Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao continues his brutal ascension, slaughtering strange beings and absorbing Root Qi.
• He finally ascends, but the ascension is revealed to be a trap set by the Lord of Flesh and Blood (Akris), an Ancient God.
• He witnesses other cultivators being tricked into ascension and becoming food for Akris.
• He encounters Hetu Dao Master Zhang Shou, now a Puppet of Akris, who is killed and consumed.
• He Zhao completes the main quest unintentionally and is given the option to return to the real world.

Character Developments

• He Zhao: Becomes more brutal and ruthless in his ascension, but maintains his cunning and quick wit. Completes the main quest and decides to return to the real world.
• Zhang Shou: Revealed to have joined the Golden Cicada Sect and become a Puppet of Akris. Dies and is consumed by Akris.

Significant Themes

• Deception and truth: The ascension is revealed to be a trap, and the truth behind it is horrifying.
• Brutality and ruthlessness: He Zhao's actions during his ascension show his willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
• The consequences of one's actions: Zhang Shou's fate serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of aligning oneself with evil forces.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao and the other ascenders: He Zhao interacts with other cultivators who have been tricked into ascension. They are all doomed to become food for Akris.
• He Zhao and Zhang Shou: He Zhao encounters his former ally, now a Puppet of Akris. They have a brief reunion before Zhang Shou is killed.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao completes a large-scale Simulation Scenario, lasting 1,523 days in-game but only a brief moment in reality.
• He receives rewards, including 250,000 Simulation Coins, various Cultivation Methods, and the chance to replay his simulated life, which he declines.
• He draws a Sha Refining Dao Fruit from the lottery, allowing him to advance directly to the next major realm in his Qi Refiner cultivation.
• He draws the Ten Thousand Years of Longevity Badge, granting him a ten-thousand-year lifespan and peak physical and spiritual condition.
• He draws a Medium Dungeon Card from his final Upper Sign.

Character Developments

• He Zhao's cultivation advances significantly, reaching the Six Void Realm in Qi Refining and the Netherwater Realm in Artifact Refining.
• He Zhao's lifespan is extended to ten thousand years, and his physical and spiritual condition will remain at peak condition until his lifespan is exhausted.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions and the importance of atonement, as seen through the punishments in Hell.
• The power of luck and chance, as demonstrated by He Zhao's lottery draws.
• The value of hard work and perseverance, as shown by He Zhao's cultivation advancements and rewards.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the Judges and Punishment Evil Ghosts, instructing them to punish the sinners severely but not scatter their souls.
• He Zhao communicates with the Day and Night Wandering Gods, rewarding them for their diligence in punishing sinners.
• He Zhao prays to his father's photo for luck, which seems to influence his lottery draws positively.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao draws a [Medium Dungeon Card] for a random simulation scenario with severe restrictions.
• He draws a [∞] lot and receives a Dao Fruit Gift Package containing thirteen Dao Fruits, each advancing his current realm's progress by 10%.
• He draws an [Upper] lot and receives an Effect Enhancement Card.
• He draws an [Upper Upper] lot and receives a Cheat Code, which he enhances with the Effect Enhancement Card.

Character Developments

• He Zhao demonstrates his confidence and adaptability in facing random simulation scenarios.
• He shows gratitude and appreciation for the Simulator's generosity with the Dao Fruit Gift Package.

Significant Themes

• The importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in facing unpredictable situations.
• The concept of luck and its impact on outcomes.
• The idea of taking shortcuts and the consequences that may arise.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the Simulator, expressing his thoughts and feelings about the simulation scenarios and the rewards he receives.
• There are no other character interactions in this chapter as He Zhao is the only character present.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao draws a 'Character Card' from the bamboo slips, which slightly increases the probability of becoming human in random dungeons and improves his starting point.
• He Zhao draws a 'Respawn Point', a feature from games that allows him to revive people after death, with some loss in cultivation progress.
• He Zhao installs the Respawn Point in the back mountain of Ghost Gate Pass and has all the Judges and Day and Night Wandering Gods sign contracts to use it.
• He Zhao examines his talents and finds that some have improved, such as 'Spirit Realm Messenger+' and 'One Life+'.

Character Developments

• He Zhao continues to explore and utilize the features of the Simulator, showing adaptability and resourcefulness.
• The Judges and Day and Night Wandering Gods show loyalty and trust in He Zhao, signing the Respawn Point contracts without hesitation.

