Chapter Summaries

Xu Ran continued treating Gu Yuena after she had fully recovered, pretending he needed to check for lingering dangers while planning one last ploy to deepen their bond before leaving Star Dou Great Forest. When Gu Yuena noticed his alarming weakness, Xu Ran collapsed into her arms after coughing up blood.

• Xu Ran asked Gu Yuena whether her injuries had healed, and she admitted she had fully recovered a week earlier.
• Gu Yuena recalled that Xu Ran had insisted on continuing her treatment, convincing her that his loyalty and concern were sincere.
• Xu Ran claimed he had been checking for hidden restrictions left by the Five Supreme Gods, while concealing his worsening condition.
• Gu Yuena noticed Xu Ran looked drained and asked whether removing the gods' power had cost him something.
• Xu Ran insisted he was fine, then suddenly spat blood and fell onto Gu Yuena, who caught him and showed her first flicker of emotion.

Gu Yuena saw Xu Ran collapse from the backlash of treating her and, moved by his apparent sacrifice, began caring for him as he slept. The chapter revealed that Xu Ran had staged his weakness with the System Lady’s help, while Gu Yuena stayed by his bedside and treated his injured body.

• Gu Yuena panicked when Xu Ran coughed up blood and asked what had happened to him.
• Xu Ran insisted he was only tired, then coughed up more blood and said he wanted to sleep.
• Gu Yuena accepted his explanation, wiped his face, and watched him fall asleep while holding her hand.
• The System Lady realized that Xu Ran had planned the performance with her help to win Gu Yuena’s affection.
• Gu Yuena stayed beside Xu Ran, used water from the Lake of Life to clean him, and infused him with silver dragon divine power.

Xu Ran told Gu Yuena that treating her required him to consume his life-sustaining Fortune Power, then promised to help her become the Dragon God while refusing to sacrifice himself. He planned to leave Star Dou Great Forest the next day, leaving Gu Yuena reluctant to be alone again.

• Xu Ran woke and claimed his weakness came from consuming Fortune Power to remove the Five Supreme Gods' Divine Powers from his body.
• Xu Ran told Gu Yuena that she was his destiny and that he would devote his life to helping her become the Dragon God.
• Gu Yuena said she would rather give up becoming the Dragon God than let Xu Ran die for her, and asked him to live and rule alongside her.
• Xu Ran promised not to sacrifice himself and told Gu Yuena he planned to leave Star Dou Great Forest the next day.
• Gu Yuena asked Xu Ran to rest longer, but he said he would return in at most ten years and lead her to storm the Divine Realm.

Xu Ran left the Star Dou Great Forest for Shrek Academy and then traveled with Zhu Zhuqing toward the Star Luo Empire. Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo arrived at Shrek Academy with Ning Rongrong to seek out Xu Ran after witnessing her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and rapid cultivation growth.

• Xu Ran said farewell to Di Tian, Zi JI, and Xiao Wu, then told Xiao Wu to remain in the Star Dou Great Forest and go to Heaven Dou City in a month and a half.
• Xu Ran tamed a nearly thousand-year-old Unicorn Devil Horse, named it Black Steed, and rode it out of the forest.
• Xu Ran returned to Shrek Academy, greeted Flender, and left with Zhu Zhuqing on Black Steed.
• Ning Rongrong arrived at Shrek Academy with Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo to look for Xu Ran.
• Ning Fengzhi and the others marveled at Ning Rongrong's rank thirty-seven cultivation and her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

At Shrek Academy, Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo experienced epiphanies from Xu Ran’s sword-carved poems, impressing the academy’s teachers and students. Ning Fengzhi explained that he had come to thank the academy for Ning Rongrong’s progress, while considering how to bring the stone wall to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

• Sword Douluo recognized Xu Ran’s sword intent in the poems carved into the stone wall and entered an epiphany, releasing the power of his Seven Kill Sword.
• Flender, Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, Li Yusong, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun hurried to the training grounds and realized Xu Ran’s inscriptions had affected a Titled Douluo.
• Tang San worried that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would favor Xu Ran and hinder his plans to sell them hidden weapons.
• Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo briefly entered epiphanies, and Ning Rongrong explained that Xu Ran’s stone wall had benefited Shrek students but could harm people with poor character or talent.
• Ning Fengzhi considered acquiring the stone wall for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and told Flender he had come to thank the academy for Ning Rongrong’s cultivation and Martial Soul advancement.

