Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• No significant plot events occur in this chapter; it's an explanatory interlude.

Character Developments

• No character developments occur in this chapter; it's an explanatory interlude.

Significant Themes

• Game Mechanics: The chapter focuses on explaining the game's tier system for equipment, skills, and martial arts.
• Personal Preference: The author's personal experiences influence the tier color choices, deviating from the typical World of Warcraft system.

Character Interactions

• No character interactions occur in this chapter; it's an explanatory interlude.

Detailed Breakdown

• The game's equipment, skills, and martial arts are divided into five tiers: Common (white), Fine (green), Excellent (blue), Epic (purple), and Legendary (orange).
• Equipment: Top-tier (blue-purple) exists for damaged Epic or upgraded Excellent equipment, like [Damaged Nether Soul Iron Armor] and [Damaged Ghost General Iron Halberd].
• Professional Skills: Tiers are Entry Level (white), Proficient Level (green), Expert Level (blue), Master Level (purple), and Grandmaster Level (orange).
• Martial Arts Skills: Tiers are Elementary Martial Skill (white), Intermediate Martial Skill (green), Advanced Martial Skill (blue), Rare Marvelous Skill (purple), and Peerless Divine Skill (orange).
• Combat Techniques: Some techniques like Whirlwind Slash and Overlord Rod Throwing Style don't have grades; they're simply combat techniques.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A team of nearly a hundred players, led by Zhao Qingyun, ventures into the treacherous Poison Dragon Marsh to slay a dragon and establish their nation.
• They encounter a Black Flood Dragon (mistakenly identified as a Poison Dragon), which they manage to defeat after a fierce battle.
• Suddenly, the true Poison Dragon, Ink Scales, awakens, causing widespread panic and chaos among the players.
• Zhao Qingyun and his core members escape using a Swift Travel Formation, leaving the rest of the team to be slaughtered by the dragon.

Character Developments

• Zhao Qingyun: Demonstrates strategic thinking and leadership, but also shows ruthlessness in abandoning his subordinates to save himself.
• Liu Qiang: Reveals his sleazy nature and prioritizes his own safety over that of his teammates.

Significant Themes

• The ruthless nature of power struggles and the cost of ambition.
• The importance of accurate information and the consequences of misinformation.
• The disparity between the powerful and the weak, and the willingness to sacrifice the latter for the former's gain.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Qingyun and Liu Qiang: Their interaction reveals Zhao's disdain for Liu and his willingness to use him as a pawn.
• Zhao Qingyun and his subordinates: Zhao demonstrates leadership by issuing commands and making strategic decisions, but also shows disregard for his subordinates' lives when it suits him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Qingyun's team suffers heavy losses in a Boss Battle.
• Zhao Qingyun pays the survivors their severance, but the players who died in the game are killed in reality by an unseen force.
• Zhao Qingyun and Liu Qiang discuss recruiting new players.

Character Developments

• Zhao Qingyun shows his ruthless side by paying the survivors but not the deceased, and by planning to recruit new players to replace the lost ones.
• Liu Qiang reveals his callous nature, showing no remorse for the deaths of the players.

Significant Themes

• The game's rule of "one life per player" extends into reality, with players who die in the game also dying in real life.
• The ruthless and exploitative nature of the Azure Dragon Society, as shown by Zhao Qingyun's actions.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Qingyun and Liu Qiang discuss business, showing a level of trust and familiarity.
• The players, unaware of their impending doom, interact with each other, showing a mix of excitement, regret, and fear.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Han Luo informs Xiao Jie about a new game, Old Earth, which Liu Qiang (their former rival) recommended.
• Xiao Jie and Han Luo receive activation codes and install the game.
• The game's CG introduces Old Earth's history, from the Immortal Ancestral Dragon to humanity, and the disappearance of the Sages.
• Xiao Jie's character spawns in a desolate mountain village, marking the start of the game.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie remains calm and cautious, while Han Luo is excitable and optimistic.
• Xiao Jie shows initial skepticism about the game but becomes impressed by its visual quality.

