Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge inspires Qu Changlin to change his life and pursue his dreams.
• Chen Ge guides Qu Changlin to the Dean's Office and exchanges numbers with him.
• Chen Ge decides to explore the hallway scenario next, aiming to learn new techniques.

Character Developments

• Qu Changlin: Realizes the need for change and gains courage after interacting with Chen Ge.
• Chen Ge: Demonstrates his warm and inspirational nature, encouraging others to pursue their dreams.

Significant Themes

• Change and self-improvement: Qu Changlin's realization and Chen Ge's encouragement highlight the theme of personal growth and change.
• Courage and strength: Both characters display courage in their own ways, with Qu Changlin finding the strength to consider change and Chen Ge facing the challenges of the haunted house.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Qu Changlin: Chen Ge's positive influence inspires Qu Changlin to consider changing his life, leading to a significant interaction between the two.
• Qu Changlin and his boss: Their interaction highlights Qu Changlin's growing discontent with his job and his boss's expectations, ultimately leading to Qu Changlin's decision to change.

Key Plot Points

• Chen Ge returns to the previous floor and finds the security door locked, with figures moving in the corridor.
• He hears The Child's voice, both recorded and real, leading him to the ground floor.
• He discovers a photograph of a man with a mask, holding someone's hand, hidden beneath a Black Incense Burner.
• Chen Ge finds a Miniature Audio Player hidden in the wall, realizing Nightmare Academy's sophisticated use of technology.
• He decides to ask Director Luo for funding to upgrade his Haunted House's equipment after unlocking the Four-Star Scene.
• Chen Ge encounters a girl dressed as a Vengeful Spirit, who runs away after saying, "He's out again."

Character Developments

• Chen Ge demonstrates his exceptional senses and calm demeanor under pressure.
• The Vengeful Spirit girl shows professionalism but struggles with her role when Chen Ge interacts with her.

Significant Themes

• The use of technology to create immersive horror experiences.
• The blurring line between reality and fiction in haunted attractions.
• The power dynamics between actors and visitors in a haunted house.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the Vengeful Spirit girl, questioning her role and causing her to flee.
• Chen Ge continues to search for The Child, driven by his determination to protect him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge encounters Li Yuan, Xueli, and a silent woman (the sister of the missing child) who had been separated from him earlier.
• Chen Ge decides to complete the Thirteen Steps mission, despite Li Yuan's warnings about the stairwell being haunted by a child's ghost.
• The silent woman reveals that the Middle-aged Man in Chen Ge's photo is her father and the missing child is her younger brother.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge shows no fear of ghosts and is determined to complete the Thirteen Steps mission.
• Li Yuan and Xueli become more cautious and afraid after learning the silent woman's connection to the missing child.
• The silent woman reveals her personal connection to the Haunted House's urban legend.

