Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: I Like Eating Rabbit Meat

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Wuji remains highly cautious toward Wu An, sensing that the young man is far more dangerous and mysterious than he appears. The Shrek Seven Devils, except Tang San and Xiao Wu, do not understand his wariness.
• Wu An claims to know Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and says that Grandmaster sent him. He uses this connection to convince the group that he is not an enemy.
• Tang San remains skeptical until Wu An mentions “Haotian,” alluding to Tang San’s secret identity as the son of Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao and the possessor of the Clear Sky Hammer.
• Realizing that only Grandmaster should know this secret, Tang San accepts Wu An as a friend and tells Zhao Wuji that Wu An is not hostile. The rest of the group follows Tang San’s lead.
• Ning Rongrong notices the significance of the word “Haotian” and suspects Wu An may be connected to the Clear Sky Sect.
• Oscar humorously offers Wu An one of his summoned sausages, but Wu An refuses.
• Wu An unsettles Xiao Wu by saying that he likes eating rabbit meat. Since Xiao Wu is secretly a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit Soul Beast, she fears that Wu An has discovered her true identity.
• The chapter ends when Wu An warns the group that a herd of Soul Beasts will soon attack, causing everyone to focus on the impending danger.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates psychological cleverness by exploiting Grandmaster’s reputation and Tang San’s secret. He remains enigmatic, apparently possessing extraordinary strength without normal Soul Power fluctuations. His comment about rabbit meat suggests he may know Xiao Wu’s identity.
• Tang San: Shows caution, intelligence, and strong trust in Grandmaster. He quickly analyzes Wu An’s words and uses the secret reference to determine that Wu An is likely telling the truth.
• Xiao Wu: Becomes frightened and suspicious after Wu An’s rabbit-meat remark, highlighting her vulnerability as a hidden Soul Beast.
• Zhao Wuji: Continues to distrust Wu An, though he relaxes somewhat once Tang San vouches for him.
• Ning Rongrong: Displays her knowledge of the Clear Sky Sect and immediately recognizes the importance of Wu An’s reference to “Haotian.”
• Oscar: Provides comic relief through his crude sausage summons and friendly attempt to welcome Wu An.

Significant Themes

• Trust and secrecy: Wu An gains the group’s confidence by revealing just enough knowledge to prove his connection to Grandmaster without exposing everything.
• Power hidden beneath appearances: Wu An looks like an ordinary young man but causes a Soul Sage like Zhao Wuji to act defensively.
• Identity and concealment: Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls and Xiao Wu’s Soul Beast nature remain dangerous secrets, both of which Wu An may already understand.
• Manipulation and uncertainty: Wu An openly admits, through his actions, that he is using Grandmaster’s name to influence the group, leaving readers unsure how much of his story is true.
• Foreshadowing and danger: His warning about the approaching Soul Beasts shifts the chapter from suspicion and comedy toward imminent conflict.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhao Wuji face off in a tense exchange, with Zhao Wuji treating Wu An as a potential superior threat.
• Wu An appeals directly to Tang San through Grandmaster’s name and the coded reference to “Haotian.”
• Tang San’s acceptance effectively changes the group’s attitude, turning Wu An from a suspected enemy into an accepted ally.
• Ning Rongrong reacts independently to Wu An’s knowledge, suggesting she may continue investigating his connection to the Clear Sky Sect.
• Xiao Wu seeks protection from Tang San after Wu An’s unsettling rabbit comment, strengthening the contrast between her fear and Tang San’s instinct to defend her.
• The chapter closes with the entire group united in attention as Wu An announces the approaching Soul Beast attack.

Chapter Summary: “Impact”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An warns Zhao Wuji and the Shrek Seven Devils that a soul beast pack may soon attack. Zhao Wuji is skeptical because soul beasts are usually solitary and territorial, especially in the Star Dou Great Forest.
• Tang San, trusting Wu An because of his connection to Yu Xiaogang, decides the group should prepare anyway. Xiao Wu also reacts unusually strongly, sensing that Wu An’s warning may be genuine.
• The Shrek Seven Devils organize themselves defensively, each guarding a direction while remaining alert for danger.
• Oscar questions Wu An about his Martial Soul and the lightning and flames he previously displayed.
• Wu An demonstrates his power by forming a lightning sphere without using Soul Power. The attack destroys a massive tree instantly, leaving Zhao Wuji and the others shocked. Zhao Wuji realizes that Wu An’s strength cannot be explained by ordinary Soul Master abilities.
• Deep within the forest, the hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape senses Xiao Wu’s aura and prepares to find her.
• The Titan Giant Ape’s companion, the enormous Azure Bull Python, emerges from a nearby lake and detects another alarming presence: an aura of spatial power suggesting that a god—or someone with godlike abilities—has broken through space and entered the forest.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Establishes himself as an enigmatic and overwhelmingly powerful figure. He remains confident despite being doubted and reveals that his abilities do not rely on conventional Soul Power.
• Zhao Wuji: Moves from suspicion toward astonishment. His expert perception confirms that Wu An’s lightning attack is fundamentally different from normal soul skills, increasing his uncertainty about Wu An’s identity and origins.
• Tang San: Demonstrates leadership and balanced judgment. Although he does not fully understand or trust Wu An’s claim, he chooses to prepare the group rather than dismiss the warning.
• Xiao Wu: Shows a heightened sensitivity to the situation, apparently recognizing that something important is connected to Wu An. Her reaction foreshadows her relationship with the powerful soul beasts in the forest.
• Oscar and the Shrek Seven Devils: Shift from casual curiosity to vigilance. Oscar’s admiration of Wu An’s abilities highlights how extraordinary they appear even to experienced young Soul Masters.
• Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python: Their actions reveal that they recognize Xiao Wu’s presence and are highly alarmed by Wu An’s mysterious spatial aura.

Significant Themes

• The limits of conventional knowledge: Wu An’s abilities challenge the established rules of Martial Souls, Soul Power, and soul skills.
• Trust versus skepticism: The group must decide whether to believe Wu An despite lacking proof. Tang San’s willingness to prepare shows the value of caution when facing uncertain danger.
• Power and mystery: Wu An’s effortless destruction of the tree creates a sense that he exists beyond the normal hierarchy of Soul Masters.
• Foreshadowing and hidden identities: Xiao Wu’s reaction and the Titan Giant Ape’s recognition of her suggest that her identity and connection to the forest’s rulers are about to become important.
• Encroaching danger: The possible soul beast pack, the appearance of the hundred-thousand-year beasts, and the spatial disturbance all indicate that a major confrontation is approaching.

Important Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhao Wuji: Their exchange centers on Wu An’s warning. Zhao Wuji doubts him but cannot ignore the possibility of danger.
• Wu An and Tang San: Tang San invokes Yu Xiaogang’s authority to judge Wu An’s credibility, while Wu An confidently uses “the master” as the source of his information.
• Wu An and Xiao Wu: Xiao Wu reacts instinctively to Wu An’s warning, suggesting she senses something others do not.
• Wu An and Oscar: Oscar’s friendly curiosity leads Wu An to reveal his lightning ability, creating the chapter’s most dramatic demonstration of power.
• Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python: The two forest rulers discuss Xiao Wu’s aura and the strange spatial presence, establishing that Wu An’s arrival has alarmed even the strongest beings in the Star Dou Forest.

