Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang borrows money from a loan shark, Speedy Loan Treasure, to recharge his cultivation system.
• He borrows ten thousand, receiving seven thousand, and later borrows twenty thousand, receiving fourteen thousand.
• After each recharge, his Blood-Qi Value increases, allowing him to advance in rank as a martial artist.
• He receives a call from his school's Academic Affairs Office, summoning him to the office.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang: Initially portrayed as a broke student, he discovers a cultivation system that allows him to advance in rank by spending money. He becomes more confident and assertive, showing no hesitation in borrowing money despite the high interest rates and risks.
• The Bald Man (Loan Shark): Initially skeptical of Li Zhengyang's intentions, he becomes intrigued by the young man's calm demeanor and willingness to borrow more money. He warns Li Zhengyang about the risks but ultimately agrees to his requests.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of easy money and the consequences of reckless borrowing.
• The pursuit of power and advancement at any cost.
• The lack of morals and ethics in Li Zhengyang's decision-making process.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and The Bald Man: Their interaction is tense yet intriguing, with Li Zhengyang's calm demeanor and assertiveness contrasting with the loan shark's initial skepticism and eventual curiosity.
• Li Zhengyang and Director Wang (over the phone): Their brief interaction hints at potential trouble at Li Zhengyang's school, with Director Wang summoning him to the office for an unknown reason.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang is called to the Academic Affairs Office by Director Wang, who wants to discuss a special opportunity for impoverished students to enter undergraduate programs at Martial Arts University.
• Director Wang reveals that his nephew, Wang Ming, also meets the requirements and wants Li Zhengyang to give up his slot.
• Li Zhengyang, understanding the implicit offer, haggles for the price of the slot, eventually settling at two hundred thousand yuan.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his intelligence and shrewdness in negotiating the price, showing that he is not just a poor student but a capable and resourceful individual.
• Director Wang is portrayed as corrupt and willing to use his position for personal gain, while also being manipulative in his dealings with Li Zhengyang.
• Wang Ming is shown to be arrogant and impatient, reflecting his privileged background and lack of understanding of Li Zhengyang's circumstances.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the rich and the poor, with Director Wang and Wang Ming exploiting their position to take advantage of Li Zhengyang's circumstances.
• The value of education and the opportunities it provides, as Li Zhengyang is willing to give up a chance at an undergraduate degree for financial gain.
• The theme of corruption and the abuse of power, as Director Wang uses his position to manipulate the system for personal gain.

Character Interactions

• The interaction between Li Zhengyang and Director Wang is tense, with Li Zhengyang playing the role of the poor, reluctant student while subtly negotiating the price of the slot.
• The dynamic between Director Wang and Wang Ming is one of mutual manipulation, with Director Wang using his nephew's desire for an undergraduate degree to pressure Li Zhengyang, while Wang Ming is impatient and willing to pay a high price for the slot.
• Li Zhengyang's interaction with Wang Ming is one of subtle disdain, as he acknowledges Wang Ming's status as a senior but does not show him the respect he expects.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang receives 200,000 yuan in his account.
• He immediately takes leave from school to focus on advancing his martial arts realm.
• He spends all 200,000 yuan to breakthrough to Rank-Two Martial Master.
• He experiences Marrow Cleansing, expelling impurities from his body.
• He goes to a breakfast shop and eats an enormous amount of food for 30 yuan, causing the owner to lose money.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang advances from Rank-Two Martial Warrior to Rank-Two Martial Master, experiencing physical changes and increased strength.
• He demonstrates his appetite and ability to consume large amounts of food, which is connected to his increased energy needs due to his martial arts advancement.

Significant Themes

• The struggle and determination of the poor to improve their circumstances.
• The power of martial arts and the physical changes that come with advancement.
• The consequences of one's actions on others (Li Zhengyang's breakfast spree causes the shop owner a loss).

