Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi, now the student council president, plans to apply for early graduation and start his own company with the help of Young Master Chu.
• He offers Fu Yi a share in the company, which she accepts, revealing she has her own wealth from her mother.
• Huai Shi decides to leave the country for a round-the-world trip, expressing his desire to start anew and find something more meaningful.
• Fu Yi slaps Huai Shi and expresses her disapproval of his decision, but ultimately accepts it.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: He has grown from a freshman to the student council president, experiencing the taste of power. He has also become financially independent through his inventions. However, he feels unfulfilled and wants to leave his current life behind to find something more meaningful.
• Fu Yi: She remains Huai Shi's assistant and confidante. She is revealed to be wealthy, having inherited money from her mother. She is upset by Huai Shi's decision to leave but ultimately accepts it.

Significant Themes

• Ambition vs. Contentment: Huai Shi's desire for something more meaningful in life contrasts with his current success and contentment.
• Unfulfilled Potential: Huai Shi feels he hasn't reached his full potential in his current industry and wants to explore other avenues.
• Friendship and Betrayal: Fu Yi feels betrayed by Huai Shi's decision to leave, but their friendship remains strong.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Fu Yi: Their relationship remains platonic but close. Fu Yi slaps Huai Shi in anger at his decision to leave, but they part ways amicably.
• Huai Shi and Young Master Chu: They have a business partnership, with Young Master Chu investing in Huai Shi's company. They have met twice, and Huai Shi denies rumors about him trying to curry favor with Young Master Chu's sister.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ai Qing and Huai Shi meet again in Vienna after six years.
• Huai Shi's teacher encourages him to pick up the cello again, but Huai Shi feels he's too rusty and busy with work.
• Huai Shi receives news of his teacher's critical illness, causing him to rush back to Xinhai.
• It turns out to be a false alarm, but his teacher uses the opportunity to confront Huai Shi about his life choices.
• Huai Shi runs off after his teacher's words, finally deciding to go to Fu Yi and tell her something important.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: Struggles with regret and unease about his life choices, finally decides to take action.
• Ai Qing's Mother (Huai Shi's Teacher): Shows wisdom and concern for Huai Shi's well-being, pushing him to make changes.
• Ai Qing: Shows concern for her mother and confusion about Huai Shi's behavior.

Significant Themes

• Regret and redemption
• The importance of self-reflection and personal growth
• The power of love and support from others

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Ai Qing's Mother: Their conversation leads to Huai Shi's epiphany.
• Huai Shi and Ai Qing: They have a brief interaction, with Ai Qing showing confusion about Huai Shi's behavior.
• Huai Shi and Fu Yi: Implied future interaction, as Huai Shi decides to go to Fu Yi and tell her something important.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Roman army plans a joint operation to capture The Tuner, leader of the Integration Front, who has been causing instability in the Persian region.
• The Tuner's origin and methods are discussed, revealing his charismatic influence and unpredictable nature.
• Red Glove, a special forces captain, is tasked with capturing The Tuner alive.
• The operation goes awry, and Red Glove is captured by The Tuner and his assistant, Xiao Xian.
• The Tuner spares Red Glove and tries to convince him of his cause, discussing the responsibilities of a person and the justice he seeks.

Character Developments

• The Tuner: Revealed to be an Asian man with a charismatic presence and a strong sense of justice. He seeks to bring order and clean governance to the Persian region.
• Red Glove: Initially loyal to Rome, he becomes captivated by The Tuner's words and eventually joins the Integration Front, becoming an envoy for their cause.

Significant Themes

• Justice and Responsibility: The Tuner's primary motivation is to bring justice to the people of the Persian region and hold those responsible for their suffering accountable.
• Loyalty and Betrayal: Red Glove's shift in allegiance from Rome to the Integration Front highlights the complex nature of loyalty and the potential for individuals to change their beliefs based on new information or persuasive arguments.

Character Interactions

• The Tuner and Red Glove: Their interaction is pivotal, with The Tuner successfully convincing Red Glove to join his cause, demonstrating his persuasive abilities and charisma.
• Xiao Xian and The Tuner: Xiao Xian is shown to be fiercely loyal to The Tuner and willing to protect him at any cost, even resorting to violence. Their dynamic suggests a deep trust and mutual respect.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter announces triple monthly votes on the 29th, 30th, and 31st.
• The author apologizes for not mentioning this earlier and asks readers to wait a bit longer.

