Chapter Summary: Su Garden Jade Contest (Part 2)

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Yazhen presents Ye Jinlan with a four-piece blue jadeite jewelry set—ring, necklace, earrings, and brooch.
• Compared with the White Jade Guanyin Statue and Imperial Green Buddha beads presented by the first and second branches, the gift initially appears cheap and unimpressive. The assembled guests estimate its value at only four or five million yuan.
• Su Yazhen and the third branch are mocked and embarrassed, especially because she was trusted to prepare an important gift for the family’s prestigious jade contest.
• Rather than reacting defensively, Su Yazhen reveals that the jewelry has a special property. With Uncle Fu’s assistance, a large fish tank is brought into the hall.
• She throws the jewelry into the water. The blue jadeite emits a dazzling, sky-colored radiance that illuminates the water, sand, and stones, while the fish gather around it.
• Jin Hong, president of Golden Jade Fate, recognizes the material as coming from Qi Treasure Studio. He reveals that Su Yazhen paid 38 million yuan for it, dramatically increasing the perceived value and significance of the gift.
• Su Yazhen puts the jewelry on Ye Jinlan. The old madam experiences a soothing, restorative sensation, with her fatigue fading and her body feeling unusually comfortable.
• Su Yazhen explains that she wore the set herself for two days and noticed improved sleep, energy, and skin condition, suggesting that the jade can nourish or benefit its wearer.
• Deeply impressed, Ye Jinlan offers to reimburse Su Yazhen tenfold—380 million yuan—making it clear that Su Yazhen has won the contest decisively.
• The first two branches’ supposedly unbeatable national-treasure gifts are completely overshadowed. The remaining branches have virtually no chance of winning.
• At the end, Su Yazhen remembers Gao Jing, the man who told her, “You made a profit,” and begins to feel a vague, inexplicable emotion toward him.

Character Developments

• Su Yazhen demonstrates composure, confidence, intelligence, and strategic patience. She allows everyone to underestimate her gift before revealing its extraordinary qualities.
• Her success restores the honor of the third branch, which had initially been humiliated by the apparently mediocre present.
• Ye Jinlan shows strong trust in Su Yazhen’s judgment. Her skepticism disappears after personally experiencing the jade’s effects, and she rewards Su Yazhen generously.
• Su Jiasheng and Su Jiachang suffer a major loss of face after their prized heirlooms are decisively defeated by Su Yazhen’s seemingly ordinary jewelry.
• Jin Hong acts as an expert authority who validates the jewelry’s origin and extraordinary price.
• Su Yazhen’s parents shift from embarrassment and regret to relief and pride.
• Su Yazhen’s thoughts of Gao Jing signal the beginning of a personal and possibly romantic interest.

Significant Themes

• Appearances versus true value: The blue jadeite looks inferior when judged only by color, rarity, and conventional market standards, but its supernatural qualities make it far more valuable.
• Hidden strength and strategic patience: Su Yazhen succeeds because she keeps the gift’s secret until the perfect moment rather than arguing with her critics.
• Family competition and honor: The jade contest reflects rivalry among the Su family branches, with prestige and status determined by the quality of their offerings.
• Recognition of genuine ability: Ye Jinlan values the gift not merely for its price but for the comfort and vitality it provides.
• Supernatural power in precious objects: The jade is shown to possess an unusual ability to radiate energy and nourish its wearer.
• Emerging romance or emotional attachment: Su Yazhen’s recollection of Gao Jing suggests that his earlier guidance and confidence in her may have begun affecting her emotionally.

Character Interactions

• Su Yazhen and Ye Jinlan: Their exchange is warm and trusting. Ye Jinlan gives Su Yazhen the opportunity to explain herself, then rewards her after experiencing the jewelry’s benefits.
• Su Yazhen and Uncle Fu: She respectfully asks for his assistance, and he readily supports her, reflecting his affection and loyalty toward her.
• Su Yazhen and Jin Hong: Jin Hong publicly confirms the jewelry’s origin and cost, transforming the crowd’s perception of her gift.
• Su Yazhen versus Su Jiasheng and Su Jiachang: Though no direct confrontation occurs, her successful reveal humiliates both men and overturns their apparent victory.
• Su Yazhen and the assembled guests: Their initial mockery turns into shock, admiration, and curiosity once the jewelry displays its miraculous properties.
• Su Yazhen and Gao Jing: They do not interact directly in the chapter, but Su Yazhen’s lingering memory of his words hints at growing interest and future significance.

Summary: Entertainment Industry (Chapter)

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing attends the grand premiere of Meeting the Best Youth at Shanghai Grand Theater on Lunar New Year's Day
• The event features a star-studded red carpet with many famous celebrities supporting the film
• Gao Jing enters through the VIP passage rather than walking the red carpet, taking his front-row seat
• He is seated between Fan Jingjing (top actress) and Li Bing (top male star), with Wang Baoshi and Li Bing's ex-girlfriend nearby, creating an awkward media frenzy
• During the film, Gao Jing is impressed by Zhong Yunxiu's acting performance in the lead role
• He leaves midway to the balcony for a cigarette, where Fan Jingjing later joins him
• Fan Jingjing deduces he is Zhong Yunxiu's friend after a brief conversation
• Li Bing interrupts them awkwardly, then quickly leaves

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Remains mysterious and uninterested in celebrity culture; observes the entertainment world from a distance; his manner attracts the curiosity of top stars
• Fan Jingjing: Despite her superstar status, reveals envy and jealousy toward newcomer Zhong Yunxiu, showing vulnerability beneath her glamorous exterior
• Zhong Yunxiu: Though not physically present in the scene, her talent is strongly showcased through the film, establishing her as a rising star

Significant Themes

• The entertainment industry's superficiality and complex politics
• Envy and comparison between established stars and newcomers
• The contrast between public image and private behavior
• Anonymity vs. fame — Gao Jing's quiet presence among the elite

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Fan Jingjing: A striking conversation where a top-tier actress approaches a stranger; she senses he's special, asks for a cigarette, and expresses wistful envy about Zhong Yunxiu's support system
• Gao Jing & Li Bing: Briefly awkward — Li Bing interrupts the balcony conversation and retreats, their interaction suggesting underlying tension
• Fan Jingjing & Li Bing: Their dynamic shows no romance, more like enemies, hinting their rumored relationship is fabricated or sour
• Gao Jing's observation: The seating arrangement and interactions reveal the industry's games and the real relationships behind the headlines

Summary: "Cooperation"

Key Plot Points

• After the film premiere, Gao Jing encounters the controversial superstar Fan Jingjing outside the Shanghai Grand Theater. She asks him for a cigarette and they share a brief, cryptic conversation—but she abruptly leaves when she spots Li Bing approaching.
• Gao Jing returns to his hotel; Zhong Yunxiu calls, asking him to attend the afterparty banquet. Her cousin, Su Yazhen, wants to discuss business with him.
• Su Yazhen proposes a partnership: Gao Jing supplies Seven-Colored Stone jadeite; she handles all processing and sales; profits are split 50/50 after raw material costs. In exchange, she demands exclusive operating rights.
• Su Yazhen commits to an initial purchase of no less than 500 million yuan in raw materials—exactly the capital Gao Jing needs for his planned purchase of 5,000 tons of White Liquor from the Great World.
• Gao Jing accepts, and the deal is sealed with a handshake. Zhong Yunxiu then playfully asks if she can also invest.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates strategic, pragmatic thinking—he views the Seven-Colored Stone as a "tool for harvesting rich leeks" and recognizes the advantage of delegating time-consuming sales work to Su Yazhen while still profiting. He's decisive in negotiations and unimpressed by celebrity or luxury (declines the banquet, unaffected by Su Yazhen's presence).
• Su Yazhen: Reveals herself as bold, ambitious, and a shrewd negotiator. She prepared a concrete, high-stakes offer and is willing to risk 500 million, showing both confidence and business acumen.
• Fan Jingjing: Remains mysterious and elusive. She initiates contact with Gao Jing, seems intrigued by him, but vanishes like a "phantom" when circumstances shift—a somewhat provocative enigma for now.
• Zhong Yunxiu: Affectionate, exuberant, and somewhat naive ("uncle"), with a mix of innocence and charm. Her desire to "buy in" suggests ambition, though her motives seem more playful than calculated.

