Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya, Bing Naisi, and Carl reach the Otto Merchant Group's shop in City of Chaos.
• Diya demands to see the person in charge, but the attendants are rude and mocking.
• Diya throws one of the attendants and threatens the other, then reveals the Otto Merchant Group's president's emblem.
• The attendants panic and call for the branch manager, Kardom.
• Diya receives a spatial ring containing the required materials and potions for synthesizing Minor Healing Potions.
• Diya and Bing Naisi secure a private room to begin their tasks.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his power and authority by dealing with the rude attendants and revealing the president's emblem.
• Bing Naisi shows his eagerness to absorb the Frost Essence.
• Carl completes his task and receives a reward from Diya.

Significant Themes

• Power and authority can overcome rude and disrespectful behavior.
• The Otto Merchant Group's special status and protection in City of Chaos.
• The value of rare materials and potions.

Character Interactions

• Diya interacts with the rude attendants, showing no tolerance for their behavior.
• Diya and Bing Naisi work together, each focusing on their respective tasks.
• Carl completes his task and receives a reward from Diya, showing their employer-employee relationship.

Summary: “One After Another”

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The Bloodclot Corps vice commander berates an elder who failed to recruit Diya and instead fled after trying to use Bing Naisi as leverage. The vice commander demands full details about this dangerous newcomer.
• At the Frost Warband headquarters, Allen tells his father (the leader) what he witnessed: Diya killed a lower master-ranked elder of the Raging Waves Association with a single barehanded strike, seized a battleaxe, and massacred over a hundred Raging Waves members. The Bloodclot Corps’ attempt to threaten Diya through Bing Naisi also failed.
• Allen’s father analyzes Diya’s likely strength — at least upper master rank, possibly lower king rank — and decides the Frost Warband must not make an enemy of him. He orders Allen to summon his second uncle to plan a recruitment approach.
• The Raging Waves Association vice president is furious over the massacre and wants revenge. Despite suggestions, he deduces Diya may have lower king-ranked strength, worries the City Lord may get involved, and orders “Mad Wolf” to kill Diya quickly.
• The City Lord and his companion Busor discuss Diya favorably, agreeing he is worth cultivating. They decide to throw Diya into the Tidal Forest as a test — if he survives, he may inherit their legacy.
• Diya, unaware of these plots, stays in the Otto Chamber of Commerce and synthesizes Minor Healing Potions using the Horadric Cube. He completes hundreds of potions, drains his soul power, and then rests to recover.
• Meanwhile, a middle-aged Frost Warband elder arrives at the Otto Chamber of Commerce shop, politely asking for “Lord Lei Yan” (Diya’s alias). The shopkeeper Kardom hesitates but tells him Diya is busy, then goes to ask Diya whether he will meet the elder.

2. Character Developments

• Diya (Lei Yan): Shows greatly increased soul power and synthesis speed, maintaining a calm, focused work ethic despite the danger closing in around him.
• Allen: Reports the incident honestly, but displays competitive resentment toward Diya, vowing to surpass him someday.
• Allen’s father: Pragmatic and analytical — sees Diya’s value and potential danger, prioritizes not antagonizing him, and plans to recruit him through goodwill.
• Raging Waves vice president: Hot-tempered but calculating; recognizes Diya’s threat and chooses a specialist killer (Mad Wolf) to handle it quickly.
• Bloodclot Corps vice commander: Disciplinarian, harshly critical of subordinates’ failures, and intrigued enough to investigate Diya further.
• City Lord & Busor: Older, far-sighted figures who view Diya as a potential heir and set a life-or-death trial for him.

3. Significant Themes

• Power and respect: Diya’s overwhelming strength forces the major factions to treat him seriously — some seek to recruit him, others to eliminate him.
• Political intrigue: The three factions each calculate how to use Diya to their advantage, while the City Lord watches from above.
• Isolation and vulnerability: Despite his power, Diya remains unaware of the converging threats; his quiet synthesis work contrasts with the scheming around him.
• Testing and survival: The Tidal Forest trial represents the recurring motif that strength must be proven to earn recognition or inheritance.