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts with Director Wang, asking for leave to focus on his martial arts advancement.
• He interacts with Old Zhou, the breakfast shop owner, negotiating an all-you-can-eat deal and causing the owner a loss due to his immense appetite.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang, a recent graduate from Martial Arts Junior College, visits the East City branch of the Martial Artists' Office to find jobs.
• He plans to accept a job to kill 5 First Rank Demonic Beasts, Earth-Toothed Rats, for a reward of ¥10,000.
• He learns he needs a Martial Warrior Qualification Certificate and strength certification to accept jobs, which cost ¥5,000.
• Li Zhengyang fails to find a team willing to take him on without certification, until he meets Zhao Hu and Shen Wei, who agree to let him join their team.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang: He's desperate for money, underestimates the requirements for jobs, and is resourceful in finding a way to join a team despite lacking certification.
• Zhao Hu: A First-Grade Martial Master, experienced, and willing to take a risk on Li Zhengyang. He's tough but fair.
• Shen Wei: A Rank-Nine Martial Warrior, young, and practical. She's cautious about taking Li Zhengyang on but ultimately agrees.

Significant Themes

• Poverty and Opportunity: Li Zhengyang's desperation for money drives him to seek jobs, but he's hindered by the lack of certification, highlighting the cycle of poverty.
• Trust and Risk: Zhao Hu and Shen Wei take a risk on Li Zhengyang, trusting his strength despite his lack of certification. This trust is based on Li Zhengyang's confident demeanor and Zhao Hu's assessment of his strength.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and Zhao Hu/Shen Wei: Li Zhengyang's interactions with Zhao Hu and Shen Wei are brief but significant. Zhao Hu assesses Li Zhengyang's strength and decides to take a risk on him, while Shen Wei is more cautious but ultimately agrees to let him join.
• Li Zhengyang and Liu Ting: Li Zhengyang's interaction with Liu Ting, the receptionist, is brief but informative. She explains the requirements for jobs and directs him to where teams recruit.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang, Zhao Hu, and Shen Wei embark on a mission to clear Earth-Toothed Rats in a mine cave.
• Li Zhengyang is used as bait, but he turns the tables by killing Shen Wei and Zhao Hu.
• He then kills the Earth-Toothed Rats and returns to the East City Office to collect his bonus.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang: He proves himself to be ruthless, decisive, and resourceful. He's not afraid to take risks and acts quickly when he sees an opportunity.
• Zhao Hu: He's manipulative and willing to put others in danger to minimize his own risk. He underestimates Li Zhengyang's capabilities.
• Shen Wei: She's a skilled fighter but lacks the cunning and adaptability of Li Zhengyang.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Betrayal: Li Zhengyang's actions highlight the lack of trust and loyalty among the team members.
• Survival of the Fittest: The harsh environment and dangerous mission emphasize the need for adaptability and ruthlessness to survive.
• Money and Power: The mission bonus and the agency's lack of concern for the deaths of its members show the influence of money and power in this world.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and Zhao Hu: Their interaction shows the power dynamics and manipulation within the team.
• Li Zhengyang and Shen Wei: Their brief interaction highlights the lack of communication and trust among the team members.
• Li Zhengyang and Liu Ting: Their interaction at the office shows the bureaucracy and lack of concern for the field agents' well-being.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang hangs up on a call, refusing to pay back money he believes was earned from selling nude photos.
• He decides to spend 5,000 yuan to get certified, enabling him to take missions independently.
• At the certification test, his Blood Qi is measured at 2,248 (Rank-Two Martial Master), he demonstrates 2,217 kg of strength, and he defeats a Martial Master-level Mechanical Puppet in 3 seconds.
• He receives his Rank-Two Martial Master certification and takes a D-Rank mission (D017) worth 60,000 yuan, involving eliminating 12 Second Rank Demonic Beasts.