Significant Themes

• Mutual Benefit & Strategic Partnership: Gao Jing values efficiency—he's not chasing wealth for its own sake but needs capital for cultivation resources. Giving up exclusive rights is worth the guaranteed profit and reduced effort.
• Control vs. Convenience: Su Yazhen gains distribution control; Gao Jing gains a reliable revenue stream. The trade-off reflects Gao Jing's priorities: his true goals lie beyond the mundane world of commerce.
• Glass and Transparency: Gao Jing deliberately lets Su Yazhen know he has abundant supply—intentional signaling to build leverage in negotiations.
• Contrast of Worlds: The glamorous entertainment banquet (celebrities, champagne) stands starkly against Gao Jing's transcendent pursuits, highlighting his detachment from mortal fame and fortune.

Character Interactions

• Fan Jingjing ↔ Gao Jing: Brief, tense, and charged—she's introspective, slightly flirtatious, and cuts things off the moment Li Bing appears, leaving Gao Jing questioning if the encounter was real.
• Gao Jing ↔ Zhong Yunxiu: Warm but one-sided; she's clingy and demonstrative, while Gao Jing finds her "a bit of a headache"—yet he accommodates her requests.
• Gao Jing ↔ Su Yazhen: Formal, direct, and mutually respectful. They quickly cut through pleasantries and reach a business agreement, showing a natural alignment of interests and capability.
• Zhong Yunxiu ↔ Su Yazhen: Cousins with close rapport—Zhong Yunxiu acts as the playful intermediary, proudly "delivering" Gao Jing to Su Yazhen like a child seeking praise.

Summary: “Spirit Jade”

1. Key Plot Points / Events

• Zhong Yunxiu asks to invest in Su Yazhen’s jade business; Su Yazhen grants her 5% equity, though privately notes the share is worth far more than Yunxiu realizes.
• Flashback reveals Su Yazhen’s grandmother Ye Jinlan’s plan: locate Gao Jing, buy up or secure exclusive agency rights to his miraculous jade, and stockpile it until the matriarch sells off her own jade collection to avoid market devaluation.
• Gao Jing produces seven sample stones in seven colors (green, purple, blue, yellow, red, white, black), all glassy or icy quality, and tells Su Yazhen to have them graded and appraised as a pricing baseline.
• Su Yazhen confidently transfers 500 million yuan as a deposit for the first batch of raw material.
• Gao Jing confirms he can supply pieces weighing several tons and guarantees he is the sole source of this jade.
• Zhong Yunxiu suggests giving the jade a unique name; Gao Jing names it “Spirit Jade.”

2. Character Developments

• Su Yazhen: Reveals her shrewd, strategic business mind and willingness to sacrifice personal profit to secure supply and control the market. She grows more confident and trusting in the partnership.
• Gao Jing: Shows business maturity by letting Su’s side handle valuation and by revealing only enough information to build trust. He is secretive about the true nature and origin of the jade, but confident in his monopoly.
• Zhong Yunxiu: Remains enthusiastic but naive, treating the venture as a fun opportunity rather than a massive financial play.

3. Significant Themes

• Market disruption and control of a revolutionary product.
• Generational strategy and family business intrigue.
• Trust, mutual benefit, and negotiation in partnerships.
• Branding and positioning a unique commodity.

4. Character Interactions

• Zhong Yunxiu & Su Yazhen: Close like sisters; Yunxiu’s simple request is met with a generous but calculated gift of equity.
• Su Yazhen & Gao Jing: Professional and serious negotiation; she shows sincerity with a large deposit; he offers samples and sets terms for future cooperation.
• Su Yazhen’s internal recollection of Ye Jinlan: Shapes her strategic moves, showing the grandmother’s continued influence over family business decisions.

Chapter Summary: "Going to Have Some Fun"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Gao Jing receives 500 million yuan from Su Yazhen as the first payment for raw Spirit Jade materials
• Su Yazhen plans to establish a Spirit Jade jewelry company and trademark it as a luxury brand; Gao Jing holds 50% shares with no management duties
• Fan Hu calls to report that Walarilo (Shawang Suxi's senior disciple) has agreed to Gao Jing's price: 1 million Thai baht appearance fee
• The fight must take place aboard the Royal Star cruise ship at Shanghai Port, departing on the 27th (third day of Lunar New Year)
• Gao Jing accepts despite Fan Hu's warnings about the ship's ties to Siamese royalty, casino operations, and dangerous high-seas fight rules
• A "Royal Star VIP Service Specialist" contacts Gao Jing via WeChat and arranges his boarding pass and a luxury two-story suite
• Gao Jing researches the Royal Star (358m long, 175,000 tons, capacity 4,280) and finds it is also a casino ship
• Gao Jing boards the cruise ship and enjoys champagne and harbor views from his suite balcony

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates carefree confidence; having advanced to High-Tier Totem Warrior and mastered Battle Aura Armor, he no longer fears ordinary firearms. His motivation shifts from mere profit to entertainment — "I'm mainly bored and want to go have some fun." Shows foresight in having casually demanded the million-baht fee earlier.
• Note: Gao Jing has never taken a cruise before; this reflects his growing wealth and broadening horizons.

