Chapter Summaries

Lin Mo traveled with Dean Wang Zongchang to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain his first Soul Ring and explained the requirements he had planned for his Charmander Martial Soul. Impressed by Lin Mo’s knowledge and preparation, Dean Wang promised to let him access the academy library’s second floor after they returned.

• Lin Mo packed his luggage and joined Dean Wang Zongchang in a carriage leaving Nuoding City for the Soul Hunting Forest.
• Dean Wang asked Lin Mo what kind of Soul Beast he wanted for his first Soul Ring.
• Lin Mo said he preferred a fire-attribute Soul Beast or one with an earth dragon bloodline, with a powerful innate Soul Skill as a fallback.
• Dean Wang tested Lin Mo’s knowledge of Soul Master cultivation and common Soul Beasts, and Lin Mo answered fluently.
• Dean Wang praised Lin Mo for making good use of the library and told him he could access its second floor after returning from the Soul Hunting Forest.

Dean Wang brought Lin Mo to the Soul Hunting Forest to help him obtain his first Soul Ring. After passing the checkpoint, they headed toward the habitat of hundred-year Soul Beasts, where Lin Mo anticipated Charmander’s first Soul Skill.

• Lin Mo thanked Dean Wang for his support and promised to work harder.
• Dean Wang brought Lin Mo to the Soul Hunting Forest and showed the Soul Hunting Warrant to the guard at the checkpoint.
• Dean Wang introduced Lin Mo to Old Li as a gifted student who had reached the rank-ten bottleneck in less than a year.
• Dean Wang led Lin Mo into the forest, where Lin Mo summoned Charmander to guard him.
• Dean Wang bypassed the outer area and led Lin Mo toward the hundred-year Soul Beasts as Lin Mo eagerly awaited his first Soul Ring.

Lin Mo chose a nearly four-hundred-year-old Torkoal as Charmander’s first Soul Ring, hoping to gain a powerful fire skill or an ability like Sunny Day. After Wang Zongchang helped Charmander kill the Torkoal, Charmander absorbed its Yellow Soul Ring and Lin Mo began guiding the incoming power.

• Lin Mo rejected a two-hundred-year-old Cyndaquil and a Saber-Toothed Earth Dragon, then chose the older Torkoal for its fire attribute and possible Sunny Day ability.
• Lin Mo and Wang Zongchang found the Torkoal again, and Wang summoned his Lie Yan Blade Martial Soul and attacked it with his third Soul Skill, Lie Yan Slash.
• Wang Zongchang severely wounded the Torkoal and broke its shell, then called Lin Mo and Charmander over to finish it.
• Lin Mo ordered Charmander to strike the Torkoal’s wound with Metal Claw, killing it and leaving a Yellow Soul Ring.
• Charmander swallowed the Soul Ring, and Lin Mo focused on guiding and refining the power flowing through their connection.

Lin Mo succeeded in absorbing a Soul Ring and reached Soul Power Level twelve, gaining the Soul Skill Flame Body, which he concealed by demonstrating a fake Flame Charge. On the journey back to Nuoding Academy, he discovered that Charmander had also learned Dragon Breath and could evolve upon reaching Soul Power Level thirty.

• Lin Mo absorbed the Soul Ring, became a One-Ring Soul Master at level twelve, and learned that Charmander's new Soul Skill was Flame Body.
• Lin Mo had Charmander demonstrate a weakened Flare Blitz as Flame Charge, concealing Flame Body from Wang Zongchang.
• Wang Zongchang praised the displayed skill, then escorted Lin Mo safely out of the Soul Hunting Forest and toward Nuoding Academy.
• Lin Mo inspected his panels in the carriage and saw that Charmander had learned Dragon Breath and gained an evolution requirement of Soul Power Level thirty.

Lin Mo analyzed Charmander’s evolution requirements and inferred that its later evolutions were tied to Soul Power milestones. He concluded that his heart Body Martial Soul likely required some external intervention to evolve, and began considering what might provide it.

• Lin Mo reviewed how Soul Power levels ten, thirty, fifty, and seventy marked major cultivation thresholds for Soul Masters.
• Lin Mo inferred that Charmander might evolve into Charmeleon at level thirty and into Charizard at level fifty.
• Lin Mo compared Charmander’s listed requirements with his heart Body Martial Soul’s panel, which still showed its evolution requirements as “Unknown.”
• Lin Mo concluded that raising Soul Power alone probably would not evolve his second Martial Soul and began searching for a possible external force.

