Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Testing the Female Chef”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Class Four resumes its oppressive routine after Zhao Yijiu and Qu Xuanqing return safely. Yu Xing observes that he has lost sympathy for the students and NPCs trapped in the school, especially after seeing the mutilated student with threads still hanging from his mouth.
• At lunch, Yu Xing, Zhao Yijiu, and Qu Xuanqing leave the others to investigate the cafeteria’s Fallen Bird window, while Zhao Mou and Wen Qinghuai create a deliberate distraction.
• Zhao Mou and Wen Qinghuai falsely imply that a student named Elizabeth hid bloody meat, attracting the attention of the red-armband student enforcers. Wen Qinghuai eventually identifies Elizabeth as the “tall girl,” causing the red-armband students to pursue her.
• At the Fallen Bird window, Yu Xing buys the newly available pear-like special drink. The drink appears to contain neither ghosts nor human ingredients, making it unusual within St. Johnis Middle School.
• Yu Xing tests the female chef by flirting with her and giving her extra money. He asks whether her blood-red lipstick is made from real human blood and compliments her nails and appearance.
• The chef confirms that blood has transferred from her lips to her finger, accepts the extra money, and behaves far more naturally and energetically than she did when Yu Xing first encountered her.
• The chapter ends when a neighboring chef suddenly screams. Instead of showing concern, Yu Xing’s female chef reacts with visible excitement, suggesting that something happening to the other chef benefits or delights her.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Becomes increasingly detached from the suffering of the school’s NPCs. He adopts a provocative, flirtatious persona to test the female chef and successfully draws out a more expressive reaction from her.
• Zhao Yijiu and Qu Xuanqing: Return to class apparently unharmed, reassuring Zhao Mou and allowing the group’s investigation to continue.
• Zhao Mou: Demonstrates strong improvisational and acting skills by manipulating the red-armband students into investigating a supposed rule violation. He remains cautious and protective of Zhao Yijiu.
• Wen Qinghuai: Participates in Zhao Mou’s deception but appears visibly nervous and anxious, eventually giving away Elizabeth’s identity despite Zhao Mou’s attempt to stop him.
• Female chef: Shows signs of becoming more animated and emotionally responsive as students purchase food and drinks. Her acceptance of Yu Xing’s money and her delighted reaction to the neighboring chef’s scream suggest that she may be gaining power—or “souls”—through transactions.

Significant Themes

• Moral desensitization: Yu Xing’s growing indifference reflects how prolonged exposure to the school’s cruelty erodes compassion.
• Manipulation and performance: Both Yu Xing’s flirtation and Zhao Mou’s false accusation rely on acting and psychological manipulation to obtain information or redirect danger.
• Food, money, and souls: The cafeteria appears to operate through an exchange in which students buy food while the chefs gain something spiritual from them.
• Institutional cruelty and competition: The red-armband students treat rule enforcement as a source of reward, eagerly hunting suspected violators rather than seeking justice.
• Hidden relationships among the chefs: The identical chefs may be connected in a way that makes one chef’s injury or failure beneficial to another.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Mou and Wen Qinghuai coordinate a staged conversation designed to lure the red-armband students away.
• The black-haired red-armband student interrogates them aggressively and pursues Elizabeth after hearing their accusation.
• Yu Xing engages the female chef in deliberately suggestive conversation, using compliments and extra money to probe her nature.
• The female chef responds flirtatiously but also reveals unsettling supernatural traits, culminating in her apparent pleasure at hearing another chef scream.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing and the female cook discuss the commotion next door.
• Zhao Yijiu ambushes and kills the female cook in her kitchen.
• Yu Xing deceives red armband students into chasing Elizabeth.
• Zhao Yijiu decides to kill more female cooks.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows cunning and deceit, manipulating the situation to his advantage.
• Zhao Yijiu: Demonstrates ruthlessness and strategic thinking, killing the female cook and planning to eliminate more.
• Elizabeth: Implied to be intelligent and resourceful, evading the red armband students.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Yu Xing's actions highlight the theme of using others to achieve one's goals.
• Ruthlessness: Zhao Yijiu's actions emphasize the cold-hearted and calculating nature of some characters.
• Intelligence: Elizabeth's actions suggest she is clever and resourceful, able to evade danger.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and the female cook: Yu Xing uses the female cook's curiosity to his advantage, manipulating her to reveal information.
• Zhao Yijiu and the female cook: Zhao Yijiu ambushes and kills the female cook, showing no mercy.
• Yu Xing and the red armband students: Yu Xing deceives the red armband students into chasing Elizabeth, diverting their attention from the female cook's murder.
• Zhao Yijiu and the female cook (post-mortem): Zhao Yijiu hacks off the branches from the female cook's body, ensuring her death and preventing reanimation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The cafeteria cooks go on strike, and Zhao Yijiu, a shadow wizard, kills them one by one to transfer their power.
• Yu Xing manipulates a female cook at the fallen bird window to investigate the commotion next door.
• Yu Xing discovers that the female cook has vines growing below her calves, similar to the psychologist.
• Yu Xing alerts Ji Jingyi, a red armband student, about the female cook's betrayal, urging her to inform Director Gene.

