Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan, while dining with Yunli, draws a heart on a waiter's belly using pink paint, leaving the waiter flustered.
• Xi Kui, recognizing Yan Huan, questions him about the discrepancy between his physical presence and the online training ground status.
• Pavor, a delegate from Caravala, joins them, revealing that his delegation has returned a precious sword from the Xianzhou to be presented as the prize for the Luofu Martial Arts Ceremony's champion.
• Yan Huan expresses interest in visiting Caravala and befriending Pavor, even asking for Hyper-Titanium ore deposits.

Character Developments

• Yan Huan shows a playful side, drawing on the waiter, and later expresses a keen interest in business and wealth.
• Pavor displays pride in his homeland's recent discovery of Hyper-Titanium ore, but also shows reluctance to share it.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and Business: Yan Huan's attempt to befriend Pavor for potential business opportunities.
• Wealth and Ambition: Yan Huan's interest in Caravala's Hyper-Titanium ore and Pavor's pride in his homeland's newfound wealth.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yunli share a meal with Xi Kui and Pavor, engaging in conversation about their respective worlds and interests.
• Yan Huan's playful interaction with the waiter shows his casual demeanor, contrasting with his later serious discussion about business with Pavor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter revolves around the "Sword Gifting Ceremony" where Caravala returns the mythical sword "Mika.Chivasha" (also known as "Solitary Cloud") to Xianzhou.
• The sword is to be awarded as the grand prize for the ultimate winner of the Luofu Martial Arts Ceremony.
• Yan Huan reports the use of a nuke during the Martial Arts Ceremony, suggesting disqualification of cheaters.

Character Developments

• Pavor: He shows respect for tradition and responsibility, ensuring the return of the sword to its homeland.
• General Huaiyan: He demonstrates wisdom and respect for history, entrusting the sword's repair and future use to the Artisanship Commission.
• Yan Huan: He shows concern for fairness in the Martial Arts Ceremony, reporting the use of a nuke.
• Yunli: She expresses surprise and possible recognition of the name "Han Guang," the sword's craftsman.

Significant Themes

• Respect for Tradition and History: Both Caravala and Xianzhou show respect for the sword's history and its role in their cultures.
• Fairness and Integrity: Yan Huan raises concerns about cheating in the Martial Arts Ceremony.
• Responsibility and Duty: Pavor feels responsible for returning the sword, and General Huaiyan feels responsible for its future use.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yunli: They interact as friends, with Yan Huan showing concern for Yunli's well-being and Yunli expressing surprise at the sword's history.
• Pavor and General Huaiyan: They interact respectfully, with Pavor thanking General Huaiyan and the latter acknowledging Pavor's efforts.
• Silvermane and Yunli: Silvermane tries to flirt with Yunli, but she is disinterested.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Pavor, a representative from Caravala, presents a sword, Han Guang, to Sichen Palace, revealing it was forged by Yunli's father.
• Yunli, upset by the sword's association with her father, demands to melt it down, causing a scene.
• After Yunli leaves, Huaiyan expresses his regret in revealing the sword to her.
• Yan Huan finds Yunli and offers to help her melt the sword.

Character Developments

• Yunli: Shows strong emotional attachment and anger towards her father's legacy, leading her to act impulsively.
• Huaiyan: Demonstrates concern for Yunli's well-being, keeping the sword's existence from her to avoid distress.
• Pavor: Reveals the sword's origin and its connection to Yunli's father, showing respect for the late artisan.
• Yan Huan: Shows understanding and support for Yunli's decision to melt the sword, displaying empathy and non-judgment.

Significant Themes

• Emotional Attachment: Yunli's strong emotional connection to her father's work leads her to act impulsively.
• Secrets and Reveals: Huaiyan keeps the sword a secret to protect Yunli, but its reveal causes distress.
• Support and Understanding: Yan Huan's support for Yunli's decision to melt the sword highlights the theme of understanding and acceptance.

Character Interactions

• Yunli and Huaiyan: Their interaction shows a strained relationship, with Huaiyan trying to protect Yunli and Yunli acting out due to emotional distress.
• Yunli and Yan Huan: They form an unlikely alliance, with Yan Huan supporting Yunli's decision to melt the sword, showing understanding and acceptance.
• Pavor and Sichen Palace: Pavor's interaction with the palace inhabitants reveals the sword's origin and its connection to Yunli's father, causing distress for Yunli.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yunli rushes to the Artisanship Commission to prevent the Demon Sword from being awarded.
• Yan Huan considers joining Yunli but decides against it.
• March 7th approaches Yan Huan, seeking his help to get revived and exact revenge on her previous opponent.
• They learn that the contestant who used a nuclear bomb was eliminated due to cheating, and a revival match is being sought for her.