4. Character Interactions

• Bloodclot vice commander ↔ elder: Tension and blame; the elder is humiliated and defensive.
• Allen ↔ father: Report and strategic discussion; father corrects Allen’s attitude and issues orders.
• Raging Waves vice president ↔ subordinates: Anger and decision-making; he silences a hotheaded volunteer and orders Mad Wolf.
• City Lord ↔ Busor: Casual, mutually respectful deliberation about Diya’s future.
• Kardom ↔ Frost Warband elder: Cautious, diplomatic exchange; Kardom agrees to relay the meeting request to Diya.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya is interrupted by the elder of the Frost Warband, but Kamdo handles the situation, giving the elder an invitation to a secret event.
• Diya completes his potion synthesis and gives Kamdo the potions.
• A blue dragon flies over the City of Chaos, exerting immense pressure that collapses most people. Diya struggles to stand against it.
• Powerful auras erupt from around the city, and a red-haired old man confronts the blue dragon.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his resilience and determination by standing against the blue dragon's pressure.
• Kamdo shows his resourcefulness and diplomatic skills in handling the Frost Warband elder.
• The blue dragon reveals its intention to rob the city, showing its arrogance and greed.

Significant Themes

• Power and strength: The blue dragon's pressure and the subsequent response from the city's powerful figures highlight the importance of strength in this world.
• Resilience: Diya's ability to stand against the dragon's pressure despite his injuries showcases his resilience and determination.

Character Interactions

• Diya and Kamdo: Diya trusts Kamdo to handle the Frost Warband elder, showing their growing partnership. Kamdo, in turn, respects Diya's work and ensures he's not disturbed.
• The City of Chaos's powerful figures: They respond to the blue dragon's threat, showing unity and collective strength in the face of danger.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A blue dragon attacks a red-haired old man, leading to a fierce battle between them.
• The old man, an Emperor-level expert, uses powerful fire magic to counter the dragon's ice attacks.
• The battle causes significant destruction to the City of Chaos, with many casualties.
• Diya, who was initially knocked unconscious, awakens and watches the battle from a distance.
• The blue dragon, Morina, uses large-scale magic, creating hundreds of ice balls that rain down on the city.
• The human experts, led by the old man, defend the city, intercepting and shattering the ice balls.

Character Developments

• Diya awakens and heals his injuries using a Light Healing Potion, discovering that his body has become stronger.
• Bing Naisi is nowhere to be found, but Diya senses that she is safe and absorbing energy from an ice cocoon.
• The red-haired old man demonstrates his powerful fire magic and strategic thinking, using Great Fireballs to distract Morina and a giant flaming spear as his true attack.
• Morina, the blue dragon, exhibits immense power and arrogance, using large-scale magic to threaten the human experts.

Significant Themes

• The power struggle between humans and dragons, with each side demonstrating their unique strengths.
• The destructive potential of large-scale magic and the importance of strategic thinking in combat.
• The theme of healing and growth, as Diya's body becomes stronger after using the Light Healing Potion.

Character Interactions

• Diya and Bing Naisi: Diya is concerned for Bing Naisi's safety and senses that she is unharmed within an ice cocoon.
• The red-haired old man and Morina: The old man and the blue dragon engage in a fierce battle, with each trying to gain the upper hand.
• The human experts and Morina: The human experts work together to defend the City of Chaos against Morina's attacks, showcasing their teamwork and coordination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A blue dragon attacks the City of Chaos, using dragon language magic to freeze and incapacitate a dozen Emperor-tier powerhouses.
• The City Lord, a God-tier powerhouse, appears and seals the dragon, preventing its escape.
• The City Lord offers to spare the dragon's life if it surrenders some of its blood, which can be used to heal injuries and strengthen humans.
• The dragon refuses, and the City Lord decides to imprison it, awaiting retaliation from Dragon Valley.

