Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran, now a cripple, reflects on his dream of unifying the continent and finds it shattered.
• He decides to change his approach, embracing ruthlessness and power to achieve his goal.
• He asks the Crown Prince Grand Tutor to help him gain the nobles' support, offering them unprecedented power and privileges.
• Xu Tianran sees this as his last chance and a slim path to survival.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran: After his crippling, he undergoes a radical shift in mindset, becoming ruthless and determined to seize power at any cost.
• Crown Prince Grand Tutor: He is shocked by Xu Tianran's transformation but ultimately decides to support him, bowing to him in a show of loyalty.

Significant Themes

• Power and corruption: Xu Tianran realizes that the nobles' greed and ambition can be exploited to his advantage.
• Desperation and survival: Xu Tianran sees this as his last chance to regain power and avoid being deposed.
• Transformation: Xu Tianran's disability and near-death experience lead to a profound change in his character and goals.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and the Crown Prince Grand Tutor: Their relationship evolves from teacher-student to one of mutual respect and loyalty, with the Grand Tutor pledging to support Xu Tianran's desperate gamble.
• Xu Tianran and the nobles: Xu Tianran plans to manipulate the nobles' greed and ambition to gain their support, seeing them as pawns in his game.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran, the crippled crown prince, decides to seek revenge against those who wronged him and his family.
• The grand tutor agrees to help Xu Tianran regain his position as heir apparent, on the condition that he proves himself by handling a matter properly.
• Xu Tianran leads a night raid on the Third Prince's chambers, aiming to eliminate him and his entire branch of the family.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran: Despite his crippled state and the betrayal he's faced, Xu Tianran shows remarkable resilience and determination. He's willing to do whatever it takes to exact revenge and secure his position.
• The Third Prince: He's revealed to be treacherous and cowardly, unable to face the consequences of his actions.

