Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Craving”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Prumelia wins a wager against the Gambler Ghost, recovering the old Almanac. She refuses to let Fenwu obtain it, even though she has no immediate use for it.
• The Gambler Ghost insists on continuing to gamble despite losing. Prumelia bets on “heads,” and the Copper Coin lands on “May all your wishes come true,” causing the Gambler Ghost to lose itself.
• The Gambler Ghost’s supernatural rules transfer to Prumelia, and she learns its true name: Craving. Its corpse becomes an ordinary dead body.
• Prumelia decides that directly controlling Craving or Zhaoyou would expose dangerous weaknesses to Fenwu. Instead, she devises a plan to brainwash a servant, transfer the Ghosts to that servant through gambling, and control the servant herself—allowing her to use their powers without suffering their rule-based backlash.
• Returning to the Saint Abilene Airship, Prumelia encounters the Lamp-Blowing Ghost, which calls her by her former identity and name. Although she knows herself as Ning Zhe, she instinctively responds to the voice as Prumelia.
• The conflicting identities cause her to mentally collapse. Ning Zhe explains that her condition resembles Yan Yukuang’s earlier identity breakdown after being reset by Great Haunt.
• Ning Zhe embraces the disoriented Prumelia, tells her that she is truly Prumelia, and places a Thought Imprint on her.
• Using Great Haunt, he deletes the memories Prumelia stole from Ning Zhe through Taiyi, leaving only the identity of Prumelia as perceived through Meilin’s memories.
• Prumelia falls asleep, and Ning Zhe leaves with the Bronze Mirror. The chapter ends Volume Three, Roaming the World.

Character Developments

• Prumelia/Ning Zhe: Prumelia becomes more strategic and calculating, seeking ways to exploit Craving without personally bearing its dangers. However, her divided identity proves unstable. Her instinctive reaction to Meilin’s voice reveals that her erased self and implanted identity are not completely gone.
• Ning Zhe: He acts both as manipulator and caretaker. He deliberately exploits Prumelia’s identity crisis, but also comforts her and restores a stable identity—one centered entirely on Prumelia, rather than Ning Zhe.
• The Gambler Ghost/Craving: Its defining trait is revealed as insatiable greed and an absolute refusal to accept defeat or a draw. It honors its bets, even when the wager costs it its own existence.
• Fenwu: Though absent, Fenwu remains a major influence. Prumelia’s decisions are shaped by her desire to oppose Fenwu and avoid revealing weaknesses to her.
• Meilin: She does not physically appear, but her voice and relationship with Prumelia remain deeply embedded in Prumelia’s instincts, demonstrating the lasting power of emotional memory.

Significant Themes

• Identity and selfhood: The chapter explores whether identity comes from memories, consciousness, instinct, or the perceptions of others. Prumelia’s collapse shows the devastating consequences of conflicting selves.
• Memory and manipulation: Great Haunt can erase and reshape personal history, while Thought Imprints impose loyalty and belief. The chapter questions whether a constructed identity can become more “real” than an original one.
• Control and exploitation: Ning Zhe treats supernatural powers and people alike as tools in a larger strategy, seeking to control servants who can bear the risks of Ghost rules for him.
• Greed and desire: Craving embodies limitless desire and the inability to accept loss. Prumelia’s own interest in “freeloading” and acquiring power reflects a related, though more calculated, form of craving.
• The danger of knowledge and weakness: Controlling additional Ghosts may grant power but also exposes vulnerabilities. Prumelia recognizes that every new supernatural rule can become a weapon Fenwu uses against her.

