Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi's family looks for a rental house due to the power outage and finds one for 1,000 yuan per month after haggling.
• They move into the new house and spend the day shopping for essentials.
• During dinner, Chen Shouyi reveals he has nearly 10,000 yuan and some gold, causing his mother to question him about the source of his wealth and the Bow and Sword.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi's mother becomes more suspicious of her son's activities and his potential involvement in the deaths of the two men from the previous night.
• Chen Shouyi's parents decide not to pry into their son's secrets, trusting him to uphold his principles.
• Chen Shouyi discovers he can still influence air movement, though faintly, and experiments with his Sword, potentially manifesting Sword Qi.

Significant Themes

• The power outage and lack of electricity lead to a decrease in house prices, reflecting the impact of societal changes on daily life.
• The theme of trust and communication within the family is explored, with Chen Shouyi's parents deciding not to pry into his secrets but trusting him to act responsibly.
• The mysterious power Chen Shouyi possesses and his experiments with it hint at the potential for supernatural abilities.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi's mother and the landlady engage in a lengthy haggling session, showcasing their similar skills in negotiation.
• Chen Shouyi's parents express their concern for their son's well-being and safety, hinting at their worry about his potential involvement in illegal activities.
• Chen Shouyi's parents decide to trust their son, showing their faith in his ability to make the right decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi discovers he can cut through objects with his sword using mental power, likely a combination of Willpower and Perception.
• He goes fishing at a farmhouse restaurant near the highway incident to monitor the situation.
• He learns that investigators are looking into the case and have questioned locals.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi: He shows curiosity and patience in exploring his new powers and remains calm under potential threat.
• The Landlady's Daughter: She becomes more aware of Chen Shouyi's presence and feels uncomfortable with his gaze.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Chen Shouyi explores his newfound mental powers, and the cultists' influence is felt through the investigation of the highway incident.
• Surveillance and Investigation: The cultists' reach is shown through their investigation, highlighting the potential danger to Chen Shouyi.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi interacts with the landlady and her daughter, with the daughter feeling uncomfortable with his attention.
• He also interacts with the young man at the farmhouse restaurant, gathering information about the highway incident investigation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shell Girl, bored from staying indoors, asks Chen Shouyi when they're going back to the island. He deflects, saying it will be in a few days.
• Chen Shouyi practices the Thirty-Six Body Tempering Forms, deciding to do more sets due to Earth's inferior training conditions compared to the Otherworld.
• Shell Girl, trying to bargain, mentions the golden sand on the island. Chen Shouyi uses a crystal ball to distract her from her demands.
• Chen Shouyi teaches Chen Xingyue an optimized version of the Thirty-Six Body Tempering Forms.

Character Developments

• Shell Girl: Shows impatience and bargaining skills, fears being tricked, and is scared of sealed creatures.
• Chen Shouyi: Shows patience and understanding towards Shell Girl, demonstrates his knowledge of Martial Arts by modifying the Thirty-Six Body Tempering Forms.
• Chen Xingyue: Struggles with her martial arts practice, feels weak and helpless, trusts her brother's teachings.

Significant Themes

• Patience and understanding (Chen Shouyi towards Shell Girl)
• Trust and knowledge (Chen Xingyue towards Chen Shouyi)
• Bargaining and fear (Shell Girl)

Character Interactions

• Shell Girl and Chen Shouyi: Shell Girl tries to bargain and demand, Chen Shouyi uses distraction and patience to manage her.
• Chen Shouyi and Chen Xingyue: Chen Shouyi teaches Chen Xingyue an optimized martial arts form, showing his knowledge and trust in her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi reports a discovered Space Channel to the police.
• He decides to take the Martial Apprentice assessment in Ningzhou.
• Chen Shouyi travels to Ningzhou with Zhou Xue, a girl from his town who is also taking the assessment.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi's attributes have improved through training: Strength (133), Agility (133), Constitution (139), Intelligence (126), Perception (113), Willpower (121).
• Zhou Xue is introduced as proud and confident, with a stern demeanor.

Significant Themes

• The importance of letting go of past burdens.
• The pursuit of strength and martial arts prowess.
• The pride and confidence that come with exceptional abilities.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue have an awkward and tense interaction due to Zhou Xue's pride and Chen Shouyi's attempts to engage in conversation.
• Chen Shouyi's family sees him off, expressing their worries and hopes for his journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue travel to Ningzhou by car, passing through an industrial zone powered by steam engines due to electricity scarcity.
• Chen Shouyi feels melancholic about the decline of human civilization, symbolized by the smoke-spewing chimneys.
• They arrive at the Martial Arts Assessment Center and struggle to find an affordable hotel, eventually finding one after a long search.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi shows concern for Zhou Xue's financial situation and offers to pay for her hotel stay, but his insensitivity offends her.
• Zhou Xue is particular about money and feels embarrassed when the hotel receptionist assumes they're a couple.