Character Developments

• Diya witnesses the power of dragon language magic and the vast difference in strength between himself and a God-tier powerhouse, fueling his desire to grow stronger.
• The blue dragon demonstrates its arrogance and pride, initially refusing to back down from the City Lord but later yielding when faced with certain death.

Significant Themes

• The vast disparity in power between different tiers of strength, emphasizing the struggle and ambition of those seeking to improve themselves.
• The pride and arrogance of powerful beings, leading them to underestimate or provoke others, often with severe consequences.

Character Interactions

• The blue dragon displays its disdain for humans, dismissing their weakness and threatening the City Lord with retaliation from Dragon Valley.
• The City Lord demonstrates his power and authority, sealing the dragon and imprisoning it despite its threats and attempts to negotiate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya watches the blue dragon and gray figure disappear after the battle.
• He returns to the Otto Merchant Group's shop, witnessing the aftermath of the battle—thousands injured and unconscious.
• An assassin, Mad Wolf, attacks Diya, who manages to evade a fatal strike but is injured.
• Diya faces off against Mad Wolf, trying to detect and counter his concealment technique.
• Diya deduces Mad Wolf's movements and prepares a counterattack using his Great Thunder Annihilation Battle Qi.

Character Developments

• Diya shows impressive composure and strategic thinking under pressure, demonstrating his potential as a future City Lord.
• Mad Wolf's skills and confidence in his concealment technique are revealed.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strength and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
• The danger of underestimating opponents and the need for vigilance.
• The potential consequences of the upcoming disaster and the search for a solution.

Character Interactions

• Diya's interaction with the red-haired old man shows respect and acknowledgment from an experienced expert.
• The conversation between Busor and Bekate reveals their intentions to nurture Diya as the City Lord's successor and their plans to enter Hamunaptra.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya faces Mad Wolf, an assassin from the Raging Waves Association.
• Mad Wolf uses his Dark Mist Assassination Art, blinding Diya and distorting his senses.
• Diya uses a sword strike that comprehends the laws to dispel the Dark Mist and reveal Mad Wolf.
• Mad Wolf retreats after realizing Diya's power.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his ability to comprehend the laws, impressing the two God-level experts.
• Mad Wolf shows his cunning and adaptability but ultimately retreats when outmatched.

Significant Themes

• The power of comprehension and understanding over raw strength.
• The importance of adaptability and caution in battle.

Character Interactions

• Diya and Mad Wolf engage in a deadly battle, showcasing their unique abilities.
• Bekate and Busor observe the battle, impressed by Diya's growth and deciding to support him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya Luo kills Mad Wolf using rule simulation, consuming a significant amount of soul power.
• Diya Luo enters the Otto Chamber of Commerce's shop and is mysteriously transported to an empty, white mist-filled space.
• A green-robed figure appears, revealing that he knows Diya Luo's past and present actions, including his acquisition of Hell Fragments.
• The green-robed figure sentences Diya Luo to enter Tidal Forest as punishment for breaking the City of Chaos' rules.
• As a reward for surviving Tidal Forest, Diya Luo will receive two Hell Fragments and another unspecified reward.

Character Developments

• Diya Luo shows growth in his combat abilities, defeating Mad Wolf using rule simulation.
• Diya Luo remains calm and composed even when faced with an unknown, divine-ranked expert.
• Diya Luo's past is revealed, showing his journey from a bullied youth to a powerful mercenary.

Significant Themes

• Power and Weakness: Diya Luo's power grows, but he is still vulnerable to divine-ranked experts, highlighting the theme of power dynamics.
• Secrets and Revelations: The green-robed figure knows Diya Luo's secrets, challenging Diya Luo's control over his own narrative.
• Consequences and Rewards: Diya Luo's actions have consequences (entering Tidal Forest), and he is promised rewards (Hell Fragments and another reward) if he survives.

