Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Dog System, You Set Me Up!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An receives a new travel mission from the system while riding in a car with an old Daoist and his two disciples. Because the system gives him ten minutes to prepare, he calmly waits until reaching his villa rather than revealing his abilities or abandoning his companions.
• During the journey, Wu An asks the old Daoist about the mysterious realm known as the “True Person.”
• The old Daoist explains that Transcendents generally cultivate through three stages: Essence Refining, Qi Refining, and Spirit Refining. Those who reach the final stage are called True Persons.
• True Persons are legendary beings capable of communicating with heaven and earth, sensing things beyond ordinary perception, and even predicting the future by exhausting their spiritual power. Such predictions carry severe risks, including crippling backlash or death.
• Wu An connects the True Person realm to his own system, reasoning that it may correspond to a spirit attribute exceeding one hundred. Since his spirit is currently only ninety-five, he concludes that he has not yet reached that level.
• Despite this, Wu An remains confident that his many abilities and trump cards—especially the Eight Gates and the mysterious Divine Flame—would allow him to defeat an ordinary True Person.
• After arriving at Villa No. 1, Wu An begins traveling just before his preparation time expires.
• He appears in another world suspended in midair and immediately sees a powerful, sword-wielding woman performing a seven-step ritual.
• The woman summons dark clouds and terrifying divine lightning before directing it straight at Wu An. Caught off guard, Wu An realizes the system has placed him directly in danger and curses it as the lightning engulfs him.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Becomes more analytical about the cultivation system of the Urban World and compares its levels with his own attribute-based abilities. Although he is confident in his overwhelming combat strength, he acknowledges that he has never personally fought a True Person and therefore should not become careless. His desire to grow stronger and complete more missions intensifies.
• The old Daoist: Reveals his understanding of the True Person realm and shows deep reverence for these legendary cultivators. His explanation provides important background on the world’s cultivation hierarchy.
• The sword-wielding woman: Makes a dramatic first appearance as an extremely powerful and mysterious figure. Her mastery of thunder-based sword techniques immediately establishes her as a major threat to Wu An.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of absolute strength: Wu An believes only overwhelming power can guarantee freedom from fear, especially with the possible revival of the Central Plains Spirit Meridian and the return of demons, ghosts, and other supernatural threats.
• Different standards of power: The chapter contrasts the old Daoist’s awe of True Persons with Wu An’s broader perspective, shaped by knowledge of stronger beings from countless worlds.
• Confidence versus caution: Wu An trusts his abilities but recognizes the danger of underestimating unfamiliar opponents. His confidence is immediately tested when he arrives in the new world under attack.
• The unpredictability of the system: The system’s travel missions can place Wu An in extremely dangerous situations without warning, creating both humor and suspense.

Character Interactions

• Wu An cautiously questions the old Daoist about True Persons while concealing his own understanding and powers.
• The old Daoist responds respectfully, believing Wu An to be a True Person himself, and provides a detailed explanation of the cultivation realms.
• After reaching the villa, Wu An dismisses the old Daoist and his disciples before initiating the system’s travel.
• In the Otherworld, Wu An has no direct dialogue with the sword-wielding woman; their first interaction is immediately hostile, as she performs a lightning-summoning sword technique and attacks him without explanation.

Chapter Summary: Zhu Xian!

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An is caught in an overwhelming heavenly lightning attack. He uses the Five Thunders Orthodox Method and its Xiantian destructive aura to resist, while preparing to tear open space and escape if necessary.
• He realizes that this lightning is fundamentally different from his own thunder technique: it is broader, more majestic, and powerful enough to resemble the wrath of a divine Thor. This leads him to conclude that he has entered an extremely advanced cultivation world.
• After the lightning weakens, Wu An encounters a cautious young man holding a black fire poker.
• The young man identifies himself as Zhang Xiaofan, a disciple of Qingyun Sect’s Big Bamboo Peak. Wu An recognizes the setting as the Zhu Xian World, specifically the period of Qingyun Sect’s Seven Branch Martial Tournament.
• Wu An deduces that the person who summoned the lightning was likely Lu Xueqi, a Little Bamboo Peak disciple wielding the Tianya Divine Sword and the Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Spell.
• He also recognizes Zhang Xiaofan’s importance to the world’s future. Zhang Xiaofan is still in his innocent early stage, before becoming the powerful and ruthless Gui Li.
• Zhang Xiaofan suspects Wu An of being a Demon Cult spy and warns him that Qingyun Sect’s leader, Dao Xuan, is invincible beneath the heavens.
• Wu An observes the black Firestick and immediately sees through its hidden evil nature. He identifies it as the product of blood-refining the Bloodthirsty Pearl and Soul-Devouring, two sinister magical objects.
• Wu An points out that Zhang Xiaofan’s possession of such an evil weapon raises doubts about whether he truly belongs to the righteous path.
• Zhang Xiaofan is shocked that Wu An can identify the Firestick’s origins, since even Qingyun Sect’s Water Qilin could only sense that the weapon was abnormal.
• Despite his fear and confusion, Zhang Xiaofan remains willing to fight to the death to protect Qingyun Sect.
• Wu An then reveals that he knows the truth behind the massacre of Grass Temple Village, causing Zhang Xiaofan’s expression to change dramatically.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates great composure and perception. He evaluates the lightning, identifies the world he has entered, recognizes key figures and events, and immediately sees the Firestick’s hidden danger. His knowledge gives him psychological control over Zhang Xiaofan.
• Zhang Xiaofan: Is portrayed as timid, suspicious, and still morally innocent. However, he shows courage and loyalty by preparing to sacrifice himself for Qingyun Sect. His unease toward the Firestick hints at the future conflict between his righteous upbringing and the weapon’s corrupting influence.
• Lu Xueqi: Though she does not directly interact with Wu An, her immense lightning technique establishes her as a powerful and significant figure in the tournament.
• Dao Xuan and the Qingyun Sect: Their reputation as the supreme force of the righteous path shapes Zhang Xiaofan’s confidence and defensive attitude.

Significant Themes

• The conflict between righteousness and evil: The chapter questions whether outward affiliation with the righteous path determines a person’s true nature, especially through Zhang Xiaofan’s possession of the evil Firestick.
• Hidden corruption and moral destiny: Zhang Xiaofan’s weapon contains immense evil, foreshadowing his eventual transformation and internal struggle.
• Power and world hierarchy: Wu An compares the lightning and cultivation systems of different worlds, emphasizing the vast differences between realms and the existence of powers beyond ordinary martial worlds.
• Fate and foreknowledge: Wu An recognizes major events and Zhang Xiaofan’s future development, suggesting that his arrival may alter an established destiny.
• Loyalty and sacrifice: Zhang Xiaofan’s willingness to fight despite his fear shows his deep loyalty to Qingyun Sect and his willingness to die for what he believes is right.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhang Xiaofan begin with mutual suspicion. Zhang Xiaofan questions Wu An’s identity and assumes he may be a Demon Cult member.
• Wu An responds calmly and indirectly challenges Zhang Xiaofan’s understanding of righteousness by exposing the evil nature of his Firestick.
• Zhang Xiaofan becomes deeply alarmed when Wu An identifies the weapon’s origin, revealing a secret he has tried to conceal.
• Their confrontation shifts when Wu An mentions the massacre of Grass Temple Village. This personal revelation immediately destabilizes Zhang Xiaofan and creates a powerful opening for Wu An to control or interrogate him.

Chapter Summary: “Black Water Mystic Serpent!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An confronts Zhang Xiaofan during the Seven Branch Martial Tournament and reveals that he knows the truth about the massacre of Grass Temple Village.
• He offers Zhang Xiaofan a bargain: remain silent about Wu An’s presence in Qingyun Sect, and Wu An will reveal the identity of the true culprit behind the massacre.
• Zhang Xiaofan initially refuses, arguing that silence would be useless because Qingyun Sect’s leaders would eventually notice Wu An. He ultimately agrees after Wu An promises to disclose the truth.
• Wu An demonstrates his supernatural Invisibility ability, completely vanishing before Zhang Xiaofan. Zhang Xiaofan is shocked because the disappearance is not an ordinary visual illusion.
• Wu An remains hidden while Lu Xueqi’s Nine Heavens Divine Thunder dissipates. He worries that Qingyun Sect’s experts might detect him with Divine Sense, but no one investigates because they assume no outsider could have infiltrated the sect.
• Zhang Xiaofan falls from the sky after the attack. Tian Buyi catches him and praises him for reaching the tournament’s top four and surviving the powerful Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Spell.
• Lu Xueqi briefly suspects that she saw someone standing in front of Zhang Xiaofan during the lightning attack, but she dismisses the memory as an illusion caused by using the secret technique.
• Wu An quietly retreats into the crowd, reflecting on whether learning the truth about the massacre will truly benefit Zhang Xiaofan.
• The system suddenly issues Wu An a new main mission: travel to Dead Spirit Abyss and kill the Black Water Mystic Serpent.

