Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• A battle ensues between two powerful entities, a Sage and a bound earth spirit named Chang Wudao.
• The Sage lures Chang Wudao into a trap using nine defensive towers powered by the energy of thousands of Old Ancestors.
• The defensive towers are filled with the mad, delirious artifact spirits of players who died, amplifying their power.
• The battle results in the destruction of the Central Ring and the elimination of Chang Wudao's Dharma Aspects.

Character Developments

• Xin Xichen (The Sage): He demonstrates his strategic prowess by luring Chang Wudao into a trap and using the defensive towers to overwhelm him. He shows no remorse for the destruction caused by the battle.
• Chang Wudao: He is revealed to be a bound earth spirit, unaware of his own death. He is tricked into a trap by the Sage and suffers heavy losses.

Significant Themes

• Superiority of Intelligence: The Sage's victory is attributed to his superior intellect and strategic planning, while Chang Wudao's defeat is due to his recklessness and lack of caution.
• Life and Death: The characters grapple with the concept of life and death, with some believing they are dead and merely deluding themselves into thinking they are alive.

Character Interactions

• Xin Xichen vs. Chang Wudao: The Sage and Chang Wudao engage in a battle of wits, with the Sage manipulating Chang Wudao into a trap. Their interaction highlights the Sage's intellectual superiority and Chang Wudao's recklessness.
• Ancient Tomb Dwellers: The ancient beings in the shadows watch the battle with a sense of superiority, believing they have intellectually crushed their opponents. They discuss the Sage's true strength and their own reluctance to act rashly.
• Prominent Families: The leaders of the prominent families watch the battle silently, unwilling to intervene. They discuss the Sage's true intentions and their own reluctance to cause unnecessary trouble.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An assassination attempt on the Transforming Self Realm scarecrow fails.
• Bai Xingling and his companions arrive at the Capital City's secret realm entrance, witnessing a bustling market with various goods and services.
• Princess Xin E appears at the city gate, hinting at a new way to enter the Imperial Palace.

Character Developments

• Bai Xingling and his companions decide to enter the Imperial Palace via the Imperial Kitchen route.
• Princess Xin E, despite her cognitive defects, begins to expand her influence and plans to identify intruders, setting a trap at the city gate.

Significant Themes

• The Capital City's weirdness rules and secret realms built by players.
• The first-mover advantage in exploring the secret realm.
• The struggle for power and influence within the Capital City.

Character Interactions

• Bai Xingling and his companions discuss their strategy for entering the Imperial Palace.
• Princess Xin E interacts with her followers, the hairpin makers, who provide her with ideas and support.
• The hairpin makers secretly discuss their plans to increase the Capital City's weirdness level and help Princess Xin E identify intruders.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Hairpin Maker Tower is thriving under Embers Su Yu Niang's leadership, with the hairpin makers having fun and making progress in their main storyline.
• Ning Zheng learns about the hairpin makers' new strategies, such as luring illegal laborers to the Capital City and exploiting them for work before killing them for their organs.
• The hairpin makers plan to turn the Capital City into a rules-based horror instance, with various instances like 'Warm Home', 'Happy Restaurant', and 'Merciful Cemetery' to manage and exploit workers.
• Princess Xin E recruits Bai Xingling and others to become tomb keepers in the 'Merciful Cemetery' instance, unaware of the hairpin makers' true intentions.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng is shocked and speechless upon learning the hairpin makers' plans, questioning their methods.
• Jiu Cai Rong is enthusiastic and excited about the hairpin makers' new strategies, seeing them as a way to change the lives of ghouls in this era.
• Bai Xingling is overjoyed at being noticed by Princess Xin E and entering the Capital City, unaware of the danger he's in.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and exploitation: The hairpin makers manipulate and exploit both the illegal laborers and the cultivators entering the Capital City instances for their own gain.
• Advancement and change: The hairpin makers aim to advance the secret realms of this world by a large margin, bringing a better game instance experience to those in the Two Aspects Realm.
• Deception and hidden intentions: The hairpin makers present a kind and gentle image to the public while harboring sinister plans.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng interacts with Jiu Cai Rong, learning about the hairpin makers' new strategies and expressing his shock and speechlessness.
• Princess Xin E interacts with Bai Xingling and other cultivators, recruiting them to become tomb keepers in the 'Merciful Cemetery' instance.
• The hairpin makers interact with each other, sharing their plans and excitement for their new strategies.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng imagines a powerful being's Dharma Aspect becoming bait for artifact spirits, recalling a similar scene from his past.
• The manor's rules are revealed, carrying a sense of dread and absurdity.
• Xinyi Prefecture City is attacked, and the Sage is killed along with the assassins and defending forces.
• The manor's blacksmiths create a new type of artifact spirit: mindless artifact spirits, which are injected with turbid energies to make them babble incoherently, enhancing their effectiveness in combat when amplified by defensive towers.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng shows intrigue and amusement at the manor's rules and the creation of mindless artifact spirits.
• Jiu Cai Rong demonstrates initiative and confidence in his plans to mass-produce mindless artifact spirits.
• The Sword Fairy Maiden exhibits her superiority complex and enjoys the chaos of the battle.

