Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fire Knife receives a top-secret email about a game test in Ningzhou and impulsively signs up without informing his editor-in-chief, Gu Chen.
• He manages to convince Gu Chen to let him go, but not before Gu Chen tries to join him.
• Fire Knife calls Zhu Meng to register but is told only friends of Zhu Meng are invited.
• Heroic Sniper, frustrated with a challenging jumping puzzle in Monster Hunter, receives the same email and signs up for the test.
• Several other players, including Honorary Players, receive the invitation and quickly make arrangements to attend.

Character Developments

• Fire Knife shows impulsiveness and lack of professionalism in his work but is determined to attend the test.
• Gu Chen is initially upset with Fire Knife's behavior but is intrigued by the test and tries to join.
• Heroic Sniper shows frustration and determination when facing challenging game elements.

Significant Themes

• Impulsiveness vs. professionalism (Fire Knife)
• Intrigue and mystery surrounding the game test
• Frustration and determination in gaming (Heroic Sniper)

Character Interactions

• Fire Knife and Gu Chen: Fire Knife's impulsive decision leads to a tense conversation with Gu Chen, who is initially upset but eventually shows interest in the test.
• Heroic Sniper and other players: Heroic Sniper shares his discovery of a hidden treasure chest, leading to excitement and quick responses from other players.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Meng and Xiao Meng introduce the test to the 11 players, assuring them of confidentiality fees and subsidies.
• Xu Meng reveals that the test involves a new hardware device, the Dream Machine, which allows users to enter dreams and connect with the Virtual World.
• Xu Meng demonstrates the Dream Machine by controlling a holographic projection of himself to lead the players to the lab.
• Chen Zhong, the Flying General of Longcheng, wakes up from the Dream Machine, having been testing it since the beginning of the year.
• Xu Meng reveals that the group will start hunting together the next day, March 1st, as it's suitable for hunting wolves.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng: Shows his innovative and ambitious side by developing the Dream Machine to connect dreams with the Virtual World.
• Chen Zhong: Revealed to be an early tester of the Dream Machine, showing enthusiasm and eagerness to hunt together.

Significant Themes

• Innovation and technology: Xu Meng's development of the Dream Machine highlights his innovative spirit and the potential of technology.
• Trust and reassurance: Xu Meng assures the players of their compensation and safety to build trust.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng and the players: Xu Meng interacts with the players, explaining the test and addressing their concerns.
• Xu Meng and Chen Zhong: Xu Meng asks Chen Zhong to share his experiences with the Dream Machine to reassure the other players.
• Qi Huahua and Xiao Meng: Qi Huahua playfully interacts with Xiao Meng, rubbing her face and hugging her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The promotion of Dreadwolf in Xia Country is delayed and overshadowed by Zhu Meng's New Year event.
• Xu Meng hints at a plan to snipe Shengcai Entertainment's Dreadwolf by creating a big news event on March 1st.
• Xu Meng recruits 12 players to test the Dream Machine, a new gaming technology.
• The players experience the Dream Machine and are amazed by its realism and new features.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng is revealed to be behind the plan to sabotage Dreadwolf's promotion.
• The recruited players show excitement and enthusiasm for the Dream Machine, with some displaying their unique personalities (e.g., Huan Yue's excitement to kiss his wife, Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu's attempt to undress).

Significant Themes

• The impact of new technology on gaming and player experiences.
• The competition and strategies in the gaming industry.
• The exploration of new features and possibilities in gaming.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng interacts with the players, guiding them through the Dream Machine testing process.
• Players interact with each other, both in reality (e.g., discussing their experiences) and in the virtual world (e.g., Huan Yue and Huo Huo kissing, Qi Huahua and the Essence Soul cooperating).
• Xu Meng and Xiao Meng share a moment of amusement watching Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu's reaction to the mosaic censorship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qi Huahua discovers her improved control over her Essence Soul and Thief Dragon in the Dream Machine.
• Heroic Sniper struggles with the increased difficulty and realism of the Dream Machine.
• Xu Meng announces a large-scale Hunting Wolves challenge event for March 1st, 4 PM.
• Media hype creates a perceived rivalry between Zhu Meng and Shengcai Entertainment, leading several streamers and content creators to cancel their Dreadwolf sponsorship deals with New Force's Xia Country branch.

