Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Simba, a demi-human, awakens in Gu Xin's presence, initially hostile but quickly subdued by Gu Xin's Demon Beast.
• Gu Xin interrogates Simba about his origin and mission in Yin City.
• Simba reveals that he was sent by a powerful lord to cause chaos, and that he didn't eat anyone, but later admits to enjoying the taste of human organs.
• Gu Xin decides to use Simba's body for his card-making path and has the Demon Beast kill him.

Character Developments

• Simba: Initially aggressive and defiant, Simba becomes submissive and desperate to survive as Gu Xin's hostility grows. He reveals his mission and his enjoyment of human organs, leading to his demise.
• Gu Xin: Remains calm and collected throughout the interrogation, showing no mercy towards Simba despite his pleas. He is curious about Simba's origin and mission, and decides to use Simba's body for his own purposes.

Significant Themes

• Humanoid vs. Human: Gu Xin's disdain for demi-humans and his lack of mercy towards them, despite their humanoid appearance.
• Power Dynamics: The power imbalance between Gu Xin and Simba, with Gu Xin holding all the power and Simba desperate to survive.
• Deception and Truth: Simba initially lies about not eating anyone, but his true nature is revealed when he admits to enjoying the taste of human organs.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Simba: Gu Xin interrogates Simba, initially showing kindness but quickly growing hostile when Simba admits to enjoying human organs. He ultimately decides to use Simba's body for his own purposes.
• Simba and the Demon Beast: The Demon Beast acts on Gu Xin's orders, subduing Simba and ultimately killing him.
• Gu Xin and the Demon Beast: Gu Xin gives orders to the Demon Beast, who acts accordingly and shows remorse for using too much force.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A mysterious figure in the outskirts of Yin City is revealed to be the one controlling Simba, a wolf-type demi-human causing unrest in the city.
• The law enforcement squad, led by Captain Chu Zhengnan, discovers demi-human blood and suspects a connection to a recent cultist hideout.
• Gu Xin decides to inform the authorities about the demigod mage's involvement after dealing with Simba's body.

Character Developments

• Gu Xin becomes more determined to refine the [Wolf-kin Asian] card after Simba's death.
• Captain Chu Zhengnan shows concern for the safety of Yin City and its citizens, demonstrating his dedication to his duty.
• Toyokawa Shoko's demeanor improves after the gloom in her heart fades.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between law enforcement and supernatural threats (demi-humans, cultists, and powerful mages).
• The consequences of keeping secrets and the importance of sharing information with authorities.
• The dangers of underestimating one's opponents, as seen in Gu Xin's determination to refine the [Wolf-kin Asian] card.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Toyokawa Shoko maintain a friendly relationship, with Shoko showing concern for Gu Xin's well-being.
• Gu Xin and Captain Chu Zhengnan are not directly connected in this chapter, but their respective investigations into the supernatural threats in Yin City could lead to future interactions.
• Gu Xin and Huang Xiaoming are not present in this chapter, but Gu Xin plans to inform Huang Xiaoming about the demigod mage's involvement, which could lead to further interaction and collaboration.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Xin successfully refines a new card, [Bloodthirsty Hunter], using Simba's corpse as the main material.
• He decides not to curse Simba anymore, as the demi-human contributed his corpse for the card.
• Gu Xin offers to help Toyokawa Shoko learn magic, and she decides to focus on dark magic.
• Gu Xin visits the convenience store owned by his friend Xiaoming's family, bringing milk as a gift.

Character Developments

• Gu Xin: Shows confidence in his card refining abilities, feels satisfied with his new card, and demonstrates care for his employees and friends.
• Toyokawa Shoko: Expresses determination to learn dark magic and help Gu Xin, showing growth and initiative.
• Xiaoming: Briefly appears, maintaining his carefree and frivolous demeanor.

