Ch. 321Jing Hongchen's Ambition
Chapter Summary: Jing Hongchen’s Ambition
Key Plot Points and Events
- Huo Yutong and Ji Siyuan visit the Tang Sect’s newly organized Soul Tool Hall, where studying, designing, and manufacturing have been separated into specialized areas.
- The hall’s standards are revealed to have been lowered from Jing Hongchen’s original requirement of Level Seven Soul Engineers to Level Five because the Tang Sect’s foundation was comparatively weak.
- Xiao Hongchen proudly announces that he has recently become a Level Seven Soul Engineer and ranks among the hall’s top three. Jing Ziyan immediately challenges his claim, leading to playful bickering.
- Xuan Ziwen has successfully become both a Titled Douluo and a Level Nine Soul Engineer. His advancement greatly increases the Tang Sect’s influence, since it now possesses two Level Nine Soul Engineers rather than relying on Shrek’s shared strength.
- Jing Hongchen and Xuan Ziwen are studying a mysterious glowing stone. Jing explains that the stone is surrounded by jade that fluoresces when stimulated and that the stone itself contains a powerful substance.
- Jing reveals that the object once released enormous energy and believes it may help him break through to become a Level Ten Soul Engineer.
- Alarmed by the danger, Ji Siyuan immediately drags Huo Yutong away. He knows from his father’s warning that the stone poses a threat beyond the possibility of an ordinary explosion.
- Ji Siyuan gives Jing Hongchen a High-Energy Compression Array Soul Tool obtained from Kong Deming. Jing is confident that the Tang Sect can replicate it and is visibly excited by the chance to study one of the Sun Moon Empire’s greatest achievements.
- Ji Siyuan and Huo Yutong leave, discussing whether Jing should be warned. Ji concludes that Jing’s ambition will prevent him from abandoning the stone, especially now that becoming a Level Ten Soul Engineer seems possible.
- The chapter ends in Shrek’s Inner Court, where students notice a pink-blue-haired girl who resembles Wang Dong’er but seems distinctly different.
Character Developments
- Jing Hongchen is shown as highly experienced, ambitious, and willing to accept considerable danger in pursuit of advancement. His primary goal is to reach Level Ten as a Soul Engineer.
- Xuan Ziwen has achieved a major breakthrough, becoming a Titled Douluo and Level Nine Soul Engineer. This establishes him as one of the Tang Sect’s most important figures.
- Xiao Hongchen has advanced to Level Seven and is proud of his status, though his rivalry with Jing Ziyan shows that his position is not entirely secure.
- Jing Ziyan is also a Level Seven Soul Engineer and confidently contests Xiao Hongchen’s boast, revealing a lively and competitive personality.
- Huo Yutong continues to prioritize Soul Master cultivation over Soul Tool advancement. Xuan Ziwen believes she has exceptional talent, while Jing Hongchen supports her decision to focus on her primary path.
- Ji Siyuan demonstrates strong caution and practical judgment. Unlike Jing Hongchen, he refuses to underestimate the mysterious stone and immediately removes himself and Huo Yutong from danger.
- Wang Dong’er’s apparent counterpart is introduced through the reactions of Shrek students, creating a mystery about her identity and changed appearance or demeanor.
Significant Themes
- Ambition versus caution: Jing Hongchen’s desire to become a Level Ten Soul Engineer leads him to experiment with a dangerous object, while Ji Siyuan prioritizes survival and refuses to take unnecessary risks.
- The advancement of Soul Tools: The Tang Sect is rapidly developing into a major center for Soul Tool research, aided by experienced figures such as Jing Hongchen and Xuan Ziwen.
- Rising power and influence: Xuan Ziwen’s promotion to Level Nine dramatically strengthens the Tang Sect and ensures that it can no longer be dismissed as dependent on Shrek.
- Different paths to strength: Huo Yutong chooses to focus on Soul Master cultivation, showing that strength can come from balancing or prioritizing different disciplines rather than pursuing Soul Tool mastery alone.
- Competition and collaboration: The playful rivalry among the younger Soul Engineers contrasts with the serious cooperation between Jing Hongchen and Xuan Ziwen.
- Mystery and foreshadowing: The unexplained danger of the stone and the arrival of the girl resembling Wang Dong’er both introduce future conflicts and unanswered questions.
Character Interactions
- Xiao Hongchen and Jing Ziyan exchange boastful remarks over who deserves recognition as the third-ranked Level Seven Soul Engineer.
- Xuan Ziwen encourages Huo Yutong to improve her Soul Tool abilities, while Jing Hongchen defends her decision to focus on Soul Power cultivation.
- Jing Hongchen enthusiastically explains the mysterious stone to Ji Siyuan and Huo Yutong, unaware—or unconcerned—that Ji views it as dangerously unpredictable.
- Ji Siyuan reacts protectively toward Huo Yutong, pulling her away from the laboratory and later explaining why Jing Hongchen cannot realistically be persuaded to abandon the stone.
- Ji Siyuan presents Jing Hongchen with the High-Energy Compression Array Soul Tool, prompting Jing’s excitement and renewed confidence in his research.