Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Finding the Secret Passage”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing discovers that Master Li’s mouth contains Uncle Zhang’s head, revealing that Master Li has become a ghost from another timeline and likely killed Uncle Zhang to keep him as company.
• Master Li attempts to light another candle, apparently to stabilize or preserve his ghostly form. Yu Xing orders the others to stop him, and Carlos knocks the candle into the Ghost Tongue Flower field, where bone vines destroy it.
• Master Li tries to manipulate Yu Xing, Carlos, and Lin by insisting that he is still their companion and means them no harm. They reject his claims, recognizing that the candle could endanger them and that the presence of Uncle Zhang’s head exposes his violent nature.
• Master Li attempts to attack them with corpse powder, a substance made from corpse eyeballs that harms humans and restrains ghosts. Carlos counters with a strange paper figurine, while Lin protects himself and Carlos with a Buddhist Buddha Seal Umbrella, which neutralizes the powder.
• The paper figurine’s damage is reflected onto Master Li, causing his neck to break. Yu Xing realizes that Master Li’s body is still physical and that ordinary attacks can harm him without the candle’s protection.
• Yu Xing severs Master Li’s remaining flesh, killing him. Uncle Zhang’s head is forced out of Master Li’s split-open face and rolls away, apparently giving the group a subtle sign of gratitude.
• Master Li’s “head” is revealed to have been little more than skin wrapped around Uncle Zhang’s skull. His remains are completely destroyed and no longer qualify as a ghost.
• Afterward, Yu Xing questions Lin about his mission and deduces that Lin is also an Experience Player rather than a normal Deduction Player. Lin realizes that Yu Xing and Carlos are Experience Players as well.
• The group briefly discusses the differences between Experience Players and Deduction Players, including how their missions and identities can remain hidden from one another. Yu Xing deliberately maintains the misunderstanding that he is an Experience Player to gather information.
• The Ghost Tongue Flowers begin stirring, suggesting that they may soon imitate or attack the group. The three decide they must quickly locate the mechanism and escape.
• They conclude that the passage Master Li discovered is the true secret passage. Lin suspects Master Li intended to use the candle to remain human-looking, follow them into the passage, and lower their guard before attacking.

Character Development

• Yu Xing remains calm, perceptive, and ruthless when necessary. He quickly sees through Master Li’s emotional manipulation, identifies the significance of Uncle Zhang’s head, and recognizes that Master Li’s physical body can still be attacked. He also proves skilled at controlling dangerous allies such as Sheqing Ghost and strategically concealing his own identity.
• Carlos shows decisiveness and resourcefulness. He immediately attacks Master Li’s hand, uses a supernatural paper figurine to counter corpse powder, and recognizes the danger of Master Li’s deception. He is also excited rather than frightened by the discovery of an Experience Player.
• Lin becomes more open and talkative after revealing that he is an Experience Player. He demonstrates strong defensive abilities through the Buddha Seal Umbrella and shows practical judgment by prioritizing escape over further discussion. His lack of attachment to Master Li also reveals his pragmatic nature.
• Master Li shifts from seemingly reasonable and sorrowful to openly malicious. His attempts to appeal to shared companionship fail, and his use of corpse powder confirms that he intended to harm the group. His grotesque destruction exposes the horror of the alternate timeline.
• Sheqing Ghost continues to present himself as refined and polite while secretly behaving like a violent, dangerous thug. Yu Xing’s authority is strong enough to make him stop before attacking Carlos.

Significant Themes

• Appearance versus true identity: Master Li looks and speaks like the familiar companion they once knew, but his ghostly body and possession of Uncle Zhang’s head reveal his true nature.
• Trust and deception: The group must distinguish genuine companions from entities using familiar appearances and emotional appeals. Master Li’s plan depends on making the others lower their guard.
• Survival through hidden abilities: Each character possesses unexpected tools or powers, such as Carlos’s paper figurine, Lin’s Buddha Seal Umbrella, and Yu Xing’s supernatural authority and combat skill.
• The instability of timelines and identities: The existence of alternate-timeline ghosts and Experience Players complicates the group’s understanding of who belongs to their world and what “death” means.
• The horror of corrupted companionship: Master Li’s claim that he killed Uncle Zhang because he could not bear to be alone illustrates how grief and loneliness can become monstrous.
• Cooperation amid suspicion: Although the three characters do not fully trust one another, immediate danger forces them to work together and share information.