Character Development

• Li Zhengyang shows determination to improve his strength and take on higher-level missions.
• He demonstrates immense power and skill, far exceeding his age and cultivation period.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: Li Zhengyang's desire for strength and his ambition to take on higher-level missions.
• Money and Resources: The importance of money in cultivation and the value of missions as a resource for earning Blood Qi.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts with Liu Ting (front desk) and Zhou Cheng (Test Officer), both of whom are surprised by his strength and skill.
• Li Zhengyang does not interact with the person who called him, but his refusal to pay back money suggests a past interaction or debt.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang buys an F-Rank Alloy Spear, "Mountain-Piercer," for 10,000 yuan.
• He recharges 20,000 yuan into the system, reaching 2448 Blood-Qi Value and Rank-Two Martial Master.
• Li Zhengyang accepts a D-Rank mission to exterminate 12 Second Rank Demonic Beasts, Iron-Spine Lizards, for a 60,000 yuan reward.
• He is ambushed by two thieves in an alley, whom he kills and robs, gaining around 30,000 yuan.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his combat prowess and ruthlessness, killing the two thieves with ease and without remorse.
• He shows cunning by tricking the first thief into taking the bank card, which he uses to stab him.
• Li Zhengyang's Blood-Qi Value increases, bringing him closer to the next rank.

Significant Themes

• Power and Wealth: Li Zhengyang's strength and resources allow him to buy better equipment and take on more challenging missions.
• Survival of the Fittest: The alley encounter highlights the harsh reality of the world, where the strong prey on the weak.
• Deception and Ruthlessness: Li Zhengyang uses deception to gain an advantage in combat and shows no mercy to his enemies.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts with the fat owner of the supply station, who initially underestimates him but later shows respect after seeing his payment.
• He encounters two thieves in an alley, whom he kills after a brief exchange.
• Li Zhengyang has a brief conversation with the ride-hailing driver, who warns him about Demonic Beasts in the area.

Here is a concise summary of the chapter:

1. Key Plot Points

• Li Zhengyang arrives at the Northern Suburbs Wetland, a no-man's land he was hired to clear of low-level demonic beasts.
• He encounters Iron-Spine Lizards—rank-two beasts described as "Mud Tanks" (tough, fast, brutal) with armored backs and weak throats/bellies.
• Despite official advice recommending 3+ Martial Masters for a single beast, Li Zhengyang quickly kills two in under a minute.
• Over the next half hour, he kills six more, then finds a larger nest with four lizards—including an old "black-scaled" specimen.
• A fight ensues: he slides under a tail sweep, punches a lizard's nose, and kills all four without serious trouble.
• Total: 12 Iron-Spine Lizards in 30 minutes. He collects their tail spikes as proof—his backpack is now stuffed full.
• On his way back to the road, he stops: four unknown people are standing by the dirt road, staring at him.

2. Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang: A confident, capable Martial Master (rank two) who far exceeds the baseline for his rank. He is methodical, unbothered by danger, and treats the "mud tank" threat as trivial. He has a practical, slightly self-deprecating mindset (e.g., annoyed by mud and mosquitoes, thinking about getting a bigger backpack).

3. Significant Themes

• Underestimating the protagonist: The official recommendation of "3+ Martial Masters" is rendered almost laughable by his solo performance.
• The mundane reality of beast hunting: The chapter emphasizes the gritty, messy labor (mud, blood, mosquitoes) rather than glamorous heroics.
• Suspense/foreboding: The final appearance of four strangers sets up an impending confrontation, shifting the tone from pure action to potential threat.

4. Character Interactions

• With the beasts: Purely combat—he taunts them by approaching, reads their charges, and kills them efficiently with spear strikes (often through the skull, mouth, or neck).
• With other humans: None until the very end. The four strangers are unidentified, with no dialogue or interaction yet—only a tense standoff (likely the start of the next chapter).

Summary: "A Textbook Counterkill"

Key Plot Points

• Four wasteland robbers (Wasteland Hunters) block a dirt road near the Northern Suburbs Wetland, intending to rob Li Zhengyang of his mission spoils (Iron-Spine Lizard tail spines).
• The group consists of a Rank-Two Martial Master (buzz-cut leader) and three lower-ranked Martial Warriors.
• The leader politely demands Li Zhengyang surrender his valuables.
• Li Zhengyang feigns exhaustion and defeat, tossing his backpack away and claiming he's too weak to fight.
• When the leader bends to pick up the backpack, Li Zhengyang kills him instantly with a spear thrust up through the chin into the skull.
• He dispatches the remaining three in under five seconds: impaling the chain-wielder's shoulder, stabbing the machete-wielder through the chest, and executing the last (kneeling, begging) man through the forehead.
• Li Zhengyang loots all four corpses and leaves them for Demonic Beasts to consume at night—a "natural crematorium."
• Total haul: roughly 160,000 (mission reward plus stolen cash/cards).