3. Significant Themes

• Trust in partnership: The Su Yazhen deal remains verbal-only, yet both parties proceed on mutual confidence — highlighting the value of reputation and relationship in business
• Power breeds fearlessness: Gao Jing's advancement renders threats (rigged fights, hostile territory, even guns) inconsequential; his recklessness stems from genuine capability
• Risk disguised as opportunity: The enormous appearance fee signals the other side has ulterior motives; the fight venue (a casino ship on the high seas, with "casualties as common as daily meals") emphasizes the danger behind the luxury

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing ↔ Su Yazhen (indirect): Bank notification confirms the deposit; their verbal agreement on profit-sharing and share structure is finalized without a formal contract
• Gao Jing ↔ Fan Hu (phone): Fan Hu relays Walarilo's acceptance and warns Gao Jing of the cruise ship's dangers, urging caution; Gao Jing interrupts him, accepts, and asks Fan Hu to reply on his behalf. Fan Hu is left speechless by Gao Jing's audacity
• Gao Jing ↔ Royal Star VIP Specialist: Familiar, efficient — the specialist verifies identity and sends the electronic boarding pass and room arrangements

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing boards the Royal Star cruise ship departing Shanghai, but no one contacts him regarding his scheduled showdown with Walarilo the next night, including details about the $1 million appearance fee—a deliberate psychological tactic to unsettle him.
• Gao Jing sleeps through the afternoon, wakes around 7 PM, and explores the ship (buffet restaurants, casino, etc.) using the ship's app.
• He visits the grand casino, buys 10,000 Mai Dollars in chips, and loses two roulette bets.
• A young man at the table offers gambling advice; Gao Jing places a third bet on "15" after his Copper Anchor artifact suddenly activates—burning a layer of Faith Power from his Faith Pool.
• Despite the young man's skepticism, the ball lands on 15, and Gao Jing wins.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing remains unfazed by Walarilo's "leave him hanging" tactic, viewing it as a petty trick beneath him.
• His Mountain Tribe Soul Refining Art makes him immune to the casino's hypnotic atmosphere (lights, no windows/clocks, oxygen-rich air).
• The Copper Anchor is shown to have a protective/fortuitous function: it proactively burns Faith Power and guides his actions (the bet on 15), overriding his ordinary bad luck.
• Gao Jing describes himself as naturally unlucky (lottery, giveaways), making the artifact's intervention more significant.

3. Significant Themes

• Psychological warfare: Walarilo's silence as a deliberate tactic to make Gao Jing restless—ineffective against his disciplined mind.
• Temptation vs. discipline: The casino's design to make people lose themselves ("indulge without noticing time") contrasted with Gao Jing's unshakable will.
• Supernatural/superstition vs. luck: The narrative frames gambling as mathematically rigged against players, but Gao Jing's win comes not from luck but from his mystical artifact's guidance.
• Casino illusion: Detailed exposition on how casinos stack odds (37 numbers, 1:35 payout = ~2.7% house edge) and manipulate the environment.

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & the young man: A friendly stranger (early 20s, flashy gold jewelry, a beautiful companion) offers unsolicited gambling advice—bet small, wait for a "feeling." He criticizes Gao Jing's bet on 15 (which had already appeared recently) and confidently bets on 27 instead. His advice is proven wrong when Gao Jing wins.

Author's Note: The chapter ends with a personal note from the author about a major disaster in his city—his wife works at the hospital that received the most injured—and he wishes readers peace and safety, emphasizing that nothing matters more than safety.

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing wins a highly improbable single-number roulette bet (1-in-37 odds), earning 35,000 Mai Dollars.
• Realizing his victory came from igniting Faith Power, he tests the ability again by betting everything on the same number "15."
• The second bet also wins, netting Gao Jing 1.505 million Mai Dollars, plus winnings for two others who followed his bet (Hou Weidong and Qianqian), totaling 2.03 million Mai Dollars.
• The casino becomes suspicious and has security watch Gao Jing, but he cashes out and leaves the gambling floor.
• Gao Jing learns that his newly upgraded Copper Anchor grants the ability to ignite Faithfire, which temporarily raises his Luck stat in exchange for Faith Power.
• He concludes gambling is a wasteful use of the ability, since the Faith Power consumed outweighs the monetary gain.
• Hou Weidong invites Gao Jing for a drink, introduces himself, and recognizes Gao Jing as the boxer traveling to fight Walarilo.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Gains clarity about his new Faithfire ability; demonstrates self-discipline by quitting while ahead instead of chasing easy money. Decides to reserve the luck boost for more meaningful or critical situations rather than gambling.
• Hou Weidong: Friendly, impulsive, and talkative Malaysian Chinese amateur gambler; shows both trust (following Gao Jing’s bet) and social savvy (turning a chance encounter into a connection).

3. Significant Themes

• Faith Power vs. Material Wealth: Faith Power is shown as a limited, precious resource; using it purely for money is a poor trade.
• Luck and Probability: Apparent "luck" is actually supernatural manipulation, highlighting the difference between perceived chance and real cause.
• Self-Control: Gao Jing resists greed and knows when to stop, even amid enormous winnings.

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing and Hou Weidong: Hou Weidong bonds with Gao Jing, becoming an enthusiastic follower; Gao Jing accepts his invitation, partly as thanks for Hou Weidong’s earlier tip about "gambler’s intuition."
• Gao Jing and casino staff/dealer: The dealer is shocked and suspicious after the second win; the casino escalates surveillance, but Gao Jing avoids confrontation by leaving.
• Gao Jing and Qianqian (Hou Weidong’s girlfriend): She joins the bet and profits; no direct dialogue, but she reacts with joy and stays with Hou Weidong.

Chapter Summary: “One Finger”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing learns that Walarilo is a celebrated Siamese mixed-martial-arts fighter and the top disciple of Banchai, a legendary former Muay Thai champion.
• Walarilo’s fellow disciple, Shawang Suxi, previously traveled to Great Xia to challenge local fighters but was defeated by Gao Jing in a single move at the Tiger Rose Tattoo Parlor.
• A secretly recorded video of Shawang’s humiliating defeat spread throughout Siam, damaging Banchai’s reputation.
• To restore the gym’s honor, Walarilo publicly challenged Gao Jing to a match aboard the casino ship Royal Star.
• Gao Jing meets Hou Weidong, who reveals that bets can be placed on the upcoming fights. Gao Jing confidently declares that he is one hundred percent certain he will defeat Walarilo.
• To prove his confidence, Gao Jing pierces straight through a Champagne bottle with one finger using Battle Aura Infusion, leaving two perfectly smooth holes.
• Hou Weidong and his girlfriend Qianqian are stunned by the demonstration and decide to bet heavily on Gao Jing.
• Hou asks to keep the damaged bottle as a treasured collectible, and Gao Jing agrees.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing displays overwhelming confidence and extraordinary martial power. His refusal to bring a team or study Walarilo’s previous matches emphasizes his self-assurance and independence.
• Hou Weidong shifts from casual admiration to complete faith in Gao Jing after witnessing his supernatural finger strike. He eagerly seeks to profit from and associate himself with Gao Jing’s strength.
• Qianqian is similarly impressed, reacting with shock and growing fascination toward Gao Jing.
• Walarilo is established as a powerful, prestigious fighter whose upcoming challenge is driven by his master’s damaged reputation and the need to avenge Shawang Suxi.

Significant Themes

• Honor and reputation: Banchai’s gym seeks to recover its standing after Shawang’s public defeat, turning Gao Jing’s match with Walarilo into a matter of pride.
• Confidence versus preparation: Gao Jing’s certainty contrasts with conventional professional fighters, who rely on coaches, medical staff, and extensive scouting.
• Hidden power: Gao Jing casually reveals abilities far beyond ordinary martial arts, suggesting that his true strength is still largely unknown.
• Wealth and opportunism: The Royal Star’s betting culture transforms the fight into both a martial contest and a financial opportunity.
• Faith and influence: Hou’s admiration and the pure Faith Power he provides reinforce the connection between Gao Jing’s abilities and the belief others place in him.