Important Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Master Li: Yu Xing refuses Master Li’s emotional manipulation and exposes the contradiction between his claims of harmlessness and the presence of Uncle Zhang’s head.
• Carlos and Master Li: Carlos directly attacks Master Li and counters his corpse powder with the paper figurine, abandoning any pretense of friendship once Master Li reveals his hostility.
• Lin and Master Li: Lin uses the Buddha Seal Umbrella to protect the group and coldly explains that Master Li’s continued existence could threaten them.
• Yu Xing and Sheqing Ghost: Yu Xing orders Sheqing Ghost not to move when he senses a possible threat to Carlos. Sheqing Ghost obeys, demonstrating the tense but effective control Yu Xing maintains over him.
• Yu Xing and Lin: Yu Xing identifies Lin as an Experience Player through his inconsistent use of Buddhist and Taoist tools. Lin acknowledges Yu Xing’s perceptiveness and becomes more cautious around him.
• Carlos and Lin: Their conversation reveals that both have misunderstood each other’s identities and missions. Carlos also probes Lin about whether he entered the tomb alone, while Lin recognizes the danger of the awakening flowers.
• The trio: Despite newly discovering that they may all come from outside the world’s normal framework, they postpone further questioning and move toward the secret passage before the Ghost Tongue Flowers awaken.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group enters a new tomb passage, discovering a hidden mechanism that triggers arrows.
• Yu Xing deduces the layout of the tomb palace based on the mechanism.
• Lin reveals that his feng shui abilities have side effects, including backlash and transformation into a corpse with overuse.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates his exceptional analytical skills and composure under pressure.
• Carlos shows his cunning and dangerously manipulative nature.
• Lin reveals his frail constitution and the limitations of his feng shui abilities.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and rewards of seeking truth and adventure.
• The consequences of meddling with forces beyond one's control (e.g., Lin's feng shui abilities).
• The importance of caution and careful consideration of one's actions (e.g., Yu Xing's careful movement and Carlos's gathering of information).

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing, Carlos, and Lin work together, with Carlos and Lin following Yu Xing's lead.
• Carlos tries to gather information from Lin while appearing casual.
• Yu Xing, Carlos, and Lin discuss their abilities and experiences, revealing useful information to each other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Carlos reveals he's from a different timeline, but they decide not to dwell on it.
• Lin accidentally triggers a trap, but Carlos takes his place and safely navigates it.
• They reach a stone door with carvings depicting the origin story of the demon daoist.
• Yu Xing deciphers the correct order of the carvings and opens the door, revealing a dark passage.

Character Developments

• Carlos shows bravery and quick thinking by taking Lin's place in the trap.
• Yu Xing demonstrates his intelligence by deciphering the carvings' order.
• Lin shows eagerness to contribute but struggles with the physical task of pressing the stone blocks.

Significant Themes

• The cycle of violence and revenge, as the demon daoist's origin story shows.
• The influence of different timelines on individuals and their interactions.
• The contrast between physical strength (Yu Xing, Carlos) and mental prowess (Yu Xing).

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Carlos work together to navigate the traps and open the door.
• Lin feels left out due to his physical limitations but still offers to help.
• The group dynamic shifts as they accept Carlos's different timeline origin without much fuss.

