Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen arrives at Black Phoenix Peak, finding it eerily desolate and silent.
• He meets Zhang Dong, a talkative and enthusiastic disciple who guides him to his cave dwelling.
• Luo Qingchen learns about the sect's rules and the need to obtain a cultivation technique from the Eldest Senior Sister, Yuwen Rou, at the Spring Autumn Pavilion.
• He discovers his cave dwelling is well-equipped but lacks the crucial cultivation technique.
• Luo Qingchen decides to go down the mountain to find medicine men and understand the situation better.
• Zhang Dong returns, informing Luo Qingchen that Yuwen Rou has invited him to the Spring Autumn Pavilion that night.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen shows determination to advance his cultivation despite the challenges and dangers of Black Phoenix Peak.
• Zhang Dong displays knowledge about the sect and its rules, acting as a guide for Luo Qingchen.

Significant Themes

• The theme of cultivation and the struggle to advance one's abilities in a harsh environment continues.
• The importance of understanding and navigating the complex rules and power dynamics of the sect is emphasized.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen interacts with Zhang Dong, learning about the sect and its customs.
• Luo Qingchen's encounter with Yuwen Rou is foreshadowed, hinting at potential challenges and power dynamics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen continues studying the sect's rules and leaves his cave dwelling at dusk.
• He encounters a woman, Su Yao, who asks for his help, but he ignores her due to her deceitful intent.
• Luo Qingchen reaches the brothel on Black Phoenix Peak, where he's greeted by prostitutes who offer various services.
• He asks to meet the head senior sister, Yuwen Rou, and is led upstairs by a woman named Wang Tian.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen shows indifference to Su Yao's ploy, demonstrating his growing caution and discernment.
• Wang Tian, the brothel madam, displays her charisma and business acumen, treating Luo Qingchen with respect despite his low cultivation level.

Significant Themes

• Deception and manipulation (Su Yao's attempt to trick Luo Qingchen).
• The contrast between the brothel's debauchery and the outside world's darkness and silence.
• The power dynamics within the sect, reflected in Wang Tian's treatment of Luo Qingchen.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and Su Yao: Luo Qingchen remains unmoved by Su Yao's plea for help, showing he won't be easily manipulated.
• Luo Qingchen and Wang Tian: Wang Tian fawns over Luo Qingchen, highlighting the importance of status and power within the sect, even among prostitutes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen meets Senior Sister Yuwen, who demands he sleep with her in exchange for a cultivation technique. He refuses, and she extorts him for 500 taels of silver.
• Luo Qingchen encounters Senior Sister Su Yao again, who is upset about his frequent appearances on her path.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen: Stands up to Senior Sister Yuwen's demands, showing determination and principle.
• Senior Sister Yuwen: Reveals her manipulative and extortive nature, preying on disciples' desperation for cultivation techniques.
• Senior Sister Su Yao: Exhibits impatience and annoyance towards Luo Qingchen's frequent appearances.

Significant Themes

• The desperation of cultivators for resources and techniques, leading them to make difficult choices.
• The exploitation of power dynamics within the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and Senior Sister Yuwen: Their interaction highlights the power imbalance and Yuwen's manipulative nature.
• Luo Qingchen and Senior Sister Su Yao: Their encounters show Su Yao's irritation and Luo Qingchen's determination to improve himself.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen decides to go down the mountain to find a Medicine Man.
• He meets Senior Sister Qiu, who demands he trim her toenails or write an IOU for 10 taels of silver.
• Luo Qingchen writes an IOU, increasing his debt to 510 taels.
• He descends the mountain and encounters two disciples who consider attacking him but back off when they see his new disciple tablet.
• He hears a boy crying for help as his father is trapped under a fallen tree.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen shows no hesitation in killing the boy to take his father as a potential Blood Medicine.
• Senior Sister Qiu is revealed to be corrupt and demands bribes for her services.