Ning Rongrong revealed that an Immortal Herb from Xu Ran had evolved her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, allowing her to pursue Titled Douluo. Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang became convinced an Immortal Herb could fix his own Martial Soul flaw and began considering how to obtain one from Xu Ran.

• Ning Fengzhi’s claim that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had overcome its Martial Soul limitation shocked Flender and the teachers.
• Ning Rongrong explained that she had consumed Xu Ran’s Immortal Herb after obtaining her third Soul Ring, evolving her Martial Soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
• Ning Rongrong released her nine-tiered Martial Soul, and Flender and the teachers realized she could now obtain nine Soul Rings and become a Titled Douluo.
• Yu Xiaogang saw Ning Rongrong’s evolution as proof that Immortal Herbs could resolve his own Martial Soul flaw and wondered how to get one from Xu Ran.
• The narration revealed that Xu Ran had already given Liu Erlong a nine-grade purple ganoderma capable of fixing Yu Xiaogang’s flaw, which Yu Xiaogang would later swallow before his Martial Soul shattered.

Ning Fengzhi learned that Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing had left for Star Luo City, then bought the stone wall bearing Xu Ran’s verses from Flender for ten million Gold Soul Coins. As Shrek prepared to move to Heaven Dou City, Tang San resolved to use his hidden weapons to win the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s favor and surpass Xu Ran.

• Ning Fengzhi asked Flender whether Xu Ran was still at the academy, and Flender told him Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing had left for Star Luo City for at least a month.
• Ning Fengzhi offered to help Shrek Academy after its move to Heaven Dou City and proposed buying the stone wall to keep it safe from covetous factions.
• Ning Fengzhi gave Flender ten million Gold Soul Coins for the stone wall, and Flender eagerly accepted the deal.
• Oscar and Ma Hongjun marveled at the money and Ma Hongjun imagined selling Xu Ran’s personal belongings to his admirers.
• Tang San resented the attention Xu Ran received and planned to reveal his hidden weapons to win the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s support.

Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing stopped beside a stream on their journey to Star Luo City so Zhu Zhuqing could wash. Xu Ran joined her in the water, but she soon dressed and went ashore, leaving him unable to prolong their intimacy.

• Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing paused in a quiet stretch of countryside and walked to a nearby stream.
• Zhu Zhuqing asked Xu Ran to keep watch while she bathed, and he checked the surroundings with his Spiritual Power.
• Xu Ran secretly peeked at Zhu Zhuqing before stripping and jumping into the stream with her.
• Xu Ran embraced Zhu Zhuqing and teased her as they played in the water.
• Zhu Zhuqing washed, quickly dressed, and went ashore while Xu Ran lamented that she would not stay intimate with him longer.

Xu Ran teased Zhu Zhuqing by the stream, and she confronted him about his feelings for her sister, Zhu Zhuyun. Zhu Zhuqing worried that Dai Weisi might discover the affair, while Xu Ran proposed using her help to meet Zhu Zhuyun; after they kissed, the pair hurried toward Star Luo City.

• Zhu Zhuqing questioned Xu Ran about his relationship with Zhu Zhuyun after revealing that he called her sister's name at night.
• Xu Ran admitted that he and Zhu Zhuyun had feelings for each other, and Zhu Zhuqing worried Dai Weisi might find out.
• Xu Ran asked Zhu Zhuqing to invite Zhu Zhuyun to stay with her so he could secretly visit them, but Zhu Zhuqing rejected the idea.
• Xu Ran pinned Zhu Zhuqing down and kissed her after she kicked him into the stream.
• Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing got dressed and hurried toward Star Luo City.

Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun waited at the gates of Star Luo City to welcome Xu Ran, expecting his return with Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai as his captive. Dai Weisi planned to use Zhu Zhuyun to draw Xu Ran closer to his service, while she secretly intended to protect Xu Ran and reveal Dai Weisi’s forces to him.

• Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun waited without guards at the city gates, where the soldiers anticipated the arrival of the Heaven's Mandate Marquis.
• Dai Weisi praised Xu Ran for capturing Dai Mubai and dismissed his captive brother’s attempt to sow distrust between them.
• Zhu Zhuyun concealed her longing for Xu Ran by saying she missed her sister, Zhu Zhuqing.
• Dai Weisi told Zhu Zhuyun to spend time with Zhu Zhuqing and use the opportunity to learn Xu Ran’s true character and win him over.
• Zhu Zhuyun agreed outwardly but resolved to tell Xu Ran about Dai Weisi’s subordinates and forces.

Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing returned to Star Luo City on a docile Thousand-Year Soul Beast, impressing Dai Weisi, Zhu Zhuyun, and the city guards. The chapter ended with Xu Ran exchanging flattering greetings with Dai Weisi while secretly admiring Zhu Zhuyun.

• Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing rode the Black Steed toward Star Luo City after Xu Ran's feeding had raised its cultivation to a thousand years.
• Zhu Zhuqing spotted Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi waiting at the city gate, while Xu Ran reflected on his longing for Zhu Zhuyun and the danger of exposing their relationship.
• Dai Weisi and the guards marveled that Xu Ran could ride a docile Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
• Zhu Zhuqing dismounted and embraced Zhu Zhuyun, who envied their closeness and wished she could be with Xu Ran openly.
• Xu Ran and Dai Weisi exchanged praise at the gate as Xu Ran watched Zhu Zhuyun.

Xu Ran reunited with Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing, then joined Dai Weisi for a meal while secretly teasing Zhu Zhuyun and encouraging Dai Weisi to trust him. He left with Zhu Zhuqing before Dai Weisi got fully drunk, while Zhu Zhuyun remained affectionate and waited for Xu Ran to become powerful enough for them to be together openly.

• Xu Ran and the sisters Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing followed Dai Weisi into the city, and Xu Ran secretly pinched Zhu Zhuyun while they walked.
• Dai Weisi invited Xu Ran to a tavern and spoke about welcoming him at the Royal Banquet, unaware of Xu Ran's relationship with Zhu Zhuyun.
• During the meal, Xu Ran chatted and drank with Dai Weisi while teasing Zhu Zhuyun beneath the table.
• Dai Weisi became tipsy and praised Xu Ran, but Xu Ran left with Zhu Zhuqing before Dai Weisi was fully drunk.
• After Xu Ran left, Dai Weisi praised him as an unmatched talent, while Zhu Zhuyun watched him go and longed for their relationship to become possible.

Xu Ran visited the Zhu Family, where Zhu Ao tested his strength and discovered that Xu Ran possessed a hundred-thousand-year External Soul Bone. After Xu Ran wounded Zhu Ao in their first exchange, Zhu Ao released his Martial Soul to continue the test.

• Zhu Ao waited with Zhu Zihao and the elders to meet Xu Ran and decided to test him.
• Xu Ran entered the hall with Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Ao launched a sudden attack.
• Xu Ran revealed his hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone and knocked Zhu Ao back, injuring his hand.
• The Zhu Family elders recognized Xu Ran's Soul Bone as a hundred-thousand-year External Soul Bone and celebrated his strength.
• Zhu Ao reassured Zhu Zhuqing that he would not hurt Xu Ran, then released his Martial Soul to test him further.

Xu Ran demonstrated his immense Soul Power and swordsmanship during a spar with Zhu Ao, the Zhu Family’s rank eighty-eight Soul Douluo. His first strike shattered Zhu Ao’s eighth Soul Skill barrier and sent him crashing across the hall, leaving Zhu Ao stunned by Xu Ran’s strength.

• Zhu Ao released his Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul and invited Xu Ran to attack first, expecting his junior to be far weaker than himself.
• Xu Ran revealed four black Soul Rings and Soul Power reserves comparable to a Soul Saint’s, astonishing Zhu Ao, Zhu Zihao, and the elders.
• Xu Ran showed signs of unity with his sword and warned Zhu Ao before unleashing his Slaughter Sword Intent.
• Zhu Ao hastily used his eighth Soul Skill, Hellish Demon Barrier, but Xu Ran’s sword light shattered it and struck him, sending him through the hall and into a pillar.
• Zhu Ao swore in disbelief and realized Xu Ran might be his equal even if he fought at full strength.

Xu Ran demonstrated his overwhelming strength to the Zhu Family, then revealed Zhu Zhuqing had reached Level 37 thanks to immortal herbs he found. He presented the family with three rare dark-attribute soul bones before taking Zhu Zhuqing to their room.

• Xu Ran's slash sent Zhu Ao flying, but Zhu Ao's defensive soul skills kept him from suffering serious injuries.
• Zhu Ao praised Xu Ran's strength and discovered Zhu Zhuqing had reached Level 37.
• Xu Ran explained that immortal herbs from a Heaven Dou Empire secret realm had raised Zhu Zhuqing's cultivation without side effects.
• Xu Ran gave the Zhu Family three dark-attribute soul bones, each at least forty thousand years old, and Zhu Ao and Zhu Zihao praised his marriage to Zhu Zhuqing.
• Xu Ran took Zhu Zhuqing by the hand and headed to their room.