Chapter Summary: “Throne”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing, Carlos, and Lin enter a large chamber beyond the stone door and discover vivid murals depicting wars, soldiers, and military supplies. The chamber resembles a king’s tomb, despite belonging to the demon daoist.
• Their communication with Shi Jiu and Mai is cut off, raising concerns that the two may be in danger or have undergone Ghostification. The group is already severely fragmented because of the overlapping timelines.
• They find a stone platform containing an inscription. Lin translates it, revealing that the demon daoist lived through more than 820 wars, directly or indirectly participated in 513, destroyed thirteen small nations, and caused countless deaths.
• Yu Xing realizes that Lin can read ancient writing and assigns him the role of interpreter. This reminds Lin that Unica has effectively replaced the position he was originally meant to fill, demonstrating how deeply the ghost’s influence has altered their memories and identities.
• At a fork in the passage, the group chooses the descending route because it seems to lead toward the demon daoist’s main burial chamber. Fresh blood on the wall indicates that someone else passed through recently.
• The passage becomes a looping “ghost wall.” Yu Xing identifies that they have walked the same route three times, while Lin uses his compass sacrifice and spiritual abilities to locate the genuine path.
• The group proceeds with their eyes closed, guided by Lin. Sheqing Ghost secretly squeezes Carlos’s shoulder and tells frightening stories, creating further tension. Yu Xing recognizes the prank and tells Sheqing Ghost to stop.
• While traveling, Yu Xing reflects on the conflict between the Absurdity System and the Experiencer System. He theorizes that the Ghost Tree’s appearance was an unexpected development caused by the Experiencer System and that a powerful outsider may have entered the deduction specifically to investigate it.
• Lin eventually leads them out of the illusion and into a vast underground palace filled with treasure chests.
• At the center stands an ornate throne. The demon daoist herself sits upon it and greets them, mocking them as clever modern tomb raiders.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing remains calm, observant, and strategically minded. He quickly notices the communication failure, recognizes the looping passage, and continues analyzing the larger mystery involving the timelines, the Ghost Tree, and the two systems.
• Lin demonstrates an important hidden skill: he can read ancient scripts and use feng shui techniques to navigate supernatural illusions. His confidence is shaken when Yu Xing points out that Unica has replaced his intended role, revealing the frightening extent of the memory manipulation.
• Carlos contributes his strong memory, recalling the layout and identifying that the route is repeating. Despite his usual composure, he becomes visibly nervous when he suspects that the person behind him may no longer be Yu Xing.
• Sheqing Ghost acts as a mischievous, disruptive presence. He entertains himself by frightening and physically teasing Carlos, while also revealing that he resents the Experiencer System and believes Lin’s abilities make the group too difficult to trap.
• The demon daoist is finally revealed in person, presenting herself as confident, seductive, contemptuous, and fully aware of the group’s progress.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation of memory and identity: Lin’s failure to notice Unica’s replacement of his role shows how powerful the ghostly alteration of memories is.
• The danger of hidden history: The murals and inscription reveal the demon daoist’s enormous influence over warfare and her extreme cruelty.
• Illusion versus perception: The looping passage demonstrates that what appears physically real may be a supernatural trap. Lin must abandon ordinary sight and rely on spiritual intuition.
• Systemic conflict and hidden agendas: Yu Xing’s theories suggest that the deduction is being affected by forces beyond the Absurdity System, particularly the Experiencer System and its possible interest in the Ghost Tree.
• Timelines and survival: Yu Xing believes the overlapping timelines must eventually merge so that every outsider retains a chance to complete the deduction and return to reality.
• Power and fate: The appearance of the Ghost Tree and Yu Xing’s connection to it may be accidental, yet Yu Xing increasingly suspects that these events are connected by a larger, almost fated design.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Carlos protect Lin as they explore the chamber, recognizing his weaker constitution.
• Yu Xing teases Lin about his reading ability and Unica’s replacement, exposing Lin’s vulnerability.
• Carlos and Lin agree that the descending passage is the correct route, while Yu Xing confirms the supernatural coldness surrounding it.
• Carlos relies on Yu Xing’s judgment when the passage loops, though he complains that Yu Xing noticed the problem without immediately mentioning it.
• Lin leads Carlos and Yu Xing through the illusion using his compass, requiring them to follow closely with their eyes shut.
• Sheqing Ghost’s shoulder-squeezing prank frightens Carlos and creates suspicion about whether Yu Xing is still behind him.
• Yu Xing silently confronts Sheqing Ghost and orders him to stop tormenting Carlos, though Sheqing Ghost openly refuses to cooperate.
• The chapter ends with the group facing the demon daoist directly, shifting the story from exploration and investigation to an imminent confrontation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters Unica, the demon daoist, who traps them in the tomb palace with her.
• Unica reveals that the living can enter but not leave the tomb palace, and the only way out is to kill a version of themselves from another timeline and place the corpse in a black coffin.
• Yu Xing deduces that Unica's face was made by someone from Oster Company, causing her to flee in fear.