Significant Themes

• The theme of luck and fortune continues, with He Zhao drawing two '∞' slips and a 'Respawn Point' in a row.
• The theme of power and control is evident in He Zhao's ability to install and manage the Respawn Point, as well as his unilateral right to revoke contracts.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the Judges and Day and Night Wandering Gods, showing a paternalistic attitude towards his subordinates.
• He Zhao's relationship with the Simulator is one of mutual understanding and adaptation, as he continues to discover and utilize its features.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao uses a Medium Dungeon Card to enter a new simulation scenario, "Great Calamity!"
• He activates a Cheat Code that allows him to save and load his progress.
• He Zhao wakes up in the body of a high school senior named He Zhao, who has been grieving the loss of his parents and has become reclusive and alcoholic.

Character Developments

• He Zhao, the protagonist, is now in a new body and must navigate a new world and scenario.
• The original He Zhao is struggling with grief and has turned to alcohol to cope.

Significant Themes

• The theme of identity and adapting to a new situation is prominent, as He Zhao must now live as a high school student in a new world.
• The theme of grief and coping mechanisms is explored through the original He Zhao's actions.

Character Interactions

• There are no significant character interactions in this chapter, as He Zhao is currently alone and has not yet encountered other characters in his new scenario.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao deliberately opens his bedroom window to air out the smell of alcohol.
• He encounters a group of scalpers selling expensive circus tickets.
• He sees a poster of a black bear wearing a kasaya and Prayer Beads, performing sutra-chanting in the circus.
• At school, He Zhao finds the classroom unusually quiet and learns about the new Pure Cultivation Class, which is included in the Gaokao and offers permanent positions and high-ranking jobs.
• Students are taught the Samadhi Mudra, a hand seal used for meditation, by their new Pure Cultivation Class teacher, Don.
• Two students from He Zhao's class are transferred to the Pure Cultivation Class after successfully meditating for 40 minutes.
• He Zhao overhears a group of students discussing the black bear's escape from the circus and the potential danger it poses.
• Upon returning home, He Zhao finds a bloodied, ferocious black bear in his bedroom.

Character Developments

• He Zhao shows concern for the black bear's well-being and the harsh conditions of circus animals.
• He Zhao remains calm and collected even when faced with the dangerous black bear in his bedroom.

Significant Themes

• The harsh realities of animal treatment in circuses.
• The allure of power and security, as represented by the Pure Cultivation Class and its benefits.
• The unexpected and potentially dangerous consequences of He Zhao's new life.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the twin sisters and their younger sister in his residential complex, who show concern for his well-being.
• He Zhao overhears a group of students discussing the black bear's escape and the potential danger it poses.
• He Zhao encounters the black bear in his bedroom, leading to a tense standoff.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao encounters a Kasaya Bear in his home, which he cannot defeat due to its immense strength and invulnerability to blades.
• He Zhao uses his [Rollback] ability to return to the morning and decides to improve his physical condition using the Attendant Training Method from Harold's life.
• He Zhao learns about the Kasaya Bear's rampage through the city and its eventual death from a gunshot wound to the neck, not from the gunshots themselves.

Character Developments

• He Zhao becomes more determined to improve his physical condition and strength after his encounter with the Kasaya Bear.
• He Zhao demonstrates his ability to analyze and deduce information, such as the true cause of the Kasaya Bear's death.

Significant Themes

• The theme of perseverance and self-improvement is emphasized as He Zhao decides to train using the Attendant Training Method despite its harsh consequences.
• The theme of facing one's fears and seeking revenge is seen in He Zhao's determination to confront the Kasaya Bear again.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the Kasaya Bear, demonstrating his inability to defeat it initially but also his determination to improve and face it again.
• He Zhao interacts with the news reports and videos about the Kasaya Bear's rampage, using this information to deduce the true cause of its death.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao begins training using the Knight Squire Training Method, which involves a fitness exercise called the Mountain Climber Exercise.
• He Zhao discovers that he can use his ability [Save/Rollback] to restore his stamina and vitality, allowing him to train continuously without the need for Squire's Potion.
• After 411 attempts, He Zhao reaches the one-hundred-and-twenty-minute limit, becoming a squire.
• He Zhao tests his new physical abilities at the city center gymnasium, demonstrating superhuman strength, speed, reaction time, and defense.
• He Zhao decides to settle the score with the Kasaya Bear and plans to go to school first to learn more about the [Pure Cultivation Class].

Character Developments

• He Zhao's physical abilities and vitality significantly improve as he trains and reaches the squire level.
• He Zhao's determination and willpower are highlighted as he persists through the grueling training.

