Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun, a transmigrated immortal with a unique system, lives in a small mountain village with his immortal spirit beast, a black bull.
• Half a year ago, their crops and chickens were stolen by villagers from the neighboring village. Chen Xun and the black bull attempted to confront them but were beaten and injured.
• Chen Xun receives a point to allocate to his attributes after a year. He allocates it to strength, resulting in a sudden power surge that injures him.
• The village chief sends Little Blackie to deliver rice to Chen Xun, showing kindness and gratitude.
• Chen Xun's thatched cottage burns down, leaving him and the black bull homeless. They move into a cave.
• Chen Xun becomes an apprentice to the village carpenter, and the black bull helps with carrying tasks. The villagers consider the black bull to have spirit and advise Chen Xun not to slaughter it.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Initially grateful for his immortality, Chen Xun becomes resentful after being wronged and beaten. He learns to be more strategic and patient in his plans for revenge. He also becomes more resourceful, learning a trade to survive.
• Black Bull: The black bull becomes more attached to Chen Xun after he adds a point to its strength. It also shows empathy and understanding when Chen Xun is upset about their lost home.

Significant Themes

• Immortality and Loneliness: Chen Xun's immortality brings him both power and loneliness. He finds solace in the company of the black bull and the villagers.
• Justice and Revenge: Chen Xun's initial naivety about the world leads him to seek immediate justice. He later learns the importance of patience and strategy in his quest for revenge.
• Survival and Resourcefulness: Chen Xun and the black bull must adapt to their circumstances, learning to be resourceful and frugal to survive.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: Their bond deepens as they face adversity together. Chen Xun shows kindness and consideration towards the black bull, while the black bull becomes more protective of Chen Xun.
• Chen Xun and the Village Chief/Little Blackie: The village chief and Little Blackie show kindness and gratitude towards Chen Xun, highlighting the goodness in the villagers despite the actions of the neighboring village.
• Chen Xun and the Villagers: The villagers consider Chen Xun and the black bull as part of their community, showing empathy and understanding towards their misfortunes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun allocates points to himself and the Black Ox, enhancing their strength.
• Chen Xun and the Black Ox become blacksmith apprentices but are later dismissed for violating a taboo.
• They start farming and prepare to defend their fields from thieves.
• A cultivator from the Cloud Heaven Sect arrives, offering villagers a chance to become disciples based on their Spiritual Roots.
• Chen Xun discovers he has a Five-Element Mixed Spiritual Root but is not selected for discipleship.
• A villager is killed for disturbing the cultivator's explanation, instilling fear in the villagers.
• Chen Xun and the Black Ox witness the cultivators' departure and decide not to pursue the path of cultivation due to its dangers.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Becomes stronger and more self-aware, learns about the harsh reality of cultivation, and decides to avoid it.
• The Black Ox: Grows stronger alongside Chen Xun, displays confusion and fear when encountering cultivators, and understands the danger of being eaten by them.

Significant Themes

• Strength and its consequences: Chen Xun's increased strength brings him admiration but also unwanted attention and fear.
• The harsh reality of cultivation: The cultivators' arrival reveals their lawless nature, instilling fear and insecurity in Chen Xun.
• The human-cultivator divide: The cultivators are portrayed as powerful but lawless beings, contrasting with the mortal villagers' fear and awe.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and the Black Ox: They work together, grow stronger, and share a deep bond. They also communicate non-verbally, understanding each other's intentions.
• Chen Xun and the cultivators: Chen Xun witnesses the cultivators' power and lawlessness, instilling fear and insecurity in him.
• Chen Xun and the villagers: Chen Xun observes the villagers' reactions to the cultivators, seeing their fear and envy, which influences his decision to avoid cultivation.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull spend twenty years in the village, learning various skills and becoming respected figures.
• Chen Xun discovers he can't increase his strength beyond 20 points and decides to add Longevity Points to speed instead.
• The old village chief passes away, and Chen Xun plays the suona at his funeral.
• Chen Xun faces gossip about his marital status and argues with the villagers, leading to his decision to leave the village.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun becomes more skilled and respected in the village, but faces age-related issues and gossip.
• Black Bull grows from a calf to a respected ox, but also faces threats from villagers who want to capture him for his extraordinary qualities.