Character Developments

• Qi Huahua shows concern for the event's success and suggests rehearsing.
• Xu Meng remains confident in his team's abilities and the event's outcome.

Significant Themes

• The impact of media hype and public opinion on business decisions.
• The power of Zhu Meng's Honorary Player system in influencing player loyalty and behavior.
• Xu Meng's confidence in his team and the event's authenticity.

Character Interactions

• Qi Huahua and Xu Meng discuss the Hunting Wolves challenge event, with Qi Huahua suggesting a rehearsal and Xu Meng expressing confidence in their abilities.
• Xu Meng's announcement of the event leads to streamers and content creators canceling their Dreadwolf sponsorship deals with New Force's Xia Country branch.

Key Plot Points and Events

• There are 14 types of weapons in Monster Hunter, and 14 people in the stronghold, each choosing a unique weapon.
• Weapons are chosen through a free-for-all or simple games like rock-paper-scissors to avoid fights.
• The team practices with their new weapons and forms small hunting teams for tomorrow's live-streamed hunts.
• Xu Meng meets with the Monster Hunter development team to discuss player feedback from the internal testing phase.
• Xu Meng hosts an exchange meeting where Huan Yue's kiss with Huo Huo is replayed, causing a stir among the team members.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng: Shows fairness in weapon distribution and seriousness in handling player-NPC interactions in the game world.
• Huan Yue: Reveals he doesn't have a girlfriend, surprising the team, and admits he doesn't feel a difference between kissing NPCs and real people.
• Qi Huahua: Expresses shock and disapproval at Huan Yue's kiss with Huo Huo.
• Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu: Laughs at Huan Yue's situation but becomes embarrassed when reminded of his own outrageous attempt.

Significant Themes

• Fairness and Equality: Xu Meng ensures each person gets a unique weapon, avoiding favoritism.
• Player-NPC Interaction: The team discusses the appropriateness of intimate interactions between players and NPCs in the game world.
• Honesty and Openness: Huan Yue admits he doesn't have a girlfriend, and Xu Meng is open about the data docking process.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng and the Team: Xu Meng leads the team, making decisions and facilitating discussions.
• Huan Yue and the Team: Huan Yue's kiss with Huo Huo sparks reactions from the team, leading to a candid discussion about player-NPC interactions.
• Qi Huahua and Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu: They react differently to Huan Yue's kiss, with Qi Huahua being disapproving and Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu finding it amusing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu brings up "Virginity Graduation," a controversial topic from the Dream Ferry forum, shocking the group.
• Xu Meng reveals that while the Dream Machine can simulate various experiences, the connection is currently unstable, making certain actions impossible without waking up.
• The group discusses future game plans, with Xu Meng hinting at various extraordinary experiences.
• The next day, they learn that Dreadwolf, Shengcai Entertainment's game, has been released early to avoid competition with their live stream, as the company is on the brink of collapse.

Character Developments

• Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu shows courage in discussing sensitive topics and pushing for player desires.
• Xu Meng demonstrates his vision for future game experiences and his understanding of the Dream Machine's limitations.
• Flying General of Longcheng, having mastered Nen Ability, is eager for more extraordinary experiences in games.
• Fire Knife shows his professional knowledge of the gaming industry and its current state.

Significant Themes

• The potential and limitations of the Dream Machine in simulating real-life experiences.
• The impact of Zhu Meng's (Xu Meng's alias) influence on the gaming industry, causing other companies to adjust their strategies.
• The exploration of the mind and will through gaming experiences.