Character Developments

• Zhao Yijiu: Shows ruthlessness and strategic thinking in killing the cooks to transfer their power.
• Yu Xing: Demonstrates cunning and manipulation in extracting information from the female cook and inciting Ji Jingyi.
• Ji Jingyi: Reveals her complex feelings towards the school staff and her eagerness to please them to secure her survival.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation: Characters use power and influence to control others, as seen in Yu Xing's manipulation of the female cook and Ji Jingyi.
• Survival and betrayal: Characters prioritize their own survival, leading to betrayals and manipulations, as seen in Yu Xing's actions and Ji Jingyi's complex feelings towards the school staff.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Yijiu and the female cooks: Zhao Yijiu kills the female cooks to transfer their power, showing no mercy.
• Yu Xing and the female cook: Yu Xing manipulates the female cook into investigating the commotion next door, using flattery and curiosity.
• Yu Xing and Ji Jingyi: Yu Xing manipulates Ji Jingyi into informing Director Gene about the female cook's betrayal, using her eagerness to please the school staff.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Several students, including Yu Xing and Qu Xuanqing, are absent from class due to an incident in the cafeteria.
• A cook has killed several colleagues, and a student named Roy is involved as an eyewitness.
• Qu Xuanqing is accused by red armband students of hiding food but is later vindicated.
• Yu Xing testifies against a female cook, who is suspected of killing her colleagues.
• Director Gene praises Yu Xing and promotes Qu Xuanqing to a red armband position.
• Yu Xing stays behind to speak with Director Gene, who reveals that the Principal is away but can return quickly if needed.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows cunning and manipulation, framing the female cook and ingratiating himself with Director Gene.
• Qu Xuanqing: Proves her innocence and is promoted to a red armband position.
• Director Gene: Struggles to maintain order in the school, relying on Yu Xing's information while being unaware of his true nature.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Deception: Yu Xing manipulates the situation to his advantage, framing the female cook and gaining Director Gene's favor.
• Power Dynamics: The relationship between the cooks and their power connection is explored, as well as the power dynamics between students and teachers.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Director Gene: Yu Xing manipulates Director Gene, providing information that supports his own narrative while appearing innocent.
• Qu Xuanqing and the Red Armbands: Qu Xuanqing stands up for herself and exposes the red armbands' wrongdoings, leading to their loss of power and her promotion.
• Yu Xing and the Female Cook: Yu Xing frames the female cook, leading to her punishment and potential dismissal.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The school declares an unexpected holiday, exempting students from evening study hall and morning classes the next day.
• Students are free to use the cafeteria, library, or review materials in their dorms.
• The Principal's early return is mentioned, which might be connected to the holiday.
• The Principal is planning an auction at the art museum and inviting reporters to the school.