Significant Themes

• Aging and mortality: Chen Xun's immortality causes him to stand out and face suspicion among the mortal villagers.
• Belonging and isolation: Despite being respected, Chen Xun and Black Bull feel they don't belong in the village and decide to leave.
• Gossip and reputation: Chen Xun faces false rumors about his marital status, highlighting the power of gossip in small communities.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull have a strong bond, with Chen Xun often teasing Black Bull and Black Bull loyally supporting Chen Xun.
• Chen Xun has a close relationship with Little Blackie and his family, but faces misunderstandings with other villagers.
• Chen Xun argues with Auntie Wang and other villagers about his marital status, highlighting the tension between him and the community.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Big Blackie decide to leave their cave home and seek revenge on those who wronged them twenty years ago.
• They pack up and leave, entrusting their fertile field to Little Blackie's family.
• Chen Xun and Big Blackie target the Wang Family in the neighboring village, starting with desecrating the ancestral graves and destroying their fields.
• Chen Xun infiltrates the Wang Family home, beats up Wang Tianming, and causes chaos before escaping with Big Blackie.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun remains determined and vengeful, but also carefree and optimistic.
• Big Blackie, now grown, is fiercely loyal and holds grudges as strongly as Chen Xun.
• Wang Tianming is now an old man, still arrogant and unrepentant.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and the passage of time.
• The consequences of past actions.
• The power of determination and loyalty.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Big Blackie's bond deepens as they work together to enact revenge.
• Chen Xun's confrontation with Wang Tianming highlights the latter's unchanging arrogance.
• The villagers' futile chase of Chen Xun and Big Blackie emphasizes the pair's superiority in strength and agility.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull are in a mountain forest, where Chen Xun demonstrates his strength by killing a brown bear with a single punch.
• They discuss the dangers of immortals and the importance of discretion while hunting in the wild.
• Chen Xun poses a hypothetical scenario about a conflict between immortals and a Little Heifer over a spiritual herb, testing Black Bull's understanding of survival strategies.
• Black Bull fails to answer correctly, and Chen Xun playfully scares it, causing it to collapse.
• They spot a group of people fighting in the distance and quickly hide their traces before leaving.
• A martial artist from the Hundred Profound Sect stops Chen Xun, suspecting him of being a spy due to his behavior and the presence of Black Bull.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Shows immense physical strength and cunning, teaching Black Bull about survival in the wild and the dangers of immortals. He demonstrates adaptability and caution when dealing with the martial artist.
• Black Bull: Shows understanding and admiration for Chen Xun's teachings but struggles to answer the hypothetical scenario correctly. It displays loyalty and protectiveness towards Chen Xun and the Little Heifers.

Significant Themes

• Strength and caution: Chen Xun's strength allows him to protect Black Bull, but he emphasizes the importance of discretion and avoiding unnecessary conflicts with immortals.
• Survival strategies: Chen Xun teaches Black Bull about the dangers of immortals and the need to avoid attracting unwanted attention while in the wild.
• Adaptability: Chen Xun demonstrates his ability to adapt to different situations, such as when dealing with the martial artist from the Hundred Profound Sect.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: They have a strong bond, with Chen Xun teaching Black Bull about survival and Black Bull showing loyalty and admiration towards Chen Xun.
• Chen Xun and the martial artist: Chen Xun demonstrates caution and adaptability when dealing with the martial artist, trying to avoid conflict and protect Black Bull.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun kills a man named Liu Tian in self-defense and burns his body to hide evidence.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull flee, with the Hundred Profound Sect searching for Liu Tian.
• After half a year, Chen Xun and Black Bull arrive at Panning City, a bustling, prosperous city with a long history.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Shows courage and decisiveness in killing Liu Tian, demonstrating his survival instincts. He also displays curiosity and wonder at the sights of Panning City.
• Black Bull: Proves loyal and protective of Chen Xun, helping him dispose of Liu Tian's body. He also shows excitement and amazement at the city.

