Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cultivation Era game launches, but Jiang Liu encounters a bug, preventing him from entering the game immediately.
• Students start playing the game, but they're unable to progress due to lack of spirit stones and low-level cultivation.
• Jiang Liu finally enters the game, only to find he's in the '0.1 Discount Welfare Version'.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu: Initially anxious and frustrated due to the game's bug, he becomes disillusioned with the game's reality, different from his expectations of a cultivation game.
• Li Dongze: Reveals his wealthy background, planning to buy spirit stones to draw for top-grade spirit roots.

Significant Themes

• The gap between the rich and the commoners in the game, with the rich able to buy advantages (whales vs. grinders).
• The game's reality not living up to Jiang Liu's expectations of a cultivation game.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze discuss their spirit roots and game strategies. Li Dongze offers to buy Jiang Liu's daily sign-in spirit stones.
• Jiang Liu interacts with his Head Teacher, who is also playing the game, but doesn't provide much help.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu discovers he's playing the 0.1 Discount Welfare Version of Cultivation Era, allowing him to buy items at a 100x discount.
• He buys all three First Recharge gift packs, gaining magical artifacts, pills, and titles.
• He reaches Qi Refining Second Layer after using 35 Qi Refining Pills.
• The Head Teacher announces that the school bought Essence Gathering Arts for the students, but they need to pay 1 Spirit Stone each to collect it.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu becomes excited and scheming after realizing the game's discount.
• Li Dongze, Jiang Liu's wealthy deskmate, buys Spirit Stones from classmates to spend on the game.

Significant Themes

• The disparity between the rich and the poor in the game and real life.
• The ease of cultivation in the game compared to reality.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze discuss trading Spirit Stones and items.
• The Head Teacher interacts with the students, announcing the school's purchase of Essence Gathering Arts and the requirement to pay 1 Spirit Stone.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Jiang Liu buys an Imprint Version of the Essence Gathering Art from the Head Teacher for 1 Spirit Stone.
• Students and Jiang Liu discover the Imprint Version's cultivation method only lasts 10 days.
• The Head Teacher explains the school's investment in students' cultivation and their determination to excel in the Immortal Science Gaokao.
• Jiang Liu starts cultivating with both his game character and real body, realizing that his game character's progress takes precedence.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu: Realizes the importance of cultivating in the game for his real body's progress. Starts cultivating seriously.
• Head Teacher: Shows dedication to students' cultivation success, willing to invest school resources.
• Chen Ke: Demonstrates analytical skills and attention to detail by noticing the declining cultivation rate.

Significant Themes

• The importance of cultivating in the game for real-life progress.
• The school's investment in students' cultivation and their determination to succeed in Immortal Science Gaokao.
• The students' dedication to cultivating, even during regular classes.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and the Head Teacher: Jiang Liu reluctantly buys the Essence Gathering Art from the Head Teacher, who pressures him to conform to the class's decision.
• Jiang Liu and Chen Ke: Not a direct interaction, but Jiang Liu is influenced by Chen Ke's observation, leading him to open the classroom windows to improve cultivation conditions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Students experience cramps while practicing Qi Refining, with Yang Guo being the first.
• Jiang Liu starts cultivating properly after seeing Yang Guo's condition.
• Jiang Liu explores the Mall and Gacha features in the game.

Character Developments

• Yang Guo: Becomes an example of what can happen when one rushes cultivation, leading to a cramp.
• Jiang Liu: Realizes the importance of proper cultivation and starts taking it seriously. He also discovers the Mall and Gacha, but finds the latter too expensive for now.

Significant Themes

• The importance of proper cultivation and the consequences of rushing.
• The role of Spirit Roots in cultivation and their impact on cultivation speed and intensity.
• The disparity between those with better starting aptitudes and those with worse.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with the game interface, exploring the Mall and Gacha.
• Jiang Liu's thoughts reflect on the game's mechanics and his own cultivation progress.
• Students in the classroom interact with each other and the Head Teacher, with Yang Guo's cramp serving as a cautionary tale.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Cultivation Era game starts, but players are initially restricted due to low cultivation levels.
• Jiang Liu, the protagonist, enters the [Story Trial] mode, which consists of ten stages.
• The story begins with Jiang Liu's tragic past in Tongmu Village, leading to him leaving the village at age 14.
• Jiang Liu encounters and defeats bandits in turn-based battles, earning cultivation points and items.
• He rescues a young woman from a bandit king, who is revealed to be the City Lord's daughter.
• Jiang Liu attempts to disrupt the City Lord's daughter's wedding to a Lingyun Sect disciple but fails initially.
• Jiang Liu buys a [First Charge Tier 4] item, which grants him a mid-tier spell, Fire Blowing Palm, and raises his cultivation level.
• Upon retrying, Jiang Liu defeats the Lingyun Sect disciple but the City Lord's daughter dies protecting him.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu's character is established as a tragic protagonist with a strong desire for cultivation and immortality.
• The City Lord's daughter is introduced as a love interest, but her role is short-lived and tragic.

