Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen, having left Shrek Academy, is approached by Jing Hongchen from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
• Ye Luochen agrees to share intelligence with Jing Hongchen, feeling no loyalty to Shrek due to lack of significant favors received.
• Ye Luochen visits Xuan Ziwen's lab to work on improving third-level soul guidance devices, facing the challenge of high failure rates due to excessive components.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen: He shows growth in his understanding of soul guidance technology, realizing the importance of balance and not overcomplicating designs.
• Xuan Ziwen: He learns from Ye Luochen's insights and acknowledges his mistake in overemphasizing modularity.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and Betrayal: Ye Luochen's shift in loyalty from Shrek to Sun Moon Academy, driven by lack of significant favors received from Shrek.
• Extremism vs. Balance: The theme of not being too extreme in design, as seen in the soul guidance device's excessive components leading to high failure rates.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Jing Hongchen: They reach an understanding, with Ye Luochen agreeing to share intelligence, showing Jing Hongchen's persuasive skills.
• Ye Luochen and Xuan Ziwen: They collaborate on improving soul guidance devices, with Ye Luochen providing valuable insights and Xuan Ziwen learning from him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen predicts and solves the issue of the Soul Guidance Cannons falling apart by proposing a new integrated die casting method.
• Xuan Ziwen retrofits the machine tools based on Ye Luochen's idea, reducing them from twenty to eight, improving the cannons' durability.
• Ye Luochen's Dark Iron Blade starts glowing and targets the new assembly line, devouring it entirely, much to Xuan Ziwen's dismay.
• After the devouring, Ye Luochen's innate soul power increases by a level, and he suspects that his martial soul's evolution might be linked to innovations in soul tool technology.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen demonstrates his problem-solving skills and understanding of soul tool technology, proving his value to Xuan Ziwen.
• Xuan Ziwen shows his adaptability and willingness to learn from Ye Luochen, appreciating his contributions.
• Ye Luochen's martial soul exhibits unusual behavior, raising questions about its nature and potential evolution.

Significant Themes

• The importance of innovation and adaptability in the face of challenges.
• The potential connection between one's martial soul and their personal achievements or innovations.
• The struggle between personal desires and the greater good, as seen in Xuan Ziwen's decision to let Ye Luochen devour the assembly line.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Xuan Ziwen work together to solve the problem with the Soul Guidance Cannons, demonstrating a productive teacher-student relationship.
• Xuan Ziwen shows concern for Ye Luochen's well-being and growth, even when he's frustrated by the destruction of his work.
• Ye Luochen and Xuan Ziwen engage in a thought experiment to understand the potential cause of Ye Luochen's martial soul's evolution.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen's martial soul evolves again, absorbing a first-generation prototype machine tool.
• He and Xuan Ziwen discuss the implications of this evolution.
• Ye Luochen reports the event to Jing Hongchen, who is astonished by the news.
• Jing Hongchen shares his findings about martial soul evolution, including the possibility of divine intervention.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen: Realizes the advantages of his increased innate soul power and the potential for future cultivation.
• Xuan Ziwen: Expresses his relief that Ye Luochen informed him about the martial soul evolution, as it saved his first-generation prototype machine tool.
• Jing Hongchen: Discovers that martial soul evolution through divine intervention is not unheard of, though it's rare and uncertain.

Significant Themes

• The power of innate soul strength and its correlation with soul tool creation.
• The rarity and uncertainty of divine intervention in martial soul evolution.
• The importance of communication and sharing knowledge among characters.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Xuan Ziwen: Discuss the implications of the martial soul evolution, with Xuan Ziwen expressing his relief and Ye Luochen acknowledging his responsibility.
• Ye Luochen and Jing Hongchen: Share information about the martial soul evolution, with Jing Hongchen providing insights and Ye Luochen expressing disbelief at the possibility of divine intervention.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen discusses the possibility of being chosen by a god with Jing Hongchen, who advises him to focus on cultivation.
• After three days of intense cultivation, Ye Luochen joins the reserve team of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
• He meets the other members of the reserve team, including the Hongchen siblings, and the instructor, Lin Yuan, who was also in charge of his entrance examination.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen remains focused and determined, prioritizing his cultivation despite the ethereal nature of the god's trial conjecture.
• Xiao Hongchen displays arrogance and pretentiousness, leading to a physical altercation with his sister, Meng Hongchen.
• Lin Yuan, the director of the admissions office, is revealed to be the instructor of the reserve team.

