Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

1. Xia Ping, after dealing with the Black Tiger Gang's attempt to kidnap and extort him, decides to take the fight to their main base, Black Tiger Mountain.
2. He leads a group of children, including Ye Jiajia, up the mountain, accompanied by Jiang Yaru, Su Ji, Yu Qiqi, and Chu Rong.
3. Upon arrival, they find the Black Tiger Gang in disarray due to the recent losses and the absence of their leader.
4. The gang members deploy the Black Tiger Yin Evil Array, a powerful formation that requires the mana of every member to unleash its full force.

Character Developments

1. Xia Ping demonstrates his fearlessness and determination by leading a group of children up Black Tiger Mountain to confront the Black Tiger Gang.
2. The Black Tiger Gang members show their shock and anger at Xia Ping's audacity, revealing their lack of understanding of his true power and intentions.

Significant Themes

1. Power dynamics: The Black Tiger Gang's dominance over Far East City is challenged by Xia Ping's actions, highlighting the shifting power balance.
2. Courage and fearlessness: Xia Ping's decision to confront the Black Tiger Gang on their own turf showcases his courage and determination.

Character Interactions

1. Xia Ping and the Black Tiger Gang members: Xia Ping's arrival on Black Tiger Mountain surprises and angers the gang members, leading to a tense standoff.
2. Xia Ping and the children: Xia Ping's decision to bring the children with him suggests a level of trust and protection, as he leads them into a potentially dangerous situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping, a powerful cultivator, arrives at the Black Tiger Gang's headquarters with the sole purpose of wiping them out.
• The Black Tiger Gang members form the "Black Tiger Yin Evil Array" to counter him, manifesting a yin evil energy black tiger.
• Xia Ping easily dispels the yin evil energy and incinerates hundreds of Black Tiger Gang members with his Sun Essence flames.
• The Black Tiger Gang's elite members, including the Deputy Gang Leader, attempt to fight Xia Ping but are swiftly defeated, with the Deputy Gang Leader being killed instantly by a single punch.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his immense power and ruthlessness, showing no mercy to the Black Tiger Gang members.
• The Black Tiger Gang members, initially confident, become increasingly desperate and fearful as they realize the extent of Xia Ping's power.

Significant Themes

• Power and its consequences: Xia Ping's immense power allows him to easily defeat the Black Tiger Gang, but it also leads to their complete annihilation.
• Ruthlessness vs. mercy: Xia Ping shows no mercy to his enemies, while the Black Tiger Gang members initially underestimate him due to overconfidence.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping faces off against the Black Tiger Gang members, displaying his overwhelming power and dominance.
• The Black Tiger Gang members, despite their initial bravado, become increasingly desperate and disorganized as they try to combat Xia Ping's onslaught.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping (Wu Wudi) and his group storm Black Tiger Mountain, looting the herb garden and the treasure vault.
• Black Tiger Gang members are helpless to stop them due to Xia Ping's overwhelming strength.
• Lu Hu, the gang leader, learns of the incident and vows revenge.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his ruthlessness and lack of mercy towards his enemies.
• Lu Hu shows his obsession with wealth and power, feeling immense hatred towards Xia Ping for taking his treasures.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and its consequences.
• The corrupting influence of power and wealth.
• The disparity in strength leading to helplessness.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and the Black Tiger Gang members: Xia Ping shows no mercy, while the gang members feel humiliated and helpless.
• Xia Ping and Lu Hu: Their conflict escalates, with Lu Hu vowing revenge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping (Wu Wudi) arrives at Wolf Fang Mountain, the headquarters of the Wolf Fang Gang.
• He demands that the Wolf Fang Gang hand over all their treasures, seeking justice for the previous attacks on him.
• The Wolf Fang Gang members are terrified and refuse, leading to a tense standoff.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping: He is portrayed as fearless, confident, and determined to seek justice. His actions show that he is not afraid to take on powerful enemies.
• Gu Yong (Wolf Fang Gang Leader): He tries to maintain a tough exterior despite his fear, attempting to intimidate Xia Ping but ultimately fails to hide his apprehension.