Character Interactions

• Fallen Leaf Qiuqiu and Xu Meng discuss the feasibility of "Virginity Graduation," with Xu Meng dismissing the idea due to technical and policy issues.
• The group discusses and provides feedback on future game plans, with Xu Meng recording their suggestions.
• Fire Knife shares industry insights with the group, revealing Shengcai Entertainment's precarious situation and the early release of Dreadwolf.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shengcai Entertainment's latest game, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, is released with mixed anticipation and concern due to the studio's past struggles.
• Despite initial sales success, reaching the top of the charts in some regions, the game fails to gain traction in the Xia Country market.
• Zhu Meng's live broadcast of Monster Hunter steals the spotlight, temporarily halting Dreadwolf's sales growth.

Character Developments

• Qi Huahua, a new employee, is nervous about her involvement in the game's success.
• Gary, the general manager, is anxious about the game's performance and the company's future.

Significant Themes

• The importance of a game's quality and fun factor in determining its success.
• The impact of marketing and player attention on game sales.
• The struggle of an established studio with a famous IP facing potential bankruptcy.

Character Interactions

• Fire Knife comforts Qi Huahua, reassuring her about the game's potential.
• Gary and the studio members anxiously monitor the game's sales and data.
• Zhu Meng's live broadcast captivates the gaming community, drawing attention away from Dreadwolf.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter showcases various weapon types and their users in Monster Hunter through a global pre-order event demonstration.
• Each weapon user performs a 10-second display, highlighting their unique skills and moves.
• Xu Meng, the main character, appears last, using the Hunting Horn, a support weapon, and runs away from the monster while playing the flute, causing confusion and laughter among the audience.

Character Developments

• The Dual Blade Hero showcases impressive agility and skill, captivating the audience.
• The Greatsword Hero demonstrates raw power and determination, standing his ground against the Mudfish Dragon.
• Xu Meng, despite using a support weapon, manages to entertain the audience with his unconventional playstyle.

Significant Themes

• The power of individuality and unique playstyles.
• The excitement and anticipation of a new game release.
• The humor and absurdity of unexpected situations.

Character Interactions

• The audience interacts with the weapon users through their comments and reactions.
• Xu Meng's performance sparks confusion and laughter among the audience, contrasting with the other weapon users' displays.
• Xu Meng announces the global pre-order event for Monster Hunter, generating excitement and interest among the audience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Monster Hunter's pre-orders begin, with Zhu Meng Game Platform offering a 10% launch discount, attracting over 70% of pre-orders.
• Monster Hunter's sales surpass Dreadwolf's in just two hours, causing Gary, CEO of Shengcai Entertainment, to lash out in anger and frustration.
• Xu Meng hosts a live stream, showcasing Monster Hunter's gameplay, including a detailed eating scene, before embarking on a hunt for a unique Hell Wolf Dragon.

Character Developments

• Gary's frustration and desperation grow as Dreadwolf fails to compete with Monster Hunter.
• Xu Meng remains confident and strategic, using discounts and exclusive features to attract players to his platform.

Significant Themes

• Competition and rivalry in the gaming industry.
• The importance of exclusive features and discounts in attracting players.
• The integration of everyday life details in gaming to enhance immersion.

Character Interactions

• Players discuss and compare Monster Hunter and Dreadwolf, favoring Monster Hunter due to its better sales and gameplay features.
• The development team of Monster Hunter interacts during a meal, sharing anecdotes and game-related stories.
• Gary vents his frustration to his employees, causing them to feel a sense of shared sorrow and fear of layoffs.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The party of 14 enters the Frost Nest, facing the Tempered Hell Wolf Dragon.
• The BOSS's aggressive attacks and high damage quickly eliminate several party members.
• Despite the party's efforts, the BOSS's strength and speed make it difficult to deal significant damage.
• The party struggles to coordinate their attacks, leading to friendly fire incidents.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng, initially seen as harsh but fair, is now suspected of tricking players into a difficult BOSS fight.
• Qi Huahua, initially pessimistic, gains confidence after studying footage but is quickly humbled by the BOSS's power.
• The party members, despite their initial confidence, struggle to adapt to the BOSS's strength and speed.