Significant Themes

• Focus on personal cultivation and growth, rather than relying on external factors like divine intervention.
• The importance of maintaining humility and avoiding arrogance, as seen in Xiao Hongchen's behavior.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen greets the Hongchen siblings, with Xiao Hongchen displaying a haughty attitude and Meng Hongchen physically reprimanding him.
• Lin Yuan recognizes Ye Luochen and expresses familiarity, revealing that he will be the instructor for the reserve team.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Yuan, the teacher in charge, reveals that the reserve team will accompany the official team to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, with the possibility of stepping in if needed.
• The seven reserve team members introduce themselves, detailing their ages, martial soul systems, cultivation levels, and soul engineer ranks.

Character Developments

• Lin Yuan: Shows ambition and understanding of the lucrative opportunities that come with leading the team.
• Reserve Team Members (Mu Yan, Lu Chen, Jiang Yue, Zhou Xiaowan, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Ye Luochen): Display their impressive cultivation levels and soul engineer ranks, revealing the academy's strength.

Significant Themes

• The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's hidden strength in both martial souls and soul tools.
• The competitive nature of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament and the importance of understanding team members' abilities.

Character Interactions

• Lin Yuan and Ye Luochen: Lin Yuan expresses gratitude to Ye Luochen for his role in the latter's promotion and new responsibilities.
• Reserve Team Members: They introduce themselves, showcasing their individual strengths and setting the stage for potential team dynamics.
• Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen with Ye Luochen: The siblings notice Ye Luochen's use of the term "Soul Ancestor" and inquire about his Fourth Soul Ring, highlighting their curiosity and camaraderie.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen reveals his soul rings, including a black Fourth Soul Ring, which is extremely rare and powerful.
• Lin Yuan, the team leader, announces that the team assembly is over, and they will depart for the tournament soon.
• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen are left alone after the others leave.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen: Reveals his powerful soul ring configuration, showing his immense potential.
• Xiao Hongchen: Becomes jealous and depressed after seeing Ye Luochen's black Fourth Soul Ring.
• Meng Hongchen: Remains calm and composed when facing Ye Luochen's impressive performance, hinting at her own strength.

Significant Themes

• The power and rarity of black soul rings.
• The importance of team dynamics and coordination in the tournament.
• The value of intelligence and knowledge about Shrek Academy.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Xiao Hongchen: Xiao Hongchen becomes jealous of Ye Luochen's soul ring, leading to tension between them.
• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen: Meng Hongchen provokes Xiao Hongchen in response to Ye Luochen's impressive performance, hinting at her own strength and her interest in Ye Luochen's abilities.
• Lin Yuan and the team: Lin Yuan values Ye Luochen's intelligence and knowledge about Shrek Academy, seeing him as an asset to the team.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Hongchen, despite wearing a ninth-grade defensive soul guidance device, withstands the Evil Eye Tyrant's attack with minimal harm.
• Ye Luochen notices an icy mist around Meng Hongchen, indicating her extraordinary martial soul abilities.
• Ye Luochen learns about the reason behind Xiao Hongchen's arrogance: to protect Meng Hongchen from malice.

Character Developments

• Meng Hongchen: Reveals her loneliness and the constant malice she faces due to her unique status and martial soul. She provokes Xiao Hongchen to prevent him from taking the brunt of the animosity.
• Xiao Hongchen: Shows deep affection for his sister, willingly taking on the role of the arrogant and rude genius to protect her.

Significant Themes

• Jealousy and malice: Explores how people treat those who are different or superior, leading to loneliness and powerlessness.
• Sibling affection: Highlights the deep bond between Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen, with each willing to protect the other from harm.

Character Interactions

• Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen: Their sibling relationship is complex, with Meng Hongchen trying to protect Xiao Hongchen from taking on too much animosity, while Xiao Hongchen tries to shield her from harm.
• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen: Ye Luochen learns about the true reason behind Xiao Hongchen's arrogance and Meng Hongchen's provocations, leading to a deeper understanding of their relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen meets Meng Hongchen and learns about her and her brother's unique bond and shared enjoyment in their competitive dynamic.
• Ye Luochen joins the reserve team for an upcoming tournament and meets the official team members, including the captain, Ma Rulong, a sixth-year student and soul emperor.
• The team is set to travel to the Star Luo Empire for the tournament using flight-type soul tools.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen: Realizes he shares similarities with the Hongchen siblings, leading to a newfound friendship. He also understands the importance of preparing for the tournament by reaching peak condition.
• Meng Hongchen: Shows her care for her brother and their shared enjoyment in their competitive dynamic. She also reveals her brother's role as the reserve team captain.