Character Interactions

• Prumelia and the Gambler Ghost: Their repeated wager reveals their opposing personalities: Prumelia is confident and strategic, while the Gambler Ghost is compulsively greedy. Prumelia ultimately wins both the Almanac and ownership of Craving.
• Prumelia and Xia Rong: Prumelia celebrates recovering the Almanac while affectionately patting Xia Rong’s head, presenting a rare moment of warmth amid her schemes.
• Prumelia/Ning Zhe and the Lamp-Blowing Ghost: The Ghost’s use of Meilin’s familiar voice triggers Prumelia’s buried emotional identity and initiates her psychological breakdown.
• Ning Zhe and Prumelia: Ning Zhe assumes complete authority over her identity. He first observes and exploits her terror, then reassures her, imprints the belief that she is Prumelia, erases the remaining Ning Zhe memories, and leaves her sleeping.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe, the protagonist, leaves his Hometown to explore the world.
• The volume introduces several ghosts with unique abilities and flaws, including Mad Fire, Inverted Ghost, Lamp-Blowing Ghost, Necromancer, Great Yin, Craving, Xi Zhao, and Great Haunt.
• Ning Zhe encounters these ghosts but doesn't travel far from his starting point, leading to a slow pacing.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: He begins his journey, but his character development is minimal in this volume.
• Ghosts: Their abilities and flaws are detailed, but their individual developments are not explored.

Significant Themes

• Exploration and discovery: Ning Zhe's journey symbolizes this, though it's limited in this volume.
• The unknown: The ghosts' abilities and flaws represent the mysterious and often dangerous aspects of the world Ning Zhe enters.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe interacts with various ghosts, but these encounters are mostly one-sided, with the ghosts' abilities affecting him rather than any mutual exchange.
• There's no significant interaction between Ning Zhe and other human characters in this volume.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Prumelia experiences a vivid dream or vision after death, seeing a colossal serpent and a red figure singing an incomprehensible Chinese song.
• She awakens in an unknown place, greeted by a young man named Ning Zhe.
• Prumelia recognizes Ning Zhe as a divine figure from her past, kneeling before him in worship.

Character Developments

• Prumelia's memories are altered, leading her to believe Ning Zhe is a divine figure.
• Ning Zhe understands that Taiyi's ability to influence memories is limited, relying on Awakening Origin for its full effect.

Significant Themes

• Memory and Identity: The manipulation of memories shapes Prumelia's perception of reality and identity.
• Divinity and Belief: Prumelia's worship of Ning Zhe explores the theme of divine figures and belief systems.

Character Interactions

• Prumelia and Ning Zhe: Prumelia's altered memories lead her to interact with Ning Zhe as a divine figure, kneeling before him in worship.
• Ning Zhe and Fenwu (off-page): Ning Zhe speculates about Fenwu's persistence, potentially driven by Awakening Origin's compatibility with Tai Chong.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe suspects Fenwu's true objective is Awakening Origin, not Zhaoyou.
• He plays a game of chess with Prumelia, wagering Zhaoyou to draw Fenwu's attention.
• After the game, they return to the Saint Abilene Airship, where Xia Yubing and Meilin are waiting.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: He deliberately places himself in danger by reclaiming Zhaoyou to draw Fenwu's attention, showing his strategic thinking and willingness to take risks.
• Prumelia: She remains loyal and obedient to Ning Zhe, accepting his decisions without question. She also shows intelligence and grace in their chess game.
• Xia Yubing: She feels a sense of security and relaxation around Ning Zhe, showing her trust in him and her growing attachment.

Significant Themes

• Strategy and Risk-taking: Ning Zhe's decision to reclaim Zhaoyou shows his strategic thinking and willingness to take risks to protect himself and those around him.
• Loyalty and Trust: Prumelia's loyalty to Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing's trust in him highlight the importance of these qualities in their relationships.
• Power Dynamics: The game of chess between Ning Zhe and Prumelia, and the wager of Zhaoyou, reflect the power dynamics between them and Fenwu.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Prumelia: Their chess game and wager reflect their strategic minds and understanding of each other's capabilities.
• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing: Xia Yubing's relaxed demeanor around Ning Zhe shows her trust and growing attachment to him.
• Prumelia and Meilin: Prumelia's reunion with Meilin shows their close bond and Meilin's relief at seeing her mistress safe.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Prumelia, Meilin's half-sister, returns after being missing for a long time.
• Meilin and Prumelia leave the Dyk Family's airship after meeting Ning Zhe.
• Ning Zhe explains the situation to Xia Yubing: the Golden Clan's representative's disappearance, the Gambler Ghost's escape, and the four great families' plot involving Lan Shiwen.

