Chapter Summaries

Summary of Chapter 181: The Oriole

Key Plot Points and Events

• Golder and Clemens, a Wizard from the Six Ring Tower and the Walker Family patriarch respectively, team up to retrieve items from Nameless Snake Valley.
• Golder uses powerful Sorcery to clear the path, revealing his strength and impressing Clemens.
• Clemens plans to kill Witch Linda and keep the items for his family, revealing his ruthless side.
• Golder betrays Clemens, attacking him when his guard is down, and reveals he wants all the items for himself.
• Bernie, Clemens's nephew, betrays Clemens as well, attacking him with the help of the Pero Family patriarch and other powerful Wizards.
• Connie, presumed dead, appears and retrieves the item Clemens threw to Nina, then escapes.

Character Developments

• Golder: Reveals his ambitious and treacherous nature, willing to betray a long-time friend for personal gain.
• Clemens: Shows his ruthless side, willing to kill Linda for his family's benefit, but ultimately betrays by his own family.
• Bernie: Betrays his uncle Clemens, revealing his loyalty lies with the Pero Family.
• Connie: Survives the Hydra's Petrification Spell and plays a crucial role in retrieving the item.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and loyalty: Characters' loyalties shift, with Golder, Bernie, and Connie betraying Clemens.
• Power dynamics: The strength of Wizards and their Sorcery is emphasized, with Golder's power impressing Clemens and later threatening him.
• Family interests: Clemens's actions are driven by what's best for his family, while Bernie's actions are influenced by the Pero Family's interests.

Character Interactions

• Golder and Clemens: Start as allies, but Golder betrays Clemens for personal gain.
• Clemens and Nina: Clemens reveals his ruthless side to Nina, prioritizing family interests over Linda's life.
• Bernie and Clemens: Bernie betrays his uncle Clemens, revealing his loyalty to the Pero Family.
• Connie and Nina: Connie rescues Nina and retrieves the item, showing his importance to the story.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl escapes from the Hydra and Golder, using his Wrath of the Thunder God protection and shield resistance.
• Clemens blocks Golder's pursuit and activates a suicidal Soul Giant Arrow to hold him back.
• Karl is chased by Bernie, a Pero Family mid-first-ring Wizard, whom he kills using his Thousand Buddha Hands.
• Don, a Pero Family late-first-ring Wizard, arrives and engages Karl in a battle, using Water Element Binding and Boiling Sorcery.
• Karl uses the Twelve Constellations to trap Don and then kills him with Chain Fireball Talismans.

Character Developments

• Karl demonstrates his speed, shield resistance, and ability to use Talismans effectively.
• Clemens shows desperation and willingness to die to take Golder down with him.
• Don reveals his late-first-ring power and Water Sorcery abilities.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between Wizards and Knights, with Wizards being stronger at the same level due to their ability to borrow external forces.
• The importance of close combat for Knights against Wizards, as Karl's Legendary Knight abilities allow him to bypass Bernie's Sorcery.
• The desperation and willingness to die when cornered, as shown by Clemens and Karl's use of powerful, mutually destructive techniques.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Golder's pursuit and escape, with Golder betraying his friend for the Ghost Face Blood Vine.
• Karl and Bernie's battle, showcasing the difference in power between a mid-first-ring Wizard and a late-Legendary Knight.
• Karl and Don's battle, highlighting the challenge of facing a late-first-ring Wizard and the need for Karl to use his unique abilities to gain the upper hand.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl absorbs Bernie and Don's souls using the Divine Domain Fragment, gaining their knowledge of Sorcery.
• Karl learns that the Pero Family's inheritance is related to the Six Ring Tower and complements his own Meditation Method.
• Karl acquires a jade pendant containing Ghost-Faced Blood Vines, Magic Stones, and Magic Crystals from Clemens.
• Old Brin, a bird familiar, informs Karl about the brewing conflict between the Walker and Pero Families due to Nina's survival.
• Karl is invited to meet Harvey, his former disciple.

