Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng uses his power to suppress Yi Qi, a Saint, demonstrating an ability akin to mythical figures.
• Yi Qi awakens in prison, learns about Yanhuang's strict laws, and understands that Zhao Cheng might have surpassed the Saint realm, reaching the 'Gapless' domain of mythical figures.
• Yi Qi cooperates fully with the authorities, fearing Zhao Cheng's power and the potential consequences of his actions.
• Elsewhere, a mysterious woman discusses the upcoming 'godhood' event, suggesting that many powerful entities seek it.

Character Developments

• Yi Qi: Realizes the extent of Zhao Cheng's power, fears for his life, and cooperates fully with the authorities to avoid further conflict.
• Zhao Cheng: Implied to have reached the 'Gapless' domain, a level beyond Saint, comparable to mythical figures.
• Mysterious Woman: Introduced as a powerful figure aware of the upcoming 'godhood' event, suggesting she has significant knowledge and influence.

Significant Themes

• Power and Fear: The fear that powerful beings inspire in others, maintaining stability and order.
• Godhood and Ascension: The desire for power and divinity, with many entities seeking the upcoming 'godhood.'
• Laws and Order: The importance of laws in maintaining stability, even among powerful beings.

Character Interactions

• Yi Qi and Zhao Cheng: Yi Qi fears Zhao Cheng, cooperates fully with authorities to avoid his wrath.
• Yi Qi and Sword Dao Bureau: Yi Qi cooperates with the Sword Dao Bureau, dumbfounding them with his behavior.
• Mysterious Woman and Unknown: The woman discusses the 'godhood' event with an unknown entity, suggesting she has connections and knowledge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lady Wisdom, a member of the overseas Truth Society, gathers powerhouses from different countries to discuss seizing the divine spark.
• They learn that Yanhuang's supreme powerhouses are deliberately allowing them to act, as any treasure must undergo tribulations before being born.
• Sage, a god, offers three paths to seize the divine spark: kill and seize fortune, complete conversion to Yanhuang's culture, or hold a youth version of the Universal Conflict.

Character Developments

• Lady Wisdom: She remains composed under intense scrutiny, demonstrating her experience and control.
• The gathered powerhouses: They show ambition, insight, and a willingness to be used as pieces in Sage's game for the chance to attain the Dao.

Significant Themes

• Ambition vs. Opportunity: The powerhouses are driven by their desire for power and the chance to seize the divine spark.
• Culture and Identity: Different nations and cultures forge different kinds of people, influencing their paths to power.
• Divine Spark: The ultimate goal of the powerhouses, representing the birth of a new god or extraordinary power.

Character Interactions

• Lady Wisdom and the powerhouses: Lady Wisdom communicates Sage's plans, while the powerhouses question, discuss, and express their ambitions.
• The powerhouses among themselves: They share insights, understandings, and a common goal, fostering a sense of camaraderie despite their diverse backgrounds.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lady Wisdom reveals three paths to seize fortune: opening swordsmanship schools, direct assassination, or killing others to seize their fortune.
• Saints present feel ripples of temptation, especially at the mention of killing others for their fortune.
• Lady Wisdom hints that Zhao Cheng carries significant fortune, causing flickers of interest among some Saints.
• Zhao Cheng senses intense malicious thoughts from three nearby individuals planning to assassinate him.

Character Developments

• Lady Wisdom is portrayed as wise and perceptive, understanding the depths of human ambition and temptation.
• Zhao Cheng demonstrates growth in his spiritual cultivation, awakening the Eighth Sense, allowing him to perceive malicious thoughts from a distance.
• Qin Honglian shows concern for Zhao Cheng's safety and understanding of his abilities, reacting with shock to his casual mention of the Gapless Realm.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Temptation: The chapter explores the depths of human ambition and temptation, with even Saints harboring thoughts of killing others for their fortune.
• Fortune and Power: The idea that fortune can bring power and status is a driving force for many characters.
• Risk and Consequence: The paths to seize fortune are fraught with risk, and characters are aware of the potential consequences of their actions.