Character Developments

• Meilin: Shows strong emotions upon seeing Prumelia, hinting at a complex relationship between them.
• Prumelia: Returns with no explanation for her absence, showing no reaction to the woman beside Ning Zhe.
• Xia Yubing: Feels helpless and useless due to her inability to assist Ning Zhe in his current struggles, leading to a bout of self-doubt.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between paths to Ascendance, which is portrayed as a life-or-death situation.
• The importance of having reliable allies and the burden of having someone who can't provide assistance.

Character Interactions

• Meilin and Prumelia: Their interaction is brief but tense, with a thick barrier between them.
• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing: Ning Zhe comforts Xia Yubing, who feels helpless and useless, leading to a heart-to-heart conversation.
• Xia Yubing and Ning Zhe: Xia Yubing expresses her concerns and insecurities, while Ning Zhe reassures her of her importance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Yubing learns that Ning Zhe is only 18, not an adult.
• Ning Zhe retrieves an almanac from a ghost he controls.
• Xia Yubing locks the room door and initiates a romantic advance on Ning Zhe.
• Prumelia and Meilin leave the airship and discuss the events of the meeting with the representatives of the four great families.

Character Developments

• Xia Yubing: Realizes her feelings for Ning Zhe and acts on them.
• Ning Zhe: Remains calm and collected, revealing little about his thoughts or emotions.
• Prumelia: Decides to investigate the Golden Clan's representative's disappearance and vows not to disappoint her master.

Significant Themes

• Age and power dynamics in relationships (Xia Yubing and Ning Zhe).
• Trust and loyalty (Prumelia's dedication to her master).
• The consequences of the meeting between the four great families' representatives.

Character Interactions

• Xia Yubing and Ning Zhe: Xia Yubing initiates a romantic interaction, while Ning Zhe remains composed.
• Prumelia and Meilin: They discuss the events of the meeting and Prumelia's new task.
• Prumelia and Fenwu (implied): Prumelia lists Fenwu as an enemy in her heart.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Prumelia and Meilin arrive in Vivian Port, a sinking historic city, to meet Julius Gullveig.
• They meet Julius at his riverside mansion, where he introduces them to Andanieva, the last person to see his cousin Katyusha before she disappeared.
• Andanieva recounts her experience massaging Katyusha, revealing that she found Katyusha's body cold and stiff with rigor mortis.

Character Developments

• Prumelia: Shows concern and empathy towards Andanieva.
• Julius Gullveig: Displayed charm and playfulness, but serious when discussing Katyusha's disappearance.
• Andanieva: Initially nervous, but opens up as she recounts her experience.

Significant Themes

• The decay and neglect of Vivian Port, reflecting the city's decline and the local government's inaction.
• The stark contrast between the old and new districts of the city, mirroring the divide between the rich and the poor.

Character Interactions

• Prumelia and Julius: Their interaction is brief but cordial, with Julius showing affection towards Prumelia.
• Meilin and Julius: Meilin is cautious and serious around Julius, while he teases her playfully.
• Andanieva and Prumelia: Prumelia treats Andanieva gently and respectfully, putting her at ease.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A blind masseuse recounts massaging a corpse that spoke to her in the voice of Katyusha Gulvig, the Bestowed One of the Gambler Ghost.
• Katyusha's body is missing from the hotel suite where the masseuse encountered the corpse.
• The masseuse's husband is also missing.

Character Developments

• The blind masseuse is traumatized by her encounter with the corpse and Katyusha's voice.
• Julius, Meilin, and Prumelia are investigating Katyusha's death and the Gambler Ghost's escape.

Significant Themes

• The blurring of the line between the living and the dead.
• The power dynamics and secrets within the Gulvig family.
• The consequences of meddling with supernatural forces.

Character Interactions

• Julius, Meilin, and Prumelia discuss the case, sharing information and theories.
• The blind masseuse interacts with the group, recounting her terrifying experience.
• Julius shows concern for Prumelia, pouring her a glass of pomegranate juice.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The corpse found in Katyusha's hotel room wasn't Katyusha.
• Prumelia deduces that Katyusha faked her death with the help of a blind masseuse.
• Prumelia learns that Katyusha was staying at the Peaceful Home Hotel in Old Town, run by the An family from Yongzhou.
• Prumelia and Meilin are involved in a car accident on their way to the hotel.