Character Developments

• Unica: Reveals her history of manipulating people and her fear of Oster Company.
• Yu Xing: Demonstrates his cunning and ruthlessness by using Unica's fear against her and driving her away.
• Carlos and Lin: Show skepticism towards Unica's claims and question the validity of her method for leaving the tomb palace.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control: Unica's history and methods reflect her desire to control and manipulate others.
• Fear and vulnerability: Unica's fear of Oster Company reveals her vulnerability and the limits of her power.
• Trust and deception: The group's skepticism towards Unica's claims highlights the theme of trust and deception in their interactions.

Character Interactions

• Unica and Yu Xing: Their interaction is marked by Yu Xing's manipulation and Unica's fear, leading to her eventual retreat.
• Carlos and Lin: They work together to question Unica's claims and consider their options for leaving the tomb palace.
• Yu Xing and the group: Yu Xing's actions and deductions influence the group's decisions and understanding of their situation.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Yi Qing, Yu Xing's ghostly manifestation, appears around the throne, startling Lin and Carlos.
• Yu Xing lies about the ghostly figure being an afterimage of the throne's resentment.
• They hear bat sounds from a nearby tunnel, identified as Aradia Vampire Bats by Carlos.
• Yu Xing decides to investigate the source of the bat sounds, despite Lin's reservations.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing shows confidence in Yi Qing's abilities and initially dismisses Carlos's warning.
• Carlos is cautious and suspicious, noticing Yu Xing's lie about the ghostly figure.
• Lin is more relaxed and trusting of Yu Xing and Carlos's expertise.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust and deception is explored through Yu Xing's lie and Carlos's suspicion.
• The fragility and strength of Aradia Vampire Bats highlight the dual nature of seemingly weak entities.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing, Lin, and Carlos work together, with Yu Xing taking the lead despite Lin's concerns.
• Carlos shares his knowledge of Aradia Vampire Bats and provides Yu Xing with a spray bottle to defend against them.
• The group discusses the possibility of encountering people from the Oster Company or Shi Jiu and Will from other timelines.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with Yu Xing encountering a metallic, inscribed skull and a man named Zheng Zhan, who is being attacked by bats.
• Yu Xing and his companions help Zheng Zhan, who reveals he's from Oster Company and provides information about his team and the tomb's mechanisms.
• It's revealed that Zheng Zhan is a deducer and that he called for help while stalling Yu Xing's group.
• Chen, an outsider and a powerful experience facilitator, arrives and engages with Yu Xing's group.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows curiosity and excitement upon seeing Chen, suggesting a connection between them.
• Zheng Zhan: Reveals himself to be a deducer and uses his situation to gather information and call for help.
• Chen: Arrives as a calm and collected outsider, showing no immediate hostility towards Yu Xing's group.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Deception: Zheng Zhan deceives Yu Xing's group while appearing cooperative, highlighting the theme of trust and deception in the deduction game.
• Power Dynamics: The arrival of Chen, a powerful outsider, shifts the power dynamics between the factions present.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zheng Zhan: Yu Xing initially shows amusement at Zheng Zhan's predicament but ultimately helps him. Zheng Zhan, in turn, provides information while gathering his own.
• Yu Xing and Chen: Yu Xing shows immediate interest and excitement upon seeing Chen, suggesting a connection or shared history between them.
• Yu Xing's Group and Zheng Zhan/Chen: The interactions between Yu Xing's group and Zheng Zhan/Chen highlight the dynamics of cooperation, deception, and power play among the factions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Fengchen reveals he knows Yu Xing and Carlos, surprising Zheng Zhan.
• Yu Fengchen wants to send the group to the main tomb chamber and destroy the power the demon daoist stole from the Ghost Tree.
• They traverse the tomb passage with Zheng Zhan's help, avoiding traps, and finally reach the main tomb chamber, which is filled with black coffins.