Significant Themes

• Fear and courage: Chen Ge faces his fears head-on, while Li Yuan and Xueli become more afraid.
• The blurring line between reality and fiction: The urban legend of the missing child becomes intertwined with the characters' lives.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge, Li Yuan, Xueli, and the silent woman reunite, leading to tension and fear due to the silent woman's revelation.
• Chen Ge and the silent woman have a brief conversation about the Middle-aged Man in the photo.
• Li Yuan and Xueli try to convince Chen Ge not to enter the stairwell but ultimately decide not to follow him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge becomes interested in helping The Little Boy, a lingering soul wandering the Nightmare Academy.
• Chen Ge and Old Zhou explore the first floor and discover a basement leading to a hidden scene.
• Chen Ge encounters a hidden compartment in the basement, where a child-like figure attacks him.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows empathy for The Little Boy and decides to help him. He also demonstrates quick thinking and reflexes when faced with an unexpected attack.
• Old Zhou: Shows loyalty to Chen Ge and follows his instructions to stay by the elevator.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of unfulfilled wishes and lingering souls.
• The dangers of heavy Yin energy and the potential risks of the Nightmare Academy.
• The importance of responsibility and taking action against potential threats.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Old Zhou: They work together, with Chen Ge leading and Old Zhou following his orders, showing a strong team dynamic.
• Chen Ge and The Little Boy: Although they haven't directly interacted yet, Chen Ge's decision to help The Little Boy shows empathy and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge's words trigger a supernatural event in the basement.
• A dwarf actor from Nightmare Academy is revealed, hiding in a secret compartment.
• Xu Yin, a ghost, appears beside Chen Ge, terrifying the actor.
• Chen Ge and the actor flee from Xu Yin, with Chen Ge intentionally creating a ruse to shift blame and protect Xu Yin's secret.
• Xu Yin, following Old Zhou's instructions, begins to scare the actor and Chen Ge.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows quick thinking and adaptability in dealing with the unexpected situation. He realizes the actor is not a ghost but a person and decides to protect Xu Yin's secret.
• Xu Yin: Remains passive but begins to actively scare the actor and Chen Ge, following Old Zhou's instructions.
• The dwarf actor: Reveals his true form and is terrified by Xu Yin. His fear drives him to flee and call for help.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural vs. Human: The actor's fear stems from the realization that Xu Yin is not a fellow actor but a ghost, blurring the line between the supernatural and human.
• Adaptability: Chen Ge's quick thinking and ability to adapt to unexpected situations help him navigate the chaotic events.
• Fear and its consequences: The actor's fear leads him to flee and call for help, highlighting the power of fear to drive action.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and the dwarf actor: Chen Ge initially mistakes the actor for a ghost and later intentionally scares him to protect Xu Yin's secret. The actor, terrified, flees from Chen Ge.
• Xu Yin and the dwarf actor: Xu Yin's appearance terrifies the actor, leading him to scream and flee. Xu Yin, following Old Zhou's instructions, begins to scare the actor.
• Chen Ge and Xu Yin: Chen Ge is initially surprised by Xu Yin's appearance but quickly recovers and acts as if he is seeing Xu Yin for the first time. He intentionally touches Xu Yin to create the illusion that Xu Yin is a ghost.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Red-Clad Specter (Xu Yin) appears in the Haunted House, causing panic among the staff.
• Chen Ge and a short Haunted House Actor (Xiao Zhao) are trapped in the Music Classroom scenario while being chased by Xu Yin.
• Xu Yin plays the piano, revealing a hidden melody and triggering a strange phenomenon.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge shows his calm and strategic thinking under pressure, while Xiao Zhao is terrified and relies on Chen Ge for protection.
• Xu Yin is revealed to have a deep connection with the piano, suggesting a tragic past.

Significant Themes

• Despair and helplessness in the face of the supernatural.
• The power of music to evoke emotions and memories.
• The hidden pasts and motivations of the ghosts.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Xiao Zhao form a reluctant alliance, with Chen Ge acting as the protector and decision-maker.
• Xu Yin interacts with the piano, revealing a connection to his past and triggering a supernatural event.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yin encounters a Female Actor inside the piano in the Music Classroom.
• Chen Ge leads Xu Yin through three scenes (Music Classroom, Security Office, Sports Equipment Room) in a short time.
• Chen Ge and the short actor reach the fourth floor, where the Nightmare Academy staff is gathered outside the Boss's office.