Lin Mo considered how Soul Bones and heavenly treasures might evolve his Second Martial Soul, but recognized that he lacked the strength to pursue them. He resolved to reach Soul Power Level thirty and continued cultivating in the carriage.

• Lin Mo considered Soul Bones and immortal herbs as possible catalysts for his Second Martial Soul's evolution, comparing them with examples involving Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and Tang San.
• Lin Mo dismissed Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor transformation as an unsuitable comparison because it depended on his special bloodline.
• Lin Mo realized that Soul Bones and immortal herbs were far beyond his reach as a One-Ring Soul Master, and that he could not safely seek the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
• Lin Mo set a goal of reaching Soul Power Level thirty so Charmander could evolve into Charmeleon and he could absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
• Lin Mo calmed himself, then cultivated in the carriage while the dean also seemed to meditate.

Lin Mo went to Nuoding City's Spirit Hall to register as a Soul Master and claim his subsidy. After Ma Xiunuo confirmed Lin Mo had already obtained a hundred-year soul ring, he was confused because Lin Mo's certificate listed his martial soul as an egg, while Lin Mo had summoned Charmander.

• Lin Mo parted from Headmaster Wang Zongchang at Nuoding City's gates and headed to Spirit Hall to register his rank and collect his subsidy.
• A guard verified Lin Mo's Spirit Hall certificate and directed him to Ma Xiunuo for the assessment.
• Ma Xiunuo learned that Lin Mo had advanced from innate rank-six soul power to Soul Master in about nine months and asked him to release his martial soul.
• Lin Mo summoned Charmander with a bright yellow hundred-year soul ring, astonishing Ma Xiunuo.
• Ma Xiunuo questioned why Lin Mo's certificate listed an egg as his martial soul and asked what explained Charmander and the hundred-year soul ring.

Lin Mo explained to Ma Xiunuo how his egg Martial Soul had hatched into Charmander, then refused Ma Xiunuo’s offer to join Spirit Hall. After completing his Soul Master registration, he left with his allowance and headed back to Nuoding Academy.

• Lin Mo convinced Ma Xiunuo that Charmander had hatched from his egg Martial Soul by showing him their matching fire attributes.
• Ma Xiunuo compared Lin Mo’s achievements with those of Tang San and Xiao Wu, then invited Lin Mo to study at a Spirit Hall academy.
• Lin Mo declined the invitation and said he wanted to remain at Nuoding Academy, citing Dean Wang Zongchang’s support.
• Ma Xiunuo tested Lin Mo’s Soul Power at rank twelve, recorded his information, and said he would report the change in his Martial Soul’s form.
• Ma Xiunuo gave Lin Mo one Gold Soul Coin as his monthly allowance, and Lin Mo left for Nuoding Academy.

Lin Mo returned to Nuoding Academy after obtaining his first Soul Ring and invited the work-study students of Dorm Seven to dinner. The meal served as an early farewell, as he planned to seek permission to graduate early, while Tang San declined to attend.

• Lin Mo returned to Dorm Seven, where Wang Sheng noticed his changes and learned that he had obtained his first Soul Ring.
• Lin Mo asked Wang Sheng to invite everyone in Dorm Seven to dinner and explained that he wanted to celebrate with them.
• Lin Mo planned to request early graduation after finishing his studies in the second half of the year, since he no longer expected the academy to help him grow much stronger.
• Lin Mo gathered the work-study students for dinner on the dining hall's second floor, but Tang San stayed away, saying he had to study with Grandmaster.
• The students criticized Tang San for previously promising to keep Lin Mo's secret and then revealing it, leaving the table's mood awkward.

Lin Mo discovered that Charmander could gain a tiny amount of shared Soul Power by eating, though he wished he could afford Soul Beast meat. At lunch, Wang Sheng asked whether Lin Mo or Xiao Wu was stronger, but Xiao Wu threatened him and Lin Mo declined to answer.

• Xiao Wu urged the students to stop arguing and enjoy the meal Lin Mo had bought for them.
• Lin Mo summoned Charmander and fed him meat, noticing that Charmander preferred it to vegetables and that their shared Soul Power seemed to increase slightly after he ate.
• Lin Mo considered how Soul Beast meat might help Charmander and his cultivation, but knew he could not afford it with his current income.
• Xiao Chenyu spotted Charmander in the cafeteria, then retreated with his followers when Xiao Wu glared at him and raised her fist.
• Wang Sheng asked who was stronger, Lin Mo or Xiao Wu, and Xiao Wu threatened to beat him while Lin Mo stayed silent.