Significant Themes

• Luck and Skill: Gu Xin attributes his successful card refinement to luck, but also acknowledges his own skill.
• Friendship and Care: Gu Xin shows concern for his friends and employees, visiting Xiaoming's family and offering to help Toyokawa Shoko.
• Growth and Learning: Toyokawa Shoko demonstrates her resolve to learn magic and contribute to Gu Xin's shop.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Toyokawa Shoko: They have a friendly exchange, with Gu Xin offering to help her learn magic and Toyokawa Shoko expressing her determination to improve.
• Gu Xin and Xiaoming: Gu Xin visits Xiaoming's family, bringing gifts and showing care for his friend.
• Gu Xin and Simba: Gu Xin has a one-sided conversation with Simba's corpse, expressing both gratitude and regret for using his body to refine a card.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Xin visits Huang Xiaoming, bringing news of a demigod mage's involvement in Yin City.
• Huang Xiaoming reveals he saw Gu Xin eliminating a demi-human and refining it into a card.
• Gu Xin shares that the demi-human belonged to the Frost Wolf Clan and was teleported to Yin City by a mage.
• Huang Xiaoming offers Gu Xin a third-tier wyvern corpse as a gift.

Character Developments

• Huang Xiaoming: Displayed his friendly, easygoing personality and impressive combat skills (third-tier Greatsword Warrior). He is ambitious and pragmatic, valuing opportunities for advancement.
• Gu Xin: Showed his serious and responsible side when discussing the demigod mage threat. He is also practical, accepting Huang Xiaoming's offer of the wyvern corpse.

Significant Themes

• Pragmatism vs. Idealism: Huang Xiaoming and Gu Xin both value practical benefits, but Huang Xiaoming is more openly ambitious, while Gu Xin is more subtle.
• The Value of Information: The intelligence Gu Xin provides about the demigod mage is crucial and could lead to significant rewards.

Character Interactions

• Huang Xiaoming and Gu Xin: Their interaction is friendly and respectful, with Huang Xiaoming showing admiration for Gu Xin's actions and offering him a valuable gift. They share a mutual understanding and trust.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huang Xiaoming gives Gu Xin the wyvern's corpse, encouraging him to create powerful cards.
• Gu Xin decides to refine a light-element card from the wyvern and plans to visit Old Chen's store for materials.
• Huang Xiaoming reports the incident to his superior in Shen City.
• Gu Xin visits Uncle Chen's General Store and encounters Shen Qingcheng (Senior Little Orange).
• Gu Xin suggests that Shen Qingcheng provide study materials for the orphanage children to encourage them to study hard.

Character Developments

• Gu Xin: Shows his kind heart and desire to help others, especially children, by encouraging them to study and improve.
• Huang Xiaoming: Demonstrates his integrity by taking full responsibility for the incident to protect Gu Xin.

Significant Themes

• Kindness and helping others, especially children.
• The importance of education and self-improvement.
• Integrity and responsibility.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Huang Xiaoming: Their friendship deepens as they work together to address the demon threat.
• Gu Xin and Shen Qingcheng: They share a mutual respect and concern for the orphanage children's well-being.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Xin meets Shen Qingcheng, who reveals she knows about his secret realm visit.
• Shen Qingcheng shares information about merfolk in a sea-world secret realm.
• Gu Xin visits Uncle Chen's General Store and buys a [Soul-Devouring Insect] and an [Azure Eye].

Character Developments

• Gu Xin: Shows interest in merfolk and is determined to become an outstanding card maker.
• Shen Qingcheng: Reveals she has connections and cares about Gu Xin's progress, but keeps her own stories private.
• Uncle Chen: Shows his usual mysterious and knowledgeable self, offering valuable materials to Gu Xin.

Significant Themes

• The rarity and value of merfolk and mermaids in the secret realm and main world.
• The importance of connections and networks, as shown by Shen Qingcheng's knowledge of Gu Xin's activities.
• The power dynamics between card makers and other entities, such as the potential for merfolk to be caught and sold for profit.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Shen Qingcheng: They have a friendly and respectful interaction, with Shen Qingcheng offering valuable information to Gu Xin and encouraging his card-making pursuits.
• Gu Xin and Uncle Chen: They maintain their usual dynamic, with Uncle Chen offering valuable materials and Gu Xin showing interest and willingness to buy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Xin is in a world of swords and magic, populated by various magical creatures.
• He buys a third-tier Formless Wind Eye (elemental spirit's eye) and a white wyvern corpse from Uncle Chen's General Store.
• He decides to refine the wyvern corpse into a card despite its high difficulty.

