Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Gu Chengming’s Spiritual Power breaks through from First Realm Level Three to Level Four during an ordinary cultivation session. The breakthrough feels natural, marking a fresh start; the system reports that Hundred Bones Ming’s favorability toward him has risen to 25.
• Elder Liu Enchuan reviews Gu’s records and learns he has gone three years without claiming sect resources. Though Liu briefly considers taking him as a disciple, he decides his own abilities are not good enough to guide such a promising talent.
• Liu tells Great Elder Ren Wencai about Gu’s unusual swordsmanship and recounts testing him in person. Ren concludes that Gu may be following the Ancient Bitter Sword path: enduring hardship and slow early progress while silently building toward a sudden, dramatic breakthrough.
• Ren warns that conventional instruction could disrupt Gu’s development, so the best approach may be to let him keep forging his own path. However, the upcoming Disciple Assessment requires a minimum cultivation level, putting Gu’s place in the sect at risk.
• Ren promises to find a solution without favoritism or cheating, telling Liu to “just watch.”

Character developments

• Gu Chengming reaches First Realm Level Four and begins to move past the long stagnation that defined his cultivation.
• Liu Enchuan shifts from excitement at discovering Gu to humility about his own ability to teach him. He also becomes anxious about the assessment jeopardizing Gu’s future.
• Ren Wencai emerges as a knowledgeable, measured mentor figure. He interprets Gu’s hardships as part of a rare cultivation path and intends to help without compromising the assessment.

Significant themes

• Hardship as cultivation: The Ancient Bitter Sword turns deprivation, loneliness, and slow progress into means of strengthening will and sword intent.
• Patience before breakthrough: Gu’s quiet breakthrough reflects the idea that years of accumulation may lead to sudden advancement.
• Guidance versus interference: Recognizing talent does not always mean imposing instruction; the wrong kind of help may hinder someone’s natural path.
• Merit and integrity: The assessment creates tension between protecting a promising disciple and preserving fairness within the sect.

Character interactions

• Liu and Ren discuss Gu’s abilities, with Liu urging Ren to take him as a disciple and Ren explaining why conventional teaching could be harmful.
• Liu’s admiration for Ren’s insight contrasts with his fear that Ren might bend the rules; Ren reassures him that he will act properly.
• Gu’s breakthrough is accompanied by the system’s playful commentary from Hundred Bones Ming, adding a humorous note to the chapter’s otherwise serious developments.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming, a GALGAME player from his past life, is now in a cultivation world, trying to romance a girl named Hitori, who shares his name.
• An Elder from the Hunyuan Sect, the Wine Sword Immortal Hua Daiyi, secretly observes Gu Chengming and decides to take him as a disciple due to his exceptional talent in both swordsmanship and body tempering.
• Hua Daiyi reveals his true intentions and demonstrates his powerful sword intent to Gu Chengming, hoping to recruit him as his final disciple.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming: Shows remarkable talent in both swordsmanship and body tempering, remains humble and respectful despite meeting a powerful cultivator.
• Hua Daiyi: Reveals his true colors as a powerful and wealthy Elder of the Hunyuan Sect, seeking a talented disciple to pass on his knowledge and legacy.

