Chapter Summary: The Old Wizard and Shan Guo'er

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing, a miniature "little person," wakes up among Giants and meets an extremely old, thin Giant named Shan Yan, a Grand Wizard of the Mountain Tribe.
• Shan Yan uses a Speech-Understanding Talisman to allow Gao Jing to understand the Great Wilderness Language (Gao Jing cannot yet speak it).
• Shan Yan reveals Gao Jing was found unconscious on a rotten log by tribe hunters; he had been ambushed by a rare Deathsleep Mushroom that puts prey to sleep and digests them. He was nearly killed but was rescued in time.
• Shan Yan explains that Gao Jing's kind are called the Ancient Remnant Race from the Abyss, and that he once met others like him in the City of Ten Thousand Kings.
• Gao Jing decides to stay in the tribe to learn the Great Wilderness Language from Shan Yan.
• Shan Yan assigns his granddaughter, Shan Guo'er, to take care of Gao Jing during his stay, leading to an awkward mutual staring contest.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Cautious but pragmatic. He is initially worried about being treated as a monster, but Shan Yan's goodwill and knowledge ease his fears. He shows respect and gratitude, and eagerly seizes the chance to learn about the new world.
• Shan Yan: Wise, gentle, and perceptive. Despite his age and intimidating frame, he is considerate (he deliberately lowers his voice for Gao Jing's sake) and welcoming. His past travels hint at a broader worldview.
• Shan Guo'er: A proud, cheeky little girl who quickly corrects her grandfather's rank ("Grand Wizard!") and is not afraid to eye the strange newcomer with curiosity.

Significant Themes

• Communication and Understanding: Language barriers are overcome through magical means (Speech-Understanding Talisman), but true understanding requires patience and goodwill.
• Hospitality and Kinship: Shan Yan treats Gao Jing with respect because he regards their races as "sharing the same roots and origins," highlighting the theme of interconnectedness.
• Outsider Experience: Gao Jing navigates being a stranger in a vast, unfamiliar world, balancing caution with curiosity.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Shan Yan: Respectful and mutually cautious at first; Shan Yan uses a talisman to bridge the language gap, then offers shelter, education, and practical help. Gao Jing responds with gratitude and growing trust.
• Shan Guo'er & Shan Yan: Playful and affectionate; she proudly corrects him and clings to him.
• Gao Jing & Shan Guo'er: Their first meeting is comedic—a tense, wide-eyed staring contest as they size each other up, setting up a likely dynamic of reluctant babysitting (with the "baby" being Gao Jing).

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points

• The old Wizard Shan Yan reveals a hidden pipe inside his ebony staff and lights it with a gesture, demonstrating supernatural power (transcendent power exists in this world).
• He tells Gao Jing about the Mountain Tribe: an ancient clan that migrated from a swamp region a thousand miles away, established a new village a year ago, and has over 700 people and several Totem Warriors.
• The Wizard grows drowsy and begins rambling incoherently; Shan Guo'er (his granddaughter) escorts him home to rest.
• Before leaving, the Wizard offers Gao Jing lodging in his wooden house, noting no one will enter without his permission.
• Shan Guo'er returns with a giant bird's nest (2 meters across) for Gao Jing to sleep in, and eats a basketball-sized bird egg in front of him.
• Gao Jing offers her a chocolate energy bar; she initially crushes it in her oversized hands, but upon tasting the chocolate powder, her eyes light up with joy.
• Gao Jing realizes the existence of real magical power in this world (the Wizard's abilities), and becomes excited at the possibility of learning it himself.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Discovers that supernatural power is real and accessible in this world, sparking ambition and wonder. Shows kindness by offering food despite the size difference. Maintains caution (declines the Wizard's offer of food, later accepts the nest with warmth).
• Shan Yan (the old Wizard): Displays wisdom and the tribe's survival philosophy of "caution"—he recognizes Gao Jing's strangeness but deliberately does not pry, stating that everyone has secrets and forcing them out is a grave offense. Also shown as elderly, weary, and struggling with age yet burdened with protecting the tribe.
• Shan Guo'er: Shows a caring, dutiful nature (helping her grandfather, bringing Gao Jing a bed). Despite her fierce appearance, she displays childlike innocence—her reaction to tasting chocolate reveals a simple, genuine joy. She is perceptive enough to feel Gao Jing is "strange."

Significant Themes

• Caution as survival: The Mountain Tribe has survived thousands of years partly through cultural caution—not prying into others' secrets, avoiding unnecessary conflict.
• Power and discovery: The introduction of transcendent power (Wizardry, Totem Warriors) marks a new frontier for Gao Jing in this world.
• Cross-cultural kindness: Despite language barriers and vast physical differences, small acts of generosity (offering a nest, sharing chocolate) forge connection and warmth.
• Isolation through difference: Gao Jing can understand the Great Wilderness Language but cannot speak it—he is an observer, a listener.