Significant Themes

• Survival and self-preservation: Chen Xun's actions in killing Liu Tian and fleeing show his determination to survive.
• New beginnings: The arrival at Panning City signifies a new chapter in Chen Xun and Black Bull's lives.
• The contrast between the wilderness and civilization: The vast, dangerous wilderness contrasts with the bustling, orderly city, highlighting the differences in their experiences.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: Their bond deepens as they face danger together and share new experiences.
• Chen Xun and the city guards: Chen Xun's friendly demeanor earns him a positive response from the guards.
• Chen Xun and the street vendor: Chen Xun's honesty and kindness lead to a friendly exchange, resulting in him receiving a wooden carving as a gift.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull release Wish Lanterns on New Year's Eve, with Black Bull's wish being to "forever follow Chen."
• Chen Xun and Black Bull are rejected by a thriving blacksmith shop but find work at a struggling one, owned by Elder Sun Kaile.
• Chen Xun's skill in blacksmithing improves under Elder Sun's guidance, leading to increased business.
• Zhang Jiang, a martial sect senior disciple, places a large order for one hundred sabers, which Chen Xun agrees to deliver in a month.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun demonstrates his strength and confidence, securing a job and impressing customers.
• Black Bull shows intelligence and loyalty, understanding and reciprocating Chen Xun's affection.
• Elder Sun Kaile, initially reserved, opens up and finds joy in Chen Xun's company, sharing his knowledge of blacksmithing.
• Zhang Jiang, a martial sect disciple, shows camaraderie and respect for Chen Xun's skills, offering protection and goodwill.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and companionship (Chen Xun and Black Bull, Zhang Jiang's respect for Chen Xun)
• Mentorship and skill improvement (Elder Sun teaching Chen Xun)
• Perseverance and hard work (Chen Xun's determination to secure a job and improve his skills)

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: A strong bond forms between the two, with Black Bull showing understanding and Chen Xun demonstrating care and affection.
• Chen Xun and Elder Sun: The two develop a mentor-mentee relationship, with Elder Sun sharing his knowledge and Chen Xun showing respect and gratitude.
• Chen Xun and Zhang Jiang: They form a friendly, professional relationship, with Zhang Jiang showing camaraderie and Chen Xun demonstrating confidence and skill.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun continues to forge iron, improving his control and strength, while also cultivating his Longevity.
• Zhang Jiang, Chen Xun's main customer, dies in a fight, and his sect members collect the blades.
• The iron ore seller raises prices, leading to a confrontation between Chen Xun and the iron ore boss, resulting in Chen Xun's arrest.
• Five years later, Chen Xun's blacksmith shop thrives, but Sun Kaile's health deteriorates, and Chen Xun rushes to buy medicinal herbs.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun's strength and control over his abilities improve significantly.
• Sun Kaile's health worsens, highlighting his mortality and the importance of Longevity to Chen Xun.
• Chen Xun's determination to help his friends within his capabilities is reinforced.