Character Developments

• Yu Fengchen: Shows his knowledge of Yu Xing and Carlos, revealing he's not an ordinary experience facilitator. He wants to destroy the power the demon daoist stole from the Ghost Tree.
• Zheng Zhan: Realizes Yu Fengchen is more powerful than he thought. He's cooperative but still holds a grudge against Yu Xing's group for threatening him.
• Yu Xing: Agrees to cooperate with Yu Fengchen, showing he's not entirely against the idea of leaving. He's intrigued by the possibility of meeting Yu Fengchen in the future.
• Carlos: Observes the interactions between Yu Fengchen, Yu Xing, and Zheng Zhan. He's cautious around Yu Fengchen, sensing danger from him.
• Yi Qing: Realizes Yu Fengchen knows about his mission. He's reluctant to leave but agrees to cooperate, understanding that the system won't miss this opportunity.

Significant Themes

• Power and manipulation: Yu Fengchen's knowledge and abilities allow him to manipulate the group to cooperate with him.
• Trust and deception: Zheng Zhan is deceived by Yu Xing's group, leading to his initial hostility. Yu Fengchen's revelation about knowing Yu Xing and Carlos also raises questions about trust.
• The unknown: The Ghost Tree and the demon daoist's power are unknown forces that drive the plot forward and pose threats to the characters.

Character Interactions

• Yu Fengchen and Yu Xing: They have a history, but the details are unknown. Yu Fengchen seems to have the upper hand in their interaction, while Yu Xing is intrigued and agrees to cooperate.
• Yu Fengchen and Zheng Zhan: Zheng Zhan is initially hostile towards Yu Fengchen but cooperates after realizing his power. Yu Fengchen sees Zheng Zhan's ability as useful.
• Carlos and Yu Xing: Carlos is cautious around Yu Fengchen but agrees to cooperate with Yu Xing. He's protective of Yu Xing, tugging at his sleeve to express his concern.
• Yi Qing and Yu Xing: Yi Qing tries to persuade Yu Xing to cooperate with Yu Fengchen, showing he's willing to work together despite his reluctance to leave.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group enters a tomb filled with hundreds of coffins, set up as the final defense by the demon daoist.
• Zheng Zhan finds the coffin with a resentful spirit's face and sends his Skeleton Flying Head Man inside.
• Yu Fengchen gives the group long nails to temporarily secure coffins and prevent ghostly creatures from escaping.
• The coffins start to stir, and a corpse transformation occurs, which is subdued using the long nails.

Character Developments

• Zheng Zhan reveals he's from the Midnight Guild and tries to recruit Yu Xing, revealing his disdain for Qu Xuanqing's obsessive nature.
• Yu Xing remains calm and unperturbed when recognized, showing no signs of panic or nervousness.

Significant Themes

• The theme of deception and misinformation continues, with Zheng Zhan's assumptions about Yu Xing's relationship with Qu Xuanqing being incorrect.
• The theme of power dynamics is seen in Zheng Zhan's attempt to recruit Yu Xing to the Midnight Guild.

Character Interactions

• Zheng Zhan and Yu Xing interact, with Zheng Zhan trying to recruit Yu Xing to the Midnight Guild, revealing his disdain for Qu Xuanqing.
• Yu Fengchen interacts with the group, providing them with useful information and tools to navigate the tomb.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zheng Zhan, after revealing his mission, leaves the game, abandoning his character.
• Yu Xing, Carlos, and Lin find the demon daoist's coffin, which can converge timelines.
• They enter the coffin, leaving Yi Qing behind as a spectator.
• The demon daoist appears, and Yu Fengchen confronts her, revealing her past and the location of the wood core.

Character Developments

• Zheng Zhan: Shows his true colors and leaves the game, abandoning his character.
• Yu Xing: Demonstrates his intelligence and understanding of the game's mechanics, revealing he knows about Yu Fengchen's team and their connection.
• Yu Fengchen: Reveals his true strength and purpose, aiming to retrieve the wood core from the demon daoist.
• Demon Daoist: Reveals her past and the location of the wood core, showing her desperation to keep it.

