Chapter Summaries

Lin Chen and Xiao Wu finished their first night at the Soul Fighting Arena with three solo victories each, while their teammates reported mixed results in solo and doubles matches. After Qin Ming tallied their points and distributed over eighteen thousand Gold Soul Coins in betting winnings, Lin Chen and Xiao Wu walked together beside the academy lake.

• Xiao Wu blushed as Lin Chen soothed her injuries and praised her for finding the weakness at the base of her opponent's ear.
• Shi Mo and Shi Mo returned after losing one of their two doubles matches, while Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling reported victories in their matches.
• Dugu Yan complained that a Control System fighter's Spirit Purifying Flower had neutralized her poison and defeated her in one of three matches.
• Qin Ming tallied the team's results and announced that their bets had brought in a little over eighteen thousand Gold Soul Coins.
• Qin Ming distributed the winnings, and Lin Chen accepted his share of two thousand Gold Soul Coins.
• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu strolled beside the lake, where Xiao Wu praised Lin Chen and leaned against his arm.

Lin Chen broke through to level thirty-seven after cultivating overnight, then trained with Xiao Wu for their upcoming doubles match. At the Great Soul Arena, Xiao Wu proposed naming their team the Chen Wu Duo.

• Lin Chen used the insights from his recent battles to break through the level-thirty-six bottleneck and reach level thirty-seven.
• Xiao Wu and Lin Chen discussed the doubles match over breakfast and headed to the training ground.
• Qin Ming reviewed doubles tactics and assigned Lin Chen and Xiao Wu to coordinate as a Control and Power Attack pairing.
• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu practiced against Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling, improving their timing and coordination.
• At the Great Soul Arena registration hall, Xiao Wu proposed that she and Lin Chen register as the Chen Wu Duo.

Lin Chen and Xiao Wu entered their first two-person Soul Elder match as the Chen Wu Duo and faced the experienced Thunder Shadow Team. Lin Chen broke the team’s opening attack and protected Xiao Wu, who moved to target Miao Ying, while the battle continued with Lin Chen confronting Lei Li.

• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu registered as the Chen Wu Duo and entered the arena to face Lei Li and Miao Ying.
• Lin Chen’s three Soul Rings, including a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, drew astonished reactions from the spectators and alarmed their opponents.
• Miao Ying spread Phantom Spores as Lei Li launched Thunder Shadow Assault at Xiao Wu, but Lin Chen’s Chaos Suppression cleared the spores and his Chaos Shield stopped Lei Li.
• Xiao Wu teleported beside Miao Ying and attacked her umbrella, but Miao Ying repelled her and sent paralyzing spores toward her.
• Lin Chen appeared beside Xiao Wu, blocked Lei Li’s attack, and blew the spores back toward Miao Ying.
• Lin Chen told Xiao Wu to handle Miao Ying and faced Lei Li, slowing him with suppressive force as Lei Li activated Thundercloud Claw.

Lin Chen and Xiao Wu won their first doubles match against Lei Li and Miao Ying, then built a seven-day winning streak at the Great Soul Arena. Their growing success boosted the Imperial Fighting Team's fame and left the Chen Wu Duo on a strong run in the Soul Elder doubles matches.

• Lin Chen countered Lei Li's lightning attacks with his strength while Xiao Wu dodged Miao Ying's spores and knocked her unconscious.
• Lin Chen used Void Shift to evade Lei Li's Thundercloud Eruption, then he and Xiao Wu disabled Lei Li until he admitted defeat.
• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu won their first doubles match, and Qin Ming praised their teamwork.
• Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling won their doubles match, and the Shi Mo brothers also claimed a victory.
• Over the next seven days, Lin Chen won seven singles matches and the Chen Wu Duo won five doubles matches, drawing crowds and raising the Imperial Fighting Team's profile.

Xue Qinghe arranged a higher-rank match to test Lin Chen and the Imperial Fighting Team against the experienced Eight Desolations Battle Team. Lin Chen outlined a plan to counter their formation, and the two teams took the platform as the match was about to begin.

• The Great Soul Arena announced that the Imperial Fighting Team would face the Eight Desolations Battle Team, drawing a sold-out crowd and heavy betting on the Eight Desolations.
• Xue Qinghe watched from a private room and learned the Eight Desolations Battle Team's lineup, experience, and strengths as he assessed Lin Chen's reported talent.
• Qin Ming warned the Imperial Fighting Team that their opponents were stronger and more experienced, while Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shi Mo brothers voiced their confidence.
• Lin Chen assigned roles to the team, telling the Shi Mo brothers to hold the front, Yu Tianheng to engage Xi Ba, and the others to pressure the opposing flank, support, and control fighters.
• The Eight Desolations Battle Team entered the arena, led by Xi Ba, and all seven fighters released their Soul Rings as the crowd roared.