Significant Themes

• The game's theme revolves around the apocalypse of Old Earth and the search for the lost Sages.
• The visuals emphasize realism and immersion, contrasting with the game's mysterious and ancient setting.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and Han Luo's friendship is highlighted, with Xiao Jie being more reserved and Han Luo being enthusiastic.
• Xiao Jie's initial disbelief in Liu Qiang's recommendation contrasts with Han Luo's eagerness to try the game.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie, using the handle 'Hidden Moon Follows Wind', spawns in the game with only a wooden stick as a weapon.
• He discovers the game's advanced AI and voice interaction with NPCs, which are incredibly realistic.
• He and Han Luo encounter their first mob, a 'Lost Soul Bandit', near the village entrance.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie shows his gaming prowess by quickly mastering the game's controls and understanding its realistic physics.
• Han Luo is eager and reckless, charging into combat without much thought.

Significant Themes

• The game's realism and immersion are emphasized, with combat being brutal and deadly.
• The game's AI and NPC interactions are highlighted as innovative and advanced.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and Han Luo team up to fight the 'Lost Soul Bandit', with Xiao Jie drawing aggro and Han Luo planning a sneak attack.
• Xiao Jie and the old NPC in Ginkgo Village have a conversation, demonstrating the game's voice interaction feature.

Key Plot Points and Events

+ Xiao Jie and Han Luo encounter a bandit and engage in combat.
+ The bandit uses a powerful Whirlwind Slash attack, killing Han Luo.
+ Xiao Jie defeats the bandit using a combination of skills and strategic positioning.
+ Xiao Jie discovers that the game doesn't allow respawning, and Han Luo can't create a new character.

Character Developments

+ Xiao Jie demonstrates his combat skills and strategic thinking, proving himself a formidable player.
+ Han Luo shows excitement and determination to profit from the game once it's released.

Significant Themes

+ The game's realism and immersion, including gruesome graphics and satisfying combat feedback.
+ The potential challenges and rewards of hardcore gaming modes.

Character Interactions

+ Xiao Jie and Han Luo work together to defeat the bandit, showcasing their teamwork and communication.
+ Han Luo expresses his frustration with the game's inability to respawn and create new characters.
+ Xiao Jie suggests reporting the issue to the developers and potentially receiving beta tester rewards.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie and Han Luo go out for dinner to boost morale.
• Xiao Jie steps out to buy fruit and nearly gets hit by a car.
• He instinctively performs a Kite Flip, a skill from the game Old Earth, to dodge the car.
• He realizes he can use game skills in reality and performs the Kite Flip again.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie: Becomes more determined to succeed with Old Earth after experiencing its real-life effects.
• Han Luo: Not directly involved in this chapter but is mentioned as being content with the meal.

Significant Themes

• The impact of Old Earth on reality.
• Xiao Jie's resilience and determination in the face of challenges.
• The potential dangers and benefits of the game.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and Han Luo: They have a friendly, casual relationship, with Xiao Jie treating Han Luo to dinner to boost morale.
• Xiao Jie and the driver of the sports car: They have a near-fatal encounter, with Xiao Jie narrowly dodging the car.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie suspects that the game "Old Earth" might have hidden dangers after Han Luo's death.
• Han Luo is killed in the Haitian Food Workshop, mirroring his in-game death.
• Xiao Jie is interrogated by the police; a mysterious man in a black windbreaker takes over the interrogation.
• The man reveals that the game has taboos and that Xiao Jie and Han Luo were set up by their acquaintance, Liu Qiang.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie: Realizes the gravity of the situation, becomes determined to uncover the truth about the game.
• Han Luo: Dies a gruesome death, highlighting the game's deadly consequences in reality.

Significant Themes

• The blurring of lines between game and reality.
• The consequences of ignorance and underestimating danger.
• Betrayal and the dangers of trust in the wrong people (Liu Qiang).