Significant Themes

• The importance of talent and potential in the cultivation world.
• The allure of power, wealth, and resources in attracting and retaining disciples.
• The subtleties of character attitudes and preferences, as influenced by the Clear Heart Art and Huiyuan Sword Art.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Hua Daiyi: The powerful cultivator attempts to recruit Gu Chengming as his disciple, showcasing his abilities and offering enticing prospects. Gu Chengming is tempted but hesitant, considering the implications of changing sects and his existing obligations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming is offered a place as a personal disciple in the Hunyuan Sect by Elder Hua Daiyi, with promises of top-tier body-refining techniques and resources.
• Gu Chengming politely declines, citing loyalty to his sect and satisfaction with his current technique.
• Hua Daiyi persists, offering Gu Chengming his personal sword art, the Hidden Immortal Wine Sword Art, and a token to seek him out if he changes his mind.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming demonstrates loyalty, principle, and self-awareness, refusing a tempting offer to stay true to his roots.
• Hua Daiyi shows persistence and cunning, using an open scheme to tie Gu Chengming to his lineage through the sword art.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and gratitude: Gu Chengming values his sect's treatment of him and doesn't want to forget his roots.
• Karma and connections: Hua Daiyi believes that accepting his sword art will tie Gu Chengming to him, creating a bond that can't be refused.
• The cost of cultivation: Ren Wencai points out the high cost of Hua Daiyi's "passing through" with his offers to Gu Chengming.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Hua Daiyi: Despite Hua Daiyi's persistence, Gu Chengming stands his ground, refusing to be swayed by external gains.
• Hua Daiyi and Ren Wencai: The two elders have a tense exchange, with Ren Wencai accusing Hua Daiyi of poaching talent and Hua Daiyi trying to brush off the incident.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hua Daiyi, an elder from Hunyuan Sect, attempts to poach Gu Chengming with offers of resources and techniques.
• Ren Wencai, the Great Elder of Wenjian Sect, intervenes and chases Hua Daiyi away.
• Ren Wencai compensates Gu Chengming for the resources he was cheated out of during his first two years in the sect, giving him high-quality pills to aid in Spiritual Sense cultivation.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming demonstrates strong moral integrity by refusing Hua Daiyi's offers, despite the tempting rewards.
• Ren Wencai shows concern for Gu Chengming's well-being and the sect's reputation, taking action to prevent Gu Chengming from being poached and making amends for the sect's past oversight.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and Integrity: Gu Chengming's refusal to be swayed by material rewards demonstrates his loyalty to his sect and his integrity as a cultivator.
• Compensation and Redemption: Ren Wencai's actions show the importance of making amends for past wrongs and the value of compensation in maintaining harmony and loyalty within the sect.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Hua Daiyi: Hua Daiyi attempts to tempt Gu Chengming with offers of resources and techniques, but Gu Chengming remains steadfast in his loyalty to Wenjian Sect.
• Gu Chengming and Ren Wencai: Ren Wencai shows concern for Gu Chengming's well-being and the sect's reputation, interacting with him in a warm and respectful manner, and ultimately rewarding him for his loyalty and integrity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming struggles to increase his favorability with the Huiyuan Sword Art, stuck at 90 points.
• He realizes that his cultivation speed is correlated with favorability, not just resources.
• Gu Chengming and Hundred Bones Ming (his cultivation method) reach an agreement to mutually deceive each other: he'll use pills meant for Spiritual Sense cultivation to "temper his body," boosting Hundred Bones Ming's favorability.
• Gu Chengming's Physique improves significantly, and his Lifespan nearly doubles.
• Jiang Lu visits, inviting Gu Chengming to the sect's Disciple Marketplace.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming becomes more strategic and cunning, using his knowledge from his past life to outsmart the system and his cultivation method.
• Hundred Bones Ming, initially reluctant, becomes enthusiastic about their mutual deception, showing a degree of sentience and ambition.

Significant Themes

• The relationship between resources, cultivation speed, and favorability.
• Mutual deception and cooperation for mutual benefit.
• The exploration of the cultivation world's intricacies and hidden opportunities.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Hundred Bones Ming: They reach an understanding and cooperate, leading to significant progress for both.
• Gu Chengming and Jiang Lu: Jiang Lu keeps his promise to help Gu Chengming find body-tempering resources, showing loyalty and friendship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming and Jiang Lu visit the Wenjian Sect's disciple market.
• Gu Chengming buys a bundle of Blood Activating Grass for two Spirit Stones, which he believes is an immature Dragon Blood Grass, a third-grade herb worth much more.
• Gu Chengming becomes anxious about potential danger, deciding to leave the market quickly.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming: Shows his knowledge of rare treasures and understanding of not flaunting wealth, increasing his favorability with Hundred Bones Hum.
• Jiang Lu: Remains oblivious to Gu Chengming's true intentions and the potential danger.

Significant Themes

• The allure of bargains and the risk of drawing unwanted attention.
• The contrast between the market's orderly atmosphere and the imagined danger.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Jiang Lu: Gu Chengming leads Jiang Lu, playing along with Hundred Bones Hum's anxiety to increase his favorability. Jiang Lu is confused but follows Gu Chengming's lead.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming and Jiang Lu encounter two Daoning Gate cultivators, Su He and Li Miao, who confront Gu Chengming about rumors linking him to Senior Sister You Yuyao.
• Gu Chengming, instead of explaining, accuses them of being rogue cultivators trying to kill for treasure and attacks without warning.
• He swiftly incapacitates Su He and disarms Li Miao using basic sword moves and clever use of force.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming demonstrates his combat prowess and decisiveness, showing no hesitation in taking the initiative against opponents of higher realms.
• Su He and Li Miao initially underestimate Gu Chengming due to his lower cultivation realm and are caught off guard by his actions.