Character Developments

• None; the chapter is a brief announcement.

Significant Themes

• Readership engagement and anticipation.
• Author-reader interaction and communication.

Character Interactions

• None; the chapter is a direct address to readers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heavenly Paradise, once a beautiful and peaceful land, is reduced to ruins six years later due to a bombardment by Rome and the Russian Union.
• Huai Shi, the last resistor, reflects on his life and decisions as the city falls.
• Luo Xian, a gentle figure from the shadows, offers to avenge Huai Shi, but he declines, finding no injustice left to avenge.
• Huai Shi has a final conversation with Luo Xian before she leaves, and he is eventually killed by a masked soldier.
• The chapter ends with Huai Shi's death, and the ruins of Heavenly Paradise left behind.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: Reflects on his life, feels no regret or remorse, but also no satisfaction. He accepts his death and the destruction of Heavenly Paradise.
• Luo Xian: Remains loyal and caring towards Huai Shi, offering to avenge him. She expresses that she finds happiness in Huai Shi.

Significant Themes

• The impermanence of paradise and peace.
• The futility of war and revenge.
• Acceptance of one's past and choices.
• The search for happiness and satisfaction in life.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Luo Xian: Share a poignant farewell, with Luo Xian offering to avenge Huai Shi and him declining. They express their mutual understanding and care for each other.
• Huai Shi and the masked soldier: Huai Shi's final interaction is with the soldier who kills him, accepting his fate with defiance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi undergoes intense simulation, experiencing countless branching possibilities of his life.
• The simulations stop abruptly, and a mysterious figure, another version of Huai Shi, ends the simulation.
• Huai Shi integrates his fragmented selves and enters a new branch, arriving in Yellowstone, America.
• He waits in a coffee shop for his friend, Lily/Hela, and describes her to the staff.
• Lily/Hela finally arrives, and they reunite after a long separation.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: Proves his resilience and adaptability by enduring the intense simulations. He grows in understanding and acceptance of Lily/Hela's growth and independence.
• Lily/Hela: Transforms from a spirit entity into a human. She grows taller, more mature, and more confident, though she still has some timidity.

Significant Themes

• Resilience and adaptability: Huai Shi's ability to endure and adapt to the intense simulations.
• Growth and change: Both Huai Shi and Lily/Hela have grown and changed since their last meeting.
• Friendship and support: Huai Shi's unwavering support for Lily/Hela's independence and growth.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and the coffee shop staff: Huai Shi shares his memories and feelings about Lily/Hela with the staff, who listen attentively and offer encouragement.
• Huai Shi and Lily/Hela: They reunite after a long separation, sharing their experiences and catching up on lost time. They support and encourage each other's growth and independence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi and Lily wake up in their campsite, with Lily struggling to dismantle her tent.
• They have breakfast together, with Lily expressing her desire to learn cooking American-style steamed buns.
• Huai Shi thinks about Luo Xian and her travels.
• They discuss their plans after seeing the waterfall, with Lily realizing they've seen most of Yellowstone.
• Lily asks if they'll meet again, and Huai Shi assures her they will, exchanging contact information.
• As they sit by the waterfall, Lily thanks Huai Shi for the trip and confesses her feelings before leaving.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi shows care and understanding towards Lily's feelings.
• Lily struggles with expressing her emotions but ultimately confesses to Huai Shi.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and the end of journeys.
• The courage to express one's feelings.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Lily's friendship deepens as they share their thoughts and feelings.
• Lily's confession to Huai Shi marks a turning point in their relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi awakens from the Utopia trial, having recovered all his memories.
• He discovers that his skills have significantly improved, with some reaching mastery levels (e.g., Alchemy - Metallurgy LV9, Cello Performance LV17).
• He gains a new skill, False Wisdom, which helps him make better choices in critical situations.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: He has become more confident and assertive, as seen when he stops his sister from deleting his phone. He also shows determination to improve his skills, particularly in hand-to-hand combat.