Character Interactions

• Lady Wisdom's speech provokes reactions from the Saints present, revealing their hidden thoughts and ambitions.
• Zhao Cheng and Qin Honglian's interaction shows their growing bond, with Qin Honglian displaying concern and understanding of Zhao Cheng's abilities.
• The three individuals planning to assassinate Zhao Cheng are not directly interacted with, but their actions drive the plot forward.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mr. Sage advises taking all three paths (myth, swordsmanship, and public opinion) to seize fortune and karma.
• Lady Wisdom suggests manipulating media and public perception to make Yanhuang appear inferior.
• News arrives that Zhao Cheng, a Yanhuang Saint, has mastered the gapless realm of a supreme powerhouse.
• Zhao Cheng himself appears, confirming the news and exposing Lady Wisdom's secret.

Character Developments

• Lady Wisdom: Initially composed and manipulative, she becomes rattled upon learning that Zhao Cheng knows her secret.
• Zhao Cheng: Reveals his immense power and knowledge, challenging Lady Wisdom's composure.

Significant Themes

• Power and manipulation: Characters use various means (swordsmanship, public opinion, and hidden strength) to gain advantage.
• Secrecy and exposure: Characters keep secrets, but they can be exposed, leading to vulnerability.

Character Interactions

• Lady Wisdom and Zhao Cheng: Their interaction reveals Lady Wisdom's secret and Zhao Cheng's immense power and knowledge.
• Saints present: They remain silent and shocked, witnessing the exchange between Lady Wisdom and Zhao Cheng.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng arrives and traces the earlier conversation using his seventh and eighth senses.
• He reveals that he only wants to kill three people: Miyamoto Akai, Bai Mufeng, and Adams.
• The three peak saints prepare to fight Zhao Cheng, while others focus their essence, energy, and spirit on him.
• Zhao Cheng uses his Void Kalpa Sword to face the three saints simultaneously.
• The three saints attack with their signature moves: Miyamoto Akai's Asura Slash, Bai Mufeng's Ordered Strike, and Adams's Explosive Strike.
• Zhao Cheng counterattacks with a single sword strike, splitting the world into three parallel paths and defeating each saint in a different way.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng demonstrates his immense power and swordsmanship, showing no fear or hesitation against three peak saints.
• The other saints present show deference to Zhao Cheng, indicating his reputation and status.
• The three targeted saints display courage and determination, accepting their fate and fighting to the death.

Significant Themes

• Power and Respect: Zhao Cheng's immense power commands respect from other saints.
• Courage and Acceptance: The three saints accept their fate and fight bravely, showing courage in the face of death.
• Swordsmanship as a Reflection of the Self: Each saint's swordsmanship reflects their personality and understanding of the world.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng interacts with the three saints through combat, showcasing his superior swordsmanship and power.
• The other saints present interact with Zhao Cheng through their deference and focus on his battle, highlighting his status and reputation.
• The three saints interact with each other through their coordinated attacks, demonstrating their understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng effortlessly defeats three Saints with a single sword strike, attaining the Gapless realm.
• He issues a warning to the forces behind the Saints, stating that he will only execute the chief culprits but will destroy entire clans if anyone harbors further malicious intent.
• News of Zhao Cheng's feat spreads rapidly, instilling fear and dread throughout the world.
• Zhao Cheng remains in seclusion, contemplating his sword intent.
• The Heaven Moon Lifeless Style's Dao Field master exterminates Miyamoto Akai's family and friends to prevent any lingering resentment towards Zhao Cheng.
• Yi Qi, in prison, feels relieved that he had not underestimated Zhao Cheng's strength.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Demonstrates his immense power and composure, earning the world's respect and fear. He shows mercy but warns against further aggression.
• Qin Honglian: Impressed by Zhao Cheng's growth but finds his cultivation difficult to comprehend.
• Miyamoto Akai's senior brother: Realizes the consequences of underestimating the strongest and takes drastic measures to prevent resentment towards Zhao Cheng.
• Yi Qi: Feels vindicated in his earlier assessment of Zhao Cheng's power and expresses relief at not having provoked him.