Character Developments

• Gu Xin shows determination and confidence in his card-making abilities.
• Uncle Chen displays his extensive network and rare items, but is also shrewd in business.
• Toyokawa Shoko is dedicated to studying and improving her skills.

Significant Themes

• The rarity and value of magical creatures and their parts.
• The importance of determination and confidence in one's abilities.
• The challenge and allure of refining high-tier materials.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin haggles with Uncle Chen over the price of the Formless Wind Eye.
• Gu Xin calls Wang Quan to ask for something, showing a casual and familiar relationship.
• Gu Xin considers his decision to refine the wyvern corpse, displaying his internal dialogue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Xin decides to create a new card using [Flying Dragon] as the main material.
• He chooses additional materials: [Azure Eye], [Light Element], and a modified [Holy Griffin Feather].
• After an hour and a half of refining, Gu Xin successfully creates a three-star purple, Light-attribute card: [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon].
• Wang Quan arrives, and Gu Xin shares his intention to enter a Sea World secret realm to find mermaids.

Character Developments

• Gu Xin demonstrates his dedication and skill in card refining, creating a high-quality card on his first attempt.
• Wang Quan shows concern and support for Gu Xin's decisions, indicating a strong bond between them.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Perseverance: Gu Xin's determination to create a high-quality card and his willingness to enter a secret realm to find rare materials.
• Friendship and Trust: The camaraderie between Gu Xin and Wang Quan, as Wang Quan supports Gu Xin's plans without question.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Wang Quan's friendly banter and mutual understanding, with Wang Quan teasing Gu Xin about his relationship with Xiangzi.
• Gu Xin seeks Wang Quan's help to enter the secret realm, showing trust in his friend's abilities and judgment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Xin decides to explore the Sea World secret realm for possible merfolk.
• Wang Quan complains about his conflicts with students from the Knight Academy.
• Gu Xin sells Wang Quan the summon card [Fist Demon] for 7 million credits.

Character Developments

• Gu Xin: Shows his generosity by selling a powerful card to Wang Quan.
• Wang Quan: Demonstrates his impulsive and extravagant nature, as well as his trust in Gu Xin's card-making abilities.

Significant Themes

• Friendship: Gu Xin and Wang Quan's friendship is highlighted through their interactions and Wang Quan's trust in Gu Xin's cards.
• Power dynamics: The difference in power between mages and knights is emphasized, as well as the importance of having cards that can both take and deal hits for mages like Wang Quan.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Wang Quan: Their friendly banter and mutual understanding are evident in their conversation.
• Gu Xin and Toyokawa Shoko: Shoko plays a minor role as the shop assistant, processing Wang Quan's payment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Xin is confused and upset by Wang Quan's comment about his tastes not being human.
• Toyokawa Shoko is shocked and disbelieves Gu Xin's preference for normal human girls.
• Shoko decides to change Gu Xin's preferences and buys new clothes.
• Gu Xin finds rats in the area, which is unusual as they're rarely seen in the wild.
• Aunt Huang also sees a large black rat, describing it as standing and staring like a person.

Character Developments

• Gu Xin: Sticks to his belief in liking normal human girls despite Wang Quan's insinuations. Shows care for Shoko's well-being.
• Toyokawa Shoko: Struggles with her feelings for Gu Xin after learning about his preferences. Decides to change his tastes.
• Aunt Huang: Shows concern for Gu Xin's safety and is shaken by the sight of a large black rat.

Significant Themes

• Acceptance of one's preferences and fetishes.
• The unusual and the ordinary in a fantastical world.
• The impact of one's environment on personal beliefs and actions.

Character Interactions

• Gu Xin and Wang Quan: Gu Xin is confused and upset by Wang Quan's comment, leading to a tense interaction.
• Gu Xin and Toyokawa Shoko: Shoko is shocked and disbelieves Gu Xin's preference for normal human girls, leading to a change in her behavior.
• Gu Xin and Aunt Huang: They share an unusual sighting of rats, leading to a conversation about their safety.