Character Developments

• Yunli: Shows determination to prevent the Demon Sword from being awarded.
• Yan Huan: Struggles with whether to help Yunli, shows knowledge about the Martial Arts Ceremony's curse.
• March 7th: Persistent in her desire for revenge, seeks Yan Huan's help to get revived.

Significant Themes

• Revenge: March 7th's primary motivation.
• Cheating vs. Martial Virtue: Yan Huan questions the validity of the competition due to cheating, emphasizing the importance of martial virtue.
• Curse of the Martial Arts Ceremony: Yan Huan hints at a curse affecting those who rely on external items to advance.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yunli: Yan Huan watches Yunli leave, considering whether to join her.
• Yan Huan and March 7th: March 7th seeks Yan Huan's help to get revived, shares her revenge plan, and discusses strategies against Botion.
• March 7th and Yan Huan: Yan Huan rejects March 7th's suggestion of giving Luka fist blades, emphasizing the importance of martial virtue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yunli, a girl from the Zhuming Xianzhou's Artisanship Commission, asks for directions to a valuable storage warehouse, leading Yan Huan to believe she's there to rob it.
• Yunli is found battling Golden Automatons in the warehouse, which she believes is not the correct location for the armory storing the swords she seeks.
• Yan Huan contacts Silvermane, who refuses to reveal the sword's location but warns Yan Huan not to come.
• Yunli and Yan Huan decide to find the sword's location themselves.

Character Developments

• Yunli: Reveals her past and her father's role as a renowned swordsmith who forged Demon Swords, leading to his eventual demise. She expresses her determination to hunt down these Demon Swords.
• Yan Huan: Shows curiosity about General Huaiyan's sword forging technique and contacts Silver Wolf (not Silvermane) to inquire about it.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of power and desire, as seen through the lens of the Demon Swords and their impact on Han Guang and others.
• The consequences of one's actions and the ripple effects they have on others, as illustrated by Han Guang's fate and its effect on Yunli.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yunli: They form a temporary alliance, with Yunli sharing her past and Yan Huan offering support and companionship. They exhibit a dynamic of mutual respect and understanding.
• Yan Huan and Silver Wolf: Yan Huan contacts Silver Wolf to ask about General Huaiyan's sword forging technique, showing his curiosity and eagerness to learn more about the topic.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Yunli recounts her traumatic past involving her father, Han Guang, and the Demon Swords he forged.
• Yunli reveals she's hunted 313 Demon Swords, including Solitary Cloud, which she plans to melt.
• Yan Huan and Yunli search the Artisanship Commission for the sword but find nothing.
• Yan Huan suggests talking to Huaiyan, but Yunli refuses, still upset about their argument.
• Huaiyan tells Yan Huan about Han Guang's obsession with creating powerful swords and his belief in fearlessness in battle.

Character Developments

• Yunli: Struggles with her past and her relationship with her grandfather, Huaiyan. She's determined to destroy all Demon Swords.
• Yan Huan: Initially supportive of Yunli's plan, but later suggests giving Huaiyan a chance to explain. He's lazy and prefers to watch Yunli's actions remotely.
• Huaiyan: Reveals his past with Han Guang and his belief in the power of fearlessness in battle. He's concerned about Yunli's safety and the potential misuse of the Demon Swords.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of unchecked ambition (Han Guang's obsession with creating powerful swords)
• The struggle between family loyalty and personal beliefs (Yunli's conflict with Huaiyan)
• The power of fearlessness in battle (Huaiyan's belief in the importance of soldiers' fearlessness)

Character Interactions

• Yunli and Yan Huan: They argue about whether to confront Huaiyan or continue searching for the sword. Yan Huan supports Yunli's actions but is also lazy and prefers to watch remotely.
• Yunli and Huaiyan: Their relationship is strained due to Yunli's determination to destroy the Demon Swords and Huaiyan's secrecy about the 'Sword Gifting Ceremony.' They haven't spoken since their argument.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter discusses the origin and consequences of Demon Swords, forged by Han Guang, which absorb emotions and control their wielders.
• Huaiyan reveals that Yunli's parents died due to these swords, and Yunli now seeks to hunt down and destroy all Demon Swords.
• Yan Huan shows Huaiyan various weapons he possesses, which can teach combat moves but lack the emotional influence of Demon Swords.
• Huaiyan mentions the 'Solitary Cloud', a Hero's Sword with no side effects, which he intended to show Yunli to change her perception of her father, Han Guang.