Significant Themes

• Justice and Revenge: Xia Ping's actions are driven by his desire for justice, retaliating against the gangs that previously attacked him.
• Power Dynamics: The chapter explores the power dynamics between Xia Ping and the Wolf Fang Gang, with Xia Ping's reputation and actions instilling fear in his enemies.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping vs. Wolf Fang Gang: Xia Ping's arrival causes panic and fear among the Wolf Fang Gang members. They try to intimidate him but ultimately fail to hide their apprehension.
• Gu Yong vs. Xia Ping: The Wolf Fang Gang Leader tries to maintain a tough exterior but is ultimately unable to match Xia Ping's confidence and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping's demand to take over Wolf Fang Mountain infuriates the Wolf Fang Gang, leading to a battle.
• The Wolf Fang Gang deploys their renowned Wolf Fang Army-Breaking Formation, manifesting thousands of black wolves.
• Xia Ping uses the Kunpeng Step to evade the wolves and attacks the formation's core, Gu Yong.
• With a single punch, Xia Ping kills Gu Yong, causing the formation to collapse and injuring many gang members.
• Xia Ping orders his team to loot Wolf Fang Mountain's treasures, leaving the gang members weakened and vengeful.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his formidable combat skills and ruthlessness, earning the enmity of the Wolf Fang Gang.
• Gu Yong, the leader of the Wolf Fang Gang, is revealed to be a peak Divine Ability Realm cultivator but is still no match for Xia Ping.
• The Wolf Fang Gang members show loyalty to their leader and gang but are no match for Xia Ping's power.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the consequences of challenging established authority.
• The ruthlessness and determination required for success in the cultivation world.
• The importance of strategic planning and adaptability in battle.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and Gu Yong's interaction highlights the power imbalance between them, with Xia Ping's strength far surpassing Gu Yong's.
• The Wolf Fang Gang members' interaction with Xia Ping and each other showcases their loyalty, fear, and eventual hatred towards him.
• Xia Ping and his team's interaction demonstrates their coordination and shared goal of looting Wolf Fang Mountain's treasures.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping (Wu Wudi) attacks the Big Bear Gang, wiping them out and taking their treasures.
• The Big Bear Gang members are terrified and demoralized, with many wanting to flee but feeling trapped.
• Xia Ping threatens to visit and destroy every gang, causing widespread fear and panic.
• The Mad Lion Gang, located near the Big Bear Gang, is also expected to be targeted next.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping: Shows immense strength and ruthlessness, striking fear into the hearts of the gangs.
• Yu Tao (Big Bear Gang Leader): Struggles to maintain composure but is ultimately defeated and humiliated.
• Big Bear Gang Members: Transition from arrogant and powerful to terrified and demoralized.

Significant Themes

• Fear and desperation: The gangs experience a complete reversal of fortune, going from powerful local tyrants to terrified and helpless victims.
• Ruthlessness and power: Xia Ping's overwhelming strength and lack of mercy highlight the importance of power dynamics in this world.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping vs. Big Bear Gang: Xia Ping easily defeats and humiliates the Big Bear Gang members, striking fear into their hearts.
• Big Bear Gang Members: Interact with each other in fear and desperation, some wanting to flee, others wanting to fight but ultimately unable to resist Xia Ping.
• Xia Ping and the Girls: Xia Ping brings girls with him, further emphasizing his disregard for the gangs and their territory.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Mad Lion Gang, upon hearing about the Big Bear Gang's destruction, panics and tries to flee but is eventually wiped out by Xia Ping and his group.
• The Giant Elephant Gang surrenders without a fight upon Xia Ping's arrival, offering all their treasures to avoid confrontation.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping's reputation as a brutal and fearsome opponent grows, instilling terror in the gangs he targets.
• The children in Xia Ping's group, particularly Ye Jiajia and the chubby boy, exhibit violent tendencies and disdain for surrendering enemies.

Significant Themes

• Fear and its impact on decision-making, as seen in the Mad Lion and Giant Elephant Gangs' reactions to Xia Ping's approach.
• The consequences of past actions, with the gangs suffering retribution for their previous pursuit of Xia Ping.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping's group interacts with the Mad Lion and Giant Elephant Gangs, instilling fear and leading to their respective destructions and surrender.
• The children in Xia Ping's group express displeasure at the gangs' surrender, preferring a fight.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Wudi's actions, including obtaining the saint-grade Li Fire Forging Technique and flattening over a hundred gangs, have caused a massive stir in the Five Great Star Regions, particularly near Far East City.
• People are discussing and doubting Wu Wudi's abilities, as he was previously known only as a swindler with no significant martial arts prowess.
• Witnesses testify that Wu Wudi, accompanied by a group of children and women, single-handedly defeated over a hundred gangs, seizing their treasures and destroying their strongholds.

