Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen returns to Anning City, causing a stir among the locals who recognize him.
• He goes home to find it empty and waits for his parents.
• He learns that his parents are at the Garrison Command receiving an award.

Character Developments

• Song Chen is momentarily stunned by the outpouring of support from his hometown's residents, showing that he's not immune to emotional reactions despite his usually stoic demeanor.
• Song Zhengye and Li Xiuying are nervous but proud as they receive their award, showing their love and support for their son.

Significant Themes

• Recognition and appreciation for one's actions and achievements.
• The impact of a person's actions on their community and family.
• The power dynamics between different tiers of martial artists.

Character Interactions

• The residents of Anning City show their support and excitement for Song Chen's return.
• Song Chen interacts briefly with Sun Hai, the vice-master of the Divine Dragon Martial Hall.
• Song Zhengye and Li Xiuying interact with Shen Qingshan and other teachers, receiving awards on behalf of Song Chen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen's parents receive an award, and he watches from afar.
• Shen Qingshan approaches Song Chen and discusses the Earth Dragon King's appearances.
• Song Chen and Shen Qingshan review the investigation report on the Earth Dragon King, which includes data on its appearances and the trail left by Lu Chenzhou.
• Song Chen decides to visit the ruins of Evergreen City, where the Earth Dragon King lingered the longest.
• Song Chen takes Xie Yunqing, a researcher familiar with the Evergreen City ruins, with him.

Character Developments

• Song Chen shows discomfort with public attention but is not ungrateful for his parents' recognition.
• Shen Qingshan reveals his serious and straightforward nature when discussing the Earth Dragon King case.
• Xie Yunqing, a researcher from Anning City Psionic Research Institute, is introduced and shows familiarity with the Evergreen City ruins.

Significant Themes

• The investigation and pursuit of the Earth Dragon King, highlighting the importance of gathering and analyzing data.
• The consequences of Exotic Beasts' actions on human settlements, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preparedness.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Shen Qingshan discuss the Earth Dragon King case, showing mutual respect and understanding.
• Song Chen and Xie Yunqing reunite, acknowledging each other's growth and working together to investigate the Evergreen City ruins.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen and Xie Yunqing explore Evergreen City ruins to find traces of the Earth Dragon King.
• Song Chen upgrades his Mystic Vision Eye to the Eye of Truth (S-rank) using 2,000,000 Killing Value.
• After hours of searching, Song Chen discovers a faint, almost dissipated mental energy signature leading underground.

Character Developments

• Xie Yunqing shows gratitude to Song Chen for saving her.
• Song Chen demonstrates his determination and persistence in finding the Earth Dragon King.

Significant Themes

• The importance of mental abilities in detecting subtle, almost imperceptible signs.
• The cost of upgrading abilities and the value of Killing Value.
• The passage of time and the dissipation of energy signatures.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Xie Yunqing work together to search the ruins, showing mutual respect and trust.
• Xie Yunqing expresses her gratitude to Song Chen, acknowledging his help.
• Song Chen and Xie Yunqing part ways, each returning to their respective duties.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen discovers a massive underground cavern with a glowing blue river at 800 meters depth.
• The river's water glows with a unique blue light, and the Blue Crystal on Song Chen's chest responds to it.
• The riverbed is covered in fragments of a crystal identical to Song Chen's Blue Crystal, which release blue light spots when submerged.
• Song Chen briefly immerses himself in the river, and his blood-energy value increases by 0.02.

Character Developments

• Song Chen demonstrates his physical strength and psionic power by digging through 800 meters of earth with his blade.
• He shows curiosity and caution when exploring the cavern and the river.

Significant Themes

• The power of the blue light spots and their connection to the Blue Crystal.
• The potential benefits of the river's unique properties on Song Chen's strength.