Character Developments

• Wu An shows caution and strategic thinking. Rather than risk confronting Qingyun Sect or being captured, he manipulates Zhang Xiaofan’s deepest emotional wound to ensure his secrecy.
• Zhang Xiaofan is shown to remain deeply traumatized by the destruction of Grass Temple Village. His desire to learn the truth is strong enough to make him compromise his principles and conceal Wu An’s presence.
• Tian Buyi demonstrates genuine pride and concern for Zhang Xiaofan, emphasizing how far his disciple has progressed.
• Lu Xueqi displays sharp perception by sensing that something was wrong during the lightning spell, though she ultimately suppresses her doubts.
• Wu An’s confidence in his own abilities is balanced by his awareness of the danger posed by Qingyun Sect’s Immortal-Slaying Sword.

Significant Themes

• Truth versus peace: Zhang Xiaofan must decide whether uncovering the truth about the massacre is worth becoming involved in Wu An’s dangerous secret.
• Manipulation and leverage: Wu An exploits Zhang Xiaofan’s grief to secure his own escape.
• Hidden power and surveillance: Wu An’s Invisibility gives him an advantage, but the possibility of detection by Divine Sense reminds him that even powerful abilities have limits.
• Trauma and unresolved grief: The Grass Temple Village massacre continues to define Zhang Xiaofan’s motivations and emotional life.
• The limits of righteousness: Although Qingyun Sect is a revered righteous institution, Wu An fears imprisonment and loss of freedom if discovered, showing that even “righteous” forces can threaten individual autonomy.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhang Xiaofan: Their central exchange is a tense bargain built on blackmail, curiosity, and mutual caution. Wu An demands silence, while Zhang Xiaofan insists on learning the massacre’s truth.
• Zhang Xiaofan and Tian Buyi: Tian Buyi catches and comforts Zhang Xiaofan, praising his performance and survival.
• Lu Xueqi and Master Shuiyue: Master Shuiyue checks on Lu Xueqi after her dangerous use of the Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Spell. Lu Xueqi assures her that she is unharmed.
• Wu An and the Qingyun Sect crowd: Wu An remains unseen among them, successfully escaping notice while everyone’s attention is fixed on Zhang Xiaofan.

Chapter Summary: Immortal-Slaying Sword!

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An learns that the Black Water Mystic Serpent is a colossal Primordial Magical Beast, over 300 meters long and twelve meters thick. Recognizing that it may flee if it detects danger, he decides it must be killed quickly.
• After Zhang Xiaofan’s defeat, the Seven Branch Martial Tournament concludes. Qi Hao takes first place, followed by Zeng Shushu and Lu Xueqi, while Zhang Xiaofan ranks fourth.
• Knowing the group will soon travel to Ten Thousand Bats Cave—and that the Dead Spirit Abyss beneath it is likely the serpent’s location—Wu An decides to accompany Zhang Xiaofan.
• To move freely within Qingyun Sect, Wu An disguises himself in a Qingyun disciple’s Daoist robe. He observes Wan Jianyi, the legendary former genius secretly living as a groundskeeper, but chooses not to expose his identity.
• Zhang Xiaofan, Lu Xueqi, and Zeng Shushu meet to discuss their mission to Ten Thousand Bats Cave, with Wu An joining them.
• Zhang Xiaofan privately confronts Wu An, demanding to know who murdered the people of Grass Temple Village. His anger triggers the vicious aura within the Firestick, causing the weapon to glow blood-red.
• Zhang Xiaofan briefly loses control, but golden and azure lights flash through his eyes, restoring his clarity. A mysterious elder notices the immense vicious aura surrounding him and immediately accuses him of being a Demon Cult member.
• Zeng Shushu and Lu Xueqi defend Zhang Xiaofan, arguing that Qingyun Sect’s leaders would have discovered such an affiliation long ago.
• Wu An challenges the elder’s reasoning, pointing out that if vicious aura alone proves someone belongs to the Demon Cult, then no object could compare to the Immortal-Slaying Sword.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates strategic caution regarding the Black Water Mystic Serpent and continues concealing his identity within Qingyun Sect. His knowledge of hidden figures such as Wan Jianyi shows his awareness of the world’s deeper secrets. He also positions himself as Zhang Xiaofan’s protector and intellectual challenger.
• Zhang Xiaofan: Becomes increasingly desperate to learn the truth about Grass Temple Village. His emotional instability and the Firestick’s influence are revealed, suggesting that its baleful power threatens his self-control.
• Zeng Shushu: Shows curiosity about Wu An’s unusual aura and loyalty toward Zhang Xiaofan, quickly defending him against the accusation of being a Demon Cult member.
• Lu Xueqi: Remains observant and reserved but is attentive to Wu An and Zhang Xiaofan’s unusual behavior.
• Wan Jianyi: Though appearing to be an ordinary old sweeper, his hidden identity and legendary strength are emphasized, establishing him as a major concealed power within Qingyun Sect.
• The mysterious elder: Represents a rigid and possibly unreliable worldview, judging Zhang Xiaofan solely by the vicious aura surrounding the Firestick.

Significant Themes

• Appearance versus reality: Wu An disguises himself as an ordinary disciple, Wan Jianyi hides as a groundskeeper, and Zhang Xiaofan is mistaken for a Demon Cult member because of an aura caused by his weapon.
• The danger of power: The Black Water Mystic Serpent and the Firestick both possess overwhelming power that can threaten others or escape control.
• Prejudice and flawed judgment: The elder equates vicious aura with evil allegiance, raising questions about whether power’s nature truly determines a person’s morality.
• Hidden identities and secrets: Wu An’s origins, Wan Jianyi’s past, and the truth behind Grass Temple Village remain concealed.
• Control versus corruption: Zhang Xiaofan’s struggle to suppress the Firestick’s baleful influence foreshadows a continuing conflict between his own will and the weapon’s power.

Important Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhang Xiaofan: Their relationship is based on an uneasy alliance. Zhang Xiaofan follows Wu An’s instructions but demands answers about his past.
• Wu An and Wan Jianyi: Wu An recognizes Wan Jianyi’s true identity but deliberately leaves him undisturbed.
• Zhang Xiaofan, Zeng Shushu, and Lu Xueqi: The group prepares for the Ten Thousand Bats Cave mission, with Zeng Shushu and Lu Xueqi becoming witnesses to Zhang Xiaofan’s loss of control.
• Wu An and the mysterious elder: Wu An directly dismantles the elder’s accusation by comparing Zhang Xiaofan’s aura to the even more terrifying presence of the Immortal-Slaying Sword.

Chapter Summary: “9 Questions!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An reveals that the Immortal-Slaying Sword, despite being revered as the symbol of righteousness and the Qingyun Sect’s greatest treasure, contains immense baleful energy. It was forged from Chiyou Blood Jade and infused with the souls of Chiyou’s hundred thousand soldiers.
• His claim shocks Zhang Xiaofan, Zeng Shushu, and Lu Xueqi, who have always regarded the sword as a sacred weapon that protects the righteous path.
• Wu An identifies the old shrine keeper as Wan Jianyi, one of Qingyun Sect’s legendary Twin Prodigies and a man believed to have been executed for murdering the former sect leader.
• Wan Jianyi’s past is clarified: the previous sect leader was corrupted by the Immortal-Slaying Sword’s baleful energy, suffered qi deviation, and was killed by Wan Jianyi. Wan was consequently branded a traitor and forced to hide in the ancestral shrine.
• When Wu An attempts to leave, Wan Jianyi blocks him and demands that he accompany him to meet Sect Leader Dao Xuan, suspecting that Wu An’s knowledge and identity are extraordinary.
• Wu An agrees on the condition that Wan Jianyi withstand nine slashes, each representing a profound question.
• Wu An summons the mysterious Heavenly Blade, whose appearance causes even Lu Xueqi’s Tianya Divine Sword to tremble.
• The first five slashes take the form of philosophical questions about the origins of the Dao, heaven and earth, yin and yang, the divisions of the earth, and the arrangement of the sun, moon, and stars.
• Each slash draws Wan Jianyi into an illusory primordial world. He struggles to break free using the Qingyun Sect’s Tai Chi Mystic Purity Dao, but the attacks increasingly overwhelm him.
• After the fifth question, Wan Jianyi is visibly faltering and summons the Dragon-Slaying Sword, ending the chapter on a tense cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Wu An is shown to possess an extraordinary understanding of Qingyun Sect’s hidden history and the Immortal-Slaying Sword’s true nature. His calm confidence suggests that he vastly exceeds ordinary cultivators in strength and knowledge.
• Wan Jianyi shifts from an obscure, humble shrine keeper into a legendary and formidable master. Although initially confident in his ability to survive nine attacks, he becomes increasingly pressured by Wu An’s metaphysical techniques.
• Zhang Xiaofan begins questioning the foundations of his understanding of the Qingyun Sect and follows Wu An despite being stunned by the revelations.
• Zeng Shushu experiences a major crisis of faith when he learns that the sect’s revered treasure is also the world’s most powerful baleful object.
• Lu Xueqi remains deeply respectful of the Immortal-Slaying Sword but is unsettled when both it and her Tianya Divine Sword react fearfully to Wu An’s Heavenly Blade.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between appearance and reality: The Immortal-Slaying Sword is publicly celebrated as a righteous weapon, yet its origins make it an extraordinarily sinister object.
• Corruption within righteousness: The Qingyun Sect’s reputation is built upon a weapon whose baleful energy has already caused tragedy within the sect.
• Hidden history and suppressed truth: Wan Jianyi’s identity and the real circumstances behind his supposed crime reveal that official narratives may conceal important truths.
• Knowledge as power: Wu An’s understanding of ancient mysteries gives him psychological and spiritual dominance over Wan Jianyi.
• Philosophical confrontation: The nine slashes are not merely physical attacks but questions concerning creation, cosmic order, and the foundations of existence.