Significant Themes

• The suppression of realms in cultivation is not absolute, and clever use of techniques and force can overcome differences in cultivation level.
• Gu Chengming's actions highlight the importance of decisiveness and initiative in combat.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and the two Daoning Gate cultivators: Gu Chengming's unexpected attack and swift incapacitation of his opponents show his resourcefulness and combat prowess.
• Jiang Lu: He is present but does not intervene, showing his lack of combat ability or willingness to engage in the conflict.

Plot points and events

• Gu Chengming defeats Su He and Li Miao in seconds, using close-range sword techniques and knocking both unconscious. He claims they are disguised Robber Cultivators and warns Jiang Lu that accomplices may be nearby.
• Jiang persuades himself to trust Gu’s explanation, and Gu hustles him away, leaving the two women for patrol disciples to find.
• While they flee, Gu checks the System: Hundred Bones Cry approves of the swift violence but regrets he did not kill the women and take their Storage Bags. Unexpectedly, the Clear Heart Art also enjoys Gu’s shameless lie and decisive attack, gaining favorability.
• Once they are safe, Jiang recognizes that the women were likely Daoning Gate Senior Sisters who had come to confront Gu. He worries that Gu has provoked the branch, whose members are famously protective of one another.
• Gu asks why the women’s combat skills were so poor despite their higher cultivation. Jiang explains that Daoning Gate focuses on mystical arts, talismans, and formations, while its disciples’ swords mainly serve as spell-casting tools. They are vulnerable up close but dangerous at range.
• Jiang also describes Guizang Gate, whose disciples devote themselves wholly to the sword and are even more difficult to get along with. He privately thinks Gu’s ruthless swordsmanship might suit them. The pair reach the Outer Sect residences, where Jiang begins reassuring Gu about the likely fallout.

Character developments and interactions

• Gu Chengming remains calculating and quick-thinking: after overpowering his opponents, he invents a cover story to manage Jiang and escape. He is also surprised that even his normally calm Clear Heart Art approves of his behavior.
• Jiang Lu moves from confusion and alarm toward a clearer understanding of the incident. Though he suspects Gu’s story is false, he sympathizes with him and worries about the consequences rather than condemning him outright.
• Their exchange shifts from urgent flight to a more relaxed discussion of sect branches, exposing Jiang’s concern for Gu and Gu’s curiosity about the cultivation world.

Significant themes

• Appearance versus truth: Gu disguises a personal confrontation as an attack by Robber Cultivators, and Jiang must decide whether to accept the story.
• Pragmatism and moral ambiguity: Gu’s deception and sudden violence are treated as effective survival tactics, while his cultivation methods reward behavior that seems at odds with their names.
• Different paths to power: Daoning Gate’s spell-based swordsmanship contrasts with Wenjian Sect’s close-combat training and Guizang Gate’s single-minded pursuit of the sword.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming discovers he can refine the Dragon Blood Grass, which significantly boosts his cultivation speed.
• Jiang Lu reports the incident at the market to his Master, Liu Enchuan, who decides to consult with the Great Elder, Ren Wencai, about how to handle the situation.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming shows determination and courage in his cultivation, swallowing the Dragon Blood Grass despite its bitter taste.
• Jiang Lu demonstrates his loyalty and concern for Gu Chengming, rushing to report the incident to his Master.
• Liu Enchuan shows wisdom and foresight, understanding the potential consequences of the incident and deciding to consult with the Great Elder.

Significant Themes

• The theme of cultivation and its challenges, with Gu Chengming facing the bitterness of refining a rare herb.
• The theme of loyalty and responsibility, shown by Jiang Lu in reporting the incident and Liu Enchuan in seeking advice to protect his disciples.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Jiang Lu's interaction shows camaraderie and mutual respect, with Gu Chengming thanking Jiang Lu for his help and Jiang Lu rushing to report the incident to protect Gu Chengming.
• Liu Enchuan's interaction with Jiang Lu shows his role as a wise and caring Master, guiding his disciple and making decisions to protect him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming beats up two Daoning Gate cultivators (Su He and Li Miao) at the Marketplace entrance.
• Su He and Li Miao wake up in Daoning Gate's alchemy room, injured and humiliated.
• Elder Liu, their master, questions them about the incident.
• Su He lies, blaming Jiang Lu for the attack, claiming he's at First Realm Level Seven.
• Elder Liu decides to visit Huiyuan Gate to demand an explanation.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming: Shows prowess in combat, defeating two opponents at a higher cultivation level.
• Su He: Becomes more cunning and deceitful, blaming Jiang Lu to save face.
• Elder Liu: Shows concern for her disciples' honor and dignity, deciding to intervene personally.