Significant Themes

• The impact of the Utopia trial on Huai Shi's personal growth and skill development.
• The importance of perseverance and hard work in improving one's abilities.
• The struggle between reality and the illusions of the trial.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and the Crow: They engage in a conversation where the Crow explains the nature of the Utopia trial and the reasons behind Huai Shi's skill improvements. They also discuss Huai Shi's new skill, False Wisdom.
• Huai Shi and Lily: Although not physically present, Lily's words and the phone call from her number leave a lasting impact on Huai Shi, causing him to reflect on their relationship and his feelings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi receives a call from Lily, who misinterpreted his actions and panicked.
• Huai Shi struggles with his feelings for Lily, feeling they're not pure and that he shouldn't expect affection in return for his actions.
• Crow teases Huai Shi, and he becomes upset, resolving to outdo her in the future.
• Huai Shi decides to return home after his vacation, feeling happy with his life and experiences in the new world.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: Struggles with his feelings for Lily, realizing he shouldn't expect affection in return for his actions. He becomes determined to outdo Crow in the future. He expresses contentment with his life and experiences in the new world.
• Lily: Misinterprets Huai Shi's actions and panics, leading to a confusing conversation between them.
• Crow: Teases Huai Shi, causing him to become upset. She encourages Huai Shi to think about what makes him happy in life.

Significant Themes

• The complexity of human feelings and relationships.
• The importance of personal happiness and contentment.
• The struggle between expectation and responsibility.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Lily: Their conversation is filled with misunderstandings and anxiety, leading to no clear resolution.
• Huai Shi and Crow: Crow teases Huai Shi, causing him to become upset and resolve to outdo her in the future. They discuss the importance of personal happiness and contentment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi arrives at Mount Daiyu, where the old lady, the Azure Emperor, resides.
• Huai Shi faces an obstacle at the foot of the mountain, unable to proceed due to the immense pressure from Mount Daiyu's ecosystem.
• Huai Shi finds a workaround by actively detaching a portion of his internal vitality and assimilating it into Mount Daiyu's terrestrial veins with each step, allowing him to advance.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi demonstrates his adaptability and resourcefulness in finding a solution to overcome the obstacle.
• The old lady, the Azure Emperor, shows her stern and demanding nature, setting a high difficulty for Huai Shi to test his abilities.

Significant Themes

• The theme of adaptation and finding alternative solutions to overcome obstacles is highlighted through Huai Shi's actions.
• The power dynamics between the old lady and Huai Shi are explored, showcasing her authority and his determination.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi interacts with the driver and the guards at the foot of the mountain, displaying his determination and resourcefulness.
• The old lady interacts with a young woman, likely her apprentice or a close associate, revealing her stern and demanding nature towards her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi attempts to learn from the Azure Emperor by stealing her knowledge.
• The Azure Emperor, aware of his actions, allows him to learn but increases the pressure on Yu Dai Mountain.
• Huai Shi struggles and eventually understands the grand cycle of Yu Dai Mountain.
• He reaches the summit but finds the Azure Emperor gone.
• He spends the night in her rocking chair.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: Grows in understanding and respect for the Azure Emperor, learns from his mistakes, and matures in his approach.
• Azure Emperor: Shows magnanimity and patience, allowing Huai Shi to learn despite his initial deceit.

Significant Themes

• Learning and growth through challenges and mistakes.
• The power dynamics and respect between cultivators of different tiers.
• The Azure Emperor's open and aboveboard nature, contrasting with Huai Shi's initial deceit.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and the Azure Emperor: Their interaction is initially one of deception and exposure, but evolves into mutual respect and understanding.
• The Azure Emperor and her assistant: They share a playful, familial relationship, with the assistant caring for the old lady and the old lady showing affection towards her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi wakes up on Yu Dai Mountain, greeted by the Azure Emperor.
• He spends a week consuming the mountain's life force, preparing to advance.
• He successfully gathers the conditions for the Birth of Life but refrains from advancing.
• He returns to Stone Marrow Hall, where Crow has gathered all necessary materials for his advancement.
• The stage is set for Huai Shi's Shao Siming advancement ritual.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi demonstrates remarkable control over his Holy Mark and state, consuming vast amounts of life force without advancing prematurely.
• The Azure Emperor shows a hint of warmth and kindness, revealing her age and appreciation for youth.
• Crow displays her alluring human form and eagerness to assist Huai Shi in his advancement.