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and Han Luo: Their friendship is emphasized, with Xiao Jie trying to protect Han Luo and later mourning his death.
• Xiao Jie and the Man in Black: They share a tense exchange, with the man revealing crucial information about the game's dangers.
• Xiao Jie and Liu Qiang: Xiao Jie's growing suspicion and anger towards Liu Qiang, who set them up.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The game "Old Earth" causes players' deaths in reality within 24 hours of their in-game deaths.
• Over 3,000 such deaths have occurred nationwide, but the government suppresses news to avoid panic.
• Xiao Jie's friend Han Luo dies in the game and subsequently in reality.
• Xiao Jie meets with a government official (Black Windbreaker) who explains the game's reality-interfering feature and the existence of the Old Earth Player Management Act.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie: Becomes determined to seek revenge on Liu Qiang after signing the Player Management Act.
• Black Windbreaker: Shows understanding and concern for Xiao Jie's situation but maintains a professional stance.

Significant Themes

• Power and its consequences: Players enter "Old Earth" to gain power, but many die due to its high mortality rate.
• Responsibility and consequences: Xiao Jie feels responsible for Han Luo's death and decides to sign the Player Management Act to seek revenge.
• Government intervention and suppression: The government knows about "Old Earth" but chooses to suppress news and only intervene when necessary.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and Black Windbreaker: Xiao Jie questions the Black Windbreaker about the game's nature and the government's involvement, while the Black Windbreaker provides information and warns Xiao Jie about the game's dangers.
• Xiao Jie and Liu Qiang: Xiao Jie's determination to seek revenge on Liu Qiang drives his decision to continue playing "Old Earth" despite the risks.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie starts the game after Han Luo's death, determined to avenge him.
• He realizes the game's one-life mode and the need for caution.
• He explores the village, planning to buy equipment and level up before venturing out.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie becomes more resolute and strategic, understanding the game's high stakes.
• He shows resourcefulness and planning, aiming to improve his character before facing challenges.

Significant Themes

• Survival and caution in a harsh, unforgiving game world.
• The importance of preparation and careful planning.
• The consequences of underestimating the game's danger.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie interacts with the blacksmith, seeking advice on weaponry.
• He plans to visit the Old Village Chief for potential quests and income opportunities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie meets Huang Shi Dao, the Village Chief of Ginkgo Village, who offers him work and advice.
• Xiao Jie visits the village Ancestral Hall, prays, and receives a blessing from his ancestors, gaining the 'Sudden Enlightenment' buff and one stack of 'Enlightenment'.
• Xiao Jie decides to look for work in the village.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie shows determination and ambition, impressing Huang Shi Dao.
• Huang Shi Dao reveals his favorability toward Xiao Jie, increasing it by 20 points.

Significant Themes

• The importance of respect and politeness in dealing with NPCs.
• The influence of ancestors and spiritual protection in the game world.
• The value of comprehension and enlightenment in skill acquisition.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie interacts with Huang Shi Dao, gaining his favor and receiving guidance.
• Xiao Jie prays to his ancestors, receiving a blessing in return.
• Xiao Jie decides to seek work in the village, indicating his intention to stay and develop there for a while.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie arrives at the Old Village, sparsely populated with elderly, weak, or sick villagers.
• He meets Wang Da Niu, the village woodcutter, who offers him a job chopping firewood due to his injured arm.
• Xiao Jie accepts the task, earning 10 copper coins per bundle of firewood.
• He discovers the game has a satiety mechanic, causing him to spend money on food.
• Xiao Jie's axe breaks after an hour of work, and he must pay for its repair.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie learns a new life skill, "Firewood Chopping," and experiences the game's resource gathering mechanic.
• He understands the importance of managing satiety to maintain stamina and productivity.
• Xiao Jie encounters the game's economic system, realizing the need to balance expenses and earnings.

Significant Themes

• The game's high degree of realism, including detailed mechanics like satiety and resource management.
• The importance of balancing work and expenses in the game's economy.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie interacts with Wang Da Niu, the woodcutter, who offers him a job and provides guidance on woodcutting.
• He meets Wang Kai, the blacksmith's apprentice, who is also a player and repairs Xiao Jie's axe.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie meets Wang Kai, a player who has been living in the village for three years without leaving or fighting monsters.
• Wang Kai offers to sell game currency to Xiao Jie at a high exchange rate (1 copper coin to 10 RMB).
• Wang Kai reveals that he makes a living by mining and blacksmithing, earning over a hundred thousand yuan a month.
• Wang Kai warns Xiao Jie about the dangers outside the village and advises him to stay and work in the village.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie: Starts to understand the game's mechanics and the risks involved in leaving the village.
• Wang Kai: Reveals his philosophy of minimizing risks and maximizing profits by staying in the village and working.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding and managing risks in the game.
• The temptation of power and the need for self-control.
• The contrast between immediate rewards (money) and long-term goals (power).