Character Interactions

• Wu An directly challenges the Qingyun disciples’ faith in the Immortal-Slaying Sword, while Zeng Shushu and Lu Xueqi openly struggle to accept his claims.
• Wu An and Wan Jianyi engage in a tense exchange over identity, secrecy, and the sword’s baleful nature.
• Wan Jianyi attempts to assert authority by taking Wu An to Dao Xuan, but Wu An reverses the power dynamic by proposing the nine-slash trial.
• The confrontation becomes increasingly one-sided as Wu An’s questions overwhelm Wan Jianyi’s mind, forcing him to rely on his strongest weapon, the Dragon-Slaying Sword.

Chapter Summary: “Defeat”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An confronts Wan Jianyi in the Qingyun Sect’s ancestral hall and uses the Heavenly Blade Nine Questions, a saber technique that attacks the opponent’s spirit rather than merely the body.
• Wan Jianyi is unusually vulnerable because the guilt of having killed his master in his youth has left a deep psychological flaw.
• Wu An gradually presses Wan Jianyi with the technique’s nine questions. Though Wan Jianyi resists with the Dragon-Slaying Sword, one of the Nine Heavens Divine Weapons, he is ultimately overwhelmed.
• The final question causes Wan Jianyi to bleed from the eyes and collapse to his knees. His sword flies away, and he admits defeat.
• Wan Jianyi acknowledges the extraordinary nature of Wu An’s saber art and accepts the result with admiration rather than resentment.
• Because Wu An has won, Wan Jianyi permits Wu An, Zhang Xiaofan, and the others to leave. He also agrees to disregard Zhang Xiaofan’s possession of the mysterious stick.
• After Wu An and Zhang Xiaofan depart, Zeng Shushu and Lu Xueqi realize that the elderly sweeper is truly Wan Jianyi, despite his century-long disappearance.
• Lu Xueqi speculates that Sect Master Dao Xuan already knows Wan Jianyi is living in the ancestral hall and may have arranged his concealment there.
• Lu Xueqi becomes deeply suspicious of Wu An’s identity and strength, sensing that his appearance may awaken long-dormant conflicts across the Divine Land.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates overwhelming spiritual and martial power, defeating the legendary Wan Jianyi with minimal visible effort. His calm, mysterious demeanor makes him appear even more formidable, possibly surpassing Lu Xueqi’s estimation of Sect Master Dao Xuan.
• Wan Jianyi: Reveals that he is still a peerless expert, capable of summoning and wielding the Dragon-Slaying Sword. However, his unresolved guilt becomes the weakness Wu An exploits. Despite losing, he displays magnanimity, honesty, and genuine admiration for Wu An’s technique.
• Zhang Xiaofan: Witnesses the battle and recognizes the Dragon-Slaying Sword. His connection with Wu An continues to place him near events involving hidden experts and major secrets.
• Lu Xueqi: Shows keen insight into the spiritual nature of the battle and quickly recognizes Wan Jianyi’s true identity. Her suspicion of Wu An grows, as she cannot accept that he is merely an ordinary disciple of Big Bamboo Peak.
• Zeng Shushu: Initially doubts that the old sweeper is Wan Jianyi, but accepts the truth after seeing the Dragon-Slaying Sword. He remains less perceptive than Lu Xueqi regarding Wu An’s identity.

Significant Themes

• Psychological weakness and inner guilt: The technique defeats Wan Jianyi by exploiting his buried remorse, showing that spiritual wounds can be more decisive than physical strength.
• The hidden power of the past: Wan Jianyi, a legendary figure presumed dead, has been living quietly in obscurity, suggesting that Qingyun Sect conceals many secrets.
• Humility and acceptance: Despite his status and reputation, Wan Jianyi accepts defeat honorably and even rejoices at witnessing a remarkable new saber art.
• Mystery and concealed identity: Wu An claims to be a disciple of Big Bamboo Peak, but his strength makes this explanation implausible. His true origins remain uncertain.
• Impending upheaval: Lu Xueqi senses that Wu An’s arrival may disturb the century-long peace of the Divine Land and trigger new conflicts.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Wan Jianyi: Their duel is the chapter’s central interaction. Wu An attacks Wan Jianyi’s mind through the Heavenly Blade Nine Questions, while Wan Jianyi relies on the Dragon-Slaying Sword to resist. Their conflict ends in mutual recognition, with Wan Jianyi respecting Wu An’s ability.
• Wu An and Zhang Xiaofan: Wu An’s victory protects Zhang Xiaofan and allows him to leave safely. Zhang Xiaofan follows Wu An after the battle, reinforcing their association.
• Lu Xueqi and Zeng Shushu: They debate whether the sweeper is truly Wan Jianyi. Lu Xueqi’s superior understanding leads them to recognize his identity and speculate about Dao Xuan’s involvement.
• Lu Xueqi and Wu An: Although they do not directly confront each other, Lu Xueqi observes Wu An’s strength and becomes increasingly wary of his unexplained background.

Chapter Summary: “Not Much to It!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Xiaofan, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, Qi Hao, and Wu An prepare to descend from Qingyun Mountain and investigate Ten Thousand Bats Cave, where Demon Cult activity has reportedly been detected.
• The group travels to Heyang City and stops at a large inn to rest.
• While ordering food, they meet a beautiful young woman in aqua-green robes and her veiled companion. The girl recognizes them as Qingyun disciples and suggests they are also heading toward Ten Thousand Bats Cave.
• Qi Hao reveals that several Demon Cult members may be gathering near the cave, possibly to carry out a major scheme.
• The girl warns that the mission is extremely dangerous and mocks the group for believing they can investigate the Demon Cult with so few people.
• Discussion turns to the Ghost King Sect, one of the Demon Cult’s four major factions. Zeng Shushu expresses concern that the sect is growing powerful and may unite the Demon Cult.
• Wu An repeatedly dismisses the Ghost King Sect, its four powerful holy envoys, and even its sect leader as “not much to it.”
• The girl becomes increasingly furious, revealing through her defense of the sect that she is closely connected to it. Her veiled companion eventually calms her and reminds her to focus on the mission.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Displays extreme confidence and apparent disregard for the Demon Cult’s strongest figures. His calm dismissal of the Ghost King Sect contrasts sharply with everyone else’s fear and respect, establishing him as either extraordinarily powerful or dangerously arrogant.
• Qi Hao: Acts as the group’s responsible leader, arranging their rest and food in Heyang City. He is alarmed by Wu An’s reckless comments and worries that they could provoke the Demon Cult.
• Zhang Xiaofan: Remains curious and cautious, asking whether the danger surrounding Ten Thousand Bats Cave is genuine. He introduces Wu An as another Big Bamboo Peak disciple traveling with them.
• Lu Xueqi: Maintains her usual cold, composed demeanor and shows little outward reaction to the warnings or confrontation.
• Zeng Shushu: Becomes visibly worried upon hearing about the Demon Cult and the Ghost King Sect, but Wu An’s confidence provides him with some reassurance.
• The aqua-green-robed girl: Initially mocks the Qingyun disciples and later becomes offended by Wu An’s contempt for the Ghost King Sect. Her detailed defense of the sect suggests personal loyalty and a close connection to its leadership.
• The veiled woman: Serves as the calmer, more restrained presence, preventing the girl from escalating the argument and reminding her of their mission.

Significant Themes

• Confidence versus arrogance: Wu An’s repeated claim that the Ghost King Sect is insignificant challenges the group’s conventional understanding of power. The chapter leaves open whether his confidence is justified or merely boastful.
• Hidden identities and affiliations: The aqua-green-robed girl’s passionate defense of the Ghost King Sect hints that she is not an ordinary traveler and may possess a significant identity.
• The growing threat of the Demon Cult: The gathering of Demon Cult members near Ten Thousand Bats Cave suggests a larger conspiracy and raises the stakes of the group’s mission.
• Generational disparity in power: The younger Qingyun disciples are forced to confront enemies whose reputations and abilities far exceed their own experience.
• Foreshadowing: Wu An’s dismissive attitude toward the Ghost King Sect foreshadows a future confrontation in which his true strength may be tested or revealed.

