Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen recovers from his injuries with Lyle's help.
• Lyle reveals that Ye Chen's healing was due to a Contract Relic, not a General Spirit Art.
• Ye Chen changes into new clothes and retrieves his sword from Lyle.
• Lyle apologizes for withholding information during the Third Trial and praises Ye Chen's performance.
• An Abyss invasion begins, engulfing the world in darkness.
• Lyle and Ye Chen witness a massive, golden eye in the sky, which Lyle seems connected to.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen gains confidence and resilience after completing the Third Trial.
• Lyle shows remorse for endangering Ye Chen during the trial but is proud of Ye Chen's growth.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Abyss and the need for courage and resilience to face it.
• The importance of honesty and trust between a teacher and student.

Character Interactions

• Lyle and Ye Chen's relationship deepens as Lyle acknowledges Ye Chen's independence and growth.
• Ye Chen looks up to Lyle and is inspired by his teacher's strength and wisdom.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lyle, Ye Chen's teacher, uses his innate spirit art, Golden Eyes, to combat the Abyss, a dark force threatening to consume their world.
• Lyle's power is immense, creating a golden barrier around the Old Church and blasting the Abyss with scorching light from a giant eye in the sky.
• Lyle locates and destroys the Abyss' core, temporarily dissipating it, but the surrounding landscape is left as a chaotic void.
• Ye Chen fears that the rest of the world has been consumed by the Abyss, but Lyle reveals he had sent other regions away to safety.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Witnesses Lyle's immense power, feels relief, excitement, and then worry about the fate of their world. He learns that the Abyss targets him and Lyle specifically.
• Lyle: Demonstrates incredible power and calmness in the face of the Abyss. He shows concern for Ye Chen's well-being and reveals he has a plan to deal with the Abyss.

Significant Themes

• Power and its Responsibility: Lyle's immense power is a blessing and a burden, as he must protect Ye Chen and the world from the Abyss.
• The Corruption of Innocence: The Abyss threatens to consume the innocent, highlighting the theme of protecting the weak from evil forces.
• The Burden of Knowledge: Ye Chen learns that the Abyss targets him and Lyle, adding a weight to his understanding of their situation.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: Ye Chen looks up to Lyle's power and feels protected under his care. Lyle reassures Ye Chen and reveals he has a plan to deal with the Abyss, showing their strong bond as teacher and student.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lyle reveals that the Abyss's main body will manifest, providing a brief window for Ye Chen to escape.
• Lyle plans to use a hidden passage in a stone statue to send Ye Chen and Heiqi to a new world.
• Lyle intends to stay behind to stall the Abyss's main body, ensuring Ye Chen's escape.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Struggles with the reality of leaving Lyle behind, experiences intense emotional distress, and initially refuses to leave without Lyle.
• Lyle: Maintains composure despite the difficult situation, remains committed to his decision to stay behind.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice: Lyle's willingness to sacrifice himself for Ye Chen's safety.
• Family: The deep bond between Ye Chen and Lyle, and the pain Ye Chen feels at the prospect of losing Lyle.
• Reality vs. Expectation: The harsh reality of their situation contrasts with Ye Chen's expectations and desires.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: Their interaction is marked by Ye Chen's desperation and Lyle's calm determination, highlighting the emotional distance between them due to Lyle's decision.
• Ye Chen and Heiqi: Though not present, Heiqi's role as a companion and potential escape partner is emphasized, adding to Ye Chen's internal conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lyle and Ye Chen have a heartfelt conversation in the Old Church's Prayer Hall before Lyle's planned departure.
• Lyle sends Ye Chen and Heiqi away through a spatial tunnel created by the Broken Stone Statue.
• Lyle stays behind and confronts the Abyss, revealing his true, battle-ready self.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Ye Chen expresses his love and gratitude towards Lyle, acknowledging him as a father figure. He vows to become a powerful hunter to honor Lyle's efforts.
• Lyle: Lyle reveals his true nature as a battle-ready, ruthless hunter. He expresses satisfaction in Ye Chen's growth and sets him on his path.