Character Developments

• Wu Wudi: His reputation grows, and he is now recognized as a formidable force, not just a swindler. Speculations about his background and cultivation of a treasured body (Azure Emperor Body) emerge.
• The People of Far East City: Their opinion of Wu Wudi shifts from disdain to fear and hatred, viewing him as a cheap and shameless bastard from a great family.

Significant Themes

• Reputation and Perception: Wu Wudi's reputation changes from that of a swindler to a powerful cultivator, highlighting the power of perception and the influence of rumors.
• Power Dynamics: The incident demonstrates the importance of strength in the cultivation world, where one's power determines their standing and respect.
• Background and Inheritance: Wu Wudi's suspected ancient family background and treasured body inheritance emphasize the advantages of powerful lineages in cultivation.

Character Interactions

• The people of Far East City interact by discussing and cursing Wu Wudi, reflecting their collective opinion and fear of him.
• Witnesses interact by sharing their accounts of Wu Wudi's actions, contributing to the spread of his reputation and the realization of his power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• News of Xia Ping's Azure Emperor Body spreads among the Lingyun Sect's Five Great Star Regions.
• Families of the involved children are enraged and blame Xia Ping for their grandchildren's actions.
• Xia Ping and the children gather to divide the spoils from their gang-cracking operation, totaling ten billion Universal Coins.
• Xia Ping gives each child ten million Universal Coins, while Yu Qiqi, Su Ji, Chu Rong, and Jiang Yaru receive fifty million each.
• Xia Ping bids farewell to the children and returns the borrowed money.

Character Developments

• The children show excitement and immaturity upon receiving their share of the spoils, revealing their young ages and inexperience with wealth.
• Xia Ping demonstrates responsibility and foresight by not giving the children too much money at once to prevent them from developing bad spending habits.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of wealth and power, as seen in the children's excitement over their newfound fortune.
• The responsibility of mentors and guardians, as the families blame Xia Ping for their grandchildren's actions.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping interacts with the children, showing a mix of sternness and warmth as he divides the spoils and returns their borrowed money.
• The children express their excitement and anticipation for future adventures with Xia Ping.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The families of the misled disciples punish and confine their children, forbidding them from entering the virtual network again.
• The elders of these families vent their frustration, blaming Wu Wudi for corrupting their grandchildren with his teachings.
• They decide to find and capture Wu Wudi, believing he'll eventually cause trouble in the real world.

Character Developments

• Ye Jiajia stands up to her sister Ye Mengyao, refusing to disassociate from Wu Wudi.
• Ye Mengyao becomes determined to find and capture Wu Wudi, suspecting he has ill intentions towards her family or Ye Jiajia.

Significant Themes

• The influence of Wu Wudi's teachings on the young disciples, causing them to question and defy their elders.
• The power dynamics between generations and the tension between tradition and progressive ideas.

Character Interactions

• The elders of the great families discuss and agree on their plan to find Wu Wudi.
• Ye Mengyao and Ye Jiajia have a falling out due to their differing opinions about Wu Wudi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping obtains the Li Fire Forging Technique, a precious artifact-refining method, from the Virtual World.
• He learns that the technique requires a strange flame of heaven and earth, like Li Fire, and extensive knowledge of formations.
• Xia Ping discovers there are 108,000 basic formations, each complex and profound, required to master the technique.
• He uses 2 billion Hate Points to instantly learn all the basic formations with the system's help.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his eagerness to learn and master new skills, showing determination and resourcefulness.
• The system reveals its ability to provide vast amounts of knowledge instantly, given sufficient Hate Points.

Significant Themes

• The difficulty and rarity of mastering artifact-refining techniques, requiring talent, time, and resources.
• The power of formations, drawn from the forces of heaven and earth, and their potential to influence nature.
• The role of the system in providing shortcuts to knowledge and power.

Character Interactions

• No significant character interactions occur in this chapter, as Xia Ping is the only character present.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping sets up the Eight Extremes Spirit-Gathering Array on Giant Island.
• The array draws spiritual energy from a 5000-kilometer radius, causing Spirit Liquid to rain on the island.
• Plants and animals on Giant Island grow rapidly due to the influx of spiritual energy.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his proficiency in formations, showing he's a skilled formation master.
• Su Ji, Jiang Yaru, and Yu Qiqi advance to the late Purple Mansion Realm due to their time in the True Dragon Nest and the battles in the Virtual World.