Chapter Summary: “Soul Beasts Attack”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Star Dou Forest’s two powerful rulers—the Titan Giant Ape and the bull-headed, serpent-bodied beast—sense Wu An’s arrival and mistake the Seven-Colored Spacetime Passage for divine Spatial Power.
• Believing Wu An to be an exceptionally powerful god, they fear for Xiao Wu’s safety but decide not to approach directly. Instead, they plan to send weaker Soul Beasts to locate Xiao Wu and report back without provoking Wu An.
• Wu An explains that his lightning technique is Palm Thunder, a method derived from the Yang Five Thunders. The Shrek group is astonished because the attack resembles no known Soul Skill.
• The group questions Wu An about his Martial Soul. Zhao Wuji notices that Wu An emits no Soul Power fluctuations, leading everyone to realize that Wu An may not possess a Martial Soul at all.
• Wu An reveals that Martial Souls are not his source of strength and that he follows other cultivation paths acquired from different worlds. This shocks the group, especially Tang San, because it contradicts the fundamental rules of the Douluo Continent.
• Before Wu An can explain further, all surrounding sounds abruptly disappear. Xiao Wu detects the presence of numerous Soul Beasts, and the ground begins to shake as they charge toward the group.
• Zhao Wuji orders the Shrek students to stand back-to-back and prepare for battle. While everyone else is tense, Wu An is pleased because the Soul Beast attack may help him complete his main quest and earn valuable rewards.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates effortless mastery of Palm Thunder and confirms that his strength does not depend on a Martial Soul or Soul Power. His mysterious origins and unconventional cultivation system become even more apparent. Unlike the others, he welcomes the approaching danger because it serves his quest.
• Zhao Wuji: Acts as the group’s protector and leader, recognizing both Wu An’s abnormal power and the danger posed by the approaching Soul Beasts. He remains cautious and organizes the students defensively.
• Tang San: Is deeply unsettled by Wu An’s existence, since Wu An’s abilities violate the established laws of Martial Souls and Soul Power. His curiosity about Wu An’s source of strength grows.
• Ning Rongrong: Becomes increasingly suspicious and confused about Wu An. She had associated him with the Clear Sky Sect but now realizes that his lightning ability and lack of detectable Soul Power do not fit that assumption.
• Xiao Wu: Immediately senses the Soul Beasts’ presence and reacts seriously, suggesting she may understand their intentions or recognize the significance of their aura.
• Titan Giant Ape and the bull-headed, serpent-bodied beast: Reveal their fear and caution before Wu An, whom they believe to be a god. Their differing personalities are emphasized: the Titan Giant Ape wants to act directly to protect Xiao Wu, while the bull-headed beast remains strategic and restrained.

Significant Themes

• Power beyond established systems: Wu An’s abilities challenge the Douluo Continent’s belief that Martial Souls and Soul Power are the only paths to strength.
• Misunderstanding and hidden identity: The Soul Beast rulers mistake Wu An’s spacetime passage for divine Spatial Power, while the Shrek group struggles to understand his true nature.
• Fear before overwhelming power: Even top-level Soul Beasts regard a suspected god as vastly beyond their ability to oppose.
• Curiosity versus caution: The Shrek group wants answers about Wu An, but the approaching Soul Beasts force them to prioritize survival.
• Opportunity within danger: Wu An views the coming battle not as a threat but as a chance to advance his quest and gain rewards.

Character Interactions

• The Titan Giant Ape and the bull-headed beast debate whether to approach Wu An, with the latter persuading the former to avoid provoking him.
• The Shrek Seven Devils question Wu An about Palm Thunder and his Martial Soul, while Zhao Wuji directly challenges him about the absence of Soul Power fluctuations.
• Wu An calmly overturns their assumptions by stating that he has no Martial Soul and does not rely on the continent’s traditional cultivation system.
• Tang San reacts with particular shock because his knowledge of cultivation confirms that Wu An’s power should be impossible.
• The chapter ends with Zhao Wuji preparing the group for an attack while Wu An eagerly anticipates the confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “Battle”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts observe the battle from a nearby hill. They discuss their rulers’ orders to gather Soul Beasts in the area but decide to attack the human Soul Masters anyway, driven by their longstanding hostility toward humanity.
• Thousands of Soul Beasts surround Wu An, Zhao Wuji, and the Shrek Seven Devils. Although most are only Hundred-Year Soul Beasts, their overwhelming numbers create a serious threat.
• Zhao Wuji recognizes that the group must maintain its formation. If the defensive line breaks, the Soul Masters could be overwhelmed.
• Wu An takes command of the frontline, ordering attack- and power-type Soul Masters to fight beside him while the others remain behind them.
• Wu An uses Palm Thunder, exploiting the tightly packed Soul Beast formation to kill dozens of Hundred-Year Soul Beasts and injure a Millennium Soul Beast.
• When the Soul Beasts retaliate, Wu An enters his full combat state and kills a giant bear Soul Beast with a single punch.
• He then unveils Thunder Blade, a concentrated lightning technique derived from Yang Five Thunders. Unlike Palm Thunder, it lacks broad area damage but possesses immense single-target power.
• Thunder Blade cleaves a Millennium Soul Beast in half, shocking Tang San and the others, who realize that Wu An’s strength is comparable to—or perhaps greater than—that of high-level Soul Masters.
• The battle continues, with Wu An and the Shrek group killing many Soul Beasts. However, their numbers are too great, and the Soul Masters gradually begin to lose ground.
• Wu An notices that Zhao Wuji is absent from the battle. He discovers Zhao Wuji standing on guard and staring at the three powerful Soul Beasts on the hill, suggesting that Zhao Wuji is being restrained or challenged by stronger enemies.
• As the situation worsens, Wu An stops relying solely on physical combat and unleashes Conqueror’s Haki, causing an overwhelming aura to spread across the battlefield and startling every Soul Beast.

Character Developments

• Wu An displays growing confidence and combat enthusiasm. Rather than being intimidated by the horde, he treats the battle as an opportunity to test himself against Soul Beasts.
• He demonstrates strategic awareness by using the enemies’ dense formation against them with Palm Thunder and by developing Thunder Blade for powerful single-target attacks.
• Wu An’s true strength becomes evident to the Shrek group. His ability to kill a Millennium Soul Beast instantly marks him as an extraordinary combatant.
• Tang San is deeply shocked and begins reassessing Wu An’s level of power, wondering whether he is comparable to a level 50, 60, or even 70 Soul Master.
• Oscar becomes overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies, reflecting the vulnerability of a Support-Type Soul Master in direct combat.
• Zhao Wuji is shown to be occupied by a powerful threat separate from the main battle, preventing him from protecting the Shrek group.

Significant Themes

• Human–Soul Beast hostility: Both sides view the other as enemies because Soul Masters hunt Soul Beasts for Spirit Rings, while Soul Beasts also prey on humans and resent the destruction of their kind.
• Strength versus overwhelming numbers: Individual power is not enough when thousands of enemies attack at once. Even Wu An’s immense abilities cannot immediately resolve the battle.
• Adaptation and strategy: Wu An’s techniques are effective not only because of their raw power but also because he adapts them to battlefield conditions.
• Hidden power and intimidation: Wu An repeatedly reveals abilities stronger than the others expected, culminating in the use of Conqueror’s Haki.
• Unseen danger: The three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts on the hill and Zhao Wuji’s distraction suggest that the surrounding battle may be only one part of a much greater threat.

Character Interactions

• The three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts debate whether to obey their rulers’ orders, ultimately agreeing to attack the Soul Masters.
• Wu An organizes and directs the Shrek group, taking responsibility for the frontline defense.
• His spectacular attacks leave Tang San and the others stunned, changing their perception of him from a powerful ally into an almost monstrous combat force.
• Zhao Wuji does not join the main fight because he is focused on the powerful Soul Beasts observing from the hill.
• The chapter ends with Wu An’s Conqueror’s Haki affecting the entire battlefield, setting up the Soul Beasts’ reaction and the next stage of the confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “Decapitation”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An unleashes Conqueror’s Haki, a rare power from the One Piece world, to suppress the Soul Beast horde.
• The Haki severely weakens the Hundred-Year Soul Beasts, making movement and Soul Skill use nearly impossible, while the Millennium Soul Beasts are affected only partially.
• The battlefield’s balance shifts dramatically in favor of the Shrek Seven Devils. The Soul Beasts can no longer overwhelm them through sheer numbers.
• Zhao Wuji, who is being held back by three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, realizes that remaining out of the battle is the only way to prevent all three powerful beasts from joining the fight.
• Several Millennium Soul Beasts target Wu An, recognizing him as the source of their suppression. Because Wu An must maintain Conqueror’s Haki, he initially struggles against their combined assault.
• Ning Rongrong supports Wu An with the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda’s first two boosts, increasing his strength and speed. Empowered, Wu An drives back the attacking beasts.
• The Soul Beasts continue fighting recklessly, even sacrificing themselves to drain the Shrek Seven Devils’ Soul Power. Wu An deduces that the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are controlling or motivating the horde.
• Wu An concludes that the only way to survive is to defeat or drive away the three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, causing the rest of the horde to disperse.
• Wu An charges toward the three powerful beasts, and Zhao Wuji follows despite the danger. The Shrek Seven Devils are shocked by their decision.

Character Developments

• Wu An demonstrates strategic judgment and willingness to use his strongest trump card when the group’s survival is threatened. He also shows concern for the Shrek Seven Devils because their deaths could cause him to fail his mission.
• His confidence is tested when several Millennium Soul Beasts surround him, forcing him to consider using his final Vajra Talisman.
• Ning Rongrong proves the value of her support abilities, significantly strengthening Wu An and helping him regain control of the battle.
• Zhao Wuji undergoes a major shift in perspective. He becomes convinced that Wu An’s power could transform the Douluo Continent and even challenge the dominance of Soul Masters.
• Zhao Wuji also decides that Wu An’s abilities must be kept secret from outsiders, while simultaneously choosing to trust and fight beside him.

