Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Workers at the construction site tease Old Ben Tou about his age and responsibility for Moka's studies.
• Old Ben Tou reveals his determination to send Moka to school, even if he has to sell everything he owns.
• Moka considers Old Ben Tou's suggestion to quit his job and prepare for school, but ultimately decides against it.
• Moka reveals to Old Ben Tou that he can read and had previously applied to an academy but was rejected.
• Chen Cheng returns to the academy and is celebrated by students, who interpret his calm demeanor in various ways.

Character Developments

• Old Ben Tou: Shows his dedication and concern for Moka's future by insisting on sending him to school despite his own financial struggles.
• Moka: Struggles with his growing affection for Old Ben Tou, reminding himself of his mission as an assassin. Reveals his past rejection from an academy.
• Chen Cheng: Maintains his composure after winning the championship, leading students to interpret his behavior in various ways.

Significant Themes

• Family and Responsibility: Old Ben Tou's dedication to Moka's education highlights the theme of responsibility and care for family, even when one's own needs are neglected.
• Perception and Interpretation: Students' varied interpretations of Chen Cheng's behavior emphasize the theme of how people perceive and interpret actions based on their own experiences and biases.

Character Interactions

• Old Ben Tou and Moka: Their conversation reveals their growing bond and mutual respect, with Old Ben Tou acting as a father figure to Moka.
• Chen Cheng and Academy Students: Chen Cheng's interaction with students highlights their admiration and desire to emulate him, while also showing his detachment from their flattery.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Cheng is caught by Melinda after he escapes the crowd.
• Chen Cheng feels inexplicable guilt, due to hormonal changes and his adult soul's self-control.
• Little Fatty reveals the attendees' ulterior motives: they want to exploit Chen Cheng's newfound favor with the Count.

Character Developments

• Chen Cheng: Realizes the cunning nature of the attendees, reminiscent of his past life's experiences.
• Little Fatty: Demonstrates astute understanding of social dynamics and people's true intentions.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Exploitation: The attendees' behavior highlights their manipulative nature, seeking to benefit from Chen Cheng's new status.
• Appearance vs. Reality: The attendees' flattery and attention towards Chen Cheng contrast with their true intentions.

Character Interactions

• Chen Cheng and Melinda: Their interaction is brief, with Chen Cheng feeling guilty, though the reason is not revealed to Melinda.
• Chen Cheng and Little Fatty: Little Fatty provides insight into the attendees' true intentions, helping Chen Cheng understand the political landscape.

Summary: “The Uproar in the Royal Capital”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the grand competition, Chen Cheng, Isabel, Melinda, and the others celebrate with a drunken banquet. Isabel, impressed by Chen Cheng’s performance, declares that she will personally teach him magic dueling, though Chen Cheng is too intoxicated to understand.
• Isabel and Melinda sober themselves and the others using Battle Aura, then let everyone sleep at Isabel’s residence.
• Chen Cheng awakens from an embarrassing dreamlike situation after accidentally sleeping in Melinda’s arms. Melinda had unknowingly pressed his face against her chest, and both become acutely aware of the awkward intimacy. Chen Cheng flees to the bathroom, while Melinda remains visibly embarrassed for the rest of the morning.
• Chen Cheng becomes increasingly troubled by his adolescent body’s developing urges, especially because his feelings involve his teacher, Melinda. His mature mind and past-life experience offer him little practical guidance.
• Fini notices Chen Cheng’s distraction and asks whether he is ill, but he cannot explain the real problem and simply assures her that he is fine.
• Meanwhile, news of the Western Territory Province competition reaches the Royal Capital. Political factions attack Modornik for altering the rules and accuse him of misconduct.
• The unexpected victory of a relatively obscure Huidun Academy student intensifies the political controversy. Conservative nobles accuse Modornik and Earl Huidun of collusion and fraud.
• Moss XIII reacts furiously when the accusations imply disloyalty or corruption involving the Earl and governor. He orders the execution of one official who spreads the rumors, silencing the opposition.
• Once the competition footage is reviewed, the capital realizes that Chen Cheng—known as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven—is an extraordinary magical prodigy. His use of Song of Ice and Fire and the flaming tornado convinces the kingdom’s factions that he may eventually become the strongest individual beneath the Demigod level.
• Noble factions immediately move to recruit Chen Cheng. Moss XIII anticipates their intentions and arranges for their representatives to be ambushed and eliminated by bandits before they can reach the Western Territory.

Character Developments

• Chen Cheng: Gains national attention after his victory and spectacular combat techniques. At the same time, he struggles with the mismatch between his mature consciousness and his adolescent body, particularly his involuntary attraction toward Melinda.
• Melinda: Shows affection and closeness toward Chen Cheng, albeit unconsciously during sleep. After realizing the awkwardness of their encounter, she becomes deeply embarrassed.
• Isabel: Becomes even more impressed with Chen Cheng and takes an active interest in developing his magical combat abilities by offering to teach him personally.
• Fini: Demonstrates concern for Chen Cheng and notices his unusual behavior, though she cannot understand its cause.
• Moss XIII: Reveals himself to be fiercely protective of Chen Cheng and politically shrewd. He is willing to eliminate officials and rival factions to protect the kingdom’s interests and prevent Chen Cheng from being exploited.
• Modornik and Earl Huidun: Become targets of conservative political attacks because of the competition’s controversial rules and unexpected result.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of fame: Chen Cheng’s victory transforms him from a local competitor into a national political asset and target.
• Political factionalism and power struggles: The competition becomes a pretext for conservatives to attack their rivals and challenge the King’s faction.
• Protection versus exploitation: The nobles seek to recruit Chen Cheng for their own purposes, while Moss XIII treats him as a strategic treasure worth defending.
• Conflict between mind and body: Chen Cheng’s mature mentality clashes with the physical and emotional impulses of adolescence.
• Authority and loyalty: Moss XIII’s ruthless response to the accusations demonstrates how seriously he treats threats to his government and allies.

Character Interactions

• Isabel praises Chen Cheng while drunk and promises to train him in dueling magic; Chen Cheng unknowingly agrees by nodding.
• Melinda and Isabel care for the intoxicated students and later sleep alongside them.
• Melinda unintentionally creates an intimate situation with Chen Cheng, leading to mutual embarrassment.
• Fini tries to comfort and diagnose Chen Cheng when she notices his distraction.
• Conservative nobles attack Modornik and Earl Huidun politically, while Moss XIII responds by executing an outspoken official and secretly preventing rival factions from reaching Chen Cheng.

Chapter Summary: Moss XIII’s Thoughts

Key Plot Points and Events

• Moss XIII reflects on the princes’ betrayal: the First Prince and several others plotted to murder their own brothers and joined forces with the Church and entrenched political powers to resist his reforms.
• He has effectively abandoned the First, Second, and Fifth Princes, while retaining limited hope for the Seventh Prince, who fled the capital but remembered his bond with his brothers.
• Moss XIII realizes that the tournament champion, Brown, is the same exceptionally talented youth previously reported by Kui Yi. He regrets dismissing the earlier report as one of the Seventh Prince’s fabrications.
• His recognition of Brown’s talent forces Moss XIII to confront his own aging, declining judgment, and loss of the bold vision he once possessed.
• Moss XIII orders Kui Yi to withdraw surveillance and personnel from the First, Second, and Fifth Princes, while continuing to monitor the Seventh Prince so he does not become completely isolated.
• These decisions effectively make Wisdom Shield—the Seventh Prince—the leading candidate for succession, though Moss XIII acknowledges that Wisdom Shield may still struggle against the Church and other powerful factions.
• Moss XIII refuses to offer direct protection to the Ninth Prince, insisting that the prince must secure his own strength and defend the position already granted to him.
• He places responsibility for protecting the future heir on Kui Yi and the Consecration Institute, then settles on the decision that Wisdom Shield is the only remaining prince qualified to inherit the kingdom.

Character Developments

• Moss XIII: Moves from bitter disappointment and self-doubt to renewed determination. He accepts that he is aging and can no longer postpone choosing an heir. Although emotionally reluctant, he concludes that Wisdom Shield is the only prince with the necessary farsightedness and ability.
• Wisdom Shield: Gains the king’s decisive support and becomes the favored heir. Moss XIII intends to test him rather than simply hand him power, expecting him to unite with Modornik and the Adventurer’s Guild and fight his way into the capital to claim the throne.
• Kui Yi: Shows concern for Moss XIII’s mental state and reminds him that suspicion is understandable for both a king and a father. He remains loyal and accepts responsibility for protecting the royal family, even when Moss XIII angrily shifts blame onto him.
• First, Second, and Fifth Princes: Are judged irredeemable by Moss XIII because of their treachery and alliance with hostile political forces.
• Ninth Prince: Is treated as capable of managing his own affairs, though Moss XIII’s anger suggests he remains emotionally conflicted about him.
• Brown: His tournament victory proves his exceptional talent and causes Moss XIII to regret nearly overlooking a potentially valuable asset to the kingdom.