Significant Themes

• The power of formations and their potential to reshape environments.
• The benefits of spiritual energy concentration on cultivation and growth.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping shares his plans with Chu Rong, Su Ji, Jiang Yaru, and Yu Qiqi, who are curious and impressed by his actions.
• The human martial artists on Giant Island react with astonishment and greed to the sudden influx of Spirit Liquid.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping continues to set up formations across various islands in the Cloud Sky Realm, adapting them to local conditions.
• The World Government assists him, providing resources and manpower, turning the entire realm into his experimental ground.
• He creates formations like the Mist Array, Maze Array, Wild Sand Array, and Wood Spirit Array, enhancing human cities' defenses.
• After a month, Xia Ping masters formations and decides to forge his natal magic treasure.
• He receives a call from Feng Hetang, who wants to accompany him into the universe.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping improves his mastery over formations and magic power through practical application.
• Feng Hetang advances to the early Purple Mansion Realm and decides to leave the Cloud Sky Realm to follow Xia Ping into the universe.

Significant Themes

• Practical Application: Xia Ping emphasizes the importance of practical experience in mastering formations, echoing the theme of learning by doing.
• Adaptation: Xia Ping adapts formations to local conditions, highlighting the theme of flexibility and adaptability.
• Growth and Ambition: Feng Hetang's decision to leave his comfortable life in the Cloud Sky Realm to follow Xia Ping into the universe underscores the theme of personal growth and ambition.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and the World Government cooperate, with the government providing resources and assistance for Xia Ping's formation experiments.
• Xia Ping and Feng Hetang maintain their mentor-mentee relationship, with Feng Hetang expressing his desire to follow Xia Ping into the universe.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping and his companions are traveling in a Saint-Grade Spaceship disguised as an ordinary spacecraft.
• They are heading to a Red Scarf Bandit's den, not the Universe Sect, to obtain valuable resources like Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and Crystal Fragrant Rice.
• Upon arrival, they find the planet, Crystal Star, is a lawless planet ruled by the Red Scarf Bandits, where criminals and outlaws gather for trade.

Character Developments

• Feng Hetang displays loyalty to Xia Ping, despite his fear of danger.
• Xia Ping reveals his intention to obtain valuable resources from the Red Scarf Bandits' den to repair the Mountain River Bead.

Significant Themes

• The theme of loyalty is shown through Feng Hetang's actions.
• The theme of wealth and resources is highlighted as Xia Ping seeks to obtain valuable items for his sect.

Character Interactions

• Chu Rong and Feng Hetang banter about Feng Hetang's bravery in leaving the Cloud Sky Realm.
• Jiang Yaru asks about their destination, revealing the group's plan to visit a Red Scarf Bandit's den.
• Yu Qiqi expresses concern about the danger of visiting a Red Scarf Bandit's den.
• Su Ji disapproves of Xia Ping's claim of poverty, knowing he has amassed a significant fortune.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping and his group arrive at Crystal Star, a lawless planet, to investigate the presence of Crystal Fragrant Rice and Nine Heavens Breathing Soil.
• They disguise themselves as interstellar pirates to avoid suspicion.
• Upon landing, they are stopped by law enforcement officers who demand an entry tax of one thousand Universal Coins per person, a significant increase from the usual one hundred.
• A young master named Xu intervenes, revealing the corruption of the law enforcement officers. He punishes the officer who overcharged Xia Ping's group and apologizes to them.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping remains calm and collected, choosing not to cause trouble despite the extortion attempt, as he has a mission to accomplish.
• Cat Immortal provides strategic insights and speculates about the potential hiding of the sought-after items.
• Feng Hetang and the others show anger and frustration at the extortion attempt but ultimately follow Xia Ping's lead.
• Young Master Xu demonstrates his power and influence on Crystal Star, revealing his ruthlessness and willingness to maintain order according to his rules.