Significant Themes

• Power beyond established systems: Wu An possesses extraordinary abilities despite having no Martial Soul, challenging the belief that Soul Masters control all meaningful power.
• Leadership and sacrifice: Wu An risks his remaining resources to protect the group, while Zhao Wuji accepts the danger of confronting three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.
• Strategy over brute force: The chapter emphasizes that defeating the leaders of the Soul Beast horde is more effective than endlessly fighting its individual members.
• Reversal of overwhelming odds: Conqueror’s Haki transforms a seemingly hopeless battle, showing how one exceptional ability can alter an entire battlefield.
• The dawn of social change: Zhao Wuji imagines a future in which ordinary people without Martial Souls might also gain power and challenge the existing order.

Character Interactions

• Wu An’s use of Conqueror’s Haki astonishes the Shrek Seven Devils and Zhao Wuji, who mistake it for an unprecedented Domain-type Soul Skill.
• Ning Rongrong directly assists Wu An by boosting his speed and strength, enabling him to overcome the Millennium Soul Beasts attacking him.
• Wu An consults Zhao Wuji and explains the connection between the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and the relentless attacks of the horde.
• Zhao Wuji initially reacts with disbelief to Wu An’s plan but ultimately agrees that confronting the three leaders is the group’s only chance.
• The chapter ends with Wu An and Zhao Wuji charging into danger together, leaving the Shrek Seven Devils stunned and uncertain about what will happen next.

Chapter Summary: “One Punch”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An races through the Soul Beast horde, using Ning Rongrong’s support and his powerful domain to immobilize the Hundred-Year Soul Beasts. The Millennium Soul Beasts are too frightened to confront him after witnessing him kill one of their kind instantly.
• He reaches the three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, with Zhao Wuji arriving shortly afterward.
• Zhao Wuji is astonished by Wu An’s speed, which nearly matches that of a level-76 Soul Sage. Wu An’s overwhelming offense, domain ability, and physical capabilities force Zhao Wuji to reconsider who truly ranks among the continent’s greatest geniuses.
• Wu An explains that Soul Beast strength depends not only on age but also on species, bloodline, and abilities. Although the three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are individually weaker than Zhao Wuji, together they are strong enough to suppress him.
• Zhao Wuji activates his Martial Soul Avatar, transforming with the Vigorous Vajra Bear. His strength increases dramatically, and he uses the Vigorous Vajra Palm to strike the beasts. Although he knocks one away, the creature quickly returns to battle.
• Wu An realizes Zhao Wuji can maintain this enhanced state for only thirty minutes and will suffer severe weakness afterward. Concerned that Zhao Wuji cannot endure the fight, Wu An activates his trump card: the Vajra Talisman.
• The talisman envelops Wu An in golden light, temporarily raising his physical attributes far beyond normal human limits and multiplying his physical power fivefold.
• The Shrek Seven Devils watch in shock as Wu An’s aura becomes overwhelmingly powerful. Even Tang San is stunned by the transformation.
• Wu An charges directly into the three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and prepares an all-out punch combining the Vajra Talisman, Yang Five Thunders, Intermediate Qi-State Origin-Flow, Conqueror’s Haki, and his enhanced physical strength.

Character Developments

• Wu An: His terrifying abilities become even more extreme. He shifts from controlling the battlefield to personally confronting the strongest Soul Beasts, revealing that the Vajra Talisman is his ultimate trump card.
• Zhao Wuji: He recognizes Wu An as an almost impossibly complete fighter, far beyond the Shrek Seven Devils in combat ability. Despite the danger and the cost of his Martial Soul Avatar, Zhao Wuji commits fully to protecting the others.
• Tang San: His confidence is shaken. Wu An’s feats make Tang San and the other Shrek students appear vastly inferior by comparison, forcing Tang San to acknowledge the enormous gap between them.
• Shrek Seven Devils: They become increasingly frightened and amazed by Wu An’s power, realizing that the battle has reached a level far beyond what they can handle.
• Xiao Wu: She shows signs of preparing to make a difficult decision when Zhao Wuji appears to be in danger, though her action is interrupted by Wu An’s transformation.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming individual power: Wu An’s strength completely overturns conventional ideas about genius and combat ability.
• Limits and sacrifice: Zhao Wuji’s Martial Soul Avatar provides immense power but carries a strict time limit and severe consequences, emphasizing the cost of desperate strength.
• Perception versus reality: The Shrek Seven Devils were considered exceptional talents, but Wu An’s arrival forces the characters to reassess their understanding of the hierarchy of power.
• Calculated strategy: Wu An does not rely solely on brute force; he evaluates the Soul Beasts’ relative strength, Zhao Wuji’s limits, and the appropriate moment to reveal his trump card.
• Escalation: The battle steadily intensifies—from ordinary Soul Beasts, to Millennium Soul Beasts, to three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, and finally to Wu An’s ultimate attack.

Character Interactions

• Wu An commands Zhao Wuji to stop holding back, prompting Zhao Wuji to activate his Martial Soul Avatar.
• Zhao Wuji and the three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts engage in a fierce three-on-one battle, with Zhao Wuji temporarily gaining the advantage.
• Wu An observes Zhao Wuji’s struggle and decides to intervene rather than allow him to exhaust himself.
• The Shrek Seven Devils watch Wu An’s transformation from a distance, reacting with disbelief and fear, while Tang San directly compares Wu An’s abilities with his own.
• The chapter ends as Wu An launches his combined, fully empowered punch at one of the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.

Chapter Summary: “0 Renxue”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An decisively turns the battle against the Soul Beast horde. Using the Vajra Talisman and the Yang Five Thunders, he punches through three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, severely wounding them and preventing their bodies from regenerating.
• He effortlessly defeats an attempted ambush and stops another Soul Beast from fleeing. Although he could kill them, Wu An deliberately leaves all three alive.
• Terrified by Wu An’s overwhelming strength, the surrounding Soul Beasts scatter into the Star Dou Great Forest. Since the objective was only to repel the horde, Wu An does not pursue them.
• Zhao Wuji and the Shrek Seven Devils survive the crisis. Wu An gives the three defeated Soul Beasts to them, allowing the group to claim their Spirit Rings, since Wu An has no Martial Soul and cannot absorb them himself.
• After the battle, a beautiful white-clad figure introduces herself as Xue Qinghe and asks Wu An’s name, setting up the next interaction.

Character Developments

• Wu An demonstrates overwhelming combat power, speed, perception, and confidence. His enhanced senses allow him to detect and evade the Soul Beasts’ ambush, while his attacks reveal the destructive power of the Yang Five Thunders.
• Wu An also shows restraint and strategic thinking. He avoids killing the Soul Beasts unnecessarily and gives their bodies to the Shrek group, preserving a future connection with them.
• Zhao Wuji is deeply shaken by Wu An’s strength. Even in his Martial Soul Avatar state, he realizes he could not have inflicted comparable injuries. His attitude shifts toward sincere gratitude and respect.
• The Shrek Seven Devils are left astonished and admiring. They begin to view Wu An as an extraordinary young powerhouse whose future potential may reach the level of a Limit Douluo.
• Xue Qinghe is introduced as a mysterious, elegant figure who takes interest in Wu An after witnessing or learning of his performance.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming power and hidden potential: Wu An’s ability to defeat multiple Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts with only four punches establishes him as an exceptional existence far beyond his apparent age.
• Pragmatism versus pride: The Soul Beasts retreat when faced with certain death, contrasting with human ideas of honor and fighting to the end. Wu An similarly acts pragmatically by sparing them and focusing on the mission.
• Mystery surrounding Wu An: His lack of a Martial Soul, possession of Dao Talismans, and inexplicable strength make the Shrek characters increasingly curious about his origins.
• Generosity and future alliances: By surrendering the defeated Soul Beasts to Zhao Wuji and the others, Wu An earns their gratitude and potentially creates an enduring bond.
• Freedom of self-expression: Wu An reflects that he can reveal his true abilities in the Otherworld, unlike in the Urban World, where he must remain low-key.

Important Character Interactions

• Zhao Wuji warns Wu An about the ambush, but Wu An reveals that he had already sensed the danger and counters it effortlessly.
• After the battle, Zhao Wuji thanks Wu An for saving everyone and questions the source of his golden enhancement. Wu An explains only that it is a one-use “Dao Talisman.”
• Wu An offers the three wounded Soul Beasts to Zhao Wuji and the Shrek Seven Devils. Zhao Wuji realizes Wu An intentionally spared them so they could obtain the Spirit Rings.
• Oscar and the other Shrek members openly admire Wu An’s strength and discuss the astonishing nature of his abilities.
• The chapter ends with Xue Qinghe approaching Wu An and formally asking how she should address him, introducing a new social and political connection.