Character Interactions

• Qi Hao politely questions Wu An’s identity, while Zhang Xiaofan awkwardly explains that he is a fellow Big Bamboo Peak disciple.
• The inn waiter promotes the restaurant’s signature Sleeping Fish, but the aqua-green-robed girl exposes the suspicious claim that the fish is transported fresh from a distant mountain.
• Qi Hao and the girl exchange information about Ten Thousand Bats Cave, with the girl belittling the group’s ability to survive the mission.
• Zeng Shushu voices concern about the Ghost King Sect, prompting Wu An to dismiss it.
• The girl directly challenges Wu An, listing the Ghost King Sect’s holy envoys and powerful leader. Wu An calmly rejects each warning, intensifying the tension.
• Qi Hao privately cautions Wu An to avoid provoking the Demon Cult, but Wu An remains completely unconcerned.

Chapter Summary: “Dead Spirit!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qi Hao and the Qingyun Sect disciples prepare to leave the inn and continue their investigation of the Demon Cult’s activities in Ten Thousand Bats Cave.
• After they depart, the mysterious young woman in aquamarine robes leaves the inn with Aunt You. The girl is angry that Aunt You stopped her from punishing Wu An.
• Aunt You warns that Wu An is unusually dangerous. She senses incomplete sword intent connected to the Dragon-Slaying Sword and wonders whether he may have fought Wan Jianyi.
• The young woman dismisses Aunt You’s concerns and decides to deal with Wu An once they reach Ten Thousand Bats Cave.
• Half a day later, Qi Hao leads Wu An, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and the others to the cave. They defeat several groups of Demon Cult members and reach a huge cavern marked by a stone stele reading “Dead Spirit Abyss.”
• Recognizing that the Black Water Mystic Serpent should be beneath the abyss, Wu An urges the group to descend.
• At the bottom, they discover an enormous underground sea known as Yuanhai, filled with deadly energy and surrounded by darkness. Lu Xueqi realizes that it is not ordinary seawater.
• The aquamarine-robed girl and Aunt You appear, revealing their familiarity with the underground stronghold. The girl threatens Wu An, demanding that he apologize and become her servant.
• Dozens of powerful Demon Cult members surround the Qingyun disciples, causing Qi Hao, Zeng Shushu, and the others to fear that escape is unlikely.
• Wu An remains completely calm and ignores the threat, instead asking whether the girl has ever seen the Black Water Mystic Serpent.
• At that moment, the previously motionless sea begins to shake, and a huge column of water erupts, signaling the serpent’s imminent appearance.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates extraordinary composure and confidence. He appears unconcerned by the ambush and remains focused on the system’s quest to kill the Black Water Mystic Serpent.
• Qi Hao: Acts as the group’s leader and gives repeated warnings about danger, but his confidence collapses when he realizes they are surrounded by stronger Demon Cult forces.
• Lu Xueqi: Shows keen perception by identifying the deadly nature of Yuanhai. Her sword emits light, helping illuminate the dark cavern.
• Zeng Shushu: Provides curious and realistic reactions to the underground sea, displaying shock at the mysterious environment.
• The aquamarine-robed girl: Becomes increasingly hostile toward Wu An after feeling humiliated and ignored. She attempts to assert control by threatening both him and his companions.
• Aunt You: Remains cautious and perceptive. Unlike the young girl, she senses that Wu An is far more dangerous than he appears and suspects a connection between him and Wan Jianyi.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and underestimation: Wu An’s calm behavior contrasts sharply with the fear of everyone around him, reinforcing that his true power is concealed.
• Arrogance versus composure: The young girl relies on status, threats, and numbers, while Wu An refuses to be intimidated.
• Danger beneath the surface: The underground sea and Dead Spirit Abyss symbolize hidden threats, while the apparently simple mission grows increasingly perilous.
• Destiny and supernatural forces: Aunt You’s sensing of sword intent and the appearance of the Black Water Mystic Serpent suggest that Wu An is connected to larger, mysterious events.
• Conflict between sects: The Qingyun Sect’s investigation brings them directly into confrontation with the Ghost King Sect and the wider Demon Cult.

Important Character Interactions

• Aunt You cautions the young girl against provoking Wu An, but the girl ignores her advice.
• The aquamarine-robed girl openly challenges Wu An and offers to spare him only if he becomes her servant.
• Wu An responds without fear or anger, refusing to acknowledge her authority.
• Qi Hao and the other Qingyun disciples react nervously to the ambush, emphasizing the contrast between their anxiety and Wu An’s confidence.
• Aunt You silently recognizes that the situation may be more dangerous than the young girl understands, just as the Black Water Mystic Serpent begins to emerge.

Chapter Summary: “Mystic Serpent!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The previously calm Yuanhai suddenly erupts as a colossal creature rises from its depths.
• Aunt You identifies it as the Black Water Mystic Serpent, a Primordial Magical Beast believed to have disappeared nearly a thousand years ago after being severely wounded in a battle with the divine beast Yellow Bird.
• The serpent attacks the group by generating enormous waves infused with freezing power. Aunt You briefly blocks one attack and attempts to flee with the young girl, but the serpent cuts off their escape.
• The young girl’s guards launch attacks, but their weapons are completely ineffective. One by one, they are swallowed by the serpent.
• Zeng Shushu explains that the serpent is normally lazy and avoids unnecessary conflict, but Wu An reveals that it has been awakening periodically to hunt for food after spending centuries asleep and healing. Its extreme hunger is the reason it is attacking.
• The group considers retreating while the serpent is focused on the Demon Cult members. Wu An warns that the serpent is deliberately dealing with the stronger opponents first and would attack them if they tried to escape.
• Aunt You prepares to use a forbidden technique to hold the serpent back so the young girl can flee. She accepts that she may die, telling the girl that she has already lived far beyond the time she was meant to.
• Just as the young girl and Aunt You face their apparent final separation, Wu An calmly walks toward the serpent, revealing that he came to Yuanhai specifically to confront it.

Character Developments

• The young girl is overwhelmed by fear and shock at the serpent’s size and power. Her relationship with Aunt You is shown to be deeply affectionate, resembling that of a mother and daughter. She struggles to accept Aunt You’s willingness to sacrifice herself.
• Aunt You demonstrates courage and devotion by repeatedly protecting the young girl, placing herself between her and the serpent. Her readiness to die highlights her loyalty to the girl and her father.
• Zeng Shushu and Qi Hao are terrified and initially consider using the Demon Cult members as distractions so they can escape. Their fear emphasizes the overwhelming power of the serpent.
• Zhang Xiaofan remains silent and conflicted, while Lu Xueqi briefly appears tempted by the possibility of retreating.
• Wu An remains completely composed. Unlike the others, he shows no fear and reveals that the serpent’s appearance is not a surprise but the reason he came there. His confidence sharply contrasts with everyone else’s panic.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice and loyalty: Aunt You is willing to give her life to ensure the young girl survives.
• Powerlessness before nature: The serpent’s enormous scale and effortless defeat of the guards show the vulnerability of humans before an ancient supernatural force.
• Courage versus fear: While most characters panic or consider fleeing, Wu An deliberately advances toward the danger.
• Misjudgment and hidden motives: The group assumes the serpent may be randomly attacking, but Wu An understands its hunger and strategic behavior. His true purpose in coming to Yuanhai is finally revealed.
• The bonds of family and duty: Aunt You’s devotion to the young girl goes beyond formal service, reflecting a deeply personal, almost familial relationship.

Character Interactions

• Aunt You shields the young girl from the serpent and repeatedly urges her to escape.
• The young girl desperately worries about Aunt You and refuses to treat her sacrifice casually.
• Zeng Shushu and Qi Hao discuss fleeing while the Demon Cult members occupy the serpent’s attention, but Wu An challenges their assumption.
• Wu An explains the serpent’s behavior to the group and warns that escape would likely make them its next targets.
• The young girl is stunned when Wu An walks past her instead of fleeing, while Aunt You views his decision as madness.
• The chapter ends with Wu An approaching the serpent alone, setting up a direct confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “Spirit Binding and General Dispatching!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Black Water Mystic Serpent rampages through Yuanhai, unleashing powerful waves of frigid yin force.
• Wu An calmly walks toward the enormous Primordial Magical Beast, shocking Zhang Xiaofan, Qi Hao, Zeng Shushu, and Lu Xueqi. They believe he is either recklessly overconfident or seeking death.
• Aunt You attempts to save her young mistress by luring the Mystic Serpent away, while the young woman flees toward the exit. However, the serpent ignores both of them and remains focused on Wu An.
• Aunt You realizes that the serpent is confronting Wu An, though she cannot believe a human could possibly challenge such a powerful beast.
• Wu An reveals that the serpent has sensed the danger he poses, but mocks it for failing to recognize his true strength.
• The Mystic Serpent eventually attacks, opening its jaws to swallow Wu An.
• Wu An responds by using an unprecedented technique called “Spirit Binding and General Dispatching.”
• The world appears to freeze as the power of heaven and earth surges. An immense, ancient Daoist figure manifests behind Wu An, radiating the pressure of an immortal deity.
• Qi Hao identifies the apparition as Patriarch Qingye, ending the chapter on a dramatic cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Displays absolute confidence and composure in the face of the Mystic Serpent. His mysterious power is shown to far exceed ordinary human limits, and he unveils a technique he has never used before.
• Zhang Xiaofan: Remains deeply concerned about Wu An, particularly because Wu An knows the truth behind the destruction of Grass Temple Village. Despite believing death may be inevitable, Zhang Xiaofan moves toward Wu An to seek the truth.
• Aunt You: Shows loyalty and self-sacrifice by deliberately entering the Mystic Serpent’s territory to give her mistress a chance to escape. She becomes confused and horrified when the beast ignores her and focuses on Wu An.
• The young woman: Accepts Aunt You’s plan without hesitation and uses her full strength to flee, revealing both trust in Aunt You and her determination to survive.
• Lu Xueqi and Zeng Shushu: Consider whether Wu An knows a weakness of the Mystic Serpent, but ultimately remain doubtful that even knowledge of such a weakness would matter.
• Qi Hao: Is overwhelmed by the scale of Wu An’s power and recognizes the summoned ancient figure as Patriarch Qingye.