Significant Themes

• The theme of perseverance and overcoming adversity is introduced through Jiang Liu's journey.
• The game's difficulty and lack of initial rewards are emphasized, highlighting the challenges faced by players.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with various NPCs, including bandits, the City Lord's daughter, and a Lingyun Sect disciple.
• The interactions are primarily combat-based, with minimal dialogue or character development for the NPCs.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze discuss their progress in Cultivation Era after school.
• Li Dongze reveals he received a magic robe as his first top-up reward, but it appears as mosaic pixels due to a bug.
• The Head Teacher assures them that the bug will likely be fixed soon.
• After school, Jiang Liu and Li Dongze go to an internet café to play Cultivation Era.
• Jiang Liu returns home to find his Grandpa has sold their Spirit Stones to a mysterious buyer.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu: Becomes more determined to protect his Grandpa and ensure he doesn't fall for scams again.
• Li Dongze: Realizes the game's unreliability and becomes more cautious.

Significant Themes

• The impact of Cultivation Era on the characters' daily lives.
• The game's imperfections and bugs affecting players' experiences.
• The potential for exploitation and scams in the game's economy.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze discuss their game progress and share their rewards.
• The Head Teacher reassures the students about the game's bug.
• Jiang Liu and his Grandpa discuss the sale of their Spirit Stones.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu tries to convince his grandfather to cultivate with him, finally succeeding by mentioning the possibility of seeing a great-grandson.
• Jiang Liu discovers his grandfather has a Supreme Single Wood Spiritual Root, while he has a Three-Element Mixed Spirit Root.
• Jiang Liu teaches his grandfather about the game and gives him Qi Refining Pills.
• Jiang Liu checks the Chat Box and finds advertisements and a celebrity's message, realizing the impact of money in the game.
• Jiang Liu decides to focus solely on Cultivation Era and synchronizes his game character with his real-world body, successfully reaching Qi Cultivation Level 4 and obtaining three magical artifacts.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu: Becomes more determined to succeed in Cultivation Era after seeing the impact of money and deciding to focus solely on the game.
• Jiang Liu's Grandfather: Shows interest in cultivation after hearing about the possibility of seeing a great-grandson and receives a Supreme Single Wood Spiritual Root, demonstrating exceptional talent.

Significant Themes

• The influence of money and resources in cultivation and gaming.
• The importance of focus and dedication in achieving success.
• The impact of family and personal connections on one's goals and motivations.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with his grandfather, convincing him to cultivate and teaching him about the game.
• Jiang Liu reads messages in the Chat Box, realizing the presence of advertisements and celebrities in the game world.
• Jiang Liu's synchronization with his real-world body marks a significant step in his cultivation journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu reaches Qi Cultivation Level 4 and feels significantly stronger.
• He synchronizes his game artifacts (Sunrise Sword, Spirit Rhinoceros Pendant, Spirit Communication Jade) into reality.
• He purchases a Small Universe Bag to store the Sunrise Sword.
• Jiang Liu practices the Fire Blowing Palm on the rooftop, using up his spiritual energy.
• He decides to cultivate continuously throughout the night and checks his progress in the morning.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu becomes more confident in his cultivation abilities and decides to dedicate more time to it.
• He shows determination and discipline, choosing to cultivate all night instead of sleeping.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivation and its benefits.
• The importance of dedication and hard work in cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with his grandfather, who gives him Spirit Stones. This interaction shows the grandfather's support and willingness to help Jiang Liu in his cultivation journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Grandma Zhao, Jiang Liu's neighbor, had Spirit Stones that Master Jiang obtained for Jiang Liu.
• Jiang Liu discovers the game's Launch Event and Limited-Time Gift Packs, which are pay-to-win features.
• The Launch Event requires Foundation Establishment Stones to achieve Perfect Foundation Establishment, with a progress bar of 0/100%.
• The Limited-Time Gift Packs offer various items at discounted prices, encouraging spending.