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and Wang Kai: Xiao Jie seeks information and advice from Wang Kai, who shares his experiences and warnings about the game. Despite Wang Kai's attempts to recruit Xiao Jie, Xiao Jie declines and sticks to his own plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie meets I Want to Become Immortal, a new player who wants to buy gold to gear up and adventure outside the village.
• I Want to Become Immortal buys a full set of leather armor and weapons, spending over three thousand coins.
• Xiao Jie warns I Want to Become Immortal about the dangers outside the village, but the new player remains confident.

Character Developments

• I Want to Become Immortal: Shows determination and confidence in his decision to adventure, despite the risks.
• Xiao Jie: Feels melancholic about I Want to Become Immortal's decision and offers a warning, but ultimately respects the new player's choice.

Significant Themes

• Risk and Reward: I Want to Become Immortal is willing to take risks to become stronger, while Xiao Jie chooses a more cautious path.
• Friendship and Respect: Wang Kai shows respect for I Want to Become Immortal's choices, and Xiao Jie feels a sense of camaraderie with the new player.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and I Want to Become Immortal: Xiao Jie offers a warning to I Want to Become Immortal, but the new player remains confident in his decision.
• Xiao Jie and Wang Kai: Xiao Jie asks Wang Kai why he didn't try to talk I Want to Become Immortal's brother out of adventuring, and Wang Kai explains that everyone has their own reasons and must face their own challenges.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie receives a call from Liu Qiang, who believes Xiao Jie is dead.
• Xiao Jie records the conversation to gather evidence against Liu Qiang.
• Liu Qiang places a bounty of one hundred taels (equivalent to one million) on Xiao Jie's characters in the game.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie: Shows exceptional calm and composure, hiding his true intentions. He reveals his desire for power and disdain for Liu Qiang.
• Liu Qiang: Becomes increasingly frustrated and enraged by Xiao Jie's calm response. He decides to settle the matter in the game by placing a bounty on Xiao Jie's characters.

Significant Themes

• Power and ambition: Xiao Jie's desire for power and his belief that only absolute power has meaning drive his actions.
• Revenge and grudges: Both Xiao Jie and Liu Qiang harbor grudges against each other, leading to their hostile interactions.
• The game as a reflection of reality: The events in the game mirror the real-world conflict between Xiao Jie and Liu Qiang.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie and Liu Qiang: Their conversation reveals their mutual animosity and desire to outdo each other. Xiao Jie's calm demeanor frustrates Liu Qiang, while Liu Qiang's threats and provocations fuel Xiao Jie's ambition.
• Liu Qiang and A Hu: A Hu advises caution, but Liu Qiang ultimately decides to place a bounty on Xiao Jie's characters in the game.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie receives a threatening call from Liu Qiang, who wants revenge for his brother's death.
• Xiao Jie edits the recording and reports it to the Black Windbreaker, but they require stronger evidence.
• Xiao Jie decides not to hide and provokes Liu Qiang, while also seeking protection from the Black Windbreaker.
• Xiao Jie learns the technique of chopping firewood from a help post and practices it in the game, increasing his efficiency and earning money.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie shows cunning and strategic thinking in dealing with Liu Qiang, but also feels vulnerable and wishes for more power.
• Xiao Jie demonstrates persistence and dedication in mastering the firewood chopping skill.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and revenge between Xiao Jie and Liu Qiang.
• Xiao Jie's desire for self-reliance and strength, leading him to seek power within the game.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie interacts with the Black Windbreaker, seeking their protection but understanding their limitations.
• Xiao Jie learns from the help post in [Boundless Sea of Knowledge], demonstrating the importance of community and shared knowledge in the game.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie gains the 'Blade Weapon Mastery' skill after chopping wood, which increases attack speed and precision with blade-type weapons.
• He deduces the game's progression path: earn weapon skills through jobs, learn combat techniques and cultivation methods, and buy equipment with earned money.
• Xiao Jie triggers the 'Enlightenment' status and gains the 'Sudden Enlightenment' effect while chopping wood.
• He learns the 'One Cut Two Pieces' combat skill, which can sever objects and potentially limbs of living creatures.
• Xiao Jie attempts to replicate the skill in real life using a kitchen knife and a cardboard box, successfully splitting the box in half.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie's understanding of the game's mechanics deepens, leading to a clearer progression path.
• He gains a new combat skill, enhancing his in-game capabilities.
• Xiao Jie's determination to master the 'One Cut Two Pieces' skill in real life grows.

