Chapter Summaries

Xiao Yan returned to the Star Luo Empire to search for signs of Zhu Zhuqing and the hidden Dark Hall, while discovering that the Hundred Herbs Pavilion had copied his Blood Coagulation Powder formula. He reached Star Chasing City, where powerful Soul Masters were watching the area, and disguised himself to enter.

• Xiao Yan crossed into the Star Luo Empire after avoiding Spirit Hall's border outposts and found that the Hundred Herbs Pavilion was selling inferior imitations of his Blood Coagulation Powder.
• Xiao Yan secretly surveyed several cities, learned that Blood Coagulation Powder had disappeared and that the Hundred Herbs Pavilion could not reproduce his Qi Gathering Pill, and searched for traces of the Dark Hall.
• Xiao Yan returned to Star Chasing City, the Dark Hall's first foothold, and sensed Soul Ancestors near the gates and a Soul Douluo-level expert within the city.
• Xiao Yan concealed his Soul Power, disguised himself as a country Soul Master carrying medicinal ingredients, and approached Star Chasing City.

Xiao Yan disguised himself to enter Star Chasing City and found Spirit Hall had reinforced its search for him, including stationing a Soul Douluo near its main hall. At the Clouds Come Inn, he learned that Spirit Hall was repeatedly searching the city and questioning the city lord, leaving him to consider how to exploit the guards’ growing complacency.

• Xiao Yan disguised his appearance and suppressed his Soul Power, slipping past Spirit Hall’s inspection at Star Chasing City’s gates.
• Xiao Yan surveyed the city and discovered two Soul Saints guarding the Spirit Hall Main Hall and a Soul Douluo-level presence inside.
• Xiao Yan chose the shabby Clouds Come Inn as a discreet place to stay and rented room 306 from its elderly innkeeper.
• The innkeeper told Xiao Yan that repeated Spirit Hall inspections had driven away customers and that the searches targeted a powerful young man.
• The innkeeper revealed that Spirit Hall officials also visited the city lord’s residence, and Xiao Yan analyzed the search patterns and their possible laxity.

Xiao Yan watched Star Chasing City's Spirit Hall Main Hall and recognized the Dark Hall's symbol on Dai Wusi's carriage, realizing the city lord was likely connected to Zhu Zhuqing and could lead him to her. He ended the chapter in his inn room, quietly preparing to pursue that clue.

• Xiao Yan assessed the danger from Spirit Hall and decided to find Zhu Zhuqing's clues and leave Star Chasing City quickly.
• Xiao Yan watched the Spirit Hall Main Hall from his inn window and memorized the patrols' routes and shift changes.
• Xiao Yan recognized Dai Wusi's imperial carriage as it passed and spotted the Dark Hall's seven-story pagoda symbol carved into its frame.
• Xiao Yan concluded that Dai Wusi was likely cooperating with Zhu Zhuqing and that the symbol was a clue she had left for him.
• Xiao Yan closed the curtains, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began regulating his breathing and circulating his Soul Power.

Xiao Yan used his Soul Division Martial Soul to infiltrate Dai Wusi’s residence and found the city lord struggling with meridian damage that kept him from advancing to Soul King. When Xiao Yan revealed his green lotus core flame, Dai Wusi recognized him and spoke his name with suppressed excitement.

• Xiao Yan sent his Soul Division Martial Soul out from the inn while his original body remained behind, using its concealed soul power to evade detection.
• The Soul Division Martial Soul crossed Star Chasing City and entered the poorly guarded city lord’s residence.
• Xiao Yan observed Dai Wusi in his study and sensed that damaged meridians had trapped him at Level forty-nine.
• Dai Wusi stayed composed when the shadowy visitor appeared, asking what had brought him there.
• Xiao Yan revealed the green lotus core flame, and Dai Wusi reacted with fear, surprise, and anticipation before saying, “Xiao Yan...”

Xiao Yan confirmed that Dai Wusi had helped the Dark Hall evade Spirit Hall and learned that Dai Wusi’s damaged meridians kept him from advancing to Soul King. Dai Wusi gave Xiao Yan a coded letter from Zhu Zhuqing, revealing that she and the others were hiding in Heaven Dou City.

• Xiao Yan revealed his identity to Dai Wusi, who recognized him from the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Qi Gathering Pills supplied by the Dark Hall.
• Dai Wusi explained that he had partnered with Zhu Zhuqing’s Dark Hall for pills but remained unable to break through to Soul King because his meridians were damaged.
• Dai Wusi described how he had misdirected Han Jiang’s Spirit Hall search and hidden Dark Hall members in a secret room before helping them escape the city.
• Dai Wusi gave Xiao Yan a coded letter left by a Dark Hall messenger, and Xiao Yan deciphered Zhu Zhuqing’s location as Heaven Dou City.