Character Developments

• Huaiyan: Shows regret for the consequences of Han Guang's actions and concern for Yunli's well-being, wanting her to live a normal life.
• Yan Huan: Demonstrates curiosity and understanding about the weapons, and helps Yunli despite Huaiyan's wishes.
• Yunli: Not directly present, but her determination to hunt down Demon Swords and her refusal to cause trouble for others are highlighted.

Significant Themes

• Consequences of actions: The unintended results of Han Guang's sword-forging are explored, showing how his actions affected others.
• The power of weapons: The chapter delves into the capabilities and limitations of different weapons, emphasizing the influence of emotions on combat effectiveness.
• Family and legacy: Huaiyan's concern for Yunli and his desire to change her perception of her father reflect the importance of family and personal history.

Character Interactions

• Huaiyan and Yan Huan: They discuss the origins and effects of Demon Swords, with Huaiyan expressing regret and Yan Huan showing curiosity and understanding.
• Yan Huan and Yunli: Yan Huan helps Yunli despite Huaiyan's wishes, showing his support for her mission.
• Huaiyan and Yunli (implied): Huaiyan's concern for Yunli's well-being and his desire to change her perception of her father are evident, despite their differing views on her mission.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan learns about the situation from Huaiyan and returns to the Express.
• March 7th contacts Yan Huan, seeking help to revive and win the Martial Arts Ceremony.
• Yan Huan suggests March 7th to go to Penacony to solicit votes using Fleeting Starlight's discount event.
• March 7th goes to Penacony to inspect their businesses and handle Fleeting Starlight's account withdrawal.
• Dahao informs Yan Huan about the missing sword from the Artisanship Commission, and the Department of Earthly Rulings opens an investigation.
• Yan Huan, Yunli, Gongshu Liang, General Huaiyan, and the Caravala delegation gather at the Artisanship Commission for questioning.

Character Developments

• March 7th shows determination in reviving and winning the Martial Arts Ceremony.
• Yan Huan demonstrates his strategic thinking in helping March 7th and his concern for their businesses in Penacony.
• Yunli maintains her calm and composure during the questioning, showing confidence in her innocence.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Perseverance: March 7th's persistence in reviving and winning the Martial Arts Ceremony despite the challenges.
• Trust and Loyalty: Yan Huan's trust in Yunli's innocence and his willingness to vouch for her.
• Responsibility and Accountability: The Artisanship Commission's duty to investigate the missing sword and the Department of Earthly Rulings' involvement in the matter.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and March 7th discuss strategies to help March 7th win the Martial Arts Ceremony.
• Yan Huan and Yunli's interaction reveals their argument from the previous night, hinting at their shared secret regarding the missing sword.
• The gathering at the Artisanship Commission showcases the tension and suspicion among the characters due to the missing sword investigation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Solitary Cloud sword is stolen from the Artisanship Commission.
• Officer Dahao investigates the theft, considering all those aware of the sword's whereabouts as suspects.
• Dahao interrogates Yunli and Yan Huan, who both deny involvement but increase suspicion with their responses.
• Dahao presents evidence suggesting Yunli's involvement, but she denies it, claiming she would have caused more destruction if it were her.
• Dahao suspects Yan Huan as Yunli's accomplice, but Yan Huan denies any motive.
• Yan Huan accuses Huaiyan, General of Luofu, of stealing the sword to teach Yunli a lesson.
• Yan Huan suggests the Pure Knight who escorted the sword could be involved for fame.
• Dahao refutes Yan Huan's claims, and Yan Huan accuses the entire delegation.
• A delegation member confesses to eating spicy chips, an irrelevant detail.

Character Developments

• Yunli: Stands by her denial of involvement in the theft but shows impulsiveness and a tendency to act on her desires.
• Yan Huan: Displayed cunning and manipulative behavior, trying to shift suspicion onto others.
• Dahao: Demonstrates thoroughness and logical thinking in his investigation but is frustrated by Yan Huan's accusations.
• Huaiyan: Initially calm and collected, he becomes nervous when accused of involvement in the theft.
• The delegation members: Show varying levels of discomfort and anxiety under suspicion.

Significant Themes

• Suspicion and trust: The chapter explores how suspicion can be cast on anyone, even those close to the investigation, and how trust is easily broken.
• Motivation: Characters' motives are questioned and analyzed, highlighting the importance of understanding intentions in determining guilt.
• Manipulation: Yan Huan's behavior demonstrates how one can manipulate situations to their advantage or to cast suspicion on others.