Significant Themes

• Aging and loss of confidence: Moss XIII struggles to reconcile his former ambition with his current tendency toward suspicion and hesitation.
• Leadership and succession: The king recognizes that preserving the kingdom requires choosing a capable heir rather than clinging to personal reluctance.
• Family versus political duty: Moss XIII’s sons are both family members and rivals, forcing him to judge them as a father and as a king.
• Trust and betrayal: The princes’ conspiracy destroys Moss XIII’s trust in most of his children, while the Seventh Prince’s earlier loyalty preserves a small measure of hope.
• Testing the next generation: Moss XIII believes a true successor must seize power through ability and initiative, not merely receive it through royal favor.
• Political instability: Even with Moss XIII’s support, Wisdom Shield’s succession remains threatened by the Church, established powers, and powerful factions within the kingdom.

Character Interactions

• Moss XIII confides his doubts about Brown, his age, and his failures to Kui Yi, revealing unusual vulnerability.
• Kui Yi reassures him that suspicion is justified by his responsibilities as both ruler and father, while warning that his despair could endanger the kingdom.
• Moss XIII orders Kui Yi to alter the kingdom’s surveillance and security arrangements, abandoning several princes while protecting the Seventh Prince.
• Their exchange becomes tense when Moss XIII rebukes Kui Yi for failing to guarantee the Ninth Prince’s safety, but both understand that the king’s anger stems from deeper frustration.
• Moss XIII’s imagined relationship with Wisdom Shield is defined by challenge: he wants the younger man to defeat the old king politically and prove himself worthy of the throne. However, Wisdom Shield’s independent desire to seize power may ultimately make Moss XIII distrust him.

Chapter Summary: “A Letter from Her Highness the Princess”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Princess Fipsa informs Wisdom Shield that Modornik has moved the grand competition forward, provoking major political backlash.
• She warns Wisdom Shield to remain cautious, since rival factions may exploit the turmoil to attack him. However, because Moss XIII has already been angered, those enemies are temporarily keeping quiet.
• Fipsa also urges Wisdom Shield to begin preparations for his marriage to Melinda.
• Wisdom Shield, now living at the academy, continues training and purging the poison from his body under Chen Cheng’s guidance. His move also helps conceal his true intentions from the academy’s spies.
• After receiving Fipsa’s letter, Wisdom Shield summons Chen Cheng to discuss its contents.
• The letter reveals that footage of Chen Cheng from the competition has drawn attention, while many visitors to Hui Dun City were killed by bandits. Chen Cheng realizes that powerful factions may be investigating him.
• Chen Cheng’s greatest fear is not ordinary nobles or the Church, but the possibility that the Academy Alliance or another major power might uncover his identity as one of the Imperial Remnants.
• Adolf’s warning has reduced the Academy Alliance’s interest in Chen Cheng, while the Church is currently focused on hunting the heretic Jamir.
• Wisdom Shield and Chen Cheng analyze Fipsa’s marriage suggestion. They conclude that she likely does not truly intend for Wisdom Shield to marry Melinda, but is testing his obedience and preparing to arrange another politically advantageous marriage.
• Chen Cheng worries that a future high-born wife might become jealous of Melinda, who was once betrothed to Wisdom Shield, and could endanger her.
• He therefore urges Wisdom Shield to reject Fipsa’s proposal, prompting Wisdom Shield to ask for his reasoning.

Character Developments

• Wisdom Shield shows increasing political awareness and trust in Chen Cheng. He recognizes that his mother’s marriage suggestion is likely part of a larger political test and understands that becoming king will require personal sacrifices.
• Chen Cheng remains cautious about exposure, especially concerning his Imperial Remnant identity. He also reveals strong concern for Melinda’s safety and becomes determined to prevent her from being harmed by future political arrangements.
• Princess Fipsa emerges as a calculating political strategist. Her seemingly casual marriage suggestion may conceal a broader plan involving Wisdom Shield’s succession and alliances.
• Melinda, though absent from the chapter, becomes central to the emotional and political discussion. Her distant attitude toward Wisdom Shield suggests that their relationship is not based on love.

Significant Themes

• Political manipulation and hidden intentions: Fipsa’s letter demonstrates how personal matters such as marriage can serve larger political purposes.
• Trust and alliance: Wisdom Shield’s willingness to confide in Chen Cheng highlights the importance of their partnership.
• Identity and secrecy: Chen Cheng’s greatest vulnerability is the danger of his Imperial Remnant identity being exposed.
• Sacrifice for power: Wisdom Shield understands that pursuing the throne may require him to surrender personal freedom and accept a politically arranged marriage.
• Protection amid political struggle: Chen Cheng’s concern for Melinda shows how political ambitions can place innocent people in danger.

Character Interactions

• Fipsa communicates with Wisdom Shield through a carefully worded letter, combining warnings, reassurance, and political pressure.
• Wisdom Shield and Chen Cheng discuss the consequences of Modornik’s decision, Chen Cheng’s growing notoriety, and the Church’s activities.
• Their conversation becomes personal when they address Wisdom Shield’s possible marriage to Melinda. Chen Cheng asks Wisdom Shield to trust him and advises him to refuse Fipsa’s proposal, while Wisdom Shield respectfully demands an explanation.

Chapter Summary: “Discussing Marriage”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Cheng explains why Wisdom Shield should reject Princess Fipsa’s proposed marriage. Although marrying into an old noble family would improve Wisdom Shield’s status, Chen argues that his immediate priority is securing military support rather than becoming entangled with the traditional aristocracy.
• Chen suggests that King Moss XIII likely wants Wisdom Shield to become an independent ruler, not one controlled by powerful noble factions.
• When Wisdom Shield asks what he should do about marriage instead, Chen hints that the king may already have a suitable candidate in mind: Xiaodun’s younger sister.
• Wisdom Shield realizes that Xiaodun, the son and heir of Marquis Solo, could provide the military alliance they desperately need. Unknown to him, Xiaodun’s placement at his side was likely part of Moss XIII’s test: whether Wisdom Shield could win the loyalty of Xiaodun and, through him, Solo.
• Xiaodun’s family is politically important. His father, Solo, was the Kingdom’s greatest recent general and played a decisive role in persuading the nation to abandon expansionist warfare in favor of domestic development and commerce.
• Wisdom Shield agrees to consider the marriage but insists that he will not force the woman into it. He wants to meet her personally and confirm her feelings.
• Chen proposes that Wisdom Shield disguise himself and visit her after the relic expedition, when the group is expected to travel to the Royal Capital. This reassures Wisdom Shield and eases his discomfort with treating marriage as a political transaction.
• Before Chen can leave, Wisdom Shield keeps him to continue discussing Variable Magic. Their exchange benefits both men.
• At the Church Seminary, Tuotuo sees that Archbishop Quse has ordered the matter concerning the “Great Sage Equal to Heaven” to be temporarily shelved. The Church is focused instead on dealing with a dangerous first-rank traitor, leaving Tuotuo frustrated and powerless.

Character Developments

• Chen Cheng demonstrates political insight and strategic thinking. He understands that military backing is more valuable to Wisdom Shield than support from entrenched noble families. He also acts as a practical confidant, helping Wisdom Shield navigate both politics and personal uncertainty.
• Wisdom Shield becomes more politically aware, recognizing the potential importance of Xiaodun’s family and his father’s relationship with the military. He remains uncomfortable with arranged marriage and shows a strong concern for personal consent and genuine affection.
• Xiaodun is revealed to be more politically significant than Wisdom Shield previously understood. His position beside Wisdom Shield may have been deliberately arranged by the king, making him both a companion and a test of Wisdom Shield’s leadership.
• Moss XIII appears increasingly calculating. His policies and past decisions suggest that he has been quietly preparing Wisdom Shield for rule by placing key allies near him and testing whether he can command influential figures.
• Solo is characterized as both a brilliant military leader and a statesman who helped redirect the Kingdom away from conquest and toward internal development.
• Tuotuo remains devoted to exposing the “Great Sage Equal to Heaven,” but his lack of authority prevents him from advancing the matter while the Church handles a more urgent threat.

Significant Themes

• Marriage as political strategy: The chapter explores the tension between personal choice and dynastic obligation. A marriage can secure status, military support, and political independence, but Wisdom Shield fears reducing another person to a political tool.
• Power and independence: Chen warns that alliances with old noble families may create obligations that limit Wisdom Shield’s future authority. True leadership requires avoiding dependence on entrenched factions.
• Hidden royal tests: Moss XIII’s actions suggest that political arrangements may serve as concealed evaluations of Wisdom Shield’s ability to rule.
• Military versus aristocratic influence: The chapter emphasizes the importance of military loyalty as a counterbalance to the old nobility.
• Consent and emotional authenticity: Despite the political calculations surrounding marriage, Wisdom Shield insists that the woman’s wishes must be respected.
• Institutional priorities: The Church’s decision to shelve Tuotuo’s investigation shows how large institutions prioritize immediate crises over individual concerns.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Cheng and Wisdom Shield: Their conversation combines political counsel, personal friendship, and intellectual cooperation. Chen guides Wisdom Shield toward a strategically advantageous marriage while also helping him resolve his emotional doubts.
• Wisdom Shield and Moss XIII: Though the king is not present, his influence dominates the discussion. Wisdom Shield begins to understand that his father may have been testing and preparing him for leadership.
• Wisdom Shield and Xiaodun: Their relationship gains new political significance. Xiaodun is not merely a companion but potentially the bridge to the military power represented by Solo.
• Chen Cheng and Xiaodun: Chen’s memory of Xiaodun’s earlier confession about his sister becomes the basis for the proposed marriage. Their past conversation may have unintentionally—or perhaps deliberately—created this opportunity.
• Tuotuo and the Church hierarchy: Tuotuo’s frustration reflects his limited status. He believes the “Great Sage Equal to Heaven” is important, but the archbishop’s priorities leave him unable to act.

