Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa, an Innate Divine Being, encounters Lu Changsheng's array and is curious about the recent Purple Heaven Divine Lightning strike.
• Lu Changsheng, fearing for his life and his treasures, threatens Nuwa through the array, mistaking her for an enemy.
• Nuwa tries to explain her actions, but Lu Changsheng misinterprets her words, leading to a heated argument.
• Nuwa offers Innate Spirit Materials as an apology for damaging Lu Changsheng's arrays.

Character Developments

• Nuwa: She shows curiosity, patience, and understanding, trying to resolve the misunderstanding peacefully. She also displays her power and status as an Innate Divine Being.
• Lu Changsheng: His paranoia and fear are amplified. He misinterprets Nuwa's actions and words, leading to a defensive and aggressive stance. He reveals his attachment to his arrays and treasures.

Significant Themes

• Misunderstanding and Communication Breakdown: Nuwa's good intentions are misinterpreted by Lu Changsheng, leading to a tense standoff.
• Fear and Paranoia: Lu Changsheng's actions and words are driven by his fear of losing his treasures and his life.
• Power Dynamics: Nuwa's power and status are evident, while Lu Changsheng feels threatened and vulnerable.

Character Interactions

• Nuwa and Lu Changsheng: Their interaction is marked by miscommunication, with Lu Changsheng's paranoia causing him to misinterpret Nuwa's actions and words. Nuwa tries to reason with him, but her efforts are thwarted by Lu Changsheng's fear and mistrust.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng's Three Thousand Layer Array is breached, triggering a high-level enemy alert.
• Lu Changsheng discovers Nuwa, a powerful Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, dismantling his arrays.
• Lu Changsheng realizes Nuwa's power and deduces she's seeking revenge for his killing of the Old Earth Dragon.
• Lu Changsheng decides to use his ultimate move to stop Nuwa, fearing she'll reach his core defense and destroy him.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng, initially shocked and terrified, becomes desperate and considers using his last resort to protect himself.
• Nuwa, initially calm and collected, shows a moment of bewilderment at Lu Changsheng's words.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions (Lu Changsheng's past deeds coming back to haunt him).
• The power dynamics between individuals and the potential for conflict.
• The desperation and resourcefulness of someone backed into a corner.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng and Nuwa have no direct interaction in this chapter, but Lu Changsheng's actions are driven by his perception of Nuwa's power and intentions.
• Lu Changsheng's inner monologue reveals his fear and desperation, contrasting with Nuwa's calm demeanor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa offers Lu Changsheng spiritual materials to open his formation, but he suspects a trap.
• Lu Changsheng reveals he's immune to attacks due to a mysterious reason, threatening Nuwa with Heavenly Punishment if she harms him.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Shows extreme caution and paranoia, revealing a desperate and ruthless side when cornered.
• Nuwa: Initially patient and reasonable, becomes irritated by Lu Changsheng's behavior, and later shocked by his revelation.

Significant Themes

• Trust vs. Suspicion: Lu Changsheng's extreme caution and paranoia lead him to suspect Nuwa's goodwill, while Nuwa initially tries to reason with him.
• Power and Vulnerability: Lu Changsheng's power is his immunity to attacks, but it also makes him vulnerable to manipulation and fear.
• Heavenly Dao and Justice: The Purple Heaven Divine Lightning represents the Heavenly Dao's justice, but its true purpose and rules are unclear.

Character Interactions

• Nuwa and Lu Changsheng: Nuwa tries to reason with Lu Changsheng, but he misinterprets her actions, leading to a tense standoff. Their interaction highlights their contrasting personalities and motivations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng reveals his Great Dao Merit origin to Nuwa by leaking a trace of its aura.
• Nuwa, realizing Lu Changsheng's true identity, is shocked and awed.
• Nuwa understands the reason behind Lu Changsheng's defensive formations and the Heavenly Dao's intervention.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Stands his ground and reveals his true power to Nuwa, demonstrating his strategic thinking and determination to protect his life.
• Nuwa: Realizes Lu Changsheng's true identity and changes her approach, showing respect and a desire to understand his unique existence.