Xiao Yan obtained Zhu Zhuqing’s letter and promised Dai Wusi he would help him reach Soul King within half a year. As Xiao Yan’s Soul Division Martial Soul tried to escape the City Lord’s Mansion, Han Jiang arrived and confronted Dai Wusi.

• Xiao Yan realized Zhu Zhuqing had hidden the Dark Hall in Heaven Dou City, where tensions between the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and Spirit Hall offered it cover.
• Xiao Yan promised to repair Dai Wusi’s meridians and help him become a genuine Soul King within half a year, and Dai Wusi pledged his loyalty in return.
• A powerful Soul Douluo-level pressure descended on the City Lord’s Mansion, and Han Jiang announced his arrival from above.
• Dai Wusi identified Han Jiang as Spirit Hall’s watcher and urged Xiao Yan’s Soul Division Martial Soul to flee through a secret passage while he distracted him.
• Han Jiang landed in the courtyard and accused Dai Wusi of lying about having a visitor.

Dai Wusi tried to keep Han Jiang from discovering Xiao Yan, but the Soul Division Martial Soul emerged and fought the Spirit Hall Soul Douluo. Its Cold Heart Lotus Explosion blasted Han Jiang back, though the fight continued with Han Jiang still standing.

• Han Jiang's detection water serpent tracked the Soul Division Martial Soul to the hidden study door, and Dai Wusi resolved to protect Xiao Yan.
• The Soul Division Martial Soul appeared, and Han Jiang failed to sense its strength or identify what it was.
• The Soul Division Martial Soul unleashed Everfrost Mausoleum, freezing Han Jiang's water serpent, but Han Jiang pushed the frost back with his Soul Power.
• Han Jiang attacked with Raging Waves and Startling Billows, while the Soul Division Martial Soul dodged the water wall and circled behind him.
• The Soul Division Martial Soul struck Han Jiang with Cold Heart Lotus Explosion, destroying most of his water shields and blasting him across the courtyard.

Xiao Yan’s Soul Division Martial Soul held off Han Jiang long enough for Xiao Yan’s true body to escape, injuring Han Jiang with the Heavenly Flames before being destroyed. Han Jiang realized he had failed to stop Xiao Yan, while Dai Wusi hid his relief behind a show of fear.

• Han Jiang trapped the Soul Division Martial Soul with water whips and stabbed it with a water sword, but it seized his wrist and burned him with Green Lotus Core Flame and Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
• Furious, Han Jiang unleashed his Sixth Soul Skill, Water Dragon Buries the Heavens, and summoned a gigantic water dragon to attack the clone.
• The Soul Division Martial Soul told Han Jiang to report its taunts and threats to Bibi Dong, then crumbled into black smoke as the water dragon prepared to strike.
• Han Jiang watched the water dragon fall as rain across Star Chasing City and acknowledged that Xiao Yan had escaped after injuring him through a clone.
• Dai Wusi hid behind the covered walkway, suppressed his relieved smile, and resumed pretending to be frightened.

Xiao Yan rested in a hidden cave and broke through to Soul Power Level 66 before continuing toward Heaven Dou City. There, news of his attack on Spirit City reached the emperor, who ordered the empire to find him and recruit him against Spirit Hall.

• Xiao Yan avoided Spirit Hall patrols and hid in a cave, where he set up a warning formation.
• Xiao Yan guided a violent surge of Soul Power through his meridians and broke through the level-sixty-five bottleneck to reach level sixty-six.
• Xiao Yan stabilized his new realm for half a day, then resumed his journey to Heaven Dou City.
• Heaven Dou City's intelligence network reported that a mysterious expert had damaged the Pope's Palace, injured Bibi Dong, and escaped Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo.
• The Heaven Dou emperor and his ministers discussed recruiting the expert, and the emperor ordered a search while preparing gifts for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the expert.

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong concluded that Xiao Yan was likely the expert who destroyed the Pope's Palace and discussed keeping the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's distance while monitoring the Dark Hall. Ning Rongrong learned of Xiao Yan's return, while Qian Renxue burned her report and sent a message to Zhu Zhuqing.

• Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong identified the mysterious Spirit City expert as likely Xiao Yan and discussed how his strength made him an independent force.
• Ning Fengzhi ordered the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to observe the Dark Hall from a distance and avoid alarming Zhu Zhuqing.
• Ning Rongrong overheard the conversation, learned Xiao Yan had likely returned, and said Zhu Zhuqing's long wait was over.
• Qian Renxue read the report about Xiao Yan, reflected on his rise and the destruction of the Pope's Palace, then burned the document.
• Qian Renxue summoned a black-clad messenger and ordered him to take a message to Zhu Zhuqing in the north of the city.

