Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pei Ling's System begins cultivating using the [Burning Night Chapter] and Emerald Coral, improving his physical body's strength.
• Pei Ling consumes numerous Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, cultivating under the System's management.
• Wu Liu summons Pei Ling to meet his master, Senior Sister Li, for the second time.
• Pei Ling is drugged and has dual cultivation with Senior Sister Li again, without his consent or knowledge.
• Wu Liu brings more Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to Pei Ling, along with a medicinal bath, hinting at another dual cultivation session.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling: Realizes the benefits of the System's cultivation and consumes resources diligently. Becomes aware of Senior Sister Li's intentions and decides to be more proactive in their encounters.
• Senior Sister Li: Continues to seek dual cultivation with Pei Ling, suggesting a hidden agenda or need.

Significant Themes

• Dual cultivation and its implications: Pei Ling's lack of consent and knowledge in the encounters raises questions about power dynamics and manipulation.
• Resource acquisition and use: Pei Ling's diligent consumption of resources highlights the importance of cultivation materials and the System's role in managing them.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Senior Sister Li: Their interactions are limited to dual cultivation, with Pei Ling unaware and unable to communicate. The power dynamics in their relationship are unclear.
• Pei Ling and Wu Liu: Wu Liu serves as a messenger between Pei Ling and Senior Sister Li, showing deference to Pei Ling but maintaining a cautious distance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Lieyue struggles to progress in her cultivation, realizing the issue might be the environment, and decides to go to Luquan City.
• Pei Ling receives a telepathic message from Li Lieyue to meet her in Luquan City.
• Pei Ling faints and wakes up on the Xuan Gu Ling Yin Boat, experiencing ten days of dual cultivation with Li Lieyue, who remains hidden.
• The boat arrives in Luquan City, and Li Lieyue orders that Pei Ling's restraints be removed.

Character Developments

• Li Lieyue becomes more determined to find the cause of her cultivation regression and decides to reveal herself to Pei Ling.
• Pei Ling, though initially hesitant, becomes more comfortable and confident in his dual cultivation with Li Lieyue.

Significant Themes

• The influence of environment on cultivation progress.
• The power dynamics and consent in dual cultivation.
• The tension between Li Lieyue's desire for progress and her reluctance to reveal herself to Pei Ling.

Character Interactions

• Li Lieyue and Pei Ling engage in dual cultivation, with Li Lieyue initially keeping her identity hidden.
• Li Lieyue and Jiao Ni interact briefly, with Jiao Ni reporting the boat's arrival and preparing the bath.
• Li Lieyue orders Jiao Ni to remove Pei Ling's restraints, indicating her decision to reveal herself to him.

Key Plot Points

• Pei Ling regains his sight and speech after Li Lieyue lifts the Mute Technique.
• They leave the Xuan Gu Ling Yin Boat and return to Luquan City, specifically to the ruins of the Pei Manor.
• Li Lieyue initiates a dual cultivation session with Pei Ling in the open, at the site of her former abode.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling: Becomes more confident and assertive, eager to engage in dual cultivation with Li Lieyue.
• Li Lieyue: Shows a hint of vulnerability and discomfort during the cultivation session, struggling to maintain focus due to their exposed surroundings.