Significant Themes

• The absurdity and horror of the manor's rules.
• The creation and manipulation of artifact spirits for combat purposes.
• The chaos and quick pace of battles in this world.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and Jiu Cai Rong discuss and approve the plan to create mindless artifact spirits.
• The Sword Fairy Maiden brags about her role in the battle and her intellectual dominance.
• Blacksmiths torment an artifact spirit during its creation, highlighting the brutal methods used to create mindless artifact spirits.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng studies new weapons with mindless artifact spirits, understanding their technology.
• The new weapons use turbid energy to cause soul toxin damage, effective against enemies.
• Xi Gate's defense towers are constructed, and the city's development continues.
• A public notice board is set up in Xi Gate, displaying city quests for NPCs and easter egg weapons.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng: Realizes the technology for the new weapons comes from the Sages, not the blacksmiths. He remains cautious about the blacksmiths' egos and their potential uprising against the Sages.
• Jiu Cai Rong: Proposes selling high-end weapons in Xi Gate through a blind box model, with weapons disguised as NPCs (easter eggs).

Significant Themes

• The power of technology and its potential misuse (new weapons' soul toxin damage).
• The relationship between the blacksmiths and the Sages, and the potential consequences of overestimating one's power.
• The integration of NPCs and players in the game world, with easter egg weapons blending into the crowd.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and Jiu Cai Rong discuss the new weapons and the blind box sales method.
• NPCs and easter egg weapons interact with the crowd in Xi Gate, seeking quests and starting their new lives.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sword Fairy Maiden explains that the divine weapons are locked down to prevent theft, comparing them to display phones in a store.
• A group of blacksmiths, now NPCs, arrive in Xi Gate and attempt to blend in with the local ghoul population, but their strange behavior attracts unwanted attention.
• The Sword Fairy Maiden anticipates the arrival of more companions from the newbie village to build and manage Xi Gate together.
• Ning Zheng learns about the blacksmiths' plans to build a virtual city, including toll stations and cars, from the forum.
• A week passes with no sign of the world-ending event or assassins, making Ning Zheng question if the event has been averted.
• Ning Zheng visits other continents and finds that their luck values are decreasing, while Xinyi Continent remains relatively safe.

Character Developments

• The Sword Fairy Maiden shows anticipation for the future development of Xi Gate and the arrival of more companions.
• Ning Zheng becomes more involved in the game's forum and the plans of the blacksmiths, though he doesn't fully understand their strategies.
• Ning Zheng grows concerned about the lack of the world-ending event and visits other continents to investigate.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation and Integration: The blacksmiths' struggle to blend in with the local ghoul population highlights the theme of adaptation and integration into new environments.
• Uncertainty and Change: The absence of the world-ending event and the decreasing luck values on other continents emphasize the theme of uncertainty and change in the game world.