Significant Themes

• Corruption within the sect, with disciples demanding bribes for simple tasks.
• The harsh reality of survival in the cultivation world, where the weak are easily exploited.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen interacts with Senior Sister Qiu, who demands a bribe from him.
• He encounters two disciples who consider attacking him but refrain due to his new disciple status.
• He meets a boy and his father, with the boy pleading for help, which Luo Qingchen ignores.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A boy is transformed into a rotting corpse by a black mist, which then possesses a man, turning him into a Demonic Beast.
• Luo Qingchen arrives at Clear River City, finding it surrounded by refugees and Demonic Beasts. He decides to enter the city.
• At the city gate, he encounters soldiers who demand a tael of silver as a guarantee for his entry, which he pays.
• He finds the Brocade Cloth Shop, where he hears Wang Ziliang being scolded by his aunt. He decides not to enter.
• He witnesses disciples of the Snow Jade Palace, including a familiar figure, Li Yalan, who he recognizes despite her growth.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen's sense of smell has heightened due to his blood-sucking skill, allowing him to detect the scent of Demonic Beasts.
• He shows empathy for the refugees outside the city and decides to enter to investigate and potentially help.
• He remains calm and composed despite the chaos and danger around him.
• Li Yalan is now a disciple of the Snow Jade Palace, maintaining her radiant and unique presence.

Significant Themes

• Survival and Struggle: The refugees outside the city represent the harsh reality of survival in this world, while Luo Qingchen's journey shows his resilience and determination.
• Appearance vs Reality: The disciples of the Demon Controlling Sect can enter the city openly, contrasting with their feared reputation, and the refugees' desperate situation outside the city.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen interacts with the soldiers at the city gate, showing his calm and collected demeanor.
• He overhears Wang Ziliang's aunt scolding him, showing the harsh treatment he receives from his family.
• He sees Li Yalan among the Snow Jade Palace disciples, but they do not interact.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen enters Clear River City, buys lunch, and prepares to leave.
• He encounters Xue Feixue, his childhood sweetheart and betrothed, who is now a disciple of the prestigious Snow Jade Palace.
• Xue Feixue publicly reveals Luo Qingchen's identity as a disciple of the Demon Controlling Sect and his betrothal to her.
• She demands that Luo Qingchen come to the Snow Jade Palace to call off the marriage and pay her one hundred thousand taels of silver in compensation.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen: He is embarrassed and tries to avoid the confrontation, showing his humble and reserved nature. He doesn't want to cause trouble for others due to his identity as a demon sect disciple.
• Xue Feixue: She is proud and arrogant, using her status as a Snow Jade Palace disciple to humiliate Luo Qingchen. She wants to break off their betrothal but on her terms.
• Wang Ziliang: He is shocked and regretful for revealing Luo Qingchen's whereabouts to Xue Feixue. He tries to plead with her but is ignored.

Significant Themes

• Righteousness vs. Evil: The tension between the righteous sects and the demonic sects is evident, with Luo Qingchen's identity causing immediate hostility.
• Status and Pride: Xue Feixue's pride in her status as a Snow Jade Palace disciple leads her to humiliate Luo Qingchen.
• Betrayal and Humiliation: Xue Feixue's actions betray her childhood promise to Luo Qingchen and humiliate him in public.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and Xue Feixue: Their interaction is tense and uncomfortable, with Xue Feixue using her power to humiliate Luo Qingchen.
• Xue Feixue and Wang Ziliang: Wang Ziliang tries to plead with Xue Feixue but is ignored, showing her disregard for his feelings.
• Xue Feixue and the Brocade Cloth Shop woman: Xue Feixue threatens the woman to ensure she doesn't scold Wang Ziliang again, demonstrating her arrogance and lack of empathy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen leaves Clear River City after his identity as a Demon Controlling Sect member is exposed.
• He encounters a corrupt city gate guard, Cao Cheng, who refuses to return the one tael of silver he collected from Luo Qingchen.
• Cao Cheng abuses a starving girl and attempts to assault her in her tent.
• Luo Qingchen intervenes, kills Cao Cheng, and drains his blood, recovering the stolen tael and finding an additional six.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen remains calm and collected despite his exposed identity, showing growth in his composure.
• Cao Cheng's corruption and cruelty are revealed, highlighting the moral decay among some city officials.
• The little girl's plight emphasizes the desperate state of the refugees.