Xu Ran prepared to visit Empress Zhu Liya with Zhu Zhuqing and learned how she had helped protect them from Emperor Dai. Zhu Liya promised Zhu Zihao that she would intervene if the emperor moved against Xu Ran, and she looked forward to meeting the couple.

• Zhu Zhuqing woke Xu Ran and told him they would visit her aunt, Empress Zhu Liya.
• Zhu Zhuqing explained that Zhu Liya had helped persuade the imperial family to spare them and try to win Xu Ran over.
• Xu Ran dressed and reassured Zhu Zhuqing as they prepared to leave for the visit.
• Zhu Zihao warned Zhu Liya that Xu Ran's growing strength might alarm Emperor Dai and prompt him to act against Xu Ran.
• Zhu Liya vowed to protect Xu Ran from the emperor and welcomed the chance to see Zhu Zhuqing and meet Xu Ran.

Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing visited Empress Zhu Liya, who summoned Xu Ran alone after speaking with her niece. Zhu Liya revealed her concern that Xu Ran could threaten her son Dai Weisi’s position and tested him by asking him to massage her legs.

• Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing paid their respects to Empress Zhu Liya in her residence.
• Zhu Liya welcomed Zhu Zhuqing as her aunt and spoke with her behind the gauze curtains while Xu Ran waited outside.
• Zhu Zhuqing told Xu Ran that Zhu Liya wanted to speak with him, then left to wait outside.
• Zhu Liya invited Xu Ran to sit beside her and laid her legs across his knees, asking him to massage them.
• Xu Ran realized Zhu Liya wanted to protect Dai Weisi’s future position, but he agreed to massage her legs.

Xu Ran reassured Empress Zhu Liya that he would never threaten Dai Weisi, and she came to trust his loyalty and value to the Zhu Family. He left her private chamber to reunite with Zhu Zhuqing, while Zhu Liya believed Xu Ran would help secure Dai Weisi and Zhu Yun’s futures.

• Xu Ran’s massage eased Zhu Liya’s long-standing minor ailments, and he explained that he had learned the technique from an expert.
• Zhu Liya warned Xu Ran not to harm Dai Weisi, revealing her fear that Xu Ran’s talent could threaten her son’s position.
• Xu Ran pledged loyalty to Dai Weisi and Zhu Liya, saying he would never forget their kindness or turn against them.
• Zhu Liya accepted Xu Ran’s assurances and decided that the imperial harem and First Prince’s residence should feel like home to him.
• Xu Ran took his leave to return to Zhu Zhuqing, while Zhu Liya watched him go convinced he would help secure Dai Weisi and Zhu Yun’s futures.

Xu Ran attended a banquet with Zhu Zihao, where Dai Weisi publicly treated him as an ally and Emperor Dai and Zhu Liya judged him a valuable friend to the empire. The feast’s focus shifted to Zhu Zhuyun’s dance, which Xu Ran praised while Dai Weisi believed she was his future wife.

• Xu Ran spent the day shopping around Star Luo City with Zhu Zhuqing before going to the evening banquet with Zhu Zihao.
• Xu Ran paid his respects to Emperor Dai, then took the seat Dai Weisi had reserved for him beside the First Prince.
• Dai Weisi called Zhu Zhuyun his future empress and told Xu Ran to watch her performance, while Xu Ran concealed that he had already won her over.
• Emperor Dai and Zhu Liya agreed that Xu Ran was kind and loyal to Dai Weisi, and Emperor Dai set aside his thoughts of eliminating him.
• Zhu Zhuyun entered in a red dress and danced before the guests, and Xu Ran praised her beauty as Dai Weisi watched with pride.

At Dai Weisi’s banquet, Xu Ran played the guqin while Zhu Zhuyun danced, impressing the imperial family and their guests. Afterward, Xu Ran secretly visited Zhu Zhuyun in a palace room and kissed her despite her fears that they might be discovered.

• Dai Weisi praised Zhu Zhuyun’s beauty as she danced at the banquet.
• Xu Ran played a song on the guqin to accompany Zhu Zhuyun’s dance, and the guests admired their performances.
• Dai Weisi and Emperor Dai interpreted Xu Ran’s talent and demeanor as signs that he could benefit the Dai family.
• After the performance, Xu Ran left the banquet and found Zhu Zhuyun in an elegant room.
• Zhu Zhuyun warned Xu Ran that they were in the imperial palace, but Xu Ran embraced and kissed her.