Chapter Summary: “Tuotuo’s Thoughts”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kurks continues investigating Chen Cheng’s claim that light can become invisible. His lack of scientific knowledge leaves him increasingly frustrated, and he finally cries out in exasperation.
• Tuotuo visits the training room and learns that Kurks’s emotional state was caused by Chen Cheng’s ideas about invisible light.
• Tuotuo becomes deeply unsettled. He views Chen Cheng’s claim not merely as an unusual theory, but as a possible challenge to the Church’s understanding of divine light and, therefore, to the authority of his religion.
• Tuotuo consults the academy’s priest, who responds philosophically rather than scientifically. He explains that God is present in both light and darkness and encourages Tuotuo to speak with Chen Cheng directly.
• The priest also teaches Tuotuo that religious understanding changes with one’s role: cultivators must treat God as sacred and inviolable, while future priests must embody God’s benevolence and guide others.
• Tuotuo decides to undertake his graduation cultivation in Hui Dun City, where Chen Cheng is located, hoping to resolve his doubts by pursuing their source.
• Meanwhile, Chen Cheng remains unaware that his comments have attracted Tuotuo’s attention. He worries about arranging Wisdom Shield’s marriage, questioning whether Soro will agree and whether the prospective bride will accept Wisdom Shield.

Character Developments

• Tuotuo: His confidence in his religious worldview is shaken. Though initially judgmental and suspicious of Chen Cheng, he demonstrates discipline by calming himself instead of allowing doubt to develop into a Heart Demon. His decision to go to Hui Dun City shows growing curiosity and a willingness—though still cautiously—to investigate opposing ideas.
• Kurks: His admiration for Chen Cheng’s abilities deepens. Despite lacking the theoretical knowledge to understand invisible light, he is determined to investigate it, revealing both intellectual curiosity and obsessive persistence.
• The Priest: He emerges as a thoughtful and politically/spiritually mature mentor. Rather than dismissing Chen Cheng’s ideas, he promotes inquiry and emphasizes compassion, suggesting a broader interpretation of faith than Tuotuo has previously learned.
• Chen Cheng: He remains oblivious to the religious and political consequences of his remarks. His immediate concern is the practical and emotional difficulty of arranging Wisdom Shield’s marriage.

Significant Themes

• Faith versus inquiry: Chen Cheng’s scientific-sounding claim challenges the Church’s rigid interpretation of light, forcing Tuotuo to reconsider whether questioning doctrine is inherently dangerous.
• Religious maturity and perspective: The priest distinguishes between the strict reverence expected of cultivators and the benevolent, guiding role expected of priests.
• Closed-mindedness versus growth: Tuotuo initially interprets unfamiliar ideas as threats to God, but the priest encourages him to investigate rather than condemn.
• Unintended consequences: Chen Cheng’s casual remarks create serious turmoil for Tuotuo and may draw him into direct conflict with the Church.
• Marriage and responsibility: The subplot involving Wisdom Shield’s proposed marriage adds a more personal and comedic concern, contrasting with Tuotuo’s spiritual crisis.

Character Interactions

• Tuotuo and Kurks: Tuotuo advises Kurks to control his emotions, then learns that Chen Cheng’s explanation of invisible light caused Kurks’s frustration.
• Tuotuo and the Priest: The priest offers Tuotuo spiritual guidance, reframing his doubts and encouraging him to meet Chen Cheng personally. Their conversation marks a major shift in Tuotuo’s outlook.
• Chen Cheng and Wisdom Shield: Though Wisdom Shield is absent from the scene, Chen Cheng reflects on their earlier discussion about arranging Wisdom Shield’s marriage and worries about the plan’s uncertain outcome.

Chapter Summary: Melinda’s Heartbreak

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Cheng is preparing to tell Melinda good news when she finds him first, visibly distressed after crying.
• Melinda embraces Chen Cheng and breaks down. He comforts her and takes her to the instructors’ dormitory, giving her a private, safe place to speak.
• She reveals that she received her first letter from her father, Prince Xiaosuo, in many years. Instead of expressing affection, he viciously insulted her, her failed marriage arrangement with Wisdom Shield, and especially her deceased mother.
• Xiaosuo falsely claimed that Melinda’s mother was immoral and had forced herself on him. The truth was the opposite: he had deceived Melinda’s innocent Elf mother because of her beauty and caused her pregnancy, despite the extreme danger childbirth posed to Elves. Melinda’s mother died as a result.
• Chen Cheng resolves to punish Xiaosuo indirectly. Since killing him would likely upset Melinda and stripping him of his title is currently impossible, Chen Cheng considers targeting his wealth and eventually reducing him to poverty.
• After crying against Chen Cheng, Melinda regains some emotional strength and happily tells him that her marriage arrangement with Wisdom Shield has finally been dissolved.
• Freed from the marriage obligation, Melinda openly suggests that she wants to pursue her own happiness. She sits on Chen Cheng’s lap, embraces him, and kisses him.
• Chen Cheng initially struggles against his attraction, but the two become increasingly intimate and kiss until the sound of the dormitory door unlocking abruptly interrupts them. Melinda quickly climbs off him.

Character Developments

• Melinda: Her heartbreak exposes the lasting pain caused by her father’s cruelty and his disrespect toward her mother. After receiving Chen Cheng’s comfort, she moves from grief to relief and confidence, finally allowing herself to pursue love and personal happiness.
• Chen Cheng: He demonstrates emotional maturity and genuine concern for Melinda, acting as both listener and protector. His affection for her deepens, though he remains conscious of the age and physical differences between his mature soul and youthful body. He also begins plotting a nonlethal but severe form of revenge against Xiaosuo.
• Prince Xiaosuo: His letter reveals him as abusive, hypocritical, and willing to rewrite the past to defame Melinda’s mother.
• Melinda’s mother: Though absent, her tragic history becomes central to the chapter. Her vulnerability, exploitation, and death explain much of Melinda’s emotional suffering.

Significant Themes

• Emotional healing and trust: Melinda is able to confront her pain because Chen Cheng provides a safe and sympathetic presence.
• Parental cruelty and inherited trauma: Xiaosuo’s insults attack both Melinda and the memory of her mother, showing how parental abuse can damage a child across generations.
• Truth versus malicious revisionism: Xiaosuo distorts the circumstances of Melinda’s birth to avoid responsibility for his own actions.
• Freedom and self-determination: With her arranged marriage canceled, Melinda feels free to choose her own future and seek love.
• Justice and revenge: Chen Cheng considers punishing Xiaosuo by destroying his wealth and status rather than killing him, reflecting a desire for consequences without directly violating Melinda’s wishes.
• Romantic awakening: Melinda and Chen Cheng’s relationship shifts from emotional support toward mutual romantic and physical attraction.

Character Interactions

• Melinda initially clings to Chen Cheng while crying, and he reassures her that she can tell him anything.
• Chen Cheng comforts her physically and emotionally, allowing her to lean on him until she is calm enough to explain the letter.
• Their discussion of Xiaosuo strengthens Chen Cheng’s protective feelings toward Melinda.
• Once Melinda’s marriage arrangement is dissolved, she becomes the more assertive partner, embracing, sitting on Chen Cheng’s lap, and initiating their kiss.
• Chen Cheng reciprocates despite his hesitation, but their growing intimacy is cut short when someone unlocks the dormitory door.

Chapter Summary: “Dojo Grand Opening”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Isabel discovers Melinda and Chen Cheng together in the instructors’ dormitory immediately after an intimate moment, embarrassing both of them.
• Isabel initially suspects Chen Cheng of bullying Melinda, but Melinda explains that her distress comes from a letter sent by her father, Prince Xiaosuo.
• Isabel comforts Melinda while ordering Chen Cheng back to class. Chen Cheng leaves, privately deciding to retaliate against Prince Xiaosuo by investigating his wealth and finding a way to bankrupt him.
• Meanwhile, Little Fatty opens the first dojo on the continent that claims to increase a Warrior’s chances of advancing along the Warrior’s Path.
• The dojo is established in the Royal Capital through an agreement with the Adventurer’s Guild, arranged partly through Chen Cheng’s introductions.
• The Guild provides major support, sending both the Royal Capital branch president and a Peak Epic Rank elder to the opening ceremony.
• King Moss XIII also sends a squad of royal knights as the dojo’s first participants, giving the new establishment valuable royal endorsement.
• Many guests remain skeptical, believing Little Fatty’s merchant background makes his claims impossible or fraudulent. Little Fatty nevertheless views the dojo as a long-term strategy for building House of Sto into a powerful, enduring lineage.
• The royal knights enter individual cultivation rooms, each containing little more than a Mithril-thread meditation cushion.