Significant Themes

• The power of the strongest: Zhao Cheng's display of strength instills fear and respect, demonstrating the influence of power dynamics in the world.
• Respect for the strongest: Characters acknowledge and fear Zhao Cheng's power, showing the importance of strength in their society.
• The consequences of underestimating the strongest: Miyamoto Akai's senior brother takes extreme measures to prevent any lingering resentment, highlighting the potential dangers of underestimating the powerful.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and the Saints: Zhao Cheng demonstrates his power and issues a warning to the Saints' forces, instilling fear and respect.
• Miyamoto Akai's senior brother and his disciples/friends: The senior brother questions and eliminates anyone with lingering resentment towards Zhao Cheng, emphasizing the importance of preventing any threat to their lineage.
• Zhao Cheng and Qin Honglian: Qin Honglian is impressed by Zhao Cheng's growth but finds his cultivation difficult to comprehend, showing her respect and admiration for him.
• Yi Qi and Zhao Cheng: Yi Qi feels relieved that he had not underestimated Zhao Cheng, highlighting the power dynamics between them and Yi Qi's awareness of his own limitations.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng meets Li Nishang, the legendary figure guarding the Dragon Soul Department, for the first time.
• Li Nishang acknowledges Zhao Cheng's rapid progress and potential to become the first legend of this era.
• Zhao Cheng discusses his thoughts on the legendary realm and the possibility of a wrong path with Li Nishang.
• Li Nishang shares the Pantheon leader's view on the current cultivation path's emphasis on the spirit over the flesh.
• Zhao Cheng decides to return to Xiangnan to teach Shi Tianyi the revised Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: He has grown significantly in strength, rivaling legends at the age of eighteen. He is now a Sword Master professor at Qingshan University.
• Li Nishang: She remains humble and wise, acknowledging Zhao Cheng's potential and sharing her insights about the cultivation path.
• The young girl (Zhao Cheng's junior sister): She is revealed to be a descendant of a legendary figure within five generations, possibly related to Li Qingmeng.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of legendhood and the exploration of the cultivation path.
• The emphasis on the spirit over the flesh in the current cultivation path.
• The importance of foundation and accumulation in cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Li Nishang: They have a respectful and open conversation about the cultivation path and its possibilities.
• Zhao Cheng and the young girl: Though they don't interact directly, Zhao Cheng acknowledges her potential and lineage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng shares the Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art with Li Nishang, who finds it less useful due to her advanced state of Absolute Control over her physical body.
• At the swordsmanship hall, Zhao Cheng teaches the Twenty-Four Solar Terms sword art instead of his own Four Calamities Heaven-Reaching Sword, as the exchange students are not his own people.
• Sasaki Motoyoshi, an exchange student, publicly asks Zhao Cheng to be his master, but Zhao Cheng exposes Sasaki's secret apprenticeship to another master, causing a stir.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Shows his wisdom and understanding of swordsmanship's deeper aspects, protecting his art's core elements. He also demonstrates his knowledge of students' backgrounds and their oaths.
• Li Nishang: Reveals her advanced state of Absolute Control, making the Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art less useful to her.
• Sasaki Motoyoshi: Shows his ambition and lack of loyalty, seeking a new master despite having an existing one. His secret apprenticeship is exposed.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and Respect: Zhao Cheng emphasizes the importance of respecting one's teacher and honoring the Way, contrasting Sasaki Motoyoshi's disloyalty.
• Protecting Core Knowledge: Zhao Cheng highlights the importance of keeping certain aspects of swordsmanship within one's own people, reflecting the theme of cultural preservation.
• The Power of Instinct: Both Sasaki and Yagami realize Zhao Cheng's exceptional skill through their instincts, emphasizing the importance of intuition.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Li Nishang: They share knowledge and understanding, with Li Nishang learning the Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art but finding it less useful.
• Zhao Cheng and Sasaki Motoyoshi: Zhao Cheng exposes Sasaki's secret apprenticeship, causing him to lose face and creating tension between them.
• Sasaki Motoyoshi and Yagami Koichi: They discuss Zhao Cheng's skills, with Sasaki initially doubting his reputation but later being convinced after witnessing his demonstration.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A powerful figure, a Mythic cultivator, resides in a secluded mountain peak, influencing the region's feng shui.
• Zhao Cheng, an 18-year-old, has reached the Gapless realm and rivaled Mythic by slaying three top-tier Saints with a single sword strike.
• The middle-aged man, a Mythic divine physiognomist, discusses Zhao Cheng's cultivation and potential with a woman, who seems to be a high-ranking official.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Zhao's cultivation has reached an unprecedented level for his age, rivaling Mythic figures. He is calm, composed, and has a profound spiritual world.
• Middle-aged Man (Mythic Divine Physiognomist): He is astonished by Zhao Cheng's cultivation and acknowledges Zhao's potential to become Mythic easily. He understands the true essence of the Mythic realm and the importance of age in cultivation.
• Woman (High-ranking Official): She is respectful towards the middle-aged man, recognizes Zhao Cheng's threat to her plans, and is later surprised by the middle-aged man's assessment of Zhao.