Significant Themes

• Revenge: Xu Tianran's primary motivation is revenge against those who wronged him and his family.
• Power and Manipulation: The nobles manipulate Xu Tianran, using him for their own gain, while he, in turn, manipulates them to achieve his goals.
• Loyalty: Xu Tianran's guards remain loyal to him, even when they know they might not survive his plan.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and the Grand Tutor: They form an alliance of sorts, with the grand tutor helping Xu Tianran regain his position in exchange for Xu Tianran's promise to fulfill his previous promises.
• Xu Tianran and the Third Prince: Their interaction reveals the Third Prince's treachery and Xu Tianran's determination for revenge.
• Xu Tianran and his guards: Their interaction shows the guards' unwavering loyalty to Xu Tianran, even in the face of certain death.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Crown Prince Xu Tianran executes his brother, the Third Prince, in retaliation for an assassination attempt, causing an uproar in the Sun Moon Imperial City.
• Xu Tianran issues a proclamation declaring the Third Prince's guilt and his own "mad" actions, defying imperial authority.
• The Emperor confines Xu Tianran to the East Palace and strips him of his guards, while nobles submit memorials impeaching him.
• Xu Tianran's cultivation advances to eight-ring Spirit Douluo, the youngest in Sun Moon Empire's history, and he's awarded resources and increased authority by the Emperor.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran: Despite appearing reckless and mad, Xu Tianran's actions are calculated to force a conflict between the nobles and the Emperor, positioning himself as a pawn on a chessboard.
• Sun Moon Emperor: The Emperor is enraged by Xu Tianran's actions but ultimately recognizes his son's talent and rewards him.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and political intrigue: The struggle between Xu Tianran, the nobles, and the Emperor highlights the complex power dynamics at play in the Sun Moon Empire.
• Calculated madness: Xu Tianran's seemingly impulsive actions are revealed to be strategic, challenging the reader's perception of madness and rationality.
• Talent and recognition: Xu Tianran's rapid cultivation progress and the Emperor's subsequent rewards emphasize the importance of talent and achievement in the imperial court.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran vs. Sun Moon Emperor: The conflict between father and son drives the political tension, with each trying to outmaneuver the other.
• Xu Tianran vs. Nobles: The nobles initially view Xu Tianran as a puppet but underestimate his strategic capabilities.
• Dai Mubai and others: The Shrek Seven Devils watch Xu Tianran's actions unfold, expressing disbelief and understanding of his strategic moves.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran wins the game, securing his position as crown prince.
• He begins summoning nobles, promising them benefits to gain their support.
• Xu Tianran meets with Xu Tianyuan, commander of the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion, seeking his help.
• At court, Xu Tianran requests to establish a private Soul Engineer Legion for his protection, to be led entirely by women and commanded by his maid, Ju Zi.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran: Shows strategic thinking, cunning, and determination in his quest for power. He understands the underestimation of him by his father and the nobles, using it to his advantage.
• Xu Tianyuan: Remains neutral during the power struggle but agrees to support Xu Tianran, understanding the potential benefits for himself.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation: Xu Tianran plays on the underestimation of him by his father and the nobles to further his goals.
• Trust and loyalty: Xu Tianran seeks to win over Xu Tianyuan, understanding the importance of having a loyal ally in his quest for power.
• Gender dynamics: Xu Tianran's proposal for a female Soul Engineer Legion challenges traditional norms and is met with amusement and underestimation by the nobles.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran interacts with the nobles, playing the role of a triumphant but arrogant young man to keep them underestimating him.
• Xu Tianran meets with Xu Tianyuan, seeking his support and understanding the importance of winning him over.
• Xu Tianran interacts with his father at court, requesting the establishment of a private Soul Engineer Legion despite his father's displeasure.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran visits the Holy Spirit Cult leader, Zhongli Wu, in a ruined ancient temple.
• Zhongli Wu tests Xu Tianran's resolve using his evil spiritual power, but Xu Tianran repels it using the Purple Radiant Heaven-Slaying Dragon.
• Xu Tianran proposes a cooperation: he wants the Holy Spirit Cult's help to become emperor, and in return, he'll make the cult the Sun Moon Empire's protector sect and eventually the state religion.
• Xu Tianran entices Zhongli Wu with the prospect of a massive war that would provide an abundance of souls for the cult.
• Xu Tianran invites Zhongli Wu to the East Palace to witness his power and deal with political enemies, binding himself to the cult.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran demonstrates his calm and composed demeanor even in the face of Zhongli Wu's threat, revealing his disregard for his own life.
• Zhongli Wu shows his greed and wariness, initially underestimating Xu Tianran but later becoming more cautious and intrigued by his ambition.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: Both characters display immense ambition and a desire for power, leading them to cooperate.
• Manipulation and Control: Xu Tianran manipulates Zhongli Wu's greed and desire for power to achieve his goals.
• Alliances of Convenience: The cooperation between Xu Tianran and Zhongli Wu is based on mutual benefit and shared ambition, not trust or friendship.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and Zhongli Wu engage in a tense and dangerous negotiation, with Xu Tianran maintaining a calm and composed demeanor despite Zhongli Wu's threats.
• Xu Tianran uses his knowledge of Zhongli Wu's desires and the Holy Spirit Cult's goals to entice him into cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran, the Sun Moon Empire's Crown Prince, allies with the Holy Spirit Cult, shocking the public.
• Xu Tianran begins a secret purge of officials and nobles who oppose him, using the Holy Spirit Cult's aid.
• He rapidly advances his cultivation, becoming a Titled Douluo at a young age.
• Xu Tianran consolidates power, forming the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion under Ju Zi's command.
• After several years, the Emperor decrees Xu Tianran as the Regent Prince, making him the de facto ruler of the Sun Moon Empire.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran: He transforms from a crippled, despairing Crown Prince into a ruthless, power-hungry ruler, willing to ally with evil forces to achieve his goals. He becomes a Titled Douluo and secures his position as the Regent Prince.
• Ju Zi: She becomes the commander of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion and is later betrothed to Xu Tianran, becoming the Regent Princess.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: Xu Tianran's single-minded pursuit of power drives him to make morally questionable decisions.
• Reversal of Fortune: Xu Tianran's journey from a crippled prince to the ruler of the empire illustrates how fortunes can change dramatically.
• Fear and Intimidation: Xu Tianran uses fear and intimidation to control his enemies and maintain power.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and the Holy Spirit Cult: Xu Tianran allies with the Holy Spirit Cult, using their power to eliminate his enemies and advance his cultivation.
• Xu Tianran and the Nobles/Officials: Xu Tianran's relationship with the nobles and officials shifts from one of subservience to one of dominance as he consolidates power.
• Xu Tianran and Ju Zi: Their relationship evolves from one of mutual respect and understanding to one of political alliance and eventual marriage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran, now crippled and betrayed, has returned to power and is proclaimed Regent Prince.
• An explosion occurs in Ming Capital, revealed to be Level 9 Fixed Soul Tool Cannonballs.
• The old emperor dies, and Xu Tianran is suspected of orchestrating his death to seize power.
• Xu Tianran orders a martial lockdown, seals the imperial palace and Ming Capital, and initiates his plans early.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran demonstrates his ruthlessness and ambition, showing no mercy even to his own father.
• Ju Zi, Xu Tianran's subordinate, is shown to be loyal and determined, ready to carry out his orders.
• The old emperor, despite his initial shock and horror, seems to accept Xu Tianran's actions, indicating his satisfaction with Xu Tianran's ambition and ruthlessness.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: Xu Tianran's unyielding desire for power and his willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
• Sacrifice: Xu Tianran's willingness to sacrifice even his own father for his goals.
• Loyalty: Ju Zi's unwavering loyalty to Xu Tianran, even in the face of his ruthless actions.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and the old emperor: Their interaction shows the old emperor's acceptance of Xu Tianran's ruthlessness and ambition, and Xu Tianran's lack of remorse or hesitation in using his father as a pawn.
• Xu Tianran and Ju Zi: Their interaction demonstrates Xu Tianran's command and Ju Zi's loyalty and determination to carry out his orders.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran's past actions are revealed on Sky Screen, including murdering his brother, feigning virtue, and plotting to usurp the throne.
• Officials demand Xu Tianran's execution, and a grand duke attempts to attack him but is repelled by Sky Screen's protection.
• An old minister argues that Xu Tianran, being crippled and unable to produce heirs, should be deposed as crown prince.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran's calm demeanor cracks as the officials' words strike at his vulnerabilities, revealing his deep-seated anger and killing intent.
• Ju Zi shows concern for Xu Tianran's safety and is affected by the officials' words.
• The old emperor on the dragon throne feels a mix of fury, fear, admiration, and jealousy upon seeing Xu Tianran's actions.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and its consequences: Xu Tianran's actions have led to his potential downfall, and his past deeds are used against him.
• The burden of the past: Xu Tianran's history haunts him, and his enemies exploit his weaknesses.
• Power dynamics: The officials' united front against Xu Tianran highlights the political intrigue and power struggles within the empire.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and the officials: The officials' condemnation angers Xu Tianran, while he remains calm and collected until his vulnerabilities are exposed.
• Xu Tianran and Ju Zi: Ju Zi shows concern for Xu Tianran's safety, while he signals for her not to panic during the grand duke's attack.
• The old emperor and Xu Tianran: The old emperor feels a mix of emotions upon seeing Xu Tianran, admiring his ambition while also feeling threatened.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sky Screen reveals Xu Tianran's crimes: murdering his brother, feigning virtue, and usurping the throne.
• The Sky Screen evaluates Xu Tianran's life, acknowledging his ambition and achievements but condemning his disloyalty and lack of benevolence.
• Xu Tianran is punished with 'Annihilation Punishment,' a cycle of destruction and reconstruction, causing him immense pain.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran maintains his resolve despite the excruciating punishment, revealing his unyielding ambition and madness.
• The old emperor shows reluctance and conflicted emotions while watching his son's suffering, recalling Xu Tianran's childhood.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and its consequences: Xu Tianran's boundless ambition leads to his downfall and eternal punishment.
• The cycle of destruction and creation: The punishment mirrors the cycle of life and death, reflecting the impermanence of power and achievement.
• The burden of leadership: Both Xu Tianran and the old emperor grapple with the weight of their decisions and the impact on those around them.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and the old emperor: Their relationship is strained and complex, with the old emperor torn between his love for his son and his duty as a ruler.
• Xu Tianran and Ju Zi: Ju Zi tries to protect Xu Tianran but is helpless against the Sky Screen's punishment, highlighting their close bond.
• The ministers and Xu Tianran: The ministers who once condemned Xu Tianran now watch in terror as he suffers, underscoring the fickle nature of political alliances.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Tianran undergoes the Sky Screen's punishment, which initially seems to destroy him.
• He reappears, transformed and stronger, with a fully restored body and increased Soul Power (level 95 with a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring).
• Zhongli Wu, vice leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, appears in the Golden Hall.
• Xu Tianran asserts his claim to the Crown Prince position, warning that he could become the tyrant shown in the Sky Screen's vision.
• The old emperor abdicates, leaving Xu Tianran in charge of state affairs.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran: Transformed physically and in power, becomes more confident and dominant. He accepts the possibility of becoming the tyrant from the Sky Screen's vision.
• Old Emperor: Accepts his son's transformation and abdicates, showing weariness and resignation.