Significant Themes

• The power of Great Dao Merit and its rarity in the Primordial Land.
• The Heavenly Dao's intervention and protection of Lu Changsheng due to his origin.
• The potential consequences of harming an incarnation of Great Dao Merit.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng and Nuwa: Their interaction shifts from hostility to mutual respect, with Nuwa now treating Lu Changsheng as an equal and expressing a desire to understand him better.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa, a powerful immortal, arrives at Lu Changsheng's cave dwelling.
• Lu Changsheng, despite his power, chooses to live in seclusion and not cultivate, hiding his true strength.
• Nuwa sits outside his dwelling for three thousand years, cultivating and observing Lu Changsheng's formations.
• Lu Changsheng, inside, focuses on improving his living conditions and growing spiritual crops.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Starts as defensive and hostile, but later accepts Nuwa's presence. He shows a preference for a comfortable life over cultivation.
• Nuwa: Initially intimidating, she shows patience and curiosity. She maintains her cultivation and observation of Lu Changsheng's formations for three thousand years.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between Lu Changsheng's low-key lifestyle and Nuwa's expectation of a powerful cultivator.
• The passage of time and the endurance of both characters.
• The pursuit of comfort and quality of life (Lu Changsheng) versus the pursuit of cultivation and enlightenment (Nuwa).

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng and Nuwa have a one-sided argument through a Sound Transmission Array Eye, with Nuwa remaining calm and Lu Changsheng becoming increasingly frustrated.
• Despite their initial conflict, neither character harms the other, leading to a stalemate that lasts for three thousand years.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa, a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, has been sitting outside Lu Changsheng's array for three thousand years.
• Lu Changsheng, inside his cave dwelling, checks on Nuwa daily and has grown indifferent to her presence.
• Nuwa finally speaks, asking to trade a small trinket for one of Lu Changsheng's spiritual fruits.
• Lu Changsheng, amused and annoyed, refuses but is intrigued by Nuwa's offer.
• Nuwa reveals she has a drop of Three Lights Divine Water, a powerful healing treasure, to trade.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Initially vigilant and defensive towards Nuwa, he has grown indifferent over time. He is now curious and tempted by Nuwa's offer.
• Nuwa: Patient and persistent, she has waited three thousand years to interact with Lu Changsheng. She is cunning and knows how to negotiate, using her knowledge of Lu Changsheng's interest in pure, unblemished clarity.

Significant Themes

• Patience and Persistence: Nuwa's three-thousand-year wait demonstrates her unyielding determination.
• Curiosity and Temptation: Lu Changsheng's interest in Nuwa's offer highlights the power of temptation and curiosity.
• Trade and Negotiation: The potential trade between Lu Changsheng and Nuwa emphasizes the importance of mutual benefit in relationships.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng and Nuwa: Their interaction is tense yet intriguing, with Nuwa using negotiation tactics to engage Lu Changsheng.
• Lu Changsheng and the Water Mirror: Lu Changsheng's daily checks on Nuwa through the water mirror show his initial vigilance and later indifference towards her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa reveals her identity to Lu Changsheng, who is initially shocked and then tries to salvage the situation.
• Lu Changsheng, fearing for his life, refuses to open the door but agrees to trade the Three Lights Divine Water through a small gap in the array, using a crude wooden drawer tied to a rope.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Initially arrogant and rude, he becomes submissive and sycophantic upon learning Nuwa's identity, showcasing his cowardly and opportunistic nature.
• Nuwa: Remains calm and composed, not taking offense at Lu Changsheng's earlier rudeness, and is curious about his unusual trading method.