Character Developments

• Prumelia shows maturity and determination in pursuing the case, even keeping secrets from Julius.
• Meilin demonstrates loyalty and concern for Prumelia's safety.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of truth and justice, even in the face of danger.
• The consequences of one's actions and the need to eliminate loose ends (as seen in Fenwu's perspective).

Character Interactions

• Prumelia and Julius: Julius provides information and support, but Prumelia keeps secrets, showing growth and independence.
• Prumelia and Meilin: They work together, with Meilin showing concern for Prumelia's safety.
• Prumelia and Fenwu: Though not directly interacting, Prumelia is aware that Fenwu is also searching for Katyusha, creating a race against time.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meilin and Prumelia are involved in a car accident; the other driver, a man in critical condition, is obsessed with reaching Apostle Road 151.
• They follow the injured man to the "Home Sweet Home" Hotel in the old district of Vivian Port.
• The hotel owner, An Delie, meets them, revealing that his brother, Anderson, is away on business.

Character Developments

• Meilin: Shows concern and caution towards the injured man, demonstrating her responsible nature.
• Prumelia: Displays curiosity and intelligence, questioning the hotel owner's name and showing interest in his family's naming tradition.
• An Delie: Portrays himself as a friendly and knowledgeable individual, explaining his family's naming tradition and his brother's whereabouts.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fate and destiny is introduced through the hotel owner's explanation of his and his brother's names.
• The importance of family is hinted at, with both Meilin and Prumelia showing concern for the injured man's family and An Delie mentioning his brother's absence.

Character Interactions

• Meilin and Prumelia work together to help the injured man and reach their destination.
• Meilin and Prumelia interact with An Delie, with Prumelia showing curiosity about his name and family tradition.
• An Delie is friendly and accommodating towards Meilin and Prumelia, providing information and assistance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing spend the night together.
• Ning Zhe realizes that Fenwu altered his memories in the past.
• He lists people whose memories Fenwu has altered, trying to find a common thread.

Character Developments

• Xia Yubing becomes more comfortable with Ning Zhe and shows concern for his safety.
• Ning Zhe demonstrates his analytical skills and determination to uncover Fenwu's secrets.

Significant Themes

• The power of memories and their manipulation.
• The search for a common thread among Fenwu's targets to understand his methods.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing grow closer, sharing intimate moments and discussing serious matters.
• Ning Zhe reflects on his past experiences with Fenwu, trying to piece together clues about the Ascendant's abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Yubing and Ning Zhe discuss the strange events and Prumelia's notebook.
• Ning Zhe discovers that Prumelia has burned the written pages of her notebook.
• Ning Zhe sees Sally Sally's ghost in the reflection of the liquor cabinet, who calls him "Father."
• Xia Yubing returns from her shower and offers Ning Zhe a drink.

Character Developments

• Xia Yubing: Shows affection towards Ning Zhe, suggesting a growing intimacy.
• Ning Zhe: Demonstrates his sharp intellect and calm demeanor when faced with the supernatural.
• Sally Sally: Revealed to be a ghost driven by an obsession, seeking Ning Zhe.

Significant Themes

• Obsession: The theme is evident in the title and explored through the characters of the male Driver, Sally Sally, and potentially Katyusha.
• Death and the Afterlife: The appearance of Sally Sally's ghost raises questions about what happens after death.
• Supernatural Elements: The ghostly encounter further emphasizes the Weird Events that Ning Zhe and others experience.

Character Interactions

• Xia Yubing and Ning Zhe: Their relationship continues to develop, with Xia Yubing showing affection and Ning Zhe maintaining his composure.
• Ning Zhe and Sally Sally's Ghost: Ning Zhe's calm reaction to the ghostly encounter suggests he's not surprised by such occurrences.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meilin, Prumelia, and An Delie investigate Katyusha's suite at the Peaceful Home Hotel.
• They discover that Katyusha's body was found in the suite, and several groups (hotel staff, police, and Julius's people) had already visited the scene.
• An Delie receives news that the police found the sedan involved in Prumelia's accident, but the driver is missing.
• Meilin and Prumelia enter the suite and find it empty, with the door closing behind them, suggesting a trap.