Significant Themes

• Friendship: Ye Luochen finds a genuine connection with the Hongchen siblings, leading to a new friendship.
• Competition: The siblings' enjoyment in their competitive dynamic is a significant aspect of their relationship.
• Preparation: Ye Luochen's focus on reaching peak condition before the tournament highlights the importance of preparation.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen: They bond over their shared understanding of each other, leading to a friendship.
• Ye Luochen and the official team members: Ye Luochen meets the official team members, including the captain, Ma Rulong, and learns about their abilities.
• Meng Hongchen and her brother: Their competitive dynamic and shared enjoyment in it are evident in their interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen, a Soul Ancestor, joins a team led by Jing Hongchen for a mission, worrying about keeping up due to his lower cultivation level.
• Meng Hongchen, Jing Hongchen's sister, gives Ye Luochen two Milk Bottles, soul power storage devices, to help him maintain his flight speed.
• The team flies out of Ming Capital, and Ye Luochen marvels at the capabilities of flight-type soul tools.
• Despite Ye Luochen's initial relief, a sudden soul beast attack occurs, putting the team on high alert.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen: Shows concern for his capabilities in the team and is grateful for Meng Hongchen's help. He also demonstrates his adaptability and quick thinking.
• Meng Hongchen: Exhibits confidence in the team's strength and provides support to Ye Luochen, showing her caring and responsible nature.

Significant Themes

• Teamwork and Support: The team's collective strength is emphasized, and Meng Hongchen's support for Ye Luochen highlights the importance of teamwork.
• Technology and Advancement: The chapter underscores the capabilities of advanced soul tools and their impact on soul masters' abilities.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen: They have a friendly and open conversation, with Meng Hongchen offering guidance and support to Ye Luochen.
• The Team: The team members work together, with each member contributing to defend against the soul beast attack, showcasing their unity and coordination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The team encounters a large group of soul beasts, which they easily defeat using concentrated firepower and soul-guiding shields.
• The team crosses the Mingdou Mountain Range, the border between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire, encountering a tense checkpoint inspection.
• They successfully enter the Star Luo Empire after bribing officials.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen reflects on the power of technology and soul engineers, realizing the growing threat to the original three kingdoms.
• Meng Hongchen shows curiosity about the Star Luo Empire and its attractions.

Significant Themes

• The power of technology and soul engineers, and their potential to reshape the balance of power between nations.
• The tension and friction between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire, and the need for caution in sensitive border zones.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen discuss the Star Luo Empire's attractions, highlighting their growing friendship and camaraderie within the team.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen engage in a conversation about their pasts and aspirations.
• Ye Luochen reveals he studied at Shrek Academy before joining the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.
• Meng Hongchen expresses disappointment in Ye Luochen for not staying at Shrek, creating a "barrier" between them.
• They discuss the possibility of facing Shrek in the tournament and the potential consequences.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen shows a calm and collected demeanor, even when faced with Meng Hongchen's unconventional behavior.
• Meng Hongchen displays her eccentric personality, teasing Ye Luochen and expressing her admiration for Shrek.
• The team's lead instructor shows interest in understanding Shrek's lineup for the tournament.

Significant Themes

• The rivalry between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy is a central theme.
• The importance of loyalty and honor, as well as the potential consequences of betrayal, are explored.
• The vast differences in the experiences and perspectives of characters from different academies are highlighted.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen and Meng Hongchen's banter reveals their familiarity and mutual respect, despite their differing views.
• The team's lead instructor shows interest in Ye Luochen's insights about Shrek, indicating trust and value in his opinion.
• The other team members listen in on the conversation, showing curiosity and engagement in the discussion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Luochen shares information about Shrek Academy's team for the upcoming tournament.
• Shrek's reserve team is selected based on potential, not strength, unlike other academies.
• Shrek's official team for this tournament will be the Shrek Seven Devils.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen demonstrates his knowledge and understanding of Shrek Academy's team dynamics and individual strengths.
• The team leader and members show concern and apprehension upon learning about Shrek's powerful lineup.