Character Interactions

• Diya Luo interacts with the green-robed figure, who has vast knowledge of Diya Luo's past and present actions.
• The green-robed figure reveals that he is part of a group (referring to 'we'), suggesting a larger organization or force at play.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya is left alone in a boundless white mist, which suddenly forms a vortex and sucks him into a black opening.
• He awakens in a lush, quiet forest—later identified as Tidal Forest—with a spatial barrier behind him.
• Diya encounters a small, adorable creature resembling a pig, which transforms into a savage, tusked monster when attacked.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates resilience and adaptability, facing the unknown and a powerful creature without his Battle Qi.
• The City Lord and Busor (azure figure) discuss Diya's fate, revealing Tidal Forest's purpose and the City Lord's expectations.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality: The initially beautiful and peaceful Tidal Forest harbors dangerous creatures and hidden threats.
• Consequences of Actions: Diya's attempt to attack the creature leads to it transforming into a formidable opponent.
• Adversity and Growth: Diya must adapt and survive without his Battle Qi, hinting at potential growth and development.

Character Interactions

• Diya interacts with the mysterious creature, initially seeing it as food but later facing it as a powerful enemy.
• The City Lord and Busor discuss Diya's prospects, setting expectations for his time in Tidal Forest.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya encounters a monstrous pig in Tidal Forest and is injured while trying to evade it.
• He manages to kill the pig using his physical strength and a greatsword, but discovers his Battle Qi and most of his soul power are sealed.
• Diya realizes that Tidal Forest restrains cultivators' energy and understands why it's feared.
• He cuts off a piece of the pig's meat to eat, but struggles with the raw, bloody flesh.
• A large, aggressive beast arrives, eating the scattered pig flesh, and approaches Diya's hiding spot.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his agility, strength, and quick thinking in evading and killing the monstrous pig.
• He shows resilience and adaptability in accepting his situation and finding ways to survive.
• Diya's maturity and resourcefulness are evident as he tries to outsmart the approaching beast.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptability in a dangerous environment.
• The loss of one's powers and the fear it instills.
• The struggle between intelligence and instinct in both humans and beasts.

Character Interactions

• Diya interacts with the monstrous pig and the large beast, showcasing his combat skills and survival instincts.
• Though not present, Bing Naisi's well-being is a concern for Diya, highlighting their bond.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya finds himself surrounded by a Tiger-Leopard Beast and a venomous snake.
• He decides to provoke them into fighting each other by throwing a piece of meat from the strange pig he killed earlier.
• The two creatures engage in a fierce battle, giving Diya the chance to escape.
• A colossal dinosaur-like beast arrives and devours the weakened Tiger-Leopard Beast and the snake.
• Diya summons three Orlac spiders and rides one of them to escape the area.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his calm and strategic thinking under pressure, using the beasts' territorial instincts to his advantage.
• He shows resourcefulness by using the strange pig's flesh to distract the beasts.
• Diya's decision to summon Orlac spiders indicates his adaptability and understanding of his current limitations (e.g., no energy-based abilities).

Significant Themes

• Survival: Diya's primary goal is to survive the dangerous environment he's in, showcasing his resourcefulness and adaptability.
• Territoriality and aggression: The beasts' territorial instincts and aggressive nature drive their actions and create an opportunity for Diya's escape.

Character Interactions

• Diya interacts indirectly with the Tiger-Leopard Beast and the venomous snake by provoking them into fighting each other.
• He also interacts with the colossal dinosaur-like beast by fleeing from it, showcasing his ability to assess and respond to threats.
• Diya's relationship with the Orlac spiders is one of command and control, as he summons them and uses them to escape the area.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya, riding an Orlac Spider, navigates through the Tidal Forest, encountering deadly gravitational zones, black devouring regions, and a blood-red explosive area.
• He encounters a woman who shoots an arrow at him, mistaking him for a ferocious beast.
• Diya offers her roasted meat, and they start a fire together. They don't speak much, but Diya aims to build a relationship with her to learn more about the forest.

