Chapter Summaries

Dai Mubai accused Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing of attacking him and Grandmaster, and Flender and Oscar found evidence supporting his account. Grandmaster privately told Tang San that an unknown presence had taken over Xiao Yan, concealing the truth to protect his own reputation and Dai Mubai’s position.

• Dai Mubai told the Shrek group that Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Yan had attacked him and that Zhu Zhuqing’s Netherworld Slash had grievously injured Grandmaster.
• Flender and Oscar inspected the forest and found Zhuge Repeating Crossbow bolts and traces of Xiao Yan’s Martial Soul, confirming that the battle had taken place.
• Tang San rejected Dai Mubai’s account, but Grandmaster asked everyone else to leave so he could speak with Tang San alone.
• Grandmaster told Tang San that Xiao Yan had seemed like a different person and claimed that an unknown presence had gradually taken over his body.
• Grandmaster concealed the truth about Xiao Yan’s Martial Soul and blamed the attacks on the person he said was occupying Xiao Yan’s body.

Tang San suspected Xiao Yan’s Martial Soul connected to another world but concealed his thoughts, while Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing recovered in Qian Renxue’s residence. After absorbing accumulated medicinal power, Xiao Yan broke through to level forty, and Qian Renxue returned, leaving Xiao Yan to anticipate the terms for her help.

• Tang San wondered whether Xiao Yan’s Martial Soul connected to another world and hid his suspicions from Grandmaster.
• Qian Renxue sheltered Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing in Heaven Dou City and warned them not to go out.
• Zhu Zhuqing recovered, told Xiao Yan she had chosen to leave with him, and acknowledged her feelings for him.
• Xiao Yan resolved to kill Grandmaster and Dai Mubai if they met again, while he and Zhu Zhuqing stayed inside and recovered.
• Xiao Yan absorbed the medicinal power in his body, healed his injuries, and advanced from level thirty-two to level forty in three days.
• Qian Renxue returned to the courtyard, and Xiao Yan prepared to hear what she wanted in return for saving them.

After recovering, Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing learned that Qian Renxue had investigated their backgrounds and offered them protection and resources if they joined her. Xiao Yan accepted her offer, and Qian Renxue invited them to obtain their Fourth Soul Rings.

• Qian Renxue revealed that she had investigated Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing and was impressed by Zhu Zhuqing reaching level forty at twelve and Xiao Yan possessing Twin Martial Souls.
• Qian Renxue explained that Shrek Academy, the Star Luo Imperial Family, and the Heaven Dou Empire could all pose problems for Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing.
• Xiao Yan asked what Qian Renxue thought of Spirit Hall, and she warned that the Pope might target him because he had crippled Yu Xiaogang.
• Qian Renxue offered Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing protection, resources, and time to grow if they followed her.
• After Zhu Zhuqing left the decision to Xiao Yan, he accepted Qian Renxue's offer as long as her requests did not cross his bottom line.
• Qian Renxue welcomed Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing to her side and offered to take them to obtain their Fourth Soul Rings.

Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing followed Qian Renxue from Heaven Dou City into Sunset Forest to hunt Soul Beasts, where they found a Ghost Tiger suited to Zhu Zhuqing’s fourth Soul Ring. They launched a coordinated surprise attack, and the Ghost Tiger was restrained as Zhu Zhuqing’s strike hit its back.

• Qian Renxue revealed that she belonged to Spirit Hall and assured Xiao Yan that she would protect him and Zhu Zhuqing.
• Qian Renxue led Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing into Sunset Forest, driving away approaching Soul Beasts without revealing her Martial Soul.
• Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing tracked huge tiger-like footprints and spotted a Ghost Tiger that Xiao Yan estimated to be about four thousand years old.
• Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing planned a surprise attack, with Xiao Yan using Cold Fire: Netherworld Lock and Zhu Zhuqing using Netherworld Slash.
• The Ghost Tiger leaped away when attacked, but the chains caught and restrained it as Zhu Zhuqing’s black energy struck its back.

Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing killed the Ghost Tiger through coordinated attacks, and Zhu Zhuqing began absorbing its Purple Soul Ring. As Qian Renxue watched, Xiao Yan stood guard and started harvesting the beast’s corpse.

• Zhu Zhuqing wounded the Ghost Tiger with Netherworld Slash while Xiao Yan’s Netherworld Lock restrained it, but the beast broke free and sent Shadow Clones after them.
• Xiao Yan killed one Shadow Clone with an ice-crystal spear and endured the original Ghost Tiger’s attack with his Soul Armor.
• Zhu Zhuqing struck the Ghost Tiger’s exposed back wound with Netherworld Slash while Xiao Yan’s chains restrained it, killing the beast and making its remaining Shadow Clones vanish.
• Xiao Yan told Zhu Zhuqing to absorb the Ghost Tiger’s Purple Soul Ring, and she sat down to begin.
• Qian Renxue watched their victory and recognized Xiao Yan’s control as key to their success.
• Xiao Yan examined the Ghost Tiger’s corpse and began dismembering it with a dagger.