Character Interactions

• Old Wizard ↔ Gao Jing: A one-sided conversation (the Wizard talks, Gao Jing listens), where the Wizard shares tribal history and travel stories before deteriorating into sleepy rambling. Mutual politeness and respect characterize their exchange.
• Shan Guo'er ↔ Old Wizard: A warm, caring dynamic—she rubs his back, takes him home, tucks him in, and is trusted with his teachings.
• Shan Guo'er ↔ Gao Jing: Tentative at first (she eyes him warily and delivers a blunt "You sleep here tonight"), but softens through the chocolate exchange—a moment of pure delight on her part that creates a meaningful bond between them.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points & Events

• Gao Jing gives Shan Guo'er all seventy-five chocolate energy bars from his storage space, which delights her and earns her trust and friendship.
• Shan Guo'er tells Gao Jing she will take him to tour the tribe the next day (originally a task from the old wizard, but she treats it as her own thanks).
• Gao Jing falls asleep in the bird's nest and sleeps soundly through the night.
• The next morning, Shan Guo'er arrives, lifts Gao Jing onto her shoulder, and takes him outside to see the Mountain Tribe settlement.
• Gao Jing sees the full valley: a massive settlement of hundreds of giant wooden houses, a towering waterfall, and a winding mountain stream.
• A group of a dozen "little giant" children arrive; one particularly big brat points out Gao Jing as a "little person" like a toy.
• Shan Guo'er violently punches the brat, sending him flying and knocking down the other children.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Learns a few words of the Great Wilderness Language; gains deeper appreciation for the scale of this new world; his kindness (giving chocolate) effectively builds rapport with a native.
• Shan Guo'er: Transitions from wary vigilance to warm intimacy after tasting chocolate; shows her playful, affectionate side, then reveals a fiercely protective (and violent) streak toward Gao Jing.

Significant Themes

• Candy diplomacy / trust through kindness: Gao Jing's chocolate "cannonball" melts Shan Guo'er's guard, paralleling the historical use of candy to win hearts.
• Scale and otherness: Gao Jing's perspective underscores his vulnerability and isolation in a giant world.
• Protection and violence in a primitive world: Shan Guo'er's casual, overwhelming violence demonstrates the harsh norms of this setting and her role as Gao Jing's guardian.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing ↔ Shan Guo'er: Warm and playful; she shares her gratitude, promises to show him the tribe, and physically carries him around. She becomes his protector.
• Shan Guo'er ↔ the other children: She shows zero tolerance for disrespect toward Gao Jing, establishing him as someone under her protection.
• Gao Jing ↔ the other children: They view him as a novel curiosity/toy, hinting at future dangers and social dynamics Gao Jing must navigate.

Summary: "Wasting Heaven's Gifts"

Key Plot Points

1. Gao Jing, riding on Shan Guo'er's shoulder, is being given a tour of Mountain Tribe village. The children who had surrounded them earlier are quickly dismissed by Shan Guo'er.
2. Gao Jing observes the village: houses are scattered and primitive, yet remarkably clean and tidy, with no trash or filth. A faint Purple Sandalwood fragrance fills the air.
3. Gao Jing realizes with shock that every wooden house in the village is built entirely from Premium Purple Sandalwood — a material worth hundreds of thousands to over a million per ton in his world. He briefly fantasizes about moving it all back to the Main World but rationally concludes the price would collapse if supply flooded the market.
4. The villagers use only primitive stone and bone tools — no metal implements appear anywhere. Most residents are elderly, women, and children; Gao Jing mentally notes this detail.
5. Shan Guo'er greets an old Giant named Shan Teng, who proudly shows her a stool he just made.
6. Gao Jing notices the wood scraps on the ground: they are Little-Leaf Red Sandalwood with Premium Full Golden-Star Grain — a top-grade precious material in his world that can only be encountered by chance. Piles of it lie about like garbage.
7. The old Giant, noticing Gao Jing's reaction, generously offers him as much wood as he wants, unaware that Gao Jing's concept of "plenty" is wildly different from the Giant's.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Continues adapting to his tiny stature — he can now leap from Shan Guo'er's shoulder and land safely without injury. His merchant/economist mindset persists: he constantly calculates material value, considers market dynamics, and fantasizes about profiting from the Giants' resources (while rationally debunking his own schemes).
• Shan Guo'er: Her dual nature is revealed. Before the old Wizard, she is exceptionally well-behaved, but among the village children, she is the clear ringleader — even a "little tyrant." She is also extremely well-liked by everyone in the village, not merely tolerated due to status. She is protective of Gao Jing, treating him as her charge.
• Old Giant Shan Teng: A kind, benevolent elder with deep scars from a warrior past. He bears no hostility despite his fierce appearance, and his generosity is genuine and unconditional.