Character Developments

• Xu Yin's fear and desperation grow as he's chased by the Female Actor.
• Chen Ge demonstrates his endurance and acting skills, exhausting himself to make his escape convincing.
• The short actor reveals the location of the Nightmare Academy Boss's office under duress.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fear and desperation is emphasized as Xu Yin is pursued.
• The idea of being trapped and unable to escape is highlighted as Chen Ge and the short actor struggle to find an exit.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and the short actor work together to escape, with Chen Ge leading and the short actor providing directions.
• The Nightmare Academy staff and Chen Ge have a tense confrontation outside the Boss's office.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Yin, a Red-Clothed, appears in Nightmare Academy, causing panic among the staff.
• The staff discovers that the elevator is stuck on the basement level, and the only other exit is through a window on the second floor.
• Several staff members, including the leader, jump out of the window to escape, drawing the attention of passersby on Xinhai Central Avenue.
• Old Wu, a visitor from the countryside, witnesses the scene and tries to help a small figure who jumps from the second floor.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Stands his ground and tries to help the Nightmare Academy staff despite the danger.
• Nightmare Academy Staff: Initially dismissive of the situation, they become increasingly terrified and desperate as the Red-Clothed approaches.
• Old Wu: Shows bravery and kindness by trying to help the small figure who jumps from the window.

Significant Themes

• Fear and desperation: The staff's fear escalates as they realize the true nature of the threat, leading to desperation and chaos.
• The unknown: The mysterious presence under the building and the sudden appearance of Xu Yin highlight the theme of the unknown and its ability to instill fear.
• Kindness and bravery: Old Wu's actions demonstrate the power of kindness and bravery in the face of unexpected danger.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with the Nightmare Academy staff, trying to convince them to take the situation seriously.
• The Nightmare Academy staff interact with each other, initially trying to maintain composure but eventually succumbing to panic.
• Old Wu interacts with the small figure who jumps from the window, showing kindness and concern despite the chaotic situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge is the last to jump from the second floor of Nightmare Academy.
• The police arrive, and the surviving Haunted House Actors tell them about the Red-Clothed Ghost.
• The boss of Nightmare Academy, Shangguan Qinghong, decides to leave the haunted house but encounters the Red-Clothed Ghost in the elevator.
• The police find Shangguan Qinghong unconscious at the elevator entrance and take him and other affected staff to the hospital.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge shows courage and quick thinking, jumping from the second floor to escape the Red-Clothed Ghost.
• Shangguan Qinghong, the boss of Nightmare Academy, initially appears confident but later shows fear and panic when faced with the Red-Clothed Ghost.
• The Haunted House Actors are emotionally shaken and struggle to communicate coherently with the police.

Significant Themes

• Fear and its impact on individuals and their actions.
• The consequences of underestimating or dismissing the supernatural.
• The importance of teamwork and communication in facing adversity.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts briefly with the police, trying to explain the situation.
• Shangguan Qinghong encounters the Red-Clothed Ghost in the elevator, leading to his unconscious state.
• The Haunted House Actors interact with the police, trying to convey the events that transpired in the haunted house.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A lead officer from the police station visits the haunted house to investigate the incident.
• The officer returns to the station and finds it crowded with people, including the Haunted House Actors and tourists, all recounting bizarre events.
• Captain Cai, the lead officer, questions the Haunted House Actors and tourists separately but gets little useful information.
• He suspects Chen Ge due to his calm demeanor and thorough answers during questioning.

Character Developments

• Captain Cai shows his stern and disciplined nature, initially dismissing the actors' claims as nonsense but later realizing their sincerity.
• Chen Ge demonstrates his composure and quick thinking during the police interrogation, raising Captain Cai's suspicions.

Significant Themes

• The blurring of reality and fiction, as the actors' performances become indistinguishable from genuine events.
• The struggle between maintaining professionalism and acknowledging the extraordinary, as Captain Cai grapples with the unusual circumstances.

Character Interactions

• Captain Cai interacts with his subordinates, displaying his authority and displeasure at the chaos in the station.
• He questions the Haunted House Actors and tourists, trying to discern the truth behind the incident.
• Chen Ge interacts with Captain Cai, maintaining his composure and providing well-prepared answers during the interrogation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge is suspected of jumping off a building, but he's unharmed, raising suspicion among police.
• Li Zheng, a high-ranking police officer, reveals that Chen Ge has been involved in multiple murder cases, suggesting he's not an ordinary person.
• Chen Ge is held at the Xinhai Central Avenue police station all day.
• After being released, Chen Ge meets Xu Yin in a mall restroom, who guides him to a sealed-off scenario in the basement of the Haunted House.
• Chen Ge finds a diary in the scenario, identical to one he already has, but with text stitched on with red thread.