Plot points and events

• After the Shrek Seven Devils’ exhausting battle, a newcomer appears without Zhao Wuji noticing her. She introduces herself as Xue Qinghe, the Heaven Dou Empire’s Crown Prince, and asks Wu An’s name.
• Xue Qinghe explains that she witnessed Wu An suppress three Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts without using Soul Power. This extraordinary feat has left her deeply curious.
• Ning Rongrong identifies Xue Qinghe as the Crown Prince. Xue Qinghe confirms it, then offers Wu An an unprecedented reward for joining her: the title of Imperial Prince, hereditary through his descendants.
• Wu An declines, saying he prefers to take things easy, and suggests she has not shown enough sincerity.
• He then reveals that he knows her real identity, asking whether he should call her “Xue Qinghe” or “Qian Renxue.” The chapter ends in stunned silence.

Character developments

• Wu An remains calm and unimpressed by political power or wealth. His knowledge of Xue Qinghe’s secret identity gives him the upper hand in their exchange.
• Xue Qinghe/Qian Renxue shows unusual personal interest in Wu An, apparently sincerely trying to recruit him. Her lavish offer indicates how valuable she considers him.
• Tang San stays cautious and urges the others not to lower their guard.
• Zhao Wuji is anxious because the group is worn out and he is weakened by backlash from his Martial Soul Avatar.
• The Shrek Seven Devils are astonished by both Xue Qinghe’s status and Wu An’s refusal of her offer.

Significant themes

• Power beyond established rules: Wu An’s ability to act without Soul Power challenges what the characters believe possible.
• Status versus personal ambition: Even a hereditary Imperial Prince’s title cannot tempt Wu An away from his larger goals.
• Hidden identity and political intrigue: Xue Qinghe’s disguise makes Wu An’s final revelation potentially dangerous.

Character interactions

• Xue Qinghe’s focused curiosity contrasts with the Shrek group’s suspicion and surprise.
• Tang San cautions Oscar against speculating about Xue Qinghe’s gender and emphasizes vigilance.
• Zhao Wuji respectfully greets the Crown Prince, recognizing the importance of her position.
• Wu An answers Xue Qinghe’s recruitment attempt with a refusal and a pointed challenge to her identity, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

Chapter Summary: “Mission Complete!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An openly addresses the apparent Crown Prince Xue Qinghe as either “Xue Qinghe” or “Qian Renxue,” shocking everyone present.
• The Shrek Seven Devils and Zhao Wuji initially assume Wu An is joking, since no one believes the Heaven Dou Empire’s crown prince could be an impostor.
• Qian Renxue’s reaction exposes the truth: she has been disguising herself as Xue Qinghe through a powerful Soul Skill, one even the Heaven Dou Emperor cannot see through.
• Wu An explains that he recognized her because her demeanor lacks the authority and majesty expected of a true crown prince or future emperor.
• He criticizes her offer of a hereditary prince title, arguing that it reflects narrow-mindedness and is unworthy of someone seeking imperial authority.
• Qian Renxue accepts his criticism rather than denying his claims. She attempts once more to recruit him by emphasizing Spirit Hall’s power, but Wu An refuses, saying he values his freedom and has no use for the title.
• Realizing she cannot confidently defeat Wu An, Qian Renxue withdraws, intending to investigate him and return with several Titled Douluo.
• After her departure, the Shrek Seven Devils praise Wu An’s composure and ability to reject such a tempting offer.
• The system then announces that both the main quest and side quest have been completed, and that the Spacetime Passage is about to open, signaling Wu An’s imminent departure.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates exceptional perception, confidence, and psychological insight by seeing through Qian Renxue’s disguise and identifying the weakness in her imperial bearing. He remains unmoved by wealth, status, and political power, reinforcing his independence.
• Qian Renxue: Has her secret identity exposed but responds with restraint and humility, acknowledging Wu An’s criticism. She also recognizes his extraordinary value and becomes wary of him, shifting from recruitment to planned retaliation.
• Tang San: Shows greater awareness than the others by noticing that Qian Renxue never denies Wu An’s accusation. He begins to understand that the truth could have enormous consequences for the entire continent.
• Oscar and the other Shrek members: Move from confusion to admiration, viewing Wu An as extraordinarily charismatic and fearless after witnessing him reject the crown prince’s offer.
• Zhao Wuji: Like the others, initially dismisses Wu An’s statement as impossible but is stunned by Qian Renxue’s reaction.

Significant Themes

• True authority versus outward appearance: Wu An argues that imperial bearing and genuine authority cannot be perfectly imitated through disguise.
• Freedom over power and status: Wu An rejects a hereditary prince title, emphasizing that personal independence matters more to him than political privilege.
• Insight and psychological strength: The confrontation is won largely through Wu An’s perception and words rather than physical combat.
• Hidden identities and political upheaval: Qian Renxue’s exposure suggests that major secrets lie beneath the political structure of the Heaven Dou Empire and could destabilize the continent.
• Respect earned through conviction: Even though Wu An insults Qian Renxue’s suitability as crown prince, his confidence and honesty earn her respect.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Qian Renxue: Their central exchange is a battle of perception and persuasion. Wu An exposes her identity and rejects her offer, while Qian Renxue accepts his criticism but leaves with plans to investigate and confront him later.
• Wu An and the Shrek Seven Devils: The group initially doubts him, then becomes impressed by his insight and refusal to accept the crown prince’s reward.
• Tang San and the others: Tang San’s observation that Qian Renxue does not deny Wu An’s accusation creates tension and hints at the revelation’s larger political implications.
• Qian Renxue and the Shrek group: Her composure collapses only when Wu An reveals her identity, allowing the others to realize that the person before them is not truly Xue Qinghe.

Chapter Summary: “Rewards”

Key Plot Points and Events

• With the Soul Beast crisis resolved, Wu An announces that he will leave the Shrek Seven Devils and return on his own.
• Zhao Wuji worries about Wu An traveling alone through the dangerous Star Dou Forest, but Wu An assures everyone that he has his own method of escape.
• Before leaving, Wu An privately warns Xiao Wu to conceal herself from Spirit Hall and advises her to keep her “two brothers” together.
• Wu An’s warning implies that he knows about Xiao Wu’s connection to the two powerful Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts—the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python—and suspects that Spirit Hall, particularly Qian Renxue, is targeting the forest’s Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.
• Xiao Wu becomes frightened that Wu An has discovered her true identity. However, she realizes that if he truly intended to exploit her, he would already have tried to obtain her Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. His indifference to both political power and such a valuable soul ring leaves her unable to understand his motives.
• Wu An opens a Seven-Colored Spacetime Passage and returns to the Urban World.
• In the depths of the Star Dou Forest, the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python worry about Xiao Wu. The Sky Azure Bull Python concludes that they cannot oppose Wu An if he truly is a deity, and then senses Wu An’s spatial power leaving the forest.
• Elsewhere, an elderly woman and a teenage girl detect the lingering aura of shattered space. A black-clad man with nine Spirit Rings—revealed to be Lord Haotian—explains that the aura belongs to divine-level Spatial Power.
• Lord Haotian confirms that the mysterious deity has left and notes that his son is safe, indirectly linking Wu An’s actions to Tang San’s survival.
• Back in the Urban World, Wu An reflects on his brief journey to the Douluo Continent. Although he regrets not exploring more of it, he remains confident that the system may allow him to return in the future.
• Wu An settles the completed missions. Both the main mission—helping Tang San repel the Soul Beast horde—and the side mission—repelling Qian Renxue—receive perfect ratings.
• As rewards, Wu An receives one Golden Treasure Chest and three Silver Treasure Chests. Excited by the unusually valuable rewards, he immediately orders the system to open them.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Remains mysterious, detached from conventional temptations such as political authority, soul rings, and power. His knowledge of Xiao Wu’s identity and ability to manipulate space further establish him as an existence far beyond ordinary experts. He also shows concern for Xiao Wu by warning her about Spirit Hall.
• Xiao Wu: Becomes suspicious and frightened that Wu An knows she is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Her inability to understand why he spares her deepens her view of him as unpredictable and extraordinarily powerful.
• Zhao Wuji: Shows concern for Wu An’s safety, reflecting the respect and trust he has developed toward him after Wu An’s decisive leadership during the crisis.
• Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python: Their concern for Xiao Wu highlights their protective sibling-like bond, but their fear of Wu An emphasizes the enormous gap between their strength and his.
• Lord Haotian: Is introduced as a powerful Titled Douluo capable of sensing the divine nature of Wu An’s spatial abilities. His concern for his son suggests a direct connection to Tang San and confirms that he recognizes Wu An as an exceptional threat or power.