Significant Themes

• Relative value of resources ("Wasting Heaven's Gifts"): What is priceless in Gao Jing's world (Premium Purple Sandalwood, Full Golden-Star Grain) is ordinary construction material and waste here. Value is socially constructed — scarcity, marketing, and speculation, not intrinsic worth, determine price (explicitly compared to natural diamonds).
• Cultural clash: Gao Jing's materialistic, market-driven worldview collides with the Giants' simple, non-commercial way of life where resources are abundant and freely shared.
• Primitive abundance: The tribe's "primitive" tools and lifestyle coexist with resources that would be legendary in the Main World — a paradox of poverty and wealth.

Character Interactions

• Shan Guo'er & village children: She dismisses them haughtily, calling Gao Jing her grandfather's guest. The children obey her instantly, like guards seeing off a queen — none dare defy her authority. Despite roughhousing that would cause serious injuries in Gao Jing's world, none of the children cry or get angry; they're thoroughly used to it.
• Shan Guo'er & villagers: She warmly greets everyone by name ("Grandpa Shan Gen, Auntie Shan Chun, Uncle Shan Yao"), and they respond with affection. She flatters Shan Teng's craftsmanship with honeyed words, clearly beloved by all.
• Shan Teng & Gao Jing: Gao Jing bows and introduces himself in halting Great Wilderness Language, which the Giant understands. Shan Teng notices Gao Jing's intense fascination with the sandalwood scraps and offers him free wood — a gesture of simple generosity that astonishes Gao Jing, who is rendered speechless and doesn't even hear the Giant's words initially.
• Village dogs: They sense Gao Jing and bark at him warily, but are easily placated by Shan Guo'er.

Chapter Summary: "Learning"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing declines to take any Little-Leaf Red Sandalwood from the old Giant Shan Teng, despite its great value, recognizing he couldn't carry much and choosing not to risk revealing his Copper Anchor storage space.
• Shan Guo'er continues the tour of the Mountain Stronghold, showing Gao Jing the valley's massive defensive wall, watchtowers, and the tribe's warrior training grounds.
• Gao Jing observes Shan Tai, the tribe's most powerful Totem Warrior, practicing with a heavy stone ball.
• Shan Guo'er brings Gao Jing to the wooden house where the old Wizard Shan Yan teaches a class on the Great Wilderness Script to the tribe's children.
• Gao Jing studies diligently, recording lessons with his GoPro, and proves a remarkably fast learner—so much so that even the Wizard focuses nearly all attention on him while the other children struggle.
• Half a month passes, and the Speech-Understanding Talisman's effect finally wears off completely.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates prudence and self-restraint by taking nothing of the sandalwood. He reflects on his weakness in the Great World, the need to protect the Copper Anchor's secret, and his obligation to repay the Mountain Giants properly. He immerses himself in learning the Great Wilderness Script with near-total dedication.
• Shan Yan: Reveals himself as a patient, considerate teacher who adapts his pace to Gao Jing's learning speed, showing clear goodwill toward him.
• Shan Guo'er: Serves as Gao Jing's friendly guide, acting with lively pride for her tribe and her brother Shan Tai.

Significant Themes

• Restraint vs. greed — contrasting a petty-minded person with Gao Jing's calculated decision not to hoard what he can't carry.
• Secrecy and survival — Gao Jing's refusal to reveal the Copper Anchor or test the villagers' character in a world where he is physically powerless.
• Gratitude and reciprocity — Gao Jing's desire to properly repay his debt to the Mountain Giants through his learning.
• Knowledge as power — mastering the Great Wilderness Script as a means of integration, communication, and future advancement.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Shan Teng: A respectful farewell; Gao Jing expresses gratitude in a way the old Giant understands.
• Gao Jing & Shan Guo'er: A warm friendship; she proudly introduces Shan Tai and brings Gao Jing to class.
• Gao Jing & Shan Tai: A distant greeting; Shan Tai waves and smiles, though his sharp gaze is notable.
• Gao Jing & Shan Yan: A dedicated teacher-student dynamic; Shan Yan prioritizes Gao Jing's learning while largely ignoring the struggling children.