Character Developments

• Diya shows caution, adaptability, and strategic thinking in navigating the dangerous forest. He also displays friendliness and a willingness to trade with the woman to gain her trust.
• The woman is cautious, vigilant, and resourceful, having survived in the forest for some time. She's wary of Diya but is also hungry and interested in trading for food.

Significant Themes

• Survival: Both characters prioritize survival in the harsh, dangerous environment of the Tidal Forest.
• Trust and Caution: Both characters are cautious and wary of each other, but Diya tries to build trust through friendliness and offering food.
• Trade and Barter: The woman mentions trading, suggesting a community or network of survivors in the forest who barter goods.

Character Interactions

• Diya and the woman are initially wary of each other but share a meal, with Diya trying to build trust and learn about the forest from her.
• Their interaction is tense but cordial, with each trying to gauge the other's intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya meets Wind Fox, a woman who trades information for roasted meat.
• Wind Fox explains the dangers of the Tidal Forest, including various regions and fierce beasts.
• Diya learns about poisoned weapons and essence cores from Wind Fox.
• Wind Fox reveals the existence of a human camp and mentions elemental tides.

Character Developments

• Diya shows curiosity and adaptability in learning about the Tidal Forest.
• Wind Fox displays caution and mistrust, hinting at past betrayals.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptation in harsh environments.
• Trust and betrayal among humans.
• The value of information and knowledge.

Character Interactions

• Diya and Wind Fox engage in a trade of information for food.
• Wind Fox shares her knowledge about the Tidal Forest, showing Diya respect and admiration for his survival skills.
• Diya shows empathy for Wind Fox's past experiences, understanding her mistrust of others.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An Elemental Tide, a chaotic and destructive phenomenon, approaches Diya and Wind Fox's camp.
• Diya and Wind Fox escape on an Orlac Spider, leaving their camp behind.
• The Orlac Spider is destroyed by the Elemental Tide, but Diya saves Wind Fox.
• They take refuge among a cluster of giant trees, which blocks most of the Elemental Tide.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his strength, reflexes, and calmness under pressure, impressing Wind Fox.
• Wind Fox reassesses Diya, seeing him as more experienced than a typical newcomer to Tidal Forest.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the Fittest: The harsh environment of Tidal Forest forces individuals to rely on their strength and adaptability to survive.
• Respect for the Strong: Wind Fox's respect for Diya grows as she witnesses his capabilities.

Character Interactions

• Diya and Wind Fox work together to escape the Elemental Tide, leading to a bond of trust between them.
• Diya saves Wind Fox's life, further cementing their alliance.
• Wind Fox shares information about the human settlement and its ruling faction, Blood Slaughter, with Diya.

Key Plot Points and Events

1. Diya and Wind Fox survive the elemental tide and continue their journey.
2. They encounter and kill a Pink Pig and a Fierce Jackal, using them as fees to enter Tidal Camp.
3. Tidal Camp, a human settlement in Tidal Forest, comes into view.

Character Developments

1. Diya demonstrates his combat prowess without a weapon, using his legs to kick the Fierce Jackal and his dagger to kill it.
2. Wind Fox shows her experience and resourcefulness in dealing with fierce beasts and using Concealment Powder to stop bleeding.

Significant Themes

1. Survival: Both Diya and Wind Fox must rely on their skills and resources to survive in the dangerous Tidal Forest.
2. Adaptability: Diya adapts to fighting without his greatswords, using his legs and a dagger instead.
3. Cooperation: Diya and Wind Fox work together to deal with the fierce beasts they encounter.