Significant Themes

• Honour and dignity in cultivation.
• The consequences of deceit and lies.
• The importance of truthfulness and honesty.

Character Interactions

• Su He and Li Miao: Their dynamic changes as Li Miao becomes more timid and Su He more cunning.
• Su He and Elder Liu: Their relationship is strained as Su He lies to her master.
• Elder Liu and the incident: Elder Liu's decision to intervene personally highlights her protective nature towards her disciples.

Key Plot Points and Events

+ Elder Liu confronts Elder Ren about Su He and Li Miao's injuries, blaming Jiang Lu.
+ Ren Wencai suggests a spar between Gu Chengming and the injured disciples to resolve the issue.
+ Gu Chengming defeats both Su He and Li Miao in a fair duel, shocking Elder Liu.

Character Developments

+ Elder Liu: Realizes the truth about her disciples' injuries and Gu Chengming's skill.
+ Gu Chengming: Proves his strength and integrity, winning Hundred Bones Ming's favor.
+ Su He and Li Miao: Lose face after being defeated by Gu Chengming, revealing their true characters.

Significant Themes

+ Truth vs. Perception: Elder Liu's initial perception of the situation is challenged and proven false.
+ Integrity and Strength: Gu Chengming's actions demonstrate the importance of these qualities.

Character Interactions

+ Elder Liu vs. Ren Wencai: The two elders clash over the incident, with Ren Wencai manipulating the situation to Gu Chengming's advantage.
+ Gu Chengming vs. Su He and Li Miao: Gu Chengming's duel with the two disciples exposes their weakness and lack of skill.
+ Gu Chengming and Hundred Bones Ming: Gu Chengming's actions further endear him to Hundred Bones Ming.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming faces off against Su He and Li Miao, easily defeating them in two breaths.
• Ren Wencai, Gu Chengming's mentor, intervenes, blaming Gu Chengming for using too much force and scolding him in front of Elder Liu.
• Elder Liu, humiliated, takes her injured disciples and leaves.
• Ren Wencai rewards Gu Chengming with the advanced sword technique, Flowing Light Sword Shadow, and Jiang Lu with two small porcelain bottles.
• Gu Chengming, back in his courtyard, uses the last stalk of Dragon Blood Grass, increasing Hundred Bones' affection to 'Like' status.
• Gu Chengming's Constitution attribute increases, extending his remaining lifespan to six years and allowing him to break through to First Realm Level Five.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming demonstrates his prowess in combat, defeating two opponents easily.
• Ren Wencai shows favoritism towards Gu Chengming, rewarding him with a powerful sword technique.
• Elder Liu's pride is humbled, leading to her hasty retreat.
• Hundred Bones' affection towards Gu Chengming increases, leading to a boost in his Constitution attribute.

Significant Themes

• The theme of pride and humility is explored through Elder Liu's character.
• The theme of favoritism and its consequences is shown through Ren Wencai's actions.
• The theme of perseverance and patience is demonstrated by Gu Chengming's approach to increasing Hundred Bones' affection.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Su He/Li Miao: Gu Chengming easily defeats them, highlighting his superior skill.
• Ren Wencai and Gu Chengming: Ren Wencai rewards Gu Chengming, showing favoritism and approval.
• Ren Wencai and Elder Liu: Ren Wencai uses this opportunity to vent his grievances against Elder Liu.
• Gu Chengming and Hundred Bones: Gu Chengming's patience and deceit lead to an increase in Hundred Bones' affection.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming attempts to practice a high-level sword art but finds it too demanding.
• The basic Huiyuan Sword Art reacts and offers to analyze and imitate the Flowing Light Sword Shadow.
• Gu Chengming completes the third part of his story, focusing on a controversial plot involving a Master and his Disciple.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming: Realizes the importance of the Huiyuan Sword Art, continues his cultivation and writing.
• Huiyuan Sword Art: Begins comprehending Flowing Light Sword Shadow, showing its unique abilities.
• Hundred Bones Resonance: Contemplates developing new functions after witnessing the Huiyuan Sword Art's operation.
• Yu Wenqiu: Eagerly awaits and reads Gu Chengming's new story, reacting strongly to its content.