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang is shown to be pragmatic, ruthless, and calculating. He uses deception to create a killing opening, shows no hesitation or mercy, and treats survival and profit as the only priorities.
• He is highly efficient in combat—the entire fight lasts only seconds.

Significant Themes

• The brutal reality of this world: murder and robbery are commonplace in the wilderness.
• Deception as a combat tool: feigning weakness is a valid and effective strategy.
• Ruthlessness: Li Zhengyang shows zero mercy, even to a cowering, unarmed man begging for his life.
• Profit motive: the chapter frames even a near-fatal ambush in terms of net gain/loss.

Character Interactions

• The buzz-cut leader attempts negotiation ("discuss something") while clearly ready to kill; Li Zhengyang pretends to comply, luring him into a vulnerable position.
• The skinny survivor pleads for his life, claiming he was just hired help—Li Zhengyang executes him anyway without empathy.
• No meaningful discourse occurs; all interactions are transactional, hostile, or deceptive.

Key Plot Points

• Li Zhengyang, now a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist, returns to the East City Office to collect his reward.
• He uses the money to top up his Blood-Qi, breaking through to the Fourth Rank.
• On his way home, he encounters three debt collectors from Speedy Loan Treasure, including a Third-Rank Martial Master.
• Li Zhengyang easily defeats the two lower-ranked collectors and offers the master a deal: lend him another 100,000 yuan.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang's power and confidence grow as he breaks through two ranks at once.
• He demonstrates his ability to handle multiple opponents, showing off his speed and strength.
• Li Zhengyang shows cunning and assertiveness in his deal with the debt collector.

Significant Themes

• The power of martial arts and the importance of cultivation.
• The harsh reality of debt collection and the ruthlessness of loan sharks.
• The theme of transformation and growth, as Li Zhengyang's life changes dramatically in just a few days.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts with Liu Ting at the office, showing a casual familiarity.
• He encounters three debt collectors, defeating two and negotiating with the third.
• Director Wang calls Li Zhengyang to remind him about the upcoming test, showing concern for his student's academic responsibilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang recharges his Blood-Qi Value using his savings, falling short of breaking through to the Fifth-Rank.
• He arrives at school to find a packed testing ground and faces public criticism for selling his poverty-relief spot.
• Wang Ming, a Fifth-Rank Martial Warrior and nephew of the director, challenges Li Zhengyang, who proposes a bet of two hundred thousand yuan each.
• Li Zhengyang defeats Wang Ming easily, crippling his right arm and ruining his martial foundation.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang remains unfazed by public criticism and stands up for his decision to sell the spot. He demonstrates his strength and confidence by betting against Wang Ming.
• Wang Ming, despite his higher rank and expensive equipment, underestimates Li Zhengyang and suffers severe consequences.