Significant Themes

• Dual cultivation: The practice is depicted as intense and challenging, with Li Lieyue facing difficulties maintaining her composure in the open.
• Environment: The ruined state of Luquan City contrasts with the intimacy of their cultivation, highlighting the starkness of their surroundings.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Li Lieyue: Their relationship progresses, with Pei Ling growing more comfortable with Li Lieyue's advances, and Li Lieyue showing a rare moment of vulnerability in front of him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pei Ling returns to the Xuan Gu Ling Yin Boat with Jiao Ni.
• The boat ascends to a high altitude, and everyone watches as a massive power brews within Yuan Lao Mountain.
• The Nascent Soul Tribulation begins after five days, with vast tribulation clouds and fierce winds enveloping the mountain.
• The tribulation lightning is born, and the first strike hits the mountain.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling becomes nervous about Li Lieyue's Nascent Soul Formation, knowing the difficulty and consequences of failure.
• Jiao Ni reveals that Li Lieyue's tribulation is exceptionally fierce due to his extreme talent and the desire to form a supreme Nascent Soul.
• Pei Ling learns about the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment method and the struggle for eternal longevity among cultivators.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and resources in the cultivation world.
• The importance of reaching the extreme in every realm for true longevity.
• The consequences of failure in crucial cultivation stages.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling interacts with Jiao Ni, who reveals crucial information about Li Lieyue's tribulation and the cultivation world.
• Pei Ling reflects on his own cultivation journey and future goals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Lieyue successfully undergoes her Nascent Soul tribulation, becoming the new Saintess.
• Pei Ling is given a high-grade Magic Tool, the Nether Blood Sedan, by Li Lieyue for his journey.
• Pei Ling departs for Lanke City, where he will face challenges related to his mission.

Character Developments

• Li Lieyue: Successfully forms her Nascent Soul and gains benefits from the heavenly tribulation, becoming more powerful and radiant.
• Pei Ling: Shows concern for Li Lieyue's safety during her tribulation and accepts the Nether Blood Sedan, indicating his growing acceptance of Li Lieyue's help.

Significant Themes

• Power and Cultivation: The focus on Li Lieyue's tribulation and Pei Ling's new Magic Tool emphasizes the importance of power and cultivation in their world.
• Relationships: The dynamic between Li Lieyue and Pei Ling continues to evolve, with Li Lieyue showing favor towards Pei Ling and Pei Ling accepting her help more readily.

Character Interactions

• Li Lieyue and Pei Ling: Their interaction shows a growing bond, with Li Lieyue providing Pei Ling with a powerful tool and Pei Ling accepting it without hesitation.
• Pei Ling and the Wraith maids: Although not directly mentioned in this chapter, their relationship is implied to be stable and cooperative, as they successfully navigate the tribulation together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pei Ling travels to Lanke City, planning to investigate Penglai Temple and its rogue cultivator owner.
• He enters an ancient temple, which turns out to be Penglai Temple, and finds it strange and dangerous.
• Pei Ling decides to cultivate within the temple to potentially gain a new Dao Companion.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling's cultivation has reached the peak of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
• He becomes more cautious and strategic, planning his actions carefully.
• Pei Ling shows determination and adaptability in facing unexpected situations.

Significant Themes

• The theme of cultivation and its unexpected consequences continues, with Pei Ling choosing to cultivate within a mysterious temple.
• The theme of investigation and discovery is present as Pei Ling explores Penglai Temple.

Character Interactions

• There are no character interactions in this chapter as Pei Ling is alone throughout.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The System gifts Pei Ling a Dao Companion but fails to find one suitable.
• A sudden, heavy rain begins, obscuring vision and causing Vengeful Souls to disappear.
• Pei Ling decides to focus on improving his cultivation first.
• A group of mortals, including Ji Youzhong, his young lady, and her maid, seek shelter in the temple.
• Another group of three men, seemingly cultivators, enter the temple.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling remains calm and cautious, using his Spirit Eye Art to examine the newcomers.
• Ji Youzhong and his group are cautious and respectful, trying to avoid trouble.
• The young lady and her maid are not named and have not shown any significant characteristics yet.

Significant Themes

• The strange rain's potential danger to cultivators.
• The System's uncertainties and potential risks.
• The contrast between cultivators and mortals, and their different reactions to the rain.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Ji Youzhong's group maintain a tense standoff initially, but Ji Youzhong politely asks for shelter.
• Pei Ling observes the newcomers warily, while Ji Youzhong's group tries to avoid attention.
• The interaction between the young lady and her maid is cut off by Ji Youzhong, indicating his protective role.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three rogue cultivators, led by a man in his thirties, enter the daoist temple during a heavy rainstorm.
• The cultivators are at the seventh (leader) and sixth (other two) levels of Qi Cultivation, but their vital energy is unstable, indicating they're rogue cultivators.
• They arrive at the temple confused, having intended to go to a market, and show interest in the Ji Family's Eldest Miss.
• The Ji Family, seeking shelter from the rain, plans to leave hurriedly due to the cultivators' presence, but the short cultivator blocks their exit with a wall of ghost fire.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling, the daoist temple's inhabitant, senses the cultivators' presence but doesn't engage with them.
• The Ji Family's Guard Captain feels an overwhelming sense of danger from the cultivators and urges the family to leave quickly.
• The short cultivator reveals his malicious intent by blocking the Ji Family's exit with ghost fire.