Significant Themes

• Longevity: Chen Xun's pursuit of Longevity for himself and those around him is a central theme.
• Friendship and Loyalty: Chen Xun's dedication to helping his friends, like Sun Kaile and Black Bull, is crucial.
• Balance and Limitations: Chen Xun believes in helping within his limits but not forcing himself beyond them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull's bond deepens, with Black Bull showing understanding and admiration for Chen Xun's words and actions.
• Chen Xun's relationship with Sun Kaile highlights his concern and care for the elderly blacksmith.
• Chen Xun's confrontation with the iron ore boss showcases his willingness to stand up for himself and his friends when wronged.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull tend to Elder Sun, who is ill.
• Sun Kaile (Elder Sun) decides to pass on his smithy to Chen Xun and gives him a cultivation manual, asking him to save money and find a wife.
• Elder Sun dies, and Chen Xun and Black Bull bury him.
• Chen Xun realizes they were overcharged for medicine and decides to learn medicine in the future.
• Chen Xun's smithy gains fame, and he receives marriage proposals, but he remains uninterested in women.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull close their smithy and set off on a journey, leaving behind a delighted competition among nearby smithies.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Shows loyalty and care for Elder Sun, becomes more determined to learn medicine, and maintains his independence and focus on his craft.
• Black Bull: Demonstrates concern for Elder Sun, supports Chen Xun's decision to learn medicine, and remains loyal to Chen Xun.
• Sun Kaile (Elder Sun): Accepts his impending death, passes on his legacy to Chen Xun, and expresses regret about his son's pursuit of immortality.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and friendship: Chen Xun and Black Bull's dedication to Elder Sun and their bond with each other.
• The passage of time and life stages: Elder Sun's decline and death, Chen Xun's growth, and the closure of the smithy.
• The pursuit of knowledge and skills: Chen Xun's decision to learn medicine and his dedication to his craft.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Elder Sun: Their relationship evolves from student and teacher to one of equals, with Chen Xun caring for Elder Sun in his final days.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull: Their bond deepens as they face Elder Sun's illness and death together, and they support each other in their decisions.
• Chen Xun and potential suitors: Chen Xun remains uninterested in romantic relationships, focusing on his craft and personal growth instead.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull visit Panning City, spending money and buying wooden ox carvings.
• They release wish lanterns, with Black Bull refusing to show Chen Xun its wish.
• Chen Xun takes Black Bull to South City to find Doctor Ning Si at Peaceful Medical Hall.
• A street thug tries to lead Black Bull away, leading to a confrontation with Chen Xun.
• Chen Xun defends Black Bull, beating the thug and causing a scene.
• Chen Xun asks Doctor Ning Si to take him in to study medicine and do odd jobs at the medical hall.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Shows his strength and determination to protect Black Bull, revealing his muscular physique and combat skills. He also demonstrates his sincerity in wanting to study medicine.
• Black Bull: Shows its intelligence and loyalty to Chen Xun, protecting him and pleading with Doctor Ning Si.
• Doctor Ning Si: Initially reluctant to take on a disciple, he changes his mind after seeing Chen Xun's determination and strength. He also shows compassion toward Chen Xun's situation.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and friendship: Between Chen Xun and Black Bull.
• Strength and determination: Chen Xun's physical prowess and resolve in protecting Black Bull.
• Compassion and benevolence: Doctor Ning Si's decision to take Chen Xun in, reflecting his kind heart.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: Their bond deepens as they face a threat together, with Black Bull showing its willingness to protect Chen Xun.
• Chen Xun and Doctor Ning Si: Chen Xun's sincerity and strength convince Doctor Ning Si to take him in as a student.
• Chen Xun and the street thug: Chen Xun's quick and decisive action in defending Black Bull earns him the respect of the surrounding people.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun begins learning medicinal herbs under Ning Si's guidance.
• He studies diligently with Black Bull, realizing the vastness and complexity of the art of medicine.
• After five years, Chen Xun becomes a senior attendant and is accepted as a formal disciple by Ning Si.
• During his apprenticeship ceremony, Ning Si praises Chen Xun's character and predicts he will become the most skilled medical practitioner.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Grows from an arrogant youth to a diligent and upright disciple of Ning Si. He learns the importance of virtue in healing and demonstrates his commitment to his duty as a healer.
• Black Bull: Shows intelligence and dedication in learning medicinal herbs alongside Chen Xun. It displays loyalty and happiness in Chen Xun's success.