Character Developments

• Meilin becomes suspicious of An Delie and Fenwu's involvement in the trap.
• Prumelia remains calm and observant, focusing on gathering evidence.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Meilin suspects An Delie's loyalty, highlighting the theme of trust in relationships.
• Investigation and evidence: The characters focus on gathering information and evidence to solve the mystery.

Character Interactions

• Meilin and Prumelia work together, sharing information and observations as they investigate.
• An Delie acts as a guide and informant, but his true loyalties are called into question.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meilin and Prumelia are in a trap, with unseen danger surrounding them.
• Prumelia hands Meilin two Bronze Mirrors (No. 12 and 13) to escape into the mirror world, but Meilin drops one, causing it to shatter.
• Prumelia reveals that Fenwu, who can alter memories and bring misfortune, is nearby.
• Prumelia's fingers are cut by a bamboo leaf, and her blood gets on the Bronze Mirror, causing Meilin to drop it.

Character Developments

• Meilin shows concern for Prumelia's safety and feels guilty for putting her in danger.
• Prumelia accepts her role as bait to lure Fenwu, displaying devotion to her master, Ning Zhe.
• Prumelia remains calm and analytical even in the face of danger, showing maturity beyond her years.

Significant Themes

• Luck and Misfortune: Fenwu's presence brings misfortune, and the shattered mirror signifies his proximity.
• Trust and Dependency: Meilin and Prumelia's shared understanding is tested when Meilin fails to catch the mirror, highlighting their dependency on each other.
• Devotion and Sacrifice: Prumelia's willingness to serve as bait to please her master, Ning Zhe, demonstrates her devotion and acceptance of her role.

Character Interactions

• Meilin and Prumelia's bond is evident in their unspoken understanding and concern for each other.
• Prumelia's calm demeanor contrasts with Meilin's anxiety, showing their different coping mechanisms under stress.
• Prumelia's revelation about Fenwu's abilities and her role as bait creates a tense dynamic between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meilin and Prumelia try to leave the room, finding An Delie's corpse blocking the door.
• They discover An Delie's corpse was likely killed by an unknown force while waiting outside the room.
• Meilin decides to leave the hotel immediately due to the dangerous Weird Event.
• A naked female corpse (Katyusha) and An Delie's corpse attack them as they try to leave.
• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing use a mysterious water route to leave Vivian Port, boarding an old wooden boat in a dense fog.

Character Developments

• Meilin prioritizes Prumelia's safety above all else, even when the latter wants to stay to complete her mission.
• Prumelia temporarily defers to Meilin's judgment for her safety but remains hesitant about leaving.
• Ning Zhe demonstrates knowledge of secret routes and methods to evade Fenwu's detection.

Significant Themes

• Safety vs. Mission: Meilin's focus on Prumelia's safety conflicts with Prumelia's dedication to completing her mission.
• The Unknown: The Weird Event and the sudden deaths of An Delie and Katyusha highlight the mysterious and dangerous nature of the world they're in.
• Unreliable Escapes: The water route taken by Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing, and Meilin's attempt to leave the hotel, both face unexpected obstacles, emphasizing the difficulty of escaping their current situations.

Character Interactions

• Meilin and Prumelia: Meilin's protective behavior towards Prumelia contrasts with Prumelia's initial hesitation to leave, showing their differing priorities.
• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing: Ning Zhe leads Xia Yubing through a mysterious and dangerous route, showcasing his knowledge and her trust in him.