Significant Themes

• The presence of cultivators in the mortal world brings danger and fear to ordinary people.
• The contrast between the cultivators' disregard for mortal lives and the mortals' desperation to escape highlights the power imbalance.

Character Interactions

• The cultivators show no interest in the mortal martial artists but take notice of the Ji Family's Eldest Miss.
• The Ji Family, especially the Guard Captain, feels threatened by the cultivators' presence and tries to leave discreetly.
• The short cultivator directly confronts the Ji Family, blocking their exit with ghost fire.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three rogue cultivators, including an Immortal Master, arrive at Penglai Temple during a storm.
• They encounter Ji Shuang'er, a young woman from the Ji Family, and attempt to take her as a disciple.
• When Ji Shuang'er refuses, the Immortal Master attacks, but his strike is deflected by an unknown cultivator, Pei Ling.
• Pei Ling intervenes, revealing his cultivation and Vengeful Souls, and orders everyone to stay put.

Character Developments

• Ji Shuang'er: Shows courage and wisdom in dealing with the Immortal Master, prioritizing her family's safety.
• Pei Ling: Reveals his cultivation and power, asserting control over the situation at Penglai Temple.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics between cultivators and mortals.
• The consequences of refusing a cultivator's offer.
• The fear and awe mortals hold towards cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Ji Shuang'er and the Immortal Master: She respectfully declines his offer, leading to his anger and attack.
• Pei Ling and the Immortal Master: Pei Ling's intervention and display of power subdue the Immortal Master and his companions.
• Ji Shuang'er and Pei Ling: She politely asks for permission to leave, but Pei Ling refuses, showing his authority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two Core Formation cultivators, a man and a woman, enter Penglai Temple during a storm.
• They appear to be enjoying themselves, brewing tea and chatting, but Pei Ling remains vigilant.
• A person from the Ji Family goes missing, but no one can remember who it is.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling: Maintains his vigilance despite the seemingly relaxed atmosphere, suspecting the Core Formation cultivators' true intentions.
• The Core Formation cultivators: Display a relaxed and leisurely demeanor, but their true intentions remain unclear.
• Ji Family members: Initially tense, they ease up as the Core Formation cultivators enjoy themselves, but later become confused and forgetful when one of their members goes missing.

Significant Themes

• Suspicion and deception: The Core Formation cultivators' true intentions are uncertain, and Pei Ling suspects they might be involved in the disappearance.
• Memory loss and confusion: The Ji Family members' inability to recall the missing person suggests a possible influence or spell at work.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and the Core Formation cultivators: Pei Ling remains on guard, while the cultivators seem unaware or unconcerned about his presence.
• Pei Ling and the Ji Family: Pei Ling questions them about the missing person, but they are unable to provide useful information due to their confusion.
• Ji Family members among themselves: They initially interact normally but later exhibit collective confusion and memory loss.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A mysterious disappearance occurs in Penglai Temple; a Ji family guard vanishes without trace.
• Pei Ling, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and other rogue cultivators discuss the anomaly, realizing they all entered the temple inexplicably.
• Pei Ling suggests engraving everyone's names on a Jade Slip to keep track of who's present.
• A Core Formation cultivator sends a puppet to test if they can leave the temple, but it disappears.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling: Shows analytical skills and caution, aware of the temple's strangeness and its potential danger.
• Core Formation Cultivators: Display concern for the anomaly and willingness to investigate, using a puppet to test the temple's boundaries.