Significant Themes

• Diligence and Persistence: Chen Xun's dedication to learning, even in the face of the vastness and complexity of medical knowledge, highlights the importance of perseverance.
• Virtue and Integrity: Chen Xun's response to Ning Si's hypothetical scenario about a mountain bandit demonstrates the importance of virtue and integrity in healing.
• Master-Apprentice Relationship: The bond between Chen Xun and Ning Si, as well as the pride and joy Chen Xun feels in becoming Ning Si's disciple, emphasizes the significance of this relationship.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: Their study sessions and shared joy in Chen Xun's apprenticeship showcase their strong bond and mutual support.
• Chen Xun and Ning Si: Their interactions, from Ning Si's initial guidance to his eventual acceptance of Chen Xun as a disciple, illustrate the growth and trust that develop between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun accompanies Ning Si on house calls for three years, treating various illnesses among common folk.
• Chen Xun accidentally reveals his weapons, causing fear among a wealthy landlord's household.
• Chen Xun treats a man poisoned by both mushrooms and a snake bite, using his own money to buy medicine for the patient.
• Chen Xun's reputation for kindness and free treatment spreads, leading to a flood of impoverished patients.
• Chen Xun's financial situation worsens as patients fail to repay him, and he faces criticism for no longer allowing credit.
• Chen Xun decides to leave Peaceful Medical Hall, packing his belongings with Black Bull's help.
• Chen Xun visits Ning Si to say goodbye, receiving a book of his accumulated medical experience as a parting gift.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Becomes more humble and introspective after facing criticism for his past actions. He learns the hard truth about human nature and the limits of his kindness.
• Ning Si: Recognizes Chen Xun's potential and wisdom, despite his initial impression of Chen Xun as foolish. He encourages Chen Xun to hold fast to his original heart.

Significant Themes

• The limits of kindness and charity, and the potential for exploitation.
• The inherent evil of human nature.
• The importance of understanding and learning from one's mistakes.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Ning Si: Their relationship deepens as Ning Si recognizes Chen Xun's potential and Chen Xun demonstrates his loyalty and respect for his master.
• Chen Xun and the common folk: Chen Xun's initial kindness and generosity are met with exploitation and criticism, leading to his decision to leave the medical hall.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull: Chen Xun's bond with Black Bull strengthens as they face adversity together, and they decide to leave the medical hall together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and the Black Bull venture into the Ningyun Mountain Range.
• They encounter a demonic beast, which chases them.
• Chen Xun uses his Mountain-Splitting Axe to kill the demonic beast.
• They cook and eat the demonic beast's meat, then bury the remains and create a fake scene.
• They dig a burrow to sleep in for the night.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun demonstrates his speed and combat skills, revealing he has 18 Longevity Points in Speed.
• The Black Bull shows increased intelligence and understanding of human language.
• Chen Xun displays caution and resourcefulness in dealing with the demonic beast's remains.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptability in a dangerous world.
• The power of knowledge and skill (Chen Xun's speed and combat skills, the Black Bull's recognition of medicinal herbs).
• The importance of preparation and foresight (Chen Xun's careful planning to avoid detection).

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and the Black Bull exhibit a strong bond, showing concern for each other's safety.
• Townsfolk show mixed reactions to Chen Xun's departure, some relieved, others saddened.
• Chen Xun and the Black Bull work together to deal with the demonic beast and create a fake scene.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and the Black Bull find a cultivation art, the Qi Refining Art, which describes how to sense and draw spiritual qi into the body.
• They attempt to cultivate together but fail, leading Chen Xun to suspect their Spiritual Roots are too weak.
• After three years, they've become stronger physically (due to Longevity Points), but their cultivation progress is stagnant. Chen Xun suggests trying magical power, but the Black Bull prefers to focus on the Essence of All Things.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Becomes more confident and assertive, showing a darker side when hunting demon beasts. He's also more open to the Black Bull's ideas.
• The Black Bull: Gains intelligence and understanding, communicates better with Chen Xun, and shows a preference for the Essence of All Things.

Significant Themes

• Cultivation and its challenges: Chen Xun and the Black Bull face difficulties in their cultivation journey, highlighting the struggles and setbacks one might encounter.
• Companionship and mutual growth: The bond between Chen Xun and the Black Bull deepens as they grow stronger together, facing challenges and making decisions as a team.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and the Black Bull continue to interact closely, with Chen Xun often teaching the Black Bull and considering its opinions. They share a unique camaraderie, with Chen Xun treating the Black Bull like a friend rather than a beast of burden.
• Chen Xun's interactions with demon beasts become more aggressive, reflecting his growing strength and confidence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull continue their life of gathering herbs and cultivating in the mountains.
• They discover the use of the Essence of All Things, which can accelerate plant growth.
• They start collecting and burying human bones, accumulating Merit, and encounter bounty hunters looking for them.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: He has embraced his life as a Longevity wild man, finding joy in simple pleasures. He has also become more attuned to his environment and can sense danger, as shown when he dodges arrows.
• Black Bull: It has grown more attached to Chen Xun and is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of Merit. It has also learned to use the Essence of All Things.