Character Interactions

• None in this chapter; Song Chen acts alone.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen discovers the Earth Dragon King's objective: it's using the underground river in the Evergreen City ruins to absorb energy from fragments at the bottom, attempting to break through to the sixth tier.
• Song Chen contacts Zhou Wangyue, revealing the discovery, and Zhou Wangyue decides to visit the site immediately.
• Song Chen spends the next twenty hours hunting and killing exotic beasts to gain Killing Value, preparing for the upcoming confrontation with the Earth Dragon King.

Character Developments

• Song Chen: He demonstrates his strategic thinking and patience by waiting for Zhou Wangyue's arrival instead of acting rashly. His Killing Value increases significantly due to his hunting spree, indicating his growing strength.
• Zhou Wangyue: He shows concern for Song Chen's safety and the importance of the discovery, prioritizing it over his current tasks and traveling to the site immediately.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of strength: Song Chen's relentless hunting and killing of exotic beasts to increase his Killing Value and power.
• The importance of knowledge and information: The discovery of the Earth Dragon King's objective provides valuable insights into its behavior and potential weaknesses.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue: Their interaction is brief but informative, with Zhou Wangyue acknowledging Song Chen's progress and the two working together to investigate the underground river.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Wangyue and Song Chen discover a riverbed covered in blue crystal fragments, which Zhou Wangyue identifies as a shattered Source Spirit Crystal.
• Zhou Wangyue reveals that he also possesses a Source Spirit Crystal, which accelerates his combat technique cultivation speed.
• Zhou Wangyue shares that humanity has three prominent theories about the origin of Source Spirit Crystals, all of which are incorrect.
• He reveals that the crystals do not belong to Blue Star or any known dimension and their arrival was not an accident.

Character Developments

• Song Chen learns about the true nature of his Source Spirit Crystal and its potential significance.
• Zhou Wangyue shows he has been hiding his own Source Spirit Crystal and reveals his knowledge of a top-secret file, Archive Zero.

Significant Themes

• The unknown origin and purpose of the Source Spirit Crystals.
• The potential impact of these crystals on humanity's destiny.
• The secrecy and exclusivity surrounding the crystals and their true nature.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Wangyue shares his knowledge and experiences with Song Chen, demonstrating trust and mentorship.
• Song Chen remains ambiguous about his crystal's role in his growth, keeping the Slaughter System a secret.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Wangyue reveals that the meteorite impact and Source Spirit Crystals were not natural but sent by an extraterrestrial civilization or entity.
• Three hypotheses are discussed for the motive behind this action: friendship (a gift), a whim of a powerful individual, or a means to achieve an unknown goal.
• No further intervention from the alien civilization has occurred since the initial meteorite impact.

Character Developments

• Song Chen becomes more introspective and analytical, questioning the nature of power and the potential motivations behind the extraterrestrial intervention.
• Zhou Wangyue demonstrates his wisdom and experience, presenting the different hypotheses without bias and acknowledging the uncertainty of the situation.

Significant Themes

• The nature of power and its acquisition.
• The unknown motivations behind extraterrestrial intervention.
• The insignificance of humanity in the face of potential alien civilizations.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue engage in a dialogue, with Zhou Wangyue sharing his knowledge and Song Chen asking insightful questions, demonstrating their mentor-student relationship and mutual respect.
• They work together to investigate the underground river, showcasing their teamwork and shared goal.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue discover an underground river with shattered Source Spirit Crystal fragments, releasing Blue Light Spots that form a self-contained energy field.
• The river cannot be moved due to the complexity of the energy field, which exceeds current spiritual energy technology.
• Song Chen decides to hand over the underground river to Great Xia.

Character Developments

• Song Chen demonstrates his maturity and selflessness by prioritizing the benefit of Great Xia and its martial artists over his own gain.
• Zhou Wangyue shows appreciation and respect for Song Chen's decision.