Character Developments

• Chen Cheng: Becomes more protective of Melinda and openly hostile toward her father. He shifts from emotional concern to strategic planning, intending to investigate and financially destroy Prince Xiaosuo.
• Melinda: Shows vulnerability over her father’s letter and relies on Isabel and Chen Cheng for emotional support. Her relationship with Chen Cheng becomes more intimate, though both are embarrassed when discovered.
• Isabel: Acts as a protective, motherly figure toward Melinda, comforting her and questioning Chen Cheng. She also displays a hint of jealousy or possessiveness regarding Melinda’s closeness with him.
• Little Fatty: Demonstrates greater ambition and business vision. Despite surrendering a significant share to the Adventurer’s Guild, he prioritizes legitimacy, protection, and expansion over immediate profit.
• Prince Xiaosuo: Though absent, he is established as the source of Melinda’s distress and becomes Chen Cheng’s next major target.
• Moss XIII: Supports the dojo through the royal knights, signaling official royal interest and lending credibility to the venture.

Significant Themes

• Protection and loyalty: Chen Cheng’s determination to avenge Melinda shows his growing emotional investment in her.
• Social prejudice and class hierarchy: The guests dismiss Little Fatty because he comes from a merchant family, revealing the aristocratic contempt for non-noble lineages.
• Ambition and legacy: Little Fatty hopes the dojo will create lasting goodwill and eventually establish House of Sto as a thousand-year lineage.
• Public reputation and legitimacy: The cooperation of the Adventurer’s Guild and the king gives the dojo institutional support, while successful advancements will serve as powerful proof of its claims.
• Hidden intimacy versus public duty: Chen Cheng and Melinda’s private relationship contrasts with their formal teacher-student roles and the scrutiny of others.

Character Interactions

• Isabel catches Chen Cheng and Melinda together, creating mutual embarrassment and tension.
• Isabel questions Chen Cheng sharply while embracing and comforting Melinda.
• Melinda defends Chen Cheng and gently sends him back to class.
• Chen Cheng reflects on Melinda’s suffering and resolves to act against her father.
• Little Fatty negotiates with the Adventurer’s Guild, balancing resentment over the terms with recognition of the Guild’s protection and influence.
• Little Fatty personally welcomes and serves the royal knights, seeing their participation as essential publicity for the dojo.

Chapter Summary: “100% Success Rate”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Visitors discover the “meditation cushion” is actually a Mithril-inlaid advancement platform. Little Fatty instructs the royal knights to sit on it, avoid touching anything, circulate their cultivation techniques, and prepare for advancement.
• The knights initially doubt the Dojo’s promise of improved success rates, but while advancing they realize the platform eliminates the normally dangerous heat buildup associated with Body Tempering.
• Every knight in the squad successfully advances. The Dojo’s staff then provides them with baths using water heated by the energy released during their breakthroughs.
• The successful royal knights display their new Gold Rank auras, convincing the skeptical guests that Little Fatty’s claims may be genuine.
• Little Fatty offers ten additional free advancement slots during the opening celebration. Guild members, an academy student, and eventually nobles compete for the limited spaces.
• Each selected participant emerges successfully, creating the impression of a perfect one-hundred-percent advancement rate. In reality, Little Fatty has carefully chosen people who were already highly likely to succeed, with some serving as deliberate “planted” examples.
• The opening celebration is deemed a success, and Little Fatty hosts the guests at an expensive restaurant.
• Although the guests outwardly celebrate, many begin plotting to exploit or undermine the Dojo. Before they can act, a powerful Guild representative named Fermis arrives outside the capital.
• Fermis announces that he has come under the Guild Master’s orders to attend the opening and presents a slain Platinum Rank Magic Beast as a gift. His arrival, and the cautious response of Kui Yi—the kingdom’s only known Peak Epic Rank expert—demonstrate the Guild’s overwhelming power and protection.

Character Developments

• Little Fatty: Shows himself to be strategically clever and manipulative. He understands that the Dojo’s reputation depends on carefully controlling the demonstration and secretly selecting suitable candidates. He successfully turns skepticism into public conviction while internally mocking those who take the results at face value.
• The royal knights: Begin doubtful and dismissive, but experience genuine surprise and gratitude when they advance without suffering the usual heat-related danger. Their successful breakthroughs make them enthusiastic proof of the Dojo’s effectiveness.
• The later participants: Gain Gold Rank strength and become living evidence supporting Little Fatty’s advertised success rate. Their success dramatically increases the guests’ envy and desire to use the Dojo.
• The nobles and Guild members: The nobles initially hesitate because failure could ruin them, while Guild members of humbler backgrounds are more willing to take the risk. Once successful participants emerge, the nobles quickly abandon their caution and compete for the remaining places.
• Fermis: Is introduced as a powerful and confident Guild figure whose effortless arrival and gift signal the Guild’s authority. His presence reassures the Dojo’s supporters and intimidates potential conspirators.
• Kui Yi: His cautious questioning reveals both his own strength and his concern about the arrival of an equally formidable outsider.

Significant Themes

• Perception versus reality: The apparent one-hundred-percent success rate is real for the selected participants but misleading as a general statistic. Little Fatty carefully engineers appearances to build confidence in the Dojo.
• Power and influence: Advancement strength immediately changes how individuals are viewed, while the Guild’s high-ranking experts demonstrate that political and military power protect the Dojo.
• Risk and opportunity: The guests must choose between the danger of failed advancement and the enormous reward of guaranteed success. Envy gradually overcomes their fear.
• Manipulation and strategy: Little Fatty relies less on the Dojo’s actual mechanism than on presentation, timing, selective demonstrations, and psychological pressure.
• Hidden conflict: The celebration appears cordial, but the guests’ private calculations foreshadow struggles over control of the Dojo.

Character Interactions

• Little Fatty gives the royal knights precise instructions and later uses their success to persuade the skeptical audience.
• The attendants support the advancing knights by preparing baths and managing the Dojo’s facilities.
• Little Fatty pressures the guests by announcing dwindling free slots, prompting first Guild members and then nobles to compete.
• The successful participants’ public displays of power influence everyone watching.
• Little Fatty hosts the guests while recognizing their hostile intentions.
• Outside the capital, Kui Yi challenges Fermis, but Fermis calmly explains his mission and reveals the Guild’s support by delivering the corpse of a Platinum Rank Magic Beast.

Chapter Summary: “Fermis’s Mission”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fermis arrives at Little Fatty’s congratulatory banquet and displays the corpse of a recently slain Platinum Rank Beast King. The spectacle proves Fermis’s strength and confirms that his support of House Sto is genuine, greatly impressing the attending nobles.
• Fermis gives the Beast King’s corpse to Little Fatty, reinforcing House Sto’s prestige and helping eliminate concerns about the Dojo’s security.
• He officially assures Little Fatty that the Adventurer’s Guild will allow his Dojo to open wherever the Guild has a presence. This fulfills the agreement between them and gives Little Fatty access to a vast market.
• Fermis then meets with the chief president of the Adventurer’s Guild in the Kingdom of Moss to investigate reports of a newly emerged Legendary Rank alchemist.
• The Guild Master, Lokasky, had chosen not to investigate personally because the alchemist may have reached the Demigod level through two different paths. A battle between them could devastate hundreds of miles and endanger Lokasky’s daughter, Aunt Mei, whom the alchemist previously opposed.
• Fermis and the chief president discuss the Calamity Beast Tide, particularly Moni of Hui Dun City and his squad, who performed exceptionally and are nearing breakthroughs.
• Fermis plans to visit Aunt Mei and deliver a treasure from Lokasky to help stabilize her foundation as she approaches her own breakthrough.
• The banquet ends successfully, and Little Fatty announces the Dojo’s opening date. He also promotes his cleansing products and his new bank, especially its convenient vouchers and a twenty-percent discount for voucher-based purchases.
• In the royal palace, Moss XIII selects royal knights to train at Little Fatty’s Dojo. His support is motivated less by the Adventurer’s Guild and more by the bank, which he views as a powerful means of attracting and controlling the kingdom’s wealth.
• After reading Wisdom Shield’s explanation of the bank, Moss XIII becomes even more determined to make Wisdom Shield his successor.

Character Developments

• Little Fatty grows from a cautious entrepreneur into a confident and ambitious businessman. With Fermis’s backing, he no longer fears threats to his Dojo and begins viewing the wealthy nobles as lucrative customers.
• Fermis is shown to be a powerful Peak Epic Rank expert and a trusted representative of both the Adventurer’s Guild and Lokasky. His actions combine political support, intelligence gathering, and protection of the Guild’s interests.
• Lokasky is portrayed as a concerned father as well as a powerful Guild Master. His decisions are shaped by his fear that the mysterious alchemist may target Aunt Mei.
• Aunt Mei has become strong enough to approach a major breakthrough after the beast tide, but her relationship with her father remains strained.
• Moss XIII reveals his strong political and financial instincts. He recognizes the bank’s ability to draw wealth away from noble households and sees it as a valuable tool for the kingdom.
• Wisdom Shield gains further importance as a future ruler and financial innovator. His explanation of the bank strengthens Moss XIII’s confidence in him.
• Moni and his squad receive recognition for their accomplishments during the Calamity Beast Tide and are nearing advancement.