Qian Renxue’s report confirmed that Xiao Yan had returned and defeated Spirit Hall’s forces, while Zhu Zhuqing prepared the Dark Hall for his arrival. As Xiao Yan traveled toward Heaven Dou City, he sensed a familiar poison-laced Soul Power fluctuation nearby.

• Qian Renxue sent a report identifying Xiao Yan as the expert who destroyed the Pope’s Palace and fought three Titled Douluo.
• Zhu Zhuqing read Qian Renxue’s letter, ordered You Ying to increase security and replenish supplies, and prepared for Xiao Yan’s arrival.
• Flender learned that Xiao Yan was the mysterious expert in Spirit City and reflected on how the Shrek Seven Devils and the Golden Iron Triangle had scattered.
• Xiao Yan flew toward Heaven Dou City and sensed concentrated, poison-laced Soul Power coming from a nearby valley.

Xiao Yan secretly watched Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianheng while Dugu Yan absorbed her fifth Soul Ring, then entered Heaven Dou City in disguise. He left Dugu Bo with a lingering suspicion about the faint soul fluctuation he had sensed.

• Xiao Yan sent his Soul Division Martial Soul to investigate a powerful poison-attribute Soul Power fluctuation and found Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianheng beside a dying Soul Beast.
• Dugu Yan absorbed the twenty-thousand-year Soul Ring, purged of her poison and strong enough to withstand it, and gained the Fifth Soul Skill Jade Phosphorous Sky Curtain.
• Dugu Bo sensed a faint, unfamiliar soul fluctuation near the forest, but it disappeared before he could investigate.
• Dugu Yan shared her breakthrough with Yu Tianheng while Dugu Bo concealed his concern about the presence he had sensed.
• Xiao Yan arrived at Heaven Dou City, disguised his appearance and Soul Power, and passed through the gates with a merchant caravan.

Xiao Yan searched Heaven Dou City for the Dark Hall’s hidden marks and intervened when Xue Beng tried to abduct a vendor’s granddaughter. He followed the marks to an inconspicuous house in the north of the city.

• Xiao Yan spotted Xue Beng tormenting an old street vendor and trying to take the vendor’s granddaughter.
• Xiao Yan secretly used cold Qi to make Xue Beng and his attendants fall into the pickle juice, then left without revealing himself.
• Xue Beng cursed the crowd and departed with his guards while onlookers helped the vendor and his granddaughter.
• Xiao Yan followed the Dark Hall’s signals through the city and found the final mark on a loose brick outside a shabby house in a northern alley.

Xiao Yan found the concealed Dark Hall residence in Heaven Dou City and entered despite a guard's attempt to stop him. The courtyard's Soul Masters prepared for a possible fight, while Xiao Yan searched for Zhu Zhuqing.

• Xiao Yan detected a carefully concealed formation around the residence and sensed several Soul Masters inside.
• Xiao Yan knocked on the gate, alerting the hidden sentries and drawing a guarded response from the residents.
• A middle-aged Dark Hall member opened the gate a crack and asked Xiao Yan who he was looking for.
• Xiao Yan pushed the gate open and entered, while the guard signaled that an unexpected visitor had arrived.
• The middle-aged man claimed the person Xiao Yan sought was not there and demanded that he leave, as Xiao Yan observed a battle-ready Soul Emperor beneath the locust tree.

Xiao Yan confronted three Dark Hall guards after revealing that he had come to find Zhu Zhuqing, and they attacked him with coordinated Soul Skills. He countered with Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Netherworld Lock, evading the fire feathers and freezing the snake constructs as his chains reached the defenders.

• Xiao Yan told the three Dark Hall guards that he had come to find Zhu Zhuqing, prompting them to treat him as an enemy with ties to Spirit Hall.
• The two Soul Kings and the Soul Emperor revealed their Soul Rings and launched a coordinated assault that sealed Xiao Yan's escape routes.
• Xiao Yan summoned Bone Spirit Cold Flame and sent three Netherworld Lock chains toward the attackers.
• Xiao Yan revealed six Soul Rings, including a black fourth ring, startling the guards with the strength of his Martial Soul.
• Xiao Yan froze the Control System Soul King's snake images and evaded the Crimson Feather Waves without being struck.
• Xiao Yan's chain collided with the Vajra Ape Soul Emperor's fist.

Xiao Yan overwhelmed the Dark Hall guards who mistook him for a pursuer, then released them rather than finish the fight. Zhu Zhuqing came out to investigate and recognized him, and Xiao Yan told her he was back.