Character Interactions

• The Sword Fairy Maiden shares information with Ning Zheng about the blacksmiths' progress in Xi Gate.
• Ning Zheng interacts with the blacksmiths indirectly through the forum, learning about their plans for the virtual city.
• Ning Zheng visits other continents to gather information and compare the situation with Xinyi Continent.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Blacksmiths settle in Xi Gate, using coded language for communication.
• Old Ancestor struggles with Flesh and Blood Synthesis research.
• 500 female ghouls arrive at the Sword Forging Manor.
• Blacksmiths collaborate to build a mecha under Yan Shuang Ying's order.
• Mecha is assembled and tested, sparking interest in creating vehicles for Xi Gate.
• Embers Su Yu Niang teaches 500 new female ghouls about love and relationships.
• A trip to Princess Xi Rong's Mansion is planned for the prison.

Character Developments

• Blacksmiths adapt to life in Xi Gate, finding jobs and engaging in coded communication.
• Old Ancestor faces challenges in her research, highlighting the gap between her and top experts.
• Yan Shuang Ying becomes more skilled in piloting the mecha.
• Embers Su Yu Niang expands her influence, teaching new prisoners about relationships and organizing events.

Significant Themes

• Communication and adaptation in a new environment.
• The struggle between ambition and caution, seen in Ning Zheng's decision to use the Shi family's channels.
• The power of collaboration, demonstrated by the blacksmiths working together to build the mecha.
• The complexities of relationships and the consequences of infidelity, explored through Su Yu Niang's teachings.

Character Interactions

• Blacksmiths work together to build the mecha, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
• Su Yu Niang interacts with the new female ghouls, teaching them about relationships and organizing events.
• Ning Zheng considers using different channels to acquire female ghouls, weighing the risks and benefits.
• Yan Shuang Ying shares his mecha with others, sparking interest in creating vehicles for Xi Gate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Players discuss and decide to build cars for Xi Gate, soliciting designs from the public.
• The Xin Dynasty Sage consolidates power, absorbing knowledge from the Kings of the Nine Continents.
• Bai Xingling and his group return from a secret realm adventure, having failed to complete the tomb's trials.
• Xi Rong Academy students begin designing and building cars for the upcoming sales event in Xi Gate.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng finds the car-building event fascinating and beneficial for Xi Rong Manor's development.
• Xin Xichen, the Xin Dynasty Sage, becomes the undisputed new Sage, absorbing knowledge from the Kings of the Nine Continents.
• Bai Xingling and his group learn from their mistakes in the secret realm, gaining experience and maturity.

Significant Themes

• Innovation vs. Tradition: Players debate whether to build Xi Gate in a modern, ancient, or futuristic style.
• Power Consolidation: Xin Xichen absorbs knowledge from the Kings of the Nine Continents to solidify his rule.
• Learning from Failure: Bai Xingling and his group learn from their mistakes in the secret realm, demonstrating the importance of experience and growth.

Character Interactions

• Players on the game forum interact, submitting car design drafts and discussing the future of Xi Gate.
• Ning Zheng observes the car-building event with interest, seeing it as a positive development for Xi Rong Manor.
• Bai Xingling and his group discuss their failure in the secret realm, analyzing their mistakes and learning from them.
• The Kings of the Nine Continents submit to Xin Xichen, offering their ancestors' knowledge to show their loyalty.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Xi Rong Divine Craftsman's third sales event is held, unveiling four groundbreaking technologies.
• The event showcases the Earth Vein Ark, New Defense Tower Series, Biological Synthesis Technology, and the New Cultivation System: Artifact Cultivator.
• The Biological Synthesis Technology, in particular, garners significant attention, as it hints at the creation of new races.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng, initially hesitant about the grand scale of the sales events, now accepts his role in leading human civilization.
• Man Tian Shou, the nominal number one divine craftsman from Man Tian Xing Continent, feels threatened by the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman's advancements and attends the sales event out of curiosity and rivalry.