Xiao Wu underestimated Lin Mo’s physical strength, while Lin Mo considered how to earn the Gold Soul Coins he needed for cultivation. He planned to compete in a Great Soul Arena after leaving Nuoding City, then returned to Dorm Seven with the others and noticed Tang San was absent.

• Xiao Wu reasoned that she could defeat Lin Mo by getting past Charmander, but Lin Mo knew his body martial soul and Blood Burst made him stronger than she expected.
• Lin Mo fed Charmander and decided that competing in a Great Soul Arena in a larger city could earn him money and combat experience.
• Lin Mo resolved to finish his final half-year at Nuoding Academy and improve his Soul Power before pursuing that plan.
• Lin Mo returned to Dorm Seven with the others; Charmander returned to his body, and Lin Mo noticed Tang San's bunk was empty.

Over the next half year, Lin Mo cultivated diligently, studied Soul Master texts, and reached the middle of level fifteen while preparing for the next stage of his growth. On the day of the sixth-year assessment, he headed to the dean’s office intending to apply for graduation and leave Nuoding Academy.

• Lin Mo gave up his library-organizing job and spent his free time studying advanced books and developing ideas for Second-Stage Blood Burst.
• Lin Mo meditated daily with Charmander and raised his Soul Power to the middle of level fifteen over nearly half a year.
• Lin Mo reported his progress to the academy, passed its test, and secured a place in the end-of-term Soul Hunting group.
• Wang Sheng broke through to level ten and celebrated with fellow working students.
• Lin Mo finished breakfast with Charmander and walked toward the dean’s office, planning to apply for graduation and leave Nuoding Academy.

Lin Mo applied for early graduation from Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy, and Dean Wang Zongchang approved. Lin Mo planned to visit Soul Emperor Village during the break before enrolling in an intermediate soul master academy, though he had not yet named his choice.

• Lin Mo returned the library's second-floor token to Wang Zongchang and applied for early graduation.
• Wang Zongchang reflected that the academy could no longer support Lin Mo's ambitions and approved his application.
• Lin Mo thanked Wang Zongchang for his guidance, and the dean asked about his plans after graduation.
• Lin Mo said he would visit Soul Emperor Village during the break, then begin studying at an intermediate soul master academy.
• Wang Zongchang asked Lin Mo which intermediate soul master academy he had chosen.

Lin Mo chose to leave Nuoding Academy for Heaven Dou City, aiming to eventually enter Heaven Dou Royal Soul Master Academy. After receiving his graduation certificate and recommendation letter, he returned to Dorm Seven and began packing while Wang Sheng watched in confusion.

• Wang Zongchang recalled Lin Mo and Charmander's victories over students and occasional wins against Soul Grandmaster teachers, unaware that Charmander had been holding back.
• Lin Mo told Wang Zongchang he planned to enroll at Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy, and Wang Zongchang guessed he was aiming for Heaven Dou Royal Soul Master Academy.
• Lin Mo tacitly confirmed Wang Zongchang's guess and promised not to disgrace Nuoding Academy.
• Wang Zongchang gave Lin Mo his graduation certificate and a personal recommendation letter for admission to an intermediate academy.
• Lin Mo returned to Dorm Seven and packed his belongings while Wang Sheng watched, puzzled.

Lin Mo told Wang Sheng he had received approval for early graduation and was leaving Nuoding Academy to visit the village chief who had adopted him. After advising Wang Sheng on choosing a first Soul Ring, Lin Mo left Dorm Seven, asking Wang Sheng to arrange a farewell meal for the others.

• Lin Mo told Wang Sheng he was graduating early and planned to return to Soul Emperor Village to share the news that he had become a Soul Master.
• Wang Sheng congratulated Lin Mo and said he hoped to obtain his first Soul Ring and eventually catch up to him.
• Lin Mo advised Wang Sheng to seek a feline Soul Beast for his War Tiger Martial Soul, or a strength-type Soul Beast if none was suitable.
• Lin Mo gave Wang Sheng a Gold Soul Coin and asked him to arrange a farewell meal for Dorm Seven after he left.
• Lin Mo packed his belongings and departed Nuoding Academy while Wang Sheng watched him go.