Character Interactions

• Yunli and Yan Huan: They initially clash but later show a degree of agreement in their suspicions of others.
• Dahao and Yan Huan: Dahao grows increasingly frustrated with Yan Huan's accusations and attempts to shift blame.
• Dahao and the delegation: Dahao treats the delegation members with professional detachment, considering them suspects but also respecting their rights.
• Huaiyan and Yunli: Huaiyan shows concern for Yunli's impulsiveness and is defensive when accused of involvement in the theft.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Solitary Cloud Sword has been stolen, and suspects include Yan Huan, Yunli, and General Huaiyan.
• Dahao, the steward, narrows down the suspects using deductive reasoning.
• Yan Huan and Yunli suggest playing rock-paper-scissors to determine the thief, but Huaiyan objects.
• Yan Huan accuses Huaiyan of being the mastermind behind the theft, while Huaiyan insists on Yunli's innocence.
• Yan Huan interviews Pure Knight Silvermane, Gongshu Liang, and Pavor, the delegation leader, to gather information.

Character Developments

• Yan Huan: Shows analytical skills and determination to find the thief, even accusing Huaiyan.
• Huaiyan: Maintains a calm demeanor despite accusations, showing concern for Yunli's innocence.
• Yunli: Remains calm and cooperative, agreeing to play rock-paper-scissors and supporting Yan Huan's investigation.

Significant Themes

• Deductive Reasoning: Dahao uses this to narrow down suspects.
• Accusations and Suspicions: Characters accuse each other, leading to tension and conflict.
• Investigation and Truth-finding: Yan Huan's determination to find the truth drives the plot forward.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Huaiyan: Their interactions are tense due to Yan Huan's accusations against Huaiyan.
• Yan Huan and Yunli: They work together to find the thief, showing camaraderie.
• Yan Huan and other characters: Yan Huan interviews Pure Knight Silvermane, Gongshu Liang, and Pavor, revealing their perspectives on the event.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The delegation's mission is considered complete, but Pavor is upset about the Demon Sword's name.
• Yan Huan and Yunli decide to investigate the theft together, initially suspecting each other.
• They find rose petals in the sword box, suggesting a new lead.
• Dahao summarizes the case, suspecting Yunli due to her unaccounted-for absence after the handover.
• Yan Huan defends Yunli, and they both insist on finding the real culprit.

Character Developments

• Yan Huan: Starts as a suspect but becomes more cooperative and determined to find the truth.
• Yunli: Initially a suspect, she becomes more involved in the investigation and maintains her innocence.
• Pavor: Shows pride in his heritage and is upset about the Demon Sword's name.
• Dahao: Acts as the investigator, summarizing the case and suspecting Yunli.

Significant Themes

• Pride: Pavor's pride in his heritage and Yan Huan and Yunli's pride in their innocence drive the narrative.
• Trust and Suspicion: Characters grapple with trusting one another and the possibility of being suspected or deceiving others.
• Investigation and Truth-seeking: The characters actively investigate to find the truth and clear their names.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yunli: They initially suspect each other but decide to work together to find the truth.
• Pavor and Yan Huan: Pavor is upset about Yan Huan's casual attitude towards the Demon Sword's name.
• Dahao and Yan Huan/Yunli: Dahao suspects Yunli and initially tries to frame Yan Huan, but they both challenge his deductions.
• Gongshu Liang and Huaiyan: Gongshu Liang is upset about the damage to the Golden Automatons, but Huaiyan tries to calm him down.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan finds a blood-stained rag in the sword box, implicating Silvermane.
• Yunli suggests the Solitary Cloud Sword bewitched Silvermane, leading to its escape.
• Silvermane is found participating in the Martial Arts Ceremony competition.
• Yunli confronts Silvermane on stage, accusing him of stealing the Solitary Cloud Sword.
• Silvermane admits taking the sword but refuses to return it, wanting to have a match with it first.
• Yunli and Silvermane agree to a duel, with Silvermane using a spear and shields as his Duel Proxy.

Character Developments

• Silvermane: Shows determination to help the Solitary Cloud Sword escape the Xianzhou Alliance, displaying a strong sense of honor and loyalty.
• Yunli: Demonstrates urgency and concern about the sword's influence on Silvermane, leading to their duel.

Significant Themes

• The power and influence of the Solitary Cloud Sword.
• Honor and loyalty among knights.
• The consequences of obsession and single-minded pursuit.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Dahao: Disagree over whether Silvermane is responsible for the blood-stained rag.
• Yunli and Silvermane: Engage in a tense confrontation, leading to a duel to settle their disagreement over the sword's fate.