Significant Themes

• Love and Gratitude: Ye Chen's deep affection and respect for Lyle, and Lyle's pride in Ye Chen's growth.
• Sacrifice: Lyle's decision to stay behind and confront the Abyss to ensure Ye Chen's safety.
• Coming of Age: Ye Chen's acceptance of his path and his determination to forge his own future.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Lyle: The heartfelt conversation between Ye Chen and Lyle strengthens their bond. Lyle sends Ye Chen away with pride and love, while Ye Chen vows to make Lyle proud.
• Lyle and the Abyss: Lyle confronts the Abyss with confidence and battle readiness, revealing his true nature as a hunter.

Key Plot Points

• Ye Chen and Heiqi flee through a spatial tunnel after Lyle's departure.
• Three Abyss Elites pursue them, appearing from spatial portals.
• Ye Chen attempts to fight them off with his revolver and long blade, but struggles.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen faces powerful enemies and realizes his current limitations.
• Heiqi reveals hidden strength, using a scythe to fend off the Abyss Elites.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Abyss and its creatures.
• The growth and limitations of Ye Chen's abilities.
• The trust and bond between Ye Chen and Heiqi.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Heiqi work together to escape the Abyss Elites.
• Ye Chen expresses shock and awe at Heiqi's hidden power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen and Heiqi encounter Abyss Elites in a spatial tunnel.
• Heiqi expresses disagreement with Ye Chen's actions by shaking his back.
• Ye Chen discovers that his blood cannot suppress the regeneration of Abyss Matter on his blade.
• Heiqi uses his power to purify the blade and communicates with Ye Chen, telling him to leave the fighting to him.
• Ye Chen and Heiqi are pursued by the Abyss Elites. Ye Chen attempts to assist Heiqi with a "Blood Bullet."
• The Abyss Elites merge into a giant beast, blocking Ye Chen and Heiqi's path to the tunnel's exit.
• Heiqi throws Ye Chen towards the tunnel's exit and stays behind to fight the giant beast, ultimately sacrificing himself.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Shows determination and resourcefulness in battle but is still learning to trust and rely on Heiqi's strength.
• Heiqi: Demonstrates unwavering loyalty and protectiveness towards Ye Chen, ultimately sacrificing himself to save Ye Chen.

Significant Themes

• Trust and reliance on others (Heiqi's sacrifice to save Ye Chen)
• The cost of survival and the choices one makes (Heiqi's decision to stay behind)

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Heiqi: Their bond deepens as they face danger together. Heiqi's sacrifice highlights his protective nature and Ye Chen's reliance on him.
• Ye Chen and the Abyss Elites: Ye Chen struggles to find an opening to attack the Abyss Elites, showcasing the overwhelming power of the Abyss creatures.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen is pushed out of the spatial tunnel by a white light and lands on an unfamiliar prairie with a gray, hazy sky.
• The spatial tunnel exit vanishes, leaving Ye Chen stranded.
• An incomplete Abyss Elite pursues Ye Chen through the spatial rift.
• Ye Chen attempts to fight but realizes he's no match, so he flees.
• A jade-green wave of vines, brimming with Auling Power, attacks and engulfs the Abyss Elite, saving Ye Chen.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen experiences profound grief and loss after realizing he's alone and has lost everything.
• He regains his composure and decides to survive, honoring Lyle and Heiqi's sacrifices.
• Ye Chen's determination and adaptability are tested as he faces a new threat.

Significant Themes

• Loss and Grief: Ye Chen grapples with the sudden loss of his family and home.
• Survival and Determination: Ye Chen's will to live and overcome adversity is highlighted.
• The Abyss: The relentless pursuit of the Abyss Elite underscores the terrifying nature of the Abyss.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen interacts with the Abyss Elite, initially attempting to fight but ultimately fleeing.
• Ye Chen encounters a mysterious, vine-based entity that saves him from the Abyss Elite, leading to no interaction but a display of power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen arrives in a new, green world after escaping the Abyss.
• An Abyss Elite pursues him, but it's defeated by a massive wave of vines controlled by an unknown entity.
• Ye Chen meets Mu, a plant-man who is a friend of Lyle, Ye Chen's teacher.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: He's shocked by the power of the vine attack and initially cautious around Mu. He opens up after learning Mu is a friend of Lyle.
• Mu: He's revealed to be a powerful being who can control plants. He's calm, wise, and has a friendly demeanor.