Significant Themes

• Humanity versus primordial power: Wu An confronts a creature viewed as godlike, challenging the assumption that humans are powerless before ancient magical beasts.
• Hidden strength and mystery: Wu An’s calm behavior suggests that his true abilities remain largely concealed from everyone around him.
• Sacrifice and loyalty: Aunt You risks certain death to protect her mistress, emphasizing devotion and selflessness.
• The limits of perception: The Mystic Serpent senses that Wu An is dangerous but cannot fully understand the threat, just as the surrounding characters underestimate him.
• Ancient power and legacy: The appearance of Patriarch Qingye connects Wu An’s technique to a powerful, almost mythological past and suggests forces beyond ordinary cultivation.

Character Interactions

• The onlookers debate whether Wu An is suicidal or secretly aware of a weakness in the Mystic Serpent.
• Aunt You and her mistress coordinate an escape plan, with Aunt You acting as a decoy.
• Wu An directly confronts and taunts the Mystic Serpent, treating it less as an overwhelming monster and more as a creature that has failed to recognize his superiority.
• Zhang Xiaofan begins moving toward Wu An, motivated by his desire to learn the truth about his village’s destruction.
• The chapter culminates in the collective shock of the witnesses when Wu An summons the immense figure identified as Patriarch Qingye.

Chapter Summary: “Slay the Serpent!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An uses Spirit Binding and General Dispatching, one of the Eight Miraculous Skills, to summon the spirit of Qingye Daoist, the legendary former leader of the Qingyun Sect.
• The technique allows Wu An to draw upon the power of deceased or lingering spirits. Because Qingye Daoist was one of the strongest figures in the Zhu Xian world, Wu An receives an overwhelming increase in strength—far greater than the enhancement of the Seventh Gate of the Eight Gates.
• Qingye’s presence exerts a powerful influence over Wu An, making him appear detached, cold, and almost divine. Everyone nearby is forced into fearful submission, including Aunt You.
• The Black Water Mystic Serpent, normally a terrifying and nearly unstoppable ancient beast, senses Qingye’s power and immediately attempts to flee.
• Wu An refuses to let it escape. By calling out “Sword, Come,” he summons the legendary Immortal-Slaying Sword, Qingye Daoist’s peerless weapon.
• Wu An and Qingye mirror each other’s movements as Wu An performs a devastating sword strike. The attack cuts through space and slices the fleeing serpent in half from several thousand meters away.
• The Black Water Mystic Serpent dies, its blood staining the sea for miles and creating enormous waves.
• The witnesses are left stunned by Wu An’s overwhelming strength. Qi Hao recognizes Qingye Daoist and kneels in emotional awe, while Zeng Shushu, Lu Xueqi, Aunt You, and the others struggle to comprehend what they have seen.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Reveals a terrifying new level of power through Spirit Binding and General Dispatching. His temporary connection with Qingye Daoist changes his demeanor, making him emotionless, majestic, and godlike. He also demonstrates complete confidence and ruthlessness by killing the serpent even after it retreats.
• Qingye Daoist: Though long dead, his spirit remains imposing enough to terrify powerful beings. His reputation as one of the three strongest figures in the Zhu Xian world is reinforced through his presence and sword technique.
• Black Water Mystic Serpent: Its fear of Qingye exposes that even this ancient, arrogant beast recognizes overwhelming power. Its attempt to flee marks a dramatic reversal from its usual ferocity, but it is ultimately slain without being able to resist.
• Qi Hao: Reacts with deep reverence and emotion upon realizing that the summoned figure is Qingyun Sect’s legendary founder. His awe culminates in kneeling and tears.
• Lu Xueqi: Understands the sword’s identity through the reaction of her Tianya Divine Sword, which trembles in fear before the Immortal-Slaying Sword.
• Aunt You and Zeng Shushu: Both experience shock and helplessness as Wu An’s strength exceeds anything they expected.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming power and divine authority: Wu An’s transformation places him beyond ordinary cultivators and makes him appear almost like an immortal or heavenly being.
• Legacy of the dead: Qingye Daoist’s influence survives through his spirit, reputation, and weapon, showing how legendary figures continue to shape the present.
• Fear before true supremacy: The serpent’s instinctive retreat demonstrates that absolute power can defeat an opponent psychologically before battle even begins.
• Reverence and hierarchy: The characters’ kneeling, fear, and stunned reactions emphasize the gap between ordinary practitioners and legendary beings.
• The destructive majesty of swordsmanship: The Immortal-Slaying Sword represents unmatched authority, capable of cutting through space and killing a beast previously thought invincible.

Character Interactions

• Wu An directly confronts the Black Water Mystic Serpent and denies it the chance to escape.
• Qingye’s spirit acts in perfect synchronization with Wu An, reinforcing their temporary unity and allowing Wu An to wield the Immortal-Slaying Sword.
• The serpent’s fearful reaction contrasts with its prior reputation and shocks Aunt You and the other observers.
• Lu Xueqi interprets the reaction of her Tianya Divine Sword, helping identify Wu An’s weapon.
• Qi Hao responds to Qingye’s appearance as a disciple witnessing the return of his sect’s greatest patriarch, kneeling in reverence and tears.

Chapter Summary: “Return!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• At Qingyun Sect, Sect Master Dao Xuan confronts Wan Jianyi about his decision to leave the ancestral hall and face the outside world again. Wan admits that what must be faced cannot be avoided, but conceals his meeting with Wu An.
• Wan Jianyi warns Dao Xuan not to use the Immortal-Slaying Sword. Although it has protected Qingyun Sect, its evil nature and overwhelming backlash have corrupted or influenced nearly every sect master since Patriarch Qingye.
• Wan asks to meet Tian Buyi, the chief of Big Bamboo Peak, hoping to identify the mysterious young man who defeated him with nine powerful blade strikes. Tian identifies Song Daren as his strongest disciple, but explains that Song does not even know blade techniques.
• Wan then asks whether Big Bamboo Peak has a disciple under twenty at the peak of High Clarity. Tian is stunned and says none of his disciples has even reached the peak of Jade Clarity. Wan realizes he may have mistaken Wu An’s identity or that Wu An’s origins are far more mysterious than expected.
• The Immortal-Slaying Sword suddenly emits a powerful cry from Phantom Moon Cave, causing all of Qingyun Sect to tremble. Dao Xuan and Wan investigate and discover that the sword appears to have vanished briefly.
• Wan suspects that only Patriarch Qingye—the sword’s true master—could summon it. Wu An’s image immediately comes to mind, deepening the mystery surrounding Wu An’s power and identity.
• At Dead Spirit Abyss, Wu An’s borrowed manifestation of Patriarch Qingye fades after he uses the Immortal-Slaying Sword to kill the Black Water Mystic Serpent. The sword then tears through space and returns to Qingyun Sect.
• Wu An reflects that the Immortal-Slaying Sword is the strongest treasure he has personally wielded, though its backlash is extremely dangerous. Without Patriarch Qingye’s spiritual protection, its vicious aura might have corrupted his mind.
• Zeng Shushu and the others approach Wu An in awe, with Zeng changing how he addresses him from “junior brother” to “senior.” Qi Hao asks whether Wu An is Patriarch Qingye, but Wu An denies it, explaining that although he borrowed Qingye’s power, he is not the patriarch.
• Just as Wu An is about to speak to Zhang Xiaofan, the system announces that his mission is complete and that he will return in ten minutes.

