Ch. 3621When Joy Turns to Sorrow
Key Plot Points and Events
- The Zhuiling Sect's Great Elder, Zhuiling Ancestor, suddenly goes into a rampage, slaughtering sect members, including his own disciple.
- Scholar Tianya, another Supreme Elder, tries to stop Zhuiling Ancestor but is severely wounded.
- Scholar Tianya realizes Zhuiling Ancestor has suffered qi deviation, not been possessed by an Outer-Domain Heavenly Demon.
- Zhuiling Ancestor uses Demon Fire to attack Scholar Tianya, who is swallowed by the flames.
- The sect's cultivators flee in panic as Zhuiling Ancestor continues his rampage.
Character Developments
- Zhuiling Ancestor: Goes from a kind and respected sect elder to a rampaging cultivator due to qi deviation.
- Scholar Tianya: Initially shocked and horrified, he tries to stop Zhuiling Ancestor, gets severely wounded, and attempts to reason with him before being swallowed by Demon Fire.
Significant Themes
- The unpredictability of cultivation: Even a respected and powerful cultivator like Zhuiling Ancestor can suffer qi deviation, leading to disastrous consequences.
- The power gap: The vast difference in strength between Zhuiling Ancestor and Scholar Tianya is highlighted, making the latter's attempt to stop the former near-suicidal.
- The fragility of life: Many cultivators are killed or injured in the sudden rampage, emphasizing the precarious nature of life in the cultivation world.
Character Interactions
- Zhuiling Ancestor and Scholar Tianya: Their interaction is marked by violence and desperation, with Scholar Tianya trying to reason with Zhuiling Ancestor, who is beyond reason due to his qi deviation.
- Zhuiling Ancestor and the sect's cultivators: Zhuiling Ancestor's rampage causes panic and chaos among the sect's cultivators, leading to their desperate attempts to flee.