Significant Themes

• The challenge and difficulty of high-level boss fights.
• The importance of team coordination and communication in boss fights.
• The potential for friendly fire incidents in chaotic combat situations.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng and the party members, initially cooperative, become frustrated and accusatory as the fight progresses.
• Qi Huahua and Xiao Meng, initially at odds, work together to charge the BOSS but fail to coordinate with other party members.
• The party members struggle to coordinate their attacks, leading to friendly fire incidents and frustration.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dreadwolf's sales decline and refund requests increase due to negative player feedback.
• Monster Hunter's pre-order launch widens the gap between Dreadwolf's sales and refunds.
• A 14-player team hunts a Tempered Hell Wolf Dragon in a live stream, facing challenges and learning cooperation.

Character Developments

• You Guagua learns caution and cooperation after nearly killing himself and his teammates with his Rising Dragon Strike.
• Qi Huahua's Essence Souls prove useful in crucial moments, buying time for her teammates.
• Xu Meng and Flying General of Longcheng demonstrate excellent teamwork, rescuing teammates repeatedly.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork and Cooperation: The team's initial struggles and eventual victory highlight the importance of cooperation in overcoming challenges.
• Learning from Mistakes: You Guagua's realization of the importance of caution and cooperation after his initial recklessness.
• Hidden Depths: The Essence Souls' potential and the game's depth in content and difficulty are hinted at.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng's relaxed attitude and lack of involvement in the battle initially frustrate his teammates but later prove beneficial as they learn to cooperate.
• You Guagua's reckless behavior initially causes harm to his teammates but eventually improves as he learns from his mistakes.
• Qi Huahua's Essence Souls provide crucial support to her teammates, fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie.
• Flying General of Longcheng's Gauntlet Cannon is used to support and rescue teammates, demonstrating his commitment to teamwork.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Meng ends the livestream after successfully testing the Hell Wolf Dragon boss fight.
• The game will be officially released the next day, with no wipes planned.
• Xu Meng announces that the first player or team to lift the iceSeal from the Huaiwa Rainforest will receive the [Honorary Player] title, and the development team will join players for a special event one week after release.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng shows care and consideration for his team, ensuring they feel valued and appreciated.
• Streamers and content creators see a significant increase in followers due to the livestream's exposure.
• Fire Knife remains dedicated to his work with Xu Meng, prioritizing it over other commitments.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork and camaraderie: Xu Meng fosters a sense of team spirit among the testers, ensuring they feel valued and motivated.
• Recognition and rewards: Xu Meng offers the [Honorary Player] title and special events to encourage players and maintain their interest in the game.
• Professionalism: Fire Knife demonstrates dedication to his work, prioritizing it over other commitments.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng interacts positively with his team, offering comfort and encouragement after the livestream.
• Fire Knife engages with the silver-haired girl NPC, Ciri, to confirm the existence of a teleportation easter egg.
• Players eagerly anticipate the game's release, planning to team up and challenge the Hell Wolf Dragon boss again.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fire Knife, while live-streaming Monster Hunter, meets Ciri, a unique NPC who can teleport.
• Ciri teleports Fire Knife to Sprawling Metropolis, a non-game world.
• Fire Knife learns about other players' varied teleportation destinations and the random nature of Ciri's teleportation.
• Players try to gather information from Ciri, but she's cautious and only reveals that she knows swordsmanship, can teleport, and eats a lot.
• Fang Shuo, another player, recruits teammates to charge towards the ultimate BOSS in the Huaiwa Frost Hell.

Character Developments

• Fire Knife: Develops a protective instinct towards Ciri, becomes her caretaker in Sprawling Metropolis.
• Ciri: Remains cautious and guarded, reveals little about herself, but shows curiosity about the world outside the game.

Significant Themes

• The randomness and unpredictability of in-game events and NPCs.
• The impact of NPCs on gameplay and player strategies.
• The importance of teamwork and coordination in achieving goals.