Significant Themes

• Memory manipulation: The temple seems to obscure memories, making it difficult to recall details or even the number of people present.
• Trapped: Characters realize they can't leave the temple, emphasizing their predicament and the need to unravel the mystery.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling interacts with the Core Formation cultivators, sharing his observations and suspicions about the temple.
• The Core Formation cultivators communicate with each other, using a puppet to test the temple's limits.
• The Ji family members and the rogue cultivators exchange information about their arrival at the temple, revealing their individual experiences.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A female cultivator reports the sudden disappearance of her connection to a cultivator, possibly destroyed.
• The group realizes that they're trapped in the temple; leaving through the main entrance is dangerous.
• The Ji family members introduce themselves; it's discovered that some members have gone missing.
• The cultivators decide to explore the temple together to find a way out and a method of enlightenment for Pei Ling.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling shows calmness and understanding of the situation, recording names and noticing the anomaly in the Jade Slip.
• Ancestor Zi Mei and Madam Sang exhibit concern for their safety and the need to stick together.
• Ji family members, especially Ji Youzhong, show courage and responsibility in facing the cultivators.

Significant Themes

• Peril and Unity: The cultivators face an unknown danger that requires them to work together.
• Memory Manipulation: The Anomaly affects not only their surroundings but also their memories.
• Cultivation and Power: The cultivators' abilities and status are emphasized in the face of danger.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Ancestor Zi Mei/Madam Sang: Pei Ling understands the two cultivators' intentions to use others as shields; they acknowledge his intelligence and caution.
• Ji Family and Cultivators: The Ji family members are intimidated by the cultivators but muster courage to follow them.
• Cultivators: The cultivators work together to explore the temple, each with their own methods of investigation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters a hanged woman in a tree and a young couple beneath it, oblivious to the corpse above. Ancestor Zi Mei destroys them with a single palm strike.
• Madam Sang realizes Ancestor Zi Mei has disappeared, causing panic among the group.
• Blood-red lanterns appear, floating towards them in a line, with no visible carrier.

Character Developments

• Ji Wu shows concern for Ji Shuang'er's comfort but also displays fear when encountering the supernatural.
• Ancestor Zi Mei demonstrates immense power but is later silently taken by the temple's anomaly.
• Madam Sang shows alertness by noticing Ancestor Zi Mei's disappearance.

Significant Themes

• Fear and Panic: The group's fear escalates as even the powerful Ancestor Zi Mei falls victim to the temple's anomaly.
• The Unknown: The blood-red lanterns represent an unknown threat, adding to the group's unease.

Character Interactions

• Ji Wu shows concern for Ji Shuang'er, while Xiao Xia is protective of her mistress.
• The group's dynamic shifts as they realize the Core Formation cultivators are not invincible.
• The cultivators and the Ji family members share a sense of dread and fear.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters floating lanterns that disappear after being attacked, taking one of the Qi Refining cultivators with them.
• They deduce that the disappeared cultivator is not dead, as his name remains in the Jade Slip.
• More Ji family members disappear without trace, and no one can remember them.
• Pei Ling attaches Vengeful Souls to the remaining Ji family members for protection.
• They reach the third courtyard's Great Hall, where they find two human skins hanging from a bell rope, which, upon being burned, cause another Qi Refining cultivator to disappear.
• Madam Sang sends Ji Wu, the Guard Captain, to scout the Great Hall.

Character Developments

• Madam Sang shows strategic thinking, deciding to use Ji family members as scouts to minimize risks.
• Pei Ling demonstrates analytical skills, deducing that the disappeared cultivator is still alive.
• Ji Wu exhibits bravery and loyalty, volunteering to take Ji Shuang'er's place to scout the Great Hall.

Significant Themes

• Unknown and Uncontrollable Forces: The temple's anomalies and rules are beyond the group's understanding and control, challenging their abilities and confidence.
• Sacrifice and Survival: Characters are willing to sacrifice themselves to protect others, highlighting the theme of survival in the face of danger.