Significant Themes

• The power of knowledge and understanding in the game.
• The consequences of greed and desperation.
• The interconnectedness of characters and their fates.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Yu Fengchen: Their interaction reveals their shared history and understanding, hinting at a future team-up.
• Yu Fengchen and the Demon Daoist: Their confrontation highlights the demon daoist's desperation and Yu Fengchen's determination to retrieve the wood core.
• Carlos and Lin: Their dynamic shows Carlos's cynicism and Lin's confusion, contrasting with Yu Xing's calm and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing enters a black coffin and finds himself in a new environment, a rock wall with coffins and skeletons.
• He learns about a version of himself on this timeline and is tasked with synchronizing the timeline by placing that version into a coffin without being observed.
• He encounters his past self (referred to as "he") who is exploring the same space, unaware of Yu Xing's presence.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing becomes more excited and fervent as he interacts with his past self, displaying a destructive urge and perverse curiosity.
• His past self shows caution and suspicion, reacting to Yu Xing's presence but unable to see or interact with him directly.

Significant Themes

• Identity and self-awareness: Yu Xing's encounter with his past self raises questions about identity and the nature of his own existence.
• Curiosity and exploration: Both Yu Xing and his past self exhibit a strong desire to explore and understand their surroundings, driving the narrative forward.
• Manipulation and control: Yu Xing's interactions with his past self highlight his tendency to manipulate and control situations, reflecting his personality deviation.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and his past self: Yu Xing's excitement and fervor contrast with his past self's caution and suspicion. Their interaction is tense and filled with unspoken tension, as Yu Xing tries to convey his presence without directly revealing himself.
• Yu Xing and the system: The system provides Yu Xing with a specific task and method to synchronize the timeline, guiding his actions in this new environment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing encounters his future self in the tomb palace and communicates through carvings and gestures.
• They discover a stone door with murals depicting the demon daoist's death and a coffin.
• Yu Xing deduces that he will return to this tomb in the future to paint the mural and is involved in investigating the Ghost Tree.
• Yu Xing chooses to fall into the abyss instead of returning through the stone door, revealing his desire to see the Ghost Tree.
• He sees Chen at the bottom of the abyss, standing beneath the Ghost Tree, and then disappears as the timeline converges.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows his willfulness and determination to see the Ghost Tree, even defying Chen's wishes. He trusts and communicates effectively with his future self.
• Yu Fengchen (Chen): Maintains a confrontational stance with the Ghost Tree, showing resilience and determination. He expresses surprise at Yu Xing's sudden appearance and departure.

Significant Themes

• Willfulness and determination: Yu Xing's unyielding pursuit of his goals, even in the face of potential consequences.
• Trust and communication: Yu Xing's trust in his future self and their effective communication despite the unusual circumstances.
• Converging timelines: The idea that Yu Xing's actions in the deduction world affect the timeline, leading to his disappearance as the timelines converge.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and his future self: They communicate effectively through carvings and gestures, showing understanding and trust between them.
• Yu Xing and Chen: Their interactions are brief but tense, with Chen surprised by Yu Xing's sudden appearance and departure. Yu Xing's actions defy Chen's wishes, showing a lack of deference to Chen's authority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A young woman's body is discovered in a deserted alley, nearly naked and covered in knife wounds.
• The police investigate, but the news is kept under wraps, causing rumors to spread.
• Hua Subai visits Yu Xing, revealing he knows Zhu Yan's identity and expressing interest in the case.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing is in a good mood initially but becomes serious upon hearing about the case.
• Hua Subai shows cunning and arrogance, hinting at his desire to know who intercepted his curse target.
• Zhu Yan is not directly involved yet but will likely be drawn into the investigation.

Significant Themes

• The theme of death and its consequences is prevalent, with Yu Xing joking about having the "aura of death."
• The theme of secrets and rumors is explored, as the police try to keep the news under wraps while rumors spread.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Hua Subai's interaction reveals Hua Subai's knowledge of Zhu Yan's identity and his interest in the case.
• Yu Xing's internal monologue shows his understanding of Hua Subai's intentions and his plan to wait for Zhu Yan's contact.
• Yu Xing's system settlement shows his dedication to his work and his acceptance of the system's compensation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing unlocks the full usage of the rose mask.
• He receives a promotion notification from the system.
• He receives messages from Zhu Yan and Zhao Mou about potential deductions.
• Zhao Mou informs Yu Xing about Han Yan's possible involvement in a live broadcast program.
• Zhao Mou decides to participate in the program to protect Zhao Yijiu and confront Single Prism.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing gains a new ability, prophecy, due to his connection with the Ghost Tree.
• Zhao Mou shows his strategic prowess and willingness to protect his brother.
• Zhao Yijiu demonstrates his ability to control the fierce ghost within him.