Significant Themes

• The power of nature and plant life, represented by Mu.
• The importance of trust and friendship, as seen in Mu's willingness to help Ye Chen due to his friendship with Lyle.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Mu: They meet under tense circumstances, but Mu's friendly demeanor and knowledge of Lyle help Ye Chen trust him. They form an alliance, with Mu agreeing to help Ye Chen reach the Holy Light Pure Land.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu reveals they're in the Sand-Grass Hidden Domain, a world with lush plants but few animals, governed by unique temporal laws (18 hours of daylight, 6 hours of darkness).
• They're traveling to the Sun-Moon Mountain Range, which will take about half a month.
• Mu explains the Abyss Monster they encountered: an Abyss Walker, which can split and recombine its body. He assures Ye Chen he destroyed its core.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen realizes the gap between his current strength and what's needed to handle Abyss Walkers, feeling weak and helpless.
• Mu demonstrates his cooking skills and kindness, showing he cares for Ye Chen's well-being.

Significant Themes

• The harsh, unforgiving nature of the fragment worlds, where survival depends on one's strength and adaptability.
• The importance of companionship and mutual support in these harsh environments.

Character Interactions

• Mu and Ye Chen's relationship deepens as Mu takes care of Ye Chen, showing concern and affection.
• Ye Chen shows gratitude and respect towards Mu, accepting his help and kindness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu, the old man, asks Ye Chen numerous questions about his past life and teacher.
• Ye Chen asks Mu about his teacher's story, but Mu refuses to reveal details, citing an agreement with the teacher.
• Ye Chen expresses confusion and sorrow about his teacher's secrecy regarding the Abyss and his past.
• Mu explains that Ye Chen's teacher had his reasons and acted for Ye Chen's own good.
• Ye Chen thanks Mu for his explanation, and they continue their journey.
• Ye Chen reads Lyle's journal, which contains advice and information about the Sand-Grass Hidden Domain and Mu.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Struggles with confusion and sorrow due to his teacher's secrecy. Begins to accept his teacher's actions and trusts him. Misses his family and cherishes Lyle's journal.
• Mu: Reveals he has an agreement with Ye Chen's teacher not to discuss certain matters. Shows understanding and empathy towards Ye Chen's feelings.

Significant Themes

• Trust and understanding: Ye Chen learns to trust his teacher despite the confusion and pain caused by his secrecy. Mu shows understanding and empathy towards Ye Chen's feelings.
• Loss and acceptance: Ye Chen struggles with the loss of his family and begins to accept their absence through Lyle's journal.
• The past and its secrets: The chapter explores the consequences of keeping secrets from the past and the struggle to understand and accept those secrets.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Mu: They interact as a mentor and mentee, with Mu providing guidance and support to Ye Chen. Their conversation helps Ye Chen process his feelings and gain a new perspective on his teacher's actions.
• Ye Chen and Lyle (through the journal): Ye Chen's interaction with Lyle's journal helps him cope with the loss of his family and find comfort in their shared past.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Night falls in the Sand-Grass Fragmented Realm, transforming the prairie into a desert and causing the temperature to drop.
• Mu sets up camp and explains that they'll continue their journey at dawn.
• Ye Chen falls asleep and enters the dreamscape, encountering Lyle and Heiqi, who ignore him.
• Ye Chen learns to convert blood into Blood Bullets and back in the dreamscape.
• A strange sound and smell assault Ye Chen's senses, causing intense pain and disorientation.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen's desire for vengeance against the Abyss species grows stronger.
• Ye Chen learns to control his powers in the dreamscape.

Significant Themes

• Vengeance and the desire for power.
• The dreamscape as a realm for Ye Chen's personal growth and self-discovery.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen interacts with Lyle and Heiqi in the dreamscape, but they ignore him, fueling his desire for vengeance.
• Mu provides guidance and protection to Ye Chen in the real world.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen awakens from the Second Nightmare Realm in a tent.
• He discovers he can now extract blood from his palm and forge Blood Bullets without needing to wound himself.
• He tests his enhanced Spirit Art by sharpening a sword with the blood sphere, but it loses its power after several uses.
• Mu confirms Ye Chen has passed through the Second Nightmare Realm and congratulates him on his growth.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen's spiritual power and physical strength have significantly increased.
• He has evolved his Spirit Art and can now extract blood and forge Blood Bullets more efficiently.