Significant Themes

• Rapid technological advancement and its impact on society.
• The unknown and unpredictable future of human civilization.
• The struggle for dominance and recognition among different factions and continents.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng, Immortal Auntie, and Shao Chai Kun work together to host the sales event, showcasing their unity and shared goals.
• Man Tian Shou and the other professionals from various fields react to the announcements, revealing their excitement, concern, and rivalry towards the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman's advancements.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xi Rong Divine Craftsman reveals the synthesis of biological organisms, shocking and disrupting established professions like beast taming and alchemy.
• They introduce Origin Spirit Liquid, a product of immortal artifact technology, further challenging alchemists.
• The final project is revealed: Artifact Cultivator, a new cultivation system that modifies humans by implanting magic artifacts, enabling non-combat professions to have combat power.
• The Sword Fairy Maiden expresses her dream of empowering weak humans with powerful combat strength through this system.

Character Developments

• The Sword Fairy Maiden: She evolves from a passionate Medical Fairy Maiden to a successful leader, driving change and inspiring others with her vision.
• Immortal Auntie: She remains calm and collected, facilitating the presentations and negotiations.
• Man Tian Shou: He accepts the new era, embracing the challenge and competition it brings.
• Zhang Huaping: She reflects on the past, comparing the Medical Fairy Maiden to the Sword Fairy Maiden and pondering the wonders of fate.

Significant Themes

• Change and Adaptation: The era is shifting, and characters must adapt to new technologies and systems.
• The Pursuit of Dreams: The Sword Fairy Maiden's dream of empowering the weak drives her actions and inspires others.
• Competition and Cooperation: Characters compete but also recognize the value of cooperation in the face of new challenges.

Character Interactions

• The Sword Fairy Maiden interacts with the audience, inspiring them with her vision and challenging them to adapt to the new era.
• Immortal Auntie and Man Tian Shou work together, presenting the projects and facilitating negotiations.
• Zhang Huaping reflects on her past, comparing the Medical Fairy Maiden to the Sword Fairy Maiden and contemplating the connections between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Xi Rong Divine Craftsmen introduce four groundbreaking projects at a sales event.
• The sale begins with traditional mindless artifact spirits, the Amplification Defense Tower series, with ten defense towers sold.
• The sale shifts to the Ark Series, intelligent artifact spirits, which are hidden in a tomb in a blind box format, becoming a gift within the city.
• The event ends, sparking widespread discussion and excitement about the introduction of immortal artifacts and the potential for cultivators with immortal spiritual roots.

Character Developments

• Xi Rong, the leader of the Xi Rong Divine Craftsmen, is portrayed as a visionary and a passionate leader who aims to bring fortune to all living beings.
• The Sword Fairy Maiden, the host of the event, is depicted as calm and gentle, effectively managing the sale and engaging the crowd.

Significant Themes

• The introduction of immortal artifacts and the potential impact on cultivation techniques and eras.
• The passion and ambition of young scholars inspired by Xi Rong's vision.
• The potential for a reshuffling of eras, with those unable to adapt to the immortal artifact era destined to decline.

Character Interactions

• The Sword Fairy Maiden interacts with the crowd, calming their emotions and managing the sale.
• The crowd interacts with each other, bidding on defense towers and discussing the implications of the sale.
• The members of several major families discuss the potential impact of immortal artifacts on various fields and their resolve to support Xi Rong Academy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Man Tian Shou returns home and reflects on the changes brought by the new era.
• A secret meeting is held among the top professionals (Divine Craftsmen, Physicians, Alchemists) from the Nine Continents to discuss the threat posed by the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman.
• They invite a mysterious, powerful figure to help them understand the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman's techniques by examining the artifact spirit of the Yin-Yang Corpse Slaying Sword.
• The mysterious figure extracts information from the artifact spirit, overwhelming the attendees with a flood of bizarre and vulgar knowledge, causing them mental distress and physical reactions.