Significant Themes

• Power beyond worldly ambition: Wu An rejects both political advancement and the temptation of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, suggesting that his goals and abilities transcend ordinary measures of strength and status.
• Mystery and uncertainty: Xiao Wu, the soul beasts, and even Lord Haotian cannot fully understand Wu An’s origins or limits.
• Protection and restraint: Wu An possesses the power to exploit Xiao Wu but instead warns her, presenting strength as something that can be used with restraint rather than greed.
• Divine power versus mortal power: The reactions of the soul beasts, the old woman, and Lord Haotian establish Wu An’s Spatial Power as something associated with deities and far beyond conventional Spirit Masters.
• The multiverse and future possibilities: Wu An’s return to the Urban World and confidence in the system reinforce the continuing journey across different worlds.

Important Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhao Wuji: Zhao Wuji urges Wu An not to leave alone, but Wu An dismisses the concern and prepares to depart.
• Wu An and Xiao Wu: Wu An gives Xiao Wu a cryptic warning about Spirit Hall and her two brothers. Xiao Wu reacts with fear and suspicion, realizing that he may know her secret.
• Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python: They discuss whether they should intervene to save Xiao Wu, but the Sky Azure Bull Python admits that opposing Wu An would be futile.
• Old woman, young girl, and Lord Haotian: Lord Haotian explains the nature of Wu An’s Spatial Power. The old woman recognizes him as Lord Haotian and bows respectfully.
• Wu An and the system: After returning home, Wu An receives perfect mission ratings and valuable treasure chests, ending the chapter with anticipation over the contents of the rewards.

Chapter Summary: “Surprises Keep Coming!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An opens the first Silver Treasure Chest and receives Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night, a storage-type Soul Tool from Douluo Continent.
• The belt contains twenty-four gems, each providing approximately one cubic meter of storage, for a total capacity of twenty-four cubic meters.
• Wu An realizes the Soul Tool solves a major problem: unlike the System Space, it can store real-world objects such as food, weapons, and equipment. He imagines using it to bring Chinese cuisine and modern technology into primitive or less-developed worlds.
• The second Silver Treasure Chest grants him the Nine Phoenix Zither Martial Soul, astonishing him because Martial Souls are normally innate abilities possessed only by people born on Douluo Continent.
• The Nine Phoenix Zither is revealed to be a mutated Martial Soul with two powerful abilities:
  • Wu An automatically masters all zither-related skills at God Level.
  • Playing the Martial Soul creates an illusion that only someone with greater mental attributes than Wu An can potentially break.
• The third Silver Treasure Chest gives Wu An a Right Arm Spirit Bone.
• The Spirit Bone’s ability temporarily increases the strength of Wu An’s right arm tenfold, with no side effects and a one-day cooldown.
• Wu An compares this to his Vajra Talisman, which only provides a fivefold increase, and recognizes the Spirit Bone as an exceptionally powerful treasure.
• The chapter ends as Wu An opens the final Golden Treasure Chest, leaving its contents unrevealed.

Character Development

• Wu An becomes increasingly excited and confident as the treasure chests provide increasingly valuable rewards.
• His imagination expands as he considers how the storage Soul Tool could support him in different worlds, especially by allowing him to carry food, weapons, gunpowder, and firearms.
• Despite his excitement over the Nine Phoenix Zither’s illusion ability, Wu An remains cautious and acknowledges that someone with superior mental strength might exist.
• He shows practical judgment by recognizing that the Martial Soul will be difficult to develop in the Urban World because Soul Beasts and Spirit Rings are unavailable.
• He values the Spirit Bone even more than the Martial Soul because it grows alongside him and does not require the same development process.

Significant Themes

• Accumating power and opportunity: Each treasure chest dramatically expands Wu An’s abilities and survival options.
• Advantages of cross-world travel: Modern resources, food, and weapons can give Wu An enormous advantages in primitive or fantasy worlds.
• Adaptability and preparation: Wu An focuses not only on combat strength but also on storage, supplies, and long-term survival.
• Power balanced by caution: Although the rewards are extraordinarily strong, Wu An understands that no ability is completely invincible and remains alert to stronger opponents.
• Growth and permanence: The Spirit Bone represents a lasting power source that develops with Wu An instead of becoming obsolete.

Character Interactions

• The main interaction is between Wu An and the System, which announces each reward and explains the abilities of the Soul Tool, Martial Soul, and Spirit Bone.
• Wu An mentally references Master Yu Xiaogang and the rules of Douluo Continent to understand Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night and Martial Souls.
• He also compares the Spirit Bone with his existing Vajra Talisman, using the comparison to appreciate the new reward’s superior strength boost.
• No direct interaction with other characters occurs in this chapter; the focus remains on Wu An’s reactions to the system rewards and his plans for using them.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An receives the system reward Buddha’s Fury Tang Lotus, an extremely powerful hidden weapon from the Douluo Continent universe.
• The weapon is described as capable of annihilating even a large force of Soul Sages, making it an extraordinary trump card.
• Wu An realizes that possessing it could also give him symbolic authority over the Tang Sect if he returns to the Douluo world, since the sect would fear the consequences of mishandling such a sacred weapon.
• He summons and examines the golden-red lotus. Its beauty contrasts sharply with its terrifying destructive power, and Wu An instinctively understands how to activate it.
• Wu An learns that the weapon can only be used once, but accepts this limitation because of its overwhelming strength. He stores it away as his new ultimate trump card, replacing the now-depleted Vajra Talisman.
• After leaving his room, Wu An joins Xu Qing and Nini. Xu Qing invites him to a concert because her tickets expire the next day. She mentions that the famous ancient-music performer Jiang Xuefei may appear, and Wu An agrees to accompany her.
• The setting then shifts to a luxurious estate in central Eastsea City, where the underground kingpin Master Tiger holds a meeting.
• Brother Biao, previously defeated by Wu An at a KTV, arrives and begs Master Tiger to avenge him, setting up a likely confrontation between Wu An and Master Tiger’s forces.

Character Developments

• Wu An gains immense confidence and security after obtaining Buddha’s Fury Tang Lotus. He views it as an even stronger replacement for his former Vajra Talisman.
• Despite possessing a weapon capable of devastating powerful enemies, Wu An remains relaxed in his daily life, casually eating with Xu Qing and agreeing to attend a concert.
• Xu Qing shows growing closeness and possible romantic interest in Wu An by inviting him to accompany her to the concert and appearing visibly pleased when he accepts.
• Brother Biao is portrayed as humiliated and vengeful after his defeat by Wu An. Rather than confronting Wu An himself, he seeks protection from the more powerful Master Tiger.
• Master Tiger is established as a major criminal authority in Eastsea City, feared even by the city’s Four Great Families.

Significant Themes

• Power hidden behind beauty: Buddha’s Fury Tang Lotus is visually exquisite but possesses catastrophic destructive force.
• Escalation of power: Wu An’s new reward marks another major increase in his strength and replaces a previous trump card that had already served him well.
• Authority and symbolism: The lotus is valuable not only as a weapon but also as a token connected to the Tang Sect’s prestige and influence.
• Ordinary life alongside extraordinary power: Wu An moves effortlessly between supernatural battles and mundane activities such as family meals and attending concerts.
• Vengeance and rising conflict: Brother Biao’s appeal to Master Tiger suggests that Wu An’s previous actions are beginning to attract more dangerous enemies.

Character Interactions

• Wu An admires and tests the Buddha’s Fury Tang Lotus alone, demonstrating his satisfaction with the reward.
• Xu Qing cooks for Wu An and invites him to the concert, while Wu An responds warmly and agrees without hesitation.
• Wu An shares a comfortable domestic setting with Xu Qing and Nini, contrasting with the criminal power struggle introduced later.
• Brother Biao approaches Master Tiger in desperation, asking him to intervene after Wu An’s earlier assault. This interaction establishes the next major threat to Wu An.