Significant Themes

• The importance of advance knowledge and preparation in strategy.
• The power dynamics and respect for the Shrek Seven Devils' legacy.
• The significance of understanding one's own strengths and the opponent's weaknesses.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen interacts with the team leader and members, providing crucial information about their upcoming opponents.
• The team leader tries to boost morale and strategize against Shrek's powerful lineup.
• The team members express their concerns and fears about facing the Shrek Seven Devils.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy team acknowledges the trend of powerful teams not relying on Soul Tools.
• The instructor decides to upgrade the team's soul guidance barriers to level seven for better defense against Shrek's powerful Soul Emperors.
• Ma Rulong, the team captain, claims to have a way to handle Ma Xiaotao (Evil Fire Phoenix).
• The team focuses on formations and tactics, with Ye Luochen diligently cultivating to prepare for any potential competition.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen feels aggrieved and resentful about being looked down upon by Shrek and is determined to prove himself.
• Ma Rulong reveals confidence in handling Ma Xiaotao, suggesting he has a secret weapon.
• The instructor shows strategic thinking, focusing on targeted tactical arrangements against Shrek.

Significant Themes

• The importance of Soul Tools in competition and the strategy of using them against teams that don't.
• The power dynamics between the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy and Shrek, with the former trying to catch the latter off guard.
• The pressure and determination felt by Ye Luochen to prove himself.

Character Interactions

• The team members and instructor discuss strategies based on Ye Luochen's intelligence.
• Ye Luochen interacts with the team, showing dedication to his cultivation despite being a reserve member.
• Ma Rulong and the instructor discuss the team's preparations, with the instructor showing trust in Ma Rulong's plan against Ma Xiaotao.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shrek Academy sends a reserve team to the tournament, surprising and angering the opposing team, Star Luo Academy.
• Ye Luochen, a former Shrek student, analyzes Shrek's situation, suggesting they're facing serious trouble, hence the reserve team's participation.
• Ye Luochen reveals details about Shrek's reserve team members, their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to counter them.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen demonstrates his knowledge and understanding of Shrek Academy and its students, earning respect from Star Luo Academy members.
• The Star Luo Academy team begins to view Ye Luochen as an asset rather than a mere reserve team member.

Significant Themes

• Honor and Reputation: Shrek Academy's extreme importance on honor is highlighted, as they would never send a reserve team lightly.
• Information and Strategy: The chapter emphasizes the importance of knowledge and strategy in combat, with Ye Luochen's insights giving Star Luo Academy a significant advantage.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen interacts with Star Luo Academy's Elder Ma and team members, providing crucial information about Shrek's reserve team.
• The team members' initial resentment toward Ye Luochen turns into respect and appreciation for his insights.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy strategizes to defeat Shrek Academy, their main rival.
• The tournament's first round is a knockout stage, with opponents determined by a draw.
• Shrek Academy sends their reserve team, causing concern that they might have encountered major trouble.
• Three main members of Shrek Academy arrive but do not participate in public activities, fueling speculation about their condition.
• The tournament begins, and Shrek Academy's first match is drawn against Tianling Advanced Soul Master Academy. Shrek sends only their reserve team.

Character Developments

• The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy team members initially become excited about the possibility of facing Shrek but later realize the importance of the draw and the potential for Shrek's main members to join.
• Shrek Academy's reserve team members are revealed to have strong abilities, but their lack of experience is noted.
• Shrek Academy's main members (Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yaoheng, Ling Luochen) are introduced, highlighting their formidable strengths.

Significant Themes

• The importance of knowing one's enemy and oneself in battle.
• The role of luck and strategy in competition.
• The impact of unexpected challenges on a team's performance.

Character Interactions

• The Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy team members discuss and strategize together.
• Shrek Academy's reserve team members are not seen interacting with their main members, suggesting a divide or lack of communication.
• The teams from both academies prepare to face each other on the stage, with the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy watching intently from the sidelines.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shrek Academy's reserve team's first match begins.
• Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong use their Soul Emperor-level simulations to overwhelm Tianling Academy's team in a single strike, winning the match.
• Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's team members learn the truth behind Shrek's performance and realize Shrek is in trouble.
• Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy decides to hide their strength and feign weakness to catch Shrek off guard later.

Character Developments

• Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong demonstrate their strategic thinking and teamwork by using simulations to win the match.
• Elder Ma from Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy shows his shrewdness and analytical skills in deducing Shrek's situation.

Significant Themes

• The theme of deception and misdirection is prominent, with both Shrek and Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy using strategies to hide their true strength.
• The theme of underestimating opponents is also present, as Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy plans to use their opponents' overconfidence against them.