Significant Themes

• Corruption and abuse of power by officials.
• The harsh realities faced by refugees and the poor.
• Luo Qingchen's internal struggle with his demonic nature and the temptation to exploit others.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen's encounter with Cao Cheng demonstrates his growing assertiveness and willingness to confront injustice.
• The interaction between Luo Qingchen and the little girl hints at his potential for compassion, despite his demonic nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen and a young girl (later revealed to be his Blood Medicine) traverse a mountain forest to reach a cave before nightfall.
• Luo Qingchen smokes out venomous creatures from the cave and sets up traps outside.
• He asks the girl if she's willing to be his Blood Medicine, to which she agrees.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen: Shows no emotion towards the girl's suffering but takes her to safety and provides for her basic needs. He begins to cultivate using the Black Phoenix Demonic Art.
• The Girl: Proves to be resilient and determined, willing to help Luo Qingchen despite her frail state. She.fetch water for Luo Qingchen's bath, collapsing from exhaustion afterwards.

Significant Themes

• Survival: Both characters must endure harsh conditions to survive in the mountain forest.
• Dependence and Independence: The girl relies on Luo Qingchen for survival, while Luo Qingchen needs her for his cultivation. However, she shows initiative in helping him, displaying a desire for independence.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and the Girl: Luo Qingchen is distant and demanding, while the girl is eager to please him, seeing him as her savior. Despite his cold demeanor, Luo Qingchen ensures her basic needs are met, hinting at a potential bond forming between them.

• Key Plot Points: Luo Qingchen, the older brother, is cultivating in a cave, using medicinal baths to speed up his progress. The little girl, his Blood Medicine, wakes up and apologizes for falling asleep. Luo Qingchen tasks her with guarding the cave entrance. He later allows her to enter the cave at night to sleep.
• Character Developments: Luo Qingchen demonstrates coldness and sternness towards the little girl, forbidding her from bathing and calling him 'big brother'. The little girl, despite feeling hurt, remains obedient and accepts Luo Qingchen as her 'master'. Luo Qingchen shows concern for the little girl's safety by warning her about traps in the area.
• Significant Themes: The theme of power and sacrifice is evident as Luo Qingchen uses the little girl's blood for his cultivation. The theme of loneliness and isolation is also present, with Luo Qingchen cultivating in solitude and the little girl having no one else to rely on.
• Character Interactions: Luo Qingchen and the little girl have minimal interaction, with Luo Qingchen maintaining a cold and distant demeanor. The little girl, however, seems to have developed feelings of affection towards Luo Qingchen, referring to him as 'brother' in her heart.

Plot Points & Events

• Luo Qingchen encounters two fellow disciples, Zhang Gan and Luo Chong, outside the cave where he's been staying with the little girl.
• The disciples reveal their intention to capture and use the little girl as a Medicine Man, despite her fear and pleas.
• They invite Luo Qingchen to stay the night and join them, hinting at sinister intentions.
• Luo Qingchen refuses, and the disciples threaten him, stating they will be enemies if he doesn't comply.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen: Shows determination to protect the little girl, remains calm and composed under threat.
• Zhang Gan & Luo Chong: Reveal their cruel and lecherous nature, displaying a lack of moral compass and respect for life.

Significant Themes

• Corruption and moral decay within the Demon Sect.
• The exploitation of the weak by the powerful.
• The struggle between morality and survival in a harsh environment.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and the little girl: He tries to protect her, while she seeks his protection.
• Luo Qingchen and Zhang Gan/Luo Chong: Tension and hostility; they try to intimidate him into submission.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen, a new disciple, is targeted by two senior disciples, Zhang Gan and Luo Chong, who intend to capture and kill him for his medicine man, a young girl named Xiaoyu.
• Luo Qingchen leaves Xiaoyu behind to save her life, but she is captured by Zhang Gan and Luo Chong.
• Zhang Gan and Luo Chong plan to skin Xiaoyu alive to use her as a medicinal ingredient, but they first decide to wash her to make the skin firmer.
• Luo Chong goes to fetch water, and Luo Qingchen ambushes him, killing him with a series of powerful strikes and draining his blood, increasing his blood bar from 420% to 520%.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen: Shows a caring side by trying to protect Xiaoyu, but also demonstrates ruthlessness in eliminating threats.
• Xiaoyu: Displaying resilience and understanding of the harsh world she's in, she accepts Luo Qingchen's decision to leave her behind to save his own life.
• Zhang Gan and Luo Chong: Reveal their cruel and despicable nature, showing no mercy to new disciples and planning to torture and kill Xiaoyu for personal gain.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the fittest: The harsh world of the cultivation world is emphasized, where the weak are preyed upon by the strong.
• Ruthlessness: Luo Qingchen's actions show the necessity of being ruthless in self-defense and to protect others.
• Sacrifice: Xiaoyu accepts Luo Qingchen's decision to leave her behind, understanding that his survival is more important.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and Xiaoyu: Their bond is tested, with Luo Qingchen making a difficult decision to leave Xiaoyu behind to save her life.
• Zhang Gan and Luo Chong: Their interaction highlights their cruel and selfish nature, working together to prey on the weak.
• Luo Qingchen and Luo Chong: Their confrontation ends in Luo Qingchen's decisive victory, demonstrating his strength and ruthlessness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Gan and Luo Chong capture a young girl and plan to harm her.
• Luo Qingchen, the protagonist, arrives and fights Zhang Gan and Luo Chong.
• Zhang Gan surrenders and agrees to pay 500 taels of silver to settle the matter.
• Luo Qingchen reveals he's from Medicine Man Town, shocking Zhang Gan.