Character Interactions

• Hou enthusiastically praises Gao Jing after recognizing him as the man who defeated Shawang.
• Gao Jing calmly discusses the fight and his betting plans, while Hou reacts with disbelief to his confidence.
• Gao’s finger demonstration leaves Hou speechless and causes Qianqian to choke on her Champagne.
• Hou and Qianqian pledge to bet alongside Gao Jing and seek his favor, with Hou requesting the pierced bottle as a personal memento.

Chapter Summary: “Puppy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing’s overwhelming strength earns him Hou Weidong’s immediate admiration. Hou treats him like an idol, provides him with substantial faith power, and invites him to socialize at another bar on the cruise ship.
• Hou warns Gao Jing that the Siamese organizers may use underhanded tactics in his upcoming fight against Walarilo.
• Back in his room, Gao Jing is visited by Li Yihao, a director of the Mangkulongtai Group, accompanied by two bodyguards.
• Li presents Gao Jing with a one-million-Mai-Dollar appearance fee, followed by a five-million-Mai-Dollar “compensation” payment. Gao quickly realizes the money is intended to persuade him to lose the match.
• Gao rejects the arrangement by burning the five-million-dollar check to ashes with supernatural ease.
• Li attempts to intimidate Gao by reminding him that they are aboard a ship in international waters, but Gao mocks him for serving a Siamese man despite his Chinese heritage.
• Gao’s aura overwhelms Li, reducing the previously confident director to a terrified, helpless state. Li finally orders his bodyguards to escort him away.
• Furious at the attempted manipulation, Gao abandons his plan to merely enjoy the fight and decides to make the next match genuinely entertaining—and presumably far more dangerous for his opponents.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: His confidence grows alongside his awareness of his immense power. He remains controlled when Hou warns him about foul play, but his patience disappears when the organizers attempt to buy and threaten him. His decision to stop holding back signals a more aggressive approach to the upcoming fight.
• Hou Weidong: He shifts from casual friendliness to intense reverence after witnessing Gao’s strength. Despite his admiration and drinking, he proves helpful by warning Gao about the Siamese fighters’ dishonesty.
• Li Yihao: Initially polished, confident, and coercive, Li assumes Gao will accept the bribe. Gao’s supernatural display and oppressive aura expose his fear and weakness, reducing him from an intimidating representative to a panicked subordinate.
• The Bodyguards: They act aggressively toward Gao but are ultimately powerless when Li becomes overwhelmed and orders their retreat.

Significant Themes

• Strength as status: The chapter opens by emphasizing that power determines social standing. Gao’s strength immediately inspires Hou’s worship and later terrifies Li.
• Power versus manipulation: The Longtai Group attempts to control Gao through money and implied threats, but their schemes are meaningless against someone with overwhelming power.
• Pride and identity: Gao condemns Li for acting as a servant to a Siamese employer despite his Chinese heritage, introducing tension surrounding cultural loyalty and subordination.
• Restraint and retaliation: Gao initially shows restraint, accepting warnings and refusing to escalate unnecessarily. However, the attempted betrayal pushes him toward a more forceful response.
• The predator-prey dynamic: Li’s experience of Gao as a fierce tiger and himself as a helpless puppy reinforces the chapter’s imagery of dominance and vulnerability.

Character Interactions

• Hou enthusiastically flatters and socializes with Gao, while Gao responds politely but maintains his distance.
• Hou’s warning about the match foreshadows the later bribe and attempted coercion.
• Li tries to negotiate with money and then relies on intimidation, but Gao turns the power dynamic around through supernatural strength and verbal humiliation.
• Gao’s refusal to comply establishes direct hostility between him and the Longtai Group before the match with Walarilo.

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• The chapter opens at the Royal Star cruise ship’s multipurpose arena, transformed into an underground mixed martial arts venue for the night.
• A host introduces three brutal fights; the crowd is wild and bloodthirsty.
• First fight: Hong Kong fighter Tan Long defeats Australian “Reaper” Terys by kicking him unconscious in Round 3. Terys is carried out as the loser.
• Second fight: A Siamese fighter kills his Malaysian opponent in four rounds because the loser fails to surrender in time. The crowd erupts in excitement, not horror.
• Main event: Gao Jing is introduced as “the Flame War God from Great Xia” and faces the undefeated Siamese champion Walarilo, a feared “Professional Killer.”
• Both fighters are checked by the referee; the bell rings, and the final duel begins.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Remains calm and composed before his fight. He signs the life-and-death waiver without hesitation and seems unaffected by the brutal atmosphere. He is amused by the support of his fan Hou Weidong, suggesting confidence and detachment.
• Walarilo: Portrayed as arrogant, savage, and battle-hardened—a killer with a fearsome reputation and no history of defeat.
• Hou Weidong: A Malaysian Chinese young man and Gao Jing’s die-hard fan. He cheers loudly despite the hostile crowd, showing loyalty and faith in Gao Jing.

3. Significant Themes

• Brutality and dehumanization: The fight rules allow near-unrestricted violence, including attacks to the groin and back of the head; matches end only when someone falls or dies.
• Spectacle and bloodlust: The civilized daytime passengers transform into savage spectators who cheer for death and lose respect for losing fighters.
• Gambling and corruption: The crowd’s bets influence their cruelty toward losers; fighters are treated as entertainment commodities.
• Honor vs. savagery: Gao Jing’s calm demeanor contrasts with the chaotic, violent environment, hinting at a disciplined warrior’s mindset.

4. Character Interactions

• The host rouses the crowd and introduces fighters with dramatic flair.
• Crowd members boo Gao Jing and cheer for Walarilo; some hand cash to Walarilo’s assistants.
• Hou Weidong ignores the jeers around him and shouts encouragement to Gao Jing, who is amused by his enthusiasm.
• Gao Jing and Walarilo are inspected by the referee before the fight begins, marking the start of their confrontation.

Summary: The Powerful Method Actor

1. Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing faces Walarilo, a Siam (Muay Thai) fighter nicknamed "Professional Killer," in a no-holds-barred arena match.
• Walarilo makes a throat-slitting gesture, signaling his intention to kill Gao Jing; Gao Jing responds with a middle finger.
• Walarilo launches a series of lethal attacks (head kick, groin kick, throat punch), but Gao Jing dodges or counters each one with ease.
• Gao Jing breaks Walarilo's nose with a counter-punch that lands first despite being thrown later, then offers him a chance to surrender.
• Enraged beyond reason, Walarilo charges again and is hit in the same spot, then caught by the ankle and slammed into the arena floor three times until he's unconscious.
• Walarilo's assistant throws in the towel; Gao Jing wins.
• Gao Jing jumps onto the arena's corner post, displays his physique (muscles swelling, Giant Spirit Totem on his back, flame tattoos on his arms), and harvests massive amounts of Faith Power from the stunned audience.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates overwhelming superiority—not just in brute strength but in speed and foresight. His choice to toy with Walarilo rather than finish him quickly is motivated by anger from a prior event with Li Yihao. The chapter's title frames him as a "method actor"—he deliberately performs a persona to maximize emotional impact and harvest Faith Power from spectators.
• Walarilo: Initially cold and confident (making a throat-slitting gesture), he mentally collapses after failing to land any hits. His humiliation turns to blind rage, which leads to his swift, brutal defeat. His identity as a disciplined Muay Thai fighter is destroyed by his loss of composure.
• Hou Weidong: Gao Jing's devoted fan who bet heavily on him; his loud cheering fuels the fight's momentum and adds to the audience's energy.