Character Interactions

1. Diya and Wind Fox: They work together to hunt fierce beasts and share information about the environment and their destination, Tidal Camp.
2. Diya and the Fierce Jackal: Diya demonstrates his combat skills and adaptability by defeating the Fierce Jackal without his greatswords.
3. Wind Fox and the Pink Pig: Wind Fox shows her experience and resourcefulness in dealing with the Pink Pig, using her archery skills and Concealment Powder.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya and Wind Fox arrive at Tidal Camp, where they're harassed by two burly men from Blood Slaughter.
• They pay an entry fee of half a Pink Pig, which allows them to stay for four days.
• Diya learns about the beast pen and the different types of toxin potions.
• Diya exchanges half a Savage Jackal for three Weakening Potions and three Deathbane Potions.
• Other camp residents attempt to buy Diya's spatial ring, leading to a tense standoff.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his calm and collected demeanor under provocation, showing no fear despite being outnumbered.
• Wind Fox shows familiarity with the camp's rules and dynamics, acting as a guide for Diya.
• The burly men and other camp residents display their greed and willingness to exploit newcomers.

Significant Themes

• The chaotic nature of the world, where strength and valuable items dictate one's status and safety.
• The harsh survival conditions in the camp, where even basic necessities like food and shelter must be fought for.
• The importance of spatial rings, which are highly coveted due to their ability to store items.

Character Interactions

• Diya and Wind Fox work together to navigate the camp, with Wind Fox providing information and Diya handling potential threats.
• Diya and the burly men engage in a tense exchange, with Diya's calm demeanor contrasting with their aggressive behavior.
• The camp residents show interest in Diya's spatial ring, leading to a standoff when they attempt to buy it.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya and Wind Fox enter Tidal Camp, a place where rule-breakers from the City of Chaos are sent.
• Diya meets Saladin, a dwarf blacksmith, and provokes him by questioning the quality of his weapons.
• Diya challenges Saladin to a duel, but Saladin suggests a private discussion instead.

Character Developments

• Diya demonstrates his arrogance and confidence, provoking Saladin without fear of consequences.
• Wind Fox shows concern for Diya's actions, aware of the potential backlash from offending Saladin.
• Saladin reveals his pride and quick temper, but also displays adaptability and scheming.

Significant Themes

• The importance of weapons and resources for survival in Tidal Forest.
• The pride and skill of the dwarf race, particularly in weapon forging.
• The potential consequences of provoking powerful individuals in a dangerous environment.

Character Interactions

• Diya and Saladin's interaction is filled with provocation and tension, culminating in a challenge.
• The onlookers express pity for Diya, aware of the potential repercussions of offending Saladin.
• Wind Fox shows concern for Diya, indicating a growing bond between them.

Here is a concise summary of the chapter:

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Diya exits Saladin's smithy after an earlier confrontation. To the crowd’s surprise, Saladin forgives Diya, praises his sincere apology, and gifts him a pitch-black greatsword—implying Diya had won him over through a seemingly humble act.
• A Blood Slaughter thug approaches Diya and orders him to follow; Diya ignores him. When the thug attacks, Diya breaks his arm.
• Wind Fox warns Diya of Blood Slaughter’s power and urges him to flee, but Diya remains, revealing he wants to attract their attention—only not through a low-ranking messenger.
• Blood Slaughter sends a squad captain with dozens of men. Diya declares he would not refuse the invitation, but claims the low-ranking envoy was "not qualified." When the captain orders him captured, Diya attacks first, severely injuring the captain and several members in a brutal display of strength.

2. Character Developments

• Diya/Lei Yan: Shows cunning, strategic patience, and fearless pragmatism. He deliberately provokes a powerful faction to gauge their response, refuses to be summoned by minor figures, and demonstrates overwhelming combat ability. His earlier “apology” to Saladin appears calculated, revealing a manipulative streak beneath his composed exterior.
• Saladin: Displays unpredictability and generosity—moody toward the crowd but warm to Diya after the ritual of apology and respect for his people.
• Wind Fox: Chooses self-preservation over loyalty, abandoning Diya because she knows Blood Slaughter’s reach. The narrative notes that this decision costs her a future opportunity, hinting at regret to come.