Character Developments

• Zhang Gan: Initially arrogant and cruel, he becomes submissive and fearful upon realizing Luo Qingchen's strength and background.
• Luo Chong: Not much development, but he's shown to be strong and ruthless.
• Luo Qingchen: Displayed exceptional fighting skills, calmness, and resourcefulness. He's also shown to be compassionate towards the young girl.

Significant Themes

• Strength and Power: Luo Qingchen's strength and ruthlessness intimidate Zhang Gan, making him back down.
• Compassion vs. Cruelty: Luo Qingchen's compassion for the young girl contrasts with Zhang Gan's cruelty.
• Background and Reputation: Zhang Gan is afraid of Luo Qingchen due to his association with Medicine Man Town.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen vs. Zhang Gan and Luo Chong: Luo Qingchen fights them both, showing his strength and skill.
• Zhang Gan and Luo Qingchen: Zhang Gan tries to appease Luo Qingchen, offering silver and apologizing.
• Luo Qingchen and the young girl: Luo Qingchen rescues and protects the young girl, showing compassion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Gan, trying to escape, steps onto a bed of upturned iron nails and triggers a bear trap, leading to a series of deadly traps.
• Luo Qingchen, disguised as Junior Brother Luo, lures Zhang Gan into a pit filled with spikes, kills him, and drains his blood.
• Luo Qingchen finds 152 taels of silver and a book on Zhang Gan's body, bringing his total to 163 taels.
• He discovers a little girl in the innermost cave and decides not to pursue the two men's cave dwellings on Joyous Union Peak.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen: Shows cunning, ruthlessness, and strategic thinking in luring and killing Zhang Gan. He also demonstrates self-control in not pursuing the men's cave dwellings despite temptation.
• Zhang Gan: Reveals his cowardice and desperation as he tries to escape and bargain for his life.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the Fittest: The dangerous environment and deadly traps emphasize the harsh reality of the sect, where only the strong and cunning survive.
• Greed and Caution: Luo Qingchen's temptation to pursue the men's cave dwellings and his eventual caution in not doing so highlight the delicate balance between ambition and prudence.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and Zhang Gan: Their interaction is tense and deadly, with Luo Qingchen manipulating Zhang Gan's fear and desperation to lure him into a trap.
• Luo Qingchen and the Little Girl: Their interaction is brief but shows Luo Qingchen's disregard for the girl's well-being, focusing instead on his own safety and gains.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen sets traps outside the cave and continues studying the Ghost Shadow Technique.
• Two beasts fight outside the cave, frightening the little girl, who seeks refuge beside Luo Qingchen.
• Luo Qingchen draws the little girl's blood, marking her as his disciple and stating he will draw her blood monthly.
• They journey towards Medicine Man Town, where Luo Qingchen reveals he will take the little girl (named A-Yao) to live.
• Upon reaching Medicine Man Town, Luo Qingchen learns about another disciple named Ye Fu who ascended around the same time.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen shows a cold and indifferent demeanor but demonstrates a level of care towards A-Yao, as seen when he bandages her wounds.
• A-Yao shows resilience and determination, enduring pain without crying out, and displays a growing attachment to Luo Qingchen.
• Luo Qingchen reveals his name and shows a moment of distraction, possibly thinking of someone from his past (Luo Xiao Yu).