Significant Themes

• Selflessness vs. Personal Gain: Song Chen chooses to benefit the greater good (Great Xia) over personal advancement.
• Power and Responsibility: The discovery of the underground river comes with the responsibility of deciding its fate, which Song Chen takes seriously.
• Trust and Loyalty: Zhou Wangyue's assurance that Great Xia will not treat Song Chen unfairly highlights the theme of trust and loyalty.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue: Their interaction shows mutual respect and understanding. Zhou Wangyue acknowledges Song Chen's capabilities and decisions, while Song Chen trusts Zhou Wangyue's assurance regarding Great Xia's treatment of him.
• Song Chen and the Unknown Authority Figure: Their interaction, though brief, establishes the hierarchical structure within Great Xia, with the authority figure acknowledging Zhou Wangyue's report and issuing orders.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Wangyue informs Song Chen that Great Xia will establish a permanent base at the Dark River site, granting Song Chen discoverer status and rewards.
• Song Chen requests Zhou Wangyue's help to kill the Earth Dragon King, expressing his inability to sleep until it's dead.
• Zhou Wangyue receives a call, revealing Great Xia's reward package for Song Chen: Honorary Councilor status, two hundred billion GXC plus thirty percent of Dark River revenue, and an S-Class Battle Armor set.
• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue set out to find the Earth Dragon King, with Song Chen using his Eye of Truth-Seeing to track its residual mental traces.

Character Developments

• Song Chen demonstrates his determination and focus in pursuing the Earth Dragon King, showing his growth and maturity.
• Zhou Wangyue displays his influence and connections, facilitating the generous reward package from Great Xia for Song Chen.

Significant Themes

• Rewards and recognition for achievements and contributions.
• The power dynamics within Great Xia and the value placed on talented individuals.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue work together to track and eliminate the Earth Dragon King, showcasing their teacher-student bond and cooperation.
• Zhou Wangyue's influence and connections are evident in the reward package he helps secure for Song Chen, highlighting their relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue locate and confront the Earth Dragon King in an abandoned mine.
• Song Chen engages in a fierce battle with the Earth Dragon King, using his Seven Slashes of Heavenly Thunder technique.
• Zhou Wangyue intervenes, breaking the Earth Dragon King's spine with two powerful palm strikes.
• Song Chen finishes the Earth Dragon King, killing it and obtaining its Life Crystal Core.

Character Developments

• Song Chen demonstrates significant growth, managing to hold his own against a peak fifth-order Beast King.
• Zhou Wangyue showcases his immense power as a Grandmaster, effortlessly breaking the Earth Dragon King's spine.

Significant Themes

• The theme of growth and improvement is evident as Song Chen faces a formidable opponent and holds his own.
• The power dynamics between martial artists and exotic beasts are explored, highlighting the danger and challenge they pose.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue work together to defeat the Earth Dragon King, showcasing a mentor-student dynamic.
• Zhou Wangyue acknowledges Song Chen's progress, expressing his surprise at his student's capabilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue fly back to Anning City, where Zhou Wangyue reveals a major operation involving Exotic Beasts.
• The operation centers around a conflict between the Sky Wolf Clan (a Great Royal Clan) and the Ice Demon Clan (a Royal Clan) in the Arctic.
• The Ice Demon Clan has been expanding its territory and defying the Sky Wolf Clan's authority.
• The Sky Wolf Clan is preparing to launch an expedition against the Ice Demon Clan, creating a power vacuum in the Arctic.
• Great Xia, along with three other major powers, plans to intervene in the conflict to weaken or eliminate the Exotic Beast Imperial and Royal Clans on land.

Character Developments

• Song Chen shows concern and eagerness to participate in the operation, demonstrating his dedication and ambition.
• Zhou Wangyue reveals his role as an intelligence officer, providing crucial information and strategic insights.