Significant Themes

• Social Pressure vs. Personal Freedom: Li Zhengyang faces criticism for his decision to sell the spot, highlighting the tension between societal expectations and personal choices.
• Power Dynamics: The power imbalance between Li Zhengyang and Wang Ming, as well as between Li Zhengyang and the school director, is evident in their interactions.
• Consequences of Actions: Wang Ming's actions have severe consequences, both for himself and his future in martial arts.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts with various students who criticize him, demonstrating his indifference to their opinions.
• Li Zhengyang's interaction with Wang Ming showcases his confidence and strength, while Wang Ming's actions reveal his arrogance and underestimation of Li Zhengyang.
• Li Zhengyang's interaction with Director Wang highlights the power imbalance between them and Li Zhengyang's disregard for the director's authority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang confronts Director Wang about the bet, presenting a liability waiver signed by Wang.
• Director Wang tries to back out of the bet, accusing Li Zhengyang of using contraband drugs, and sends two First-Grade Martial Masters to detain him.
• Li Zhengyang defeats the two martial masters and forces Director Wang to transfer the bet money to him, totaling 250,000 yuan.
• Li Zhengyang uses the money to breakthrough his realm, advancing from Fourth-Grade Martial Master to Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, displaying immense power.
• Li Zhengyang drops out of the school, throwing his student ID on the ground.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his strength, cunning, and determination to collect the debt, also showcasing his ruthlessness.
• Director Wang is exposed as corrupt and cowardly, unable to keep his promises and resorting to underhanded tactics.
• Wang Ming and the two hired thugs are humiliated and defeated, revealing their lack of true combat ability.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the weak and the strong, and how Li Zhengyang turns the tables on those who underestimate him.
• The corrupt nature of the school's administration, represented by Director Wang's actions.
• The importance of keeping one's promises and the consequences of reneging on debts.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang vs. Director Wang: A tense standoff where Li Zhengyang outmaneuvers Director Wang, exposing his corruption and cowardice.
• Li Zhengyang vs. Two First-Grade Martial Masters: A quick and decisive victory, demonstrating Li Zhengyang's superior strength and combat prowess.
• Li Zhengyang vs. The Principal: A silent confrontation where the Principal retreats upon feeling Li Zhengyang's power, acknowledging his superiority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang, a Seventh-Grade Martial Master, decides to drop out of school and focus on making money through missions.
• He accepts three D-Rank missions, including one involving Red-armored Spiders in an abandoned tunnel complex.
• He upgrades his certification at the East City Office and accepts the missions again.
• Li Zhengyang ventures into the tunnel complex, fights and eliminates a nest of Red-armored Spiders, and discovers a Third-Rank Beast Core inside one of them.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his strength and decisiveness, ranking up rapidly and choosing to prioritize missions over school.
• Liu Ting, the office clerk, and Zhou Cheng, the test officer, are surprised by Li Zhengyang's rapid progress and consider him a potential candidate for the military.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of wealth and power is a central theme, with Li Zhengyang prioritizing missions and earnings over his education.
• The dangers and challenges of demonic beast encounters are highlighted, with the Red-armored Spider mission serving as an example.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts briefly with Liu Ting and Zhou Cheng at the East City Office, where they are astonished by his rapid rank progression.
• Li Zhengyang has a brief exchange with Old Zhou, the breakfast shop owner, who is wary of Li Zhengyang's eating habits.
• Li Zhengyang faces off against the Red-armored Spiders, showcasing his combat skills and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang discovers a hidden cave containing a skeleton of a Great Martial Master and a booklet titled "Mountain-Splitting Spear Art".
• He learns the Lower Profound Grade spear technique by using the system's Technique Deduction function, spending 100,000 Great Xia yuan and 1,000 points of Blood Qi.
• Li Zhengyang tests his new skill by killing two Rockspine Beasts, earning him a bounty and three Third-Rank Beast Cores.
• He completes three D-Rank Missions and a C-Rank Mission, earning a total of 430,000 Great Xia yuan.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his combat prowess and strategic thinking, completing multiple missions in one night and earning a significant amount of money.
• He shows resourcefulness by using the system's function to learn a new skill, increasing his combat effectiveness.
• Liu Ting, the Martial Artists' Office staff, shows surprise and respect towards Li Zhengyang's accomplishments.

Significant Themes

• The importance of skills and techniques in combat and their value in the martial world.
• The value of money and resources in the martial world and the means to acquire them.
• The dangers and rewards of venturing into the wilderness at night.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts with Liu Ting at the Martial Artists' Office, handing in his completed missions and receiving his earnings.
• Li Zhengyang's actions and accomplishments are noticed and acknowledged by Liu Ting, showing his growing reputation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang visits Myriad Treasures Pavilion to sell Beast Cores.
• He sells three cores for 1.2 million, reaching the Blood-Qi Value threshold for a First-grade Grand Martial Master breakthrough.
• After the breakthrough, he accepts five D-rank and C-rank missions.
• Qian Long reports Li Zhengyang's debt and strength to his boss, Sun, who dispatches a Second-grade Grand Martial Master, Feng Tiezhu, to handle the situation.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his strength and potential by selling high-quality Beast Cores and accepting multiple high-difficulty missions.
• Qian Long shows his weakness and lack of backbone in the face of his boss's reprimand.
• Feng Tiezhu is introduced as a formidable opponent, with a troubled past and current role as a debt collector.