Significant Themes

• The theme of protection and loyalty is shown through Zhao Mou's actions towards Zhao Yijiu.
• The theme of facing challenges is evident in Yu Xing's eagerness to confront Han Yan.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zhao Mou discuss their plans to confront Han Yan in a live broadcast program.
• Zhao Yijiu expresses his desire to accompany Zhao Mou on the deduction, showing his determination to protect himself and his brother.
• Yu Xing and Zhao Mou have a playful exchange, with Zhao Mou teasing Yu Xing about using people and Yu Xing denying it.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing learns about Liu Lingling's case from Zhu Yan and agrees to provide information as an eyewitness.
• He sketches a portrait of Liu Lingling based on his memory of her from the night before.
• Zhu Yan arranges for Yu Xing to meet with Han Jiang, the captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment.
• Yu Xing arrives at the crime scene, where Han Jiang mistakes him for Zhu Yan's boyfriend.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows interest in the case and agrees to help, revealing his knowledge of the victim's appearance and clothing from the night before. He also demonstrates his sketching skills and willingness to cooperate with the police.
• Zhu Yan: Becomes a police consultant, officially moving from the shadows to the light. She arranges for Yu Xing to meet with Han Jiang but keeps their relationship a secret.
• Han Jiang: Suspects Zhu Yan has someone behind her but trusts her enough to accept the help of the person she brings in. He mistakes Yu Xing for Zhu Yan's boyfriend.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Zhu Yan trusts Yu Xing implicitly, while Han Jiang is suspicious of the person behind Zhu Yan but ultimately accepts their help. Yu Xing, in turn, keeps his true identity and intentions hidden.
• Appearance versus reality: Yu Xing's sketch of Liu Lingling reveals a strange expression on her face, hinting at a complex emotional state that contradicts her outward appearance.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zhu Yan: They communicate about the case, with Zhu Yan providing information and Yu Xing offering to help as an eyewitness. Their relationship remains ambiguous, with Zhu Yan hiding it from Han Jiang.
• Yu Xing and Han Jiang: They meet for the first time at the crime scene. Han Jiang is initially suspicious of Yu Xing but ultimately allows him to enter the crime scene, mistaking him for Zhu Yan's boyfriend.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing, the protagonist, meets Han Jiang, the captain of the Criminal Investigation Detachment, and provides clues about the Liu Lingling case.
• Yu Xing recounts his encounter with Liu Lingling and draws her appearance, which helps identify her.
• Yu Xing and Zhu Yan have lunch together after the case, and Yu Xing notices a change in Zhu Yan's appearance, hinting at her ghostly side.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows his calm and collected demeanor, even at a crime scene. He also demonstrates his keen observation skills and memory.
• Han Jiang: Initially suspicious of Yu Xing, he later acknowledges Yu Xing's helpfulness in the case. He also shows concern for Zhu Yan's well-being.
• Zhu Yan: Shows her loyalty and affection towards Yu Xing. She also displays her intelligence and eagerness to help solve the case.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust and suspicion is prevalent, with Han Jiang initially suspecting Yu Xing and later coming to trust him.
• The theme of appearances versus reality is explored through Yu Xing's observations of Zhu Yan and his own persona mask.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Han Jiang: Their interaction is tense initially due to Han Jiang's suspicion but becomes more cooperative as Yu Xing provides valuable information.
• Yu Xing and Zhu Yan: They share a close bond, with Zhu Yan showing affection towards Yu Xing and Yu Xing showing concern for Zhu Yan's well-being.
• Zhu Yan and Han Jiang: Zhu Yan shows respect and affection towards Han Jiang, who treats her like a caring father figure.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing binge-watches 'Fear Hospital' and 'Devil Travel Group' variety shows.
• Liu Lingling's murder case is solved; the murderer is Ruan Jun, the entrepreneur's daughter, who is obsessed with her father and views him and his possessions as her private property.
• Yu Xing learns about Ruan Jun's tattoo, which provokes him as it symbolizes the Lingren, who burned down the Yu family home.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing remains calm and composed despite the provocation from the Lingren.
• Ruan Jun's character is revealed to be deeply flawed and dangerous, similar to her father.