Significant Themes

• The balance of power between humans and Exotic Beasts is a central theme, with the operation aiming to shift this balance in humanity's favor.
• The theme of intelligence and strategic planning is highlighted through Zhou Wangyue's role and the coalition's intervention plans.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue engage in a conversation that reveals crucial information about the operation, strengthening their teacher-student bond.
• Zhou Wangyue's revelation about the operation shows his trust in Song Chen, while Song Chen's eagerness to participate demonstrates his loyalty and commitment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen returns to Anning City with Zhou Wangyue, now recognized as an honorary councilor of Great Xia.
• The Great Xia military establishes a base at the ruins of Evergreen City, with hundreds of martial artists and military personnel arriving.
• Song Chen visits the Garrison Command, where Shen Qingshan salutes him as "Councilor Song," and learns that his parents have returned home.

Character Developments

• Song Chen: Accepts his new title and status, demonstrating maturity and composure.
• Zhou Wangyue: Shows support and pride in Song Chen's accomplishments, acting as a mentor and guide.
• Shen Qingshan: Recognizes Song Chen's power and influence, treating him with respect and deference.

Significant Themes

• Power and Status: Song Chen's new title and the military's arrival highlight the changes in his social standing and influence.
• Respect and Recognition: Characters acknowledge and respect Song Chen's achievements, reflecting the theme of earned respect.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue: Their relationship deepens as teacher and student, with Zhou Wangyue acting as a mentor and guide.
• Song Chen and Shen Qingshan: Their dynamic shifts as Shen Qingshan recognizes Song Chen's power and treats him with respect.
• Song Chen and his parents: Their reunion is emotional and heartwarming, highlighting the love and support within their family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Wangyue, Li Xiuying, and Song Zhengye have a meal together.
• Zhou Wangyue reveals that there will be a campaign in Shangjing with about a thousand elite martial artists, starting from Tier 4.
• Song Chen decides to continue with live combat and chooses to go wherever he wishes, as he's now an Honorary Councilor.
• Song Chen gives his parents the Snow Marrow Ganoderma and three billion yuan for their retirement.

Character Developments

• Song Chen: He's grown more independent and confident in his choices, no longer relying on Zhou Wangyue for direction. He's also more open with his parents about his success.
• Zhou Wangyue: He respects Song Chen's independence and provides him with the qualifications to walk any path without hindrance.
• Li Xiuying and Song Zhengye: They're proud of their son's success but are still coming to terms with it. They're also concerned about his safety.

Significant Themes

• Independence and Personal Growth: Song Chen continues to make his own choices and grow as a martial artist.
• Family and Belonging: The relationship between Song Chen and his parents is explored, showing their love and support for him.
• Success and Responsibility: Song Chen's success brings him more freedom and responsibility, as seen in his decision to continue with live combat and his provision for his parents.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Zhou Wangyue: Their teacher-student relationship is shown to be one of mutual respect, with Zhou Wangyue providing guidance but ultimately allowing Song Chen to make his own choices.
• Song Chen and his parents: Their love and pride for each other are evident, with Song Chen showing his appreciation for their support and Li Xiuying and Song Zhengye worrying about their son's safety.
• Li Xiuying and Song Zhengye: Their unity and support for each other are shown, as they face their son's success together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen discovers the true threat to Great Xia lies in the Exotic Beasts beyond its borders, particularly the Tier 6 Beast Emperor in the Mongolian Plateau.
• He decides to advance from mid-stage Tier 4 to Tier 5 within a month to stand a chance against the Tier 6 Beast Emperor.
• The Great Xia Council provides Song Chen with an exclusive spacecraft and a guard team of one hundred martial artists, led by a Tier 5 captain.

Character Developments

• Song Chen demonstrates strategic thinking and determination, accepting the responsibility to face a Tier 6 Beast Emperor.
• Li Xiuying, Song Chen's mother, shows concern for her son's safety, expressing her love through actions like packing him lunch.