Character Developments

• Man Tian Shou, the former top divine craftsman, feels regret for the changes in the new era and is concerned about the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman's influence.
• The attendees of the secret meeting, initially arrogant and dismissive of the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman, are humbled and traumatized by the information overload they experience.

Significant Themes

• The clash between old and new eras, with the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman representing the new era's advancements.
• The power dynamics between prominent families and the threat posed by the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman to their established order.
• The consequences of underestimating an opponent and the dangers of arrogance.

Character Interactions

• Man Tian Shou interacts with his family, who express admiration for the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman.
• The attendees of the secret meeting discuss their concerns and plans to counter the Xi Rong Divine Craftsman, only to be humiliated and traumatized by the information overload.
• The mysterious figure in black robes interacts with the attendees, displaying his power and disdain for their weakness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng retrieves a book with the keywords "Pingchang City" and "Blood Separation Flower," increasing his luck value.
• He decides to postpone awakening his blurred vision and focuses on breaking through to the next cultivation realm.
• Man Tian Shou arrives at Xinyi Continent City to join the "Artifact Cultivator Project" at Xi Rong Academy.
• Xi Rong Academy begins its first synthesis using the [Yin-Yang Creation Furnace], attracting a large audience.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng: He gains knowledge about his identity and location, decides to postpone awakening his blurred vision, and successfully breaks through to the Spirit Origin Realm.
• Man Tian Shou: He arrives at Xinyi Continent City, determined to join the "Artifact Cultivator Project" and learn from Xi Rong Academy to surpass them.

Significant Themes

• Luck and fate: Ning Zheng's luck value increases and decreases, affecting his life and decisions.
• Knowledge and learning: Man Tian Shou seeks to learn from Xi Rong Academy to advance his family's craftsmanship.
• Ambition and competition: Both Ning Zheng and Man Tian Shou strive to improve and surpass others in their respective fields.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng interacts with the little blacksmiths in his mind, guiding them and helping them grow.
• Man Tian Shou interacts with the people at Xi Rong Academy, observing and learning from them.
• The Sword Fairy Maiden interacts with various visitors, including Man Tian Shou, welcoming them to join the "Artifact Cultivator Project."

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xi Rong Academy's opening is a success, attracting many mentors and students.
• Ning Zheng, the academy's leader, struggles with managing the academy's various departments and ensuring they generate revenue.
• The academy's Agricultural Academy successfully hatches a half-demon creature from a human and a demonic bee, sparking excitement and new ideas among the students and mentors.
• The Cardamom Rainbow family, aligned with the academy, sees the potential in the immortal beast creation and plans to become the "Progenitor of Immortal Beasts" in the future.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng: Realizes the complexity of managing an academy and the need for departments to generate revenue.
• Cardamom Rainbow: Recognizes the potential of the immortal beast creation and plans for her family's future.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of managing a large organization and ensuring its financial sustainability.
• The potential of new technologies and their impact on society and power dynamics.
• The Cardamom Rainbow family's ambition and adaptability in aligning with powerful allies.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng observes the academy's activities and interacts with the students and mentors.
• Cardamom Rainbow interacts with the academy's leadership, discussing the potential of the immortal beast creation and her family's future.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sword Forging Manor successfully hatches and sends away the first batch of immortal beast progenitors.
• The manor decides to keep future experiments private to protect intellectual property.
• News spreads about another force creating Yin-Yang Divine Weapons, signaling the start of competition in immortal artifact creation.
• King Xinyi Yun informs Sword Fairy Maiden and Cardamom Rainbow that the Xin Dynasty Sage has researched a prototype for an immortal spiritual root cultivation technique for humans.

Character Developments

• Sword Fairy Maiden and Cardamom Rainbow show concern about the competition in immortal artifact creation and the potential threat posed by the Xin Dynasty Sage's research.
• King Xinyi Yun demonstrates his powerful aura and profound knowledge, indicating significant progress in his research.
• Ghost Score, Sword Fairy Maiden's former master, arrives in the Capital City, seeking to hinder the Xin Dynasty Sage's progress.