Significant Themes

• Possessiveness and obsession with control, as seen in the entrepreneur and his daughter.
• Provocation and retaliation, as seen in the Lingren's actions and Yu Xing's response.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zhu Yan discuss the Liu Lingling case.
• Zhao Mou and Yu Xing discuss the upcoming 'Fear Hospital' livestream and Zhao Yijiu's participation.
• Qu Xuanqing agrees to bring Yu Xing into the 'Fear Hospital' livestream.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing prepares for the Fear Hospital livestream, which will last for a day and a half.
• The livestream begins, and Yu Xing finds himself in an operating room for the preparation space.
• He encounters a scare tactic – a distorted face pressed against the glass door.
• The game's rules and identity cards are announced. Yu Xing learns he's a patient with severe claustrophobia.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing remains calm and collected throughout the preparation phase, showing his ability to handle unexpected situations.
• Medusa, the president of the Midnight Guild, shows interest in Yu Xing, entering his livestream room.
• Members of the Widow Investigation Team, Midnight Guild, and other star deducers join Yu Xing's livestream room.

Significant Themes

• Fear and anxiety, as Yu Xing faces the unknown in the Fear Hospital livestream.
• The power dynamics between deducers, as shown by the interest in Yu Xing's livestream and the presence of high-ranking guild members.
• The role of the audience, who provide support, advice, and entertainment during the livestream.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing interacts with the audience through his livestream, seeking their advice and reacting to their comments.
• Medusa, Xu Shu, and other high-ranking deducers enter Yu Xing's livestream room, showing interest in him.
• Members of the Widow Investigation Team and Midnight Guild join Yu Xing's livestream, creating a diverse audience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing, a patient with claustrophobia, receives three quests to complete within certain time limits or face penalties.
• The guests gather in the first-floor lobby, where the murderer will be identified each round.
• The guests are divided into doctors, nurses, and patients, with Yu Xing being a patient.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing experiences claustrophobia for the first time.
• Qu Xuanqing's appearance in a nurse's uniform creates a tense atmosphere.
• Shafuri shows interest in Yu Xing and Zhao Yijiu, despite knowing about their relationship with Qu Xuanqing.

Significant Themes

• The tension between the guests, especially between Qu Xuanqing and Shafuri.
• The power dynamics among the guests, with Qu Xuanqing being the strongest.
• The allure of the unknown, as seen in Shafuri's interest in Yu Xing and Zhao Yijiu.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zhao Yijiu acknowledge each other.
• Qu Xuanqing stands near Yu Xing, creating a sense of protection.
• Shafuri flirts with Yu Xing and Zhao Yijiu, ignoring the other male guests.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The game begins with the "Harmless Morning" mode, where the hospital poses no threat to the guests.
• The Dean, via the PA system, orders everyone to leave the lobby.
• Yu Xing learns that his first mission requires him to reach the balcony on the second floor within twenty minutes.
• Yu Xing encounters obstacles on the stairs and runs into Ren Yi on the second floor.
• Yu Xing completes his mission by reaching the balcony and observing the garden and stairwell entrance.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates his agility, stamina, and strategic thinking by quickly navigating the hospital and completing his mission.
• Ren Yi shows his analytical skills by noticing Yu Xing's unusual behavior and trying to befriend him.

Significant Themes

• The game's rules and modes, with "Harmless Morning" being the easiest.
• The importance of alibis and witness testimonies, as Yu Xing's whereabouts are accounted for during his mission.
• The theme of trust and alliances, as Ren Yi tries to extend goodwill to Yu Xing.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Ren Yi have a brief interaction, with Yu Xing giving a perfunctory greeting and Ren Yi trying to befriend him.
• Yu Xing's mission takes him through the hospital, potentially putting him in the path of other guests and the killer.