Significant Themes

• Destruction and Rebirth: Xu Tianran's transformation illustrates this theme, as he is rebuilt after destruction.
• Power and Ambition: Xu Tianran's increased power and dominance fuel his ambition, hinting at his potential tyranny.
• Acceptance of Fate: The old emperor accepts his son's transformation and abdicates, showing acceptance of his fate.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran and the Old Emperor: Their interaction shows the shift in power dynamics, with Xu Tianran asserting dominance and the old emperor accepting his son's transformation and abdicating.
• Xu Tianran and the Ministers: Xu Tianran's warning to the ministers silences them, showing his newfound dominance and their fear of opposing him.
• Xu Tianran and Zhongli Wu: Zhongli Wu's appearance and respectful behavior toward Xu Tianran demonstrate the Holy Spirit Cult's support for him.

Chapter Summary: Reward Settlement

Key Plot Points

• Xu Tianran undergoes a destructive/rebirth transformation in the imperial palace, emerging as the true, cold-blooded emperor of the Sun Moon Empire.
• Ju Zi collapses, feeling joy and relief but also deep fear at the unfamiliar, domineering Xu Tianran.
• Ji Xuan observes the Sky Screen and settles accumulated exposure rewards for ranking #7 Yu Xiaogang and #6 Xu Tianran on the Hypocrite Ranking.
• Rewards granted:
  1. Massive spiritual power increase → reaches Half-Step Spirit Abyss Realm.
  2. Second martial soul: Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff (ancient, extinct beast soul with a Domination Domain—boosts all stats, doubles soul skill power, grants pain/bloodline immunity).
  3. First martial soul evolves: "Mirror" → Myriad Manifestations Mirror (can reflect heavens and encompass all manifestations).
• Emboldened, Ji Xuan channels his immense spiritual power into the God Sealing Platform holding the Snow Empress Embryo, awakening it and directly proposing to make the 700,000-year Snow Empress his soul spirit.

Character Developments

• Xu Tianran: Fully sheds his former vulnerability; becomes an absolute, terrifying ruler.
• Ju Zi: Realizes the man she once supported is gone; fears the new emperor's coldness.
• Ji Xuan: Achieves a massive power leap and shifts from cautious experimentation to bold action—now actively attempting to bind the Snow Empress.

Significant Themes

• Destruction as a precursor to rebirth.
• Power accumulation and qualitative transcendence through systems/rewards.
• Ambition and the audacity to claim supreme beings as tools.

Character Interactions

• Xu Tianran vs. the empire (implicit control through aura) → Ju Zi's emotional reaction.
• Ji Xuan ↔ System (reward settlement).
• Ji Xuan ↔ Snow Empress Embryo (first direct spiritual dialogue; she questions him, he proposes a “match made in heaven”).

Chapter Summary: "Domain: Fleeting Life, Myriad Manifestations, Mirror Flower Fate"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Ji Xuan provokes the sealed Snow Empress by calling their bond "a match made in heaven."
• Enraged, Snow Empress attempts to detonate her remaining power to destroy both herself and Ji Xuan.
• Ji Xuan uses his spiritual power and [Ice Heart Art] to suppress her self-destructive impulse, calming her through overwhelming yet gentle control.
• He persuades her that self-destruction is pointless: she is already in embryo form, her origin collapsing, and death would erase 700,000 years of cultivation.
• Ji Xuan offers a deal: she becomes his "intelligent soul spirit" — not enslavement but rebirth, with his Ice Heart Art stabilizing her and the promise of future godhood and immortality.
• Snow Empress reluctantly agrees on equal terms, warning him of dire consequences if betrayed.
• She fuses into the Myriad Manifestations Mirror, granting Ji Xuan a massive power surge.
• Ji Xuan gains two 100,000-year soul rings, reaching Soul Ancestor (4 rings), and unlocks a unique talent domain: "Fleeting Life, Myriad Manifestations, Mirror Flower Fate."
• The chapter ends with Ji Xuan sensing an approaching continent-wide storm and summoning the system to open additional ranks.

2. Character Developments

• Ji Xuan: Shows strategic patience and psychological insight. He faces a life-threatening backlash with calm calculation, turns an enemy into an ally, and secures a massive boost in power. His ambition expands — he seeks not just survival but the ability to rule.
• Snow Empress: Initially governed by pride and fury, she nearly chooses destruction over humiliation. Ji Xuan's logic, the effectiveness of Ice Heart Art, and the promise of immortality break through her pride. She accepts an equal partnership, preserving her dignity while choosing survival.

3. Significant Themes

• Pride vs. Pragmatism: Snow Empress embodies the conflict between honor and survival; Ji Xuan forces her to choose a future over a meaningless death.
• Rebirth & Transformation: The fusion repairs both the embryo and Ji Xuan's body, symbolically reshaping his destiny and hers.
• Power Through Alliance: True power is gained not by domination alone but by offering a mutually beneficial bond — even if coerced.
• Approaching Storm: The "old order" is breaking; preparation and ambition are necessary to survive and rule.