Significant Themes

• The decline of human civilization due to the Otherworld's invasion and the resulting electricity scarcity.
• The financial struggles of ordinary people, particularly Martial Apprentices from humble backgrounds.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue have a brief argument when he offers to pay for her hotel stay, causing a temporary strain in their relationship.
• The hotel receptionist's assumption that they're a couple embarrasses Zhou Xue, highlighting her sensitivity about such matters.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi arrives at his new room opposite Zhou Xue's.
• He finds that the TV has no signal due to the loss of satellites, but the computer can connect to the internet.
• He reads news articles that hint at impending global crises and tensions.
• Chen Shouyi decides to go eat at a nearby buffet after Zhou Xue declines to join him.
• At the Ningzhou District Class III Affairs Investigation Bureau, an investigation is underway regarding a cult-related incident and a midnight murder case.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi: He shows concern for the current state of the world and feels helpless about his role in it. He also displays annoyance with Zhou Xue's behavior.
• Zhou Xue: She is portrayed as unlikable and independent, as she declines Chen Shouyi's invitation to eat together.
• The Shell Girl: She is revealed to be attached to a cartoon character named Beiqi, displaying childlike excitement and impatience.

Significant Themes

• The impact of the loss of satellites on daily life (TV signal loss).
• Global tensions and impending crises, as hinted by the news articles.
• The investigation into cult-related activities and murders, reflecting societal fears and the government's response to them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue: They have minimal interaction, with Zhou Xue declining Chen Shouyi's invitation to eat together.
• Chen Shouyi and The Shell Girl: Chen Shouyi interacts with the Shell Girl, showing annoyance with her impatience but ultimately giving in to her request to watch the cartoon.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi practices and improves his swordsmanship, reaching "Proficient (18)" level.
• He and Zhou Xue have breakfast together before heading to the Martial Arts Center for the assessment.
• They find a long queue and, upon registration, are told the assessment will take place in a nearby military restricted area with a hidden Space Channel.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi: He improves his swordsmanship, gaining more control over his body's muscles and learning new techniques, making his fighting style more varied and flexible.
• Zhou Xue: She remains determined and resolute, showing no fear or hesitation about the assessment's change of location.

Significant Themes

• Growth and Improvement: Chen Shouyi's dedication to practicing and improving his swordsmanship highlights the theme of personal growth and self-improvement.
• Uncertainty and Risk: The sudden change in assessment location to a military restricted area with a hidden Space Channel introduces uncertainty and risk, challenging the examinees' resolve.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue interact more casually, with Zhou Xue showing less wariness towards Chen Shouyi. They have breakfast together and travel to the assessment location together.
• Chen Shouyi shows gentlemanly conduct towards Zhou Xue, treating her to breakfast and accepting her money without argument.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group enters a heavily guarded mountain cave, filled with military vehicles and soldiers.
• They pass through multiple iron gates, each with increasing security measures, including machine guns and potential gas dispensers.
• The candidates are divided into batches, with the first batch receiving bows and melee weapons.
• The final gate opens to reveal a Space Channel leading to the Otherworld.
• The assessment involves hunting a highly aggressive seabird on a small island.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi observes the surroundings, noting the military strength and realizing Great Xia's preparations for the Otherworld.
• He shares a stress-relieving technique with nearby candidates, which surprisingly works for many of them.

Significant Themes

• Preparation and Readiness: The military presence and security measures highlight Great Xia's preparedness for the Otherworld.
• Adaptation and Resilience: Candidates must adapt to the Otherworld's environment and face potential dangers.
• Simplification of Standards: The assessment criteria have been simplified, focusing more on physical fitness and survival skills.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi interacts with a nervous young man and shares a stress-relief technique, which unexpectedly works on many candidates.
• Zhou Xue, initially aloof, is among those affected by Chen Shouyi's technique.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi enters a spatial passage and discovers his wind-controlling ability has slightly improved.
• He and other examinees arrive at a beach with aggressive gray birds. They must pass an assessment by killing these birds within a minute, one at a time.
• Chen Shouyi passes the assessment easily, while others struggle or fail. Zhou Xue, who initially hesitated, eventually passes with Chen Shouyi's help.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi: Shows his prowess in archery and swordsmanship, revealing his hidden strength. He also demonstrates concern for Zhou Xue's safety.
• Zhou Xue: Initially hesitant, she gains confidence and passes the assessment, showing determination and skill.