Chapter Summary: Plane Merchant

Key Plot Points & Events

• Gao Jing has mastered the 3,375-character Great Wilderness script in just fifteen days, aided by the Speech-Understanding Talisman, the script's similarity to Chinese, and his enhanced memory.
• The old Wizard Shan Yan lends Gao Jing a massive book titled Chronicle of the Great Wilderness, which records 30,000 years of history. He shares that he was once cheated into paying thirty Shell Coins for it when it was worth only two.
• Gao Jing announces he plans to return home (to the Main World) the day after tomorrow.
• Gao Jing proposes his first formal trade deal with the Mountain Tribe: he wants Purple Sandalwood and Little-Leaf Red Sandalwood timber in exchange for whatever the tribe needs.
• The old Wizard reveals the tribe's need: salt. He shows Gao Jing a greyish-black saltstone—crude, bitter, and astringent—which is what they currently use.
• Their first deal is concluded as Gao Jing promises to bring real, superior salt.
• Gao Jing prepares his GoPro to photograph the entire book before leaving.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates remarkable learning ability and dedication. He shifts from being a passive recipient of gifts to an active trader, establishing himself as a "plane merchant" who intends to bridge the two worlds. He prioritizes building genuine friendship and trust, not just profit.
• Shan Yan (Old Wizard): Shows his trust and generosity by lending a valuable book. Through his anecdote about being swindled, he subtly warns Gao Jing about the dangers of the wider world while showing his own wisdom and goodwill.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Reciprocity: The foundation of the first trade deal; Gao Jing explicitly wants to build mutual trust and friendship, not merely exchange goods.
• Cultural Exchange: Learning the language and history of the Great Wilderness is the first step in connecting two worlds.
• Value is Relative: What is worthless wood to the Mountain Tribe is more valuable than gold in the Main World, while their crude saltstone is far inferior to what Gao Jing can provide.
• Growth and Departure: Gao Jing is preparing to leave his comfort zone and begin a new venture.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Shan Yan: A warm, mentor-student relationship. The old Wizard tests Gao Jing's intentions, shares life lessons and jokes, and respectfully accepts his trade proposal. Their interaction shows mutual respect and growing trust.

Summary: Chapter "A Temporary Farewell"

Key Plot Points

• Two days after his arrival, Gao Jing departs the Mountain Tribe with a load of selected Purple Sandalwood (~60-70 cubic meters)
• The old Wizard provides a Giant Rhino Packbeast ("Little Gray," only 1 year old) with woven baskets to transport the lumber without exposing the Copper Anchor's storage space
• The Wizard gives Gao Jing a Beast-Taming Talisman (unusually large, half a meter wide and nearly a meter long), which requires blood activation
• Expected to need 4-5 drops (by Giant standards), Gao Jing's wound closes after just 2 drops—and the talisman activates anyway, surprising the old Wizard; Gao Jing feels a new connection in his consciousness
• Gao Jing declines the offered warrior escort, insisting he can protect himself (partly to keep the Copper Anchor's secret; the areas near the stronghold are relatively safe)
• He promises Shan Guo'er candy upon his return, then departs across the plains, heading back to the Main World

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Shows independence and caution (refuses escort, protects his secrets). His rapidly self-healing wound hints at unusual abilities. His internal monologue reveals his deep attachment to his humble Main World rented room—that is "home" to him, despite the splendor of the Great World
• The Old Wizard: Demonstrates wisdom and generosity—solves the transport problem, gifts the Beast-Taming Talisman, and explicitly respects Gao Jing's privacy ("everyone has their own secrets"), not pressuring him about his true motives

Significant Themes

• Secrets and trust: Gao Jing must take risks to keep his storage ability hidden; the Wizard chooses not to pry
• Independence vs. safety: Gao Jing accepts danger rather than compromise his secret
• Homecoming: The contrast between the vast, free Great World and Gao Jing's cramped rented room—he considers the latter his true home and longs to return
• Farewell and friendship: Bittersweet departure with genuine bonds formed

Character Interactions

• The children: Openly joyful at his departure—they were being scolded because Gao Jing's top-student performance made them look bad in the old Wizard's lessons. Gao Jing finds this amusing ("What a bunch of poor students!")
• Shan Guo'er: Protective and affectionate—carries him in a basket woven by craftsman Shan Teng; bravely pats the giant rhino; hesitates at the farewell (mixed feelings), then beaming at the candy promise
• Old Wizard & Gao Jing: Warm mutual respect; the Wizard's slight surprise at the talisman's quick activation hints he senses Gao Jing is unusual
• Pack beast: Docile, comically self-aware ("I'm still just a baby!"), easily controlled via the talisman; Gao Jing rides it like a "giant tank at full throttle"

Notable Details

• The pack beast resembles a giant rhinoceros (~14-15 meters tall), with one long and one short horn, armored gray hide
• The Beast-Taming Talisman only allows "not overly complicated" commands
• Gao Jing's self-healing is subtle but unexplained—a potential seed for future plot revelations