Character Developments

• Karl demonstrates his ruthlessness and strategic thinking by absorbing Bernie and Don's souls to gain their knowledge.
• Karl shows his ambition, stating that he doesn't need to envy others' opportunities as long as he has enough time to surpass them.
• Nina, despite her initial ruthlessness, shows remorse and seeks help from Linda, indicating a potential character growth.
• Linda displays kindness and wisdom, helping Nina and aiming to gain her trust for her family's benefit.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Power: Karl's ambition drives him to absorb Bernie and Don's souls to gain their knowledge, while Nina's ambition leads her to seek help to regain her family's standing.
• Trust and Betrayal: Linda's kindness towards Nina contrasts with Nina's initial betrayal, highlighting the theme of trust and its importance in relationships.
• Opportunity and Risk: Karl sees opportunities in the Pero Family's misfortune, while Nina and Linda take risks to gain benefits, showing that opportunities often come with risks.

Character Interactions

• Karl interacts with Old Brin, who provides him with information and expresses concern for his safety.
• Karl considers meeting Harvey, his former disciple, indicating a potential reunion and possible growth in their relationship.
• Nina interacts with Linda, showing remorse for her past actions and seeking her help, indicating a potential shift in their relationship.
• Linda interacts with her "brother," discussing their plans to gain benefits from Nina's situation, highlighting their familial bond and shared ambition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Harvey Walker apologizes on behalf of his family for the previous incident and returns the disassembled Wizard Tower materials and extra Float Stones to Karl.
• Karl declines the Walker Family's invitation to join them, stating he prefers his freedom.
• Karl agrees to meet the Walker Family at a trade fair he will organize in half a year, where he might be willing to trade the 'Ghost Face Blood Vine'.
• Karl successfully builds a rudimentary Wizard Tower using the returned materials and the Evil God's Eye.
• Within the Wizard Tower, Karl's Mental Power increases to 7.5, allowing him to advance to Mid First Ring Wizard.
• Karl establishes a connection between the Wizard Tower and the Astral Plane, revealing a desolate ruin.

Character Developments

• Harvey shows maturity and responsibility by apologizing to Karl and offering extra resources to make amends.
• Karl demonstrates his independence and self-reliance by declining the Walker Family's invitation and maintaining his distance despite their troubles.
• Karl's determination to build and use the Wizard Tower shows his ambition and resourcefulness.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: Karl's desire for power and his ambition to build and use the Wizard Tower drive the plot forward.
• Trust and Betrayal: The Walker Family's actions in the past have soured Karl's opinion of them, affecting his decisions and interactions.
• Growth and Development: Karl's cultivation progress and the development of his Wizard Tower illustrate his growth as a character.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Harvey: Their interaction shows Harvey's willingness to make amends and Karl's independence and wariness due to past betrayals.
• Karl and the Walker Family: Karl's decision to meet them at a trade fair but not join them shows his willingness to maintain a distant, business-like relationship.

In Chapter 185, "Trade Fair," Karl explores a desolate, dying world within the Astral Plane, encountering a Death Wraith, an ominous creature born from death. Six months later, Karl hosts a trade fair on Pirate Island, attracting various powerful wizards, including Old Bulin, Nina and Harvey of the Walker Family, Angli, and a mysterious Second-Ring Wizard disguised as "Roger." Karl offers a Ghost Face Blood Vine, sought for its cultivation benefits, and attendees present valuable items or offers in exchange. Notable offerings include a Dragon Blood-quenched dagger from Old Bulin, Holy Knight cultivation insights and a sword technique from Nina and Harvey, and Houjing's fish eggs from Roger. Karl accepts Roger's offer, trading the Ghost Face Blood Vine for the valuable creature eggs. Key plot points include Karl's exploration of the Astral Plane, the trade fair event, and the valuable items exchanged. Character developments involve Angli's rapid progression in power and Roger's mysterious identity. Significant themes include the allure of power and the value of rare resources. Character interactions highlight the competitive and secretive nature of the wizards attending the trade fair.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nina Walker is desperate to obtain the Ghost Face Blood Vine to advance her cultivation and save her family from being exploited by other great families.
• Karl, a mysterious Second-Ring Wizard, trades with various Wizards, including Nina, at a trade fair.
• Karl reveals he encountered a Death Wraith and seeks solutions, leading to a discussion about its weaknesses.
• Karl trades the second Ghost Face Blood Vine with Harvey Walker in secret, as Harvey's aunt had obtained the first one.
• Karl inventories his gains, planning to advance his cultivation and explore the Holy Knight inheritance.