Significant Themes

• Caution and preparedness in the Otherworld.
• The importance of self-confidence and determination in facing challenges.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue: They interact briefly, with Chen Shouyi helping Zhou Xue pass the assessment, hinting at a potential connection between them.
• Chen Shouyi and the Proctor: They exchange words, with the proctor warning Chen Shouyi about cheating and later giving him some leeway.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Martial Arts Assessment concludes with an accident, a female examinee dies.
• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue return to the hotel; Chen Shouyi decides to go to Hedong to report his safety to his parents.
• Chen Shouyi boards a high-speed train to Hedong City and encounters a mysterious young man who seems to know about Chen Shouyi's strength and has knowledge of another world.
• The mysterious young man causes the train's glass to shatter and jumps off the overpass, disappearing.

Character Developments

• Zhou Xue: Shows gratitude towards Chen Shouyi for helping her during the assessment.
• Chen Shouyi: Becomes a Martial Apprentice, feels calm rather than joyful about it. He also shows caution and composure when facing the mysterious young man.
• The Mysterious Young Man: Reveals his knowledge of another world and his power, demonstrating a condescending attitude towards Chen Shouyi and the people of this world.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the fear of the unknown.
• The upcoming war and the changing world.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Zhou Xue: Zhou Xue thanks Chen Shouyi for his help, and they briefly discuss their plans after the assessment.
• Chen Shouyi and the Mysterious Young Man: They have a tense conversation where the young man reveals his knowledge of another world and his power, causing Chen Shouyi to feel nervous and cautious.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A mysterious youth smashes the train's bulletproof window, causing panic among passengers.
• Chen Shouyi, who was sitting nearby, is suspected of involvement due to his proximity to the broken window.
• Chen is interrogated by train attendants, who show him surveillance footage, revealing the mysterious youth's presence.
• Chen is cleared of suspicion and allowed to continue his journey.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi: Initially shocked and scared, Chen becomes angry and defensive when accused without evidence. He maintains his composure during the interrogation, showing maturity and resilience.
• The Mysterious Youth: His brief appearance establishes him as a formidable and terrifying figure, with immense physical strength and an aloof, condescending demeanor.

Significant Themes

• Perception vs. Reality: Passengers, including Chen, fail to notice the mysterious youth until after the window is broken, highlighting how people can overlook or misinterpret events.
• Accusation and Innocence: Chen is wrongly accused due to his proximity to the incident, raising questions about assumptions and evidence in judgment.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and the Bespectacled Youth: Chen confronts the bespectacled youth who accuses him without evidence, showing his determination to defend his innocence.
• Chen Shouyi and the Train Attendants: Chen cooperates with the attendants during the interrogation, providing honest answers and helping to clear his name.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi checks into a hotel and lies on the bed, unwilling to move.
• He releases Shell Girl from his briefcase, and she asks if Beiqi is ready.
• Chen Shouyi turns on the computer to watch a cartoon with Shell Girl.
• He enters a memory space and encounters a mysterious young man who speaks of war and prophecy.
• The memory space starts shaking, and Chen Shouyi feels a sense of danger.
• He exits the space and reflects on the incident, deciding not to project his mind into such existences again.
• The next morning, Chen Shouyi goes to the Hedong City Martial Arts Assessment Center for registration.
• He meets a staff member who is surprised by his youth and recent Martial Apprentice certification.
• Chen Shouyi demonstrates his strength by destroying a coffee table, asking if he needs to pay for it.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi shows concern for Shell Girl's interests, allowing her to watch cartoons.
• He reflects on his actions in the memory space and decides to be more cautious in the future.
• Chen Shouyi demonstrates his strength and confidence in his abilities at the registration center.

Significant Themes

• The dangers of projecting one's mind into the memories of powerful beings.
• Chen Shouyi's youth and the assumptions people make about him based on his appearance.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi interacts with Shell Girl, showing concern for her interests.
• He interacts with a staff member at the registration center, who is surprised by his youth and strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi undergoes VIP treatment for his Martial Artist assessment, unlike his previous apprentice exam experience.
• He purchases a practice sword made from Otherworld hardwood.
• Chen Shouyi searches for a place to practice his sword and finds an old, abandoned house.
• He practices his sword in the old house, imagining a black-clothed man as his opponent.
• An old woman warns Chen Shouyi about the house being haunted.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi demonstrates confidence and calmness about his upcoming Martial Artist assessment, knowing his Strength and Agility exceed the required standards.
• He shows dedication and discipline in his sword practice, seeking to improve both through stillness and movement.
• The old woman displays concern for Chen Shouyi's safety and reveals her belief in the supernatural.