Character Developments

• Master Jiang shows his resourcefulness and determination by obtaining Spirit Stones from Grandma Zhao.
• Jiang Liu demonstrates his adaptability and acceptance of the game's pay-to-win nature, quickly calculating the costs and benefits.

Significant Themes

• Pay-to-win mechanics: The game's monetization strategy is emphasized through the Launch Event and Limited-Time Gift Packs.
• Wealth and resources: The value of Spirit Stones and Foundation Establishment Stones highlights the importance of wealth in the game's progression.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with Master Jiang, learning about the Spirit Stones and Grandma Zhao's situation.
• Jiang Liu's internal monologue reflects his thoughts and reactions to the game's pay-to-win features and his spending decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu equips the 'Soaring Cloud Wings' and attempts to fly, but struggles with control.
• He discovers the 'Raging Thunder Flash' and 'Beastbreaker Sword' from the gift packs, but they're not useful to him yet.
• Jiang Liu uses Qi Refining Pills to reach Qi Cultivation Layer 5 and plans to sell the remaining pills.
• He spends Gacha Tickets and Spirit Stones, reaching the 100-pull guarantee, and finally obtains a 'Supreme Water Spiritual Root.'

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu's excitement and determination grow as he pursues a Supreme Spiritual Root, then wane due to the long wait and finally reignite upon obtaining it.
• He becomes more resolved to drain the Permanent Pool for more Spirit Stones.

Significant Themes

• Pursuit of power and rare resources (Supreme Spiritual Root).
• Frustration and perseverance in the face of setbacks (long wait for the guaranteed pull).
• The value of patience and persistence (eventually obtaining the desired item).

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with his inventory and the gacha system, expressing his emotions and making decisions based on the outcomes.
• There are no other characters in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu synchronizes the Supreme Water Spiritual Root, which brings significant physical and spiritual changes.
• He experiences an unusual expulsion of water from his body.
• At school, he finds a glass box containing over a hundred Spirit Stones on the podium, enhancing the classroom's spiritual energy concentration.
• The Head Teacher confirms that the school has provided 150 Spirit Stones for the class to use over the next ten days.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu's excitement and determination grow as he realizes the school's support, leading him to declare his commitment to Third Middle School.
• Li Dongze is fully focused on cultivation, showing his dedication to improving his abilities.

Significant Themes

• Support and Opportunity: The school's gesture demonstrates its commitment to supporting its students, providing them with a significant opportunity to advance their cultivation.
• Cultivation and Growth: The chapter emphasizes the students' eagerness to cultivate and grow, with the Spirit Stones serving as a catalyst for their progress.
• Limited Resources: The temporary nature of the school's support highlights the reality of limited resources and the need for self-reliance.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze interact briefly, with Jiang Liu asking about the Spirit Stones and Li Dongze dismissively telling him to stop disturbing him while he cultivates.
• The Head Teacher interacts with the class, confirming the Spirit Stones' purpose and duration, and addressing the students' reactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The school announces the formation of an "Immortal Examination Class" for the top 30 students, who will receive concentrated training and resources for a year.
• Students are to be assessed over the next ten days, with monthly rankings determining replacements.
• The class is filled with determination to enter the Immortal Examination Class and compete for resources.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu, confident in his abilities, aims to enter the Immortal Examination Class to obtain free educational resources.
• Students' attitudes shift from initial disappointment to renewed enthusiasm and focus on cultivation.

Significant Themes

• Competition and meritocracy in the cultivation world.
• The scarcity of cultivation resources and the struggle to obtain them.
• The importance of hard work and determination in achieving success.

Character Interactions

• The Head Teacher announces the Immortal Examination Class, sparking varied reactions among the students.
• Jiang Liu interacts with NPCs in the Immersive Experience Story Trial, experiencing a real-life battle scenario.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu dies in his first battle against an NPC, realizing the danger and unpredictability of the cultivation world.
• He re-enters the scenario and faces the Lingyun Sect Outer Elder, learning to dodge and counterattack.
• He discovers he can release spiritual qi externally, testing it in the 1-1 scenario.
• Jiang Liu returns to the 1-7 scenario, defeats the Lingyun Sect Elder using Water Spirit Sword Qi, and unlocks the 1-8 scenario.
• He repeatedly clears the 1-7 scenario to improve his combat skills.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu learns from his mistakes, improves his combat skills, and gains confidence in his abilities.
• He discovers he can release spiritual qi externally, enhancing his combat potential.