Significant Themes

• Cultivation and Age: The chapter emphasizes the significance of age in cultivation. Younger cultivators have more potential and can reach higher realms more easily.
• Potential and Threat: Zhao Cheng's potential is acknowledged as a threat to the woman's plans, highlighting the power dynamics at play.
• Divine Physiognomy: The middle-aged man's ability to assess cultivators' potential using physiognomy is a unique and powerful skill.

Character Interactions

• The middle-aged man and the woman discuss Zhao Cheng's cultivation and potential. The woman is respectful and honest with the middle-aged man, who seems to have a deep understanding of cultivation and can foresee events.
• Zhao Cheng is not present in this chapter, but his actions and potential are the main topics of discussion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng reflects on his impact on Xiangnan's fame and the policy support he receives.
• He encounters two foreign Sword Masters who discuss the lack of intense sword-dao atmosphere in Xiangnan compared to their home countries.
• Zhao Cheng visits Qingyuan and observes Zhao Xiaoxiang in class, noting her progress in cultivation.
• He finds Zhao Yue teaching a kendo class and sees Shi Tianyi chatting with a foreign expert, Jielinna.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng gains a deeper understanding of the concept of 'fortune' and its connection to real-world factors.
• Zhao Xiaoxiang shows dedication to her cultivation, with noticeable progress in her Vitality.
• Shi Tianyi's relationship with Jielinna is hinted at, suggesting a past romantic involvement.

Significant Themes

• The influence of one's existence on their surroundings and the times they live in.
• The concept of 'fortune' and its connection to real-world opportunities and resources.
• The differences in cultivation environments and attitudes between cultures.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng overhears the conversation between the two foreign Sword Masters but chooses not to reveal himself.
• Zhao Cheng observes Zhao Xiaoxiang from afar without interacting with her.
• Shi Tianyi is seen chatting with Jielinna, with no interaction with Zhao Cheng in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng, now with advanced abilities to read memories and see past events, meets Shi Tianyi and Jielinna, a renowned scientist.
• Jielinna discusses her research on group hypnosis and intense atmospheres to enhance swordsmanship cultivation.
• Hall, a Saint and Jielinna's bodyguard, attacks Zhao Cheng when he suddenly appears in their vicinity, but is easily subdued and thrown aside.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: His abilities have grown significantly, allowing him to read memories and see past events from both living beings and inanimate objects.
• Hall: Despite his power and pride, Hall is humbled when he realizes he's no match for Zhao Cheng.

Significant Themes

• The power of perception and awareness in the cultivation world.
• The contrast between Zhao Cheng's benevolence and the fearsome reputation he inspires in others.
• The potential of group dynamics and intense atmospheres in cultivation, as discussed by Jielinna.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Hall: Their brief encounter highlights the vast difference in their power levels and Zhao Cheng's mercy, as he could have easily killed Hall but chose not to.
• Jielinna and Shi Tianyi: They engage in an academic discussion about swordsmanship cultivation, with Jielinna sharing her research findings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng meets Jielinna and her students, who recognize him as a supreme powerhouse (god-like figure) due to his recent achievements.
• Zhao Cheng shares the perfected Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art with Shi Tianyi and Wu Nian.
• Shi Tianyi and Wu Nian struggle to learn the advanced swordsmanship from Zhao Cheng, highlighting its extraordinary nature.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Confirms his status as a supreme powerhouse and gains insight into the Heavenly Lord's influence through Jielinna's reaction.
• Jielinna and Students: Realize Zhao Cheng's divine status and display reverence, reflecting the Tower of Babel's corporate culture.
• Shi Tianyi and Wu Nian: Struggle to learn from Zhao Cheng, acknowledging his superior skill and the difficulty of the Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art.