Significant Themes

• Greed vs. Caution: Lu Changsheng's desire for the Three Lights Divine Water conflicts with his fear of death and suspicion of Nuwa's intentions.
• Identity and Status: Nuwa's identity as a future Saint carries significant weight, influencing Lu Changsheng's behavior.
• Face and Reputation: Lu Changsheng's initial rude behavior and subsequent attempt to salvage his image highlight the importance of face and reputation in their interaction.

Character Interactions

• Nuwa and Lu Changsheng: Their interaction shifts from hostile to polite and cautious, with Lu Changsheng trying to ingratiate himself with Nuwa while still protecting himself. Nuwa maintains a calm and collected demeanor throughout.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng and Nuwa complete a trade: Nuwa gives Lu Changsheng a drop of Three Lights Divine Water in exchange for a Red Sun Fruit.
• Lu Changsheng meticulously sterilizes the drawer and the divine water to prevent tracking.
• Nuwa consumes the Red Sun Fruit and appreciates its purity and merit.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Reveals his cautious nature and paranoia, but also shows generosity and a desire to build a connection with Nuwa.
• Nuwa: Demonstrates her wisdom, patience, and understanding, appreciating the value of the Red Sun Fruit and showing gratitude to Lu Changsheng.

Significant Themes

• Caution and paranoia: Lu Changsheng's extreme caution is a central theme, highlighting his survival instincts and fear of the unknown.
• Generosity and reciprocity: Both characters show generosity in their exchange, leading to a harmonious interaction and mutual appreciation.
• Purity and merit: The Red Sun Fruit's purity and the merit within it are emphasized, reflecting the value of these qualities in cultivation and the Dao.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng and Nuwa: Despite their initial wariness, they establish a cordial relationship through their trade, with Nuwa showing appreciation and Lu Changsheng expressing a desire to build a connection. Their interaction is marked by mutual respect and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa visits Lu Changsheng's formation, questioning his approach to longevity.
• Lu Changsheng defends his 'Dao of Cowardice', arguing that avoiding battles and preserving life is the true path to longevity.
• Nuwa, initially dismissive, begins to comprehend Lu Changsheng's perspective, leading to a breakthrough in her cultivation.
• Eight hundred years pass, and Nuwa achieves a significant advancement in her cultivation, becoming a half-step Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

Character Developments

• Nuwa: Begins to understand and accept Lu Changsheng's unique perspective on longevity, leading to a breakthrough in her cultivation and comprehension of her Dao.
• Lu Changsheng: Stands by his beliefs, arguing that avoiding battles and preserving life is the true path to longevity. He remains unapologetic and confident in his approach.

Significant Themes

• Longevity and Survival: The primary theme, explored through Lu Changsheng's 'Dao of Cowardice' and Nuwa's 'Dao of Creation'. Both characters seek longevity, but through different means—avoiding battles vs. creating and nurturing life.
• Cultivation and Breakthrough: Nuwa's cultivation journey and breakthrough serve as a reminder that understanding and accepting new perspectives can lead to significant advancements in one's cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Nuwa and Lu Changsheng: Their interaction is a philosophical debate, with Nuwa initially dismissive of Lu Changsheng's views but eventually coming to understand and accept them, leading to her breakthrough. Lu Changsheng remains steadfast in his beliefs, unperturbed by Nuwa's initial criticism.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa visits Lu Changsheng after eight hundred years, having reached half-step Daluo realm due to his previous words.
• She offers him a mass of Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and a sound transmission jade slip as gratitude.
• Lu Changsheng, despite his wariness, accepts the Breathing Soil through his array, and Nuwa shares information about a potential treasure in Phoenix Fall Valley.

Character Developments

• Nuwa has grown stronger, reaching half-step Daluo realm, and remains humble and grateful.
• Lu Changsheng remains cautious and timid, but he's also greedy for power, accepting the Breathing Soil despite his fears.

Significant Themes

• Karma and cause and effect: Nuwa believes in repaying her debt to Lu Changsheng, while he's wary of accepting her gifts.
• Greed and caution: Lu Changsheng's desire for power and his fear of danger are in constant conflict.