Character Developments

• Oliver shows signs of warming up to Yu Xing, initiating a conversation and expressing hope for Yu Xing's friendship.
• Rebecca notices the peculiar behavior of the transfer students and suspects they have ulterior motives.
• Zhao Yijiu shows increased interest and sensitivity when the art museum auction is mentioned.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Deception: Rebecca's suspicion of the transfer students' motives highlights the theme of trust and deception, as they appear to be hiding their true intentions.
• Power and Control: The Principal's early return and his plans to invite reporters and recruit new teachers suggest an increased focus on power and control within the school.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Oliver have a friendly exchange, with Oliver asking Yu Xing if he was responsible for the holiday.
• Rebecca, Zhao Mou, and Yu Xing discuss the holiday and the Principal's return in the classroom.
• Yu Xing and his teammates discuss the Principal's plans and the dorm supervisor's absence in their dorm room.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Mou and Yu Xing discuss the mission schedule and Qu Xuanqing's undercover role with Ji Jingyi.
• Yu Xing reveals to Zhao Yijiu that he had a premonition about a potential separation during their exit from the school instance due to the Ghost Tree's influence.
• Yu Xing shares the location of two books he buried in the woods, instructing Zhao Yijiu to retrieve them if he suddenly disappears.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows concern for his teammates' well-being and reveals his premonition about the Ghost Tree's threat, hinting at his mysterious past and destiny.
• Zhao Yijiu: Demonstrates increased worry and protectiveness towards Yu Xing, showing a softer side. He also reveals that he sensed Yu Xing's emotional fluctuation the previous night due to overlapping senses with the fierce ghost.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Dependence: Yu Xing emphasizes the importance of trust in their team dynamics, encouraging Zhao Yijiu to trust him despite his mysterious past.
• Destiny and Fate: Yu Xing's mention of his destiny and the Ghost Tree's influence raises questions about the characters' fates and the true nature of the instance.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zhao Yijiu: Their conversation reveals Zhao Yijiu's growing concern for Yu Xing and Yu Xing's attempts to reassure and coax Zhao Yijiu, demonstrating a deeper bond between them.
• Yu Xing and Zhao Mou: Their earlier conversation shows Zhao Mou's concern for the mission's safety and his initial reservations about Ji Jingyi's involvement, while Yu Xing remains confident in their plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Principal returns, and Yu Xing senses this through his connection with the Ghost Tree.
• Yu Xing believes the Principal will attempt to capture him the next day.
• Yu Xing shares his plan with Zhao Mou: he will enter the Principal's office, obtain the key item, and hide it where the Principal can't find it. Zhao Mou is to remember the location and retrieve the item later.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Shows increased sensitivity to the Ghost Tree's presence and grows more aware of the Principal's intentions.
• Zhao Mou: Demonstrates his perceptiveness and understanding of Yu Xing's plans, proving himself a valuable ally.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fate and destiny is reinforced as Zhao Mou acknowledges Yu Xing's path and asks him to return within a month.
• The theme of trust and teamwork is highlighted as Yu Xing shares his plan with Zhao Mou and they agree to help each other.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Zhao Mou: They have a private conversation about Yu Xing's plan, showing mutual trust and understanding. Zhao Mou agrees to help Yu Xing, and they make a pact for Yu Xing to return within a month.
• Yu Xing and Zhao Yijiu: Although not directly interacting, Yu Xing considers Zhao Yijiu's well-being and doesn't want to disturb his sleep.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing is summoned by the Principal after three peaceful days, during which he observes the school's dynamics and gathers information.
• The Principal's office is located in a secret room in the administration building's basement, activated by a hidden mechanism.
• Yu Xing is led to the entrance of the secret room by Director Gene, who explains that the Principal dislikes sunlight and works underground.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing remains calm and collected, preparing for his meeting with the Principal. He demonstrates his ability to adapt and gather information.
• Director Gene shows a kinder demeanor towards Yu Xing, treating him as a potential colleague. He reveals information about the Principal's preferences and work location.