Significant Themes

• Power and Status: Zhao Cheng's newfound status as a supreme powerhouse influences how others perceive and interact with him.
• Knowledge and Learning: The difficulty of learning the Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art emphasizes the value of Zhao Cheng's teachings.
• Faith and Belief: Jielinna's reaction to Zhao Cheng highlights the power of faith and belief in divine figures.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Jielinna: Zhao Cheng senses Jielinna's initial desire for his physical data, which quickly turns into reverence upon learning his divine status.
• Zhao Cheng, Shi Tianyi, and Wu Nian: Their roles reverse as Zhao Cheng teaches them the advanced swordsmanship, emphasizing his superior skill and their struggle to learn.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng pauses during a demonstration, sensing an incoming guest.
• Gu Chunyang, leader of Dragon Blood, arrives and communicates through thought transmission.
• Gu Chunyang expresses his belief that Zhao Cheng has surpassed him and could surpass mythic figures.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Confirmed as having reached the realm of mythic figures, surpassing Gu Chunyang.
• Gu Chunyang: Recognizes Zhao Cheng's potential and acknowledges his superiority.

Significant Themes

• The pinnacle of cultivation and the possibility of surpassing it.
• The accumulation of past generations' efforts leading to current achievements.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Gu Chunyang: Engage in a conversation that reveals Zhao Cheng's superiority.
• Other characters: React with shock and disbelief upon hearing Gu Chunyang's words about Zhao Cheng.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng and Gu Chunyang have a long, wide-ranging philosophical discussion that others find incomprehensible.
• Shi Tianyi and Wu Nian realize that Zhao Cheng's true form is beyond their understanding.
• Gu Chunyang suggests incorporating his original sword art into Basic Swordsmanship, which Zhao Cheng agrees to explore.
• Shi Tianyi learns the Heavenly Emperor God-Sealing Art after several days of instruction.
• Zhao Cheng walks through the city, absorbing the worldly air and reflecting it in his spiritual world.
• He foresees a future event where an expert from R Country, Hachibe Koichi, will develop malice towards him, intending to use his family's lives to forge a supreme Asura Killing Dao.
• Zhao Cheng decides to fly to R Country the next day to kill Hachibe Koichi once his divine art is complete.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng's spiritual realm grows stronger, but he deliberately slows his cultivation to maintain his humanity.
• Hachibe Koichi is revealed to be a man with a weak will, seeking excuses for his actions.

Significant Themes

• The relationship between heaven and man, and the importance of understanding one's own perspective.
• The balance between divinity and humanity in cultivation.
• The dangers of seeking power without firm resolve.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Gu Chunyang discuss philosophical topics, showing their similar yet distinct viewpoints.
• Shi Tianyi and Wu Nian struggle to understand Zhao Cheng's conversation but recognize his true form's superiority.
• Zhao Cheng decides to act against Hachibe Koichi to prevent harm to those around him.

Chapter Summary: “Sacrifice”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng travels under a false identity to Country R, taking care not to alarm the nation with his presence.
• He goes to Moon Spring Mountain, home of the Heaven Moon Lifeless Style, and discovers that the entire sect has been slaughtered.
• At the summit, Hachibe Koichi has performed a massive sacrificial ritual, killing his disciples and fellow sect members to gather the sect’s “divine fortune” and force a breakthrough into the mythic realm.
• Koichi believes he has become both the Lord of the Hundred Ghosts and the God of Asura, combining the two branches of his inheritance and reaching a state beyond ordinary top-tier Saints.
• Zhao Cheng recognizes that Koichi’s ritual resembles ancient sacrificial practices designed to draw information and power from the world, but concludes that it cannot truly grant mythic transcendence.
• Zhao arrives and confronts Koichi. Koichi is shocked, having not expected Zhao to appear, and initially tries to justify his actions while remaining wary of fighting him.
• Zhao sarcastically claims he has come to “uphold justice and aid the weak,” provoking Koichi into attacking.
• Koichi unleashes his blood-red mindscape, the “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, Asura Ultimate Path.”
• Zhao counters with an even more terrifying killing aura, revealing that beneath his calm appearance lies immense experience with slaughter.
• Zhao points out that Koichi lacks the genuine resolve to fight him to the death and suggests that a battle against a powerful opponent may be the only remaining path to a breakthrough.
• Koichi appears ready to flee and complete his transformation first, but Zhao’s words convince him that the sacrificial massacre alone will never allow him to reach myth. His killing intent then surges dramatically.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Demonstrates greater insight into cultivation, sacrifice, and the nature of mythic advancement. He realizes that myth requires a balance between humanity and divinity, not mere killing or emotional detachment. His confrontation with Koichi also exposes the terrifying depth of his own killing power.
• Hachibe Koichi: Revealed as an ambitious, obsessive elder who sacrifices his entire sect in pursuit of transcendence. Though temporarily empowered and near the mythic realm, he remains rational enough to avoid a hopeless battle. His certainty begins to crack when Zhao exposes the weakness of his method.
• Miyamoto Akai: Though already dead, his death serves as the final trigger for Koichi’s decision to carry out the sacrifice. Koichi’s limited emotional response to losing his son highlights his extreme detachment and obsession with advancement.