Significant Themes

• Power and reputation: Fermis’s Beast King display demonstrates how strength can reshape political perceptions and elevate House Sto’s status.
• Business and modernization: Little Fatty combines the Dojo, cleansing products, banking, and voucher discounts into a broad commercial strategy, challenging traditional economic practices.
• Political influence through finance: The bank is presented as more than a storage service; it could concentrate wealth and become a major instrument of royal power.
• Family conflict and protection: Lokasky’s concern for Aunt Mei reveals the tension between his responsibilities as Guild Master and his protective instincts as a father.
• Strategic restraint: The Guild avoids a direct confrontation with the mysterious alchemist because even victory could cause catastrophic collateral damage.

Important Character Interactions

• Fermis and Little Fatty: Fermis publicly supports Little Fatty, gives him the Beast King’s corpse, and confirms the Guild’s protection and cooperation.
• Fermis and the chief president: They exchange information about the alchemist, the Beast Tide, Moni, and Aunt Mei’s impending breakthrough.
• Fermis and Aunt Mei: Though they do not meet in the chapter, Fermis intends to visit her and deliver Lokasky’s treasure.
• Moss XIII and the royal knights: The king sends them to the Dojo both to help them advance and to support Little Fatty’s enterprise.
• Moss XIII and Wisdom Shield: Wisdom Shield’s letter and business proposal impress the king, deepening Moss XIII’s determination to pass the throne to him.
• Little Fatty and the nobles: Little Fatty treats the banquet as a business opportunity, targeting the wealthy guests as future customers for his various ventures.

Chapter Summary: “Emptiness, Yet Not Empty”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Moss XIII discovers that Little Fatty’s dojo greatly improves cultivators’ chances of breaking through along the Warrior’s Path. Every member of the selected squads succeeds, astonishing him.
• The breakthrough process is unusual because the cultivators experience none of the normally debilitating heat associated with Body Tempering. They describe the dojo’s flooring as absorbing the heat like straw.
• Moss XIII becomes increasingly interested in his youngest son, Wisdom Shield, and begins to hope that Wisdom Shield may help produce a Legendary Rank expert and elevate the Kingdom of Moss.
• Fermis arrives in the kingdom ostensibly to celebrate Akasto’s dojo opening, presenting a Beast King as a gift. Moss XIII suspects his true purpose is to check on the Guild’s young lady after the recent Calamity Beast Tide.
• Moss XIII orders Kui Yi to secretly join the upcoming relic exploration and protect Wisdom Shield, revealing that he now regards Wisdom Shield as the kingdom’s future king.
• In Hui Dun City, Tofis reports that the bank, exchange, tax reductions, and new factories have revitalized the city. The fiscal deficit has disappeared, Wisdom Shield’s subsidies have been repaid, and employment has greatly improved.
• Tofis also strengthens public security by requiring Church visitors and religious immigrants to report to the governor. The Church agrees, partly because its influence has weakened as citizens’ material conditions improve.
• A Church graduate named Tuotuo, the top student of the Western Territory Province cultivation academy, is assigned to Hui Dun City. Wisdom Shield notices that Tuotuo lost to Brown in the Academy Grand Competition but dismisses the matter as a routine clerical reassignment.
• Wisdom Shield suspects Tuotuo has come because of Chen Cheng and expects Chen Cheng to handle the situation himself.
• At the academy, Chen Cheng remains troubled by his recent intimate encounter with Melinda. He recognizes that his adolescent hormones are affecting him but is particularly distressed because Melinda treats him as a mature man.
• Attempting to control his desires, Chen Cheng begins reciting the Buddhist Heart Sutra and reflects on the idea that “form is emptiness.”

Character Developments

• Moss XIII: Moves from curiosity to genuine admiration and hope regarding Wisdom Shield. He begins viewing his son as a possible source of the kingdom’s future rise and prepares to protect him politically and militarily.
• Wisdom Shield: Gains increasing authority and importance in Moss XIII’s eyes. He is effectively treated as the future king and remains confident in Chen Cheng’s abilities.
• Kui Yi: Demonstrates absolute loyalty to the royal family. He accepts the dangerous task of secretly protecting Wisdom Shield, even at the cost of his life.
• Tofis: Proves himself an effective administrator. Through economic reforms and cooperation with the Church, he transforms Hui Dun City’s finances, employment, and social stability.
• Chen Cheng: Struggles with the conflict between youthful physical desire and his disciplined identity as an orthodox cultivator. His attempt to suppress or transcend these feelings introduces a more vulnerable and humorous side to him.
• Tuotuo: Is introduced as a highly talented Church cultivator and former academy competitor of Brown, though his motives and future role remain uncertain.
• Melinda: Her keen perception and treatment of Chen Cheng as an adult intensify his emotional and physical confusion.

Significant Themes

• Hidden potential and national revival: The dojo’s breakthrough-enhancing effects suggest that Wisdom Shield’s influence could transform the Kingdom of Moss from a weak western state into a powerful kingdom.
• Loyalty and succession: Kui Yi’s mission emphasizes the royal family’s trust in Wisdom Shield and foreshadows political danger surrounding his emergence as heir.
• Economic prosperity versus religious authority: Hui Dun City’s improving living conditions weaken the Church’s practical influence, showing how material security can reduce dependence on religious institutions.
• Mind versus body: Chen Cheng’s struggle reflects the tension between spiritual discipline and natural physical impulses.
• Emptiness and desire: The Heart Sutra’s teachings contrast with Chen Cheng’s inability to simply reason away his attraction, creating both philosophical tension and comedy.

Important Character Interactions

• Moss XIII questions a royal knight about the dojo’s breakthrough effects, then discusses Fermis and the relic mission with Kui Yi.
• Kui Yi accepts Moss XIII’s order to protect Wisdom Shield, reinforcing their relationship of royal authority and personal loyalty.
• Tofis reports Hui Dun City’s economic and security progress directly to Wisdom Shield, demonstrating their cooperative administrative relationship.
• The Church’s priest, Haodos, cooperates with Tofis after the Church’s influence declines.
• Wisdom Shield reviews Tuotuo’s records and privately connects his arrival to Chen Cheng.
• Chen Cheng’s recent closeness with Melinda drives his internal conflict and leads him to use Buddhist teachings in an attempt to overcome his desires.

Chapter Summary: “Practical Combat Class”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Isabel announces that the delayed practical combat class will finally begin. Students must accompany the Count’s pioneer army into Nanmu Forest and kill a Level Three Magic Beast without relying on the soldiers.
• Students are forbidden from bribing or using their family influence to obtain an easy grade. Those caught cheating will be expelled and punished.
• Because the mission is extremely difficult for newly promoted Bronze mages, students are allowed to form teams and assist one another.
• The class immediately looks to Chen Cheng for help, since he is a Silver Rank mage and the recent champion of the Academy Grand Competition. Isabel rejects this idea, explaining that Brown, already a peak Silver Rank mage, is too powerful to assist them without invalidating their grades.
• Chen Cheng receives a separate assignment: survive fifteen minutes against Isabel, a Gold Rank mage. He is alarmed because Isabel has repeatedly defeated him in training before he can use his strongest techniques.
• After class, Chen Cheng questions Isabel about the difficulty. She explains that he must improve before entering the mysterious ruin connected to his special grand prize; otherwise, the expedition could be fatal. Chen Cheng accepts the challenge, and Isabel promises not to hold back.
• Several days later, Fini and the others enter Nanmu Forest with Melinda and the pioneer forces. Wisdom Shield explains that the expedition was moved forward because the Governor’s Mansion detected unusual activity from the Beast Emperor and signs that monsters associated with the Black Dragon King were migrating back into the forest.
• The operation is better understood as a military occupation than ordinary development, since the region has already been thoroughly mapped with the Guild’s assistance.
• Chen Cheng continues training against Isabel. Although she easily beats him and mocks his repetitive tactics, he begins combining spells in more creative ways. He transforms an Ice Cone into a fireball through Isabel’s own spell interaction, detonates it, and follows with a second Ice Cone from above.
• Isabel survives by dispersing the explosion with wind magic and shattering the falling Ice Cone with one punch. Chen Cheng then switches to Space Magic to evade her next attack.

Character Developments

• Chen Cheng: Becomes more aware of the gap between his reputation and his actual combat ability. Rather than relying on his tournament success, he accepts the need for serious training before entering the ruin. During the battle, he shows greater creativity by combining elemental and spatial magic instead of repeating straightforward attacks.
• Isabel: Establishes herself as a demanding but purposeful instructor. Her harsh training is motivated by concern for Chen Cheng’s survival, and she deliberately pressures him with a challenge suited to his future dangers. She remains vastly superior in combat but recognizes and tests his potential.
• The students: Their anxiety reveals the pressure placed on noble heirs. Many fear losing their inheritance or status if they fail the course, leading them to hope Chen Cheng will carry them through the mission.
• Fini and the pioneer group: They begin the dangerous forest expedition while Chen Cheng remains behind for training.