Character Developments

• Captain Cai learns about Chen Ge's past and his search for his missing parents, gaining a new perspective on him.
• Chen Ge's determination and resilience are highlighted as he continues to investigate despite the dangers.

Significant Themes

• Determination and Perseverance: Chen Ge's relentless pursuit of the truth about his parents' disappearance, despite the risks involved.
• The Dark Side of Society: The Haunted House's connection to a sealed-off scenario and a bloody diary hints at the dark secrets hidden within the attraction.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Li Zheng: Li Zheng shares insights about Chen Ge with Captain Cai, revealing his admiration for Chen Ge's abilities and determination.
• Chen Ge and Xu Yin: Xu Yin guides Chen Ge to the sealed-off scenario, indicating their growing connection and understanding of each other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge discovers a diary in Nightmare Academy, which might be connected to the Spirit Medium Ghost Courtyard.
• He learns that the owner of Nightmare Academy, Shangguan Qinghong, has been transferred to Hanjiang Central Hospital.
• Chen Ge visits the hospital and encounters Zhang Jingjiu, who is there to see his ill father.
• Shangguan Qinghong wakes up in the hospital and meets other patients who were also victims of the West Suburb Horror House. They decide to unite and find a way to expose the Haunted House's secrets.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: He continues his investigation into the Spirit Medium Ghost Courtyard and visits the hospital to find Shangguan Qinghong.
• Shangguan Qinghong: He wakes up from his coma and decides to join forces with other victims to expose the West Suburb Horror House.
• Zhang Jingjiu: He visits his ill father in the hospital and shows concern for his well-being.

Significant Themes

• The power of unity among victims to expose the truth.
• The impact of traumatic experiences on individuals (as seen through the patients in the hospital ward).

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Zhang Jingjiu: They travel back to Hanjiang together and discuss the police presence in the hospital.
• Shangguan Qinghong and the other patients: They bond over their shared experiences as victims of the West Suburb Horror House and decide to work together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shangguan Qinghong, owner of a rival Haunted House, wakes up in a hospital ward with other patients who were also scared unconscious by Chen Ge's Haunted House.
• Shangguan Qinghong suggests uniting to destroy Chen Ge's Haunted House, but an engineer from Virtual Future Park is skeptical.
• Shangguan Qinghong reveals he has a secret weapon in his Haunted House, scarier than Chen Ge's.
• Chen Ge arrives at the ward, startling everyone, and asks Shangguan Qinghong about a diary he found.

Character Developments

• Shangguan Qinghong: Initially confident and boastful about his Haunted House, he becomes terrified upon seeing Chen Ge.
• Engineer: Skeptical of Shangguan Qinghong's plan, he initially refuses to cooperate but later watches Chen Ge's arrival with interest.
• Fei Youliang: Admires Shangguan Qinghong at first, but later ignores him and pretends not to notice Chen Ge's arrival.

Significant Themes

• Competition and rivalry among Haunted House owners.
• Fear and its impact on individuals.
• The power dynamics between Chen Ge and other Haunted House owners.