Chapter Summary: “Are You Even Human?!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yunli and Silvermane engage in an intense, prolonged duel over the demon sword Solitary Cloud, fighting throughout the tournament venue and even near the Jingfeng Ship’s cannon.
• A ceremonial cannon blast interrupts them, but they resume fighting. Jimi postpones the next match by half a day to accommodate the battle.
• Yunli eventually collapses from exhaustion, making Silvermane the victor. He prepares to take Solitary Cloud away, believing his determination has prevailed.
• Yunli insists that Solitary Cloud is a demon sword destined to be destroyed and melted down, regardless of its past.
• Solitary Cloud unexpectedly speaks and refuses to leave with Silvermane. It asks to reveal its history and let those present decide its fate.
• The sword’s memories appear on a light screen, showing a stranded Nameless Swordsman fighting Buli Wolf Soldiers on a frozen world.
• The swordsman and Solitary Cloud have been trapped there for nearly three hundred rotation days, cut off from their main force and unable to repair their Star Skiff.
• Solitary Cloud once controlled the swordsman’s hand to save him in battle and repeatedly offers to take control of his body if he can no longer endure.
• The swordsman refuses to surrender, suggesting that the Buli hunting pack may also be stranded and hinting at a desire to understand or help them rather than simply destroy them.
• The memory viewing is interrupted by an impatient spectator complaining that the competition has been delayed because her idol’s match has not begun.

Character Developments

• Yunli demonstrates exceptional endurance and determination, fighting until physical exhaustion. Although she remains suspicious of Solitary Cloud, its willingness to speak causes her to hesitate before destroying it.
• Silvermane proves his disciplined knightly principles by fighting with his practiced spear-and-shield style instead of relying on Solitary Cloud. His victory reflects his resolve, but he ultimately respects the sword’s wish to face its fate alone.
• Solitary Cloud is revealed to be more complex than a simple malevolent weapon. It is weary of battle, protective of its wielder, and capable of reflection and compassion. Its request to tell its story suggests that it wants judgment based on its experiences rather than prejudice.
• The Nameless Swordsman appears resilient, optimistic, and morally thoughtful despite isolation and repeated danger. He treats Solitary Cloud as a companion rather than merely a weapon and refuses to abandon his principles.
• Yan Huan remains an observer, watching the duel and studying the sword’s altered, battered appearance.
• General Huaiyan and the Cloud Knights represent the authorities and witnesses who must decide Solitary Cloud’s fate.
• The complaining spectator provides comic relief and contrasts the serious historical revelation with ordinary audience impatience.

Significant Themes

• Determination versus endurance: The duel is won not through a single decisive technique but through the stronger will to continue.
• Judging by nature versus experience: Yunli sees Solitary Cloud as inherently demonic, while the sword argues that its past may reveal motives and circumstances worth considering.
• Free will and possession: Solitary Cloud can control its wielder but appears to restrain itself, raising questions about whether a demon sword is defined by its powers or by how it chooses to use them.
• Companionship in isolation: The swordsman and Solitary Cloud form an unusual partnership while stranded, relying on each other emotionally and physically.
• The possibility of redemption: The sword’s wish to explain why it fled suggests that even something labeled a “demon” may have a defensible history.
• Comedy amid solemnity: The audience’s complaints interrupt the dramatic memory, highlighting the tension between grand historical events and mundane public expectations.