Chapter Summary: “Boundless”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing travel by boat across the “sea of suffering,” a mysterious higher-dimensional realm connected to the real world.
• Ning Zhe explains that veteran Ascendants know of the Ferryman, who can transport people across the sea of suffering to any real-world location in exchange for Life-Buying Copper Coins.
• He reveals that Lan Shiwen previously used the Ferryman to travel from Yun Province to Vanessa Castle in time to save him after his suicide triggered Lan Shiwen’s Death Regression.
• To summon and board the ferry, travelers must possess the special Copper Coins and come into contact with seawater from the sea of suffering.
• The Ferryman charges Ning Zhe six Copper Coins and Xia Yubing two, an unusual fare that leaves Ning Zhe puzzled. He speculates that his higher cost may reflect more than one “presence” or condition associated with him.
• As the boat moves, Xia Yubing looks into the water and sees submerged houses, roads, forests, farmland, and a familiar enclosed residence.
• She realizes that the landscape beneath the sea is her childhood hometown, which was flooded and buried when a reservoir was built.
• The journey unexpectedly revives Xia Yubing’s long-suppressed memories, emotionally transporting her back to the place where she was born and raised.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates growing knowledge of the supernatural world. Though still a recent Ascendant and formerly an ordinary high school student, he quickly analyzes the Ferryman’s rules and experiments with the fare system.
• His curiosity about Lan Shiwen’s miraculous arrival at Vanessa Castle leads him to investigate the Ferryman and obtain seawater for future use.
• Ning Zhe remains observant and practical, but he also shows sensitivity toward Xia Yubing as she confronts painful memories.
• Xia Yubing shifts from confusion about the strange environment to emotional recognition of the submerged village. Her forgotten childhood memories return with increasing clarity.
• She becomes vulnerable and nostalgic, holding Ning Zhe’s arm and leaning against him as she processes the loss of her hometown.

Significant Themes

• The sea of suffering and escape: The sea symbolizes the struggles of ordinary existence, while the Ferryman represents a supernatural means of transcending hardship through wealth and power.
• Money and privilege: Ning Zhe explains that even escape from suffering can be purchased, suggesting that wealth grants access to opportunities unavailable to ordinary people.
• Memory and loss: The drowned village represents how places and childhoods can disappear physically while remaining buried in memory.
• The relationship between reality and the supernatural: The sea functions as a higher-dimensional reflection of the real world, preserving locations that have vanished or been submerged.
• Home and displacement: Xia Yubing’s hometown was sacrificed for modernization and the construction of a reservoir, highlighting the personal cost of large-scale development.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe explains the Ferryman’s nature and rules to Xia Yubing, establishing himself as her guide through the unfamiliar realm.
• When the Ferryman demands more coins than expected, Ning Zhe reasons through the situation and asks Xia Yubing to pay her own fare.
• Xia Yubing questions Ning Zhe about the different prices and their destination, while he explains how the seawater and Copper Coins allow travel.
• After Xia Yubing recognizes her submerged hometown, she shares her childhood history with Ning Zhe. Their physical closeness and his attentive presence create a moment of trust and emotional intimacy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing part ways at Qin Tomb Reservoir. Ning Zhe heads to Yundu to find Ji Boying, while Xia Yubing returns to her hometown.
• Ning Zhe meets Lan Shiwen at Western Suburbs Science Park, where Ji Boying is imprisoned. They discover that Ji Boying is actually Ji Bochang's clone.
• Ning Zhe interrogates Ji Boying through a glass window, revealing that he has already obtained the information he needed.

Character Developments

• Xia Yubing: She shows determination and understanding as she prepares to carry out the tasks given by Ning Zhe.
• Ning Zhe: He demonstrates his intelligence and resourcefulness in deducing Ji Boying's true identity and extracting information from him.
• Ji Boying/Ji Bochang: Despite being a clone, Ji Boying exhibits the same ruthlessness and cunning as his original, Ji Bochang.
• Lan Shiwen: He shows impatience and concern about the situation with Fenwu, revealing his desire to protect Yundu City.