Character Developments

• Nina Walker: Desperate and determined to save her family, she's willing to take risks to obtain the Ghost Face Blood Vine.
• Karl: Displaying his wealth and power, he trades with various Wizards, showing interest in both Wizardry and Martial Arts cultivation.
• Harvey Walker: Shows cunning and resourcefulness in obtaining the second Ghost Face Blood Vine secretly to benefit his family.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and resources among great families.
• The desperation of Nina Walker to save her family, highlighting her determination and resilience.
• The pursuit of cultivation and advancement by Wizards, often at great personal risk.

Character Interactions

• Nina Walker and Karl: They interact in a tense trade negotiation, with Nina trying to hide her desperation while Karl remains calm and in control.
• Karl and Harvey Walker: They secretly trade the second Ghost Face Blood Vine, with Harvey showing gratitude and Karl acknowledging the favor.
• Karl and other Wizards: Karl trades with various Wizards at the fair, showcasing his wealth and power while gathering information about the Death Wraith.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl's Wizard Tower takes flight, revealing its basic state and lack of second floor.
• Karl demonstrates his Thousand Buddha Hands and Vajra Release, reaching the Ten-Hand Realm.
• Karl learns about Harvey's wedding and attends as a guest.
• Nina, tipsy, drags Karl to a bedroom, revealing she knows his true identity and offering the Walker Family's help.

Character Developments

• Karl continues to improve his strength, reaching the Ten-Hand Realm.
• Nina, under the influence of alcohol, reveals her feelings and knowledge about Karl's true identity.
• Cromwell, Nina's suitor, becomes worried and anxious when Nina disappears with Karl.

Significant Themes

• Disguise and True Identity: Karl's true identity as a Six Ring Tower practitioner is discovered by Nina.
• Power and Strength: Karl's continuous cultivation improvements highlight the importance of power in the Magic Forest.
• Relationships and Alliances: Nina's offer of the Walker Family's help to Karl emphasizes the importance of alliances in the Magic Forest.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Nina: Their interaction reveals Nina's knowledge of Karl's true identity and her desire for him.
• Cromwell and Nina: Cromwell's worry and anxiety highlight his feelings for Nina and his concern about her actions with Karl.
• Karl and Cromwell: Though they don't interact directly, Cromwell's worry about Karl's presence with Nina creates tension.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nina wakes up early, feeling discomfort from her wedding night, and finds Harvey training. She learns that Karl (Connie) is still at the Walker Family residence.
• Nina approaches Karl in the side hall, asking for his help against the Pero Family. She reveals that the patriarchs of the four great families have crystal fragments that grant them control over the Dream Market and protect them from higher-ranked wizards.
• Nina offers Karl her crystal fragment and asks him to help her kill Fuen, the patriarch of the Pero Family, to avenge her family and secure their position in the Dream Market.

Character Developments

• Nina: Shows determination and courage, willing to fight to the death for her family. She also demonstrates strategic thinking by offering Karl her crystal fragment and seeking his help.
• Karl: Reveals his feud with the Pero Family. He's initially hesitant to help Nina but eventually agrees, showing a sense of responsibility towards his disciple, Harvey, and the Walker Family.

Significant Themes

• Family loyalty and revenge: Nina's primary motivation is to avenge her father and protect her family's legacy. Karl, despite his initial reluctance, agrees to help due to his connection with Harvey and the Walker Family.
• Power dynamics: The crystal fragments represent power and influence within the Dream Market. The four great families' patriarchs use these fragments to maintain their status and protect their families.
• Trust and alliances: Nina trusts Karl enough to share her family's secret and offer him her crystal fragment, hoping to form an alliance against their common enemy, the Pero Family.