Lin Mo left Nuoding Academy after graduating as a Soul Master and returned to Soul Emperor Village, where he revealed Charmander and his first Soul Ring to the village chief. After half a month of celebration and preparation, he departed for Heaven Dou City to enroll in an intermediate academy.

• Lin Mo showed his graduation certificate at Nuoding Academy's gates and left for Soul Emperor Village.
• Lin Mo told the village chief he had graduated early and showed him his graduation certificate and recommendation letter.
• Lin Mo summoned Charmander and its yellow Soul Ring, explaining how he had become a Soul Master in a year.
• The village chief celebrated Lin Mo's achievement with the villagers, and Lin Mo spent half a month in Soul Emperor Village.
• Lin Mo arranged to travel with a merchant caravan, said goodbye to the village chief, and set out for Heaven Dou City.

Lin Mo arrived in Heaven Dou City and went to Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy to enroll. After seeing his extraordinary records, the gate guards summoned Director Xue to handle his admission.

• Lin Mo thanked the caravan members for bringing him safely to Heaven Dou City and said goodbye.
• Lin Mo checked his map, confirmed he had arrived before the term began, and traveled to Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy.
• Lin Mo told the academy guards he had come to enroll and showed them Headmaster Wang's recommendation letter and his Soul Master booklet.
• The guards discovered that Lin Mo was six years old, had reached Soul Power level twelve half a year earlier, and possessed a hundred-year first soul ring.
• One guard went to notify Director Xue while the other asked Lin Mo to wait at the gate.

Lin Mo met Director Xue at Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy and demonstrated his Martial Soul and rank-sixteen Soul Power, astonishing the director. Director Xue welcomed him but required him to take the academy’s entrance assessment, which Lin Mo agreed to do.

• The gatekeeper brought Director Xue to meet Lin Mo, and Director Xue led him to the admissions office.
• Director Xue reviewed Lin Mo’s documents and asked to confirm his Martial Soul and Soul Power level.
• Lin Mo summoned Charmander and revealed his hundred-year Soul Ring and rank-sixteen cultivation, surprising Director Xue.
• Lin Mo explained that his unusual external beast Martial Soul might account for his rapid cultivation, and Director Xue welcomed him to the academy.
• Director Xue told Lin Mo he had to take the entrance assessment, and Lin Mo agreed.

Lin Mo took Heaven Dou Intermediate Soul Master Academy’s entrance assessment and chose to fight the strongest second-year student, Xiao Lin, for a scholarship. After they revealed that they were both level sixteen Power Attack System Battle Soul Masters, the assessment began with both summoning their Martial Souls.

• Director Xue explained that Lin Mo could pass by demonstrating his strength in a fight and offered a scholarship if he defeated the strongest of five second-year students.
• Lin Mo chose Xiao Lin, the strongest student, after learning that defeating him would also waive his fees and earn him a scholarship.
• Xiao Lin and Lin Mo introduced themselves as level sixteen Power Attack System Battle Soul Masters, surprising Xiao Lin and the watching students.
• Director Xue started the assessment, and Xiao Lin summoned his Demon Wolf Martial Soul while Lin Mo summoned Charmander; Xiao Lin felt intense pressure when he sensed Charmander’s presence.

Lin Mo defeated Xiao Lin in a brief assessment with Charmander’s fire attacks, forcing Director Xue to intervene and save Xiao Lin before declaring Lin Mo the winner. After Lin Mo revealed his innate Soul Power had been level six and his Martial Soul had once been classified as trash, the students were stunned, while Lin Mo suspected Director Xue belonged to the Heaven Dou imperial family.

• Xiao Lin used Wolf Transformation and charged Lin Mo, but Charmander blocked his advance with Ember.
• Charmander struck Xiao Lin with Flare Blitz, then followed up with more Ember and another charge as Xiao Lin struggled to defend himself.
• Director Xue stopped Charmander with a snow-lotus-shaped ice shield, healed Xiao Lin’s burns, and announced Lin Mo’s victory.
• Xiao Lin asked whether Lin Mo had innate full Soul Power, and Lin Mo said his innate Soul Power was level six and his Martial Soul had been classified as trash.
• Director Xue confirmed Lin Mo’s account, leaving Xiao Lin and the four watching students in shock.
• Lin Mo recognized Director Xue’s Snow Lotus Martial Soul and suspected the Heaven Dou imperial family inherited both the Snow Lotus and Swan Martial Souls.