Significant Themes

• Identity: The revelation of Ji Boying's true identity as Ji Bochang's clone raises questions about identity and the nature of self.
• Time: The urgency of the situation, with Fenwu's impending realization, emphasizes the importance of time and quick action.
• Ruthlessness: The actions of Ji Bochang and Ji Boying highlight the ruthless nature of Ascendants and their willingness to sacrifice others for their goals.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing: They part ways with a clear understanding of their respective tasks, showing a level of trust and cooperation.
• Ning Zhe and Lan Shiwen: Their interaction reveals a tense alliance, with Lan Shiwen showing concern for Yundu City's safety and Ning Zhe demonstrating his ability to extract information from Ji Boying.
• Ning Zhe and Ji Boying: Although they do not interact directly, Ning Zhe's interrogation of Ji Boying through the glass window shows his ability to manipulate and extract information from others.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe discovers that Ji Boying is actually Ji Bochang, who borrowed a massive sum from the Fortune God and fled, leaving a clone to take the debt.
• Ji Bochang's memories have been altered, with no information about Fenwu.
• Ning Zhe hypothesizes that Fenwu alters people's memories, deleting information about himself.
• Ning Zhe believes Fenwu is on his way to the technology park and decides to verify his hypothesis in Yundu City.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: Becomes more certain about Fenwu's memory-altering abilities and decides to investigate further.
• Ji Bochang (disguised as Ji Boying): Remains unaware of his true identity and situation.
• Lan Shiwen: Shows concern for Ning Zhe's safety and agrees to watch over Ji Bochang.

Significant Themes

• Memory and identity: The manipulation of memories raises questions about personal identity and truth.
• Trust and deception: Characters grapple with trust issues due to altered memories and hidden identities.
• Investigation and discovery: Ning Zhe's pursuit of the truth drives the plot forward.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Lan Shiwen: They collaborate to uncover the truth about Fenwu, with Lan Shiwen providing support while Ning Zhe investigates.
• Ning Zhe and Ji Bochang: Ning Zhe observes Ji Bochang through a one-way mirror, studying his memories and identity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Yubing receives a note from Ning Zhe outlining suitable and unsuitable activities for the day, and tasks for her to complete without drawing attention.
• Xia Yubing and Ning Zhe communicate through the note, with Ning Zhe asking about Bai Fugui and confirming Xia Yubing's memory of him.
• Xia Yubing burns the note after reading it.
• Ning Zhe arrives in Ancient Tablet Town and meets with Tian Zaixu, asking about the other company that bid for the development rights alongside New World Group.
• Tian Zaixu remembers the company, New Homeland Group, but cannot recall the name or appearance of its leader despite having seen an interview with them on TV.

Character Developments

• Xia Yubing shows loyalty and understanding towards Ning Zhe, accepting the risks he places her in.
• Ning Zhe demonstrates his strategic thinking and determination to uncover the truth about Bai Fugui.
• Tian Zaixu reveals his limited education and naivety, struggling to recall important details despite his initial eagerness to help.

Significant Themes

• Memory and its fallibility, as seen in Tian Zaixu's inability to recall the leader of New Homeland Group.
• Loyalty and sacrifice, exemplified by Xia Yubing's acceptance of the risks Ning Zhe places her in.
• The consequences of ambition and investment, as seen in Zhang Yangxu's company continuing the unpromising tourism development project in Ancient Tablet Town.

Character Interactions

• Xia Yubing and Ning Zhe communicate through a note, with Xia Yubing showing understanding and loyalty towards Ning Zhe.
• Ning Zhe meets with Tian Zaixu, questioning him about the other company that bid for the development rights, revealing Tian Zaixu's limited education and naivety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe realizes that people whose memories Fenwu altered have all forgotten Fenwu.
• Tian Zaixu forgets Bai Fugui but remembers him after Ning Zhe's interference.
• Xia Yubing and Lan Shiwen receive reminders from Ning Zhe to remember Bai Fugui.
• Ning Zhe explains Tai Chong's rules to Lan Shiwen.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates his ability to interfere with memories and reveals his understanding of Tai Chong's rules.
• Tian Zaixu shows his forgetfulness and confusion.
• Xia Yubing and Lan Shiwen receive reminders, showing their connection to Ning Zhe's investigation.

Significant Themes

• Memory and its alteration.
• The power dynamics between Fenwu and Tai Chong.
• The consequences of forgetting important information or people.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe interacts with Tian Zaixu, revealing his ability and providing a reward.
• Ning Zhe communicates with Xia Yubing and Lan Shiwen, sharing crucial information and giving reminders.