Significant Themes

• The Principal's dislike for sunlight foreshadows his mysterious and potentially sinister nature.
• The theme of secrets and hidden spaces is reinforced with the discovery of the secret room.
• The power dynamics between the Principal and the faculty are highlighted, with the Principal holding significant influence.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Director Gene interact briefly, with Director Gene providing information about the Principal and leading Yu Xing to the secret room.
• Yu Xing's calm and collected demeanor contrasts with Director Gene's friendly yet guarded attitude.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing steps through a strange door into a dark, endless space filled with black mist and the branches of a Ghost Tree.
• He discovers he can hear and see exceptionally well in this space, and the Ghost Tree's branches react to his presence.
• Yu Xing pulls out a branch, and black patterns from it attach to his hand, forming a tattoo that absorbs the black mist.
• He attempts to approach more branches but they retreat. He threatens to be "eaten" again, causing the branches to react disdainfully.
• Upon exiting, he encounters the Principal, who attempts to attack him with a blood-stained axe.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates his ability to interact with and absorb the power of the Ghost Tree, showing growth in his supernatural abilities.
• The Principal is revealed to be hostile towards Yu Xing, indicating a potential threat or enemy.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: Yu Xing's desire to absorb the Ghost Tree's power and his eagerness to face the Principal showcase his ambition.
• Supernatural Interaction: The chapter explores Yu Xing's interaction with the Ghost Tree's power, highlighting the mysterious and otherworldly aspects of the story.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and the Ghost Tree: Yu Xing's interaction with the Ghost Tree branches shows a symbiotic relationship, with both parties seeking to absorb power from each other.
• Yu Xing and the Principal: The Principal's attempted attack on Yu Xing sets up a conflict between them, hinting at future confrontations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing temporarily loses his sight but regains it quickly, revealing a vine-furnished, underground room in St. Johnis Middle School.
• Yu Xing meets Principal Anderson, who tests Yu Xing's skills and offers him tea from a new, popular tea house outside the school.
• The tea leaves, named Xun Xing, change color to blood-red upon contact with Yu Xing's aura.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates his quick thinking and adaptability in the face of danger, maintaining composure and gathering information.
• Principal Anderson reveals his cunning and manipulative nature, attempting to assess and control Yu Xing.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation, as seen in the interactions between Yu Xing and Principal Anderson.
• The mysterious connection between Yu Xing and the Ghost Tree, hinted at through the vine furniture and the tea's reaction to Yu Xing's aura.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Principal Anderson engage in a tense, polite exchange, each trying to assess and control the other.
• The tea house owner, Yi Qing, is mentioned indirectly, with Principal Anderson expressing admiration for him and his tea.
• Yu Xing internally acknowledges Yi Qing's skill, hinting at their connection and Yu Xing's respect for Yi Qing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing and the Principal discuss Yu Xing's potential employment at the school after graduation.
• Yu Xing suspects the Principal is hiding something related to a student's execution for theft.
• The Principal attempts to restrain Yu Xing using the Ghost Tree branches in his office.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates his intelligence and courage by confronting the Principal about the school's secrets.
• The Principal reveals his ruthless nature and willingness to protect the school's image at any cost.