Character Interactions

• Yunli and Silvermane’s fierce battle evolves into a test of resolve and mutual respect.
• Silvermane attempts to persuade Yunli to hear Solitary Cloud’s story before deciding its fate.
• Solitary Cloud directly challenges Yunli’s assumptions, pointing out that it cannot simply be removed by touch and questioning her certainty.
• Solitary Cloud and the Nameless Swordsman share a tense but familiar relationship: it urges caution and offers practical survival advice, while he responds with humor and philosophical curiosity.
• The Cloud Knights and audience members become witnesses to Solitary Cloud’s testimony, while one spectator angrily disrupts the proceedings by demanding that the competition resume.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the Audience Gallery, a shrill, plump woman named Bogang violently resists being restrained by six Cloud Knights after calling someone—or being called—a “monster.” The Cloud Knights identify her as one of the “Seven Demons” from a sealed world and plan to remove her for psychological counseling.
• Yan Qing asks about Bogang’s repeated use of “big brother.” A Cloud Knight explains that she is a devoted fan of a minor alien celebrity: a former Frozen Pear Person serf who escaped his planet, stole a merchant ship, and later became an entertainer.
• The martial arts competition has been postponed because of the ongoing crisis involving Miss Yunli and General Huaiyan. Despite this, many spectators remain aboard the Jingfeng Ship to watch the disturbance.
• A wavy-haired woman publicly accuses the Cloud Knights of bullying an unarmed spectator and violating audience freedom. She rallies the crowd with claims about justice, safety, equality, and the right to speak.
• Yan Huan and Sparkle enthusiastically applaud her speech, while other spectators argue that Bogang’s disruptive behavior justified the Cloud Knights’ intervention.
• Yan Qing attempts to explain that the Jingfeng Ship belongs to the Cloud Knights and that spectators agreed to follow its rules when purchasing tickets. The woman dismisses his explanation, revealing that she is also a fan of the alien celebrity and blames Yan Qing for receiving far more votes in an online popularity poll.
• She angrily describes the celebrity’s former life as an abused serf and accuses Yan Qing of preventing him from obtaining a valuable opportunity. Yan Qing is left speechless by her hostility.
• Meanwhile, on the arena floor, Lone Cloud explains to Yunli that the light-screen scene is a Remembrance of the time he and another Cloud Knight were stranded on a planet ruled by the Buli Ren. Yunli senses the loneliness and harshness of the depicted war.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing: Demonstrates patience and a strong commitment to maintaining order, trying repeatedly to reason with the spectators. However, he becomes increasingly confused and speechless when confronted with irrational accusations and celebrity fandom.
• Bogang: Is portrayed as extremely unstable, aggressive, and emotionally volatile. Her obsession with the alien celebrity drives much of her disruptive behavior.
• The wavy-haired woman: Emerges as a confrontational populist figure. She presents herself as a defender of freedom and spectator rights, but her arguments are selective and fueled by personal fandom rather than consistent principles.
• Lone Cloud: Provides important historical context about the alien planet and his past military experience, revealing a connection to the lonely conflict shown in the Remembrance.
• Yunli: Reacts perceptively to Lone Cloud’s memory, sensing its emotional weight even before receiving the full explanation.
• Yan Huan and Sparkle: Encourage the public confrontation by applauding the woman’s speech, adding to the scene’s disorder and absurdity.

Significant Themes

• Mob mentality and distorted justice: The spectators frame legitimate crowd control as oppression, showing how appeals to freedom can be manipulated to defend disruptive behavior.
• Celebrity worship: The fans’ devotion to the alien celebrity overwhelms reason, causing them to ignore rules and attack anyone perceived as threatening his interests.
• Order versus individual freedom: Yan Qing’s insistence on regulations clashes with the woman’s belief that personal expression should override institutional authority.
• Trauma, oppression, and resistance: The celebrity’s background as an abused serf and Lone Cloud’s recollection of a lonely war introduce broader themes of exploitation, survival, and resistance.
• Absurdity and satire: The exaggerated reactions, contradictory arguments, and bizarre celebrity culture create a deliberately chaotic and comedic contrast with the serious military setting.

Character Interactions

• Yan Qing questions the Cloud Knights about Bogang and the identity of her “big brother.”
• Bogang struggles against the Cloud Knights while shouting accusations and complaints.
• The wavy-haired woman confronts both the Cloud Knights and other spectators, accusing them of bullying and suppressing freedom.
• Yan Qing attempts to negotiate with her, but she rejects his explanations and personally attacks him over his popularity.
• Yan Huan and Sparkle side with the woman’s protest, encouraging the spectacle.
• Lone Cloud and Yunli share a quieter exchange, contrasting the arena’s public chaos with the solemn memory of war.

Chapter Summary: “Where Did My Fans Go?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with the Nameless Swordsman wounded in a snowfield after another failed battle against the Buli Ren. His longsword criticizes him for leading villagers into a hopeless resistance that has lasted over thirty years without victory.
• The sword argues that the villagers’ sacrifices have only produced despair, especially because many survivors fear the Buli Ren and even submit to or worship them.
• The swordsman acknowledges the deaths and betrayals but refuses to abandon his cause. He remembers the people who once helped him—feeding him, repairing his clothing, reattaching his severed head, and joining his rebellion.
• He believes future generations will continue resisting oppression. Even if the enemy is an Aeon, he insists that no one should be allowed to rule over and devour others forever.
• The scene shifts to the Jingfeng Ship, where a bald fighter and his beast-eared assistant wait for a delayed competition match. The fighter has bribed his opponent and hopes to win over the audience with flashy techniques so that the guild will protect him.
• The fighter is also fleeing pursuit forces from his home planet, where he fears being returned to a life of forced labor and abuse. He orders his assistant to mobilize his fans, pressure the organizers, and even take out loans or borrow money to bribe them.
• In the Audience Gallery, thousands of fans begin trying to gather large sums of money to ensure their idol’s match takes place. Yan Huan is confused by their behavior, while Sparkle explains that the fighter’s management company has deliberately cultivated an obsessive persona around him.
• Sparkle compares the fighter to a cult leader: by providing followers with emotional validation, he convinces them to sacrifice their own resources—and potentially those of others—for him.