The Imperial Fighting Team faced the Eight Desolations Battle Team, and Lin Chen’s ten-thousand-year third Soul Ring drew gasps from the audience. The fight left both teams locked in a grinding stalemate, with the Imperial Fighting Team’s defense and coordinated support holding off the Eight Desolations’ attacks.

• The Imperial Fighting Team entered the arena, and Lin Chen’s black third Soul Ring stunned the crowd.
• Xi Ba taunted Lin Chen before the host started the match and both teams formed their battle lines.
• Xi Ba charged the Imperial Fighting Team’s front line, but the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo held him back with their Tortoise Shell Barrier while Ye Lingling healed them.
• Lin Chen directed Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan to pressure Xi Ba’s flanks as his Chaos Suppression weakened the Eight Desolations Battle Team.
• The teams traded attacks, but neither side gained an advantage as the Imperial Fighting Team’s defense and support countered the Eight Desolations’ coordinated assault.

The Eight Desolations Battle Team unleashed its full strength and broke through the Imperial Fighting Team’s defenses, leaving several fighters injured. As the team faced defeat, Lin Chen stepped forward and prepared to confront the attackers.

• Xi Ba ordered the Eight Desolations Battle Team to use their full strength, and Fu Yun amplified them while Bing Mei froze the arena with Ice Seal Domain.
• Xi Ba and Man Xun shattered the Tortoise Shell Barrier, injuring Shi Mo and Shi Mo and breaking the Imperial Fighting Team’s front line.
• Yu Tianheng tried to stop Xi Ba with Thunderous Might, but Xi Ba struck him down and left him injured.
• Yan Ling'er and Ni Aos attacked Ye Lingling, and Xiao Wu shielded her from the fireballs, burning her arm in the process.
• Lin Chen told Xiao Wu to retreat for treatment, then asked the injured Yu Tianheng if he could keep fighting.

Lin Chen used Chaos Suppression and repeated Void Shifts to take out four members of the Eight Desolations Battle Team in less than ten breaths. He then evaded Xi Ba and Man Xun, wearing down Xi Ba while waiting for Yu Tianheng and the front line to recover.

• Lin Chen activated Chaos Suppression, slowing the Eight Desolations members and creating an opening to attack.
• Lin Chen teleported to Yan Ling'er, disabled her Soul Skill, and knocked her out of the fight.
• Lin Chen used Void Shift to evade the team's attacks, then struck down Chui Laowu and immobilized Bing Mei.
• Lin Chen blocked Fu Yun's Water Dragon Bullet Barrage and disabled him with a strike to his Soul Power center.
• Xi Ba and Man Xun charged Lin Chen, but he evaded them and used Chaos Suppression to drain Xi Ba's Soul Power while waiting for Yu Tianheng and the front line to recover.

Lin Chen led the Imperial Fighting Team to defeat the Eight Desolations Battle Team and earn promotion to Bronze Soul Fighter rank. After the victory, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe arranged to meet Lin Chen, while Qin Ming told the injured team to rest before taking on more matches.

• Lin Chen used Chaos Suppression to halt Xi Ba, and Yu Tianheng struck the Rhino-Horned Tyrant Dragon's weak point before Lin Chen knocked him unconscious.
• The Shi Mo brothers and Yu Tianheng defeated Man Xun, while Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu brought down the remaining opponents, completing the Imperial Fighting Team's victory.
• The host declared the Imperial Fighting Team the winner, and Xue Qinghe praised Lin Chen before arranging an invitation to the Crown Prince's residence three days later.
• Qin Ming, Lin Chen, and the others celebrated the victory, and Yu Tianheng conceded that Lin Chen deserved the most credit.
• The Imperial Fighting Team received Bronze Soul Fighter badges, and spectators and sect stewards crowded around Lin Chen as the team left the arena.
• Qin Ming rejected offers from sect stewards and told the injured team to rest for a few days before attempting more matches.

After Lin Chen’s victory drew the attention of the Heaven Dou Empire’s upper ranks, Xue Qinghe invited him to a banquet at the Eastern Palace. Lin Chen accepted the invitation and planned to approach Xue Qinghe as an ally, while continuing to strengthen himself before the meeting.

• An academy steward delivered Xue Qinghe’s personal invitation to Lin Chen, inviting him to the Eastern Palace in three days.
• Qin Ming warned Lin Chen that Xue Qinghe might try to recruit him, and Lin Chen said he would handle the meeting carefully.
• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu returned to their courtyard, shared lotus seed soup, and talked about the day’s match.
• After Xiao Wu went to bed, Lin Chen cultivated and assessed his improved strength and Chaos Pearl fusion after the battle.
• Lin Chen considered the invitation his first step into Heaven Dou’s upper circles and resolved to seek an alliance with Xue Qinghe rather than become his subordinate.