Character Interactions

• Madam Sang and Pei Ling work together, sharing information and making decisions.
• Ji Wu shows loyalty to Ji Shuang'er, volunteering to take her place in the dangerous task.
• Ji Shuang'er's fear and reluctance to face danger contrast with Ji Wu's bravery.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pei Ling gives Ji Wu a sword with a sealed blade energy to protect himself, testing the Anomaly's rules.
• Ji Wu enters the Great Hall, kneels before the divine statue, and then disappears.
• Madam Sang suggests Pei Ling investigate the Great Hall due to his talent and strength.
• Pei Ling uses a technique to temporarily reduce Madam Sang's cultivation stage, then disarms her with blade energy.

Character Developments

• Ji Wu shows gratitude towards Pei Ling for the sword and the potential safety it provides.
• Madam Sang reveals her ruthless and manipulative nature, willing to sacrifice others for her goals.
• Pei Ling demonstrates his calm demeanor, strategic thinking, and powerful techniques, even against a Core Formation cultivator.

Significant Themes

• The Anomaly's rules and their effects on cultivators.
• The ruthlessness and manipulation among cultivators, even at higher stages.
• The power dynamics between cultivators of different stages.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Madam Sang: Their interaction highlights the power struggle and manipulation between cultivators. Pei Ling's calm and strategic approach counters Madam Sang's aggressive and manipulative tactics.
• Ji Wu and the Ji Family: Their interaction shows their gratitude towards Pei Ling for providing a potential means of protection and their realization that he may have genuinely saved their lives by preventing them from leaving the Taoist temple.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Madam Sang, a Core Formation cultivator, is threatened by Pei Ling, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, to enter the first hall.
• Madam Sang enters the hall, and Pei Ling waits outside, but she doesn't return.
• Zhu Jiao disappears suddenly, leaving only Pei Ling and Ji Shuang'er.
• Pei Ling and Ji Shuang'er proceed towards the rear hall but find themselves stuck in an endless path of overgrown plants.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling: Demonstrates immense strength and decisiveness, revealing his status as a prodigy from one of the Nine Great Sects, likely one of the Four Demonic Sects.
• Madam Sang: Shows fear and desperation, realizing the danger she's in and the consequences of her actions.
• Ji Shuang'er: Feels secure with Pei Ling's presence, develops reverence for him, and shows concern for her safety.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The strength of a cultivator determines their status and influence. Pei Ling's power allows him to dominate Madam Sang.
• Trust and Betrayal: Madam Sang's initial hostility towards Pei Ling leads to her downfall, highlighting the importance of trust in alliances.
• Perilous Journey: The journey through Penglai Temple is filled with danger and uncertainty, testing the characters' resolve and adaptability.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling vs. Madam Sang: Pei Ling's threats and actions force Madam Sang to comply, showcasing his dominance.
• Pei Ling and Ji Shuang'er: Pei Ling shows concern for Ji Shuang'er's safety, advising her to take a safer route, while Ji Shuang'er feels secure with him and develops reverence for his strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pei Ling (disguised as Zheng Jingshan) learns from Ji Shuang'er that she stayed at Penglai Temple two days ago, but he suspects it might have been a year ago due to the temple's anomalies.
• He arrives at Penglai Temple, where he encounters Li Yanling, a member of the Li clan, and they exchange brief pleasantries.
• Li Yanling invites Pei Ling to enter the temple, planning to use him for a task.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling: Realizes the significance of the time discrepancy and the potential impact of Penglai Temple's anomalies on his memory. He maintains his disguise as Zheng Jingshan.
• Li Yanling: Shows arrogance and a sense of superiority, treating Pei Ling as a subordinate due to his family's alliance with the Li clan.