Chapter Summary: “Concert”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The bald thug previously defeated by Wu An at a KTV seeks revenge from Master Tiger, the powerful leader of Eastsea City’s underground world.
• He explains that Wu An defeated dozens of men without touching them. Simply looking at them caused them to collapse and kneel, while the bald man felt crushed by an overwhelming force.
• The gang initially doubts the story, but Master Tiger recognizes the description as an extraordinarily powerful aura.
• Master Tiger identifies Wu An’s presence as an “overlord’s aura,” comparing it to the legendary might of Xiang Yu, the ancient Chinese warlord known as Hegemon Xiang Yu.
• Realizing Wu An may be an immensely dangerous and influential figure, Master Tiger refuses to seek revenge. Instead, he orders the bald man to invite Wu An over so that he can personally apologize and establish a connection.
• The following day, Wu An accompanies Xu Qing to a prestigious concert venue. Before the concert begins, they sit in the venue’s buffet restaurant.
• A handsome man in a gray suit approaches Xu Qing, looks down on Wu An, and arrogantly demands that Wu An surrender his seat.

Character Developments

• Wu An: His true strength and intimidating presence become clearer through the bald man’s account. Although Wu An has not yet appeared directly in the chapter’s main conflict, others now regard him as an almost legendary figure.
• Master Tiger: Initially angered by the insult to his subordinate, he quickly changes his attitude after realizing Wu An’s power. His confidence becomes caution, and he demonstrates strategic thinking by choosing reconciliation over confrontation.
• The bald man: His earlier arrogance has turned into fear and humiliation. He is desperate for Master Tiger’s protection but realizes that he provoked someone far beyond his ability to handle.
• Xu Qing: She continues to spend time with Wu An and brings him to the concert, indicating familiarity and comfort in their relationship.
• The gray-suited man: He is introduced as arrogant, status-conscious, and disrespectful toward Wu An, immediately creating a new conflict.

Significant Themes

• Power and intimidation: Wu An’s strength is conveyed through his aura rather than physical violence, emphasizing overwhelming authority and dominance.
• Fear and reputation: Master Tiger’s influence is significant, but the mere possibility of Wu An’s power causes him to reconsider his plans.
• Humility before true strength: Those who believe themselves powerful are forced to recognize that greater figures exist above them.
• Social status and arrogance: The concert setting introduces a contrast between wealth, prestige, and genuine power, especially through the gray-suited man’s contempt for Wu An.
• Strategic submission: Master Tiger shows that survival and ambition may require apologizing to a stronger opponent rather than defending pride.

Character Interactions

• The bald man begs Master Tiger to avenge him, but Master Tiger ultimately rebukes and slaps him for wanting revenge against someone so powerful.
• Master Tiger explains the concept of aura and compares Wu An’s presence to that of Xiang Yu, shocking everyone in the room.
• Master Tiger orders the bald man and his men to invite Wu An for a meeting and apology.
• At the concert venue, Xu Qing and Wu An sit together before being confronted by an arrogant gray-suited man, who orders Wu An to leave his seat.

Plot Points and Events

• At a buffet restaurant before a concert, Wu An is confronted by Chen Hao, a wealthy and arrogant young man who resents Wu An for sitting near Xu Qing.
• Chen Hao’s friends join him and tease Xu Qing about Wu An possibly being her boyfriend. Xu Qing becomes flustered, while Chen Hao grows jealous and possessive.
• When Chen Hao demands to know whether Wu An is Xu Qing’s boyfriend, Wu An puts his arm around her and confidently confirms it.
• Wu An then mocks Chen Hao by implying that Chen’s interest in Xu Qing makes him someone who enjoys pursuing “other people’s wives.” The surrounding guests laugh, humiliating Chen Hao.
• Enraged, Chen Hao orders his companions to attack Wu An. Wu An responds by throwing a fork with extraordinary force, causing it to graze Chen Hao’s cheek before embedding deeply in a distant wall.
• Terrified by the display, Chen Hao and his friends immediately back down and admit they would not dare challenge Wu An.
• A manager announces that the concert is beginning. Wu An and Xu Qing enter the concert hall, where Chen Hao and his group are seated nearby. The performance then starts.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Remains calm, confident, and calculating. Rather than physically fighting Chen Hao, he chooses psychological humiliation and uses a single terrifying demonstration of strength to establish dominance.
• Xu Qing: Shows clear discomfort with Chen Hao’s aggressive pursuit and instinctively seeks protection behind Wu An. Her embarrassment when questioned about their relationship suggests growing emotional attachment or at least trust toward him.
• Chen Hao: Begins as arrogant and entitled, believing his wealth gives him authority over others. His jealousy quickly turns into aggression, but Wu An’s strength reduces him to fear and humiliation.
• Chen Hao’s friends: Initially support his bullying, but their confidence collapses once Wu An demonstrates his power. They prioritize their own safety over defending Chen Hao.

Significant Themes

• Power versus wealth and status: Chen Hao relies on family money and social influence, but Wu An’s overwhelming physical ability renders those advantages meaningless.
• Psychological dominance: Wu An deliberately humiliates Chen Hao instead of immediately attacking him, showing that mental defeat can be more satisfying and effective than violence.
• Possessiveness and entitlement: Chen Hao treats Xu Qing as something he should be able to obtain because of his status, while Xu Qing clearly rejects his advances.
• Hidden strength: Wu An appears relaxed and ordinary, but his superhuman strength reveals that he is far more dangerous and capable than others expect.
• Protection and emerging intimacy: Wu An publicly claims Xu Qing as his girlfriend and shields her from Chen Hao, strengthening the sense of closeness between them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Hao repeatedly challenges Wu An and speaks to Xu Qing in a disrespectful, possessive manner.
• Xu Qing attempts to defend Wu An and later warns him to run when Chen Hao’s group approaches.
• Wu An places an arm around Xu Qing, publicly identifies her as his girlfriend, and turns Chen Hao’s jealousy into a source of ridicule.
• The conflict ends when Wu An’s fork throw frightens Chen Hao and his friends into retreating.
• Wu An and Xu Qing leave together for the concert, while Chen Hao remains nearby, subdued and humiliated.

Chapter Summary: “Barely Passes for Ordinary”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An attends a high-quality zither concert but remains unimpressed because his Nine Phoenix Zither Martial Soul has granted him God-level mastery of all zither-related skills.
• After the first half of the performance, renowned ancient-music master Jiang Xuefei is introduced as a surprise guest.
• Jiang performs a guqin piece that deeply moves the entire audience, creating an immersive artistic atmosphere.
• Despite the audience’s admiration, Wu An evaluates Jiang’s performance as “barely” ordinary.
• His blunt criticism is heard throughout the silent concert hall, shocking the audience and embarrassing Xu Qing.
• Jiang, offended by Wu An’s dismissal of her greatest achievement, challenges him to identify the flaws in her playing.
• Wu An declares that the problems are too serious for Jiang to understand, further provoking her and the crowd.
• Chen Hao seizes the opportunity to mock Wu An and challenges him to perform a piece himself.
• Wu An accepts confidently, eager to finally use his Nine Phoenix Zither abilities.
• Chen Hao believes Wu An has overestimated himself and sees the challenge as a chance to humiliate him.

2. Character Developments

• Wu An: His God-level zither mastery gives him exceptional standards and confidence. He remains calm and blunt despite overwhelming public criticism, and he welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities.
• Jiang Xuefei: Initially presented as an elegant, accomplished, and widely respected master, she becomes personally offended when Wu An belittles her music. Her pride in her guqin talent leads her to confront him directly.
• Xu Qing: Enthusiastic about Jiang’s performance, Xu Qing is embarrassed and anxious after Wu An’s comment. Although she doubts the wisdom of his words, she still defends the possibility that he may genuinely know how to play.
• Chen Hao: His fear of Wu An diminishes in front of the large audience. He becomes emboldened, mocks Wu An, and challenges him, believing he has found a way to defeat and embarrass him.

3. Significant Themes

• Extraordinary ability versus ordinary standards: Music admired by the general public appears mediocre to Wu An because his supernatural mastery gives him an entirely different perspective.
• Pride and reputation: Jiang’s identity and status are built around her guqin skill, making Wu An’s criticism especially insulting.
• Confidence versus arrogance: Wu An’s remarks sound arrogant to others, but the chapter suggests they may be supported by genuine, superior ability.
• Public judgment and humiliation: The concert audience quickly turns against Wu An, while Chen Hao uses the public setting to challenge him.
• Hidden talent and upcoming reversal: Wu An’s acceptance of the challenge sets up a likely reversal in which he proves that his confidence is justified.

4. Character Interactions

• Wu An and Xu Qing: Xu Qing admires Jiang’s performance and urges Wu An to retract his criticism, but Wu An insists he was only answering her request for an evaluation.
• Wu An and Jiang Xuefei: Jiang challenges Wu An to explain his criticism. He responds dismissively, deepening her anger and curiosity.
• Wu An and Chen Hao: Chen Hao taunts Wu An and challenges him to perform. Wu An accepts, turning Chen Hao’s attempted humiliation into an opportunity to reveal his abilities.
• Xu Qing and Chen Hao: Xu Qing defends Wu An, while Chen Hao ridicules both Wu An’s confidence and the possibility that he can actually play the guqin.

