fitted qipao.

• Chen Xiaojun passed the garden and saw Xiao Yi, Xixi, Rhea, and female Soul Masters choosing Cloud Brocade garments from the Liu Family.
• Zhao Lingling and Cheng Jinyan praised the garments, while Xia Shujing said the Liu Family's arrival would save money and offer more styles.
• Cheng Jinyan teased Zhao Lingling about choosing a garment to impress her sweetheart, and the group gently comforted Xia Shujing when she remembered her lost sweetheart.
• Xixi and Rhea debated whether red or purple suited them best, while Xiao Yi hesitated between a gauze skirt and a qipao.
• Xixi playfully tried to take Xiao Yi's measurements, and Rhea, Zhao Lingling, and Cheng Jinyan urged Xiao Yi to try the qipao.