Character Interactions

• Nuwa and Lu Changsheng maintain a respectful and cautious relationship, with Nuwa showing gratitude and Lu Changsheng being wary but accepting her gifts. Their interaction is polite yet guarded.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nuwa leaves after hinting at a potential treasure and merit for Lu Changsheng.
• Lu Changsheng struggles with the decision to leave his safe haven to pursue the treasure.
• He decides to go, meticulously preparing with various defensive and escape talismans and array disks.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Struggles with fear and greed, ultimately deciding to pursue the treasure despite his fear of the unknown. He demonstrates his meticulous and cautious nature in preparing for the journey.

Significant Themes

• Greed vs. Caution: Lu Changsheng's internal conflict between his desire for the treasure and his fear of the outside world.
• Preparedness: Lu Changsheng's thorough preparation for the journey, highlighting his cautious nature and survival instincts.

Character Interactions

• Nuwa and Lu Changsheng: Nuwa's departure and hint at the treasure drive Lu Changsheng's decision to leave his safe haven. Their interaction is brief but impactful, with Nuwa's words planting the seed of ambition in Lu Changsheng.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng discovers a withered vine in his spirit field and decides to nurture it using a precious soil and water.
• After ten years, the vine revives and exhibits unique properties, including a natural concealment effect and early warning radar capabilities. Lu Changsheng names it the Cowardly Immortal Vine.
• Lu Changsheng prepares for a journey, equipping himself with various defensive measures and talismans.
• He begins an 80,000-mile journey, traveling mainly underground to avoid detection and danger.
• During his journey, he encounters minor demons and later, a fierce battle between two Primordial Unity Golden Immortals, which he avoids by staying underground for thirty years.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng demonstrates his patience and dedication in nurturing the withered vine, showing his determination and resourcefulness.
• He exhibits caution and cowardice, adhering to his path of avoiding trouble and prioritizing self-preservation.

Significant Themes

• The path of cowardice: Lu Changsheng's journey emphasizes his philosophy of avoiding danger and prioritizing self-preservation.
• The value of patience and perseverance: Lu Changsheng's nurturing of the vine and his cautious journey illustrate the importance of these qualities.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng interacts with the Cowardly Immortal Vine, which becomes a crucial tool and companion during his journey.
• He indirectly interacts with other characters through the encounters with minor demons and the battle between Primordial Unity Golden Immortals, demonstrating his ability to avoid and adapt to dangerous situations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng reaches Phoenix Fall Valley, a place of extreme Calamity Sha Qi.
• He sets up defenses and begins purifying the Sha Qi, earning Heavenly Dao Merit.
• Over three thousand years, he clears a path to the core of the valley.
• He discovers a severely damaged Xiantian defensive spirit treasure, a Profound Yellow Shield.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng's cultivation advances from early to mid-stage True Immortal.
• His fanaticism for merit and defensive treasures grows.

Significant Themes

• The power of merit and its role in repairing heaven and earth.
• The value and allure of defensive spirit treasures, especially Xiantian ones.

Character Interactions

• None in this chapter; Lu Changsheng acts alone.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng finds a damaged Mysterious Yellow Shield in Phoenix Fall Valley.
• He decides to repair it using his Heavenly Dao Merit and Great Dao Merit.
• After 1500 years, he successfully repairs the shield, turning it into a top-tier defensive treasure with the ability to conceal karma.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng demonstrates his determination and resolve in repairing the treasure, despite the risks and costs involved.
• He shows his understanding of the value of the treasure and its importance for his survival in the Primordial Land.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice and Reward: Lu Changsheng sacrifices his Heavenly Dao Merit and a wisp of Great Dao Merit to repair the treasure, but he gains a powerful defensive treasure in return.
• Resilience and Perseverance: Lu Changsheng persists in repairing the treasure for 1500 years, showing his resilience and determination.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng interacts with the Cowardly Immortal Vine, which warns him of an approaching threat.
• There are no other character interactions in this chapter, as Lu Changsheng is alone throughout the process of repairing the treasure.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Four deserters from the Dragon and Phoenix Clans (three early-stage Mystic Immortals and one peak mid-stage Mystic Immortal) arrive in Phoenix Fall Valley, where Lu Changsheng is hiding.
• They detect Lu Changsheng's presence due to the leakage of Innate Treasure Light when he put away his formation.
• The Phoenix Clan elder attacks Lu Changsheng, aiming to seize his Innate Spirit Treasure (Mysterious Yellow Shield).