Significant Themes

• The importance of learning from failure and perseverance in the face of challenges.
• The role of adaptability and strategic thinking in combat.
• The concept of cultivating immortality and the thrill of progression.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with the Lingyun Sect Outer Elder, learning and improving through their battles.
• He also faces three masked bandits in the 1-1 scenario, testing his newfound ability to release spiritual qi externally.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu obtains a Supreme Water Spiritual Root, causing him to experience frequent, urgent urination.
• He discovers that his body is being remodeled by the Spiritual Root, cleansing his meridians and marrow.
• The Head Teacher, Dean of Students, and Principal witness Jiang Liu's bodily changes, expressing curiosity and support.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu: Realizes the power and uniqueness of his Supreme Water Spiritual Root, experiences embarrassment and discomfort due to the attention he receives.
• Head Teacher: Expresses envy and jealousy towards Jiang Liu's luck, shows concern for his student's well-being.
• Dean of Students & Principal: Recognize Jiang Liu's potential and offer their support, ensuring the school will help him with any difficulties.

Significant Themes

• Luck and Destiny: Jiang Liu's luck in obtaining a Supreme Spiritual Root on his first pull contrasts with his usual bad luck in the game.
• Power and Potential: The Supreme Spiritual Root represents immense power and potential, drawing the attention and support of the school's higher-ups.
• Embarrassment and Privacy: Jiang Liu experiences discomfort and embarrassment due to the unwanted attention he receives while relieving himself.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and the Head Teacher: The Head Teacher discovers Jiang Liu's condition and expresses envy, while Jiang Liu feels embarrassed and asks for help.
• Jiang Liu and the Principal: The Principal recognizes Jiang Liu's potential and offers the school's support, agreeing to help with any difficulties Jiang Liu might face.
• Jiang Liu, the Head Teacher, Dean of Students, and Principal: The four of them interact in the restroom, with the Principal and Dean of Students joining the Head Teacher in observing Jiang Liu's bodily changes.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Jiang Liu, despite having a Supreme Spiritual Root, doesn't receive Spirit Stones from the school.
• Li Dongze asks Jiang Liu about making out with an NPC (City Lord's daughter) in the game, fearing a ban.
• Jiang Liu reveals he's at Qi Cultivation Layer 5 and has a Supreme Water Spiritual Root, shocking Li Dongze.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu: Shows maturity and restraint in his gaming habits, focusing on combat training rather than adults-only content.
• Li Dongze: Initially boastful and proud, he becomes embarrassed and shocked after learning about Jiang Liu's progress.

Significant Themes

• The gap between Jiang Liu and Li Dongze's gaming values and priorities.
• The impact of wealth and resources on gaming progression (Li Dongze's advantage vs. Jiang Liu's self-reliance).

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze's friendship is tested as Li Dongze tries to show off and ends up feeling inferior.
• Jiang Liu advises Li Dongze against NTR (Netorare) content, demonstrating his moral stance.
• Li Dongze's pride is humbled when he learns about Jiang Liu's achievements, leading to a shift in their dynamics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu reveals his sudden wealth to Li Dongze, attributing it to lucky pulls from the Permanent Pool.
• Li Dongze, envious and jealous, realizes the disparity in their luck.
• Jiang Liu sells Qi Refining Pills and a cultivation technique to Li Dongze for 125 Spirit Stones.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu: Becomes wealthy overnight, maintains his humble demeanor, and begins to build his "luck god" persona.
• Li Dongze: Initially envious and resentful, quickly becomes eager to buy cultivation resources from Jiang Liu.

Significant Themes

• Luck and chance: Jiang Liu's "luck god" status is a central theme, highlighting the disparity in opportunities between characters.
• Wealth and status: The game's in-game currency, Spirit Stones, represents wealth and power, affecting characters' cultivation progress and access to resources.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze: Their interaction shifts from Li Dongze's initial envy and resentment to eager business dealings, highlighting the power dynamics and resource exchange in their relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu discovers that 10,000 Spirit Stones isn't much in the Cultivation Era.
• He buys items from the First-Charge Gift Pack, receiving a Law-tier outfit and Qi Refining Pills.
• Jiang Liu draws a high-grade Law-tier alchemy furnace, the Crimson Refining Furnace, which increases his alchemy success rate by 10%.
• He learns the Qi Refining Pill Blueprint and starts refining pills, but faces low success rates and limited materials.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu becomes more involved in alchemy, despite initial reluctance.
• He realizes the value of Qi Refining Pills and decides to raise their price in the future.