3. Significant Themes

• Power and respect: Respect must be earned—Diya ignores low-rank invitations and forces Blood Slaughter to escalate, using violence to prove his worth.
• Survival and pragmatism: Wind Fox’s departure highlights Tidal Forest’s brutal Darwinism; personal ties are secondary to survival.
• Individual versus organization: Diya stands alone against a dominant force, signaling a solo hero’s defiance of institutional power.
• Opportunity cost: Wind Fox’s cautious choice may lead to long-term loss, foreshadowing the price of fear.

4. Character Interactions

• Diya & Saladin: A transaction veiled in ritual—Diya’s “sincere” apology earns him a valuable weapon, and Saladin treats him as a favored guest.
• Diya & Wind Fox: A practical alliance of convenience; Wind Fox warns him but leaves when danger becomes real, and Diya accepts her departure without resentment.
• Diya & Blood Slaughter: A direct challenge—Diya refuses intimidation, cripples their subordinate, and then ambushes the squad when attacked, demonstrating that he is not prey but a predator.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diya faces off against Blood Slaughter, a powerful group in Tidal Forest.
• Blood Slaughter uses poison on their weapons, but Diya skillfully dodges their attacks.
• Diya injures several members, including a squad leader, without taking any damage himself.
• Blood Slaughter's Second Leader, Blood Hand, arrives. Diya challenges him, offering a level-nine Magic Crystal as a reward.
• Diya dodges Blood Hand's initial attack and counters, injuring him. He then declines Blood Hand's offer to become a battalion commander.

Character Developments

• Diya: Demonstrates exceptional combat skills, agility, and strategic thinking. He is calm under pressure and uses his opponents' attacks against them. He also shows no fear in facing a powerful enemy like Blood Hand.
• Blood Hand: Reveals his strength and speed, but Diya manages to dodge his initial attack. He offers Diya a position in Blood Slaughter, showing his desire to recruit strong fighters.

Significant Themes

• Strength: In Tidal Forest, strength is everything. Diya's strength and skill earn him respect and attention.
• Power Dynamics: Diya challenges Blood Hand to establish a power dynamic between them, showing that he is not afraid to face powerful enemies.
• Recruitment and Loyalty: Blood Hand attempts to recruit Diya, highlighting the importance of strong fighters in maintaining power and influence.

Character Interactions

• Diya vs. Blood Slaughter: Diya demonstrates his combat skills against Blood Slaughter's members, injuring several without taking damage himself.
• Diya vs. Blood Hand: Diya challenges Blood Hand, showing no fear despite the power difference. He dodges Blood Hand's initial attack and injures him, establishing a power dynamic between them.
• Diya and the Crowd: The crowd watches Diya's fight, impressed by his skills and strength. They discuss his background and potential, showing their respect and curiosity.

Chapter Outline: Blood Mad's Formidable Strength

Opening Scene — Aftermath of the Street Fight

• Diya stands victorious amid the groaning Blood Slaughter members; onlookers stare in disbelief
• He has evaded Blood Hand's attack and sent the third leader staggering with a single punch
• Tension breaks when Blood Hand smiles and asks the stranger's name — Diya gives the alias "Lei Yan"
• Diya's internal observation: Wandering Soul Organization has reach even into Tidal Forest's underworld; unknown whether Blood Slaughter serves Wandering Soul entirely or only Blood Hand does

Invitation to Blood Slaughter HQ

• Blood Hand issues an invitation that is politeness veiled as a command; Diya accepts immediately
• His goal achieved: drew the attention of a leader-level figure and uncovered a Wandering Soul connection
• Diya's internal reasoning: if Blood Hand knows his name, there's communication with the outside world; if not, he's been here long enough to be ignorant. Either way, he must verify
• Blood Hand orders the burly man in red to have the wounded carried back
• Departure of Blood Hand and Diya leaves a dramatic talking point for survivors — and Wind Fox, watching from afar, feels regret for not rushing to Diya's aid earlier, sensing a lost opportunity