Character Interactions

• Nina and Harvey: They share a brief, tense interaction due to Harvey's focus on training and Nina's displeasure at his lack of attention towards her after their wedding.
• Nina and Karl: Their interaction is intense and revealing, as Nina shares her family's secret and asks for Karl's help. Karl, initially hesitant, eventually agrees to assist her, forming a tentative alliance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl purchases a Witchcraft Artifact, Staff of Purification, from Lynn at the Dream Market for two thousand Magic Stones.
• Karl is ambushed by Ivory, the Executioner of the Pero Family, and his companion Hant, a Wizard.
• Karl engages in a battle with Ivory and Hant, using his martial arts skills and Sorcery against their Wizard spells.
• Karl defeats Ivory and Hant, killing them both.
• Karl leaves the scene as Nina and her allies arrive.

Character Developments

• Karl demonstrates his strength and skill in combat, defeating two powerful opponents.
• Karl shows his determination to fulfill his promises, completing the task Nina had asked of him.
• Nina shows her strategic thinking, planning to use Karl to lure Ivory and Hant away from the Dream Market.
• Ivory and Hant show their arrogance and underestimation of Karl's abilities.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between Wizards and Knights, with Wizards having powerful offensive spells but weak defense, and Knights having strong defense but weaker offense.
• The importance of strategy and planning in combat, as shown by Nina's plan to use Karl to lure Ivory and Hant away.
• The theme of trust and fulfillment of promises, as shown by Karl's determination to complete the task Nina gave him.

Character Interactions

• Karl interacts with Lynn, the artifact refiner, negotiating the price of the Staff of Purification.
• Karl battles Ivory and Hant, showcasing his skills and strategies against their Wizard spells.
• Karl interacts briefly with Nina and her allies, leaving the scene after completing his task.
• Nina interacts with her allies, planning their next move against Fuen, the head of the Pero Family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nina, newly promoted to Late First Ring, challenges the Pero Family patriarch, Fuen, to avenge her family.
• Karl encounters Golder, who seeks the second Ghost Face Blood Vine. Karl reveals he sold it to Nina.
• Karl and Golder engage in a fierce battle. Karl uses his full power and outsmarts Golder, ultimately defeating and killing him.

Character Developments

• Nina shows boldness and determination by challenging Fuen immediately after her advancement.
• Karl demonstrates his strength and cunning, defeating Golder despite being a Mid First Ring Wizard.
• Golder reveals his arrogant and overbearing nature, underestimating Karl and using powerful talismans against him.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and Justice: Nina's actions are driven by her desire to avenge her family, while Karl seeks to settle an old score with Golder.
• Power and Status: The Green Family's descendants, like Golder, believe they are superior and can disregard others, leading to their downfall.
• Cunning and Strategy: Karl's victory over Golder highlights the importance of strategy and adaptability in battle.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Golder's interaction showcases their mutual animosity and the power dynamics between them.
• Karl's brief interaction with Nina reveals his respect for her boldness and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fuen, Pero Family's patriarch, attempts to escape but is ambushed by the Walker Family, led by Nina, who seeks revenge for her father's death.
• Hagai, a late First-Ring Bloodline Wizard, joins the fight to help Nina.
• Cromwell, a Sealer, uses his abilities to hinder Fuen's escape.
• Fuen fights back valiantly but is eventually overwhelmed and killed.
• Meanwhile, Karl, a Divine Domain Fragment, captures Golder, a member of the Green Family, and begins to analyze his memories.

Character Developments

• Nina shows determination and strategic planning in her quest for revenge.
• Fuen demonstrates his powerful Sorcery skills but ultimately falls in battle.
• Karl shows interest in learning the Green Family's Sorcery inheritance.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and its consequences (Nina's pursuit of revenge leads to heavy losses for her family).
• The power of family alliances (Hagai's assistance to the Walker Family tips the battle in their favor).
• The pursuit of knowledge and power (Karl's interest in the Green Family's Sorcery inheritance).

Character Interactions

• Nina and Fuen: Enemies engaged in a deadly battle.
• Nina and Hagai: Temporary allies against Fuen.
• Karl and Golder: Captor and captive, with Karl seeking to learn from Golder's memories.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Wizard Tower on the Kalim Continent is connected to the Astral Plane, with a Demiplane on the verge of collapse.
• A woman in a Wizard robe, exploring a black hole, senses another bloodline's death in the Magic Forest.
• The Walker Family returns to the Dream Market after defeating the Pero Family, with Nina planning to eradicate them.
• Nina kills Cromwell, who had helped her, due to his hidden motives.
• Karl visits Nina, informs her he'll keep the crystal shards, and hints at her to clean up after killing Cromwell.