Significant Themes

• Control and mastery over one's state and powers.
• The passage of time and aging.
• The desire for growth and advancement.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and the Azure Emperor have a brief, tense exchange, with the old lady showing a mix of sternness and warmth.
• Huai Shi and Ju Shuang spend a week together, with Ju Shuang growing increasingly exasperated by Huai Shi's eating habits.
• Huai Shi and Crow share a playful, teasing dynamic, with Crow eager to help Huai Shi advance and Huai Shi being cautious of her intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with the author expressing New Year wishes and gratitude for reader support.
• The focus shifts to Huai Shi, a character in the story, who is preparing for a significant advancement.
• The author expresses uncertainty about completing Huai Shi's advancement within the chapter.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: The chapter hints at Huai Shi's impending growth or transformation, suggesting a significant development in his character or status.

Significant Themes

• Prosperity and New Beginnings: The title and the author's opening remarks emphasize the start of a new year, suggesting themes of renewal, prosperity, and fresh starts.
• Growth and Advancement: The focus on Huai Shi's upcoming advancement implies themes of personal growth, evolution, and overcoming challenges.

Character Interactions

• The chapter primarily focuses on the author's interaction with the readers, expressing gratitude and seeking their continued support.
• There's a mention of Huai Shi's preparation, but no interactions with other characters are detailed in this chapter.

Summary of "Day of Absolute Darkness"

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi begins his advancement, which is connected to the Sand King's ritual in Australia.
• The advancement affects the entire world, causing a global disaster known as the "Day of Absolute Darkness."
• Every probability game meets its worst consequences, with no one able to draw an SSR from any card pool.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: He is developing normally and has surpassed the beginner stage in alchemy. He is about to undergo a significant advancement, which will have global consequences.
• Crow: She is helping Huai Shi with his advancement, using a secret ritual to vent the restlessness of the Book of Destiny temporarily.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fate and destiny is explored, with the Book of Destiny's influence causing global chaos.
• The theme of luck and misfortune is prevalent, as every player experiences the worst possible outcomes in their games.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Crow: They interact as Crow helps Huai Shi with his advancement, showing concern for his well-being.
• Yuan Zhao and his cousin: Yuan Zhao's cousin returns home, likely to confront him about his gambling habits.
• Players worldwide: Players from various games interact through their shared experience of despair and misfortune.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi experiences a vision or dream where he falls through layers of hell, witnessing various scenes and creatures, and finally reaches a place resembling Jinling's ruins.
• He finds a long sword, which turns out to be the Sword of Virtue, and awakens from his dream.
• In the current realm, the Stone Marrow Hall's darkness dissipates, and Uncle Fang reappears, embarrassed but relieved.
• Huai Shi wakes up in the basement, having completed his advancement, and is greeted by Shao Siming.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: He experiences a profound spiritual journey, questioning the origins of the world and humanity's role. He awakens with a new perspective and understanding.
• Shao Siming: She patiently waits for Huai Shi's advancement to complete, showing concern and relief upon his awakening.

Significant Themes

• The nature of reality and illusion: Huai Shi's journey through hell challenges his perception of reality.
• The origins of the world and humanity: The question "In the beginning, who passed down the Way?" drives Huai Shi's introspection.
• Growth and change: Huai Shi's advancement marks a significant change in his life and understanding.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Shao Siming: Their interaction upon Huai Shi's awakening is filled with relief and happiness, marking a strengthening of their bond.
• Huai Shi and the unknown figure in his vision: The figure, who may be a past version of Huai Shi or a manifestation of his subconscious, guides him and leaves behind the Sword of Virtue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi completes three major objectives: Advancement, Spiritual Coffin repair, and Uncle Fang's independent evolution.
• Crow tests Huai Shi's strength, endurance, and speed post-advancement, revealing significant improvements.
• Huai Shi activates his Third-Tier Holy Mark, Shao Siming, which leaves afterimages (Shadow Burial) and expands his Nibelungen Ring's capacity.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi: Advances to Third-Tier Shao Siming, gains new abilities, and struggles to control his new power.
• Crow: Provides guidance and reveals the intricacies of Huai Shi's new abilities.