Summary of Chapter 28

Key Plot Points

• Shan Guo'er asks her grandfather (the old Wizard) if Gao Jing will return with candy, showing her attachment to him; the old Wizard reassures her
• Gao Jing travels far from Mountain Stronghold on a Giant Rhino Packbeast
• He reorganizes his storage space, removing supplies to make room for ~60 cubic meters of Purple Sandalwood, while keeping Red Serpent's corpse (which he considers more valuable)
• Gao Jing notes his Faith Power is nearly depleted and resolves to replenish it
• He returns to the Main World (his rental room), takes a shower, and sleeps
• He receives a call from his friend Zhang Hongyuan, inviting him to dinner
• On his way to meet Zhang, Gao Jing encounters a rude "Big Gold Chain" man walking two Rottweilers, who deliberately sets his dogs on Gao Jing
• Gao Jing uses an invisible intimidating aura that terrifies the dogs, causing them to collapse and soil themselves
• The chapter ends with the Rottweilers attacking their owner Big Gold Chain after he kicks them

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Shows practical resourcefulness in managing his storage space; reveals growing supernatural abilities (intimidating aura affecting animals); demonstrates restraint (doesn't provoke conflict but defends himself); values relationships with both Shan Guo'er and Zhang Hongyuan
• Shan Guo'er: Displays loneliness and emotional need for connection; her fierce comment about not talking to Gao Jing reveals her vulnerability
• Old Wizard: Shows wisdom and insight into his granddaughter's emotions; provides comfort and reassurance

Significant Themes

• Duality of worlds: The contrast between the dangerous, vigilant Great World and the familiar, safe Main World
• Class resentment: Big Gold Chain's contempt for Gao Jing despite being strangers highlights social tensions (wealthy demolition beneficiary vs. working-class renter)
• Power dynamics: Gao Jing's newfound power (even partially depleted) gives him an edge in mundane conflicts
• Resource management: The practical challenge of limited storage vs. abundance; strategic decision-making
• Attachment and loneliness: Shan Guo'er's bond with Gao Jing; Gao Jing's genuine friendships in his original world

Character Interactions

• Shan Guo'er & Old Wizard: Emotional exchange about Gao Jing's return; the grandfather's comforting and perceptive response
• Gao Jing & Zhang Hongyuan: Phone call showing easygoing friendship; Zhang insists on paying, Gao Jing offers hospitality
• Gao Jing & Big Gold Chain: Silent hostility from the latter; Gao Jing's nonviolent but effective response to the dog threat
• Gao Jing & the Rottweilers: Demonstrates his ability to project authority/intimidation through an unseen aura

Summary of Chapter: “No Going Back”

1. Key Plot Points

• After the explosion, Gao Jing walks away without looking back. The gold-chain man is attacked and bitten by his own Rottweilers because Gao Jing briefly unleashed his Red Serpent aura.
• Gao Jing takes a taxi to the food street and meets his old friend Zhang Hongyuan and Zhang's girlfriend Zhu Lili at Big Head Stir-Fry.
• Zhang Hongyuan is shocked by Gao Jing’s changed appearance — he looks taller, younger, more handsome, and has a completely different temperament.
• Zhang shares news: Liang Xiang was taken away by economic investigators, his cousin was fired, Qiao Luoluo was suspended, and a young heiress is cleaning house at the company.
• Zhang passes on an offer from Old Cheng: “Golden Radiance welcomes you back.” Gao Jing politely declines, saying he already has another path.
• The three eat, drink, and agree to go karaoke later, with Zhang covering the cost.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Confident, transformed, and clearly moving forward. He has outgrown his old job and old world. He remains loyal to friends but has no intention of returning to his former life.
• Zhang Hongyuan: A loyal, enthusiastic friend who is genuinely happy for Gao Jing, though a little envious. He tries to persuade Gao Jing to return but accepts his decision.
• Zhu Lili: Observant and social; she subtly pushes for a karaoke hangout, showing she supports her boyfriend’s plans to reconnect with Gao Jing.

3. Significant Themes

• No going back: Gao Jing has changed fundamentally and cannot return to ordinary life or his old job.
• Karma/retribution: Liang Xiang’s downfall and the gold-chain man being bitten by his own dogs reflect the idea that actions have consequences.
• Friendship and loyalty: Zhang Hongyuan’s efforts to reconnect and celebrate Gao Jing’s growth highlight the value of genuine friendship.
• Social mobility/transformation: Gao Jing’s physical and inner change symbolizes upward movement and a new identity.