Significant Themes

• The connection between the Auling Labyrinth and one's spiritual growth.
• The transformation and enhancement of Spirit Arts after passing through a Nightmare Realm.

Character Interactions

• Mu recognizes Ye Chen's growth and explains the connection between the Auling Labyrinth and spiritual power.
• Ye Chen acknowledges Mu's explanation and understands the extent of his progress.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen feels watched but sees nothing.
• Mu coughs violently, revealing an old ailment.
• Mu brews and drinks a cyan-blue tea, which helps him recover.
• Ye Chen questions Mu about his illness and Nightmare realms.
• Mu reveals he has passed through five dreamscapes and can't advance further.
• Mu discusses his Spirit Art and Labyrinth Relic with Ye Chen.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen shows concern and care for Mu when he's ill.
• Mu reveals his limitations and past experiences, showing vulnerability.
• Ye Chen reflects on his own future and the power of Labyrinth Relics.

Significant Themes

• The impact of illness on powerful individuals.
• The limits of one's power and potential.
• The importance of Labyrinth Relics in complementing Spirit Arts.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Mu's conversation reveals their mutual respect and interest in each other's abilities.
• Ye Chen helps Mu when he's ill, showing compassion.
• Mu shares personal information with Ye Chen, fostering a bond.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen, after his second Nightmare, discovers he can now create more refined Blood Bullets and strengthen his blade with blood.
• Mu suggests Ye Chen practice his new power on his vines, which are imbued with Auling Power.
• Ye Chen successfully damages and destroys Mu's vines using his Blood Blade and Blood Bullets.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Shows improvement in his ability to control and manifest his blood power, creating more refined Blood Bullets and a stronger Blood Blade.
• Mu: Demonstrates his power over plants and his kind nature by providing Ye Chen with a training opportunity and breakfast.

Significant Themes

• Growth and improvement: Ye Chen's power evolves after each Nightmare, reflecting his growth as a character.
• The Auling Labyrinth's power: The labyrinth's influence on Ye Chen's strength is emphasized, inspiring both awe and fear.

Character Interactions

• Mu and Ye Chen: Mu acts as a mentor and guide, providing Ye Chen with a training opportunity and showing concern for his well-being by preparing breakfast.
• Ye Chen and the vines: Ye Chen interacts with Mu's vines, testing and improving his blood power by attacking them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen experiences a new dessert culture in the Eternal Winter Hidden Domain.
• Mu explains the scarcity of animals and the need for a vegetarian diet.
• Ye Chen expresses gratitude for Mu's care, and Mu promises to catch rabbits for him.
• The desert transforms into a vast, verdant prairie at sunrise.
• Ye Chen's journey with Mu remains peaceful and comfortable, with no threats from the Abyss.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: He adapts to his new environment, practices his abilities, and grows in respect and gratitude towards Mu.
• Mu: He reveals his meticulous care and concern for Ye Chen's well-being, treating him like a grandfather would a grandson.

Significant Themes

• Care and responsibility: Mu demonstrates his care for Ye Chen's physical and mental growth.
• Peaceful journey: Despite the initial threat from the Abyss, Ye Chen's journey remains peaceful, allowing him to focus on self-improvement.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Mu: Their relationship deepens as Mu continues to care for Ye Chen's needs, and Ye Chen grows more grateful and respectful towards Mu. They share conversations about Ye Chen's growth and health, with Mu providing guidance and encouragement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen feels constantly watched since entering the second layer of the dream, but Mu assures him it's likely an illusion.
• Mu's asthma medication (green spleen tea leaves) is running out, and they can only find more in the Sun-Moon Mountain Range.
• After ten days, they reach the Sun-Moon Mountain Range, where Mu will send Ye Chen to the Holy Light Pure Land.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Becomes increasingly concerned about Mu's health and feels guilty for Mu's predicament.
• Mu: Maintains calm and reassures Ye Chen, revealing his past actions and current situation.