Character Developments

• Wan Jianyi: Moves from avoidance to determination, deciding to leave the ancestral hall and confront what lies ahead. His encounter with Wu An has profoundly affected him, especially Wu An’s nine blade strikes, which challenged him psychologically as well as physically. He also becomes determined to investigate Wu An’s identity without betraying his promise.
• Dao Xuan: Remains cautious about the Immortal-Slaying Sword and recognizes its dangerous influence. The sword’s sudden disappearance unsettles him and raises the possibility that an ancient power has returned.
• Tian Buyi: Is confused by Wan’s questions and realizes that the strength attributed to Big Bamboo Peak’s disciples does not match Wu An’s actual power, suggesting Wu An is not a normal Qingyun disciple.
• Wu An: Demonstrates extraordinary power by killing the Black Water Mystic Serpent and wielding the Immortal-Slaying Sword through Patriarch Qingye’s spiritual protection. He remains calm, rejects the assumption that he is Qingye, and shows awareness of the sword’s dangers rather than being seduced by its strength.
• Zeng Shushu and Qi Hao: Both are overwhelmed by Wu An’s display. Zeng now treats him with greater respect, while Qi Hao openly questions his true identity.

Significant Themes

• Power and its cost: The Immortal-Slaying Sword grants immense strength but carries a corrupting, destructive backlash. Wu An’s victory emphasizes that power must be controlled rather than blindly embraced.
• Identity and mystery: Wu An’s abilities far exceed those of ordinary Qingyun disciples, and even powerful figures like Wan Jianyi cannot determine who he is. His connection to Patriarch Qingye further obscures his origins.
• Confronting the past: Wan Jianyi’s decision to leave the ancestral hall reflects the theme that avoidance cannot last forever. Both he and Qingyun Sect must face unresolved dangers tied to the sword and their history.
• Legacy and inheritance: Patriarch Qingye’s influence continues through the Immortal-Slaying Sword and the spiritual power Wu An borrows from him, raising questions about whether true mastery can be inherited or recreated.
• Respect earned through strength: Zeng Shushu’s changed form of address shows how Wu An’s actions immediately alter his standing among his companions.

Important Character Interactions

• Wan Jianyi and Dao Xuan: Debate Wan’s return to public life and discuss the dangers of the Immortal-Slaying Sword. Wan conceals his encounter with Wu An while warning Dao Xuan against using the sword.
• Wan Jianyi and Tian Buyi: Wan questions Tian about his strongest disciples and searches for a young cultivator capable of Wu An’s feats. Tian’s answers only heighten Wan’s confusion.
• Dao Xuan and Wan Jianyi at Phantom Moon Cave: They investigate the sword’s sudden disappearance and connect the event to Patriarch Qingye.
• Wu An and Zeng Shushu’s group: The group reacts with admiration and fear after witnessing Wu An kill the Black Water Mystic Serpent.
• Wu An and Qi Hao: Qi Hao asks whether Wu An is Patriarch Qingye. Wu An denies the claim but confirms indirectly that he had borrowed Qingye’s power.
• Wu An and the system: The system interrupts the gathering to announce mission completion and an imminent return, setting up the next transition in the story.

Chapter Summary: “Reward!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After killing the Black Water Mystic Serpent with the Immortal-Slaying Sword, Wu An confirms that the main quest in the Zhu Xian world is complete. The sword destroys both the serpent’s body and primordial spirit, preventing it from using any method of resurrection.
• Before leaving, Wu An fulfills his promise to Zhang Xiaofan by revealing the truth behind the massacre of Grass Temple Village.
• Wu An tells Zhang Xiaofan that the killer was Puzhi—the Buddhist monk who had saved Zhang and taught him Buddhist cultivation techniques.
• He directs Zhang Xiaofan to Tianyin Temple, where the monks know the truth and where Puzhi’s corpse is preserved.
• Aunt You and the young woman arrive to thank Wu An for saving them. Wu An dismisses their gratitude, explaining internally that he killed the serpent to complete his quest and only saved them incidentally.
• Wu An then leaves the Zhu Xian world and returns to Villa No. 1 in the modern world.
• He begins reviewing the gains and limitations of his abilities while waiting for Nini to return from school.
• The system completes the quest settlement and rewards him with eight Golden Treasure Chests.

Character Developments

• Wu An remains calm, decisive, and detached. Despite his overwhelming power, he honors his promise to Zhang Xiaofan and reveals the truth without seeking praise or emotional recognition.
• Wu An becomes more cautious about using Spirit Binding and General Dispatching. He recognizes that the technique can summon extremely powerful spirits but has serious weaknesses: short duration, poor control, and the possibility that an evil summoned spirit could turn against him.
• Zhang Xiaofan experiences a devastating emotional shock upon learning that Puzhi, whom he regarded as a father figure and benefactor, was responsible for the massacre that shaped his life.
• Aunt You develops deep respect and fear toward Wu An after witnessing him kill the Black Water Mystic Serpent with a single strike.
• The young woman who previously threatened Wu An is humbled and frightened after realizing how insignificant the Ghost King Sect is compared with his power.
• Zeng Shushu becomes excited and amazed by the existence of an expert as powerful as Wu An, while Aunt You concludes that Wu An’s presence makes the Ghost King Sect’s ambitions impossible to achieve.

Significant Themes

• Truth and betrayal: Zhang Xiaofan’s search for the truth ends with the painful discovery that his trusted protector was also the person responsible for his greatest trauma.
• Keeping one’s promises: Wu An’s willingness to fulfill his promise, despite having no practical reason to do so, establishes his personal code of honor.
• Overwhelming power and detachment: Wu An views events that terrify others as minor or incidental, highlighting the vast gap between his strength and that of the Zhu Xian world’s cultivators.
• The danger of unchecked abilities: Wu An’s analysis of Spirit Binding and General Dispatching emphasizes that powerful techniques can carry unpredictable risks and should be reserved for emergencies.
• Mortality and spiritual remnants: The destruction of the serpent’s primordial spirit and Wu An’s ability to summon powerful “spirits” reinforce the chapter’s focus on the boundary between life, death, and lingering souls.

Important Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhang Xiaofan: Wu An delivers the truth about Puzhi bluntly but gives Zhang a concrete way to verify it. Zhang’s anger and disbelief contrast with Wu An’s indifference.
• Wu An and Aunt You: Aunt You kneels in gratitude, but Wu An rejects the idea that saving them was his true intention.
• Wu An and the young woman: Her earlier arrogance collapses into fear once she recognizes Wu An’s overwhelming strength.
• Wu An and the system: After returning home, Wu An reflects on his abilities before receiving the final reward of eight Golden Treasure Chests.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An completes the difficult mission of killing the ancient Black Water Mystic Serpent, recognizing that he might not have succeeded without Qingye Daoist’s summoned spirit through Spirit Binding and General Dispatching.
• As a reward, the system grants him eight Gold-tier treasure chests, surprising him with their quality.
• Wu An opens the chests one by one and obtains:
  1. Divine Sword Controlling Lightning True Spell – allows him to summon and control heavenly lightning.
  2. Six Harmonies Mirror – a defensive treasure capable of reflecting attacks from opponents of the same level.
  3. Mountains and Rivers Fan – an offensive treasure that summons powerful winds, thunder, and lightning.
  4. Cosmic Azure Light Ring – automatically creates a protective shield before Wu An suffers fatal damage.
  5. Celestial Venerable Dharma Body – increases his defense tenfold without side effects.
  6. Mind-Shaking Bell – a sinister treasure capable of affecting an enemy’s heart and soul.
  7. Seven Star Sword – a divine sword that draws power from the Big Dipper and rivals the Tianya Divine Sword.
  8. Divine Essence Splitting Art – revealed at the very end, with its abilities not yet explained.

2. Character Developments

• Wu An’s confidence and combat potential rise significantly as he acquires multiple powerful treasures and mystical arts.
• He places particular value on defensive abilities, emphasizing that survival is essential to victory.
• The Celestial Venerable Dharma Body, combined with his previously acquired Spirit Bone, may multiply both his strength and defense tenfold.
• Wu An decides to replace his Western-style Narsil with the Eastern divine weapon Seven Star Sword, which better suits his preferences despite his ability to use any object as a sword through King’s Sword Intent.
• His growing arsenal establishes him as increasingly versatile, with powerful offensive, defensive, protective, and control techniques.

3. Significant Themes

• Power through accumulated rewards: Wu An’s strength continues to expand through system-granted treasures from completed missions.
• Survival and preparation: The chapter repeatedly stresses the importance of defense, protection, and early warning in a dangerous world.
• The fusion of different worlds: The rewards draw from various fictional traditions, including Qingyun Sect, the Demon Cult, and other settings, blending Eastern mystical arts with references such as Captain America’s shield and Narsil.
• Escalation of power: Each treasure broadens Wu An’s abilities, suggesting that future challenges will demand increasingly overwhelming strength.
• Mystery and anticipation: The final reward, the Divine Essence Splitting Art, is introduced without explanation, creating a cliffhanger.

4. Character Interactions

• Wu An’s primary interaction is with the system, which mechanically announces each treasure and explains its properties.
• His earlier reliance on Qingye Daoist’s spirit is recalled, highlighting the importance of summoned allies in defeating the Black Water Mystic Serpent.
• There are no direct interpersonal confrontations in the chapter; the focus is on Wu An evaluating and planning how to use his newly acquired treasures.