Significant Themes

• The value of resources and items in the Cultivation Era.
• The importance of luck and decision-making in the game.
• The challenges and rewards of alchemy.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with Li Dongze, trading Qi Refining Pills for Ten-year Spirit Grass.
• Li Dongze reveals information about a Resource Dungeon unlocking at Qi Refining Layer 8.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu learns that reaching Qi Refining Layer 8 unlocks resource dungeons, which reset daily, making them valuable for profit.
• He trades Qi Refining Pills for Ten-year Spirit Grass to refine more pills, aiming to profit from the resource dungeons.
• Jiang Liu posts an anonymous message in the Regional Channel, offering to buy Ten-year Spirit Grass at a high price, attracting over 1,800 friend requests.
• He trades with hundreds of players, amassing a large number of Qi Refining Pills.
• Upon reaching Qi Refining Late Stage (Layers 8-10), the effect of Qi Refining Pills is halved, and he gains access to the 'Resource Trial' feature.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu demonstrates his business acumen and adaptability by quickly exploiting the game's mechanics to amass wealth and power.
• He shows a strategic mindset, aiming to profit from resource dungeons and the high demand for Qi Refining Pills.

Significant Themes

• The game's mechanics encourage players to explore and adapt to new strategies, rewarding those who can exploit loopholes.
• The importance of wealth and resources in the game's progression is highlighted, with resource dungeons being a valuable daily instance.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with his classmates, trading with them to gather Ten-year Spirit Grass.
• He communicates with hundreds of players in the Regional Channel, trading Qi Refining Pills for Ten-year Spirit Grass.
• Jiang Liu's actions attract the attention of many players, showcasing his influence and potential as a leader or sect founder.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu, now at Qi Refining Layer 8, enters the [Resource Trial] instances.
• He completes three instances: [Golden Scale Pillar] (attacking a pillar for Spirit Stones), [Mechanical Secret Device] (counterattacking Mechanical Dummies for Cultivation Points), and [Immortal Forest Grass Stone] (finding Spirit Grass Magic Stones in an Immortal Forest).

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu experiences a significant increase in his cultivation level, reaching Qi Refining Layer 8 in just two days.
• He realizes the need to learn water-element spells to increase his combat power.

Significant Themes

• The importance of cultivation resources (Spirit Stones, Cultivation Points) for progression.
• The need for combat power to match one's cultivation realm.
• The role of luck in treasure hunting.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu interacts with the game's instances and challenges, showcasing his skills and limitations.
• He doesn't interact with other characters in this chapter, focusing solely on his personal growth and challenges.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Liu enters the [Immortal Forest Grass Stone] instance, finding it monotonous and realizing it's a "spot the difference" game rather than a treasure hunt.
• He completes the instance in 10 minutes, earning a C rating and various spirit grasses and ores.
• Jiang Liu decides to skip the Immersive Experience until he reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage.
• At school, students choose to stay for intense training due to the upcoming Immortal Examination Class selection.
• Jiang Liu returns home to find his grandparents harassed by thugs trying to force a spirit stone sale.

Character Developments

• Jiang Liu demonstrates his growing power and protectiveness towards his grandparents, using his Qi Refining Layer 8 might to incapacitate the intruders.
• Master Jiang and Grandma Zhao show resilience and determination in standing up to the thugs, despite their age and vulnerability.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between the weak and the powerful, with the thugs exploiting their strength to intimidate the elderly.
• The importance of family and protection, as seen in Jiang Liu's immediate return home to defend his grandparents.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Liu and Li Dongze discuss their plans for the training camp and share snacks, showing camaraderie.
• Jiang Liu's conversation with his grandfather hints at potential trouble at home, leading to his return.
• The tense confrontation between Master Jiang, Grandma Zhao, and the thugs highlights the power dynamic and the elderly's vulnerability.
• Jiang Liu's arrival and intervention showcases his growing power and willingness to protect his family.