Significant Themes

• Truth vs. Perception: Yu Xing questions the Principal about the school's true nature and the outside world's values.
• Power Dynamics: The Principal uses his control over the Ghost Tree to assert dominance over Yu Xing.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and the Principal engage in a tense conversation, with Yu Xing pushing for information and the Principal trying to maintain control.
• The Principal attempts to physically restrain Yu Xing using the Ghost Tree, showing his willingness to use force to maintain his authority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing is swallowed by the Ghost Tree after the Principal exposes his secret.
• He descends into the tree, resisting its attempts to devour him.
• After two days, he resurrects inside the tree, surrounded by robed figures.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates resilience and strategic thinking, planning his counterattack against the Ghost Tree.
• He shows no emotional reaction upon waking up in a bizarre situation, indicating his humanity is at its weakest post-resurrection.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for survival and power, as Yu Xing fights against the Ghost Tree.
• The mysterious nature of the tree and its inhabitants, hinting at ancient or supernatural elements.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing interacts with the tree and its inhabitants, though he remains silent and unresponsive.
• The robed figures, particularly a young woman, express excitement and acceptance towards Yu Xing's awakening.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing is captured by the Ghost Tree and taken to an underground city, where he is welcomed as a new companion by its inhabitants.
• The underground city is ruled by a Wood God, and its residents are people swallowed by the Ghost Tree, now living as spirits.
• Yu Xing guesses that the Ghost Tree wants to drain his power in this underground city to assimilate and lose him.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing shows resilience and adaptability, quickly understanding his situation and the city's dynamics.
• The city's inhabitants, now spirits, maintain their human behaviors and desires, with an open and primitive nature.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between Yu Xing and the Ghost Tree for power and control.
• The consequences of the Ghost Tree's curse, leading to the creation of the underground city and its inhabitants' existence.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing interacts with Amber, a young woman who welcomes him and expresses her interest in him.
• Yu Xing meets Klaus, a burly, middle-aged man who seems to be a leader among the inhabitants.
• The inhabitants show a collective, pious worship towards the Wood God, reflecting their shared belief system.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing arrives at the Underground City, a place illuminated by luminescent fruits from towering trees.
• He meets Amber, a young woman in her early twenties, and Klaus, a bearded man who seems to be in charge.
• Yu Xing is directed to a reception area to clean up and change into robes, which are reminiscent of the Wizard Cult's attire.
• Yu Xing discovers that the wooden tubs in the reception area are connected to the Ghost Tree, which heals his wounds and enhances his curse power.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: He remains calm and collected despite his naked state and the strange environment. He also discovers new aspects of his curse power and forms a plan to destroy the Underground City.
• Amber: She is kind and holy, treating Yu Xing with respect and patience. She seems to be a devout follower of the Ghost Tree.
• Klaus: He appears to be a leader or elder in the community, giving instructions to Amber and the others.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Ghost Tree: The tree's influence is evident in the healing properties of the wooden tubs and the reverence shown by the inhabitants.
• The relationship between humans and the supernatural: The inhabitants of the Underground City seem to have a symbiotic relationship with the Ghost Tree, with the tree providing them with resources and protection in exchange for their worship and service.
• The consequences of civilization: Yu Xing compares the inhabitants of the Underground City to wild beasts, suggesting that the lack of modern civilization has led to a more primal way of life.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Amber: They interact briefly, with Amber showing Yu Xing around and Yu Xing remaining polite but reserved.
• Yu Xing and Klaus: They have minimal interaction, with Klaus simply giving instructions to Amber and the others before leaving.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing discovers that the Wizard Cult is actually the followers of the Ghost Tree, and their efforts to welcome the deity's return are for the Ghost Tree.
• Yu Xing realizes that the Witch is likely a high-ranking member of the Wizard Cult, working for the Ghost Tree.
• A companion returns from the surface with the Yindu Heart, leading to a 30-day carnival in the underground city.
• Yu Xing plans to find out more about the returned companion and the Yindu Heart.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: He gains new insights about the Wizard Cult and the Witch, and decides to destroy the twisted underground city. He also learns to control the Ghost Tree's puppets using its own power.
• Amber Bradley: She becomes infatuated with Yu Xing's guise and is manipulated by him. Her true condition is revealed to be neither human nor ghostly, with her body transformed by the Ghost Tree.

Significant Themes

• The true nature of the Wizard Cult and their allegiance to the Ghost Tree.
• The manipulation and control of others for personal gain, as seen in Yu Xing's actions and the Ghost Tree's influence over its followers.
• The twisted nature of the underground city and the desperation of its inhabitants.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Amber Bradley: Yu Xing manipulates Amber, using her infatuation to gain information and control. He later uses his curse power to control her body and erase her memory.
• Yu Xing and the returned companion: Yu Xing plans to find out more about the companion who returned from the surface, potentially to learn about the Yindu Heart and the Ghost Tree's plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing walks through the underground city, observing strange, sentient vegetables.
• He reaches the residential area, where he overhears a group discussing the Yindu Heart, a sacrifice to the Wood God.
• Ruben Reed, a bald, short man, suggests Yu Xing keep the Yindu Heart, knowing he can't accept it due to his living status.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing: Stays calm and collected, showing no signs of his true intentions. He understands Ruben's scheme and decides to play along.
• Ruben Reed: Reveals his hostility and taunting towards Yu Xing, showing his eagerness to expose him.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Deception: Ruben's suggestion to keep the Yindu Heart is a test of Yu Xing's true nature, while Yu Xing uses deception to navigate the situation.
• Power Dynamics: The hierarchy among the underground city's inhabitants is evident, with seniority and contributions determining one's status.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing and Ruben: Their interaction is tense, with Ruben trying to expose Yu Xing, and Yu Xing using diplomacy to avoid suspicion.
• Yu Xing and Mr. Klaus: Yu Xing subtly plays on Mr. Klaus's ambition to keep the Yindu Heart, causing Mr. Klaus to look displeased with Ruben's suggestion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ruben Reed, upon returning from a mission, hands over the Heart of Yindu to Yu Xing without proper consideration.
• The believers question Ruben's authority and the fairness of his decision.
• Yu Xing manipulates the situation, causing Ruben to lose face and retreat.
• Amber, the Saintess, is suggested as a more suitable candidate to hold the Heart.