4. Character Interactions

• Ji Xuan & Snow Empress: A tense negotiation rooted in force and persuasion. He dominates her with superior spiritual control, then shifts to offering respect and equality. She relents with a threat, establishing mutual caution as the foundation of their partnership.
• Ji Xuan & System: A brief functional interaction at the end — he calls upon the system to unlock further power, signaling ongoing external support and planned escalation.
  The chapter marks a major turning point: Ji Xuan gains elite-level strength and a powerful sentient ally, all while foreshadowing a larger conflict ahead.

Chapter Summary: “Fifth Place: Xu He”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sky Screen reveals that Xu Tianran has become regent of the Sun Moon Empire and unexpectedly advanced to Title Douluo level 95.
• At Shrek Academy’s Sea God Pavilion, the elders recognize this as a catastrophic development. Xu Tianran is now both a powerful soul master and the ruler of a major empire, making him an unprecedented threat to Shrek and the three original Douluo kingdoms.
• The elders argue over possible responses, including forming an alliance with Heaven Soul, Dou Ling, and Star Luo, or launching a preemptive attack while Xu Tianran’s rule is still unstable.
• Elder Xuan takes command and orders Shrek to:
  • Contact the three kingdoms about an alliance.
  • Accelerate the Extreme Individual Soldier Plan.
  • Bring Huo Yuhao and He Caitou to the Sea God Pavilion.
• Before Xuanzi can brief them, the Sky Screen suddenly reappears and announces the fifth entry on the Top Ten Hypocrites List: Xu He.
• People across the continent are confused, but former Sun Moon imperial ministers immediately recognize the name as belonging to the supposedly dead former Crown Prince Xu He.
• He Caitou reacts with extreme shock and terror, revealing that Xu He is his former identity—the name and past he had tried to bury.

Character Developments

• Xuanzi shifts from anger and despair to decisive leadership, recognizing the need for immediate diplomatic and military preparation.
• The Sea God Pavilion elders become increasingly pessimistic as they realize the scale of Xu Tianran’s power, though their debate shows differing approaches: alliance-building versus immediate military action.
• Huo Yuhao senses the seriousness of the situation but initially does not understand why Xu He’s name is significant.
• He Caitou undergoes the chapter’s most dramatic emotional collapse. The revelation exposes his hidden identity and forces his glorious yet humiliating past back into public view.
• Xu Tianran is established as a dominant political and military threat, even though he does not appear directly.
• Xu He is introduced as a mysterious former Crown Prince whose history is closely connected to He Caitou and whose inclusion on the hypocrite ranking implies a major hidden betrayal or contradiction.

Significant Themes

• Power and political upheaval: Xu Tianran’s rise demonstrates how quickly political authority and personal strength can combine to destabilize an entire continent.
• The consequences of hidden histories: He Caitou’s carefully concealed identity is suddenly exposed by the Sky Screen.
• Identity and shame: The name “Xu He,” once associated with honor and imperial glory, now represents humiliation because it appears on the Hypocrite Ranking.
• The limits of preparation: Shrek’s elders struggle to respond to a threat far greater than they anticipated, emphasizing the danger of underestimating political ambition.
• Public judgment versus private truth: The Sky Screen transforms buried secrets into spectacles witnessed by the entire world.

Character Interactions

• The elders clash over how Shrek should respond to Xu Tianran’s rise, with Xuanzi ultimately ending the argument and issuing orders.
• Xuanzi summons Huo Yuhao and He Caitou to discuss the Extreme Individual Soldier Plan, placing both young men at the center of Shrek’s emergency preparations.
• Huo Yuhao observes He Caitou’s unusual distress but does not yet know its cause.
• He Caitou’s reaction to the Sky Screen’s announcement creates the chapter’s central revelation: He Caitou is connected to the former Crown Prince Xu He.
• The contrast between the elders’ confusion and He Caitou’s terror heightens the mystery surrounding Xu He’s past.

Chapter Summary: “Welcoming Back the Crown Prince!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sky Screen reveals that He Caitou, a talented Shrek Academy Soul Guidance Department student and member of the Extreme Individual Soldier Plan, is actually Xu He, the former crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire.
• Huo Yuhao and the other Sea God Pavilion members are stunned, while Xu He silently confirms the revelation through his devastated reaction.
• Xuanzi and the Sea God Pavilion elders reveal that they had known Xu He’s identity all along. Shrek Academy had never truly adopted an orphan named He Caitou; it had secretly taken in the exiled crown prince and designed the Extreme Individual Soldier Plan around him.
• Shrek intended to use Xu He as a weapon against the Sun Moon Empire, either by provoking rebellion or fracturing the empire from within.
• In the Sun Moon Empire, Emperor Xu Tianran sees the revelation not as a threat but as a political opportunity. Since his association with Evil Soul Masters has damaged his reputation, he plans to portray Xu He as even more hypocritical or corrupt, thereby making his own crimes appear less unacceptable.
• Among older citizens who remembered the former dynasty, Xu He’s name inspires excitement and nostalgia. Many begin calling for his return and denouncing Xu Tianran as a usurper and Evil Soul Master collaborator.
• Before this popular movement can develop, the Sky Screen issues a darker revelation: beneath He Caitou’s honest exterior lies a monster twisted by hatred and desire.

Character Developments

• He Caitou/Xu He: His carefully hidden identity is exposed after more than a decade. His pallor, silence, and bitter yet relieved smile suggest both anguish over the revelation and relief that he no longer has to maintain the disguise.
• Huo Yuhao and the Shrek students: They experience profound shock upon learning that their dependable senior brother is royalty and that his entire background has been concealed from them.
• Xuanzi and the Sea God Pavilion elders: Their calm reactions reveal Shrek’s long-term political manipulation and willingness to treat Xu He as a strategic tool rather than merely a student.
• Xu Tianran: He demonstrates cold political pragmatism, immediately seeking to exploit Xu He’s exposure to repair his own damaged legitimacy.
• The commoners: Older citizens reveal their lingering loyalty to the former dynasty and rapidly begin viewing Xu He as a possible savior.