Character Interactions

• Shangguan Qinghong tries to rally the patients against Chen Ge but fails to gain their full support.
• The engineer challenges Shangguan Qinghong's claims about his Haunted House.
• Chen Ge's arrival silences the ward, highlighting his intimidating presence.
• Patients avoid interacting with Chen Ge, showing their fear and respect for him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge discovers two diaries in Shangguan Qinghong's Haunted House, which are connected to a boy who woke up from a coma after five years and died the next night.
• The diary is said to be haunted, but Chen Ge finds no Ghostly Being inside it.
• Chen Ge learns about a four-star trial mission, "Spirit Medium School," which will expire in twenty-seven hours.
• He also remembers an ongoing mission, "The Story of Left Eye," involving Chang Wenyu, who had survived the Spirit Medium School.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Struggles with the decision to attempt the four-star mission, seeking advice from the Pen Spirit and the Statue of Truth, both of whom express concern about the mission's danger.
• Shangguan Qinghong: Regains consciousness in a hospital, misunderstands the situation, and believes Chen Ge had him transferred to Han Jiang.

Significant Themes

• The danger and uncertainty of high-level missions in the Haunted House.
• The consequences of past traumas and the struggle to move on (as seen in the boy's mother and Chang Wenyu's story).

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Shangguan Qinghong: Chen Ge interrogates Shangguan Qinghong about the diaries, and they discuss the transfer to Han Jiang.
• Chen Ge and the Pen Spirit/Statue of Truth: Chen Ge seeks their advice about the Spirit Medium School mission, but they both express concern about its danger.
• Chen Ge and Chang Gu: Chen Ge tries to contact Chang Gu to gather more information about the Spirit Medium School and Chang Wenyu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge finds a phone number in his messages, possibly from Chang Gu.
• He returns to Yongling Mountain Resort and finds signs of intrusion in the Dead Man's Screening Room.
• Qiu Mei is released to help find Chang Gu, leading Chen Ge to a Forest Ranger's hut on Yongling Mountain.
• Chang Gu reveals that he's been hiding due to parents of comatose students, who are targeting him for information.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows determination to help Chang Gu and Qiu Mei, despite the risks.
• Chang Gu: Reveals his past and the true nature of his sister's condition, displaying resilience and a desire to save her.
• Qiu Mei: Shows fear and anger upon learning Chang Gu is missing, but eventually calms down and helps find him.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of curiosity and obsession with the supernatural.
• The struggle between good and evil, and the temptation of power.
• The importance of family and the lengths one would go to protect them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Chang Gu: Chen Ge helps Chang Gu, and they share information, leading to a mutual understanding and respect.
• Qiu Mei and Chang Gu: Qiu Mei is worried about Chang Gu and helps find him, showing a connection between them.
• Chen Ge and Qiu Mei: Chen Ge tries to calm Qiu Mei down and uses her connection to Chang Gu to find him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge learns about Chang Gu's past and his obsession with uncovering the Spirit Medium School's secrets.
• Chang Gu reveals he sees an ordinary door with his left eye, which is gradually moving closer to him, and he believes it leads to the Spirit Medium School.
• Chen Ge agrees to stay by Chang Gu's side when he attempts to push the door open.
• Chen Ge returns to New Century Park, where he meets Qu Changlin, who wants to work at his House of Horrors. Chen Ge assigns him the Zombie Resurrection Night scenario to renovate.
• Chen Ge receives a call from Chang Gu, asking him to come to the Han Jiang Psychiatric Center.

Character Developments

• Chang Gu: His desperation to find his sister and expose the Spirit Medium School drives him to attempt pushing the door open, despite the risks.
• Chen Ge: He remains empathetic and supportive of Chang Gu, even as he grapples with the uncertainty of the mission and the potential dangers involved.
• Qu Changlin: He gains confidence in his abilities and seeks a better opportunity at Chen Ge's House of Horrors, demonstrating his talent and professionalism.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and its consequences: Chang Gu's single-minded pursuit of the truth about the Spirit Medium School has consumed his life, leading him to take extreme risks.
• Trust and partnership: Chen Ge's willingness to support Chang Gu in his quest, despite the uncertainty and danger involved, highlights the importance of trust and mutual support between them.
• Talent and opportunity: Qu Changlin's journey illustrates how talent alone is not enough; one also needs the right opportunity to shine.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and Chang Gu: Their shared goal of uncovering the Spirit Medium School's secrets brings them together, and they form a partnership built on trust and mutual support.
• Chen Ge and Qu Changlin: Chen Ge recognizes Qu Changlin's talent and offers him an opportunity to grow within his House of Horrors, fostering a mentoring relationship between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge receives a call from Chang Gu, who is at a mental hospital.
• Chen Ge visits Han Jiang Psychiatric Center to find Chang Gu.
• He learns that Chang Gu visited a patient named Chang Wenyu, who is in a deep coma and has been seen walking around the ward at night.
• Chen Ge decides to stay in the Isolation Ward to investigate.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge: Shows determination and bravery in investigating the case, even staying in the mental hospital overnight.
• Chang Wenyu: A mysterious patient in a deep coma, with strange occurrences happening around her.
• Chang Gu: Still missing, but Chen Ge believes he is hiding in the hospital.