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng, faced with imminent danger, accepts his situation and decides to fight instead of trying to escape or negotiate.
• The Phoenix Clan elder underestimates Lu Changsheng and his treasure, confident in his ability to overpower a True Immortal mid-stage cultivator.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the fittest: The strong prey on the weak, and kill for treasure, reflecting the brutal nature of the Primordial Land.
• Indifference to life and death: Lu Changsheng's calm acceptance of his situation and decision to fight, showing a shift in his attitude towards life and death.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng and the four Mystic Immortal deserters: The deserters view Lu Changsheng as an easy target and prey, while Lu Changsheng decides to fight against overwhelming odds.
• The Phoenix Clan elder and Lu Changsheng: The elder underestimates Lu Changsheng and his treasure, leading to a miscalculation in his attack.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng uses the Mysterious Yellow Shield to defend against the Southern Bright Separation Fire, unscathed.
• He retaliates with a massive explosion of array discs, obscuring the vision and senses of the four Mystic Immortals.
• Lu Changsheng uses the Cowardly Immortal Vine to capture and kill one of the Dragon Clan remnants.
• He prepares to use a powerful, origin-damaging divine ability to eliminate the remaining three Mystic Immortals.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng's fear turns into cold ruthlessness when cornered, showing the extreme nature of the Dao of Cowardice.
• The four Mystic Immortals underestimate Lu Changsheng, leading to their desperate situation.

Significant Themes

• The Dao of Cowardice: When pushed to the extreme, it leads to ruthless and desperate actions.
• The consequences of underestimating opponents: The Mystic Immortals' initial disregard for Lu Changsheng puts them in a dire situation.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng vs. the four Mystic Immortals: Lu Changsheng's defensive capabilities and desperate attacks put the Mystic Immortals on the back foot.
• The Phoenix Clan elder and the Dragon Clan remnants: They attempt to coordinate and escape, but Lu Changsheng's power is too overwhelming.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng, an ancient god of slaughter, uses a wisp of Great Dao Merit origin to kill three fleeing Mystic Immortals (a Phoenix Clan elder and two Dragon Clan soldiers) by incurring heavenly punishment.
• The heavenly punishment manifests as Purple Heaven Divine Lightning, which strikes down and erases the three Mystic Immortals completely.
• Lu Changsheng's realm drops from the middle stage of True Immortal to the early stage due to the consumption of Great Dao Merit.
• He cleans up the battlefield, burning the bodies, purifying the area, and renovating the soil to erase all traces of the battle.
• The Heavenly Dao bestows a small cluster of merit upon Lu Changsheng for his actions in repairing the Primordial Land.
• Lu Changsheng returns home, collapsing onto his White Jade Cloud Bed, swearing not to leave his cave dwelling until he reaches the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng demonstrates his ruthlessness and resourcefulness in battle and cleanup, showing no mercy to his enemies and meticulously erasing all evidence of their existence.
• He also shows a sense of relief and security upon returning home, indicating a desire for safety and stability.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of damaging Great Dao Merit: the heavenly punishment that erases the three Mystic Immortals.
• The importance of home and safety: Lu Changsheng's relief and determination to stay in his cave dwelling until he reaches a higher realm.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng interacts with the three Mystic Immortals only in combat, showing no mercy or negotiation.
• There are no other character interactions in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An old man arrives at Phoenix Fall Valley, expecting to find an Innate Spirit Treasure, but finds only a ruined spiritual cave.
• The old man, using his divination arts, discovers that the heavenly secrets are in chaos and the treasure's karma has been concealed.
• Lu Changsheng, in his cave dwelling, awakens after eight thousand years of cultivation and prepares to examine the spoils of war from the four slain Mystic Immortal remnants.
• Lu Changsheng meticulously cleanses and opens the storage bags, revealing a mountain of treasures.