Chapter Summary: “True Fragrance!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An accepts the manager’s invitation to perform onstage after previously criticizing Jiang Xuefei’s zither performance.
• Xu Qing worries that Wu An is making a reckless decision, since she has never seen him play the guqin and assumes he lacks experience.
• Despite public skepticism, Wu An confidently takes the stage.
• The audience, including Chen Hao, mocks and doubts him. Chen Hao expects Wu An to embarrass himself.
• Jiang Xuefei becomes curious about Wu An’s motives, initially believing his earlier criticism was merely an attempt to attract her attention.
• Wu An begins by plucking the strings awkwardly, convincing everyone—including Jiang Xuefei and two respected elderly musicians—that he is a complete beginner.
• His performance suddenly transforms into a powerful, emotionally vivid composition. The music depicts devastation, despair, renewal, and the eventual arrival of hope.
• The audience is deeply moved and erupts into overwhelming applause, recognizing Wu An’s performance as extraordinary and almost otherworldly.
• Chen Hao is left stunned and humiliated as Wu An proves that he truly can play—and far better than expected.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates immense hidden mastery of the guqin, despite lacking conventional experience. His calm confidence is validated, reinforcing his mysterious abilities and tendency to conceal his true strength.
• Xu Qing: Shows genuine concern for Wu An and prepares to protect him from embarrassment, but her doubts are replaced by astonishment and likely admiration after witnessing his performance.
• Jiang Xuefei: Initially dismisses Wu An as an attention-seeking braggart. His disregard for her beauty and his breathtaking performance confuse and impress her, challenging her assumptions about him.
• Chen Hao: Shifts from smug confidence to shock and disbelief. His expectation that Wu An would be humiliated collapses, leaving him emotionally defeated.
• Professor Sun and Elder Yang: Begin as skeptical observers, quickly judging Wu An to be a novice, but their initial assessment is overturned by his astonishing musical ability.

Significant Themes

• Hidden talent and underestimated ability: Wu An’s awkward opening conceals extraordinary skill, emphasizing that appearances can be deceptive.
• Pride and humiliation: Chen Hao’s arrogance and mockery are turned against him when Wu An succeeds spectacularly.
• Art as emotional storytelling: Wu An’s music communicates destruction, grief, resilience, and hope more powerfully than words.
• Hope after suffering: The composition’s movement from disaster and despair to renewal symbolizes the endurance of life and the promise of dawn.
• True strength versus outward appearance: Wu An’s relaxed, unassuming behavior contrasts sharply with his almost supernatural mastery.

Important Character Interactions

• Wu An reassures Xu Qing that he knows what he is doing, maintaining confidence despite her concern.
• Chen Hao openly mocks Wu An and anticipates his failure, making Wu An’s success especially satisfying.
• Jiang Xuefei watches Wu An closely, first with disappointment and suspicion, then with confusion and awe as his performance exceeds her own.
• The elderly musicians evaluate Wu An from the balcony, initially dismissing him before being proven wrong.
• The audience’s reaction shifts from ridicule to complete admiration, establishing Wu An’s dramatic victory over his critics.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An’s guqin performance leaves the entire concert hall stunned. The audience and experts regard the piece as flawless and vastly superior to performances by famous musicians.
• Elder Yang, a highly respected figure in China’s traditional arts world and Jiang Xuefei’s mentor, is overwhelmed by Wu An’s skill. He cannot understand how someone of Wu An’s level has remained unknown.
• Jiang Xuefei realizes that Wu An’s technique and musical expression surpass her own abilities, even if she had access to the complete score.
• Xu Qing is similarly shocked. Her perception of Wu An changes yet again after recalling his previous feats: being called the Ye family’s “Little Divine Doctor,” producing extraordinarily valuable jewelry, displaying incredible physical strength, and now demonstrating world-class musical talent.
• Professor Sun identifies Wu An as a former member of the Eastsea Wu Family, once notorious as a useless playboy. This revelation leaves Elder Yang incredulous because Wu An’s present ability contradicts his old reputation.
• The audience begs Wu An to perform another piece. He agrees and chooses a lighter, more cheerful style.
• Wu An’s second performance fills the hall with happiness and excitement, causing listeners to smile involuntarily and feel their moods improve.
• Elder Yang and Professor Sun are even more astonished by Wu An’s ability to shift effortlessly from a tragic, heroic style to a bright and joyful one without any decline in quality. They speculate that he may be a true musical polymath.
• After the second piece ends, Wu An calmly prepares to leave. The audience remains absorbed in the music and forgets to applaud until someone suddenly shouts, “Wait!”

Character Developments

• Wu An: His mysterious identity and extraordinary abilities become increasingly apparent. He remains calm and casual despite receiving overwhelming praise, treating his astonishing musical talent as effortless.
• Elder Yang: His confidence as an accomplished mentor is shaken. He feels that even the talents he has trained cannot compare to Wu An and begins forming a serious interest in him.
• Jiang Xuefei: She moves from being a featured performer to being completely overshadowed by Wu An. Her admiration and realization of the gap between them deepen.
• Xu Qing: Her understanding of Wu An continues to be overturned. She becomes increasingly amazed and emotionally conflicted by the contrast between his former reputation and his growing list of unbelievable abilities.
• Professor Sun: He provides information about Wu An’s past and recognizes that Wu An’s musical versatility may be unprecedented.
• The Audience: Their response shifts from shock and admiration after the first piece to emotional exhilaration after the second, treating Wu An as an incomparable musical genius.

Significant Themes

• Hidden genius and transformation: Wu An’s current brilliance sharply contrasts with his former image as an incompetent playboy.
• Limits of reputation: The characters’ assumptions about Wu An are repeatedly proven wrong as his abilities exceed conventional expectations.
• Extraordinary mastery: The chapter emphasizes not only technical perfection but also emotional expression and the ability to command multiple artistic styles.
• Humility versus greatness: Wu An’s relaxed, almost indifferent attitude contrasts with the experts’ awe, making his talent appear even more exceptional.
• The collapse of established hierarchies: Respected masters such as Elder Yang and Professor Sun find themselves unable to explain or match Wu An’s abilities.

Important Character Interactions

• Elder Yang and Professor Sun discuss Wu An’s identity and former reputation, with Elder Yang struggling to reconcile the “playboy” described by Professor Sun with the genius before him.
• Jiang Xuefei observes Wu An’s performance and privately acknowledges that she cannot reach his level.
• Xu Qing watches Wu An with a newly complicated mixture of admiration, disbelief, and uncertainty.
• The audience repeatedly urges Wu An to continue performing, reinforcing his sudden dominance over the concert.
• The chapter ends with an unidentified person interrupting Wu An as he attempts to leave, setting up the next development.

Chapter Summary

After Wu An prepares to leave the concert hall, Elder Yang—an internationally renowned master of China’s ancient arts and Jiang Xuefei’s teacher—hurries downstairs to stop him. The audience initially assumes Elder Yang may confront Wu An for contradicting his disciple, but instead he excitedly asks where Wu An learned the two extraordinary pieces he performed.
Wu An casually reveals that he composed both pieces himself through improvisation. This shocks Elder Yang and the entire audience, who realize that Wu An is not merely an exceptional performer but an unprecedented musical genius. Elder Yang compares other talented individuals to “trash” beside him and sees Wu An as the person capable of fulfilling his lifelong dream of elevating Chinese traditional arts to the level of legendary Western composers such as Mozart and Beethoven.
The audience erupts into chants of “God of Music,” while many admire Wu An with awe. Jiang Xuefei is especially shaken. Though she had previously viewed Wu An as a rival and believed she might eventually approach his level, learning that he created the pieces causes her confidence to collapse. She begins to feel insignificant beside him.
Elder Yang solemnly bows to Wu An and asks him to remain in China, fearing that foreign institutions might recruit or “poach” someone with such extraordinary talent. Wu An calmly affirms that he is Chinese and will remain so for life. Elder Yang is deeply moved by Wu An’s patriotism and integrity, especially in contrast to people who abandon their principles for wealth.
Finally, Elder Yang reveals that he is the dean of Tsinghua University’s School of Arts and offers Wu An a professorship there, inviting him to join the university whenever he has time.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Wu An: Revealed as a once-in-history musical prodigy and composer. He remains humble and calm despite the audience’s worship, and he expresses strong national loyalty.
• Elder Yang: Changes from a potentially intimidating authority figure into an enthusiastic admirer and mentor figure. He sees Wu An as the fulfillment of his lifelong artistic ambitions and seeks to protect and cultivate his talent.
• Jiang Xuefei: Experiences a major blow to her confidence. Her competitive attitude gives way to shock, admiration, and inferiority after realizing Wu An’s creative ability far surpasses hers.
• Audience: Moves from curiosity and suspicion to collective astonishment and idolization.
• Wu An and Elder Yang: Their interaction develops into one of mutual respect, with Elder Yang offering Wu An both recognition and a prestigious academic position.