Significant Themes

• The grind-heavy nature of the Simulator and the importance of persistence and hard work.
• The consequences of pushing one's limits and the dangers of cultivating without proper resources or guidance.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao's interaction with the Kasaya Bear is mentioned, showing his desire for revenge.
• He Zhao's decision to go to school suggests he might interact with other students, possibly including the Kasaya Bear.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao successfully skips school and buys a sword and shield from Wenwu Workshop.
• He Zhao ambushes Kasaya Bear and wounds it, but the bear's strength and durability are far greater than expected.
• Kasaya Bear, enraged and injured, charges at He Zhao.

Character Developments

• He Zhao demonstrates determination and skill in combat, but underestimates his opponent's strength.
• Kasaya Bear shows increased aggression and resilience after being injured.

Significant Themes

• The theme of underestimation and overconfidence is highlighted as He Zhao underestimates Kasaya Bear's strength.
• The power of life force and its use in combat is introduced through the concept of Life Burst.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the shopkeeper at Wenwu Workshop, showcasing his knowledge of weapons and combat.
• He Zhao's combat with Kasaya Bear demonstrates his skill and determination, but also his underestimation of the bear's strength.

Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao (Harold) encounters and kills a Kasaya Bear in an alley.
• The bear's skin is tough, resistant to blades, spears, fire, and water.
• He Zhao discovers that the bear skin can be worn, enhancing his strength, senses, and defense.
• The bear skin can hide and reappear at will, but with increased use, it becomes harder to remove.
• He Zhao suspects the bear was once human and that eating people might help break free from the skin.

Character Developments

• He Zhao demonstrates his combat skills and resourcefulness in dealing with the Kasaya Bear.
• He shows curiosity and determination in experimenting with the bear skin's properties.
• He exhibits caution and awareness of potential risks, using the [Rollback] cheat code to revert changes.

Significant Themes

• The danger and mystery of the Great Calamity simulation scenario.
• The transformation and dual nature of the Kasaya Bear, reflecting the potential for darkness and beastly instincts within humans.
• The struggle between control and loss of self, as seen in He Zhao's experiments with the bear skin.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the Kasaya Bear, demonstrating his combat skills and resourcefulness.
• He Zhao experiments with the bear skin, showing his curiosity and determination.
• He Zhao uses the [Rollback] cheat code, revealing his caution and awareness of potential risks.

Summary of Chapter: Spirit Bone Prayer Beads

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao attempts to increase his meditation time using the Spirit Bone Prayer Beads, which he obtained from the Kasaya Bear.
• He successfully meditates for twelve hours, attracting the attention of Don, the Homeroom Teacher of the Pure Cultivation Class.
• He creates a simple electric shocker to wake him up after one hour of meditation, allowing him to join the Pure Cultivation Class.

Character Developments

• He Zhao demonstrates his determination and resourcefulness in improving his meditation skills.
• Don shows recognition of He Zhao's talent and invites him to join the Pure Cultivation Class.

Significant Themes

• Patience and Persistence: He Zhao's continuous efforts to improve his meditation time despite initial struggles.
• Talent and Recognition: Don's acknowledgment of He Zhao's talent and his invitation to the Pure Cultivation Class.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao and Don: Don recognizes He Zhao's talent and invites him to join the Pure Cultivation Class, showing a mentor-student dynamic.
• He Zhao and Classmates: The classmates show envy and jealousy when He Zhao is invited to the Pure Cultivation Class, highlighting the competitive nature of the school system.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Pure Cultivation Class is introduced, led by Don, who reveals the existence of supernatural threats like the Tiger King.
• Students are shown a video of the Tiger King incident and a portrait of Akashagarbha Bodhisattva.
• Don teaches the Offering Seal and the use of Tribute Rice for cultivation.
• Students are encouraged to cultivate the Offering Seal and Samadhi Mudra daily, with rewards for reaching two hours in meditation.

Character Developments

• He Zhao, the main character, is introduced as a ruthless and cunning individual with a mysterious past.
• Don, the Pure Cultivation Class teacher, is revealed to be knowledgeable about supernatural threats and has a mysterious identity.