3. Significant Themes

• Performance vs. Reality: Gao Jing treats the arena fight as a theatrical performance, deliberately staging a spectacle ("letting the esteemed audience enjoy the show") to cultivate the crowd's adoration. The "method actor" framing suggests his persona itself is a strategic tool.
• Faith Power as a Resource: The crowd's emotional response literally converts into power for Gao Jing—his victory and showmanship cause Faith Power to pour down "like torrential rain," making audience manipulation a core combat strategy.
• Pride Before the Fall: Walarilo's arrogance (his throat-slitting gesture, his belief he'd win in one stroke) is shattered by Gao Jing's effortless dominance, and his wounded pride causes his complete defeat.
• Power Fantasy Reversal: The setting inverts expectations—a smaller, ruthless fighter presumed to be lethal is dismantled by a larger, even more brutal opponent who treats him like a "little mouse."

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Walarilo: Psychological warfare first (throat-slitting vs. middle finger), then a one-sided physical beating. Gao Jing taunts him ("You can surrender now") and even gives him a chance to live, highlighting his absolute control over the fight.
• Gao Jing & The Crowd: The audience initially cheers for Walarilo, anticipating Gao Jing's defeat, but is completely converted by Gao Jing's performance—especially the women in the audience, who become excited fans. Walarilo's assistant serves as the one who formally surrenders, cutting the fight short before Gao Jing kills his opponent.
• Gao Jing & Hou Weidong: One-sided support—Hou Weidong's cheers bolster the spectacle and reflect Gao Jing's existing fanbase.
• Gao Jing & Li Yihao (off-screen): A reference to a previous night's incident that angered Gao Jing and explains his decision to prolong the fight and put on a show rather than dispatch Walarilo immediately.

Summary: Chapter "Hard Work"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing wins a deliberately prolonged match against Walarilo, suppressing his strength to 1% to extend it from two seconds to two minutes, harvesting large amounts of Faith Power from the crowd's reactions.
• He performs a flashy victory celebration atop the ring post, then a backflip, and is declared the winner by the referee.
• Gao Jing sees through two assistants bought by Walarilo's side, intimidating them with a pat on the shoulder so they go pale with fear.
• He returns to his room, showers, and joins Hou Weidong's victory celebration at the Tropical Rainforest Bar.
• Hou Weidong gives Gao Jing his winnings—an eight-figure check in Mai Dollar from betting on himself to win in the first round at high odds.
• At the celebration, a waiter delivers a bottle of Dalmore 62 whisky, a highly expensive brand, sent by a mysterious "Ms. Jian" from booth S01, shocking Hou Weidong.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Shows growing mental power, including intuition akin to reading people's hearts (after the Second Mountain). Displays pragmatism—willing to embarrass himself for quick Faith Power gains but dislikes public fame due to risk of drawing unwanted attention (blood tests, organizations). Casually intimidates rather than punishes his would-be saboteurs.
• Hou Weidong: Remains a loyal, boisterous friend who celebrates and publicly defends Gao Jing; scolds a friend for betting against Gao Jing but shows generosity by covering all celebration costs.

Significant Themes

• Faith Power as practical motivation: Performing for an audience yields tangible supernatural rewards.
• Pragmatism over glory: Gao Jing prefers low-key profit and faith harvesting over permanent celebrity.
• Social status and wealth: Showcased through gambling winnings, expensive gestures (whisky gift), and the power dynamics aboard the cruise ship.
• Suspicion and hidden intentions: Assassination/sabotage attempts via staff, and gambling corruption among acquaintances.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Referee: The referee is exasperated by Gao Jing's theatrics and tells him to come down before declaring him the winner.
• Gao Jing & Assistants: He silently exposes their betrayal with a meaningful smile and shoulder pats, dismantling their conspiracy through intimidation alone.
• Gao Jing & Hou Weidong: Warm friendship; Hou celebrates, pays, introduces friends, and handles Gao Jing's betting affairs.
• Hou Weidong & Yellow-Haired Friend: Hou berates and shoves away the friend who lost money betting against Gao Jing, then lends nothing.
• Gao Jing & Wenwen: Wenwen serves him champagne and snacks attentively, appearing like his girlfriend to outsiders.
• Gao Jing & Waiter/Ms. Jian: A mysterious elite woman (Ms. Jian) initiates contact by sending an exceptionally rare Dalmore 62 whisky, piquing interest and creating a new plot thread.

Chapter Summary: “A Gift Deserves a Return”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing and Hou Weidong sit near Jian Dai’s booth on the Royal Star cruise ship, allowing them to observe the wealthy and glamorous women gathered there.
• Jian Dai, a powerful businesswoman known as “Sister Dai,” sends Gao Jing a bottle of Dalmore 62, an extremely rare whisky worth roughly $300,000.
• Hou Weidong explains Jian Dai’s extraordinary background: she inherited immense fortunes after the deaths of two husbands, expanded a paper company into a Southeast Asian industrial giant, and later lost a young actor she loved when he was murdered.
• Because of these tragedies, rumors claim Jian Dai brings ruin to the men she marries. Despite this, she remains wealthy, influential, beautiful, and highly intimidating.
• The women accompanying Jian Dai tease her about being interested in Gao Jing. They jokingly suggest that one of them might help Jian Dai “handle” him.
• Hou Weidong assumes Gao Jing will accept the whisky as a sign that he accepts Jian Dai’s invitation and warns him that refusing her could have serious consequences.
• Gao Jing has the waiter open the Dalmore 62, apparently accepting the gift. However, instead of simply reciprocating with gratitude, he sends Jian Dai a mysterious ceramic bottle as a return gift.
• The women at Jian Dai’s booth initially mock the bottle as cheap or inappropriate. Jian Dai recognizes it as possibly Hundred-Fruit Wine, rumored to be worth around ten million dollars.
• Gao Jing raises his glass to Jian Dai from across the room, leaving her intrigued and visibly fascinated by his confidence and mystery.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates confidence, composure, and independence. He refuses to be intimidated by Jian Dai’s wealth or reputation and avoids becoming indebted to her by offering an even more valuable gift. His unexplained possession of the Hundred-Fruit Wine also suggests hidden abilities, resources, or secrets.
• Jian Dai: Initially tests Gao Jing through an extravagant gift. Her curiosity develops into genuine interest when he responds with a rare and far more valuable wine rather than submitting to her influence. His boldness appears to awaken her competitive and predatory side.
• Hou Weidong: Acts as Gao Jing’s anxious guide to Jian Dai’s status and influence. He greatly admires Gao Jing and interprets his actions as evidence of extraordinary confidence, while remaining oblivious to the deeper mystery surrounding the return gift.
• Wenwen: Becomes jealous and sulky when Gao Jing appears to accept Jian Dai’s invitation, but is relieved and pleased when he does not approach Jian Dai to flirt with her. Her eagerness to pour the whisky reveals her attachment to Gao Jing.
• Jian Dai’s companions: Serve as observers and commentators. Their teasing highlights Jian Dai’s unusual interest in Gao Jing and emphasizes the social spectacle surrounding the exchange.