Character Interactions

• Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong work together to create a powerful illusion and win their match.
• Elder Ma shares his insights with the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy team, leading them to a strategic decision.
• The members of Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy discuss and agree on their plan to hide their strength and catch Shrek off guard.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The tournament shifts to a round-robin format, with diverse match modes (one-on-one, two-on-two, etc.).
• Shrek's first match is a one-on-one, individual match.
• Shrek sends Xu Sanshi, a Soul Ancestor with the Black Tortoise Shield martial soul, to compete.

Character Developments

• Elder Ma, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy's strategist, is cautious and calculating. He monitors Shrek's movements and plans to hide their strength until they encounter Shrek.
• Ye Luochen, a reserve team member, wants to prove himself and challenge Shrek but shows respect for Elder Ma's authority.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strategy and adaptability in competition.
• The desire for recognition and validation among young competitors.

Character Interactions

• Elder Ma and Ye Luochen discuss strategy and Ye Luochen's desire to compete.
• Ye Luochen identifies Xu Sanshi as a formidable opponent for Shrek's first match.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Sanshi, a powerful defensive-type Soul Master from Shrek Academy, defeats three opponents consecutively in the first match.
• Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy wins their match without much effort.
• The team observes other matches and notices the increasing strength of competitors.
• Meng Hongchen drags Ye Luochen and Xiao Hongchen out for a day of shopping and sightseeing in the capital.

Character Developments

• Xu Sanshi demonstrates his formidable defensive capabilities.
• Meng Hongchen shows her lively and energetic personality, dragging her brother and Ye Luochen along for a day of fun.
• Ye Luochen and Xiao Hongchen display their patience and tolerance towards Meng Hongchen's antics.

Significant Themes

• The growing strength of competitors in the tournament, hinting at the intense matches to come.
• The contrast between the lively and carefree Meng Hongchen and the more reserved and patient Ye Luochen and Xiao Hongchen.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen spend a day together, with Meng Hongchen leading the way and Ye Luochen and Xiao Hongchen following along.
• Ye Luochen and Xiao Hongchen share a moment of understanding and agreement regarding the exhaustion of shopping compared to cultivation.

Plot Points and Events

• Lin Huaian, a secondary immortal seed, enters the Red Sun Sect's Spirit Gathering Array to sense spiritual energy and cleanse his spirit apertures.
• He bribes the deacon in charge, Yang Ming, with a spirit herb to gain his favor and receive a tip about a dense spiritual energy location.
• Lin Huaian successfully opens four spirit apertures within the array, far exceeding the average new disciple's achievement.
• He is automatically teleported out after twelve hours, and Yang Ming hints at a future aptitude test.

Character Developments

• Lin Huaian demonstrates his cleverness and resourcefulness by bribing Yang Ming and successfully opening four spirit apertures.
• Yang Ming shows himself to be a fair and reasonable deacon, willing to help Lin Huaian due to his exceptional performance.

Significant Themes

• Cunning and Resourcefulness: Lin Huaian's ability to navigate the system and use his wits to gain an advantage is a key theme.
• Favor and Connections: The importance of having influential connections, like Yang Ming, to aid one's cultivation journey is emphasized.

Character Interactions

• Lin Huaian and Yang Ming: Their interaction highlights Lin Huaian's cleverness and Yang Ming's fairness, setting up a potential mentor-mentee relationship.
• Lin Huaian and the System: The system's cognitive error in recognizing Yang Ming as a "great immortal being" is a source of humor and unexpected advantage for Lin Huaian.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The auction presents a mysterious carving knife, which stirs Ye Luochen's martial soul.
• The auctioneer reveals the knife is the 99th ranked 'Spirit-Devouring' carving knife, known for its deadly backlash against its master.
• No one bids due to the knife's curse, but a group suspected to be from Shrek Academy bids 100,000 Gold Soul Coins.
• Xiao Hongchen bids 150,000 Gold Soul Coins on behalf of Ye Luochen.

Character Developments

• Ye Luochen's martial soul is restless and yearns for the Spirit-Devouring carving knife, hinting at a connection between his Dark Iron Blade and the knife.
• The Hongchen siblings, initially confused, realize the knife's danger and hesitate to bid, but ultimately do so at Ye Luochen's insistence.

Significant Themes

• The curse of the Spirit-Devouring carving knife, illustrating the dual nature of power and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
• The struggle between desire and caution, as seen in the Hongchen siblings' decision to bid despite knowing the knife's risks.

Character Interactions

• Ye Luochen's strange behavior catches the Hongchen siblings' attention, leading them to bid on the knife on his behalf.
• The suspected Shrek Academy group bids on the knife, indirectly influencing the Hongchen siblings' decision to bid as well.