Significant Themes

• The threat of Exotic Beasts and the need for strong martial artists to protect Great Xia.
• The responsibility and burden carried by Song Chen as a councilor.
• The love and support of family, even in the face of danger.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Li Xiuying: Their interaction is brief but meaningful, with Li Xiuying showing her love and concern through packing lunch for Song Chen.
• Song Chen and Han Duo: They meet for the first time, with Han Duo reporting for duty and providing Song Chen with the necessary information about the spacecraft and guard team.
• Song Chen and Lin Qingxue: They exchange a brief message, showing a level of familiarity and mutual concern.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qingxue sends a message to Song Chen, asking if he's free.
• Song Chen, on an airship heading north, changes his destination to Nanjiang Base City upon receiving Lin Qingxue's message.
• He lands near Nanjiang University and walks onto the campus, aiming to meet Lin Qingxue.

Character Developments

• Song Chen: Shows hesitation and consideration in his response to Lin Qingxue, indicating his feelings for her. He changes his plans to meet her, demonstrating his prioritization of their relationship.
• Lin Qingxue: Shows interest in Song Chen, watching videos of his feats and discussing him with her roommate. She reveals to Zhou Xiaoman that she knows Song Chen, hinting at her past feelings for him.

Significant Themes

• Relationships: The chapter explores the developing relationship between Song Chen and Lin Qingxue, with both characters showing interest in each other.
• Personal Growth: Song Chen's growth as a martial artist is highlighted, with his current rank and accomplishments contrasting with Lin Qingxue's, emphasizing the passage of time and their separate paths since high school.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Lin Qingxue: Their interaction is limited to a brief message exchange, but their actions (Song Chen changing his plans to meet her, Lin Qingxue watching videos of him) hint at a deeper connection and mutual interest.
• Lin Qingxue and Zhou Xiaoman: Their conversation reveals Lin Qingxue's feelings for Song Chen and her past with him, as well as her roommate's awareness of Song Chen's fame and her own admiration for him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qingxue sends a message to Song Chen, who then arrives at Nanjiang University to meet her.
• Liu Ming, a second-ranker and scion of the Nanjiang Liu Family, enters the training room and confronts Song Chen.

Character Developments

• Lin Qingxue is still in the middle stage of the first rank, with a vitality value of seven, showing she's been training but not as rapidly as Song Chen.
• Song Chen, now known as the "Number One Genius" of Great Xia, has become more reserved and takes longer to find things to say, suggesting he's changed due to his experiences.
• Liu Ming displays arrogance and condescension, using his family's influence to try and intimidate Song Chen.

Significant Themes

• Change and Growth: Both Lin Qingxue and Song Chen have changed since they last saw each other, reflecting their personal growth and the passage of time.
• Status and Power: Liu Ming relies on his family's status to assert dominance, contrasting with Song Chen's self-made achievements.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qingxue and Song Chen have an awkward reunion, struggling to find things to say after their experiences apart.
• Liu Ming's interaction with Song Chen is confrontational, with Liu Ming trying to assert his dominance and Song Chen finding amusement in the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Zhengbei, the Nanjiang Garrison Commander, receives a directive granting Song Chen the status of Great Xia Honorary Councilor.
• Song Chen arrives at Nanjiang University, where he encounters Liu Ming, who challenges him to a duel over Lin Qingxue.
• The duel is set to take place in the corridor outside the training room.

Character Developments

• Lu Zhengbei: Recognizes Song Chen's potential and prepares to receive him with honor.
• Song Chen: Shows calm and composure in the face of Liu Ming's challenge, agreeing to the duel.
• Liu Ming: Reveals his arrogance and overconfidence, underestimating Song Chen.

Significant Themes

• The clash between old and new generations, with Song Chen representing the new.
• The power dynamics and politics within the martial arts world.

Character Interactions

• Lu Zhengbei and his adjutant: Lu Zhengbei shows respect for his adjutant's experience and knowledge.
• Song Chen and Liu Ming: Tension builds between them, leading to the arranged duel.
• Song Chen and Lin Qingxue: Lin Qingxue's gaze on Song Chen indicates her trust and support.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A post on Nanjiang University's forum reveals that Song Chen, Great Xia's top prodigy, is on campus.
• Students and teachers rush to the Third Martial Arts Training Hall to see him.
• Liu Ming, a student, challenges Song Chen to a fight, not knowing his true identity.
• The Nanjiang Base City Guard Brigade arrives, led by Garrison Commander Lu Zhengbei, who salutes Song Chen.
• Song Chen inspects the defense system of Nanjiang Base City.