Significant Themes

• Trust and reassurance: Mu reassures Ye Chen about the strange feelings and his own health.
• Guilt and responsibility: Ye Chen feels guilty for Mu's situation, while Mu shifts blame onto the Abyss.
• The power of dreams: Ye Chen considers his strange feelings as an illusion caused by the power of dreams.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Mu: They discuss their concerns, with Ye Chen showing worry for Mu, and Mu reassuring Ye Chen and shifting blame.
• Ye Chen and the Abyss: Ye Chen feels watched by the Abyss, causing unease.
• Ye Chen and the Holy Light Pure Land: Ye Chen learns about the Holy Light Pure Land and its significance from Lyle's journal.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Holy Light Church established two powerful groups to combat the Labyrinth and Abyss: Holy Light Knights and Auling Hunters.
• Holy Light Knights use the power of Holy Light for defense and offense, gaining strength through faith and conviction.
• Auling Hunters connect with the Auling Labyrinth through their spirits, gaining unique abilities and resilient bodies.
• Ye Chen, raised to be a Hunter, arrives in the Holy Light Pure Land and learns about its history and his path forward.
• Lyle's log ends, leaving Ye Chen to rely on himself and set his own goals.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen: Becomes more knowledgeable about his past and his role in the Holy Light Pure Land.
• Lyle: Expresses his hopes and concerns for Ye Chen's future in his final log entries.

Significant Themes

• Power systems: Auling Power, Abyssal power, and Holy Light power.
• Faith and conviction: Their role in enhancing Holy Light Knights' abilities.
• Self-reliance: Ye Chen must now rely on himself and set his own goals.

Character Interactions

• Lyle's guidance and care for Ye Chen are evident throughout the log, culminating in his final words of advice and encouragement.
• Although not present in this chapter, the relationship between Ye Chen and other characters (like Holy Light Knights and Auling Hunters) is implied and will likely develop in future chapters.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Chen discovers encrypted pages in Lyle's journal after his family's death.
• They reach the Sun-Moon Mountain Range, nearing their destination.
• Mu asks Ye Chen about his feelings and thoughts on the Abyss, wanting to know if he truly seeks revenge.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen accepts his family's deaths and decides to use his hatred as fuel for growth.
• Mu becomes serious and grave, hinting at a hidden agenda.

Significant Themes

• Hatred and its purpose: Ye Chen uses his hatred for the Abyss to drive his ambition.
• Resolution: Ye Chen's determination to take revenge on the Abyss.
• Trust and understanding: Mu's actions suggest he wants to test or understand Ye Chen better.

Character Interactions

• Mu tests Ye Chen's resolve by asking about his feelings towards the Abyss.
• Ye Chen shares his desire for revenge against the Abyss, showing his determination.
• Mu's behavior hints at a deeper understanding or plan regarding Ye Chen's future.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu reveals that the tidal wave of vines had been imprisoning the Abyss Core of an Abyss Walker, the creature that had pursued Ye Chen earlier.
• Mu plans to release the Abyss Walker and have it fight Ye Chen to the death as a trial of his determination for revenge.
• The Abyss Walker, despite its weakened state, is still equivalent to a fourth Nightmare realm opponent.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen feels betrayed by Mu's deception but maintains composure.
• Mu remains enigmatic and unapologetic about his actions.

Significant Themes

• Truth and deception: Mu's hidden actions and Ye Chen's struggle to understand the reasons behind them.
• Determination and resolve: Ye Chen must prove his commitment to revenge through combat.

Character Interactions

• Ye Chen and Mu's relationship becomes strained due to Mu's revelation and refusal to explain his actions.
• Ye Chen must face the Abyss Walker, a reflection of his own determination and abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu reveals the Abyss Walker, a creature responsible for Heiqi's death, to Ye Chen.
• Mu creates a botanical arena using his Auling Power to contain the Abyss Walker and Ye Chen.
• The Abyss Walker regains its true form and assesses its situation.

Character Developments

• Ye Chen understands Mu's intentions and decides to face the Abyss Walker, driven by revenge and a desire to test his new powers.
• The Abyss Walker accepts its impending doom but seeks to maximize its chances of success in its final battle.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and the desire for justice.
• Acceptance of one's fate and making the most of limited opportunities.
• The struggle between humans and Abyss creatures.

Character Interactions

• Mu and Ye Chen: Mu provides Ye Chen with an opportunity to avenge Heiqi while also testing his powers. Ye Chen accepts the challenge, showing trust in Mu despite initial suspicion.
• Ye Chen and the Abyss Walker: The two enemies face off, with Ye Chen driven by hatred and the Abyss Walker accepting its fate but seeking to maximize its chances of victory.