Chapter Summary: “External Incarnation!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An recognizes the Divine Essence Splitting Art, recalling that it was once used by a demonic leader in the Zhu Xian world to ambush Qingye Daoist.
• The ambush failed when Qingye Daoist used the Immortal-Slaying Sword to destroy the demonic sect in one strike, establishing his overwhelming reputation.
• The system reveals that the Divine Essence Splitting Art is an External Incarnation technique with no side effects.
• Wu An immediately begins cultivating it. The technique’s knowledge enters his mind, explaining that emotional power can be transformed into incarnations.
• The art allows Wu An to create five spiritual bodies based on the emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, fear, and pity.
• Each incarnation initially possesses roughly one-third of Wu An’s strength, is immune to ordinary physical attacks, and can grow stronger as emotional energy accumulates.
• Wu An realizes that five incarnations with near-superhuman abilities could devastate a modern city.
• He decides that these incarnations will allow him to operate more freely in the Urban World without personally handling every situation or exposing his more recognizable subordinates.
• Wu An begins circulating the Divine Essence Splitting Art in preparation for creating the incarnations.

Character Development

• Wu An gains a powerful new ability and develops greater confidence in his ability to control events in the Urban World.
• His understanding of the technique shows both strategic intelligence and caution: he confirms that it has no side effects before cultivating it.
• He also shifts from personally intervening in every matter toward using specialized spiritual doubles to expand his influence and reduce risk.
• His recollection of Qingye Daoist and the demonic leader demonstrates his familiarity with powerful techniques and historical events across different worlds.

Significant Themes

• Power and strategy: The technique is valuable not only because of its strength, but because it provides Wu An with safe, controllable agents.
• Emotion as power: Human emotions, normally fleeting and useless, are transformed into tangible spiritual strength.
• Control versus independence: The incarnations have no independent thoughts and cannot betray Wu An, making them extensions of his will rather than separate beings.
• Relative strength: The technique itself is extraordinarily powerful, but the chapter emphasizes that overwhelming artifacts such as the Immortal-Slaying Sword can still render it ineffective.
• Adaptation and expansion: Wu An continues converting knowledge from other worlds into practical advantages in the Urban World.

Character Interactions

• Wu An primarily interacts with the system, questioning it about the technique’s nature and side effects before ordering immediate cultivation.
• His recollection of the demonic leader’s failed attack contrasts the Divine Essence Splitting Art with Qingye Daoist’s superior Immortal-Slaying Sword.
• Wu An considers how the incarnations will complement or replace his existing subordinates, including the Xenomorph Queen, Predator, and Nemesis, whose distinctive appearances make them risky to use openly.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An activates the Divine Essence Splitting Art, entering a trance as strange, painful, and twisted emotional forces gather around him.
• He successfully creates the Joy Incarnation, an illusory figure wearing a white mask with a simple smiling face. It resembles Wu An and is formed from his distracting thoughts.
• The Joy Incarnation possesses basic intelligence, can act on general commands, and can influence ordinary people by triggering their hidden emotions. Against supernatural beings, it can fight independently.
• Its physical strength is approximately one-third of Wu An’s, though it does not possess his strongest trump cards, such as the Ultimate Nullifier or Meteoric Tear Projection.
• Wu An discovers that the incarnation inherits some of his talents, including Spatial Talent, but in a weakened form: its teleportation range is only ten meters compared with Wu An’s hundred meters.
• Wu An then completes the technique by creating the remaining four incarnations: anger, sorrow, fear, and pity. All five figures possess an eerie, demonic aura.
• Before testing their abilities, Wu An senses Nini returning home and absorbs the incarnations back into himself.
• Nini asks Wu An to attend her upcoming parent-teacher conference. He immediately agrees and promises to make time for her.

Character Developments

• Wu An gains a major new ability by dividing his emotional essence into five independent incarnations. He remains practical and unconcerned with whether the technique is considered righteous or demonic, judging it solely by its usefulness.
• His confidence has grown significantly. He recognizes that, aside from extreme weapons such as nuclear arms, few things on Earth can threaten him.
• Despite his overwhelming power, Wu An continues to be attentive and affectionate toward Nini, prioritizing her emotional needs.
• Nini remains unusually mature and considerate. She hesitates to ask for help because she does not want to burden Wu An, but she still hopes he will represent her at school.

Significant Themes

• Power through self-division: Wu An transforms his own emotions and distracting thoughts into separate entities, expanding his combat and supernatural capabilities.
• The moral neutrality of power: The technique is demonic and disturbing, but Wu An rejects conventional distinctions between good and evil, focusing instead on practical results.
• Humanity amid strength: Although Wu An is becoming increasingly powerful, his relationship with Nini grounds him and reveals his caring, protective side.
• Emotional power and danger: The incarnations embody intense emotions that can affect the minds of ordinary people, emphasizing both the usefulness and frightening nature of supernatural abilities.

Character Interactions

• Wu An studies and evaluates the Joy Incarnation, mentally analyzing its strength, inherited talents, and limitations.
• When Nini returns, Wu An conceals the incarnations by merging them back into his body and warmly welcomes her.
• Nini cautiously explains the parent-teacher conference, while Wu An reassures her that attending is no burden and readily agrees to go.

Chapter Summary: “Qualifications?”

Plot and Events

Wu An accompanies his younger sister, Nini (Wu Qianqian), to a parent-teacher meeting at her elite school. The school is reserved for Eastsea City’s wealthy and powerful families, though exceptionally gifted students like Nini can also gain admission through academic merit. The meeting is held at a five-star hotel. At the entrance, a teacher in a qipao questions whether Wu An is an appropriate guardian because of his young age and uncertain status. Before the situation escalates, the school principal recognizes Wu An as the notorious and influential “Young Master Wu.” He immediately treats Wu An with respect and confirms that Wu is fully qualified to attend. The teacher realizes she nearly offended a major figure but is relieved when Wu An chooses not to pursue the matter.

Character Development

Wu An is shown to be calm, confident, and unconcerned with proving his status. Despite having enough influence to ruin the teacher’s career, he chooses to ignore her hesitation rather than retaliate. His protective role toward Nini is emphasized. Nini is portrayed as an extraordinary academic talent—good enough to enter an elite school despite not belonging to a powerful family—and Wu An privately considers her a rare genius. The principal’s normally composed personality gives way to nervous excitement and flattery upon recognizing Wu An. The qipao-clad teacher shifts from skeptical authority to fear and humility.

Character Interactions

The teacher questions Wu An’s identity and eligibility, while Nini timidly explains that he is her brother. The principal interrupts, recognizes Wu An, and eagerly validates his authority as Nini’s guardian. Wu An calmly confirms that Nini is his younger sister and lightly challenges the teacher’s doubts by asking whether he is qualified to attend. The principal enthusiastically assures him that he is, while the teacher silently fears dismissal and professional ruin. Wu An’s silence and decision to walk away allow her to escape punishment.

Significant Themes

The chapter contrasts social status with genuine ability: elite schools favor powerful families but make exceptions for truly brilliant students like Nini. It also highlights the overwhelming influence of reputation in upper-class society, as Wu An’s name alone causes the principal to panic and the teacher to fear losing her career. Another theme is power exercised through restraint—Wu An demonstrates his authority not by punishing the teacher, but by showing that he does not need to. The chapter also hints at Nini’s mysterious origins, as Wu An wonders who her parents are and why they abandoned such a gifted child.

Chapter Summary: “Ji Family!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the hotel corridor, the slightly plump man offers to deal with the cheongsam-clad woman who had earlier disrespected Wu An, even suggesting he could make her disappear from Eastsea City.
• Wu An refuses, demonstrating that although he is not afraid of violence, he does not seek revenge over a minor insult or act unjustly.
• The plump man begins scheming to curry favor with Wu An by gaining the affection of Nini, whom he believes is Wu An’s younger sister.
• Wu An, Nini, and the plump man enter the Dragon Phoenix Hall, where the school’s parents’ meeting is being held.
• The hall is filled with wealthy and influential parents, many of whom recognize Principal Ren personally escorting Wu An inside. This surprises them because Principal Ren is known as “Old Fox Ren” for avoiding favoritism and political entanglements.
• The guests soon realize that the newcomer is Wu An, whose reputation has grown enormously after General Chen defended him at the Yun Family birthday banquet.
• The parents become nervous, believing that Wu An’s connection to General Chen makes him untouchable in Eastsea City.
• Their discussion shifts when someone reveals that a young master from the powerful Yanjing Ji Family is currently visiting Eastsea. The revelation causes further unease and prompts several guests to consider investigating the Ji Family’s purpose.
• Wu An ignores the attention and quietly sits with Nini in a corner. He encourages her to eat as many cherries as she wants, while she selflessly offers him one despite secretly wanting them herself.
• The chapter ends when an unfamiliar person approaches and asks Wu An, “Why are you here?”