Significant Themes

• Power and status: Jian Dai uses wealth, reputation, and an extravagant gift to assert dominance, but Gao Jing refuses to be placed beneath her.
• Reciprocity and independence: The chapter’s central idea is that a gift deserves a return. Gao Jing accepts Jian Dai’s generosity while ensuring that he does not become indebted or subordinate.
• Mystery and hidden worth: The seemingly ordinary ceramic bottle may contain a priceless wine, showing that appearances can be deceptive and that Gao Jing possesses unknown advantages.
• Dangerous attraction: Jian Dai’s history and ruthless reputation contrast with her growing fascination with Gao Jing, suggesting that their interest in one another may become both romantic and threatening.
• Social performance: The women’s teasing, Hou Weidong’s commentary, and the public exchange of gifts turn the interaction into a test of confidence, reputation, and social dominance.

Character Interactions

• Hou Weidong warns Gao Jing about Jian Dai’s influence and urges him to take advantage of her interest.
• Jian Dai’s companions tease her about pursuing Gao Jing and speculate about whether he will accept her gift.
• Gao Jing silently acknowledges Jian Dai’s toast, then answers her luxury gift with an even more valuable one.
• Wenwen reacts jealously to Jian Dai’s attention toward Gao Jing but becomes happy when Gao Jing remains with her.
• Jian Dai studies Gao Jing’s return gift, recognizes its possible value, and responds to his confident toast with renewed interest and dangerous excitement.

Chapter Summary: "Night Enchantress Butterfly"

Key Plot Points

• Jian Dai, a wealthy woman worth tens of billions, becomes infatuated with Gao Jing after watching him easily defeat fighter Walarilo
• She deduces his extraordinary status by recognizing the ultra-rare Hundred-Fruit Wine (only 10 bottles existed, sold at last year's Jiashang Auction House)
• The women taste the wine and experience its remarkable health benefits—warmth spreading, intense relaxation
• Mary embarrassingly farts loudly during the tasting, causing riotous laughter among the group
• Gao Jing shares Dalmore 62 whisky (one of only 12 bottles in existence) with Hou Weidong and friends
• Hou Weidong begs for the empty bottle as a keepsake; Gao Jing gives it to him
• Returning to his room late at night, Gao Jing senses an intruder and discovers Jian Dai waiting in his bed, wearing a sheer butterfly-patterned nightgown
• Jian Dai openly declares she was waiting for him; the chapter ends with Gao Jing comparing himself to Tang Sanzang before the Daughter Kingdom queen

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Reaffirmed as extraordinarily powerful (implied to have used less than 10% strength fighting Walarilo), extremely wealthy, highly perceptive, and generous with friends; he remains composed upon discovering a woman in his room
• Jian Dai: Introduced as bold, forward, and resourceful—a "queenly" woman who usually gets whatever she wants; she takes unusual initiative by entering Gao Jing's room uninvited
• Hou Weidong: Shows his shameless, loyal side; unabashedly begs for the pricey bottle

Significant Themes

• Wealth as a marker of identity and status (rare wines reveal social standing)
• Romantic pursuit and seduction (Jian Dai's direct approach)
• Disparity between powerful individuals' public and private personas
• Humor mixed with tension

Character Interactions

• Jian Dai and her female friends (Mary, yellow-dress woman, others): teasing banter, shared wine-drinking, bonding over Mary's embarrassing moment
• Gao Jing and Hou Weidong's group: relaxed drinking, brotherly camaraderie, Gao Jing's generosity
• Gao Jing and Jian Dai: unexpected first private encounter—her unashamed advance, his wary but composed response

Summary: "This Is for the Best"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing returns to Shanghai on the Royal Star cruise ship after a five-day voyage, having earned an eight-figure sum in Mai Dollars and harvested Faith Power, plus made new acquaintances
• He stays at the Grand Hyatt and contemplates buying property in Shanghai
• Ji Yu calls, saying she's flying to Shanghai; Gao Jing extends his hotel stay to meet her
• At the airport, Gao Jing discovers Ji Yu has arrived with her mother, who accompanied her on the trip to Lion City
• Gao Jing makes a good first impression on Ji Yu's mother, who bluntly asks if he's married (he confirms he's single)
• After dinner, Ji Yu's mother leaves to stay with a friend in Shanghai, deliberately giving the couple time alone
• They spend several days together in Shanghai, house-hunting and purchasing 5,000 tons of pure-grain white liquor for Gao Jing's next trip
• On March 9, Gao Jing flies to Hong Kong Island alone, stores supplies in his storage space, and teleports to Great World using the Copper Anchor

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Becomes wealthier and more established; actively considering investing in Shanghai property; meets his girlfriend's mother for the first time and handles the pressure well; continues his dangerous supply runs to Great World
• Ji Yu: Returns with her mother and shows a mischievous side by not warning Gao Jing; openly affectionate and content with their relationship as it is; reassures Gao Jing not to worry about her mother's opinions
• Ji Yu's Mother: Protective but ultimately accepting; relieved that Gao Jing is unmarried; gives her tacit approval by stepping aside for the couple

Significant Themes

• Family approval and relationships: The first meeting with a partner's parent, navigating that dynamic
• Life vs. adventure: The contrast between Gao Jing's dangerous secret missions (Great World) and mundane life (house-hunting, relationship-building)
• The weight of secrecy: Gao Jing's double life creates tension with his personal relationships
• Maternal love and letting go: Ji Yu's mother reluctantly steps back after ensuring Gao Jing is a suitable match

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Hou Weidong: Parting at the dock; Hou Weidong is tearful and invites Gao Jing to Hong Kong Island; Gao Jing keeps his distance but remains friendly
• Gao Jing & Ji Yu's mother: First meeting; she scrutinizes him with direct questions (marital status), probes him during dinner, and eventually seems satisfied—though slightly displeased by "currently single"
• Gao Jing & Ji Yu: Reunite warmly; share an intimate evening; Ji Yu insists their current relationship is "the best" and tells him not to worry about her mother
• Ji Yu & her mother: Ji Yu feels happy yet guilty; her mother's parting words express trust and non-interference

Ending note: The chapter closes with Gao Jing teleporting to Great World, marking the start of his next dangerous mission.

Chapter Summary: “Returning to Azure River”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing returns to Mountain Stronghold, where the children celebrate his arrival as though it were a festival.
• He distributes candy, toys, stuffed dolls to the girls, and specially made steel slingshots to the boys.
• He brings Shan Tai 5,000 tons of White Liquor, intended to serve as a major part of Shan Tai’s betrothal gift to Qing Lan of the Azure River Tribe. Shan Tai personally helps package the liquor.
• Gao Jing gives Shan Guo’er an enormous cream cake. She devours it happily, then remembers she forgot to save some for Shan Cui’er. Gao Jing produces a second cake for them to share.
• Shan Tai asks when they can travel to Azure River City to propose. Since the betrothal gifts are still incomplete, he decides to return to Blacksoil Hills to hunt more Earthstorm Bears and obtain valuable materials.
• Gao Jing tells Shan Tai that he will travel to Azure River City alone and wait there. The two agree to reunite in the city half a month later.
• The next morning, Gao Jing leaves Mountain Stronghold. He travels by Mercedes G-Class, using his compass, drone, storage space, and Dreamer Type 3 aircraft to cross difficult terrain.
• After four days, he reaches Azure River City and secretly enters by hiding inside a merchant caravan’s beast-drawn cart.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing demonstrates generosity and affection toward the Mountain Tribe, especially the children and Shan Guo’er. At the same time, he begins taking an important step toward independence.
• He recognizes that remaining in the safety of Mountain Stronghold could weaken his ambition and fighting spirit. His decision to travel alone reflects growing courage and confidence in his ability to survive.
• Shan Tai remains deeply devoted to Qing Lan and determined to marry her, showing both emotional commitment and responsibility toward the Mountain Tribe’s reputation.
• Shan Tai has also grown stronger and more capable, now confident enough to hunt powerful Earthstorm Bears as a Totem Grand Warrior.
• Shan Guo’er is portrayed as innocent, enthusiastic, and food-loving. Her brief regret at forgetting Shan Cui’er shows that she is affectionate despite her eagerness.