Significant Themes

• The thin line between chaos and order, and how they can coexist.
• The corrupt nature of power and the consequences of abusing it.
• The importance of maintaining a calm demeanor and patience in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and Cat Immortal discuss the possibility of finding the sought-after items on Crystal Star.
• Xia Ping's group interacts with the corrupt law enforcement officers, leading to a confrontation with Young Master Xu.
• Young Master Xu intervenes on behalf of Xia Ping's group, revealing his power and influence on Crystal Star.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping arrives on Crystal Star with Jiang Yaru and others, where they're approached by Xu Liangyin, a manager of Lawless Planet.
• Xu Liangyin offers an exorbitant price of four hundred million Universal Coins each for the four women, claiming they're female slaves, but Xia Ping refuses.
• Xu Liangyin reveals he cultivates the demonic Infinite Cauldron Furnace Art, which requires him to capture and dual cultivate with women of special constitutions to strengthen his power.
• Xu Liangyin orders his attendants to monitor Xia Ping's group and kill them when the opportunity arises, but the women are to be left unharmed.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping: Shows calm composure and caution when dealing with Xu Liangyin, revealing he possesses the Telepathic Resonance Technique, which allows him to sense malice in others.
• Xu Liangyin: Reveals his true colors as a cruel and ambitious cultivator of a demonic sect technique, willing to kill and capture others for his own gain.

Significant Themes

• Greed and Ambition: Xu Liangyin's desire for power drives him to pursue the completion of his demonic art at any cost, including the lives of others.
• Deception and Manipulation: Xu Liangyin uses an outrageous offer to try and acquire the women, intending to deceive and manipulate Xia Ping and his group.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and Xu Liangyin: Their interaction is tense and wary, with Xia Ping refusing Xu Liangyin's offer and Xu Liangyin plotting to kill Xia Ping and capture the women.
• Xu Liangyin and his attendants: Xu Liangyin orders his subordinates to monitor and kill Xia Ping's group, revealing his plans to use the women for his cultivation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping and his group arrive in Crystal City, the largest city on Crystal Star.
• They suspect Xu Yinliang, who tried to buy them earlier, has sinister intentions and may cause trouble.
• Xia Ping decides to seek information about the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and Crystal Fragrant Rice at Auspicious Cloud Tower.
• At Auspicious Cloud Tower, Xia Ping openly inquires about the locations, aiming to draw out those who know about them.
• Chu Feng, the owner of Auspicious Cloud Tower, meets with Xia Ping, revealing he knows about the Crystal Fragrant Rice and Nine Heavens Breathing Soil.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping shows his cunning and strategic thinking by openly seeking information to provoke a response.
• Chu Feng, the owner of Auspicious Cloud Tower, is revealed to be at the early stage of the Treasure Refining Realm, indicating his power and influence.

Significant Themes

• The theme of provocation and drawing out enemies is prominent in this chapter, as Xia Ping seeks to stir up trouble to achieve his goals.
• The power dynamics and danger of Crystal City are emphasized, with the city being a hub for criminals and the lawless.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping's group discusses their suspicions about Xu Yinliang and decides to be vigilant.
• Xia Ping interacts with the elderly man in the suit and Chu Feng, the owner of Auspicious Cloud Tower, showcasing his assertiveness and impatience.
• Chu Feng and Xia Ping meet, with Chu Feng revealing his knowledge about the sought-after items, setting the stage for potential conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping visits Auspicious Cloud Tower to exchange a bottle of Dragon Blood for valuable intelligence.
• Chu Feng, the tower's owner, tries to frame Xia Ping, accusing him of stealing the Dragon Blood from the tower.
• Xia Ping, anticipating the betrayal, kills Chu Feng with a single spear thrust, revealing his ruthless nature.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping: Shows cunning and ruthlessness, not hesitating to kill when betrayed. He values the information he seeks and is willing to exchange a precious treasure for it.
• Chu Feng: Reveals his greedy and treacherous nature, trying to frame and rob Xia Ping. His actions lead to his own demise.

Significant Themes

• Greed and Betrayal: Chu Feng's greed for the Dragon Blood leads him to betray Xia Ping, ultimately resulting in his death.
• Ruthlessness and Cunning: Xia Ping demonstrates these qualities, not hesitating to kill when necessary and outsmarting his opponents.

Character Interactions

• Xia Ping vs. Chu Feng: Xia Ping outmaneuvers and kills Chu Feng, showing no mercy despite Chu Feng's attempts to frame him.
• Xia Ping vs. Auspicious Cloud Tower: Xia Ping's actions serve as a warning to the tower's inhabitants, demonstrating the consequences of underestimating him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping kills the owner of Auspicious Cloud Tower, Chu Feng, with a single spear thrust.
• Two early-stage Treasure Refining Realm elders attack Xia Ping but are killed instantly.
• Auspicious Cloud Tower activates its defensive grand formation, the Eight Gates Cloud Mist Formation.
• Xia Ping destroys the formation with a single spear thrust, killing the last elder and most of the Divine Ability Realm cultivators.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping demonstrates his brutal and fearless nature, killing without hesitation.
• The people of Auspicious Cloud Tower show their ruthlessness and desperation in protecting their territory.