Significant Themes

• Competition and innovation in the creation of immortal artifacts.
• The race to develop an immortal spiritual root cultivation technique for humans.
• The potential impact of such advancements on the balance of power in the world.

Character Interactions

• Sword Fairy Maiden and Cardamom Rainbow discuss the implications of other forces creating immortal artifacts and share their plans for the future.
• King Xinyi Yun informs Sword Fairy Maiden and Cardamom Rainbow about the Xin Dynasty Sage's progress, revealing his own growth and knowledge.
• Ghost Score and an ancient voice discuss the threat posed by the Xin Dynasty Sage and their plans to hinder his progress.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ghost Score, abandoned in Xinyi Continent City, absorbs a mysterious token containing an entity named Xin Shenghua.
• Xin Shenghua guides Ghost Score, helping him break through to the Two Aspects Realm in a short time.
• Ghost Score is sent to the Capital City to steal the core of the Chronicle of Ages from the Sage, with Xin Shenghua's guidance.
• Upon arrival, Ghost Score is led by Princess Xin E to a construction site, where they are forced to move bricks under the supervision of ghoul foremen.

Character Developments

• Ghost Score: Starts as a cultivator stuck in the Three Origins Realm, breaks through to the Two Aspects Realm with Xin Shenghua's help, but lacks genuine combat power.
• Xin Shenghua: An ancient entity with a mysterious past, possibly a remnant of the Xin Dynasty's royal family. He manipulates Ghost Score for his own purposes.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control: Xin Shenghua manipulates Ghost Score and other ancient entities for his own goals.
• The power of knowledge and strategy: Xin Shenghua's knowledge and strategic thinking allow him to outmaneuver his opponents.
• The unpredictability of the dead: The entities in the Capital City, despite being dead, behave in ways that defy expectations.

Character Interactions

• Ghost Score and Xin Shenghua: Ghost Score is manipulated by Xin Shenghua, who guides him and provides him with knowledge and power.
• Ghost Score and Princess Xin E: Ghost Score is led by Princess Xin E to the construction site, where they are forced to move bricks.
• The ancient tomb-dwelling existences: They are manipulated by Xin Shenghua, who uses them as pawns in his plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sage of the Xin Dynasty has developed a cultivation technique for immortal spiritual roots, which can only be used by mortals who haven't cultivated a spiritual root before.
• This technique allows cultivators to have two spiritual roots, maintaining Yin-Yang balance, but those who have already cultivated a single spiritual root cannot use it.
• The Xinyi royal family had previously researched dual spiritual roots, leading to a civil war, and the Sage's development of the technique has stirred up old issues.
• Competitors have started selling Yin-Yang Divine Weapons, suspected to be researched by someone with the royal bloodline of the Xin Dynasty.

Character Developments

• Xinyi Yun: Reveals his knowledge of the royal family's past research on dual spiritual roots and expresses concern about the new competitor.
• The Sage: Displayed anger due to the limitations of the new cultivation technique and is trying to find other methods to resolve the immortal spiritual root issue.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and immortality through cultivation, leading to conflict and competition.
• The consequences of past actions and the resurgence of old issues.
• The struggle between the living and the dead, with the latter having inherent flaws.

Character Interactions

• Xinyi Yun discusses the implications of the new cultivation technique and the emergence of a competitor with Cardamom Rainbow and the Sword Fairy Maiden.
• Xinyi Yun reveals his concerns about the Sage's potential vulnerability to the mysterious competitor, suggesting that the Sage's dead status could be exploited.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The inspector arrives at Xi Rong Academy and witnesses students harassing commoner teachers, which he promptly addresses.
• A new beast egg appears in the academy, reducing the inspector's luck value, making him eligible for awakening.
• The group of blacksmiths discuss the Xin Dynasty Sage's obsession with having a Crown Prince and theorize about the mastermind behind the scenes.