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Zhang Hongyuan: Warm reunion despite Gao Jing’s transformation. Zhang stutters in shock, jokes about plastic surgery, and eventually accepts Gao Jing’s explanation. He shares news and the job offer; Gao Jing declines, and they remain close.
• Gao Jing & Zhu Lili: Polite but limited interaction; she is surprised and curious about his change.
• Gao Jing & gold-chain man (indirect): Gao Jing uses his power covertly, letting the man’s own dogs turn on him — a satisfying act of silent retribution.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhu Lili, excited after meeting Gao Jing, tries to set him up with her single friends by sharing his photo in a WeChat group, sparking interest.
• Gao Jing, Zhang Hongyuan, and Zhu Lili go to a KTV, where Zhu Lili's friends join them. Despite initial interest, the friends are put off by Gao Jing's lack of wealth, comparing him to a poisonous but attractive flower, 'Crane-Crest Red'.
• Zhang Hongyuan tries to encourage Gao Jing to interact with Song Xue, the prettiest among Zhu Lili's friends, but Gao Jing shows no interest.

Character Developments

• Zhu Lili: She tries to play matchmaker, showing her caring and sincere nature, but also her naivety about the complexities of attraction and compatibility.
• Gao Jing: He remains indifferent to the matchmaking attempts, showing his self-assuredness and lack of interest in immediate relationships.
• Zhang Hongyuan: He tries to push Gao Jing towards Song Xue, showing his eagerness to please his girlfriend and his belief in Gao Jing's potential.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs Reality: The girls are initially attracted to Gao Jing's photo but change their minds after meeting him in person, highlighting the difference between appearance and reality.
• Wealth and Status: The girls' interest in Gao Jing wanes when they realize he's not wealthy, showing the influence of material factors in their attraction.
• Friendship and Loyalty: Zhang Hongyuan's eagerness to please his girlfriend and his belief in Gao Jing's potential show the importance of friendship and loyalty in his life.

Character Interactions

• Zhu Lili and Gao Jing: Zhu Lili tries to set Gao Jing up with her friends, but he shows no interest, leading to some tension.
• Zhang Hongyuan and Gao Jing: The two friends drink and chat, showing their camaraderie and mutual understanding.
• Zheng Xing'an and Song Xue: Zheng Xing'an shows interest in Song Xue, but she remains reserved, showing a potential romantic tension.

Chapter Summary: "Parting on Bad Terms"

Key Plot Points

• At a KTV gathering, Zheng Xing'an (Song Xue's persistent admirer) crashes the party and tries to impress Song Xue with his corporate status, but she ignores him completely.
• Zheng Xing'an's girlfriend, humiliated by his obvious fixation on Song Xue, storms out of the private room.
• Song Xue, fed up, also leaves early, nodding apologetically to Gao Jing and Zhang Hongyuan.
• The party dissolves awkwardly. Two girls add Gao Jing on WeChat before leaving.
• Zhang Hongyuan tries to persuade Gao Jing to return to work at Golden Radiance; Gao Jing firmly refuses.
• Returning to the urban village, Gao Jing overhears elderly residents celebrating that Big Gold Chain (a local bully) was severely mauled by dogs.
• Gao Jing discovers a sudden surge of pure Faith Power in his Copper Anchor—despite no one knowing he orchestrated Big Gold Chain's downfall. He realizes Faith Power flows to him whenever he is the "cause" of an outcome, regardless of whether he receives credit.
• Excitedly, he rushes home to his laptop and logs onto Bilibili.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates quiet confidence and dignity; rejects returning to his old job; gains critical insight into how his Faith Power mechanic truly works (cause-based reward, not credit-based).
• Zheng Xing'an: Revealed as boastful, insecure, and socially tone-deaf; his attempts to flex his wealth only make him look worse compared to Gao Jing.
• Song Xue: Poised and graceful; firmly sets boundaries with Zheng Xing'an, showing self-respect and maturity.
• Zhang Hongyuan: A genuinely loyal friend who feels guilty about the ruined gathering and tries to help Gao Jing's career.

Significant Themes

• Superficiality vs. Substance: Zheng Xing'an's designer clothes and expensive watch are "crushed" by Gao Jing's bargain attire—material wealth cannot compensate for character.
• Karma and Retribution: The neighborhood's celebration of Big Gold Chain's suffering reinforces "what goes around comes around."
• The Nature of Faith/Power: Gao Jing's revelation that indirect causation still generates Faith Power expands the story's magical system—belief need not be directed at him specifically.
• Social Pressure: The girls' commentary highlights the harsh economic realities driving materialistic attitudes.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing vs. Zheng Xing'an: Subtle antagonism; Zheng tries to establish superiority, Gao Jing responds with lazy indifference.
• Zheng Xing'an ↔ Song Xue: One-sided; she immediately shuts down his use of the intimate nickname "Xiaoxue."
• Gao Jing ↔ Zhang Hongyuan: Warm, brotherly friendship; Zhang is apologetic and persistent, Gao Jing is kind but firm.
• Gao Jing ↔ Elderly Neighbors: Overheard conversation reveals community sentiment; Gao Jing is surprised but not guilty about Big Gold Chain's fate.