Zhu Zhuqing absorbed the Ghost Tiger’s Soul Ring, broke through to level forty-three, and gained a powerful clone-based Soul Skill. As Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing searched the Sunset Forest for a suitable Soul Beast for him, Qian Renxue stopped them near an Eternal Frost Mourning Demon and warned them about the creature.

• Zhu Zhuqing’s stored medicinal power surged after she absorbed the Ghost Tiger’s Soul Ring, raising her to level forty-three.
• Zhu Zhuqing revealed that her fourth Soul Skill, Netherworld Shadow Clone, let her summon three combat-ready clones.
• Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing searched the forest for two days without finding a suitable Soul Beast for Xiao Yan, and used Zhu Zhuqing’s clones to escape a ten-thousand-year snake Soul Beast.
• Qian Renxue watched Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing’s teamwork and changed her arrangements for them.
• As the forest grew colder, Qian Renxue warned Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing to avoid the Eternal Frost Mourning Demon, which Elder She said was over ten thousand years old at birth.
• Qian Renxue explained that the Eternal Frost Mourning Demon emerged from places marked by intense cold and accumulated death energy, and said the Sunset Forest might have once been a great battlefield.

Xiao Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Qian Renxue investigated an Eternal Frost Mourning Demon, a rare Soul Beast whose wail disrupted thoughts and slowed Soul Power. Xiao Yan’s Bone Spirit Cold Flame proved immune to its effects and destroyed it with ease, after which its black Soul Ring fused into the flames.

• Qian Renxue explained that Eternal Frost Mourning Demons formed in frozen lands or ancient battlefields and that even their weakest Soul Rings were ten thousand years old.
• Xiao Yan persuaded Qian Renxue to let them approach the demon’s territory, where its wail began affecting Soul Power and thoughts; Xiao Yan remained unaffected by the Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
• Xiao Yan saw the demon’s pale core flame, ice crystals, and remnant-soul phantoms as Qian Renxue described its freezing field and attacks.
• Qian Renxue struck the demon, but her attack passed through it; Zhu Zhuqing recoiled from its wail while Xiao Yan’s Bone Spirit Cold Flame melted its outer defenses.
• Xiao Yan destroyed the exposed core flame, killing the Eternal Frost Mourning Demon, and its black Soul Ring rose and fused into his flames.

Xiao Yan absorbed the Eternal Frost Mourning Demon's Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and witnessed the ancient battlefield that had brought the creature into being. After the demon dropped a Head Soul Bone, he offered it to Qian Renxue in gratitude, but she refused and told him to absorb it himself.

• Xiao Yan absorbed the Eternal Frost Mourning Demon's Soul Ring and witnessed the ancient slaughter that had created the Soul Beast.
• Xiao Yan completed the absorption, gained a black fourth Soul Ring, and sensed his new Soul Skill.
• The Eternal Frost Mourning Demon left behind a Soul Bone, which Xiao Yan recognized as a Head Soul Bone.
• Xiao Yan offered the Soul Bone to Qian Renxue to repay her for saving Zhu Zhuqing.
• Qian Renxue refused the gift and told Xiao Yan to absorb the Soul Bone to strengthen himself.

Xiao Yan absorbed the Eternal Frost Mourning Demon's Head Soul Bone and learned how it enhanced his fourth Soul Skill. Qian Renxue sent Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing to Spirit City to join Spirit Hall's tournament team, offering a Soul Bone and information about Twin Martial Souls if Xiao Yan defeated the Golden Generation.

• Xiao Yan absorbed the Head Soul Bone, which strengthened his spiritual power and enhanced Soul Echo when combined with his fourth Soul Skill, Cold Flame: Everfrost Mausoleum.
• Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing officially reached the Soul Ancestor realm after absorbing their Soul Rings.
• Qian Renxue decided to send Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing to Spirit City to join Spirit Hall's team for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
• Qian Renxue promised Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing a Soul Bone and information about Twin Martial Souls if Xiao Yan became the number one member of Spirit Hall's younger generation.
• Qian Renxue explained that Xiao Yan would have to defeat Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, whose members had likely reached Soul King, including the Pope's disciple.

Bibi Dong learned that Qian Renxue had recruited the gifted Xiao Yan, then encouraged Hu Liena to win the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing arrived in Spirit City with Elder She, who was taking them to meet the Pope.