Character Developments

• The old man (identity unknown) displays powerful divination abilities but is surprised and intrigued by the chaos in the heavenly secrets.
• Lu Changsheng, after eight thousand years of cultivation, has fully recovered from his previous injuries and has made significant progress in his cultivation.

Significant Themes

• The chaos of the heavenly secrets and the approach of the Great Calamity.
• The value and use of treasures and resources in cultivation and survival.
• Caution and carefulness in handling potentially dangerous items.

Character Interactions

• The old man's interaction with the environment, using his divination arts to understand the situation.
• Lu Changsheng's interaction with the storage bags, using his array and Pure Yang Fire to cleanse and open them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng discovers a Phoenix Blood Divine Gold, a supreme immortal material, and other rare treasures in the jade boxes.
• He finds a blood-colored jade slip containing a top-secret military intelligence report about the ongoing war between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans.
• The report reveals the horrifying destruction and scale of the war, shocking Lu Changsheng.
• Lu Changsheng decides to go into absolute seclusion, reinforcing his cave dwelling's defenses using the treasures he found.

Character Development

• Lu Changsheng's perspective on the outside world changes drastically after reading the report. He becomes more cautious and fearful, prioritizing self-preservation.
• The Cowardly Immortal Vine gains sentience and becomes Lu Changsheng's helper in maintaining the cave dwelling's defenses.

Significant Themes

• Concealment and Survival: Lu Changsheng emphasizes the importance of hiding and preserving one's life in the dangerous Primordial Land.
• The Horrors of War: The report reveals the devastating impact of the war on the Primordial Land and its inhabitants.
• Karmic Retribution: Lu Changsheng believes that the arrogant and reckless clansmen outside will eventually face retribution, while those who hide and survive, like him, will be the final winners.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng interacts with the Cowardly Immortal Vine, giving it instructions and teaching it about their 'Cowardly Great Dao' of survival.
• There's no direct interaction with other characters in this chapter, as Lu Changsheng remains isolated in his cave dwelling.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Changsheng reprimands the Cowardly Immortal Vine and the Red Sun Fruit Tree, instructing them to hide their spiritual energy to avoid attracting Primordial Land Fierce Beasts.
• Lu Changsheng decides to sit out the Dragon-Han First Tribulation and watch the Innate Divine Beings fight for it.
• He enters a closed-door cultivation for 30,000 years, refining the twelve innate restrictions of the Mysterious Yellow Shield to his will.
• After 30,000 years, Lu Changsheng successfully refines the shield and solidifies his True Immortal mid-stage cultivation.
• He checks the scene outside through the array and finds the tribulation has intensified, feeling relieved that he chose to stay hidden.

Character Developments

• Lu Changsheng: Refines the Mysterious Yellow Shield, solidifies his cultivation, and maintains his calm and wise demeanor.
• Cowardly Immortal Vine: Obeys Lu Changsheng's instructions and hides its spiritual energy.
• Red Sun Fruit Tree: Retracts its radiance and transforms back into a plain-looking fruit tree.

Significant Themes

• Patience and endurance: Lu Changsheng chooses to wait out the tribulation instead of joining the fight, emphasizing the importance of patience and enduring hardships.
• The cost of power: The escalating tribulation outside shows the high cost and consequences of seeking power and worldly destinies.

Character Interactions

• Lu Changsheng interacts with the Cowardly Immortal Vine and the Red Sun Fruit Tree, giving them instructions and expressing his wisdom and authority.
• There are no interactions with other characters in this chapter, as Lu Changsheng remains isolated in his cave dwelling.