Significant Themes

• Preparation and confidence in facing challenges (Chen Shouyi's assessment and practice).
• The duality of stillness and movement in practice and growth.
• Supernatural beliefs and their influence on people's actions (the old woman's warning about the haunted house).

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi interacts with the waitress at the assessment center, who provides him with water and informs him about his assessment schedule.
• He interacts with a salesperson at the cold weapon shop, purchasing a practice sword.
• Chen Shouyi meets the old woman, who warns him about practicing in the haunted house.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi investigates an abandoned house rumored to be haunted by a ghost from a decade-old suicide.
• He discovers the house has a strong, chilling aura but no apparent Space Channel.
• The next day, he learns about a recent cult blood sacrifice incident in Dongning City, where many people died.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi shows curiosity and bravery in exploring the haunted house.
• He demonstrates concern for his family and friends in Dongning City upon hearing about the incident.

Significant Themes

• The existence and power of ghosts in the world before and after the Otherworld's force field invasion.
• The impact of cult activities and their consequences on society.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi interacts with an old woman who shares the house's haunted history.
• He converses with Martial Artists at the assessment center, learning about the Otherworld training rooms and the Dongning City incident.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi, a 17-year-old high school student, takes the Martial Artist assessment.
• Notaries from the Martial Arts Notary Office arrive, including a Great Martial Artist.
• Chen Shouyi excels in all tests: punch speed (385 m/s, double the required 200 m/s), 100m sprint (4.65s), and Stab Small Balls (7 balls in 1 minute).
• The pass rate is 20%, with many candidates failing due to nervousness or slight performance issues.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi demonstrates exceptional physical prowess, far exceeding the Martial Artist standard.
• The notaries, especially the Great Martial Artist, are impressed by Chen Shouyi's performance.

Significant Themes

• The theme of natural ability and hard work is highlighted, with Chen Shouyi's rapid improvement in strength despite his young age and lack of training.
• The importance of mental fortitude and composure in high-pressure situations is shown through the candidates' performances.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi interacts with the notaries, impressing them with his abilities.
• Chen Shouyi's performance draws the attention and admiration of the other candidates.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi meets Lu Weifeng and Wei Chenghao, Martial Apprentice candidates, at the hotel after the assessment.
• They have dinner together, and Lu Weifeng shares information about the Martial Artist world, including the existence of 'Divine Blood.'
• Chen Shouyi learns that 'Divine Blood,' extracted from fallen Otherworld Deities, is used for Martial Artist cultivation.
• After dinner, Lu Weifeng suggests going to a relaxation spot, but Chen Shouyi declines.
• Chen Shouyi checks the Martial Arts official website and finds he has passed the physical assessment.
• He searches for news about Dongning City and the haunted house at 18 Shigang Lane, finding that the house is still for sale and has a history of reported hauntings.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi: Shows curiosity and eagerness to learn about the Martial Artist world. He is cautious and declines Lu Weifeng's invitation to a relaxation spot.
• Lu Weifeng: Eager to befriend Chen Shouyi, he shares valuable information and pays for the group's dinner. He is open about his desire to move to Hedong City and cultivate as a Martial Artist.
• Wei Chenghao: Initially downcast about not passing the assessment, he decides to move to Hedong City with his family to support Lu Weifeng. He is curious and asks questions about 'Divine Blood.'