Character Developments

• The woman in the Wizard robe shows concern for the dying bloodlines and demands an explanation.
• Nina displays ruthlessness and cunning, killing Cromwell after using him and realizing his hidden intentions.
• Karl shows determination to keep the crystal shards, hinting at external pressure.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and alliances in the Dream Market.
• Betrayal and hidden motives among allies and family members.
• The consequences of breaking promises and the importance of trust.

Character Interactions

• The woman in the Wizard robe communicates with Archwizards through the Wizard Tower.
• Nina interacts with Cromwell, first showing gratitude and then killing him.
• Karl interacts with Nina, informing her of his decision to keep the crystal shards and hinting at her to clean up after killing Cromwell.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl enters a collapsing Divine Domain to hunt Death Wraiths, powerful beings that feed on the life force of living creatures.
• He encounters and defeats an Early First-Rank Death Wraith using a combination of sorcery, martial arts, and his unique abilities.
• He discovers that Death Wraiths can revive indefinitely in their environment and that their Soul Cores can significantly boost Mental Power cultivation.
• Karl decides to focus on cultivating his Knight's path to face an impending threat from the Green Family.

Character Developments

• Karl demonstrates his versatility and resourcefulness in combat, adapting to the unique challenges posed by Death Wraiths.
• He shows determination and strategic thinking in planning his cultivation path to counter the growing threats he faces.

Significant Themes

• The theme of adaptation and versatility is highlighted as Karl faces new challenges and finds ways to overcome them.
• The theme of cultivation and growth is emphasized as Karl seeks to improve his powers to protect himself and those he cares about.

Character Interactions

• Karl interacts with Death Wraiths, using his skills and abilities to combat and defeat them.
• Although not present in this chapter, the Green Family is mentioned as a looming threat, driving Karl's actions and decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl trains and assesses his progress, finding he needs more to break through to the next Legendary Knight realm.
• Little John, hidden under a Gray Tarp, encounters Ghouls and a Fear Demon in the Collapsed Divine Domain, nearly dying from fear and the creatures' attacks.
• Karl saves Little John using his Sorcery, specifically the Water of Vitality spell, reviving him and healing his injuries.

Character Developments

• Karl: He continues to train and assess his progress, understanding that he needs to break through his physical limits and cultivate his Martial Will to advance further. He also demonstrates his power and compassion by saving Little John.
• Little John: He shows his resourcefulness and survival skills by using the Gray Tarp to hide from the Ghouls and Fear Demons. However, he also displays his vulnerability and fear in the face of powerful Evil Creatures.

Significant Themes

• Fear and its consequences: Little John's encounter with the Fear Demons highlights the power of fear and how it can be used to manipulate and control. It also shows the importance of maintaining composure and courage in the face of danger.
• Power and its responsible use: Karl's intervention demonstrates the responsible use of power to protect the weak and innocent. He uses his Sorcery to save Little John without causing unnecessary harm to the Fear Demons, showing restraint and compassion.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Little John: Their interaction is brief but significant. Karl saves Little John's life, showing kindness and concern for the boy's well-being. Little John, in turn, shows gratitude and understanding, acknowledging Karl's help. This interaction foreshadows a potential bond between the two characters.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl encounters Little John, who mistakes him for a 'God's Envoy' from another Void City.
• Little John guides Karl to his Void City, revealing information about Abnormalities (evil creatures) and their levels.
• Karl encounters and temporarily dispels a Nightmare-class Death Wraith, impressing Little John.
• They reach Void City, a small, dilapidated village protected by an invisible force from an ore vein.

Character Developments

• Little John: Initially excited and fearful, he becomes more respectful and awestruck by Karl's abilities.
• Karl: Shows interest in the local environment and its inhabitants, discovering that Little John's body has been modified to adapt to his surroundings.