Arrival at Blood Slaughter HQ

• Headquarters sits in the camp's right-hand corner, larger and more solidly built than surrounding structures
• Blood Hand leaves Diya in the main hall
• Description of the hall: three large chairs in an arc, the center one raised; crossed golden-red battleaxes painted on the wooden wall; six chairs along each side

Introduction to Leadership

• Footsteps in the rear — three people; Diya identifies one as Blood Hand
• Blood Burst (chief leader): over two meters tall, muscular build straining his dark red robe, embroidered crossed battleaxes, bald, fierce despite his welcoming smile
• Blood Mad (third leader): appears young, dark red long hair, cold expression contradicted by arrogant, sovereign-like eyes — the emblem of crossed longswords on his chest
• Blood Hand completes the introduction; Blood Mad steps forward and demands a fight — "I hear you are very strong. Do you dare fight me?"

The Duel Begins

• Diya accepts with a laugh
• Blood Burst and Blood Hand exchange glances; group moves to the spacious rear courtyard
• Blood Burst warns Blood Mad to be careful — Blood Mad retorts that if this man can't beat him, he has no right to stand there
• Blood Mad draws twin blood-red longswords — Diya recognizes him as a rare dual-swordsman
• Diya draws his pitch-black greatsword in response

Opening Exchange — The Clash of Blades

• Blood Mad threatens death; Diya counters: "When you fight me, you need not prepare to die, because I will spare your life"
• Blood Mad's rage shows — his name, his nature, and his hatred of anyone more arrogant than himself
• Blood Mad clangs the swords together, stamps forward, and thrusts both blades like striking vipers
• Diya neither dodges nor evades — thrusts his longer greatsword straight forward; the mutual strike would kill Blood Mad first
• Blood Mad halts, plants his foot as an axis, spins around Diya's side, and slashes — but Diya has vanished

Diya's Show of Power

• Blood Mad feels crushing pressure from above; crosses both swords overhead
• The greatsword slams down like splitting a mountain — Blood Mad cannot withstand it, one knee hammering a hole into the floorboards with radiating cracks
• Wind pressure from the strike scatters dust across the courtyard
• Blood Mad roars in fury, erupts with violent aura, flings the greatsword upward with explosive strength and sweeps his sword sideways — but Diya has already retreated

Blood Mad's True Skill Awakens

• Blood Mad's arrogance grows; a blood-colored light veils his eyes
• He throws back his head and cries out, voice rising to thunder, seemingly shaking the clouds
• Blood Burst and Blood Hand grow solemn — Diya puzzled at first, then his expression changes
• A hidden aura emerges from Blood Mad and slowly accumulates; Diya senses a terrible toughness within it

The Transformation

• A storm of air pressure explodes from Blood Mad's body — dust whips into small whirlwinds before dispersing
• Blood Mad appears physically unchanged, but Diya senses via soul power that he is completely different — sharp as a sword's edge
• Diya perceives the essence of it: madness — extreme, soul-deep madness, utterly natural to Blood Mad; currents of air flicker around his body
• Blood Mad's glance is like two sharp swords; Diya's eyes ache faintly

Blood Mad's Blinding Speed

• Blood Mad vanishes, becoming a streak of blood-lightning; two faint red rays tear through the air
• Diya leaps backward, both hands gripping his greatsword, and slashes down
• Clang — Diya's hands go numb; shock fills him
• The second red ray stabs forward like a venomous snake

Chapter Cliffhanger — Diya Wounded

• Shhk — blood sprays; a small hole is torn through Diya's black robe
• A blossom of red blooms across his chest, droplets scattering through the air
• Intense pain spreads, as though multiplied beyond the wound's severity
• Diya uses the collision's force to retreat, then shifts sideways — poised to weather Blood Mad's next attack