Character Developments

• Ruben Reed: Shows arrogance and carelessness in decision-making, leading to a loss of respect from his peers.
• Yu Xing: Demonstrates quick thinking, manipulation, and a lack of respect for authority, revealing his ambitious nature.
• Amber: Implied to be a more suitable candidate for the Heart, but is currently unconscious.

Significant Themes

• Authority and Respect: The believers question Ruben's authority and lose respect for him due to his careless decision.
• Manipulation and Ambition: Yu Xing manipulates the situation to his advantage, revealing his ambition and lack of respect for authority.
• Fairness and Equality: The believers argue for fairness and equality in the allocation of the Heart, challenging Ruben's decision.

Character Interactions

• Ruben Reed vs. Yu Xing: Ruben underestimates Yu Xing, leading to a loss of face and authority.
• Believers vs. Ruben Reed: The believers question Ruben's decision and authority, leading to a loss of respect for him.
• Yu Xing vs. Believers: Yu Xing manipulates the believers, causing them to question Ruben's authority and suggest Amber as a more suitable candidate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing is offered a house by Klaus, choosing one near Amber's.
• Klaus explains the Underground City's day-night cycle and the danger of nights.
• Klaus warns Yu Xing not to go out at night due to evil spirits and fierce ghosts.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing shows strategic thinking in choosing a house near Amber to gain favor and learn secrets.
• Klaus demonstrates his devotion to the Wood God and concern for newcomers' safety.

Significant Themes

• The danger and fear associated with the night in the Underground City.
• The importance of loyalty and devotion to the Wood God.

Character Interactions

• Klaus shows kindness and guidance towards Yu Xing, while Yu Xing maintains his facade of naivety and eagerness to learn.
• Yu Xing's internal monologue reveals his true intentions and disregard for the city's warnings about nighttime dangers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing explores his room, discovering a series of strange books.
• He opens one book, triggering a curse that makes him feel watched and fearful.
• The book details a process of creating nutrients for the Ghost Tree using fierce ghost eyeballs.
• Yu Xing concludes that a time-controlling Witch likely fed the Ghost Tree.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates curiosity, bravery, and strategic thinking as he explores the room and reads the book.
• He shows resilience in counteracting the curse's effects.

Significant Themes

• The power of curses and their effects on individuals.
• The connection between the Ghost Tree and the Witch.
• The exploration of forbidden knowledge and its consequences.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing interacts with the books, triggering curses and gaining new information.
• His internal monologue reveals his thoughts and deductions about the Witch.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Xing investigates the Underground City at night, discovering that ghostly creatures roam freely.
• He finds the food preparation area infested with ghostly creatures, indicating an attractive source within.
• Yu Xing encounters various ghostly creatures, including a big-headed one with an exceptionally thin neck.

Character Developments

• Yu Xing demonstrates his courage and curiosity, venturing into the ghost-infested city at night.
• He shows his ability to communicate with and control curses, opening the door despite the powerful curse on it.

Significant Themes

• The dual nature of the Underground City: safe by day, haunted by ghosts at night.
• The Ghost Tree's influence: it provides food but also breeds ghostly creatures.
• The connection between the living and the dead: Yu Xing's interaction with the ghostly creatures suggests a communion between the two realms.

Character Interactions

• Yu Xing interacts with the ghostly creatures, greeting them calmly despite their grotesque appearances and hostile behavior.
• The ghostly creatures respond to Yu Xing's presence, turning their attention towards him when he speaks.