• Bibi Dong read intelligence about Xiao Yan and reflected on Qian Renxue’s recruitment of a Soul Master with twin Martial Souls.
• Hu Liena told Bibi Dong that she had broken through to Soul King and received intelligence about Xiao Yan and the tournament.
• Bibi Dong promised three Soul Bones to Spirit Hall’s team if they won the tournament, and Hu Liena left determined not to lose.
• Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at Spirit City and observed its grandeur, angel statues, and Soul Masters’ reverence.
• Elder She led Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing through Spirit City toward a meeting with the Pope.

Elder She escorted Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing to meet Bibi Dong at the Pope's Palace, where she tested Xiao Yan's strength by pressing him with her Soul Power. Xiao Yan endured the pressure with help from his Martial Souls, then went with Zhu Zhuqing to Spirit Hall Academy carrying a protective token from Her Highness.

• Elder She led Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing through Spirit Hall headquarters and into the Pope's Palace to meet Bibi Dong.
• Bibi Dong increased her Soul Power pressure on Xiao Yan, who resisted with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and his Soul Division Martial Soul.
• Xiao Yan endured pressure approaching level sixty-five, impressing Bibi Dong, who then ended the test and sent the pair to rest.
• Elder She returned to the Elder Hall and gave Xiao Yan Her Highness's token, which protected him from unjustified attacks by Spirit Hall Titled Douluo.

At Spirit Hall Academy, Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing settled into their private residence and explored the school before Xiao Yan resumed investigating the synergy between his two Martial Souls. He managed to channel Bone Spirit Cold Flame into his Soul Division Martial Soul and formed a combined Soul Skill, leaving its ice spikes poised to unleash.

• Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at Spirit Hall Academy and moved into a private courtyard reserved for core disciples.
• After settling in, they crossed the academy grounds, watched students spar, and ate at the cafeteria.
• Xiao Yan reflected on the growing rivalry between Spirit Hall and the two great empires, then watched two more arena matches with Zhu Zhuqing.
• Back in his room, Xiao Yan summoned Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Soul Division and sensed through both his original body and his Martial Soul.
• Xiao Yan transferred the cold flame into Soul Division and formed Cold Flame · Soul-Concentrating Pierce, creating ice spikes behind both bodies.

Xiao Yan searched for a link between Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Soul Division while Zhu Zhuqing went to test her strength at Spirit Hall Academy’s competition platform. Meanwhile, Yan learned that two new disciples had drawn the Saintess’s interest and seemed to have come for her, leaving him furious.

• Xiao Yan repeatedly used his Soul Skills and tried to understand how his Martial Souls might connect through space, restoring his Soul Power whenever it ran low.
• Zhu Zhuqing visited Xiao Yan but left him to cultivate, then went to the academy’s competition platform to familiarize herself with her new strength.
• Zhu Zhuqing recalled her affection for Shrek and her hatred of Dai Mubai, and considered that the Shrek team could reach the Soul Master Tournament finals.
• Yan defeated flaming Soul Beasts in Spirit Hall’s Mimicry Cultivation Environment using Magma Surge.
• A young informant told Yan that the Saintess had taken an interest in two new core disciples who appeared to have come for her, and Yan reacted with a violent presence and savage gaze.

Hu Liena’s interest in Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing drew attention to the newcomers, while the First Elder instructed She Long to ensure Xiao Yan was treated fairly in Spirit City. At Spirit Hall Academy, Zhu Zhuqing began a sparring match against Long Lan, a level forty-two student.

• Hu Liena gathered information about Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing, prompting others at Spirit Hall Academy to take notice of them.
• She Long briefed the First Elder on Qian Renxue’s arrangements and discussed Xiao Yan’s unusual Martial Soul.
• The First Elder told She Long to let Qian Renxue handle Xiao Yan’s development and to ensure the newcomers were treated fairly in Spirit City.
• Zhu Zhuqing continued fighting at the academy’s sparring platform and prepared to face Long Lan, a level forty-two Mad Saber Soul Master.
• Zhu Zhuqing and Long Lan introduced their levels and Martial Souls, then unleashed their Soul Power as the match began.

Zhu Zhuqing fought Long Lan, whose Mad Saber techniques used the weapon’s momentum to counter her speed and restrict her movement. Long Lan struck what he thought was Zhu Zhuqing near the arena’s edge, but it was a clone, leaving him exposed to her attack from behind.

• Zhu Zhuqing attacked Long Lan with Hell Stab, but he blocked her claws with his Mad Saber and countered with a sweeping strike.
• Long Lan used Force Breaks Qian Jun to slam his saber into the arena floor, forcing Zhu Zhuqing to evade the powerful blow.
• Long Lan charged Zhu Zhuqing and used Earth-Splitting Mountain-Crumbling to send a fan-shaped wave of force across the arena.
• Zhu Zhuqing used Netherworld Shadow Clone to scatter three clones and herself, and Long Lan identified the figure running toward the arena’s edge as her real body.
• Long Lan activated Heart of Rage and struck the apparent Zhu Zhuqing, but his saber cleaved through a clone as the real Zhu Zhuqing attacked his back with Netherworld Slash.