Significant Themes

• Merit and Karma: Chen Xun and Black Bull accumulate Merit by burying the dead, showing that good deeds have consequences and rewards.
• Simplicity and Contentment: Chen Xun finds happiness in his simple life, contrasting with his initial desire for a life of solitude and detachment.
• Growth and Cultivation: Both Chen Xun and Black Bull have grown in their cultivation of the Qi Refining Art and in their understanding of the Essence of All Things.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull's bond has deepened. They now work together to bury bones and perform rites, showing a level of teamwork and mutual understanding.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull encounter bounty hunters, hinting at potential future conflicts or challenges they might face together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three martial artists from the Hundred Profound Sect (Senior Brother Su, Junior Sister Wan, and Junior Brother Tian) ambush Chen Xun and Black Bull, mistakenly believing they are the notorious "wild man" and "wild ox" who eat human bones.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull defend themselves, defeating the three sect members.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull burn the bodies, destroy evidence, and scatter the ashes to avoid suspicion.
• The next day, they hear rumors at the mountain foot about a wild man in the mountains, leading them to believe they've been framed.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Shows immense strength and skill, using dual axes to defeat his opponents. He also demonstrates strategic thinking by framing the crime scene to avoid suspicion.
• Black Bull: Displays agility and strength in battle, working in tandem with Chen Xun.
• Senior Brother Su, Junior Sister Wan, and Junior Brother Tian: Reveal their arrogant and ruthless nature, prioritizing their sect's reputation and wealth over innocent lives.

Significant Themes

• Misunderstanding and Perception: The martial artists misjudge Chen Xun and Black Bull based on their appearance and rumors, leading to a violent confrontation.
• Power and Manipulation: The Hundred Profound Sect seeks to boost its reputation and wealth by eliminating perceived threats, demonstrating the corrupting influence of power.
• Survival and Adaptation: Chen Xun and Black Bull must adapt to their situation, framing the crime scene to avoid suspicion and protect themselves.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: The duo works seamlessly together in battle, demonstrating their strong bond and understanding of each other's capabilities.
• Chen Xun and the Martial Artists: The interaction between Chen Xun and the martial artists highlights the arrogance and prejudice of the latter, leading to a tragic misunderstanding.
• Chen Xun and Ning Si: Their interaction reveals Chen Xun's kind heart and concern for his mentor, as well as Ning Si's pride in his disciple despite his worries for Chen Xun's safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun returns to Panning City with Black Bull, reopening the blacksmith shop.
• Neighbors welcome him back, and he shares his secret to longevity: a positive mindset and learning medicine.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull decide to focus on slow cultivation progress instead of seeking dangerous opportunities.
• Half a year later, a major battle among cultivators in the Ningyun Mountain Range shakes Panning City, with cultivators visible in the sky.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: He has become more carefree and content with his life, focusing on personal growth and happiness rather than power or revenge.
• Black Bull: It has learned to be more patient and content with its current cultivation progress, understanding that the journey is more important than the destination.