Significant Themes

• Progression and growth in the game, with Xiao Jie discovering the optimal path for new players.
• The connection between in-game skills and real-life abilities, as Xiao Jie attempts to replicate his gaming prowess.

Character Interactions

• None in this chapter; Xiao Jie interacts only with the game environment and inanimate objects.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Jie tests his Ultimate Skill on various objects, finding it physically exhausting.
• He decides to buy a proper blade and orders an Embroidered Spring Blade online.
• Back in the game, he turns in firewood and receives 270 wen, making around 2000 yuan in profit.
• He buys food and visits the Blacksmith Shop to purchase a blade, but none suit him.
• He discovers a limited-time, green-quality blade, the Wild Goose Feather Saber, but can't afford it.
• Xiao Jie finds Wang Kai on the stockade wall, worried about a missing child.

Character Developments

• Xiao Jie shows determination in improving his skills and acquiring better equipment.
• Wang Kai displays concern for the missing child, hinting at his caring nature.

Significant Themes

• The importance of proper equipment for skill usage.
• The struggle between ambition and current capabilities (Xiao Jie's desire for the Wild Goose Feather Saber vs. his financial limitations).

Character Interactions

• Xiao Jie interacts with Wang Da Niu, receiving payment for his firewood.
• He converses with the bearded blacksmith, Zhou Tong, about blades.
• Xiao Jie approaches Wang Kai on the stockade wall, learning about the missing child.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Kai hires Xiao Jie to find I Want to Become Immortal, who left the village to train and hasn't returned.
• Xiao Jie accepts the job for 1000 copper coins and a set of gear, including a green-tier Wild Goose Feather Saber.
• Xiao Jie ventures into the woods near the village to search for I Want to Become Immortal.

Character Developments

• Wang Kai shows concern for I Want to Become Immortal, revealing he was friends with his brother.
• Xiao Jie gains confidence in his combat abilities after learning a new skill and acquiring better gear.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and loyalty (Wang Kai's concern for I Want to Become Immortal and his brother).
• The importance of preparation and gear in combat (Xiao Jie's improved confidence with better equipment).

Character Interactions

• Wang Kai and Xiao Jie negotiate the terms of the job, with Wang Kai providing gear and payment.
• Xiao Jie encounters and defeats a wild dog using his new combat skill and weapon, boosting his confidence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• I Want to Become Immortal (the protagonist) follows his brother's strategy guide to grind low-level monsters near the village for experience and safety.
• He finds a safe grinding spot with Soulless Walking Corpses, which respawn every half hour.
• He levels up to level 2 after killing two Soulless Walking Corpses.
• A Salvage Goblin appears, snatches some Copper Coins, and flees, sparking I Want to Become Immortal's excitement and pursuit.

Character Developments

• I Want to Become Immortal shows caution and wisdom by following his brother's guide and not venturing too far from the village.
• He demonstrates patience and determination by grinding low-level monsters for hours.

Significant Themes

• Safety and caution in the game world.
• Patience and determination in leveling up.
• The allure of rare and valuable drops (Salvage Goblin).

Character Interactions

• Although not present, I Want to Become Immortal's brother significantly influences his actions and decisions through the strategy guide left behind.
• I Want to Become Immortal interacts with the Salvage Goblin indirectly, giving chase after it steals some Copper Coins.