Significant Themes

• Hidden identities and the collapse of disguises: Xu He’s false identity as He Caitou is publicly destroyed, showing that long-concealed secrets cannot remain buried forever.
• Political manipulation: Shrek and Xu Tianran both attempt to use Xu He for their own purposes—Shrek as a weapon against the empire and Xu Tianran as a means of defending his rule.
• Royal legitimacy versus actual morality: Xu He’s bloodline evokes popular support, but the Sky Screen immediately suggests that his true character may be deeply corrupted.
• Propaganda and public opinion: The people’s perception shifts rapidly based on the Sky Screen’s revelations, demonstrating how easily political legitimacy can be created or destroyed.
• The contrast between appearance and reality: He Caitou appears honest and dependable, yet the narration hints at a monstrous inner nature, reinforcing the chapter’s focus on hypocrisy and concealed motives.

Important Character Interactions

• Huo Yuhao directly confronts He Caitou after the revelation, calling him “Second Senior Brother” and asking whether he is truly Xu He.
• The Shrek students collectively stare at Xu He in disbelief, fundamentally reassessing their relationship with him.
• Xuanzi and another Sea God Pavilion elder exchange knowing looks, confirming that the academy’s leadership has long been aware of Xu He’s identity.
• Xu Tianran watches the revelation from the Imperial Palace and internally calculates how to exploit it politically.
• Former-dynasty supporters among the commoners encourage one another to welcome Xu He back and oppose Xu Tianran’s rule.

Chapter Summary: “Reasons for Making the List!”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sky Screen reveals that He Caitou is actually Xu He, the former crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, and places him fifth on the Hypocrite Ranking.
• The revelation immediately overturns public excitement over the possible return of the former crown prince. Citizens who had welcomed him fall silent and become fearful when he is labeled a “Monster.”
• Two reasons for Xu He’s ranking are announced:

“Letting wolves into the house, bringing disaster upon the nation!”

“Taking his anger out on the innocent, taking revenge on all the people!”

• The Sky Screen shows Xu He’s past. After surviving a bloody palace coup, he escapes and is eventually found by Fan Yu, who brings him to Shrek Academy.
• At the Sea God Pavilion, the young Xu He is offered refuge, training, and resources—but only in exchange for becoming a weapon against the Sun Moon Empire. Xuanzi explicitly plans to use him as a spy to infiltrate the empire, gather intelligence, cause internal conflict, and destroy it from within.
• Xu He accepts immediately, revealing that his hatred has already consumed his loyalty to the nation and its people. The Sky Screen explains that he sees the citizens as traitors for submitting to the usurping regime and believes they all deserve to die.
• The citizens’ attitude changes completely: their admiration becomes outrage, and they begin condemning Xu He as a madman and traitor.
• Public opinion even shifts in favor of Xu Tianran, since, despite his cruelty and alliance with Evil Soul Masters, he is perceived as acting for the empire’s survival rather than seeking its destruction.
• Shrek Academy is also condemned for its secretive and manipulative role in creating the “Extreme Individual Soldier Plan,” which is exposed as a long-term spy and sabotage program.

2. Character Developments

• Xu He/He Caitou: His hidden identity and deeply destructive worldview are exposed. His hatred is shown to have twisted into a desire for revenge against not only the people who stole his throne but the entire population of the empire. His visible fear and shame suggest that the Sky Screen has uncovered truths he desperately tried to conceal.
• Huo Yuhao: He is shocked and confused, struggling to reconcile the trustworthy and loyal senior brother he knew with the monstrous figure revealed by the Sky Screen.
• The Sun Moon Empire’s citizens: They undergo a rapid emotional transformation, moving from hope and adoration to disgust, fear, and hatred.
• Xu Tianran: He takes advantage of the revelation, viewing Xu He’s exposure as a political gift that strengthens his own position.
• Xuanzi and Shrek Academy: Their supposedly righteous image is damaged. Their willingness to exploit a traumatized child for political and military purposes reveals a calculating and hypocritical side.

3. Significant Themes

• Revenge versus responsibility: Xu He’s personal suffering has developed into hatred for an entire nation, showing how vengeance can become detached from justice.
• The danger of political extremism: Both Xu He and Shrek treat people as tools—Xu He as targets for revenge and Shrek as instruments in a strategy to destroy an enemy state.
• Hypocrisy and moral contradiction: Shrek publicly represents justice and righteousness while secretly training a child to infiltrate and sabotage another nation.
• The manipulation of the innocent: Xu He is exploited by Shrek, while ordinary citizens are threatened by his later desire for mass revenge.
• Public opinion and political legitimacy: The crowd’s rapid reversal demonstrates how easily popular support can collapse when hidden motives and crimes are revealed.
• The difference between personal hatred and national interest: Xu Tianran is portrayed as a tyrant, yet citizens temporarily regard him as preferable to someone willing to destroy the entire empire for personal vengeance.

4. Character Interactions

• Xu He and Xuanzi: Xuanzi offers Xu He protection and power but makes clear that Shrek intends to use him as a weapon. Xu He accepts eagerly, revealing his willingness to sacrifice himself—and his country—for revenge.
• Fan Yu and Xu He: Fan Yu rescues Xu He and brings him to Shrek, initiating the process through which the former crown prince becomes a trained infiltrator.
• Huo Yuhao and He Caitou: Huo Yuhao’s disbelief highlights the contrast between He Caitou’s trusted identity within Shrek and the ruthless motives exposed by the Sky Screen.
• Xu He and the citizens: Though not directly interacting in the present, the Sky Screen reveals Xu He’s contempt for the people, while their reaction shows them rejecting him once they learn of his intentions.
• Xu Tianran and Xu He: Xu Tianran benefits politically from Xu He’s exposure, as the former crown prince’s crimes make Xu Tianran appear—by comparison—as the lesser evil.
• Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Empire: Their conflict is shown to be more than a military struggle; Shrek has deliberately cultivated an internal weapon to undermine the empire from within.