Lin Chen attended a private meeting with Xue Qinghe at the Eastern Palace, where the crown prince questioned him about his abilities, training, and views on the continent’s politics. Lin Chen guarded his secrets and gave a cautious answer, leaving Xue Qinghe’s probe unresolved.

• Lin Chen continued cultivating and decided to use Xue Qinghe’s offer to gain a broader view of the political game in Heaven Dou City.
• Three days later, Lin Chen traveled by carriage to the Eastern Palace and was escorted to a private side hall.
• Xue Qinghe welcomed Lin Chen and praised his performance in the Great Soul Arena before beginning a private conversation over tea.
• Xue Qinghe asked about Lin Chen’s rare Chaos Pearl Martial Soul and his teacher, but Lin Chen attributed his progress to academy instructors and revealed nothing further.
• Xue Qinghe asked where Lin Chen thought the continent was headed, and Lin Chen described the balance among Spirit Hall, the two empires, and the Upper Three Sects.

Xue Qinghe tested Lin Chen’s loyalties and gave him a Soul Master Association guest elder token, while Lin Chen privately treated their relationship as mutually useful. As Lin Chen’s reputation grew in Heaven Dou City, the story shifted to Shrek Academy, where Yu Xiaogang’s grueling training continued after the group’s defeat in the Star Dou Great Forest.

• Xue Qinghe asked Lin Chen whether he would support the empire or Spirit Hall in a future conflict, and Lin Chen said he would focus on surviving and cultivating.
• Xue Qinghe gave Lin Chen a Soul Master Association guest elder token granting access to archives and internal purchasing channels, and Lin Chen accepted it.
• Lin Chen left the Eastern Palace, reflecting that he and Xue Qinghe were using each other for their own aims.
• Rumors spread in Heaven Dou City about Lin Chen’s visit to the Eastern Palace as the Imperial Fighting Team continued its arena matches and the Chen Wu Duo reached fifteen consecutive victories.
• At Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang continued intensive training more than a month after the group’s setback in the Star Dou Great Forest.

After Tang San reached level thirty, he and Yu Xiaogang hunted a Man Faced Demon Spider, and Tang San absorbed its two-thousand-year Soul Ring to reach level thirty-three. Yu Xiaogang then sent the Shrek Seven Devils to the Suotuo Great Soul Arena, where the young team began winning across individual, doubles, and team matches.

• Tang San broke through to level thirty during training, and Yu Xiaogang took him to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a suitable Soul Beast.
• Tang San defeated a two-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider with Blue Silver Grass and hidden weapons, then absorbed its Soul Ring and gained Spider Web Restraint.
• Tang San returned to Shrek Academy at level thirty-three, and Yu Xiaogang announced that the students would compete at Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena to earn Silver Soul Badges.
• Yu Xiaogang registered the group as the Shrek Seven Devils, and Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Zhu Zhuqing began winning their individual matches.
• Dai Mubai and Oscar's Twin-Winged White Tiger pair and Tang San and Tuo Mushuo's Thousand-Handed Hell pair won match after match in doubles competition.

The Shrek Seven Devils continued their winning streak in Suotuo City while Lin Chen learned of their progress in Heaven Dou City. After Dugu Yan broke through to level thirty, Dugu Bo arrived to take her to Sunset Forest, and Lin Chen arranged for himself and Xiao Wu to join them.

• The Shrek Seven Devils won their seventh consecutive team match, and Tang San led the team as their reputation grew in Suotuo City.
• Qin Ming told Lin Chen about the Shrek Seven Devils, while Lin Chen reflected on Tang San's progress and anticipated meeting him at the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.
• Dugu Yan broke through to level thirty during training at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, prompting Dugu Bo to arrive and offer to take her to Sunset Forest to hunt a Soul Ring.
• Lin Chen asked Dugu Bo to let him accompany the trip to study wild herbs and toxicology, and Xiao Wu asked to come as well.
• Dugu Bo agreed to take Lin Chen and Xiao Wu, warning them to stay close and avoid touching or smelling anything in the forest.

Dugu Bo took Lin Chen, Xiao Wu, and Dugu Yan into Sunset Forest to hunt a three-thousand-year-old Jade Scale Illusion Serpent, challenging Lin Chen to lead the fight. The serpent attacked with poisonous fog as Lin Chen activated Chaos Shield, leaving the battle underway.