Significant Themes

• Departure and personal growth: Gao Jing’s journey represents his transition from a protected life in the Mountain Tribe to the wider world.
• Courage and independence: The chapter emphasizes that true warriors must face danger alone and develop a courageous heart.
• Community and generosity: Gao Jing’s gifts strengthen his emotional bond with the people of Mountain Stronghold.
• Love and preparation: Shan Tai’s efforts to gather an impressive betrothal gift show the seriousness of his relationship with Qing Lan and the importance of tribal customs.
• The contrast between safety and ambition: Mountain Stronghold is a comforting home, but Gao Jing believes excessive comfort may undermine his future potential.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing warmly interacts with the children, distributing gifts and sharing in their excitement.
• His playful exchange with Shan Guo’er over the cream cakes highlights their close, affectionate relationship.
• Gao Jing and Shan Tai discuss the marriage proposal and coordinate their separate plans, showing mutual trust and respect.
• Shan Tai accepts Gao Jing’s decision to travel alone without protest, recognizing it as part of his growth as a warrior.
• Gao Jing’s reunion with Azure River City remains indirect: rather than entering openly, he uses his small size and cleverness to infiltrate the city unnoticed.

Chapter Summary: “Simply Brain-Dead”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing enters Azure River City disguised among a beast cart’s cargo, then uses the Weaver’s Bracer to climb a building and travel across the rooftops.
• He avoids the danger posed by the city’s enormous giants, reinforcing his determination to strengthen the Giant Spirit Totem and eventually reduce the disadvantage caused by his small size.
• A Red-Eyed Crow attacks, but Gao Jing kills it instantly with his Colt Viper. The rest of the flock flees in terror, having remembered the devastating losses they suffered during their previous confrontation with him.
• Gao Jing locates the chimney passage leading to Blackwater Underground City and uses the Phantom Wing Pendant to descend safely.
• At the Abyss City Alliance’s Blackwater branch, he collects 125 Gulu God Statues obtained through his previously posted purchase task.
• He absorbs the Faith Power from every statue, greatly increasing the energy in his Faith Pool. The statues crumble into dust afterward.
• Gao Jing intends to return in a few months to purchase more statues, since accumulating Faith Power will make upgrading the Copper Anchor easier.
• Before he leaves, a middle-aged man approaches him, claiming to possess additional Gulu God Statues. Rather than naming a fair price himself, the man asks Gao Jing what he is willing to pay.
• Gao Jing offers only 501 copper coins—barely above the official task reward of 500—and refuses to be manipulated into overpaying. He then leaves, while the man watches him with growing resentment.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: His advancement to High-Tier Totem Warrior has significantly improved his strength, agility, and mobility. He has become more confident in navigating Azure River City and increasingly relies on his artifacts and firearms. He also demonstrates strong business judgment, refusing to reward greed or let others exploit his unique need for Gulu God Statues.
• Red-Eyed Crows: Their behavior reveals that they are intelligent and capable of learning from past defeats. Instead of seeking revenge, they flee after recognizing Gao Jing’s gunshot.
• Middle-aged merchant: He is presented as opportunistic and manipulative, attempting to make Gao Jing set the price so he can demand the highest possible amount. His anger after Gao Jing’s refusal suggests potential future hostility.

Significant Themes

• Strength and adaptation: Gao Jing’s improved abilities allow him to move through a dangerous giant city more safely, while the crows’ retreat shows that enemies also adapt to past encounters.
• Scale and vulnerability: The immense size difference between Gao Jing and the giants remains a major danger, motivating his pursuit of the Giant Spirit Totem.
• Resource accumulation and advancement: Faith Power is treated as a crucial resource for future cultivation and the Copper Anchor’s upgrades.
• Greed versus fairness: Gao Jing is willing to spend generously, but he refuses to be exploited. The chapter emphasizes that generosity does not mean tolerating dishonest bargaining.
• Intelligence and survival: Both Gao Jing and the Red-Eyed Crows act pragmatically, choosing efficient strategies rather than blindly following convention or emotion.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing’s confrontation with the Red-Eyed Crows is brief but demonstrates the lasting psychological impact of his previous massacre.
• The Abyss City Alliance staff efficiently fulfill Gao Jing’s purchase task, establishing the organization as reliable and trustworthy.
• The middle-aged man attempts to negotiate with Gao Jing, but Gao Jing rejects his manipulative approach with a deliberately low counteroffer. Their interaction ends with the man silently developing hostility toward him.

Chapter Summary: “Invitation to a Mission”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing refuses to increase the reward for his Gulu God Statue collection mission after a middle-aged man attempts to exploit him. Although Gao Jing is generous toward friends, he reacts harshly to greed and manipulation.
• He leaves the mission hall and visits the Abyss City Alliance’s second-floor tavern, a major gathering place for adventurers.
• While drinking ale, Gao Jing listens to conversations and gathers information about the Underworld, including dangerous missions, failed adventuring teams, and unstable Abyss Cities.
• Gao Jing reflects on his recent cultivation progress. After becoming a High-Tier Totem Warrior, his advancement has slowed, and he learns that further growth requires real combat rather than secluded training.
• A one-eyed warrior named Kui Bao approaches him and invites him to join a team exploring Ruin City.
• Kui Bao explains that his team suffered heavy losses on its previous mission and is recruiting new members. The mission is Third Rank and offers each participant one hundred mission points, one hundred silver coins, and personal ownership of any spoils found.
• Gao Jing accepts the invitation, attracted by the generous rewards and the opportunity to gain combat experience in the Underworld.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates both generosity and firm principles. He refuses to reward dishonest bargaining, even at the cost of potentially valuable Faith Power. He also shows caution about joining unfamiliar groups, questioning Kui Bao’s motives before accepting.
• Gao Jing’s main goal is to overcome the cultivation bottleneck between a High-Tier Totem Warrior and a Totem Grand Warrior. He recognizes that dangerous battles in the Underworld may provide the experience and pressure needed for advancement.
• Kui Bao: Introduced as a scarred, one-eyed warrior and experienced adventurer. His team has recently suffered severe losses, forcing him to recruit newcomers despite his reservations.