Chapter Summary: “Ming Capital Explosion”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After exposing Xu He’s treason in the first charge, the Sky Screen begins revealing the second reason for his inclusion on the list: “Taking anger out on innocents, taking revenge on the masses!”
• The scene shows an underground warehouse in Ming Capital filled with rare metals and Soul Tools. He Caitou/Xu He, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong’er, Wang Qiu’er, and Huo Yuhao are carrying out a coordinated operation.
• Xiao Xiao removes the rare metals, while Wang Dong’er and Wang Qiu’er assist. Huo Yuhao operates from inside a powerful Humanoid Soul Tool, using freezing abilities and spiritual interference to disable guards and surveillance.
• Huo Yuhao orders He Caitou to plant bombs throughout the warehouse. The group retreats after confirming the operation is complete.
• The warehouse is revealed to be Ming Capital’s No. 7 Underground Transfer Warehouse, located above a massive Mingde Hall weapons depot containing sixteen Level 9 Fixed Soul Tool Cannonballs and thousands of lower-level cannonballs.
• The planted explosives trigger a catastrophic chain reaction. The resulting explosion destroys nearly one-quarter of Ming Capital, leveling buildings and killing countless civilians.
• The event is officially named the “Ming Capital Explosion,” later remembered as “Sun-Moonless Destruction Day.”
• A new ranking appears: the Scourge List, which records major natural and man-made disasters. The Ming Capital Explosion is ranked fourth, with Huo Yuhao, Xu He, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong’er, and Wang Qiu’er listed as responsible figures.

Character Developments

• Huo Yuhao: His future self is revealed as the mission’s commander, shocking both his younger self and observers from both eras. His role demonstrates his strategic skill, technical mastery, and willingness to authorize an operation with catastrophic consequences.
• He Caitou/Xu He: He is shown actively planting the explosives and displaying a vicious, determined expression. This deepens the image of him as a traitor who not only betrays the Sun Moon Empire but also participates in mass destruction.
• Xiao Xiao: She contributes directly to the raid by rapidly storing away the rare metals, showing her efficiency and involvement in the operation.
• Wang Dong’er: Her true identity and restored appearance are shown, emphasizing her beauty and extraordinary abilities.
• Wang Qiu’er: Her near-identical appearance to Wang Dong’er is highlighted, though her fierce and aggressive temperament distinguishes her from Dong’er.
• Kong Deming: He recognizes the warehouse and understands the catastrophic consequences immediately. His shock reveals the immense strategic importance of the hidden arsenal.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and treason: Xu He’s actions are framed as a betrayal of his homeland and people.
• Collateral damage and moral responsibility: The operation is condemned because it targets a strategic facility while causing massive civilian casualties.
• Revenge against the masses: The chapter emphasizes that the destruction was not limited to military targets; ordinary people suffered and died.
• The destructive power of technology: Soul Tools and Fixed Soul Tool Cannonballs transform the raid into a city-destroying catastrophe.
• Historical judgment: The Scourge List presents the event as a disaster remembered across generations, assigning responsibility to the individuals involved.
• Shock and moral ambiguity: The revelation forces observers—especially Huo Yuhao and the people of the Sun Moon Empire—to confront a horrifying version of the future.

Character Interactions

• Huo Yuhao gives orders to He Caitou and coordinates the entire mission.
• He Caitou carries out Huo Yuhao’s command by planting explosives in the warehouse.
• Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong’er, and Wang Qiu’er cooperate in removing the rare metals and supporting the operation.
• Kong Deming’s realization of the warehouse’s true location contrasts with the attackers’ knowledge and preparation, intensifying the sense of impending disaster.
• Huo Yuhao’s younger self reacts with disbelief upon seeing his future actions, creating a powerful confrontation between his present identity and his future reputation.

Chapter Summary: “You’re Thinking Too Much”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sky Screen reveals the fourth entry on the Scourge List: the Ming Capital Explosion, naming Huo Yuhao, Xu He, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong’er, and Wang Qiu’er as those responsible.
• The revelation shocks the entire Douluo World. The explosion destroyed a quarter of Ming Capital and killed countless civilians.
• At Shrek Academy’s Sea God Pavilion, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong’er, and Huo Yuhao react with horror and disbelief. Huo Yuhao is overwhelmed by guilt after realizing that the “Extreme Individual Soldier” operation turned him into a mass killer.
• Xuanzi is publicly exposed as having led the group away from the disaster rather than helping survivors. He orders Huo Yuhao and He Caitou never to reveal their involvement.
• The Sky Screen then shows the group’s escape to West Mountain, where Xuanzi holds an internal trial.
• Huo Yuhao admits responsibility. Wang Dong’er defends the bombing as a necessary measure to stop the war, but viewers condemn her justification for sacrificing innocent civilians.
• Bei Bei attempts to take responsibility as Tang Sect leader. He claims that he and Huo Yuhao planned the operation, requests expulsion from Shrek’s inner academy, and offers to have the Tang Sect withdraw so that Shrek’s reputation will be protected.
• The public sees Bei Bei’s action as an attempt to shift blame and preserve Shrek Academy rather than genuine accountability.
• The chapter ends with He Caitou casually dismissing the entire matter, saying that people are “thinking too much” because the explosion has already happened and no one knows who caused it. His indifference horrifies both the audience and the characters at Shrek.

Character Developments

• Huo Yuhao: Experiences severe shock, guilt, and self-loathing. He recognizes the moral horror of the operation and is forced to confront the contrast between his heroic ideals and the destruction he helped cause.
• Wang Dong’er: Trembles in disbelief but later defends the attack as a necessary sacrifice to prevent a larger war. Her reasoning reveals how deeply she has accepted the operation’s utilitarian justification.
• Xiao Xiao: Collapses in terror after realizing she is associated with the destruction of an entire section of the capital. Her desire to help Shrek and the Tang Sect turns into crushing remorse.
• Xuanzi: Appears more concerned with concealing Shrek’s involvement than with the victims. Although he expresses shock at the loss of life, his actions expose the academy’s hypocrisy and political self-protection.
• Xu Tianran: Publicly reacts with fury toward Huo Yuhao and Shrek, but privately feels delighted. The revelation restores public support for his regime by giving him enemies to blame and uniting the populace behind him.
• Bei Bei: Tries to shield Huo Yuhao and preserve Shrek’s reputation by taking responsibility himself. However, his attempt is interpreted as a calculated scapegoating strategy rather than true repentance. The public humiliation causes him intense shame.
• He Caitou: Displays disturbing emotional detachment. His claim that nothing can be done because the bombing already happened makes him appear callous and morally empty.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of political violence: The chapter emphasizes that strategic or military goals cannot erase the suffering of innocent civilians.
• Hypocrisy and institutional self-preservation: Shrek presents itself as a protector of the continent, yet its leaders flee, conceal the truth, and attempt to separate the academy from responsibility.
• Moral justification versus accountability: Wang Dong’er’s “stop the war” argument and Bei Bei’s responsibility-taking both fail because neither directly addresses the victims or offers meaningful amends.
• The corruption of idealism: Characters who once believed they were acting for justice are shown participating in mass destruction and rationalizing it afterward.
• Public judgment and exposure: The Sky Screen strips away private narratives and allows the entire world to judge the characters’ actions, making reputations and hidden motives impossible to control.
• Emotional numbness: He Caitou’s casual attitude represents the ultimate moral collapse—treating catastrophe as irreversible inconvenience rather than tragedy.