Significant Themes

• Power and Weakness: Luo Qingchen's power is evident in his ability to protect A-Yao and draw her blood, while A-Yao's weakness is shown in her fear of the beasts and her endurance of pain.
• Trust and Dependency: A-Yao begins to trust Luo Qingchen and depends on him for protection and care.
• Identity and Belonging: Luo Qingchen takes A-Yao to Medicine Man Town, giving her a new identity as his disciple and a place to belong.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and A-Yao's relationship begins to develop, with Luo Qingchen showing a level of care and A-Yao showing growing attachment and trust.
• Luo Qingchen interacts with the gray-haired elder at Medicine Man Town, showing respect and receiving information about another disciple named Ye Fu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen returns to Medicine Man Town with A-Yao.
• He registers A-Yao as a medicine man and finds her work at a pharmacy.
• Luo Qingchen decides to use his one-month safety period to earn money and prepare for future challenges.
• He finds Senior Sister Su, a fellow disciple, hanging from the entrance of his cave dwelling, covered in blood.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen shows concern for A-Yao's well-being, ensuring she has a place to stay and work.
• He demonstrates determination to prepare for upcoming dangers and improve his skills.
• Senior Sister Su's fate is revealed, indicating the harsh reality of the sect.

Significant Themes

• The harsh and dangerous environment of the sect, where even fellow disciples are not safe.
• Luo Qingchen's growing resolve to face challenges and improve himself.
• The importance of companionship and alliances in the sect, as Luo Qingchen considers finding a companion.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen interacts with Senior Sister Sun, who helps him register A-Yao and find her work.
• He has a brief conversation with A-Yao, emphasizing her independence and his intention to collect her blood in a month.
• Luo Qingchen finds Senior Sister Su in a dire state, hinting at potential danger and the need for caution.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen finds a blood-soaked corpse hanging at his cave entrance, which turns out to be Senior Sister Su Yao playing a prank.
• Su Yao tries to recruit Luo Qingchen to rob disciples together, but he declines.
• The next day, Luo Qingchen sees two corpses hanging in the Black Forest, including Su Yao's. He learns that a new disciple from Medicine Man Town, Ye Fu, is responsible.
• Luo Qingchen pays back the ten taels of silver he owes Senior Sister Qiu but refuses to pay interest or help her rub oil on her legs, leading to a tense standoff.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen remains calm and collected in the face of Su Yao's prank and Qiu Ye's extortion, showing growth in his composure and determination.
• Su Yao's ruthless and cunning nature is revealed through her prank and her suggestion to rob disciples together.
• Qiu Ye's manipulative and greedy nature is evident in her attempts to extort Luo Qingchen and her reaction to the mention of Ye Fu's actions.

Significant Themes

• Danger and Ruthlessness: The Outer Sect is portrayed as a dangerous place filled with ruthless individuals, as seen through the deaths of Su Yao and Senior Sister Wang, and the arrival of Ye Fu.
• Extortion and Manipulation: The theme of extortion and manipulation is explored through Qiu Ye's attempts to exploit Luo Qingchen's new disciple status.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and Su Yao: Their interaction reveals Su Yao's playful and manipulative nature, while Luo Qingchen remains cautious and guarded.
• Luo Qingchen and Qiu Ye: Their interaction highlights Qiu Ye's extortionate and manipulative behavior, and Luo Qingchen's determination to resist her advances.
• Luo Qingchen and Zhang Dong: Their brief interaction reveals that Luo Qingchen is not well-liked among the other disciples due to his refusal to help Zhang Dong.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen retrieves his debt note from Qiu Ye after threatening her.
• Zhang Duanyang, a disciple from Hundred Corpse Peak, confronts Luo Qingchen about Zhang Jiu's death.
• Luo Qingchen accepts a mission to investigate disappearances at An Family Tea House outside Clear River City.
• On his way down the mountain, he hears a woman's cries for help and sees her being chased by three men.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen shows increased assertiveness and confidence, standing up to Qiu Ye and Zhang Duanyang.
• Qiu Ye reveals a more ruthless side, hinting at her higher cultivation level.
• Zhang Duanyang is introduced as a formidable opponent, valued by his peak's master and known for killing over a hundred disciples.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the importance of cultivation level in the sect.
• The ruthless nature of the sect and its disciples, with skinning and killing being common occurrences.
• The necessity of caution and wariness in one's interactions with others.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and Qiu Ye: A tense standoff, with Qiu Ye ultimately backing down.
• Luo Qingchen and Zhang Duanyang: A confrontational exchange, with Luo Qingchen refusing to yield.
• Luo Qingchen and Black Phoenix Peak disciples: He declines their invitation to team up for a mission.
• Luo Qingchen and the one-eyed old man (Senior Uncle Yang): A brief exchange regarding his mission.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Ruomei, a senior disciple from Black Phoenix Peak, is hunted and killed by three of the Four Shas from Hundred Corpse Peak.
• Luo Qingchen witnesses this but does not intervene due to his one-month new disciple protection period and the risk of retaliation.
• Zhang Dong, Chen Xuan, and Lin Song, who were with Zhou Ruomei, avoid Luo Qingchen and lie about Zhou's whereabouts.
• Luo Qingchen heads to Clear River City for his mission and stops at An Family Tea House.
• The shopkeeper, An Da, informs Luo that twelve people have gone missing on the road in the past month, including a young man two days prior.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen shows restraint and caution in the face of danger, prioritizing his own safety while witnessing Zhou Ruomei's murder.
• Zhang Dong, Chen Xuan, and Lin Song display cowardice and deceit, abandoning Zhou Ruomei and lying to Luo Qingchen.
• An Da, the shopkeeper, is desperate for help and willing to share information about the missing people.