Significant Themes

• The value of basic and fundamental skills.
• The power of observation and adaptation in cultivation methods.
• The exploration of controversial themes in storytelling.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and the Huiyuan Sword Art: The sword art shows its unique abilities and desire to help Gu Chengming.
• Gu Chengming and Hundred Bones Resonance: The two cultivation methods discuss their observations and developments.
• Gu Chengming and Yu Wenqiu: Gu Chengming hands over his completed story to Yu Wenqiu, who eagerly reads it, reacting strongly to its content.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Wenqiu finishes reading the novel and becomes suspicious of Gu Chengming's intentions.
• Ren Wencai discovers Gu Chengming's breakthrough and decides to personally test and guide him.
• Gu Chengming completes his comprehension of Flowing Light Sword Shadow, but a new "CG not unlocked" status appears.

Character Developments

• Yu Wenqiu: Becomes embarrassed and suspicious after finishing the novel, leading to internal conflict.
• Ren Wencai: Decides to personally test and guide Gu Chengming, showing his dedication to nurturing talent.
• Gu Chengming: Completes his comprehension of Flowing Light Sword Shadow, but encounters an unexpected change.

Significant Themes

• The power of transgression and curiosity in driving the plot forward.
• The importance of guidance and pressure in cultivator growth, as seen through Ren Wencai's decision.

Character Interactions

• Yu Wenqiu and Gu Chengming: Their relationship becomes more complex due to Yu Wenqiu's suspicions.
• Ren Wencai and Gu Chengming: Ren Wencai decides to interact with Gu Chengming more directly to help him grow.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming discovers that Huiyuan Sword Art has changed due to the acquisition of Flowing Light Sword Shadow.
• He interacts with the new Huiyuan Sword Art, which exhibits a lively, playful, and somewhat deceptive personality.
• Gu Chengming tests the new sword technique and finds it powerful but draining.

Character Developments

• Huiyuan Sword Art: Becomes more lively, playful, and secretive. It avoids direct answers and seems to be hiding its true intentions.
• Gu Chengming: Feels dissonance with the new Huiyuan Sword Art and decides to accept its change but remains cautious.

Significant Themes

• Change and Acceptance: Gu Chengming struggles to accept the change in Huiyuan Sword Art, highlighting the theme of adapting to change.
• Trust and Deception: The new Huiyuan Sword Art's deceptive behavior raises questions about trust and the authenticity of its intentions.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Huiyuan Sword Art: Their interaction becomes more guarded, with Gu Chengming trying to probe Huiyuan Sword Art's true intentions, and Huiyuan Sword Art avoiding direct answers while maintaining a playful facade.
• Gu Chengming and Hundred Bones: Hundred Bones observes Gu Chengming's sword practice and thinks about the power gained through Body Seizure.

Key Plot Points

• Gu Chengming discovers Huiyuan Sword Art's personality change is due to it trying to imitate Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword Intent to please him.
• He decides to find the origin of Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword to understand and help Huiyuan Sword Art.
• Yu Wenqiu reveals the history of Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword, its transformation from a musical cultivation method to a sword technique, and its connection to the Yunyue Sect.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming: Shows determination to help Huiyuan Sword Art find its true self and achieve a "perfect ending."
• Huiyuan Sword Art: Struggles with self-doubt and identity crisis, trying to please Gu Chengming by changing its nature.
• Yu Wenqiu: Reveals her knowledge about the cultivation world and enjoys sharing stories, showing a gossipy side.

Significant Themes

• Identity and self-acceptance: Huiyuan Sword Art's struggle to maintain its true self while trying to please Gu Chengming.
• Transformation and adaptation: The history of Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword, changing from a musical cultivation method to a sword technique to survive.
• The power of understanding and acceptance: Gu Chengming's determination to help Huiyuan Sword Art find its true self.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Yu Wenqiu: Gu Chengming seeks Yu Wenqiu's knowledge about Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword, and she enjoys sharing her stories with him.
• Gu Chengming and Huiyuan Sword Art: Gu Chengming decides to help Huiyuan Sword Art find its true self, showing understanding and acceptance.

Summary

Key Plot Points

• Gu Chengming seeks Ren Wencai's help to use the Sword Seeking Stone.
• Ren Wencai, impressed by Gu Chengming's progress with the Flowing Light Sword Shadow, agrees to let him use the stone but sets conditions for the upcoming Disciple Assessment.
• Gu Chengming agrees to perform exceptionally well in the assessment.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming shows remarkable progress and comprehension of the Flowing Light Sword Shadow, hinting at his potential to condense sword intent at First Realm Level Five.
• Ren Wencai, initially planning to reprimand Gu Chengming, is surprised and impressed by his progress, leading him to support Gu Chengming's request and set high expectations for the Disciple Assessment.