Significant Themes

• Growth through hardship: Real advancement requires confronting opponents stronger than oneself rather than relying on status or past achievements.
• Responsibility and merit: The academy emphasizes earning success through genuine ability, forbidding bribery and family influence.
• The burden of noble expectations: The students’ fear of failure shows that privilege comes with strict familial demands and consequences.
• Preparation for greater danger: Isabel’s training is presented as necessary preparation for the ruin and the threats connected to the Beast Emperor and the Black Dragon King.
• Adaptability in combat: Chen Cheng’s improvised spell combination suggests that creativity and tactical flexibility may allow a weaker mage to challenge stronger opponents.

Character Interactions

• Isabel confronts the class with the mission rules and prevents students from depending on Chen Cheng or their family influence.
• The students silently turn to Chen Cheng for assistance, while Isabel immediately crushes their hopes.
• Chen Cheng admits to Isabel that her assignment seems impossible, but she reminds him of the dangers awaiting him and motivates him to continue.
• During training, Isabel taunts Chen Cheng and criticizes his predictable techniques, while Chen Cheng responds by attempting a more inventive combination of ice, fire, and magic manipulation.

Chapter Summary: Passing the Practical Combat Class

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Cheng spars with his teacher, Isabel, who quickly exposes weaknesses in his evasive techniques and spell coordination.
• Isabel combines magic with martial combat, using follow-up attacks such as Divine Fire Crow and physical strikes to overwhelm him.
• She explains that Chen Cheng’s multi-element magic is strong, but his transitions are too rigid and predictable. He must anticipate chained attacks rather than focusing only on the first spell.
• During repeated sparring sessions, Chen Cheng adapts and gradually improves his coordination, defensive awareness, and ability to respond to Isabel’s martial techniques.
• Isabel’s training leaves him badly bruised, with loosened teeth and injured ribs, but significantly strengthens his practical combat ability.
• Chen Cheng realizes that Isabel’s strength is comparable to that of a Platinum Rank expert because she combines Gold Rank magic, martial combat, and knowledge of his Variable Magic.
• Over the next two months, Chen Cheng repeatedly trains against Isabel, eventually surviving for fifteen minutes—the required duration—against her.
• In the final test, Isabel even uses her greatsword, but Chen Cheng remains unharmed long enough to prove that he has passed.
• Isabel reluctantly acknowledges his success and announces that he has completed the semester’s practical combat coursework.
• Chen Cheng plans to continue studying Melinda’s rare manuals, especially the one concerning cultivation of the Consciousness Body, which supports stronger magical inscriptions and future advancement.

Character Development

• Chen Cheng evolves from an impulsive and inexperienced mage into a more disciplined combatant. He learns to coordinate different elements fluidly, predict follow-up attacks, and prioritize survival over reckless offense.
• His earlier confidence, strengthened by winning a championship, is tempered by Isabel’s harsh training. He becomes more humble, patient, and willing to learn.
• Chen Cheng demonstrates exceptional adaptability and learning speed, improving enough in two months to endure attacks from a powerful dual-discipline opponent.
• Isabel begins as a teacher determined to discourage Chen Cheng from entering the Ancient Ruins. Although she fails to stop him, she becomes proud of his progress and takes satisfaction in turning him into a more capable fighter.
• Isabel’s role shifts from testing Chen Cheng to genuinely supporting his preparation, while continuing to emphasize caution and survival.

Significant Themes

• Growth through hardship: Painful, repeated failure produces substantial improvement.
• Adaptability and learning: Chen Cheng’s ability to analyze mistakes and adjust his tactics is central to his success.
• Practical combat versus theoretical strength: Powerful spells are insufficient without timing, coordination, and real battlefield experience.
• Survival over pride: Isabel repeatedly teaches that escaping danger and gathering information are more important than proving one’s strength.
• Preparation for danger: The training is specifically intended to help Chen Cheng survive the Ancient Ruins until stronger allies can rescue him.
• Foundations of advancement: The chapter introduces the importance of the Consciousness Body as the basis for handling more powerful magical inscriptions.

Character Interactions

• Isabel repeatedly defeats Chen Cheng in sparring, critiques his rigid spell coordination, and forces him to anticipate secondary attacks.
• Chen Cheng accepts the criticism despite initially believing his coordination was already excellent.
• After months of training, their relationship becomes more respectful and cooperative: Chen Cheng thanks Isabel for teaching him how a mage should truly fight, while Isabel warns him not to become overconfident.
• Fini and the other observers intervene when Isabel considers refusing to recognize Chen Cheng’s final victory, preventing her from extending the test indefinitely.
• Isabel and Melinda’s concern for Chen Cheng’s safety is evident in their earlier attempt to dissuade him from entering the ruins and in their continued efforts to strengthen his preparation.

Chapter Summary: “Pursuit”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Isabel leaves, Fini praises Chen Cheng for successfully evading all of Isabel’s attacks. Chen is secretly delighted because he has spent two months studying Isabel’s fighting style, but he remains humble and recognizes that Isabel was testing and teaching him rather than trying to kill him.
• Fini recounts her practical combat exercise in the forest. She encountered Daha, who has become the leader of a pack of Gale Wolves. Daha and the wolves protected her group and helped them survive.
• Fini is disappointed that Daha had not formed a contract with Chen Cheng, meaning she could not bring him back. Chen explains that this is not a bad thing because Daha belongs in the forest with his wolf pack. Chen values Daha’s freedom and does not want to force him away from his natural home.
• Fini asks whether Chen misses his own home and worries that she has prevented him from returning there. Chen reflects on his fragmented past: his former life, his vanished parents in this life, and the years he spent living like a wild man with Samlet. He concludes that he has no real home to miss and tells Fini that she has given him a true home.
• Chen means the safe room and life he now has at the Baron’s residence, but Fini interprets his words as a romantic confession. Embarrassed and blushing, she abruptly leaves, leaving Chen confused.
• Meanwhile, Coles is being dragged rapidly through the forest by an old Lich while the newly advanced Epic-Rank Black Dragon King and a large group of Magic Beasts pursue them.
• The Lich had previously looted the Black Dragon King’s treasury while the dragon was weakened and preparing to advance. Now that the Black Dragon King has reached Epic Rank, he is determined to recover his treasures and punish the Lich.
• Coles, who was not responsible for stealing the treasure, is nevertheless dragged into the escape. He is miserable, in pain, and no longer concerned with revenge, wishing only to be allowed to die peacefully.
• The Lich insists that he is protecting Coles and promises him a “great opportunity,” though Coles believes the old man is insane. When Coles attacks him, his own strengthened legs break against the Lich’s nearly indestructible body.
• A Platinum-Rank Cloud Leopard Beast King catches up and slashes the Lich, tearing away his remaining clothing but causing only a few white marks on his exposed, skeletal body. The Cloud Leopard realizes that the Lich’s toughness is abnormal.

Character Developments

• Chen Cheng: Demonstrates major progress in combat through disciplined study and observation. He remains rational and humble despite succeeding against Isabel. His reflections reveal how isolated and rootless he has been, while his statement to Fini shows that he now considers his current companions and living situation a genuine home.
• Fini: Becomes more emotionally attached to Chen and worries about his happiness and sense of belonging. Her embarrassment over his words suggests that her feelings are becoming romantic, even though Chen does not understand her reaction.
• Daha: Has matured into the leader of a Gale Wolf pack, showing that he is thriving independently in the forest rather than needing to return to Chen.
• Coles: Has abandoned his desire for revenge and is reduced to helpless comic misery during the chase. Despite his increased physical strength, he remains unable to resist the Lich.
• The old Lich: Reveals his greed, strange protectiveness toward Coles, and apparent madness. His physical body is extraordinarily durable, allowing him to withstand attacks from powerful beasts.
• Black Dragon King: After advancing to Epic Rank, he becomes an active and determined pursuer, motivated by the recovery of his stolen wealth and revenge against the Lich.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus possession: Chen refuses to reclaim Daha because he believes Daha should remain free in his natural environment. This contrasts with the Lich’s greed and the Black Dragon King’s desire to recover his hoard.
• The meaning of home: The chapter presents home not as a birthplace but as a place of safety, freedom, and belonging. Chen’s home is defined by the people and circumstances that allow him to live without fear.
• Growth through observation and discipline: Chen’s success against Isabel comes from sustained study and careful analysis rather than recklessness or overwhelming strength.
• Attachment and misunderstanding: Chen sincerely expresses gratitude and belonging, while Fini hears a romantic declaration. Their differing interpretations create both emotional tension and humor.
• Power and resilience: The pursuit emphasizes the extreme strength of the Lich, the Black Dragon King, and the pursuing beasts, while Coles’s suffering provides comic contrast.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Cheng and Isabel: Their brief confrontation demonstrates Chen’s combat improvement and Isabel’s role as a mentor testing his evasive abilities.
• Chen Cheng and Fini: Fini praises Chen and discusses Daha with him. Their conversation turns personal when she asks about his home, leading to an unintended romantic misunderstanding.
• Fini and Daha: Though they do not directly interact in the present scene, Fini’s account establishes Daha as loyal, intelligent, and protective.
• Coles and the Lich: Coles resents being dragged into the escape, while the Lich treats him as a “grandson” and claims to be protecting him. Their relationship is absurdly one-sided and physically abusive.
• The Lich and the pursuing beasts: The Black Dragon King and his forces seek revenge for the stolen treasury. The Cloud Leopard’s failed attack confirms that the Lich is far tougher than expected.