Significant Themes

• Genius and creativity: Creating music is portrayed as vastly more difficult and impressive than merely performing it.
• National pride and loyalty: Elder Yang fears losing Wu An to foreign countries, while Wu An firmly declares his lifelong commitment to China.
• Humility versus recognition: Wu An treats his extraordinary compositions as casual improvisations, contrasting with the audience’s overwhelming reaction.
• Generational hopes: Elder Yang sees Wu An as the successor capable of carrying Chinese traditional arts onto the world stage.
• Inferiority and comparison: Jiang Xuefei’s reaction highlights the psychological impact of standing beside someone whose talent appears nearly impossible to match.

Chapter Summary: “The Scramble!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Wu An performs two extraordinary piano pieces, the audience realizes that his talent is far beyond ordinary standards.
• Elder Yang, impressed by Wu An’s abilities, offers him a professorship at Tsinghua University with an annual salary of one million.
• Wu An initially refuses because he is still in high school, must care for his younger sister, handle the Yun Family engagement, and investigate the destruction of the Wu Family.
• Elder Yang lowers the requirements, explaining that Wu An would only need to teach occasionally. Wu An accepts, partly because the position would allow him to contribute to China’s education system.
• Professor Sun of Yanjing University then appears and competes with Elder Yang for Wu An, offering him the prestigious position of Distinguished Professor.
• Elder Yang counters by promising to obtain an additional Distinguished Professor position at Tsinghua, despite the university’s limited available slots.
• The two professors argue over which university is superior while trying to win Wu An’s loyalty.
• Professor Sun resorts to an unconventional offer: he shows Wu An a picture of his beautiful granddaughter and promises to arrange a marriage between them.
• Elder Yang, unwilling to lose, tries to match the offer by presenting his disciple Jiang Xuefei to Wu An and asking what he thinks of her.

Character Developments

• Wu An: His extraordinary musical talent is confirmed to be powerful enough to attract offers from both of China’s leading universities. Although he values neither fame nor wealth particularly, he accepts Tsinghua’s offer because it is convenient and may allow him to help train talented students. His personal responsibilities and unresolved family affairs remain his priority.
• Elder Yang: Initially confident and proud, he becomes increasingly competitive and desperate to recruit Wu An. His selfish desire to be recognized as Wu An’s discoverer is revealed, and he is willing to challenge university rules—and even use Jiang Xuefei—to secure Wu An.
• Professor Sun: Introduced as Elder Yang’s rival, he is just as eager to claim Wu An. He displays greater boldness and shamelessness by offering his granddaughter as an incentive.
• Jiang Xuefei: Previously Elder Yang’s disciple, she is suddenly dragged into the rivalry when Elder Yang presents her as a potential match for Wu An, leaving her surprised and presumably embarrassed.

Significant Themes

• Exceptional talent and recognition: Wu An’s abilities are so remarkable that prestigious institutions compete openly to recruit him.
• Academic prestige and rivalry: Tsinghua University and Yanjing University are portrayed as equals locked in a humorous battle for superiority.
• Power and social status: The professorships, especially the Distinguished Professor position, symbolize the enormous status Wu An has already earned despite still being a high school student.
• Personal duty over ambition: Wu An refuses to abandon his family responsibilities and unresolved grudges simply for fame or a prestigious career.
• Humor through desperation: The professors’ increasingly extreme recruitment tactics turn the competition into a comedic spectacle.

Character Interactions

• Elder Yang respectfully but eagerly tries to recruit Wu An, while Wu An politely explains why he cannot regularly attend Tsinghua.
• Professor Sun interrupts Elder Yang’s arrangement and openly challenges him, creating a heated rivalry.
• The two professors argue over university prestige and compete by escalating their offers.
• Professor Sun attempts to influence Wu An through a marriage proposal involving his granddaughter.
• Elder Yang responds by pushing Jiang Xuefei toward Wu An, transforming the academic recruitment contest into a matchmaking competition.

Chapter Summary: “Choice”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Elder Yang unexpectedly tries to arrange his disciple Jiang Xuefei with Wu An, reminding her that she once vowed to marry only a man superior to her in qin artistry.
• Professor Sun similarly attempts to persuade Wu An by offering an introduction to his granddaughter, one of Yanjing’s renowned beauties.
• Wu An initially asks for time to consider the offers, but Elder Yang anxiously pleads with him, revealing that he has already applied for Wu An to become a Distinguished Professor.
• Feeling pressured by Elder Yang’s sincerity, Wu An agrees to the professorship.
• Professor Sun then pressures Wu An in the same way, claiming he would be embarrassed if Wu An refused. Wu An casually agrees to Professor Sun’s offer as well.
• Rather than choosing between Yanjing University and Tsinghua University, Wu An accepts positions at both, explaining that Distinguished Professors have considerable freedom and need not remain at one school.
• The two elders are satisfied, though they both insist that Wu An meet the woman they have put forward—Jiang Xuefei and Professor Sun’s granddaughter—turning the situation into an apparent romantic rivalry.
• Wu An escapes the uncomfortable discussion by returning to Xu Qing.
• Xu Qing teases him about his sudden romantic popularity. She then turns her attention to Chen Hao, reminding him of his earlier boast about what he would do if Wu An truly knew how to play the qin. Chen Hao immediately becomes pale, suggesting he may now be forced to fulfill his promise.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Remains calm and decisive despite the escalating pressure. His exceptional qin ability earns him two prestigious professorships, and he confidently accepts both rather than limiting himself to one opportunity. He is also shown to be socially reluctant about the romantic attention his talent attracts.
• Elder Yang: Reveals how highly he values Wu An by swallowing his pride, personally applying for Wu An’s professorship, and even trying to arrange a marriage for him through Jiang Xuefei. His normally stern demeanor gives way to anxious pleading.
• Professor Sun: Demonstrates similar admiration and desperation to recruit Wu An, using both his granddaughter and emotional appeals to secure Wu An’s agreement.
• Jiang Xuefei: Becomes embarrassed and flustered when her teacher proposes her as a match for Wu An. Although she once declared that only a superior qin player could win her, she feels uncomfortable with the sudden arrangement.
• Xu Qing: Acts as a teasing, observant friend. Her jealousy and sarcastic remarks reveal that she is affected by Wu An’s sudden romantic attention, while her confrontation of Chen Hao shows her willingness to defend Wu An.
• Chen Hao: Is humiliated and frightened when Xu Qing reminds him of his earlier challenge, implying that Wu An’s success has placed him in an awkward position.

Significant Themes

• Exceptional talent creating extraordinary opportunities: Wu An’s qin mastery gives him access to elite academic positions and influential figures’ personal support.
• Social status and admiration: The chapter emphasizes the shock of seeing respected professors plead with a young student, reversing the usual hierarchy between teacher and pupil.
• Choice and abundance: Wu An refuses to accept the premise that he must choose only one institution, taking advantage of his rare status to claim both opportunities.
• Romance as negotiation and spectacle: Marriage and introductions are treated almost like bargaining tools, creating comic tension and highlighting how highly Wu An is valued.
• Humor through contrast: The elders’ desperation, Jiang Xuefei’s embarrassment, Wu An’s calmness, and the crowd’s astonishment create a playful, exaggerated atmosphere.

Important Character Interactions

• Elder Yang and Jiang Xuefei: Yang invokes her past vow about marrying a superior qin player and tries to arrange her relationship with Wu An, leaving her embarrassed and conflicted.
• Professor Sun and Wu An: Sun uses his granddaughter and emotional appeals to persuade Wu An to accept a position at his university.
• Elder Yang and Professor Sun: They compete to recruit Wu An but ultimately cooperate once he agrees to work for both institutions.
• Wu An and the two elders: Wu An’s calm acceptance contrasts with their intense pleading, establishing his unusual power in the situation.
• Wu An and Xu Qing: Xu Qing jokes about his “romantic luck,” while Wu An insists that the attention was unintended.
• Xu Qing and Chen Hao: Xu Qing publicly recalls Chen Hao’s earlier boast, leaving him pale and vulnerable to humiliation.