Character Developments

• The inspector demonstrates his authority and commitment to equality within the academy.
• Zhang Huaping gains the inspector's trust and is appointed to lead the education department.
• Ning Zheng remains patient and strategic in his plans, learning from Jiu Cai Rong's stock trading techniques.
• The blacksmiths, particularly Ye Kuang Xiu, exhibit their analytical and deductive skills in guessing the truth behind the Xin Dynasty Sage's fall.

Significant Themes

• Equality and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background, as demonstrated by the inspector's actions.
• The consequences of obsession and single-minded pursuit of a goal, as seen in the Xin Dynasty Sage's fixation on having a Crown Prince.
• The power of critical thinking and deduction in unraveling complex mysteries, as shown by the blacksmiths' guesswork.

Character Interactions

• The inspector interacts with the students and teachers, asserting his authority and setting a new standard for behavior within the academy.
• Zhang Huaping and the inspector share a moment of understanding and respect, with Zhang Huaping admiring the inspector's growth.
• The blacksmiths engage in a lively discussion, bouncing ideas off each other and ultimately arriving at a shared theory about the mastermind's identity.
• Ning Zheng listens in on the blacksmiths' conversation, finding their behavior confusing and amusing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng continues his cultivation, considering breaking through to the Two Aspects Realm or choosing the "Eyes of Half-Awakening."
• The projects at Xi Rong Academy progress, with blacksmiths spreading rumors about the mastermind's true identity.
• In the Capital City, the Ghoul King and ancient beings suffer under Princess Xin E's training, then hear rumors about the Xin Dynasty Sage's son.
• Xin Shenghua leads the ancient beings into the Imperial Palace, aiming to provoke Xin Xichen into madness.
• Xin Xichen goes mad, causing chaos in the Capital City and drawing attention from various factions.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng remains focused on his cultivation, showing patience and restraint in decision-making.
• Xin Shenghua reveals his true intentions, manipulating events to provoke Xin Xichen and gain an advantage.
• The ancient beings from the tombs show their power and cunning, proving to be formidable opponents.

Significant Themes

• The power of rumors and their potential to influence and manipulate.
• The consequences of hidden secrets and the danger of provoking powerful entities.
• The struggle for power and control among ancient beings and factions.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng remains isolated, focusing on his cultivation and not engaging with the rumors or events unfolding in the Capital City.
• Xin Shenghua interacts with the ancient beings, manipulating them to further his goals.
• The ancient beings from the tombs work together, initially unaware of Xin Shenghua's true intentions, and later suspicious of his actions.
• The Ghoul King and the beings in the ancient tombs interact with Xin Shenghua, initially respectful but growing suspicious and disrespectful as they hear the rumors.
• Xin Xichen, the Xin Dynasty Sage, interacts with no one directly in this chapter, but his actions and reactions drive the plot, showing his power and vulnerability.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Imperial Mausoleum in the Capital City is breached, causing a world-ending event called "chaotic times."
• Ancient terracotta warriors emerge from the mural in the Capital City, forming a vortex with terrifying figures.
• The event spreads to other continents, with local cities affected by the breach. Rules and changes are imposed, such as the prohibition of loud noises.
• The Flower Crown Manor, led by Ning Zheng, sets sail as a precaution, transforming into a colossal Dharma Aspect and moving towards the seaside.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng, the manager of the Flower Crown Manor, decides to retreat strategically due to the chaotic times, showing her cautious and calculated nature.
• The little blacksmiths, though initially excited, quickly fall silent and follow Ning Zheng's orders, demonstrating their loyalty and discipline.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation and Survival: Characters must adapt to the rapidly changing world and find ways to survive the chaotic times.
• Power and Weakness: The story highlights the importance of power and foundation in a chaotic world, with Ning Zheng feeling the need to strengthen her combat power and foundation.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and the Blacksmiths: Ning Zheng gives orders, and the blacksmiths follow, showing a clear hierarchy and mutual respect.
• Ning Zheng and Xiao Gao: Xiao Gao's mining head is used as part of the colossal Dharma Aspect, demonstrating their close working relationship.