Character Interactions

• Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong’er: Their shared horror gives way to conflict with the public when Wang Dong’er attempts to defend their actions.
• Xuanzi and Huo Yuhao/He Caitou: Xuanzi leads them away from Ming Capital and orders them to conceal the truth, establishing the academy’s priority of avoiding scandal.
• Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao: Bei Bei physically shields Huo Yuhao and claims responsibility, presenting himself as a protective senior brother while also trying to protect Shrek.
• Bei Bei and Xuanzi: Bei Bei offers his expulsion and the Tang Sect’s withdrawal to Xuanzi, turning the trial into a symbolic sacrifice intended to contain the damage.
• He Caitou and the rest of the group: His carefree remarks contrast sharply with everyone else’s fear, guilt, and shame, exposing the most unsettling attitude toward the disaster.
• Shrek Academy and the public: The academy’s image as a righteous protector collapses as viewers interpret its behavior as cowardice, hypocrisy, and evasion.

Chapter Summary: “I Don’t Regret It”

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Caitou dismisses the destruction of Ming Capital as having caused “nothing wrong,” arguing that everyone else is overreacting.
• He attempts to justify the Tang Sect’s attack by claiming their true objective was only to destroy the underground warehouse containing Soul Tools and rare metals.
• He argues that the warehouse’s thick alloy-and-rock walls, especially those protecting the Level 9 Fixed Soul Tool Cannonballs, would have directed the explosion upward rather than outward.
• He Caitou therefore insists that only the area near the explosion was devastated and that reports of enormous casualties or a third of the city being affected are impossible.
• Jing Hongchen and the Soul Engineers of Mingde Hall ridicule this explanation, pointing out that He Caitou’s “professional” analysis is technically absurd.
• Despite its flaws, Xiao Xiao praises He Caitou, and Huo Yuhao’s guilt begins to fade as he accepts the group’s rationalization.
• Jiang Nannan frames the massacre as a regrettable but necessary act that might end the war.
• Huo Yuhao ultimately declares that he does not regret the attack, claiming that sacrificing lives now may prevent greater suffering later.

Character Developments

• He Caitou: Reveals extreme callousness and self-serving confidence. Rather than acknowledge the destruction, he constructs a scientifically worded but nonsensical defense to absolve himself and his allies.
• Huo Yuhao: Initially appears burdened by guilt and uncertainty, but gradually convinces himself that the massacre was justified. His final declaration shows him transforming personal responsibility into a supposedly noble sacrifice.
• Xiao Xiao: Uncritically admires He Caitou’s argument, demonstrating her willingness to accept comforting explanations over moral scrutiny.
• Jiang Nannan: Provides a humanitarian justification for the attack, portraying it as a harsh necessity intended to bring peace.
• Jing Hongchen: Responds with furious disbelief, exposing the technical and logical weaknesses in He Caitou’s claims.

Significant Themes

• Hypocrisy and self-justification: The characters recast a mass-casualty attack as a limited military operation and suppress their guilt through implausible reasoning.
• Moral relativism in wartime: The promise of future peace is used to excuse present atrocities.
• The corruption of heroic ideals: Huo Yuhao presents himself as a tragic figure willing to bear responsibility, but the narrative portrays this as self-glorifying hypocrisy.
• Denial of consequences: The characters focus on minimizing casualty estimates rather than confronting the human cost of their actions.
• Public outrage versus private rationalization: People across both eras recognize the attack as monstrous, while the perpetrators reassure one another that it was necessary.

Character Interactions

• He Caitou questions Huo Yuhao about the warehouse’s construction and uses Huo’s answers to support his argument.
• Xiao Xiao enthusiastically praises He Caitou, reinforcing his confidence.
• Huo Yuhao absorbs He Caitou’s reasoning and becomes less visibly troubled by his actions.
• Jiang Nannan offers a compassionate-sounding justification, helping frame the massacre as a sacrifice for peace.
• Jing Hongchen and the Mingde Hall Soul Engineers directly condemn He Caitou’s supposed expertise, emphasizing how detached his reasoning is from reality.

Chapter Summary: “Du Busi’s Bewilderment”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huo Yuhao delivers a self-righteous declaration through the Sky Screen, claiming moral justification for the Ming Capital incident.
• He Caitou provides a calculated analysis that appears to support Huo Yuhao’s reasoning.
• Bei Bei, reassured by their arguments, concludes that if Shrek Academy does not directly raise the issue, the incident can be treated as unrelated to the Tang Sect.
• Rather than accepting responsibility, Bei Bei suggests that the Body Sect is more likely to be suspected of underground operations.
• Xu Sanshi briefly questions whether shifting blame is unethical, but immediately admits that he enjoys the idea. Jiang Nannan criticizes both men for their shamelessness.
• At the Body Sect’s headquarters, its master Du Busi watches the Sky Screen and initially celebrates the Ming Capital explosion and Shrek Academy’s exposure.
• His amusement turns to shock and fury when Bei Bei implicates the Body Sect.
• Du Busi explodes with rage, destroys his throne, condemns Shrek for framing his sect, and declares that the Body Sect and Shrek Academy are now irreconcilable enemies.
• He orders all elders and disciples to return and vows to personally attack Shrek, tear down the Sea God Pavilion, and punish Bei Bei.