Significant Themes

• Contentment and happiness in the present moment.
• The importance of personal growth and experience over talent or innate ability.
• The dangers of meddling in other people's affairs or seeking out trouble.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull's bond strengthens as they share their newfound wisdom and understanding of life.
• Chen Xun interacts with his neighbors, sharing his secret to longevity and enjoying their company.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull watch the cultivator battle together, marveling at the power of spells and the spectacle of the fight.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and the Black Bull discover a century-old wild ginseng, deciding to keep it for emergencies instead of selling it.
• After the cultivators' battle in the Skyvault, people rush to the Ningyun Mountain Range seeking immortality, leading to an increase in swindlers, bandits, and coffin sellers, as well as martial sects recruiting disciples.
• Five years pass, and Chen Xun and the Black Bull reach the third layer of the Qi Refining Realm. They help with funeral arrangements for their neighbors who have passed away.
• Chen Xun and the Black Bull leave their street, closing their blacksmith shop, and become traveling snack vendors, opening "Xun's Snacks" in Panning City's West City.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: He becomes more reflective and melancholic as he helps with funerals, realizing that time is passing and people are fading from his memory. He decides to leave their old street and start a new life as a snack vendor.
• The Black Bull: It remains loyal and supportive of Chen Xun, understanding his decisions and helping him run the snack stall. It also shows a newfound ability to handle money.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and the impermanence of life.
• The changing dynamics of society in response to external events (e.g., the cultivators' battle).
• The adaptability of Chen Xun and the Black Bull in the face of change.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and the Black Bull: Their bond deepens as they make decisions together, such as keeping the wild ginseng and starting a new life as snack vendors.
• Chen Xun and his neighbors: Their relationship evolves as they help with funerals, with neighbors expressing gratitude and sadness at Chen Xun's eventual departure.
• Chen Xun and the customers at "Xun's Snacks": He interacts with a diverse range of people, from common folk to cultivators, showcasing his blunt and honest nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull, a wandering cook and his bull companion, encounter a group of cultivators who eat at their stall all night.
• Chen Xun realizes the cultivators are probing him and becomes vigilant.
• The cultivators invite Chen Xun to join their sect as a cook, but he declines.
• Their wandering little house is stolen, prompting Chen Xun and Black Bull to go on a pursuit to retrieve it.
• They find their house with government soldiers, who arrest them for taking up too much space with their stall.
• After ten days in prison, they are released and promise not to cause such issues again.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun: Starts as a carefree cook but becomes vigilant when he senses cultivators. He shows concern for his friends' well-being in the afterlife and is determined to retrieve their stolen house.
• Black Bull: Initially cheerful, Black Bull becomes sorrowful after their friends' deaths. It recovers its spirits after Chen Xun encourages him with the concept of Merit. It becomes enraged and determined when their house is stolen.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of ordinary people against powerful forces (cultivators and government soldiers).
• The importance of home and belonging, as Chen Xun and Black Bull are repeatedly displaced.
• The concept of Merit and its impact on Black Bull's state of mind.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull: They have a close bond, communicating and working together throughout the chapter. Chen Xun encourages Black Bull, while Black Bull supports Chen Xun in their pursuit of the thieves.
• Chen Xun and the cultivators: Chen Xun is cautious around the cultivators, sensing their probe and declining their invitation to join their sect.
• Chen Xun and the government soldiers: Chen Xun is arrested by the soldiers for disrupting the order of the market, leading to a temporary separation from Black Bull.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Xun and Black Bull live as wanderers, eventually returning to Panning City for Master Ning's funeral.
• After a year, Chen Xun and Black Bull attend the Immortal Ascension Assembly, guided by a broker named "Fat Brother."
• They reach Nine-Star Valley, where an array distinguishes cultivators and allows them entry into the Immortal Ascension Assembly.

Character Developments

• Chen Xun has matured, carrying an air of seasoned composure. He's learned to conceal his strength and navigate the world of cultivators more astutely.
• Black Bull remains loyal and protective of Chen Xun.

Significant Themes

• Loss and remembrance of important figures in Chen Xun's life (old village chief, Elder Sun, Master Ning).
• The harsh reality of the cultivation world, where only the strong survive and opportunities are scarce.
• The importance of letting go of unrealistic expectations and enjoying the present.

Character Interactions

• Chen Xun and Black Bull's bond deepens as they face the world together.
• Chen Xun interacts with "Fat Brother," a broker who guides Rogue Cultivators to the Immortal Ascension Assembly. They share insights about the cultivation world and its harsh truths.
• Chen Xun and Black Bull encounter other Rogue Cultivators, who seem to know "Fat Brother" but ignore Chen Xun.