Character Developments

• Wu An: Shows restraint and maturity by refusing unnecessary retaliation against the woman who offended him. He remains humble and uninterested in displaying his influence, choosing to attend the meeting quietly rather than accept special treatment.
• Nini: Is portrayed as innocent, curious, and affectionate. Her excitement over the hotel and cherries highlights her childlike nature, while her attempt to offer Wu An food reveals her consideration and attachment to him.
• The slightly plump man: Becomes increasingly eager to please Wu An. He abandons any concern for fairness and begins plotting how to use Nini to gain access to Wu An’s favor.
• Principal Ren: His decision to personally escort Wu An into the hall challenges his established image as a neutral, politically cautious school leader.
• The parents and influential figures: Their reactions reveal how deeply Wu An’s reputation and General Chen’s backing have affected Eastsea’s power structure.

Significant Themes

• Power and influence: Wu An’s presence immediately changes the atmosphere, showing that status and powerful connections dominate the social environment.
• Restraint versus aggression: Wu An’s refusal to punish the cheongsam woman contrasts with the plump man’s readiness to use force, emphasizing Wu An’s ability to distinguish strength from cruelty.
• Political neutrality and favoritism: Principal Ren’s reputation as an impartial leader is questioned when he openly favors or accommodates Wu An.
• Social ambition and opportunism: The plump man’s attempt to exploit Nini illustrates how people seek powerful allies for personal advancement.
• Family affection: The exchange over the cherries presents the warm, genuine bond between Wu An and Nini amid the chapter’s tense political atmosphere.
• Rising conflict: The mention of the Yanjing Ji Family introduces a new, potentially greater power and foreshadows confrontation.

Important Character Interactions

• The plump man offers Wu An protection and revenge, but Wu An calmly dismisses the idea.
• The plump man observes Nini and considers using her to ingratiate himself with Wu An.
• Wu An and Nini share a tender moment over the cherries, reinforcing their close sibling-like relationship.
• The parents discuss Wu An’s arrival with fear and curiosity, comparing his influence with that of the mysterious Ji Family.
• The chapter closes with an unknown character directly confronting Wu An, creating a cliffhanger.

Chapter Summary: “Stars Surrounding the Moon”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An attends a school-related gathering with Nini, where he encounters Tao Wen, the older sister of one of Nini’s classmates.
• Tao Wen, dressed elegantly and acting with unusual warmth, approaches Wu An after having secretly investigated his background. She is deeply impressed—and intimidated—by his victory over the powerful Yun Family.
• Tao Wen attempts to grow closer to Wu An, partly because she sees him as a source of social prestige and protection from her father’s attempts to arrange blind dates. Wu An notices her intentions and subtly distances himself.
• Tao Wen brings up the Ji Family of Yanjing, warning that they are an influential clan allegedly connected to one of the Nine Great Royal Clans.
• The mention of the Nine Great Royal Clans catches Wu An’s attention because of his recent discoveries about the Dark Realm, mystical arts, and the sealing of China’s spiritual energy. He begins to suspect that the Ji Family may be connected to deeper hidden powers.
• Young Master Ji suddenly arrives at the Dragon Phoenix Hall, accompanied by a large entourage. The guests immediately surround him and treat him as the center of attention, regarding his status as greater even than Wu An’s.
• Rather than speaking privately, Young Master Ji publicly singles Wu An out and mocks him for breaking off his engagement with the Yun Family.
• Wu An responds coldly and dismissively, asking Young Master Ji what gives him the right to act so arrogantly.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Remains confident, detached, and uninterested in ordinary social status. He values spending time with Nini and enjoying food more than cultivating relationships with influential people. However, the Ji Family and its possible connection to the Royal Clans awaken his curiosity about China’s hidden mystical and political structures. When publicly provoked, his usually indifferent attitude turns cold and hostile.
• Tao Wen: Her admiration for Wu An develops into calculated interest. She recognizes his extraordinary power and influence and tries to use their association to elevate her own standing. After Wu An avoids her physical advances, she becomes more cautious and realizes he is not a frivolous or easily manipulated man. She also acts as a source of information about the Ji Family.
• Nini: Remains focused on food and her time with Wu An, showing little interest in the adult conversation. She notices Tao Wen’s attempts to monopolize Wu An’s attention and appears suspicious or displeased.
• Young Master Ji: Is introduced as arrogant, socially powerful, and accustomed to being treated with reverence. He deliberately humiliates Wu An in front of the entire gathering, establishing himself as a direct antagonist.

Significant Themes

• Power versus reputation: The guests automatically revere Young Master Ji because of his family name, even though Wu An has already demonstrated formidable power. The chapter contrasts inherited prestige with proven ability.
• Hidden forces behind the modern world: References to the Nine Great Royal Clans, the Dark Realm, and China’s sealed spiritual energy suggest that powerful supernatural or ancient institutions influence events beneath the surface.
• Social ambition and opportunism: Tao Wen’s interest in Wu An is driven partly by genuine admiration but also by the advantages of being associated with him.
• Public humiliation and confrontation: Young Master Ji intentionally challenges Wu An in front of a crowd, turning the gathering into a potential clash between rival forces.
• Indifference versus provocation: Wu An generally avoids unnecessary conflict, but the chapter implies that his restraint has limits when someone openly disrespects him.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Tao Wen: Tao Wen flirts with and flatters Wu An while probing his reaction to the Ji Family. Wu An remains polite but distant, refusing to encourage her advances.
• Wu An and Nini: Their relaxed, affectionate interaction contrasts with the social maneuvering around them. Wu An is more interested in caring for and entertaining Nini than in impressing important guests.
• Tao Wen and Nini: Nini reacts coldly to Tao Wen’s presence, seemingly resenting the attention Tao Wen directs toward Wu An.
• Wu An and Young Master Ji: Their first direct exchange is openly antagonistic. Young Master Ji mocks Wu An publicly, while Wu An answers with contempt, setting up an impending confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “A Crushing Reversal!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An openly refuses to show respect to Young Master Ji in front of the assembled guests, shocking everyone and sparking speculation that the two will clash.
• The crowd debates whether the Ji Family of Yanjing would retaliate. Although the Ji Family is immensely powerful, Young Master Ji is not its eldest legitimate son or heir, so many doubt the family would risk destabilizing the Four Seas Province for his sake.
• Young Master Ji proudly announces his identity, expecting Wu An to become frightened and apologize. Instead, Wu An dismisses the importance of his surname and warns that he is being manipulated into courting death.
• Tao Wen urges Wu An to leave before the conflict escalates, but Wu An refuses. He recognizes that Young Master Ji was deliberately provoked and brought there so the Ji Family could be used against him.
• Wu An hints that powerful figures in Yanjing already know he destroyed the provincial Shi Family and that higher authorities suppressed the incident rather than investigate it. This suggests Wu An possesses a formidable backing or hidden trump card.
• When Young Master Ji continues to threaten him, Wu An commands him to kneel. An overwhelming aura forces Ji to the ground and cripples both of his knees.
• Young Master Ji calls for his bodyguards, but before they can reach Wu An, they too are forced to kneel. Nearly everyone in Dragon Phoenix Hall ends up kneeling, leaving Wu An standing above them like an emperor.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates extreme confidence, dominance, and disregard for political status. He reveals that he can perceive the hidden scheme behind Young Master Ji’s arrival and possesses power far beyond what the crowd expected.
• Young Master Ji: His arrogance collapses into rage and humiliation. He relies heavily on his family name but is exposed as powerless against Wu An. His lack of awareness regarding Wu An’s true position highlights his exclusion from the Ji Family’s inner circle.
• Tao Wen: Acts cautiously and tries to prevent an open confrontation, showing concern for Wu An and awareness of the danger posed by the Ji Family.
• The Guests: Shift from excited spectators to terrified witnesses once Wu An effortlessly suppresses Ji and his guards.

Significant Themes

• Power versus social status: Young Master Ji believes his family name guarantees obedience, but Wu An proves personal strength matters more than inherited prestige.
• Hidden strength and miscalculation: Ji’s failure to understand Wu An’s background leads him into a disastrous confrontation.
• Political influence and suppressed truth: The authorities’ decision to conceal Wu An’s destruction of the Shi Family implies that powerful forces recognize and fear his capabilities.
• Humiliation and reversal: The chapter turns Young Master Ji from an arrogant challenger into a kneeling victim, emphasizing Wu An’s overwhelming superiority.
• Manipulation and factional conflict: Young Master Ji appears to have been deliberately used as a weapon against Wu An, suggesting a broader plot beyond the immediate confrontation.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Young Master Ji engage in a direct battle of pride, with Ji invoking his family name and Wu An repeatedly dismissing it.
• Tao Wen attempts to de-escalate the situation by urging Wu An to leave, but he rejects her advice.
• Wu An verbally warns Ji of his impending downfall, then physically forces him and his bodyguards to kneel.
• The surrounding guests act as witnesses, their initial excitement turning into shock and fear as Wu An takes complete control of the hall.