Chapter Summary: “Demigod Remains”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Lich becomes enraged after the Cloud Leopard insults or attacks his remaining sense of shame, represented by his tattered clothing.
• He teleports away with the unconscious Coles and confronts the Cloud Leopard on a massive boulder.
• A fierce battle follows:
  • The Lich strikes the Cloud Leopard down and withstands its transformation into a drifting cloud.
  • He breaks through the Cloud Leopard’s magical cloud defense by tearing apart the surrounding space through sheer physical strength.
  • His punch creates a massive hole in the Cloud Leopard’s abdomen, nearly killing it.
• Before the Lich can finish the Cloud Leopard, the newly advanced Epic-Rank Black Dragon King intervenes and punches him away, breaking his arm.
• The Black Dragon King, now capable of a humanoid dragon form through spatial folding, demands that the Lich return his treasure.
• The Black Dragon King unleashes overwhelming dragon might, forcing the surrounding Magic Beasts—and awakening Coles—to the ground.
• Rather than surrender, the Lich produces a powerful pearl from his Spatial Ring. Recognizing the danger, the Black Dragon King transforms back into his enormous dragon form and shields his followers.
• The Lich throws the pearl, triggering a devastating, heaven-shaking explosion. He escapes with Coles but is badly injured by the blast’s aftermath.
• The explosion leaves a crater over ten thousand meters wide and severely scorches the Black Dragon King, though he survives.
• The Lich orders Coles to carry him away, and Coles flees with him.

Character Developments

• The Lich: His lingering emotions, particularly shame and pride, are revealed despite his transformation into an undead monster. He demonstrates immense physical strength, spatially destructive techniques, battle instinct, and willingness to use a catastrophic weapon to escape. Though severely wounded, he remains determined to protect Coles.
• Coles: Initially resigned to death because he believes he cannot avenge his family, Coles becomes more active after the Lich saves him. He carries the injured Lich and assists in their escape, showing growing loyalty and dependence.
• Cloud Leopard: Proves to be a powerful and adaptable Magic Beast, using cloud transformation and defensive magic, but is nearly killed by the Lich’s brute-force attack.
• Black Dragon King: His advancement to Epic Rank grants him a humanoid transformation and greater power. He acts as ruler and protector of the Magic Beasts, shielding them from the explosion, but is frustrated by the Lich’s refusal to submit.

Significant Themes

• Lingering humanity: The Lich’s shame, anger, and attachment to Coles show that traces of humanity remain beneath his monstrous exterior.
• Power versus strategy: The Lich relies on overwhelming physical strength, while the Cloud Leopard and Black Dragon King use transformation, spatial magic, and defensive abilities.
• Defiance and survival: Even when surrounded and nearly defeated, the Lich refuses to surrender and chooses a dangerous escape over submission.
• Protection and loyalty: The Lich protects Coles despite his own injuries, while the Black Dragon King protects his Magic Beast followers from the explosion.
• Escalating power: The battle highlights the increasing scale of conflict, with Epic-Rank advancement, spatial destruction, and a massive magical explosion reshaping the battlefield.

Character Interactions

• The Lich and Cloud Leopard engage in a brutal one-on-one confrontation fueled by mutual hostility.
• The Black Dragon King interrupts the fight to defend his treasure and challenge the Lich.
• The Black Dragon King’s dragon might affects every Magic Beast present, including Coles.
• The Lich taunts the Black Dragon King and uses the pearl as a final act of defiance.
• Coles, initially passive and prepared to die, ultimately carries the injured Lich to safety.

Chapter Summary: “Dragon Blood”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• After Coles carries the injured Lich away, the charred dragon-shaped mass in the pit begins to crack open. The Black Dragon King emerges, unleashing a roar that terrifies every Beast King and Beast Emperor across the forest.
• Despite being gravely wounded, the Black Dragon King attacks the fleeing Coles and Lich with a transcendent-rank spell. The Lich sacrifices numerous treasures and transforms his body into a protective cloth-like shield around Coles.
• The attack creates a massive crater and reduces the Lich to a charred lump. Although Coles believes him dead, the Lich reveals that he is still alive and orders Coles to continue carrying him away.
• The Lich claims that the Black Dragon King will not pursue them again and directs Coles toward a potentially fortunate opportunity that could strengthen Coles and help the Lich recover. He then becomes unresponsive.
• The Black Dragon King fills the crater with Earth Magic and uses his own Dragon Blood to heal the injured Beast Kings beneath his wings. The blood rapidly repairs their wounds and suppresses their beastly instincts.
• He then treats himself with powerful Healing Magic. His physical injuries heal, but his foundation has been damaged by the Demigod-level attack contained in the skeleton the Lich used.
• An Epic Rank Demon Ape approaches to investigate the battle in its territory. The enraged Black Dragon King immediately attacks it, assuming it may be trying to exploit his weakened state.
• After a brief confrontation, the Black Dragon King warns the Demon Ape to control its territory and departs. The Demon Ape is left confused and belatedly realizes that it has no reason to obey him.

2. Character Developments

• Coles demonstrates courage and loyalty by continuing to carry the badly injured Lich, even after surviving the Black Dragon King’s devastating attack.
• The Lich reveals extraordinary resilience, surviving despite being reduced to a charred mass. He also shows his characteristic unpredictability through his collection of strange treasures and his willingness to risk everything in a desperate attack.
• The Black Dragon King is shown to be immensely powerful, capable of surviving a Demigod-level strike, healing others with his blood, and restoring the surrounding land with magic. However, his injuries leave his foundation damaged, and his anger makes him impulsive and aggressive.
• The Eight-faced Demon Spider and the other Beast Kings become more devoted to the Black Dragon King after receiving his Dragon Blood, recognizing both his strength and the value of his protection.
• The Demon Ape is portrayed as powerful but somewhat slow to understand the political implications of the encounter; it initially considers taking advantage of the situation but retreats when confronted.

3. Significant Themes

• Resilience and survival: Both the Lich and the Black Dragon King endure attacks that should have been fatal, emphasizing their exceptional vitality.
• The value and danger of power: Dragon Blood can heal injuries and strengthen bloodlines, making the Black Dragon King a coveted target for other beasts.
• Pride and territorial dominance: The Black Dragon King’s wounded pride and authority drive his confrontation with the Demon Ape, while territorial disputes shape the behavior of the forest’s powerful creatures.
• Risk and desperation: The Lich’s use of a Demigod’s remains reflects his willingness to gamble everything, while Coles must trust the Lich despite having little information.
• Unequal power structures: The Beast Kings revere the Black Dragon King because of the benefits of his blood, showing how strength and bloodline determine status in this world.

4. Character Interactions

• Coles and the Lich: Their relationship is defined by dependence and trust. Coles physically protects and transports the Lich, while the Lich guides him toward a possible opportunity for growth.
• Black Dragon King and the Beast Kings: The dragon protects them beneath his wings and heals them with his blood. In gratitude, they submit to him and acknowledge his superiority.
• Black Dragon King and the Lich: Their conflict is intensely personal. The Lich’s desperate attack damages the dragon’s foundation, while the dragon’s counterattack nearly kills the Lich.
• Black Dragon King and the Demon Ape: Their encounter is a clash born from misunderstanding, territorial tension, and the dragon’s fury. The Demon Ape never intended to attack, but the dragon’s aggressive response forces it to back down.

Chapter Summary: “Carrying Cannons for Protection”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In a teahouse in Hui Dun City, Chen Cheng welcomes Little Fatty, who has returned exhausted from handling business and social obligations.
• Little Fatty explains that managing the Guild’s affairs requires personally confronting powerful nobles and organizations, despite the Guild’s support.
• He reveals that the financial scheme against Prince Xiaosuo is already underway. A bank will monitor and report the prince’s finances monthly, allowing Chen Cheng and his allies to undermine him economically.
• The two celebrate the opening of their dojo and discuss Aunt Mei’s situation, which will reduce Little Fatty’s workload.
• Chen Cheng takes Little Fatty to a military camp outside the city to inspect weapons intended for an expedition into the Ancient Ruins.
• There, Wisdom Shield is being trained by Xiaodun to operate a cannon. The cannon successfully hits its target, demonstrating tremendous destructive power.
• The cannon is designed to be disassembled and stored in Space Bags, then quickly reassembled and recalibrated.
• Despite its power, Chen Cheng concludes that the cannon is too slow to assemble, aim, and fire for use in the dangerous Ancient Ruins.
• Since the ruins may contain Magic-Ban Formations, non-magical firearms remain valuable. Wisdom Shield therefore proposes using artillery as protection.
• Chen Cheng orders smaller, eighty-one-millimeter mortars to be brought out, recognizing that their lighter weight and simpler operation make them more practical for exploration.