Significant Themes

• The Martial Artist world's secrets and the importance of networking.
• The existence and use of 'Divine Blood' for cultivation, raising ethical questions.
• The challenges and expenses of becoming a Martial Artist.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi, Lu Weifeng, and Wei Chenghao form a brief camaraderie, sharing a meal and conversation.
• Lu Weifeng tries to invite Chen Shouyi to a relaxation spot, but Chen Shouyi declines, showing his cautious nature.
• Wei Chenghao expresses his intention to move to Hedong City to support Lu Weifeng, showing loyalty and friendship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi continues practicing swordsmanship at the haunted house daily, improving his Strength, Perception, and Willpower.
• He receives a visit from Lu Weifeng, who accompanies him to the Martial Artist Club for an assessment.
• At the assessment, Chen Shouyi is openly recruited by the director of the notary office, who offers better conditions in Hedong City.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi remains focused on improving his skills and is indifferent to the attention he receives from others.
• Lu Weifeng is shown to be sociable and friendly, acting as a bridge between Chen Shouyi and other participants.
• The director of the notary office demonstrates a keen interest in recruiting Chen Shouyi, revealing his ambition and foresight.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and talent: The director's eagerness to recruit Chen Shouyi highlights the value placed on talent and potential in the martial arts world.
• Materialism: The high cost of housing in Hedong City is a concern for Chen Shouyi, showing the importance of material wealth in the post-apocalyptic world.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Lu Weifeng's friendship deepens as they spend more time together.
• Chen Shouyi's reputation precedes him, causing others to be curious and cautious around him.
• The director of the notary office attempts to build a rapport with Chen Shouyi, showing a more sociable side despite his stern reputation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Shouyi, a 17-year-old Martial Artist, visits the Martial Arts Notary and Disciplinary Supervision Department to decide his future path.
• He considers returning to his hometown, Dongning City, or staying in Hedong City for safety and opportunities.
• He joins a mission to assess and eliminate a Giant and its enslaved Barbarian tribe through a Space Channel.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi shows maturity and responsibility in considering his future and his family's well-being.
• Director Fang of the Notary Department shows understanding and patience towards Chen Shouyi's youth and indecision.
• The Barbarian tribe and the Giant exhibit their power dynamics and primitive nature.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between civilization and savagery, represented by the contrast between the Martial Artists and the Barbarians/Giant.
• The importance of decision-making and responsibility, as Chen Shouyi contemplates his future.
• The harsh reality of survival and power dynamics, as seen in the Giant's enslavement of the Barbarian tribe.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Director Fang discuss his future plans and the mission at hand.
• The Martial Artists interact with each other, showing nervousness and camaraderie before facing the Giant and the Barbarian tribe.
• The Barbarian tribe and the Giant exhibit a power imbalance, with the Giant dominating the tribe.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A group of 18 Martial Apprentices, including Chen Shouyi, embark on a practical combat assessment in the Otherworld.
• They encounter a massive, sleeping Giant surrounded by decomposing corpses and feces.
• The group decides to attack the Giant first, using archery as their primary strategy.
• They successfully wound the Giant, but it awakens and retaliates, revealing supernatural yellow light protecting its body.
• The Giant pursues Chen Shouyi, who prepares for a final stand, but Director Fang intervenes and kills the Giant with a single arrow.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi demonstrates courage, strategic thinking, and strong archery skills, but also shows fear when facing the Giant's charge.
• Director Fang proves to be an exceptional archer and a decisive leader, saving Chen Shouyi and the group from certain doom.

Significant Themes

• Fear and Courage: The encounter with the Giant instills fear in the group, but some, like Chen Shouyi and Director Fang, display courage in the face of danger.
• Teamwork and Leadership: The group initially works together, but panic sets in when the Giant awakens. Director Fang's intervention highlights the importance of leadership in crisis situations.
• Supernatural Elements: The Giant's yellow protective light introduces supernatural elements into the story, suggesting the Otherworld is not merely a dangerous place but also a realm where magical or extraordinary phenomena can occur.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Director Fang interact minimally, but their actions showcase a dynamic where Chen Shouyi takes the initiative in planning the attack, while Director Fang steps in to save the group when the situation becomes dire.
• The group initially works together, but some members panic and flee when the Giant awakens, highlighting the importance of psychological fortitude in survival situations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A group of prospective Martial Artists faces a trial against a Giant and later a Barbarian tribe.
• Chen Shouyi, the protagonist, demonstrates exceptional archery skills, killing the Giant with a perfectly aimed shot to its eye.
• The Giant, though seemingly defeated, rises again, and Chen Shouyi leads the group in finishing it off.
• After the Giant's defeat, the group faces a Barbarian tribe, which they slaughter despite the tribe's weakness and lack of resistance.

Character Developments

• Chen Shouyi: Proves his archery skills and leadership, showing courage and determination in battle.
• Director Fang: Reveals himself as a powerful Martial Artist, capable of killing the Giant with a single arrow.
• Other prospective Martial Artists: Show varying levels of skill and mental fortitude during the trials.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the fittest: The trials emphasize the harsh reality of the new world, where only the strong survive.
• The cost of violence: The aftermath of the Barbarian tribe's slaughter leaves the group with a heavy psychological burden.
• Leadership and teamwork: Chen Shouyi steps up as a leader, and the group works together to overcome challenges.

Character Interactions

• Chen Shouyi and Director Fang: Their interaction is minimal, but Fang acknowledges Chen Shouyi's skills, and they work together to defeat the Giant.
• Chen Shouyi and other prospective Martial Artists: They work as a team, supporting each other during the trials, though some struggle more than others.
• The group and the Barbarian tribe: The interaction is one-sided, with the group showing no mercy towards the tribe, highlighting the brutal nature of their new reality.