• Xiao Yan met the Vajra Ape Soul Emperor’s full-force blow with his Eight Extremes Collapse and held his ground.
• Xiao Yan used the Netherworld Lock and Bone Spirit Cold Flame to bind the Soul Emperor and slow his Soul Power, gaining the upper hand over the three guards.
• The guards prepared to fight to the death, but Xiao Yan withdrew his chains and let them go.
• More than ten Dark Hall Soul Masters surrounded Xiao Yan as reinforcements emerged from the house.
• Zhu Zhuqing stepped outside, recognized Xiao Yan, and walked toward him as he said he was back.

Xiao Yan reunited with Zhu Zhuqing and toured the Dark Hall she had built during his absence. He met its core members and began to address them, ending by revealing his recent battle against Spirit Hall and placing a fragrant jade vial on the table.

• After the Dark Hall members recognized Xiao Yan, Tie Gu apologized for fighting him and acknowledged his strength.
• Zhu Zhuqing showed Xiao Yan the secret underground headquarters and explained that the Dark Hall had grown to twelve core members and forty-eight peripheral members.
• Zhu Zhuqing summoned the core members, including Tie Gu, intelligence chief You Ying, Qing Que, and alchemist Yao Lao, and introduced Xiao Yan as their true master.
• The Dark Hall members knelt to greet Xiao Yan, and he promised he had returned to give them an account for their sacrifices and hardships.
• Xiao Yan set a jade vial on the table and told the assembled members that he had split the Pope's Palace, injured Bibi Dong, and shattered the Martial Soul Avatars of Yue Guan and Gui Mei.

Xiao Yan revealed that he had wounded Bibi Dong and damaged the Pope's Palace, then promised the Dark Hall that it would no longer live as Spirit Hall's prey and offered its members powerful pills. He prepared Three Yang Blazing Fire Pills to help Tie Gu, Xue Shou, and You Ying break through their Soul Emperor bottlenecks, leaving them ready to take the pills.

• Xiao Yan told the Dark Hall that he had split the Pope's Palace dome and injured Bibi Dong, though he credited the sword strike's power to a senior's trump card.
• Xiao Yan presented Blood Coagulation Powder, Qi Gathering Pills, and Mysterious Yang Pills, and promised to establish a Pill Hall for the Dark Hall's members.
• Xiao Yan brought out Three Yang Blazing Fire Pills for Soul Emperor experts and asked Tie Gu, Xue Shou, and You Ying to set an example.
• Xiao Yan monitored the three elders as they prepared for the breakthrough, while Zhu Zhuqing guarded the chamber door.
• Tie Gu said he had been stuck at level sixty-three for two years because an old injury obstructed his meridians, and Xue Shou prepared to overcome his own hidden injuries.

Xiao Yan guided Tie Gu, Xue Shou, and You Ying through taking Three Yang Blazing Fire Pills, helping each overcome their cultivation bottlenecks. All three Soul Emperors broke through, with You Ying reaching level sixty-three, Xue Shou level sixty-three, and Tie Gu level sixty-five.

• Xiao Yan gave Tie Gu, Xue Shou, and You Ying Three Yang Blazing Fire Pills and instructed them how to handle the medicine’s effects.
• Xiao Yan guided Tie Gu’s medicinal power around fragile meridian junctions, allowing the blocked nodes that had stalled him for two years to loosen.
• Xiao Yan helped Xue Shou guide the medicinal power around his old injuries and temper his limb meridians before striking his bottleneck.
• Xiao Yan carefully guided the pill’s yang energy to merge with You Ying’s yin Soul Power, and she broke through from level sixty-one to the peak of level sixty-three.
• Xue Shou broke through two levels to level sixty-three after the medicinal power strengthened his meridians.
• Tie Gu broke through two levels to level sixty-five, and Xiao Yan helped him up as all three Soul Emperors completed their breakthroughs.

After the Dark Hall members improved their strength, Xiao Yan organized a plan to spread the Hall’s influence through affordable medicines and rare auction pills. He appointed leaders for sales and pill production and planned to secure the Heaven Dou Auction House by meeting Qian Renxue.

• The Dark Hall’s core members finished absorbing pills and advanced by at least two levels.
• Xiao Yan ordered Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pills sold cheaply to build the Dark Hall’s reputation, while reserving Mysterious Yang Pills and Three Yang Blazing Fire Pills for auctions.
• Xiao Yan assigned Qing Que to organize discreet sales and told her to have You Ying vet new contacts, with Elder Tie Gu arranging support.
• Xiao Yan taught Yao Lao the complete formulas, appointed him the first hall master of the newly established Pill Hall, and tasked it with supplying most of the Dark Hall’s pills.
• Xiao Yan assigned You Ying to prepare an auction for the Three Yang Blazing Fire Pill at the Heaven Dou Auction House and said he would handle securing the venue.
• After the meeting, Xiao Yan agreed with Zhu Zhuqing that he would visit Qian Renxue and thank her for saving their lives.