Significant Themes

• Power and control: Huai Shi struggles to control his newfound strength and abilities.
• Growth and evolution: Huai Shi's advancements and Uncle Fang's evolution highlight the theme of growth and change.
• The duality of power: Huai Shi's abilities, while powerful, also have a dark side, as seen with his Death Siphon skill.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Crow: Crow tests and guides Huai Shi, revealing new aspects of his abilities and providing insight into the Heavenly Inquiry Path.
• Huai Shi and his past self: Huai Shi sees afterimages of his past self, highlighting the changes he has undergone.

In "Burial Sanctuary," Huai Shi discovers he can control his afterimages, marking his mastery of Shao Siming's talent. He also gains a new skill, Burial Sanctuary, a dark domain that enhances his legions and suppresses non-yin attributes. However, it also brings extreme bad luck to anyone who enters. Huai Shi learns that his role is now supportive, focusing on survival and assistance rather than direct combat. Crow emphasizes the importance of understanding Shao Siming's 'Destiny' for future challenges.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huai Shi enters the Third Tier of the Heavenly Inquiry Path.
• He sets three main objectives: controlling his talent, fusing souls, and growing his Shao Siming miracle.
• The Crow suggests raising an Abyssal species to grow his Shao Siming, which would also grant him an Abyssal Swarm and make him their Great Group Lord.
• The Crow reveals that successfully merging Shao Siming and Great Siming before Fourth Tier could allow Huai Shi to advance to Lord of the Clouds as Taiyi, a conceptually higher Fifth Tier than Dongjun.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi shows determination and acceptance of his new goals.
• The Crow demonstrates her cunning and manipulative nature, guiding Huai Shi towards her desired path.

Significant Themes

• The dual nature of miracles and disasters.
• The importance of control and growth in the development of an Ascendant's powers.
• The potential consequences and rewards of taking risks.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and the Crow engage in a conversation where she presents him with options, ultimately guiding him towards her desired outcome.
• Huai Shi expresses disbelief and shock at the Crow's revelations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Crow reveals that Taiyi, the supposed divine position, is real and existed for an instant, leaving behind a miracle.
• Huai Shi considers Crow's method to cultivate a Hellish Legion, despite the risks and potential distortion in the current realm.
• Crow explains that the correction value and distortion are not two sides of the same coin but coexist and influence the world separately.
• Huai Shi discovers it's New Year's Eve, and it's snowing outside.

Character Developments

• Huai Shi is conflicted about Crow's suggestion to raise a Hellish Legion, weighing the potential benefits and risks.
• Crow remains mysterious and elusive, revealing bits of information about the world and its history.
• Huai Shi reflects on his journey since becoming an Ascendant, appreciating the changes and growth he's experienced.

Significant Themes

• Change and Stagnation: The conversation between Huai Shi and Crow delves into the nature of change and stagnation, with Hell being described as a place where change is lost.
• Power and Responsibility: Huai Shi grapples with the consequences of his actions and the power he wields, considering the potential impact on the current realm.
• Growth and Self-Discovery: Huai Shi looks back on his journey, acknowledging his growth and the changes he's undergone.

Character Interactions

• Huai Shi and Crow continue their mentor-mentee relationship, with Crow providing guidance and information while Huai Shi ponders the implications.
• Huai Shi interacts with his pet horse and Beelzebub, showing affection and exasperation towards their antics.
• Huai Shi reflects on his life and experiences, appreciating the changes and growth he's undergone, setting the stage for future decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author struggles to complete the final chapter of the current volume, contemplating splitting it into two days to earn an extra day.
• Despite having only a vague outline for the next volume, the author decides to upload the completed chapter to avoid frustration from delaying it further.
• The author plans to take a day off, with a possible extension to two days if writing proves challenging.

Character Developments

• The author's writing process and decision-making are highlighted, showing their dedication, frustration, and eventual resolve in completing the chapter.
• Huai Shi's character development is mentioned in passing, as he has advanced to the rank of Shao Siming, marking the story's entry into its middle stage.

Significant Themes

• The struggle and dedication involved in creative work, particularly writing.
• The balance between planning and spontaneity in the creative process.
• The author's relationship with their readers, shown through their requests for support and votes.

Character Interactions

• The author interacts with their editor, referred to as "that unscrupulous editor," expressing their disapproval of the editor's spoilers.
• The author addresses their readers as "my dear brothers and sisters," showing a familial and affectionate relationship.