Significant Themes

• The hidden supernatural world coexisting with the ordinary one.
• The dangers and mysteries of cultivation.
• The potential consequences of using power without understanding.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with Don, learning about the Pure Cultivation Class and its teachings.
• He Zhao observes his classmates' reactions to the video and portrait, showing his unique perspective.
• He Zhao experiments with the Offering Seal and Samadhi Mudra, discovering their effects on his soul and vitality.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao continues to cultivate the Offering Seal and Samadhi Mudra, with Don teaching him the Fearless Seal.
• He Zhao discovers that the Akashagarbha Bodhisattva in his mind has become even more blurry after a Rollback.
• He Zhao successfully performs the Fearless Seal, but the flame is weak and extinguishes quickly.

Character Developments

• He Zhao: Struggles with cultivating the Fearless Seal and is frustrated by its weak manifestation.
• Don: Reveals that the Pure Cultivation Class has been in existence for decades and that students will forget about it after school.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivation and the challenges of mastering new abilities.
• The disconnect between He Zhao's perception of Akashagarbha Bodhisattva and others' perceptions.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao and Don: Don teaches He Zhao the Fearless Seal and provides guidance on cultivation.
• He Zhao and Akashagarbha Bodhisattva: He Zhao struggles to manifest the Fearless Seal's power, leading to frustration and cursing at the Bodhisattva.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao activates Rollback to train, starting from the morning of Day 1.
• He successfully cultivates the Offering Seal, but finds its progress blocked after one use.
• He discovers that his talent limits the progress of hand seals.
• He has a dream where he spends a year trying to create the Apprentice Knight's salve using limited ingredients.
• He decides to study medicine and starts reading a book on medicinal herbs, rolling back time to read more thoroughly.

Character Developments

• He Zhao shows determination and persistence in training and learning, even when faced with limitations.
• He Zhao's understanding of his talent and its limits grows.

Significant Themes

• The importance of hard work and perseverance, even in the face of limitations.
• The consequences of relying on shortcuts and the value of genuine effort.
• The exploration of talent and its role in personal growth.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with the library administrator, showing his dedication to learning.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao spends three years (1,095 rollbacks) studying medical books, totaling 6,022 hours.
• He learns about medicinal herbs and equipment through practical experience.
• In a dream, he spends ten years (87,600 hours) researching an ointment for Apprentice Knights.
• He applies the ointment 25 times, gaining Steel Skin, but feels his talent is poor.
• He uses the Kapala Spirit Bone Prayer Beads to enhance his Apprentice Knight talent, reaching the basic threshold.

Character Developments

• He Zhao demonstrates immense dedication and perseverance in his studies and research.
• He shows frustration with his perceived lack of talent but remains determined to improve.

Significant Themes

• Persistence and hard work: He Zhao's relentless pursuit of knowledge and skill despite challenges.
• Talent and ability: He Zhao's struggle with his perceived lack of talent and his efforts to improve his abilities.

Character Interactions

• There are no significant character interactions in this chapter. He Zhao primarily interacts with objects (books, equipment, ointment) and himself (through rollbacks).

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao uses the Kapala Spirit Bone Prayer Beads to enhance his physical qualities, vitality, and defense to their limits without spending any time.
• He attempts to enhance his Samadhi Mudra and other talents but fails. He successfully enhances his Fearless Seal talent.
• He Zhao suspects the Kasaya Bear is not a real bear and is hiding within the circus due to trouble.
• He Zhao feels something is amiss on his way to school but cannot pinpoint what it is.

Character Developments

• He Zhao becomes stronger and more confident in his abilities.
• He Zhao's suspicions about the Kasaya Bear grow.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Kapala Spirit Bone Prayer Beads and their limitations.
• The consequences of He Zhao's actions and the potential trouble he might face.
• The contrast between He Zhao's strength and his classmates' cultivation efforts.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao interacts with his classmates at school, noting their dedication to cultivation.
• He Zhao does not interact with any other characters in this chapter, but his thoughts and actions are driven by his suspicions about the Kasaya Bear.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao, a student in the Pure Cultivation Class, is called out by his teacher, Don, for a private conversation.
• Don reveals the true nature of the Pure Cultivation Class, its purpose, and the dangers involved.
• He Zhao learns about the different realms of cultivation and the origin of their wondrous method from the Black Hat Faction of Chubu Temple.
• Don teaches He Zhao the Diamond Fist Seal, a protective hand seal, and He Zhao accidentally injures Don severely.
• He Zhao uses the Fearless Sword Seal to kill Don, but Don's body continues to ask if He Zhao took something he shouldn't have, even after being split in half.
• He Zhao is fatally injured and uses Rollback to rewind time.