Significant Themes

• Strength and potential are recognized and rewarded in the Martial Arts world.
• Debt and its consequences are a driving force in the plot.
• The gap between Martial Masters and Great Martial Masters is emphasized, highlighting the importance of realm breakthroughs.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang interacts with Su Jin, the manager of Myriad Treasures Pavilion, who recognizes his potential and offers a business deal.
• Qian Long interacts with his boss, Sun, and Feng Tiezhu, demonstrating his submissive nature.
• Li Zhengyang is discussed by other Martial Warriors at the Speedy Loan Treasure office, showing his growing reputation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang receives a call from an unknown number, hangs up, and blocks it.
• He heads to North Mountain to complete missions and bounties.
• Feng Tiezhu, a debt collector, searches for Li Zhengyang after being hired by Qian Long.
• Li Zhengyang encounters a woman being chased by robbers. He kills her and the robbers, including a First-grade Grand Martial Master.
• Feng Tiezhu witnesses Li Zhengyang's actions and pays him forty thousand yuan as a toll fee to leave.
• Li Zhengyang learns the Cloud-Shocking Steps cultivation technique using the System.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his combat prowess and ruthlessness, killing multiple enemies without hesitation.
• Feng Tiezhu, initially confident in his ability to collect debts, is intimidated by Li Zhengyang and pays him instead.
• Qian Long, Feng Tiezhu's partner, is unaware of the situation and expects Feng Tiezhu to retrieve the money.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the Fittest: Li Zhengyang's actions show that in the wilderness, the strong prey on the weak, and ruthlessness is necessary for survival.
• Money and Power: The focus on money and its influence on power dynamics is evident, with Li Zhengyang demanding toll fees and Feng Tiezhu paying them.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and the woman: She attempts to use him as a shield, but he kills her first.
• Li Zhengyang and Feng Tiezhu: Feng Tiezhu is intimidated by Li Zhengyang's strength and pays him to leave.
• Feng Tiezhu and Qian Long: Qian Long is unaware of Feng Tiezhu's encounter with Li Zhengyang and expects him to retrieve the money.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang, using his new Cloud-Shocking Steps technique, effortlessly kills a Scarlet Leopard in less than five seconds.
• Over three hours, he single-handedly slaughters numerous Demonic Beasts, including an Ironclad Bear and a pack of Bloodthirsty Wolves.
• He encounters the Gale Squad, a veteran team of five, struggling to kill a Blackscale Python. Li Zhengyang intervenes, killing the python in an instant, and claims its Beast Core.
• The Gale Squad's captain demands the Beast Core and apologizes, but Li Zhengyang refuses. After a brief altercation, he knocks the captain into a rock wall with a single slap and extorts 100,000 yuan from the squad as a "life-saving fee."

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates significant growth in strength and confidence, easily defeating Demonic Beasts and a squad of martial artists.
• The Gale Squad, particularly their captain, shows arrogance and entitlement, but also fear and submission when faced with Li Zhengyang's power.

Significant Themes

• The power of new techniques and abilities (Cloud-Shocking Steps).
• The harsh and unforgiving nature of the wilderness, where strength and ruthlessness determine survival.
• The importance of reputation and fear in maintaining dominance.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang shows no mercy towards Demonic Beasts and the Gale Squad, demonstrating his ruthless and pragmatic nature.
• The Gale Squad members show fear and submission towards Li Zhengyang, highlighting the power dynamics in the wilderness.
• Li Zhengyang's interaction with the Gale Squad showcases his willingness to use force and extortion to maintain his dominance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang, now a First-grade Grand Martial Master, visits Myriad Treasures Pavilion to sell Demonic Beast cores and materials he obtained from North Mountain.
• Su Jin, the boss, is impressed by the quality and quantity of Li Zhengyang's materials and offers him an Advanced Pass to the Underground Black Market.
• Li Zhengyang uses the money earned to breakthrough to the Seventh-grade Grand Martial Master realm.
• Feng Tiezhu, a debt collector, resigns after failing to collect a debt from Li Zhengyang, leading his boss to hire a hitman to eliminate Li Zhengyang.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang: He demonstrates his growth as a cultivator by single-handedly defeating multiple Demonic Beast groups and selling their cores and materials. He also shows maturity in handling the situation at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
• Su Jin: She shows professionalism and acumen in her business, recognizing the value of Li Zhengyang's materials and offering him a significant advantage in the form of the Underground Black Market pass.
• Feng Tiezhu: He shows integrity by resigning after failing to collect a debt, understanding the danger Li Zhengyang poses.
• Boss Sun: He shows ruthlessness and desperation by hiring a hitman to eliminate Li Zhengyang over a relatively small debt.