Significant Themes

• The cost of transcendence: Koichi sacrifices everyone around him for a chance at myth, raising questions about whether power gained through destruction can truly lead to enlightenment.
• Humanity and divinity: Zhao concludes that myth requires both emotional humanity and transcendent divinity, symbolized by the balance of a taiji diagram. Pure killing and heartlessness are insufficient.
• Obsession and self-deception: Koichi convinces himself that his slaughter has brought him close to the supreme realm, but Zhao recognizes that his belief is largely an illusion born of fixation.
• Sacrifice versus true cultivation: Ritual slaughter can provide power and insight, but it cannot replace genuine spiritual transformation or the final inner breakthrough.
• The hypocrisy of morality: Zhao jokingly invokes justice despite his own enormous history of killing, emphasizing the ambiguous moral positions of powerful cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Koichi reacts with shock and suspicion when Zhao appears, knowing Zhao is far beyond his current strength.
• Zhao adopts a mocking, righteous tone, while Koichi angrily condemns him and boasts that he sacrificed his entire household to prepare for their confrontation.
• Their exchange shifts from verbal provocation to a confrontation of killing intent and spiritual power.
• Zhao acts less as a simple opponent than as someone testing and diagnosing Koichi’s state, identifying that Koichi has not yet developed the true determination required for a life-or-death breakthrough.
• By suggesting that Koichi fight him directly, Zhao challenges both his confidence and the foundations of his sacrificial path.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng faces Hachibe Koichi, a swordsmanship master driven by obsession.
• Hachibe Koichi, despite knowing his pursuit of power is wrong, refuses to change, leading to his self-destruction.
• Zhao Cheng kills Hachibe Koichi with two sword strikes, the second one decapitating him.
• Zhao Cheng carves a warning on the cliff face and leaves without looking back.
• Zhao Cheng encounters the two sisters from the plane on his way down, warning them not to go up the mountain.
• The stream flowing down the mountain turns red, and the authorities discover the massacre on the mountain.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng: Shows calm and wisdom, understanding the dangers of obsession in cultivation. He kills Hachibe Koichi out of mercy, not malice, and leaves a warning for others.
• Hachibe Koichi: His obsession with swordsmanship leads to his downfall. Despite knowing his actions are wrong, he cannot stop himself, ultimately leading to his death.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and its consequences: Hachibe Koichi's obsession with swordsmanship leads him to commit atrocities and eventually causes his death.
• The path of cultivation: Zhao Cheng reflects on the trepidation and loss of one's original heart that can occur during cultivation.
• Myths and their actions: Zhao Cheng, as a myth, acts without fear of consequences, knowing that his actions will speak for him.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Hachibe Koichi: Their interaction is a battle of wills, with Zhao Cheng trying to reason with Hachibe Koichi, who is too far gone in his obsession to listen.
• Zhao Cheng and the sisters: Zhao Cheng warns them not to go up the mountain, showing concern for their well-being and preventing them from witnessing the gruesome scene.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng arrives at the scene just as Hachibe Koichi is about to attack, killing him and causing a stir among nations.
• Zhao Cheng decides to stay in R Nation as he senses that matters are not yet over, but he can't predict the future precisely due to the uncertainty and diversity of possibilities.
• He visits Kyoto as a tourist, meeting Hoshino Kaede, a shrine maiden, and they have afternoon tea together.
• Hoshino Kaede invites Zhao Cheng to the upcoming Festival of the Gods, where Lord Tsugikuni Mumei will appear.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng demonstrates his power and ability to predict the future, but the future's uncertainty limits his precognition.
• Hoshino Kaede shows curiosity and enthusiasm about Zhao Cheng's mysterious nature and invites him to the festival.