Significant Themes

• Survival in a post-apocalyptic world filled with dangerous Abnormalities.
• Adaptation and evolution of humans and creatures in response to the new environment.
• The power and limitations of 'God's Envoys' and their role in protecting the people.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Little John: Karl learns about the local environment and creatures from Little John, while Little John is amazed by Karl's abilities and sees him as a powerful 'God's Envoy'.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl enters Void City, a protected area with a powerful rule power that suppresses strength and flight.
• Little John returns to Void City with an Insect Nest, hoping to learn the Farming Technique to ensure survival.
• Karl meets Mac, a disciple of Bowen God's Envoy, who is wary of Karl's outsider status and refuses him entry to the Inner City and mines.
• Karl shows interest in a God-bestowed Item, a stone tablet that contains cultivation methods.

Character Developments

• Karl: Shows curiosity and caution in exploring Void City and its rules. He's interested in the God-bestowed Item and its potential secrets.
• Little John: Demonstrates kindness and selflessness by giving the Insect Nest to Sister Lulu, hoping she can learn the Farming Technique and have a better life.
• Mac: Reveals wariness towards outsiders, prioritizing the safety and rules of Void City.

Significant Themes

• Trust vs. Caution: Mac's caution towards Karl highlights the importance of trust in this world, especially when dealing with outsiders.
• Survival and Thrival: The inhabitants of Void City face harsh conditions, emphasizing the importance of skills and resources for survival.
• Power and Protection: The rule power in Void City demonstrates the importance of power and protection in this world.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Little John: Karl shows interest in John's life and his kindness towards Sister Lulu. He also teaches John about the importance of skills for survival.
• Mac and Karl: Mac shows caution and wariness towards Karl, refusing him entry to the Inner City and mines until his mentor returns.
• Little John and Sister Lulu: John shows kindness and selflessness towards Sister Lulu, hoping she can have a better life by learning the Farming Technique.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl leaves Void City, and McJin reports to Cloud God's Envoy about Karl's interest in their God-bestowed Item.
• Cloud God's Envoy reveals that the Divine Fire, which protects Void City, will extinguish within 20-30 years.
• McJin and Cloud God's Envoy discuss the possibility of taking the Divine Fire to Mu Jiu Void City for survival, which would mean certain death for the current Void City inhabitants.
• Karl returns to Void City after half a month, having advanced his Thousand Buddha Hands to the Hundred Hands Realm.
• John tells Karl that McJin still refuses to let him enter the inner city and that other God-bestowed Items are also in the inner city.
• Karl asks John to find something belonging to Bowen God's Envoy.

Character Developments

• Karl: Advances his Thousand Buddha Hands to the Hundred Hands Realm, increasing his chances of becoming a Holy Knight.
• McJin: Stands firm against taking the Divine Fire to Mu Jiu Void City, prioritizing the survival of his current Void City inhabitants.
• Cloud God's Envoy: Reveals the dire situation of the Divine Fire and is willing to sacrifice the current Void City for the survival of a select few.
• John: Remains naive and innocent, believing in legends of a peaceful Divine Domain and God's Envoys taking obedient children there.

Significant Themes

• Survival and sacrifice: Characters grapple with the reality of their situation and the need to make difficult decisions for the greater good or personal gain.
• Prophecy and belief: The prophecy of a Deity coming to save the world is questioned, highlighting the power of belief and its impact on actions.
• Power dynamics: The relationship between Karl, McJin, and Cloud God's Envoy showcases the influence of power and status on decision-making and interactions.

Character Interactions

• Karl and McJin: Karl's persistence in entering the inner city clashes with McJin's refusal, leading to tension between them.
• McJin and Cloud God's Envoy: They discuss the dire situation of the Divine Fire and the potential solution of taking it to Mu Jiu Void City, revealing their differing views on sacrifice and survival.
• Karl and John: Karl interacts with John, learning about the child's expectations for God's Envoys and his limited understanding of their world.

Key Plot Points

• Ubi teaches Lulu about Mother Insects, emphasizing their intelligence and the danger they face from Evil Creatures.
• Ubi reveals that the God's Envoy plans to leave Void City with the Divine Fire, putting the city's inhabitants at risk.
• Karl, using a flag with traces of Bowen's aura, searches for Bowen in the desert.
• Bowen is trapped and besieged by three Crystallized Persons in a mine, struggling to maintain his sanity and fight back.