• Dugu Bo arranged for Lin Chen, Xiao Wu, and Dugu Yan to meet him at the academy gates before heading to Sunset Forest.
• Dugu Bo led the group through the poisonous forest and warned them to follow his steps and avoid dangerous plants.
• At a marsh, Dugu Bo revealed that a three-thousand-year-old Jade Scale Illusion Serpent lived among the rocks and told Lin Chen to hunt it with Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu.
• Lin Chen assigned Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu roles in the fight, warning them about the serpent's poison and directing them to attack its weak points.
• The Jade Scale Illusion Serpent emerged and swept poisonous fog toward the group, and Lin Chen activated Chaos Shield.

Lin Chen, Xiao Wu, and Dugu Yan defeated the three-thousand-year Jade Scale Illusion Serpent, and Dugu Yan began absorbing its Soul Ring with Dugu Bo’s help. After her absorption stabilized, Dugu Bo told Lin Chen about a dangerous Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison Array three li to the east.

• Lin Chen suppressed the Jade Scale Illusion Serpent while Xiao Wu destroyed its clones, and he shielded the group from its poison-scale barrage.
• Dugu Yan struck the serpent’s exposed weak points with her Jade Phosphorous Bone-Eroding Needle, killing it.
• Dugu Bo praised the group and warned Dugu Yan that a three-thousand-year Soul Ring exceeded the limit for a Third Soul Ring.
• Dugu Yan began absorbing the purple Soul Ring, and Dugu Bo calmed the poison in her meridians so she could continue safely.
• Dugu Bo privately told Lin Chen about the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison Array he had set up three li east.

Dugu Bo allowed Lin Chen to explore the outer area beyond the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison Array, and Lin Chen brought Xiao Wu through the deadly miasma to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. They began inspecting its rare herbs, while the valley’s ice-and-fire spiritual energy slowly increased Lin Chen’s fusion degree.

• Dugu Bo gave Lin Chen permission to explore the area beyond the poison array, warning him not to venture too deep.
• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu crossed the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Poison Array inside Lin Chen’s strained Chaos Shield.
• They reached the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, where the valley’s opposing hot and cold slopes held unusual medicinal plants.
• Lin Chen identified Fragrant Silk Beauty and cockscomb phoenix sunflowers for Xiao Wu, then led her farther into the valley without picking anything.
• The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well’s spiritual Qi flowed into Lin Chen’s meridians and gradually raised his fusion degree.

Lin Chen and Xiao Wu reached the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, where Lin Chen sought treasures to strengthen himself and cleanse Xiao Wu of her Soul Beast presence. After finding the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, he explained that picking it required the picker to offer heart’s blood while thinking of the person they loved most, leaving Xiao Wu’s feelings—and the flower’s fate—uncertain.

• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu saw the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and endured its fierce opposing spiritual forces behind Lin Chen’s Chaos Shield.
• Lin Chen reflected that he wanted to temper the Chaos Pearl and use the Lovesick Heartbreak Red and other herbs to make Xiao Wu’s Soul Beast presence undetectable.
• Lin Chen and Xiao Wu searched the cliffside for red herbs as the well’s heat and cold strained them.
• Xiao Wu spotted the Lovesick Heartbreak Red growing in a rock crevice, and Lin Chen confirmed its identity.
• Lin Chen told Xiao Wu that the flower could only be picked if the picker willingly used their heart’s blood while thinking of the person they loved most.

Lin Chen confessed his feelings to Xiao Wu, and she agreed to stay with him forever. After Xiao Wu successfully picked the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Lin Chen found the Crystal Snow Dragon Ginseng and revealed that he intended to use both treasures to erase her Soul Beast presence and protect her from Spirit Hall.

• Lin Chen asked Xiao Wu to stay with him forever, and she accepted before they embraced.
• Xiao Wu used her heart's blood to pick the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, which remained intact.
• Lin Chen found the Crystal Snow Dragon Ginseng beside the ice spring.
• Lin Chen explained that the two treasures could help Xiao Wu shed her Soul Beast presence and become indistinguishable from a human Soul Master.

Lin Chen used the Lovesick Heartbreak Red and Crystal Snow Dragon Ginseng to refine Xiao Wu’s Soul Beast origin, but the herbs and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well’s spiritual Qi drove her cultivation out of control. To keep her from being injured, he sacrificed his Ten Thousand Year Third Soul Ring to contain her surging Soul Power, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Xiao Wu cried as Lin Chen reassured her that he would protect her and help conceal her identity.
• Lin Chen began refining the two herbs in Xiao Wu at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, guiding their medicinal power with his Chaos Soul Power.
• Xiao Wu’s cultivation rose beyond level forty as the well’s spiritual Qi weakened, and the violent medicinal power threatened to burst her meridians.
• Lin Chen sacrificed his Ten Thousand Year Third Soul Ring and transferred it to Xiao Wu, drawing her surging Soul Power into the ring and stabilizing her cultivation.