Character Developments

• He Zhao: Shows curiosity and ambition, wanting to learn more powerful hand seals. He also demonstrates his ruthlessness and impulsiveness when he kills Don.
• Don: Reveals his true nature as a formidable cultivator and a teacher who cares about his students' well-being. He shows concern for He Zhao's future but also harbors suspicions about He Zhao's abilities.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and responsibilities that come with power and knowledge.
• The consequences of ambition and impulsive actions.
• The true nature of those in authority and their hidden agendas.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao and Don: Their interaction reveals Don's concern for He Zhao's future and his suspicions about He Zhao's abilities. It also shows He Zhao's ambition and impulsiveness.
• He Zhao and the other students: The other students are not mentioned in this chapter, but their presence is felt through He Zhao's concern for their safety when he decides to flee Shangyang City.

Plot Points & Events

• He Zhao learns the Diamond Fist Seal and the Lion Seal from Don, raising them to the Shami level using the Kapala Spirit Bone Prayer Beads.
• He Zhao discovers the defensive power of the Diamond Fist Seal and the offensive power of the Lion Seal.
• He Zhao's use of the Lion Seal causes the teaching building to collapse, revealing a bizarre, dreamlike world.
• He Zhao wakes up from the dream and finds an unknown figure about to attack him.

Character Developments

• He Zhao: Shows determination and persistence in learning hand seals, despite Don's initial reluctance. He also demonstrates his extraordinary talent by learning hand seals quickly.
• Don: Initially reluctant to teach He Zhao more hand seals, but eventually gives in. He shows surprise and frustration when He Zhao learns the hand seals quickly.

Significant Themes

• Cultivation & Talent: He Zhao's talent is emphasized as he quickly learns and masters hand seals, raising questions about his potential and the limits of his cultivation.
• The Unknown: The dreamlike world revealed after using the Lion Seal suggests that there are unknown aspects to the cultivation world and the game He Zhao is in.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao & Don: Their interactions are characterized by He Zhao's persistence and Don's initial reluctance, with Don eventually giving in to teach He Zhao more hand seals. Their dynamic is one of teacher-student, with Don showing frustration at He Zhao's quick learning and He Zhao showing determination to learn.
• He Zhao & Unknown Figure: Their interaction is brief but tense, with the unknown figure about to attack He Zhao, suggesting potential conflict or danger.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao wakes up and breaks free from the Realm of Desire, just as an attacker is about to strike him.
• The attacker uses a Vajra Pestle, which can pierce through He Zhao's Steel Skin and root him in place.
• The attacker invokes an Earth God, possessing himself and becoming a giant.
• He Zhao uses Life Burst and Body Growth techniques to match the giant's size and strength.

Character Developments

• He Zhao demonstrates his reaction speed, strength, and resilience, breaking free from the Realm of Desire and withstanding the attacker's initial assault.
• The attacker shows his ruthlessness and desperation, willing to die together with He Zhao.
• The Earth God exhibits immense power, healing the attacker's severe injuries and enhancing his physical prowess.

Significant Themes

• The power of Life Burst and Body Growth techniques, allowing He Zhao to temporarily reach the level of a giant.
• The ruthlessness and desperation of the attacker, willing to sacrifice himself to take down He Zhao.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao and the attacker engage in a brutal fight, with the attacker initially gaining the upper hand but later being overwhelmed by He Zhao's strength and techniques.
• The Earth God's possession of the attacker turns the tide of the battle, but He Zhao quickly adapts and matches the giant's size and strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Zhao and Little Giant, both transformed into giants, engage in a brutal fight.
• He Zhao uses the Lion Seal, a powerful hand seal, to defeat Little Giant.
• He Zhao discovers he's in an abnormal world and decides to exploit Don's teachings.
• He Zhao learns three hand seals from Don: Diamond Fist, Lion Seal, and Earth Binding.

Character Developments

• He Zhao: Shows immense strength and cunning, exploiting Don's teachings to learn powerful hand seals.
• Little Giant: Dies in his fight against He Zhao, revealing himself to be an Evil God.
• Don: Realizes that He Zhao knows the hand seals he's teaching, suspecting a mole in his temple.

Significant Themes

• The power of hand seals and their strategic use in combat.
• The concept of 'free-loading' or exploiting others for personal gain, a recurring theme with He Zhao.
• The idea of moles or betrayal within one's own faction, hinted at by Don's suspicions.

Character Interactions

• He Zhao and Little Giant: Engage in a fierce, violent fight, showcasing their strength and determination.
• He Zhao and Don: Interact as teacher and student, with He Zhao learning hand seals from Don while also manipulating him.