Character Developments

• Song Chen: Maintains his composure and dignity, showing no arrogance despite his fame. He declines Liu Ming's challenge calmly.
• Liu Ming: Initially arrogant and ignorant of Song Chen's true power, he becomes terrified and humiliated after learning the truth.
• Lu Zhengbei: Shows respect and pride in acknowledging Song Chen's status and accomplishments.

Significant Themes

• Fame and Recognition: The chapter explores the impact of fame on individuals, with Song Chen being recognized and respected by the Garrison Commander, while Liu Ming faces humiliation due to his ignorance.
• Power Dynamics: The power imbalance between Song Chen and Liu Ming is highlighted, with Liu Ming's challenge turning into fear and submission once he learns of Song Chen's true strength.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Liu Ming: Their interaction is brief but impactful, with Song Chen's calm response to Liu Ming's challenge leaving the latter humiliated.
• Song Chen and Lu Zhengbei: Their interaction shows respect and understanding between two powerful figures, with Lu Zhengbei acknowledging Song Chen's status and Song Chen reciprocating with gratitude.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen holds Lin Qingxue's hand, leading her out of the training hall, causing a campus-wide stir.
• The Nanjiang Base City Guard Brigade salutes Song Chen and Lin Qingxue as they walk past.
• Song Chen inspects the guard brigade and agrees to demonstrate his blade technique.
• He suppresses his qi and blood to the Third Rank and takes on the entire brigade using an ordinary saber.

Character Developments

• Song Chen: Shows humility by suppressing his strength and using an ordinary weapon to teach the guard brigade.
• Lin Qingxue: Shows she can keep up with Song Chen, both literally (walking beside him) and figuratively (understanding his silent confirmation).

Significant Themes

• Humility and teaching: Song Chen demonstrates his skills not to show off, but to instruct and inspire the younger generation.
• Public attention and expectations: The campus reacts strongly to Song Chen and Lin Qingxue's public appearance together.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Lin Qingxue: Their hand-holding and synchronized walking show a growing connection and mutual understanding.
• Song Chen and the Nanjiang Guard Brigade: Song Chen's demonstration serves as a lesson and inspiration for the brigade members.
• Lu Zhengbei and Song Chen: Lu Zhengbei sets the stage for Song Chen's demonstration, showing respect and support for the younger martial artist.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Chen, using only a Tier 3 strength and an ordinary saber, defeats hundreds of elite guards from the Nanjiang Guard Brigade in a blade formation.
• Liu Ming, who had challenged Song Chen, is humiliated after wetting himself due to fear.
• Song Chen and Lin Qingxue spend time together on campus, with Song Chen showing her his improved swordsmanship and Lin Qingxue expressing her feelings through writing on each other's palms.

Character Developments

• Song Chen: Proves his exceptional swordsmanship and composure, showing growth since his high school days.
• Lin Qingxue: Shows her affection for Song Chen, becoming more open about her feelings.
• Liu Ming: Loses face and is humiliated, highlighting his cowardice and lack of true strength.

Significant Themes

• The power of determination and skill over brute force and numbers.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent.
• The growth and change in individuals over time.

Character Interactions

• Song Chen and Lin Qingxue: Their bond deepens as they spend time together, with Lin Qingxue expressing her feelings and Song Chen showing his affection through his actions.
• Song Chen and Liu Ming: Their confrontation highlights the difference in their character and strength, with Liu Ming's cowardice being exposed.
• Song Chen and Lu Zhengbei: They share a moment of mutual respect, with Lu Zhengbei acknowledging Song Chen's skill and inviting him back to Nanjiang Province.