Character Developments

• Little Fatty is shown as a capable but overworked businessman who has gained experience dealing with nobles and large organizations. He is also willing to participate in Chen Cheng’s plan against Prince Xiaosuo.
• Chen Cheng demonstrates increasing practical and strategic judgment. Rather than valuing destructive power alone, he evaluates weapons based on speed, portability, and battlefield usefulness.
• Wisdom Shield takes an active role in military experimentation, learning to operate cannons and contributing ideas for protecting the expedition.
• Xiaodun continues serving as a military instructor and organizer, training the knights in artillery use while delegating development work to others.

Significant Themes

• Business requires political and social struggle: Quality products and organizational backing are insufficient; merchants must earn the respect of nobles and powerful institutions.
• Practicality over raw power: The cannon is devastating but unsuitable if it cannot be deployed quickly. Effective technology must fit the circumstances in which it will be used.
• Technology as protection: Weapons are being developed not merely for conquest but to safeguard explorers against unknown dangers.
• Adaptation to magical limitations: Because the Ancient Ruins may suppress magic, conventional firearms and artillery offer an important alternative to magical abilities.
• Cooperation and preparation: The characters combine business, engineering, military training, and strategic planning to prepare for the expedition.

Character Interactions

• Chen Cheng and Little Fatty share a relaxed, teasing friendship, while also exchanging important business information.
• Little Fatty privately supports Chen Cheng’s vendetta against Prince Xiaosuo, condemning the prince for insulting Teacher Melinda.
• Chen Cheng and Wisdom Shield work together to dismantle, transport, reassemble, and recalibrate the cannon.
• Wisdom Shield’s enthusiasm for artillery is balanced by Chen Cheng’s more cautious assessment of its limitations.
• Xiaodun acts as Wisdom Shield’s instructor, while the knights assist with testing and preparing alternative weapons.

Chapter Summary: “The Old Haunt”

Key plot points and events

Chen Cheng demonstrates the mysterious token by handing it to Little Fatty. The token changes to display Little Fatty’s name and personal history, horrifying him because it appears to reveal even his most embarrassing secrets. When the token is given to the ordinary coachman, however, it shows no information, suggesting that it only reacts to certain individuals. Chen Cheng retrieves it, tips the coachman, and travels by carriage out of the city.
He reaches the edge of the development zone near the former Nanmu Forest, where Wisdom Shield and his knights are waiting. Wisdom Shield explains that he arrived earlier because he had been conducting cannon exercises in the forest. Chen Cheng declines a horse, instead summoning Daha, the Gale Wolf King. Daha joyfully reunites with Chen Cheng and brings his pack with him.
At Chen Cheng’s suggestion, Wisdom Shield and the knights abandon their horses in favor of riding the Gale Wolves, which are much better suited to traveling through the forest. Daha leads the pack at great speed, allowing the expedition to move efficiently through the wilderness. At sunset, the group reaches a burned, abandoned savage village.

Character developments

• Chen Cheng remains confident and resourceful. He is comfortable using the token but is also practical enough to choose Daha over a horse, knowing his own limitations as a rider. His familiarity with and affection for Daha are emphasized.
• Little Fatty becomes deeply frightened and distrustful of the token after seeing how completely it exposes his past. His reaction provides comic relief while showing the token’s unsettling power.
• Daha is shown to be loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and increasingly powerful. Though he is a formidable wolf king, he behaves like an overexcited puppy around Chen Cheng. He has also successfully expanded his pack and views Chen Cheng as an elder brother.
• Wisdom Shield continues to act as a practical and cooperative leader. He readily accepts Chen Cheng’s suggestion to use the Gale Wolves and recognizes their military advantages.
• Xiaodun and the other knights demonstrate adaptability by prioritizing effective travel and combat over attachment to their warhorses.

Significant themes

• The danger of absolute knowledge: The token’s ability to reveal a person’s entire life suggests an invasive power that destroys privacy and inspires fear.
• Loyalty and chosen bonds: Daha’s devotion to Chen Cheng, as well as his desire to honor his “elder brother,” highlights relationships formed through trust rather than formal contracts.
• Adaptation and progress: The expedition reflects the changing world, from the newly industrialized development zone to the practical use of magical beasts in place of conventional mounts.
• The return of the past: The group’s arrival at the burned village forces Chen Cheng to confront a location tied to his earliest experiences and his first killing.

Character interactions

Little Fatty reacts fearfully to the token while Chen Cheng treats it casually. Chen Cheng and Wisdom Shield interact as cooperative allies, with Wisdom Shield accommodating Chen Cheng’s unconventional methods. Daha’s exuberant reunion with Chen Cheng contrasts with his usual status as a powerful beast king. The knights initially ride warhorses but willingly cooperate with Daha’s pack, strengthening the sense of shared purpose within the expedition.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Cheng, Wisdom Shield, and Xiaodun conduct further tests on newly developed artillery. The mortar proves easy to calibrate and can fire up to thirty rounds per minute, though its destructive power is weaker than that of a howitzer.
• Wisdom Shield compares the mortar’s sustained bombardment to early Gold Rank attack magic, while Chen Cheng remains concerned about its limited power.
• Xiaodun explains the strengths of different modern weapons:
  • Bolt-action rifles can kill peak Gold Rank opponents from long range.
  • Machine guns have weaker range and accuracy but can kill Gold Rank experts within one hundred meters.
  • Mortars can threaten even Platinum Rank experts with domains when used in large numbers.
  • Howitzers possess enough power to destroy Platinum Rank powerhouses in a single volley.
• Xiaodun proposes a battlefield strategy: use mortars to rapidly suppress and pin down unexpected enemies while larger howitzers are assembled for the decisive attack. This tactic is particularly suitable for the upcoming expedition into the ruins.
• Wisdom Shield approves the plan but emphasizes that the artillery is only a precaution; Modornik’s forces will remain the expedition’s main combat strength.
• Chen Cheng secretly asks Xiaodun to prepare additional shells, though he gives Wisdom Shield the less revealing explanation that they are simply worried about ammunition shortages.
• Wisdom Shield confirms that the two suspected spies in his residence are under surveillance. They still believe he is taking the poison ordered by the First Prince, allowing the original counterintelligence plan to continue.
• After a week, Chen Cheng’s mysterious identity token activates and displays a detailed record of his life, including his current identity as Emperor of the Empire. His name is followed by the number one.
• Chen Cheng is initially terrified that the token possesses such comprehensive knowledge, but the token soon returns to displaying only his name, easing his fears.
• He theorizes that the token was created by the Ancient Civilization and may function like an identification card within a vast surveillance or magical-information system connected to the Sea of Magic.

Character Developments

• Chen Cheng demonstrates caution and strategic thinking. Although he recognizes the power of modern weaponry, he remains critical of the mortar’s limitations and secretly prepares additional ammunition, suggesting he expects serious danger during the expedition.
• Xiaodun emerges as a capable military strategist and weapons expert. His practical knowledge of battlefield tactics allows him to adapt modern artillery to the conditions of a magical world.
• Wisdom Shield shows increased vigilance after previously overlooking spies in his residence. He successfully turns the situation to his advantage by deceiving the First Prince’s agents while monitoring them.
• Chen Cheng’s encounter with the token deepens his curiosity about the Ancient Civilization and reinforces his habit of using rational hypotheses to confront frightening unknowns.

Significant Themes

• Technology versus magic: Modern firearms and artillery can rival or surpass high-level magical attacks, showing how technological innovation can reshape the balance of power.
• Adaptation and hybrid strategy: Xiaodun’s tactics combine modern military principles with the realities of a magical world rather than blindly imitating warfare from Chen Cheng’s former life.
• Surveillance and control: The token and the suspected Ancient Civilization system suggest that magical knowledge may be monitored, regulated, or used to prevent social harm.
• Fear of the unknown and scientific reasoning: Chen Cheng argues that forming logical hypotheses about unexplained phenomena helps reduce fear and makes investigation possible.
• Deception and espionage: Wisdom Shield’s false compliance with the poisoning scheme highlights the importance of concealment and counterintelligence before the expedition.

Character Interactions

• Chen Cheng and Wisdom Shield debate the mortar’s effectiveness, with Wisdom Shield praising its rate of fire and Chen Cheng focusing on its insufficient power.
• Xiaodun reassures them that the expedition can compensate by carrying multiple weapon types and then explains his artillery strategy.
• Chen Cheng privately communicates an additional request to Xiaodun, indicating a level of trust and shared secrecy between them.
• Wisdom Shield tells Chen Cheng how he is handling the spies, reassuring him that the First Prince’s surveillance network has been contained.
• Chen Cheng questions Wisdom Shield about the ruins, but Wisdom Shield remains deliberately vague, saying the identity token will reveal the necessary information when the time comes.