Character Developments

• Lulu: Struggles with the news of the Divine Fire's departure, trying to find a way to save John and others.
• Karl: Discovers the benefits of the God-bestowed Item on his cultivation and seeks Bowen to learn about the situation in Void City.
• Bowen: Trapped and overwhelmed by Crystallized Persons, fights to survive and escape.

Significant Themes

• The danger of intelligence for both humans and Mother Insects, attracting Evil Creatures.
• The impending crisis in Void City due to the Divine Fire's departure.
• The struggle for survival and the consequences of being caught off guard, as seen in Bowen's predicament.

Character Interactions

• Lulu and John: Lulu tries to convince John to follow Bowen to another Void City for safety.
• Karl and Bowen: Karl searches for Bowen to discuss the situation in Void City, while Bowen fights for his life against Crystallized Persons.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bowen, a God's Envoy from Void City, encounters a Crystallized Person, a transformed human with an immortal body, who tries to recruit him.
• Bowen's physical prowess is no match for the Crystallized Person's defenses, and he's affected by its strange power.
• Karl, another God's Envoy, intervenes and saves Bowen from the Crystallized People, killing three of them and gaining Source Quality from each kill.

Character Developments

• Bowen: Shows his exceptional physical strength with the Thunder Tempering Body cultivation method. He's affected by the Crystallized Person's power but eventually resists it. He reveals that Void City's Divine Fire is weakening, leading them to explore abandoned Void Cities for Divine Marrow.
• Karl: Demonstrates his strength and movement techniques, contending with the Crystallized People. He reveals that he's been surviving outside Void Cities and is looking for a place to stay. He's aware of the need for Divine Stones to resist the strange forces in the collapsing Divine Domain.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for survival in the collapsing Divine Domain, with Void Cities and Divine Stones being crucial for maintaining sanity.
• The transformation of humans into Crystallized People as a means to survive the world's destruction.
• The power dynamics between Void Cities and their God's Envoys, with Bowen and Karl both seeking resources and safety.

Character Interactions

• Bowen and the Crystallized Person (Diff): Diff tries to recruit Bowen, affecting his mind and body, but Bowen resists and tries to escape.
• Bowen and Karl: Karl saves Bowen from the Crystallized People, and they discuss their situations. Bowen invites Karl to stay in Void City, and they plan to return together.
• Karl and the Crystallized People: Karl fights and kills three Crystallized People, gaining Source Quality from each kill.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Aura God's Envoy arrives at Void City to retrieve the Divine Fire.
• The Divine Fire is found to have only 17 years of burning time left, less than previously estimated.
• A group of talented individuals from Void City, including Lulu and McJin, are to be taken to Mu Jiu Void City.
• Bowen God's Envoy returns, attempting to stop Aura from taking the Divine Fire, revealing that he survived the crystalline Evil Creatures.
• Aura and Bowen engage in a confrontation, with Karl stepping in to face Aura.

Character Developments

• Aura: Shows concern for the Divine Fire's burning time and is willing to take Void City's talented individuals to Mu Jiu Void City.
• Bowen: Returns to Void City, revealing his survival and determination to protect his city and its people.
• McJin: Initially reluctant to leave Void City, shows a flicker of joy upon seeing Bowen's return.
• Karl: Intervenes in the confrontation between Aura and Bowen, positioning himself as an opponent to Aura.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal: The Cloud God's Envoy betrays Void City by agreeing to hand over the Divine Fire to Aura.
• Loyalty: Bowen's loyalty to Void City and its people is demonstrated by his return and attempt to stop Aura.
• Survival: The struggle for survival is a central theme, with Void City's people facing extinction without the Divine Fire's protection.

Character Interactions

• Aura and the Cloud God's Envoy: They discuss the Divine Fire's burning time and the decision to take Void City's talented individuals to Mu Jiu Void City.
• Bowen and the Cloud God's Envoy: Bowen confronts the Cloud God's Envoy for betraying Void City, leading to a tense exchange.
• Aura and Bowen: They engage in a confrontation, with Aura expressing surprise at Bowen's survival and Bowen determined to stop her.
• Karl and Aura: Karl steps in to face Aura, positioning himself as an opponent and setting the stage for a potential conflict.