Character Developments

• The Nameless Swordsman: His determination is reinforced by his memories of ordinary people’s kindness. Though exhausted and aware of repeated failure, he views resistance as a long-term struggle and believes future generations will eventually recognize injustice and reject submission.
• The Longsword: It serves as the swordsman’s cynical critic, emphasizing the futility of his campaign, the scale of the Buli Ren’s power, and the villagers’ fear and betrayal. Its challenge highlights the emotional and ideological burden of continuing the fight.
• The Bald Fighter: He is revealed to be selfish, cowardly, and manipulative. He treats his fans as disposable sources of money and influence, while presenting himself as a heroic or charismatic figure. He is more concerned with preserving his fame and avoiding capture than with loyalty or genuine justice.
• The Beast-Eared Assistant: She appears devoted and concerned for her master, urging him to study and improve rather than rely on spectacle. Despite her loyalty, she is bullied and mistreated by him.
• Yan Huan: He becomes puzzled and slightly jealous of the bald fighter’s intensely devoted following, especially since Yan Huan’s own enormous fanbase behaves more responsibly.
• Sparkle: She provides the chapter’s interpretation of fan culture, distinguishing ordinary admiration from personality-driven fanaticism.

Significant Themes

• True resistance versus manufactured rebellion: The swordsman fights against genuine oppression, while the bald fighter uses a rebellious persona to advance his own interests.
• Hope and generational change: The swordsman believes time favors justice because new generations may eventually reject fear and tyranny.
• Fanaticism and manipulation: The bald fighter’s followers are not merely fans; they have been psychologically conditioned to equate devotion to him with personal fulfillment.
• Self-sacrifice and exploitation: The villagers sacrifice themselves for a cause, while the bald fighter demands that his fans sacrifice their money and even endanger themselves for his benefit.
• Charisma versus moral worth: The chapter contrasts authentic heroism, built on sacrifice and memory, with celebrity manufactured through branding and emotional manipulation.
• Collective action: Both the resistance movement and the fan movement demonstrate the power of groups, but their purposes differ: one seeks liberation, while the other serves an individual’s selfish survival.

Character Interactions

• The swordsman and his longsword debate whether the resistance is worth continuing, with the sword condemning the movement’s failures and the swordsman defending the people who supported him.
• The bald fighter berates and kicks his assistant when she questions his plan, exposing the abusive relationship beneath their master-and-servant dynamic.
• Sparkle explains the situation to Yan Huan, contrasting his sensible, well-regulated fanbase with the bald fighter’s obsessive followers.
• The chapter parallels the swordsman’s relationship with the villagers and the bald fighter’s relationship with his fans: both inspire people to act, but one is founded on mutual sacrifice and hope, while the other exploits devotion for personal gain.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Nameless Swordsman leaves the village, entrusting his ancient sword to the villagers to slay the last monster and build a stone monument for him.
• Yunli learns the ancient sword's (Solitary Cloud) past and its desire to end its cycle of battle and slaughter.
• Yunli decides to melt the ancient sword to grant its wish, despite it being the prize for the Martial Arts Ceremony.

Character Developments

• The Nameless Swordsman: He sacrifices himself to protect the villagers and teaches them to resist monsters, showing his selflessness and desire for peace.
• Solitary Cloud (Ancient Sword): It reveals its true wish to end its cycle of battle and slaughter, displaying its agency and desire for change.
• Yunli: She apologizes for her previous prejudice against the ancient sword and decides to help it change its fate, showing her growth and understanding.

Significant Themes

• Agency and Change: Characters struggle against their predetermined fates, seeking change and agency.
• Sacrifice and Selflessness: Characters make sacrifices for the greater good, showing their commitment to protecting others.
• Prejudice and Understanding: Characters overcome their prejudices to understand and accept others, leading to growth and change.

Character Interactions

• The Nameless Swordsman and the Villagers: The Swordsman interacts with the villagers, teaching them to protect themselves and entrusting them with his ancient sword.
• Yunli and Solitary Cloud: Yunli learns about Solitary Cloud's past and decides to help it change its fate, showing empathy and understanding.
• Yunli, Dahao, and Pavor: They discuss the ancient sword's fate, with Yunli deciding to melt it despite Dahao's concerns and Pavor's support.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A delegation from Caravala brings a golden sapling, believed to be a testament to the Nameless Hero's existence.
• Pavor, a descendant of Caravala's stone monument keepers, transplants the golden sapling in Xianzhou, hoping to honor the hero's return.
• The inscription on the stone monument reveals the hero's wish to be buried in Luofu.
• Luka is set to face Potion in the Jingfeng Ship arena, but Potion plans to only fight half the match due to an unexpected issue.
• Potion reveals his disdain for Luka's Iron Fist, sponsored by the Interastral Peace Corporation, and expresses his desire to upgrade it.