Significant Themes

• The power of money and resources: Li Zhengyang uses his earnings to directly advance his cultivation, highlighting the importance of resources in the cultivation world.
• The dangers of underestimating opponents: Boss Sun underestimates Li Zhengyang, leading him to hire a hitman, which could potentially backfire.
• Integrity and professionalism: Feng Tiezhu's resignation and Su Jin's fair business practices show the importance of these qualities.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and Su Jin: Their interaction is professional and respectful, with Su Jin recognizing Li Zhengyang's potential and offering him a significant advantage.
• Feng Tiezhu and Boss Sun: Their interaction highlights the tension between Feng Tiezhu's integrity and Boss Sun's ruthlessness.
• Li Zhengyang and the suited man: Their interaction shows the suited man's arrogance and Li Zhengyang's indifference to such attitudes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang receives a job offer from Su Jin to retrieve the shed hide of a Darkscale Dragon Lizard, a Fourth-Rank Magic Beast, for one million yuan.
• The Dragon Lizard is in its once-in-ten-years shedding period, reducing its strength to Great Martial Master level, and its hide is worth a great deal.
• Li Zhengyang accepts the job, deposits three hundred thousand yuan, and breaks through to Eighth-Rank Great Martial Master.
• He enters West Mountain, navigates an Underground Dark River cave, and reaches the Dragon Lizard's nest.
• Li Zhengyang successfully retrieves the hide but is pursued by the enraged Dragon Lizard.
• As he nears the cave entrance, another Fourth-Rank Magic Beast blocks his exit.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his courage and skill by taking on a dangerous mission and successfully retrieving the Dragon Lizard's hide.
• He shows strategic thinking by planning to steal the hide and run, rather than engaging in a prolonged battle.
• Li Zhengyang's quick thinking and adaptability are tested when he encounters another Fourth-Rank Magic Beast at the cave entrance.

Significant Themes

• The power of Blood Qi and its role in cultivation and combat.
• The dangers and rewards of taking on high-risk missions.
• The importance of adaptability and quick thinking in unpredictable situations.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and Su Jin: Their conversation reveals Su Jin's knowledge of the Dragon Lizard's shedding period and her inability to send her own people due to the risk involved.
• Li Zhengyang and the Dragon Lizards: Li Zhengyang's interactions with the Dragon Lizards showcase his courage, skill, and quick thinking in the face of danger.

Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhengyang is trapped between a Fourth-Rank and a Third-Rank Magic Beast (Dragon Lizards).
• He falls into a vertical karst tunnel connected to the Underground Dark River.
• He discovers a human military reconnaissance team trapped in an iron cage, with only two survivors.
• They escape through a northern fissure, leading to the mountainside.
• The male Dragon Lizard pursues them.

Character Developments

• Li Zhengyang demonstrates his strength and resourcefulness in escaping the Dragon Lizards and rescuing the military team.
• Xing Feng, the surviving second lieutenant, shows gratitude and cooperation after Li Zhengyang saves him and his team leader.

Significant Themes

• Survival and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
• The value of teamwork and mutual aid.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhengyang and Xing Feng form a temporary alliance, with Li Zhengyang saving Xing Feng and his team leader, Old Zhou.
• Li Zhengyang's quick thinking and strength impress Xing Feng, who acknowledges Li Zhengyang's role in their survival.