Significant Themes

• The power of the strongest individual versus the machinery of a nation.
• The uncertainty and diversity of the future.
• The allure of the unknown and the desire for adventure.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng and Hoshino Kaede meet and have a casual conversation, with Hoshino Kaede being drawn to Zhao Cheng's mysterious aura and inviting him to the festival.
• Nations are on edge due to Zhao Cheng's presence in R Nation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Festival of the Gods is approaching, and Hoshino Kaede will participate as a shrine maiden.
• Tsugikuni Mumei, a legendary swordsman, challenges Zhao Cheng to a duel seven days after the festival.
• Zhao Cheng understands that Mumei aims to use him as a catalyst to reach a higher realm.

Character Developments

• Hoshino Kaede: Shows excitement about participating in the Festival of the Gods.
• Tsugikuni Mumei: Reveals his strategic and cunning nature, aiming to deceive himself and Zhao Cheng to achieve his goals.
• Zhao Cheng: Remains calm and composed, understanding Mumei's intentions and deciding to act accordingly.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and enlightenment (Mumei's desire to reach a higher realm).
• The manipulation of others for personal gain (Mumei's attempt to use Zhao Cheng).
• The consequences of deception (Mumei's plan to deceive himself and Zhao Cheng).

Character Interactions

• Hoshino Kaede and Zhao Cheng: Kaede takes Zhao Cheng around Akihabara, fulfilling his wish to explore the city.
• Tsugikuni Mumei and the woman (his assistant): Mumei discusses his plans with his assistant, revealing his strategy to challenge Zhao Cheng.
• Zhao Cheng and himself (through his spiritual will): Zhao Cheng reflects on Mumei's intentions and decides to act against him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tsugikuni Mumei, a renowned figure, challenges Zhao Cheng, causing a global stir.
• Zhao Cheng, now eighteen, is compared to Myth, the second strongest in the world.
• The Festival of the Gods is held at Flowing Feather Divine Palace, attracting many visitors, including Zhao Cheng and the two sisters he met earlier.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng is portrayed as a peaceful and kind-hearted individual, contrary to his public reputation.
• Tsugikuni Mumei is shown to be ambitious and confident, seeking to challenge Zhao Cheng.

Significant Themes

• Reputation and public perception vs. true nature.
• The power of words and rumors in shaping public opinion.
• The importance of rules and self-discipline for the strong.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng interacts with the two sisters again, showing a friendly and casual demeanor.
• Zhao Cheng and Tsugikuni Mumei's impending confrontation is hinted at, but they have not yet met.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Cheng travels to Flowing Feather Divine Palace for the Festival of the Gods.
• Tsugikuni Mumei, a powerful figure in R Country's Shinto establishment, challenges Zhao Cheng.
• Zhao Cheng unexpectedly appears on the divine stage during the festival, causing a global sensation.

Character Developments

• Zhao Cheng demonstrates his power and influence by easily dispersing the crowd and ascending the divine stage.
• Tsugikuni Mumei shows fear and surprise upon seeing Zhao Cheng, revealing his true feelings despite his mask.
• Hoshino Kaede expresses concern for Zhao Cheng's actions, showing her care for him.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the strong looking down upon the weak.
• The consequences of desecrating a deity and the severity of Zhao Cheng's actions.
• The global impact and attention Zhao Cheng's actions draw.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Cheng interacts with two sisters, Wang Jing and Wang Qing, who discuss his public image.
• Zhao Cheng faces Tsugikuni Mumei on the divine stage, with the latter trying to uphold the agreed duel time.
• Hoshino Kaede worries about Zhao Cheng's actions, showing her connection to him.