Significant Themes

• Generosity versus exploitation: Gao Jing is willing to reward others generously but refuses to tolerate greed or manipulation.
• Growth through conflict: The chapter emphasizes that true advancement requires battle, hardship, and the testing of one’s will.
• Risk and trust: Joining an adventuring team involves serious danger, especially when members have no established bond or cooperation. Gao Jing carefully weighs the risks before agreeing.
• The value of resources: Mission points, currency, and spoils are important, but Gao Jing appears to value the opportunity for cultivation and combat even more.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing’s earlier negotiation with the middle-aged man ends badly when he perceives the man as trying to take advantage of him.
• In the tavern, Gao Jing mainly interacts indirectly with other adventurers by listening to their conversations and learning about the Underworld.
• Kui Bao directly approaches Gao Jing, identifies him as a newly registered High-Tier Totem Warrior, and offers him a place on the Ruin City expedition.
• Gao Jing questions Kui Bao’s reasons, confirms the mission’s rank and reward, and ultimately agrees to join the team.

Chapter Summary: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing values practical experience and decides to join Kui Bao’s adventurer team to gain knowledge of the Underworld and improve his combat strength.
• Kui Bao introduces him to the team’s four existing members: two male warriors, a female archer, and a female scout. All are Third-Level Alliance Members, with the weakest being High-Level Totem Warriors.
• The team is preparing to explore a newly discovered Ruin City, an enormous abandoned Abyss City whose buildings remain largely intact despite being empty and sealed underground for countless years.
• The Ruin City is dangerous, containing ferocious beasts and Wraiths, with the possibility of even stronger supernatural creatures. Discovering the reason for its destruction would greatly increase the mission’s rewards.
• The team signs the mission contract and agrees to meet at the Alliance Branch the following morning.
• Unable to find a room at the crowded Alliance inn, Gao Jing leaves to search for other lodging.
• He notices that two men are following him, including the middle-aged man who earlier attempted to sell him a Gulu God Statue.
• Gao Jing deliberately leads the pursuers into an empty alley and confronts them. He easily recognizes that their attack poses little threat and summons his Flame Longsaber.
• Just as he prepares to defeat the axe-wielding warrior, a hidden third person suddenly uses a binding ability on him, leaving him restrained. The chapter ends with the revelation that the apparent pursuers were themselves being used as bait.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates ambition, caution, and confidence. He seeks missions not merely for rewards but to broaden his understanding of the Underworld and strengthen himself through real combat. His ability to detect and manipulate his pursuers shows sharp instincts, while his readiness to face them reveals his confidence in his power.
• Kui Bao: Acts as a practical team leader. He explains the mission’s dangers and rules clearly, ensures the members understand the penalties for withdrawing, and organizes the expedition professionally.
• The middle-aged merchant: Reveals hostile intentions after previously trying to sell Gao Jing the Gulu God Statue. He is apparently part of a larger ambush.
• The hidden attacker: Emerges as the true danger, using a binding technique to catch Gao Jing off guard.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge through experience: Gao Jing believes that direct travel and battle are more valuable than theoretical knowledge, emphasizing the importance of firsthand experience in a mysterious world.
• Danger beneath appearances: The Ruin City appears preserved but abandoned, suggesting hidden threats. Likewise, the two obvious pursuers are not the real masterminds of the attack.
• Predator and prey: The title reflects the shifting power dynamics of the ambush. Gao Jing initially acts as the hunter by luring the pursuers into a dead end, only to discover that another predator has been waiting behind the scenes.
• The complexity of the Underworld: Its vastness, unknown regions, ancient ruins, and varied supernatural dangers establish the Underworld as a place where knowledge and survival are difficult to obtain.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing and Kui Bao discuss the adventurer team and the upcoming Ruin City mission, establishing mutual cooperation.
• Kui Bao introduces Gao Jing to the team and warns everyone about the mission’s dangers and contractual penalties.
• Gao Jing detects the middle-aged man and his companion following him, then turns the situation around by confronting them in an alley.
• The merchant threatens Gao Jing and orders his companion to attack, but Gao Jing remains unfazed.
• Before Gao Jing can retaliate, the unseen attacker binds him, creating a cliffhanger and shifting the apparent confrontation into a larger conspiracy.

Chapter Summary: “Black Robe”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing realizes that two men leaving the Alliance Branch have been targeting him. He lures them into a secluded alley to eliminate them, but fails to notice a third enemy.
• The hidden attacker, a black-robed wizard, immobilizes Gao Jing with a powerful Binding Spell. A burly warrior then attacks him with a battle axe, intending to capture him alive.
• At the last moment, Gao Jing activates the Copper Anchor and escapes to the Main World, appearing in a warehouse at Hong Kong Island International Port.
• Rather than remain safe, Gao Jing quickly condenses his dark-red Battle Aura Armor and returns to the Great World to confront his attackers.
• The warrior’s axe strikes Gao Jing’s shoulder but only leaves a shallow crack in the armor. Gao Jing transforms the armor on his arm into a flaming blade and decapitates the warrior.
• The remaining middle-aged man panics and retreats, while Gao Jing turns his attention to the black-robed wizard.
• Unable to determine whether the wizard is a Witch Adept or a full Wizard, Gao Jing recognizes him as a major threat because of his mastery of Binding magic.
• Gao Jing draws a Desert Eagle and fires. The wizard blocks the first two bullets with a magical barrier, but the attacks destroy a protective pendant and weaken the barrier.
• Gao Jing fires a third shot, which pierces the barrier and strikes the wizard in the forehead.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Learns a serious lesson about underestimating enemies after being ambushed. His danger quickly turns into renewed fighting spirit. He demonstrates improved mastery of Battle Aura Armor, reducing its manifestation time to less than three seconds, and confidently combines supernatural abilities with modern firearms.
• The black-robed wizard: Revealed as a skilled and experienced combat wizard. His Binding Spell nearly defeats Gao Jing, but his confidence is shaken when Gao Jing escapes, survives the warrior’s attack, and destroys his protective defenses.
• The burly warrior: Initially confident that Gao Jing can be captured, he is shocked by the Battle Aura Armor and killed almost instantly.
• The middle-aged accomplice: His courage collapses after witnessing the warrior’s death, causing him to flee.

Significant Themes

• The danger of overconfidence: Gao Jing’s failure to detect the third enemy nearly costs him his life.
• Adaptation and preparation: His rapid development of Battle Aura Armor allows him to reverse an otherwise fatal situation.
• Strength across realms: The chapter emphasizes the overwhelming defensive advantage of a High-Tier Totem Warrior over High-Level opponents.
• Cunning versus direct power: Both sides rely on surprise, hidden abilities, magical defenses, and rapid tactical decisions.
• Blending of worlds and technologies: Gao Jing combines Great World cultivation techniques with Main World equipment, particularly the Desert Eagle, creating an unpredictable fighting style.
• Revenge and resilience: Gao Jing refuses to hide after escaping and immediately returns to confront the enemies where he was attacked.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing is ambushed by the black-robed wizard and the two warriors.
• The wizard binds Gao Jing while the burly warrior attempts to disable and capture him.
• After escaping and returning armored, Gao Jing withstands the warrior’s attack and kills him.
• The middle-aged man witnesses the defeat and flees in terror.
• Gao Jing and the black-robed wizard then engage in a direct contest: the wizard raises magical defenses while Gao Jing uses precise gunfire to break through them, ending the chapter with a bullet striking the wizard’s forehead.