Chapter Summary: "Positive Energy" (Chapter 3 - "Positive Energy")

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing's Bilibili video (posted as "g93") has gone viral: 380,000+ views, 30,000+ likes, 10,000+ coins, earning him 59,000 followers and substantial Faith Power for the Copper Anchor.
• The upgraded Copper Anchor now provides a storage space, which allowed Gao Jing to bring back 60+ cubic meters of premium red sandalwood from the "Great World."
• Gao Jing theorizes about how Faith Power works. He writes down nine candidate emotions (attention, admiration, astonishment, gratitude, being moved, joy, reverence, esteem, worship), then crosses out "attention" as insufficient.
• He distills the concept into three words: "Positive Energy" — healthy, optimistic, upward-driving emotions that benefit self and society.
• To farm Faith Power, Gao Jing concludes he must become famous — but not via entertainment or sports stardom (the spotlight would expose his Copper Anchor secret).
• Inspired by "national husband" Wang Baoshi's trending-search ubiquity, Gao Jing logs onto Sailfish Live, tops up 10,000 yuan, and enters the stream of a struggling female singer named Mu Yu.
• He tips her a Super Rocket (2,000 yuan), triggering a sitewide announcement, flooding her stream with viewers, and causing her to thank him effusively.
• Gao Jing smiles, realizing he has "earned" Faith Power from her genuine gratitude. He requests the song "Pale Yellow Dress, Fluffy Hair", amusing the audience.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Shifts from passive content poster to strategic Faith Power farmer. He is methodical, analytical, and increasingly willing to spend money to generate emotional returns. Shows clever, entrepreneurial thinking but also a slightly manipulative edge (he views others' emotions as "harvestable" resources).
• Mu Yu: A humble, low-popularity streamer whose genuine, unfiltered reaction to the large tip highlights her sincerity — the kind of authentic emotion Gao Jing seeks.

Significant Themes

• The Economy of Faith/Emotion: Genuine positive emotions (gratitude, admiration, being moved) convert to supernatural power. "Attention" alone is worthless; only emotional investment matters.
• Fame as Infrastructure: Celebrity/fame doesn't directly generate Faith Power but is a prerequisite platform to amplify Positive Energy.
• Wealth as a Tool: Spending money on others generates sincere emotional returns — a straightforward transaction model for procuring Faith Power.
• The Nature of Virality: Short, spectacular content (the 60-second Great World video) can create outsized influence.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing ↔ Mu Yu: A giver-receiver dynamic. Mu Yu is shocked, flustered, and deeply grateful ("Thank you, Brother g93!"). Gao Jing is detached and calculating, watching her reaction with satisfaction. The interaction formalizes a "transaction": his money for her genuine emotion.
• Gao Jing ↔ Online Audiences: The live audience's amused reaction ("—?!") shows how his actions ripple outward, generating secondary engagement and shared delight.

Chapter Summary: "Cash Power"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing enters an unknown female streamer Mu Yu's livestream on Sailfish Live and gifts her a Super Rocket (worth thousands of yuan).
• He requests she sing a rap-style song; she stumbles at first but finds her rhythm.
• After praising her, he asks for an "emotionless recitation version" as a joke, which she performs.
• He sends three more Super Rockets, gives encouragement, then quietly leaves the livestream without revealing himself.
• Gao Jing observes that his "Faith Power" is steadily increasing, confirming that spending money on struggling streamers yields tangible supernatural benefits in a way that tipping top streamers would not.
• He backs up and encrypts footage, especially related to the Chronicle of the Great Wilderness — a fifty-nine-page ancient text recording 30,000 years of the Great Wilderness human race's history.
• Next morning: morning exercise, haircut (he buys an electric clipper to trim his own hair in the future, to avoid suspicion about his abnormally fast hair growth).
• He shops at Hermès in Vientiane City, buying a new outfit (T-shirt, trousers, sneakers) totaling 14,150 yuan, and his overall attractiveness increases by an additional 0.5.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Tests and validates his "Cash Power" ability — spending money generates Faith Power. He is pragmatic, detail-oriented (encrypts sensitive data, trims his own hair to hide anomalies), modest (doesn't seek fame from his generosity), and growing more confident in upscale settings. His physique is already several times stronger than an ordinary human's, and he maintains disciplined exercise habits.
• Mu Yu: A small, unknown streamer moved to tears by sudden generosity; her talent is acknowledged and encouraged.