Significant Themes

• Cruelty and danger in the Demon Controlling Sect, where disciples are vulnerable even within the sect and on missions.
• The importance of companionship and protection in a dangerous world, as demonstrated by Luo Qingchen's isolation and the missing merchants.
• The contrast between the shopkeeper's desperation and the authorities' corruption and apathy.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen and the Four Shas: Luo Qingchen witnesses Zhou Ruomei's murder by the Four Shas but does not intervene.
• Luo Qingchen and Zhang Dong, Chen Xuan, Lin Song: They avoid Luo Qingchen and lie about Zhou Ruomei's fate.
• Luo Qingchen and An Da: An Da shares information about the missing people with Luo Qingchen, hoping for help.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A group from Snow Jade Palace stops at An Family Tea House, seeking information about recent disappearances.
• They encounter disciples from the State Protection Academy, who also came to investigate.
• The Snow Jade Palace group decides to compete with the State Protection Academy to solve the case first.
• Luo Qingchen, a disciple from the Demon Controlling Sect, goes to scout the nearby mountains for Demonic Beasts.

Character Developments

• Xue Feixue: She shows concern for her fellow disciple's health, preventing her from eating the bun.
• Xu Mang: He represents the State Protection Academy and is confident in his sect's abilities.
• Luo Qingchen: He is secretive and focused on his personal goals, aiming to test his blood-sucking skill on wild beasts.

Significant Themes

• Competition: Both Snow Jade Palace and State Protection Academy see the investigation as a competition.
• Personal Ambition: Luo Qingchen's primary goal is to upgrade his blood-sucking skill, not necessarily to solve the case.

Character Interactions

• Snow Jade Palace vs. State Protection Academy: There's a tense interaction between the two groups, with each believing they will solve the case first.
• Luo Qingchen and An Da: They interact briefly, with An Da providing Luo with a hunting fork and cautioning him about the dangers in the mountains.

Plot Points and Events

• Luo Qingchen successfully drains blood from a wild wolf and a wild boar, increasing his blood volume by 120%.
• He returns to the teahouse as dawn breaks.
• News spreads about another person going missing, this time from the An Family Inn, with witnesses reporting seeing a sinister child ghost.

Character Developments

• Luo Qingchen demonstrates increased confidence and skill in his blood-draining abilities, facing multiple wolves and a wild boar.
• He shows caution and vigilance, setting up traps and precautions in his room at the inn.

Significant Themes

• The mysterious disappearances and the sinister child ghost further the theme of the unknown and supernatural threats lurking in the woods.
• Luo Qingchen's determination to rest and prepare for the next night's hunt highlights his strategic and patient approach to his mission.

Character Interactions

• Luo Qingchen has minimal interaction with others in this chapter, focusing on his mission and resting at the inn.
• The State Protection Academy cultivators are present at the inn but do not interact with Luo Qingchen directly. They are shown to be ineffective in preventing the latest disappearance, causing them to lose face.