Significant Themes

• The theme of potential and expectation is highlighted, with Ren Wencai recognizing Gu Chengming's potential and setting high expectations for him.
• The theme of mentorship and guidance is shown, with Ren Wencai acting as a mentor, supporting Gu Chengming's growth while also setting challenges to push him further.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Ren Wencai interact, with Gu Chengming demonstrating his progress and Ren Wencai responding with support and high expectations.
• The interaction between the two sets the stage for the upcoming Disciple Assessment, where Gu Chengming will strive to meet Ren Wencai's expectations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming climbs the Sword Seeking Stone's stairs, facing increasing pressure that tests his will and spirit.
• He reaches 85 steps, then makes a final leap to the stone, leaving a mark with a simple, unrefined sword strike.
• He faints after leaving the mark, but his bond with the Huiyuan Sword Art deepens.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming demonstrates extraordinary willpower and determination, pushing beyond expectations.
• The Huiyuan Sword Art shows signs of growth and recognition of Gu Chengming's dedication.

Significant Themes

• The power of will and determination in overcoming obstacles.
• The bond between a cultivator and their cultivation method, deepening through dedication and understanding.

Character Interactions

• Ren Wencai, the Grand Elder, witnesses Gu Chengming's feat and shows concern for his well-being.
• The interaction between Gu Chengming and the Huiyuan Sword Art deepens, with the art showing signs of unlocking due to his dedication.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming wakes up after his attempt to leave an imprint on the Sword Seeking Stone, severely injured.
• Ren Wencai reveals he protected Gu Chengming's heart meridian, saving his life.
• Gu Chengming is advised to rest and recover, with Ren Wencai providing healing pills and pastes.
• Ren Wencai meets Zhao Wuji, who questions him about Gu Chengming's mark on the Sword Seeking Stone.
• Ren Wencai admits Gu Chengming left a mark but downplays its significance.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming: Shows determination and courage in his attempt to leave an imprint, but also acknowledges his recklessness.
• Ren Wencai: Reveals his genuine care and high expectations for Gu Chengming, showing a softer side despite his stern demeanor.

Significant Themes

• The importance of tempering one's Dao Heart and facing challenges head-on, even at the risk of failure.
• The tension between recklessness and wisdom in cultivation, and the value of learning from one's mistakes.
• The mentorship dynamic between Ren Wencai and Gu Chengming, with Ren Wencai acting as a guide and protector.

Character Interactions

• Gu Chengming and Ren Wencai: Their conversation reveals Ren Wencai's true feelings about Gu Chengming's potential and his role as a mentor.
• Ren Wencai and Zhao Wuji: Their exchange highlights Ren Wencai's attempts to keep Gu Chengming's achievements secret while trying to downplay their significance to avoid unwanted attention.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Chengming, despite severe injuries, leaves a mark on the Sword Seeking Stone, revealing his peak of the Second Realm cultivation level.
• Ren Wencai, Gu Chengming's master, is pleased with his disciple's talent but keeps it secret.
• Gu Chengming unlocks a new CG in the system, revealing the true form of Huiyuan Sword Art, which is a young girl.
• A new, independent entry, 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon (Fragment)', appears in the system, expressing resentment towards Gu Chengming and Huiyuan Sword Art.

Character Developments

• Gu Chengming: He demonstrates exceptional talent and determination, pushing his cultivation to the peak of the Second Realm. He also gains a new CG and faces hostility from 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon'.
• Ren Wencai: He shows pride in his disciple's talent but maintains secrecy about it. He also reveals a cunning side, keeping information from Zhao Wuji.
• 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon': It becomes independent and expresses resentment towards Gu Chengming and Huiyuan Sword Art.

Significant Themes

• Talent and its recognition (Gu Chengming's mark on the Sword Seeking Stone).
• Secrecy and pride (Ren Wencai's behavior towards Zhao Wuji).
• Resentment and hostility (Flowing Cloud Following Moon's attitude towards Gu Chengming and Huiyuan Sword Art).

Character Interactions

• Ren Wencai and Zhao Wuji: They exchange pleasantries, but Ren Wencai keeps information about Gu Chengming's talent secret.
• Gu Chengming and Huiyuan Sword Art: They share a bond, with Huiyuan Sword Art showing protectiveness towards Gu Chengming.
• Gu Chengming and 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon': They have a hostile relationship, with 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon' expressing resentment towards Gu Chengming.