Character Developments

• Pavor: Reveals his family's history with the Nameless Hero and his desire to honor the hero's memory. Shows disdain for the Interastral Peace Corporation and their influence.
• Luka: Struggles with the reality of the Universe's harsh nature as represented by Potion's gun. Maintains his determination to defeat Potion despite his fears.

Significant Themes

• The harsh reality of the Universe and the lack of kindness it shows.
• The influence and power of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
• The legacy and memory of the Nameless Hero.

Character Interactions

• Huaiyan and Yunli with Pavor: Discuss the golden sapling and the Nameless Hero's legacy.
• Luka and Potion: Engage in a tense exchange before their match, with Potion trying to intimidate Luka and Luka maintaining his determination.
• Yunli and Silvermane: Discuss the toilet protest happening nearby.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luka faces Botion in a match; Botion shoots Luka multiple times, causing significant injuries.
• Botion surrenders mid-match, and Luka is declared the winner.
• Botion asks Yan Huan for a ride to Penacony using the Realm Anchor, and leaves the competition.
• Luka suffers a psychological shock after the match, trembling and unable to stand.

Character Developments

• Luka: Shows resilience by not surrendering despite heavy injuries, but suffers a psychological setback afterward.
• Botion: Displays a desire to teach the Company a lesson but leaves the competition abruptly.

Significant Themes

• The psychological impact of defeat and injury on fighters.
• The complexity and unpredictability of the Martial Arts Ceremony.

Character Interactions

• Botion admires Luka's resilience but leaves the competition without further interaction.
• Yan Huan observes Luka's condition post-match, noticing his psychological distress.
• The press officer discusses Luka's match, highlighting his inability to fight back against Botion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan, as a coach and judge, attends a press conference after Luka's match.
• Reporters ask about the use of black technology in the Martial Arts Ceremony and Luka's recent performance.
• Yan Huan defends the use of black technology and encourages fans to support Luka financially.
• Camille asks about Luka's suppression and why Botion surrendered. Yan Huan reveals Botion threatened Luka.
• News reports Luka's defeat, causing him to feel disheartened.

Character Developments

• Yan Huan: Shows diplomatic skills in handling reporters, but also displays a pragmatic and blunt attitude.
• Luka: Struggles with self-doubt and defeat, considering withdrawing from the competition.
• Camille: Shows concern for Luka's well-being and tries to boost his morale.

Significant Themes

• Pressure and Expectations: Luka feels the weight of expectations from fans and the team, leading to self-doubt.
• The Role of Money in Competition: Yan Huan highlights the financial aspects of the competition and encourages fans to support Luka.
• Black Technology and Fairness: Reporters question the use of advanced technology in the competition, raising issues of fairness.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Reporters: Yan Huan handles the press conference professionally but also shows a blunt and honest side.
• Luka and Camille: Camille tries to boost Luka's morale after his defeat, while Luka struggles with self-doubt and considers withdrawing.
• Luka and Yan Huan: Yan Huan encourages Luka to continue fighting, contrasting with Luka's desire to go home.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luka is severely demoralized after his match against Yan Qing.
• Yan Huan, Camille, and Huo Huo discuss Luka's condition and potential next steps.
• Huo Huo asks Yan Huan to train her for the Martial Arts Ceremony.
• Yan Huan and Huo Huo's ghost-hunting team have a gathering.

Character Developments

• Luka: Struggles with self-doubt and demoralization after his loss.
• Yan Huan: Shows concern for Luka's mental state but believes Luka can recover on his own.
• Huo Huo: Overcomes her fear of grenades, showing potential growth in courage.
• Tail Grandpa: Pressures Yan Huan to train Huo Huo for the Martial Arts Ceremony.

Significant Themes

• Overcoming fear and self-doubt: Luka's struggle to regain his confidence and motivation.
• Mentorship: Yan Huan's role in guiding Luka and Huo Huo.
• Teamwork and camaraderie: The ghost-hunting team's gathering highlights their bond.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Camille: Discuss Luka's condition and Yan Huan's plan to let Luka recover on his own.
• Yan Huan and Huo Huo: Huo Huo asks Yan Huan to train her, and Yan Huan uses unconventional methods to help her face her fears.
• Yan Huan and Tail Grandpa: Tail Grandpa pressures Yan Huan to train Huo Huo, leading to a tense exchange.
• The ghost-hunting team: They gather for a meal, showing their closeness and support for each other.