Significant Themes

• The power of memory and its manipulation by external forces (anomalies).
• The hierarchical structure within the cultivation world, as seen through the Li clan's relationship with the Zheng family.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Li Yanling: Their initial interaction is polite but guarded, with Li Yanling showing dominance and Pei Ling maintaining his disguise while trying to gather information.
• Pei Ling and Ji Shuang'er: Their conversation provides crucial information about Penglai Temple's anomalies and the potential time discrepancy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pei Ling, disguised as Zheng Jingshan, meets Li Yanling at Penglai Temple, where an anomaly has occurred.
• Li Yanling tasks Pei Ling with exploring the temple to find the source of the anomaly, while he remains in the main hall.
• The anomaly has caused a time displacement, as Li Yanling believes it's ten years ago, while Pei Ling is aware of the current time.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling: Maintains his disguise, adapts to the unexpected time displacement, and strategizes to gain an advantage.
• Li Yanling: Believes he's in the past, displays arrogance and overconfidence, and underestimates Pei Ling.

Significant Themes

• Disguise and deception: Pei Ling uses his alias to hide his true identity and intentions.
• Time displacement: The anomaly at Penglai Temple has caused a shift in time, affecting Li Yanling's perception.
• Power dynamics: Li Yanling's attitude reflects the power imbalance between the Li Clan and the Zheng family.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Li Yanling: Despite their initial misunderstanding, they interact cautiously, with Pei Ling trying to gather information and Li Yanling treating Pei Ling as a subordinate rather than a rival.
• Li Yanling and the Li Clan: Li Yanling's actions and words reveal his loyalty and obedience to his clan, expecting rewards for his service.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A sudden thunderstorm brings vengeful souls into the courtyard, which Li Yanling swiftly dispels.
• A young couple, Kou Sanlang and Yun Niang, seek shelter from the rain in the Great Hall. Yun Niang is revealed to be a Core Formation snake demon in disguise.
• Li Yanling offers them a blood-colored lantern, claiming it will dispel their illness if they walk around the Taoist temple once. He demonstrates his power by drying their clothes using a fire snake.

Character Developments

• Pei Ling realizes Yun Niang's true identity as a snake demon and suspects Kou Sanlang's special qualities.
• Li Yanling showcases his power and nonchalance, further establishing his superior status.
• Kou Sanlang demonstrates his concern for Yun Niang's well-being and is awestruck by Li Yanling's display of power.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between cultivators and mortals.
• The deception and true nature of demons.
• The importance of appearance and first impressions.

Character Interactions

• Pei Ling and Li Yanling work together to deal with the vengeful souls and the unexpected visitors.
• Li Yanling interacts with Kou Sanlang and Yun Niang, using his power to impress and persuade them.
• Kou Sanlang and Yun Niang display their affection and concern for each other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yanling, a cultivator, meets Kou Sanlang and Yun Niang at Penglai Temple during a rainstorm.
• Li Yanling offers a blood-colored lantern to dispel Yun Niang's illness, but she suspects his intentions.
• Yun Niang reveals herself as a snake spirit, attacking Li Yanling with poison mist, which he easily dispels.
• Kou Sanlang and Yun Niang leave the temple. Later, Yun Niang deliberately drops the lantern, and it shatters.
• A phantom figure attacks them, and Yun Niang protects Kou Sanlang, turning to face the attacker.

Character Developments

• Li Yanling: Shows his power and confidence, revealing he plans to recruit Zheng Jingshan after the Outer Sect Grand Competition.
• Kou Sanlang: Easily fooled by Li Yanling, breaks the lantern, and is later controlled by Yun Niang.
• Yun Niang: Reveals her true form as a snake spirit, shows cunning and manipulation, and protects Kou Sanlang.

Significant Themes

• Deception and truth: Li Yanling deceives Kou Sanlang and Yun Niang, while Yun Niang manipulates Kou Sanlang.
• Power dynamics: Li Yanling's power is evident, while Yun Niang's true strength is revealed, and Kou Sanlang is weak and easily manipulated.

Character Interactions

• Li Yanling and Pei Ling: Li Yanling shares his plans with Pei Ling, revealing his intentions for Zheng Jingshan.
• Kou Sanlang and Yun Niang: Kou Sanlang is easily influenced by Li Yanling and later by Yun Niang, while she manipulates him.
• Yun Niang and the phantom figure: Yun Niang faces off against an unknown attacker, showing her protective nature towards Kou Sanlang.