Character Interactions

• Fire Knife and Ciri: Fire Knife tries to gather information from Ciri, while Ciri is wary and reveals little.
• Fire Knife and Water Friends: They communicate and share information about Ciri and other players' experiences.
• Fang Shuo and potential teammates: Fang Shuo recruits players to join his team for the ultimate BOSS fight.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Meng announces a challenge to unfreeze the Huaiwa Rainforest, which would normally take at least 40 hours or more.
• Fang Shuo plans to skip early stages and directly face the final boss, gathering a team of experienced players.
• The team, despite having skilled players, struggles due to lack of coordination and familiarity with the game, failing to reach the frozen area.
• Fang Shuo decides to try again with a smaller team and invites Zhang Siming.

Character Developments

• Fang Shuo shows ambition and leadership in forming a team to tackle the challenge but struggles with team management and coordination.
• Huan Yue joins Fang Shuo's team, showing interest in the challenge.
• Qi Huahua remains focused on nurturing her Essence Soul, not joining the team.
• The teammates initially show enthusiasm but struggle with team play and game mechanics.

Significant Themes

• The importance of teamwork and coordination in games.
• The challenge of skipping early stages in games and the consequences of not being prepared.
• The difference between game skill and team play.

Character Interactions

• Fang Shuo interacts with his teammates, trying to guide and coordinate them, but struggles with their lack of experience and coordination.
• Huan Yue and Fang Shuo work together, with Huan Yue showing more experience and skill.
• The teammates interact with each other, often causing chaos and hindering progress.
• Fang Shuo interacts with Zhang Siming, inviting him to join a smaller team for another attempt.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Siming's team reaches the Zhu Meng boss location without streaming, raising suspicion of others doing the same secretly.
• Fang Shuo decides to recruit teammates more rigorously after seeing Zhang Siming's success.
• The Monster Hunter game's official forums and social media platforms explode with player discussions and feedback.
• The development team starts receiving reports of various issues and bugs from players.
• The game's server comes under a DDoS attack, causing latency issues and gameplay disruptions.

Character Developments

• Fang Shuo feels envious of Zhang Siming's success and decides to improve his recruitment process.
• The development team members are busy addressing player feedback and issues, maintaining a positive and excited attitude despite the challenges.

Significant Themes

• Competition and envy among players, driving them to keep secrets and gain advantages.
• The impact of player feedback and the importance of addressing issues promptly in game development.
• The challenges and excitement of managing a highly successful game launch.

Character Interactions

• Fang Shuo and Zhang Siming discuss their strategies and experiences, with Fang Shuo feeling envious of Zhang Siming's success.
• The development team members discuss and address player feedback and issues together, showcasing their teamwork and dedication.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhu Meng's servers are under a DDoS attack during their peak commercial success.
• Xu Meng realizes the attack is happening at the perfect time to cause maximum disruption.
• Zhu Meng's servers are overwhelmed, leading to player complaints and temporary closure of Sprawling Metropolis.
• Xu Meng decides to fight back and trace the attack's origin.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng, initially complacent, becomes serious and strategic when facing the attack.
• Xiao Meng, Zhu Meng's AI, shows her capabilities and eagerness to counterattack.

Significant Themes

• The cutthroat nature of the tech industry and the lengths companies will go to for competitive advantage.
• The power dynamics between large corporations and smaller, innovative companies like Zhu Meng.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng and Xiao Meng work together to counter the attack, showcasing their trust and understanding.
• Xu Meng's decision to fight back demonstrates his protective stance towards Zhu Meng and his unwillingness to be a victim.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhu Meng releases Holographic Devices in markets worldwide, excluding Germany, causing North American players to protest due to delayed release.
• Monster Hunter's launch excites players, but a sudden server attack causes lag and disruptions, affecting Zhu Meng's games and users worldwide.
• Zhu Meng's servers are attacked, leading to the shutdown of Sprawling Metropolis and Silver City, and the interruption of various businesses and live streams.
• Players blame New Force for the attack, sparking a global backlash against the company.