Character Developments

• Huo Yuhao continues to justify his actions through grand claims of righteousness and enlightenment, revealing his tendency toward self-deception and moral rationalization.
• Bei Bei shifts from appearing concerned about responsibility to openly seeking a way to protect the Tang Sect by redirecting suspicion toward the Body Sect. His respectable image contrasts sharply with his opportunistic decision.
• He Caitou contributes a seemingly objective and “professional” analysis that helps legitimize Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei’s evasive reasoning.
• Xu Sanshi demonstrates a mischievous and self-serving attitude. Although he recognizes that scapegoating another faction is morally questionable, he still finds it entertaining.
• Jiang Nannan acts as the most openly disapproving voice among the group, calling out Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi’s shamelessness.
• Du Busi changes dramatically from delighted spectator to enraged victim. His anger exposes both his pride and his fierce protectiveness toward the Body Sect.

Significant Themes

• Hypocrisy and moral self-justification: Huo Yuhao and the Tang Sect members frame their actions as righteous while avoiding responsibility for the catastrophe.
• Scapegoating and political manipulation: Rather than face the consequences, Bei Bei proposes redirecting suspicion toward the Body Sect.
• The collapse of heroic reputations: Shrek Academy’s image as a righteous protector is mocked as its members behave selfishly and dishonestly.
• Irony and dark humor: The chapter contrasts the Tang Sect’s lofty language with their blatantly cynical behavior, while Du Busi’s joyful tea-watching is abruptly ruined by the blame being dumped on him.
• Factional conflict: The incident intensifies the hostility between Shrek Academy and the Body Sect, threatening to trigger open war.

Character Interactions

• Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei: Bei Bei accepts Huo Yuhao’s self-serving justification and reassures him, then uses the situation to protect the Tang Sect.
• Bei Bei and He Caitou: He Caitou’s analysis gives Bei Bei confidence that shifting suspicion is strategically viable.
• Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan: Xu Sanshi jokes about the plan, while Jiang Nannan rebukes him and Bei Bei for their lack of integrity.
• Du Busi and the Body Sect elders: Du Busi’s furious orders leave the elders stunned and afraid to intervene.
• Du Busi and Shrek Academy: The Sky Screen transforms his previous amusement into personal hatred, leading him to swear revenge against Bei Bei, Mu En, and Shrek’s Sea God Pavilion.

Chapter Summary: “Human Face, Beast Heart: He Caitou”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inside the Sea God Pavilion, Bei Bei’s attempt to shift responsibility for the crisis involving Du Busi creates panic. Du Busi is revealed as a terrifying Rank 98 Super Douluo, and Mu En may soon be unable to oppose him.
• The Sky Screen begins the final judgment of the fifth-ranked hypocrite, Xu He—whose identity is connected to He Caitou.
• Citizens of the Sun Moon Empire, furious over Xu He’s betrayal and the destruction of their homeland, demand his death.
• The Sky Screen condemns Xu He through a mocking poem, accusing him of mistaking innocent civilians for enemies, inviting hostile forces into his own nation, and causing a city-destroying catastrophe.
• Xu He receives the title “Human Face, Beast Heart,” symbolizing his outward humanity and inner savagery.
• The Sky Screen announces its punishment: Bloodline Atavism.
• A black-purple beam strikes He Caitou in the Sea God Pavilion. His body violently mutates, becoming covered in black fur, with enlarged limbs, claws, and ape-like features.
• Although He Caitou retains his consciousness, he loses control of his body and can communicate only through bestial roars. In panic and agony, he destroys the pavilion’s furnishings.
• The Shrek characters are horrified and paralyzed by fear, while the Sun Moon Empire’s citizens celebrate the punishment and demand even harsher consequences.

Character Developments

• He Caitou/Xu He: His psychological collapse becomes complete. Unable to deny or explain the Sky Screen’s accusations, he is physically transformed into the beast he is accused of resembling. His retained consciousness makes the punishment especially horrifying: he understands his fate but cannot control or express himself.
• Bei Bei: His earlier attempt to redirect blame results in severe anxiety and fear. He realizes that his words may have endangered Shrek Academy by provoking Du Busi.
• Xuanzi: Newly appointed Pavilion Master, he is overwhelmed by rage and dread. The threat of Du Busi and Mu En’s possible death makes him fear that his leadership has immediately created a disastrous enemy.
• Huo Yuhao and the other Shrek disciples: Their instinct is to save He Caitou, but the Sky Screen’s overwhelming power leaves them helpless. Witnessing the punishment destroys their sense of security and fills them with fear of appearing on the rankings themselves.
• Sun Moon Empire’s citizens: Their grief and resentment toward Xu He harden into collective hatred. They view the punishment as justice rather than cruelty.

Significant Themes

• Justice versus vengeance: The judgment is presented as punishment for betrayal and mass suffering, but the crowd’s delight in He Caitou’s torment reveals how easily justice becomes revenge.
• Appearance versus inner nature: The title “Human Face, Beast Heart” emphasizes the contrast between Xu He’s human appearance and the monstrous cruelty attributed to him.
• Loss of humanity: The Bloodline Atavism punishment literalizes the accusation, turning He Caitou physically into a beast while leaving his human mind intact.
• Powerlessness before absolute judgment: Neither the Sea God Pavilion nor its powerful residents can resist the Sky Screen, demonstrating its total authority.
• Fear and political responsibility: Bei Bei’s blame-shifting and Xuanzi’s concern over Du Busi highlight the danger of careless decisions during political and military crises.

Character Interactions

• Bei Bei and Xuanzi: Bei Bei’s words implicate Shrek in the conflict with Du Busi, intensifying Xuanzi’s anger and anxiety.
• Huo Yuhao and the Shrek Seven Devils: They react to He Caitou’s transformation with shock and attempt to help, but are immobilized by fear and the Sky Screen’s power.
• He Caitou and the Sky Screen: He Caitou tries to deny the judgment, but the Sky Screen ignores his pleas and imposes its sentence without allowing him a defense.
• He Caitou and the crowd: The citizens interpret his transformation as proof that the title is accurate, celebrating his suffering instead of sympathizing with him.
• The Sun Moon Empire and Xu He: Their relationship is defined by betrayal and hatred. The people see him as the butcher responsible for their national tragedy and demand retribution.