Significant Themes

• The power of Xia Ping's Spear of Hell and Hell Divine Ability.
• The defensive capabilities of Auspicious Cloud Tower and the consequences of underestimating Xia Ping.

Character Interactions

• Feng Hetang, Jiang Yaru, and the others are shocked by Xia Ping's actions but understand his reasoning.
• The people of Auspicious Cloud Tower are enraged by Xia Ping's actions and seek to kill him.

Chapter Summary: “The Name Remains, But the Reality Is Gone”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Ping’s spear attack destroys Auspicious Cloud Tower’s grand defensive formation and effectively splits the entire tower in half.
• The resulting shockwave devastates the surrounding streets and buildings, causing tremors throughout Crystal City that resemble a major earthquake.
• News quickly spreads that the owner of Auspicious Cloud Tower and several Treasure Refining Realm elders have been killed, while countless others are dead or seriously injured.
• The tower’s destruction leaves it existing only in name, with its authority and power essentially wiped out.
• Xia Ping’s companions discover more than a hundred Mica Gold treasure chests hidden within the ruined tower. They contain vast amounts of spirit herbs, pills, Spirit Liquid, treasure artifacts, and spirit artifacts.
• Their haul highlights the enormous difference between the resources of the broader universe and those available in the Cloud Sky Realm.
• The destruction attracts Yan Yong, a mid-stage Treasure Refining Realm expert and one of Crystal City’s nine stewards.
• Yan Yong accuses Xia Ping of violating Crystal City’s rules and declares that destroying Auspicious Cloud Tower is a capital offense.
• Xia Ping explains that Auspicious Cloud Tower attempted to rob him after he offered to trade Dragon Blood, claiming he acted in self-defense against their greed and betrayal.
• Yan Yong rejects his explanation, openly declares Crystal City to be the territory of the Red Scarf Bandits, and attacks Xia Ping with a devastating golden saber strike. The chapter ends as the attack is launched.

Character Developments

• Xia Ping: Remains calm and confident after annihilating a major power. He shows no fear when confronted by Yan Yong and justifies his actions as punishment for Auspicious Cloud Tower’s violation of trade rules.
• Jiang Yaru, Su Ji, and the others: React with amazement to the enormous treasure trove they obtain, gaining a clearer understanding of the universe’s vastly greater wealth compared with the Cloud Sky Realm.
• Yu Qiqi: Demonstrates foresight, having anticipated that Crystal City’s authorities would intervene after such an open massacre.
• Yan Yong: Is introduced as a brutal, hot-tempered city steward with a reputation for extreme violence. He immediately sides with Crystal City’s established powers and treats Xia Ping as a criminal rather than investigating the circumstances.

Significant Themes

• The collapse of power and reputation: Auspicious Cloud Tower still retains its name, but its leaders, defenses, and influence have been destroyed, emphasizing that an organization’s true strength lies in its people and power rather than its title.
• Justice versus law: Xia Ping presents the attack as retribution against criminals who broke the rules of a trade, while Yan Yong treats the destruction itself as the only relevant crime. The chapter questions whether “law” in Crystal City is genuine justice or merely protection for those in power.
• Predatory lawlessness: Crystal City is revealed as a domain controlled by the Red Scarf Bandits, where authority is backed by violence and political connections.
• The vastness of the universe: The treasures found in one ruined tower demonstrate how limited the Cloud Sky Realm is compared with the wider universe.
• Retribution among criminals: Although Auspicious Cloud Tower’s victims and customers are themselves criminals, their deaths are portrayed by Xia Ping’s group as fitting punishment, reinforcing the morally corrupt environment of Crystal City.

Important Character Interactions

• Xia Ping and his companions: They share in the discovery of the tower’s treasures, and Su Ji’s comments prompt reflection on the difference between the Cloud Sky Realm and the greater universe.
• Xia Ping and Yu Qiqi: Yu Qiqi recognizes that city officials will inevitably respond, while Xia Ping remains prepared to face them.
• Xia Ping and Yan Yong: Their confrontation is ideological as well as physical. Xia Ping claims he defended himself against an attempted robbery, whereas Yan Yong insists that no one may kill within the stewards’ territory without permission.
• Yan Yong and the onlookers: His reputation terrifies the spectators, who flee to avoid becoming collateral damage. Their reactions establish him as a feared authority figure even before he attacks.