Zhu Zhuqing defeated Long Lan with a clever feint, but Yan confronted her as she left the arena and taunted her about Xiao Yan. Hu Liena and Xie Yue watched from nearby, with Hu Liena hoping Yan would test Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Yan.

• Zhu Zhuqing used Soul Division to conceal her true body and strike Long Lan, prompting a Spirit Hall Academy teacher to intervene and protect him.
• The match was declared a win for Zhu Zhuqing, and Long Lan admired her skill as she left the arena.
• Yan blocked Zhu Zhuqing and challenged her, drawing the attention of the academy crowd.
• Hu Liena and Xie Yue watched from a rooftop, and Hu Liena explained that she wanted Yan to test Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Yan.
• Yan insulted Xiao Yan as a coward who hid behind Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhu Zhuqing grew disgusted as bystanders speculated about their relationship.

Xiao Yan discovered that his Soul Division Martial Soul could create unstable spatial openings for his Cold Fire, then rushed to the dueling platform after learning Zhu Zhuqing was fighting Yan. As Yan's attack threatened to overwhelm Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Yan raced toward the platform.

• Xiao Yan experimented with his Soul Division Martial Soul and sent his Cold Fire through spatial openings, though the technique remained unstable.
• Xiao Yan left his courtyard and heard that Yan was fighting Zhu Zhuqing on the dueling platform.
• Yan urged Zhu Zhuqing to surrender, but she continued attacking despite her injuries and dwindling Soul Power.
• Yan used Lie Yan Eruption to strike at Zhu Zhuqing as spectators expected her to lose.
• Xie Yue sensed the fight was not over, and Hu Liena spotted Xiao Yan rapidly approaching the platform.

Xiao Yan rescued Zhu Zhuqing from Yan’s flames and challenged the Spirit Hall Golden Generation fighter despite their difference in rank. After using Qian Renxue’s Elder Token to clear the platform, Xiao Yan met Yan’s punch head-on and froze the battle platform, leaving Yan at a disadvantage.

• Xiao Yan used Cold Flame Soul Armor to shield Zhu Zhuqing from Yan’s attack, then carried her to safety at the edge of the platform.
• Xiao Yan confronted Yan and asked the moon-white-robed academy teacher to leave, then showed Qian Renxue’s Elder Token to compel him to obey.
• Xiao Yan and Yan announced their levels and Martial Souls before beginning their fight.
• Xiao Yan fused with his Soul Division Martial Soul and rushed Yan, choosing to conserve Soul Power rather than use a ranged attack.
• Xiao Yan’s fist collided with Yan’s, and his Cold Fire slowed Yan’s Soul Power before spreading frost across the battle platform.

Xiao Yan used Bone Spirit Cold Flame, Netherworld Lock, and Eight Extremes Collapse to defeat Yan in the Spirit Hall Academy arena. Yan was knocked unconscious outside the arena, while Xiao Yan remained standing despite severe injuries and exhausted Soul Power, watched by Zhu Zhuqing.

• Xiao Yan took advantage of Bone Spirit Cold Flame catching Yan off guard and ensnared him with Netherworld Lock.
• Yan activated Granite Body, but the chains slowed his Soul Power and weakened his armor.
• Xiao Yan struck Yan's chest with Eight Extremes Collapse, shattering his armor and sending him flying out of the arena.
• Yan crashed onto the exercise field and lost consciousness as the crowd reacted in shock and cheered for Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yan suppressed his chaotic Soul Power while struggling with a badly injured right arm and internal injuries, and Zhu Zhuqing watched him intently.

After defeating Yan, Xiao Yan recovered with Zhu Zhuqing as the fight made him famous throughout Spirit Hall Academy and brought him close to a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong returned to Shrek Academy and found it divided over Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing’s departure, while Xie Yue and Hu Liena questioned how Xiao Yan had overwhelmed Yan so decisively.

• Zhu Zhuqing treated Xiao Yan’s injured arm, and he sensed that the battle had brought him close to a breakthrough.
• News of Xiao Yan’s victory over Yan spread throughout Spirit Hall Academy, making him famous and fueling romantic fantasies among the students.
• Ning Rongrong returned to Shrek Academy, where Xiao Yan and Zhu Zhuqing were gone and the remaining students were divided over Dai Mubai’s account of their departure.
• Ning Rongrong found herself unsure whom to believe, while Xiao Wu watched Tang San in silence and the Shrek Team remained with six members.
• Xie Yue examined Yan’s injuries as he and Hu Liena recalled Xiao Yan’s fight and wondered why Yan had been unable to respond to the attacks.