Significant Themes

• The unknown and supernatural: The strange happenings around Chang Wenyu and the possibility of Chang Gu hiding in the hospital.
• Trust and deception: The hospital staff's unified story about Chang Wenyu's sleepwalking, and Chen Ge's suspicion about their true intentions.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge and the Doctor: Chen Ge questions the Doctor about Chang Wenyu, and the Doctor reluctantly shares information.
• Chen Ge and Xiao Zhu: The male Nurse, Xiao Zhu, is assigned to keep an eye on Chen Ge overnight. He is initially wary of Chen Ge but follows the Doctor's orders.
• Chen Ge and Chang Wenyu: Chen Ge decides to stay in the ward to help Chang Wenyu, hoping to prevent any strange occurrences and to find Chang Gu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author decides to skip today's writing and instead plans to upload three chapters at once tomorrow.
• They express that they won't be able to complete tomorrow's chapter in time.

Character Developments

• The author: Shows self-awareness about their writing progress and makes a decision to manage their workload better.

Significant Themes

• Time management: The author struggles with time management, leading to a decision to batch upload chapters.
• Self-awareness: The author acknowledges their current situation and makes a conscious decision to change their approach.

Character Interactions

• None, as this is a single-author update with no other characters involved.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge wakes up in an old classroom, seemingly in a dream or a new mission.
• He finds himself called "Xiao Lin" by his deskmate, which is the name of a student from the Nightmare Academy's diary.
• Chen Ge realizes he's missing his Black Phone and finds an old flip phone instead.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge remains calm and collected despite the strange circumstances, trying to gather information without raising suspicion.
• His deskmate, who calls him Xiao Lin, is ordinary in appearance but has a thin, unsettling voice.

Significant Themes

• The unknown and unpredictable nature of dreams and missions in the Black Phone.
• The potential connection between the Nightmare Academy's diary and Chen Ge's current situation.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with his deskmate, who calls him Xiao Lin, trying to gather information without revealing his true identity or intentions.
• Chen Ge's internal struggle and thoughts are shown, highlighting his determination to figure out his current situation and find a way out.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Ge enters a Four-Star Scene, likely the Spirit Medium School.
• He discovers he's in the body of Xiao Lin, a student at Han Jiang University's East Campus night school.
• The campus is deserted and shrouded in darkness, with no visible blood threads.
• Chen Ge finds a suspicious schedule in Xiao Lin's notebook, detailing nightly activities.

Character Developments

• Chen Ge maintains calm and resilience despite being in an unfamiliar, high-risk environment.
• He begins to adopt Xiao Lin's persona to blend in.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptation in an unfamiliar, potentially hostile environment.
• The duality of identity and the struggle to maintain one's true self while adopting a false persona.
• The exploration of a new, eerie world with unknown rules and dangers.

Character Interactions

• Chen Ge interacts with his classmates, who call him "Xiao Lin," but he hasn't yet engaged in meaningful conversations with them.
• He hasn't encountered any significant characters yet, as he's mainly been exploring his new environment and gathering information.