Character Developments

• North American players show frustration and anger towards Zhu Meng's delayed Holographic Device release.
• Zhu Meng's response to the server attack is swift and decisive, with Xu Meng orchestrating a counterattack against New Force.
• New Force's management and security team are caught off guard and struggle to respond to the attack.

Significant Themes

• The impact of technology and gaming on global society and culture.
• The consequences of corporate rivalry and antagonism.
• The power dynamics between game publishers and players.

Character Interactions

• North American players interact with Zhu Meng's Los Angeles branch, expressing their frustration and demanding fair treatment.
• Players worldwide blame New Force for the server attack, leading to a global backlash against the company.
• Zhu Meng's management and security team work together to respond to the server attack and counterattack New Force.

Key Plot Points and Events

• New Force's server is attacked and shut down by Zhu Meng.
• Avalon Networks, a large multinational company, also suffers a sudden server crash with a message "YOU KNOW WHO I AM".
• New Force restarts its server, only to find the database emptied and server configuration messed up.
• More companies, including Cirrus, VaultChain, and Vinzon, experience network issues and homepage hijacking.
• Zhu Meng's games face increased latency and login issues.
• The conflict escalates into a full-scale war between Zhu Meng and multiple large corporations.
• The Monster Hunter development team releases an apology video for server issues, causing netizens to question and express support for Zhu Meng.

Character Developments

• Herman, New Force's CEO, becomes desperate and terrified as the situation worsens, ultimately deciding to shut down the server and wait for the outcome.
• Xu Meng, Zhu Meng's CEO, remains calm and composed, even releasing a humorous apology video amidst the intense conflict.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between large corporations and smaller companies.
• The consequences of cyberattacks and the importance of digital security.
• The impact of public opinion and media attention on corporate reputations.

Character Interactions

• Herman and the New Force team struggle to deal with the server attacks and the escalating situation.
• Xu Meng interacts with the Monster Hunter development team and netizens, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor despite the intense conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Meng, Zhu Meng's CEO, denies Zhu Meng's involvement in the Bit Storm attacks.
• Xu Meng posts a status update hinting at war, causing confusion among netizens.
• Zhu Meng's game teams release apology statements, but players are more concerned about Zhu Meng's survival.
• Players initiate a "Great Offline Movement" to reduce server load and help Zhu Meng.
• Players also target Zhu Meng's opponents with fake orders and inquiries to put pressure on their servers.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng is portrayed as cunning and strategic, playing with netizens' expectations.
• Players show solidarity and support for Zhu Meng, demonstrating their loyalty and willingness to help.

Significant Themes

• The power of collective action and solidarity among players.
• The blurred line between corporate strategy and deception.
• The economic and psychological pressure of cyberwarfare.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng interacts with netizens through social media, manipulating their expectations.
• Players interact with each other, organizing the "Great Offline Movement" and targeting Zhu Meng's opponents.
• Zhu Meng's game teams interact with players, releasing apology statements and attempting to maintain player relations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhu Meng (Xu Meng) fakes weakness to deceive opponents.
• NetNews and Cloud Foundry, two major corporations, are attacked and their services disrupted.
• Zhu Meng's actions cause global media frenzy and economic losses of hundreds of billions.
• Cirrus, NetNews, Cloud Foundry, and others surrender and offer compensation.
• Ethernet Network resists but receives a one-character reply (?) from Zhu Meng.
• Zhu Meng continues its counterattack, collapsing seven corporations' servers.

Character Developments

• Xu Meng (Zhu Meng) is revealed to be a skilled strategist, deceiving opponents and gaining the nickname "Digital Emperor" and "Internet Terrorist".
• CEOs of affected corporations realize their mistakes, surrender, and offer compensation to stop Zhu Meng.

Significant Themes

• Deception and strategy in cyberwarfare.
• The power and vulnerability of internet-based businesses.
• Global economic impact of internet conflicts.

Character Interactions

• Xu Meng deceives and outmaneuvers his opponents.
• CEOs of affected corporations interact through emails, offering surrender and compensation.
• Global media and netizens react to the events, influencing corporations' decisions.