Significant Themes

• Cash Power: Money spent meaningfully (helping those in need) generates supernatural "Faith Power" more effectively than spending on the already-famous.
• "Charcoal in snowy weather" vs. "flowers on brocade": Helping someone at their lowest is far more valuable than adding to someone's existing success.
• Vanity as the engine of livestream tipping: People empty savings or borrow money for the sake of recognition — a critique of the psychology behind excessive tipping.
• Anonymity: Gao Jing "brushed off his sleeves and left, hiding neither merit nor fame" — doing good without seeking recognition.
• Attention to detail: Small precautions (hair trimming, encryption) reflect a survival-oriented mindset as he juggles two worlds.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing ↔ Mu Yu: He tips her generously, makes playful song requests, encourages her, and leaves without expectation — a one-sided act of patronage that deeply affects her.
• Gao Jing ↔ Saleswoman: The Hermès saleswoman's professional judgment recognizes him as a genuine buyer; the interaction is smooth and transactional, reflecting his growing ease in luxury environments.

Summary: "Seeing Himself"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing continues his luxury shopping spree at Hermès and Louis Vuitton, purchasing high-end clothing and accessories (totaling ¥29,400 at Louis Vuitton alone), including jeans, a shirt, a wallet, and a clutch.
• He reflects on his financial situation: having spent over ¥200,000, he has less than ¥200,000 left in his bank account—but he remains confident because he possesses 60+ cubic meters of premium Purple Sandalwood timber stored in his mysterious "Copper Anchor" space, worth an estimated ¥30-40 million.
• He buys a new Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche phone (¥12,999), replacing his old Xiaomi.
• He rents a Mercedes-Benz S350 through the SwiftRide app (¥1,080/day) and drives 350 kilometers to Beiyang City, a wealthy county-level city known as a furniture capital.
• He visits Rosewood Street beside the timber market, scouting prices for sandalwood and Little-Leaf Red Sandalwood. He observes "wood gambling"—the risky practice of buying uncut logs whose interior quality is unknown (similar to gambling on jade roughs).
• He visits over a dozen shops to learn market prices, though some shopkeepers try to overcharge him as a "fat sheep." He finishes the chapter entering a small shop at the end of the street.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing undergoes a moment of self-reflection ("seeing himself") where he examines himself from a higher perspective, confirming he remains steadfast, rational, and composed despite his sudden wealth.
• He demonstrates growing confidence and adaptability to a wealthy lifestyle, carrying himself in luxury brands as though he had ¥20 million.
• His business acumen shows: he methodically gathers market intelligence rather than making impulsive purchases, despite his earlier spending spree.

3. Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality ("Clothes make the man, gold makes the Buddha"): Luxury brands change how others perceive Gao Jing—shopkeepers assume he is a rich young master, never suspecting his humble background.
• Self-identity amid transformation: The chapter's core theme is "seeing heaven and earth, seeing all living beings, seeing oneself"—Gao Jing seeks to confirm he hasn't lost himself in wealth.
• Risk and speculation: Wood gambling (buying logs blind) mirrors the speculative nature of Gao Jing's own ventures.
• Knowledge as power: He leverages his appearance to extract free market information from shopkeepers.

4. Character Interactions

• Louis Vuitton salesgirl: Becomes starry-eyed and extra attentive upon seeing his Hermès bags; her voice is described as "soft and tingling," and she feels her heart skip under his gaze—but Gao Jing remains calmly unaffected.
• Huawei store staff: Brief transaction only.
• SwiftRide delivery specialist: Professional vehicle handover, no meaningful dialogue.
• Rosewood Street shopkeepers: They enthusiastically share information (some honestly, some trying to exploit him), believing he's a wealthy young man. Their wasted efforts leave them with nothing from Gao Jing, who has already gauged market prices through comparative shopping.
  The chapter also includes a BGM reference to the song "The Youth" by Meng Ran, underscoring Gao Jing's declaration: "I am still that youth from before, not changed in the slightest."

Summary: "Making a Good Connection"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing visits a small woodworking shop and asks an old craftsman to turn his raw material into bead bracelets.
• The material is revealed to be extremely high-quality Purple Sandalwood with cloud grain, water ripples, scales, and full golden-star grain.
• The craftsman is astonished by the wood and personally processes it into several bracelets: three 20mm, three 15mm, and two 10mm bracelets, plus extra hanging beads and accessories.
• Gao Jing pays for the work not with money but with a fist-sized piece of the same premium wood, to make a "good connection."
• A huge bald man, accompanied by two lackeys, spots Gao Jing’s bracelets and reacts with shock and intense interest, setting up a potential future encounter.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Calm, generous, and strategic. He values relationships over short-term cost and presents himself as someone with rare resources.
• Old Craftsman: Highly skilled, humble, and honorable. He is deeply moved by the quality of the material and initially refuses such generous payment, showing integrity.
• Bald Fat Man: New character introduced; appears wealthy or involved in the bead/antique scene, easily impressed and likely to become a future ally or contact.

Significant Themes

• Craftsmanship vs. Material: The chapter highlights how even ordinary wood can become extraordinary in the hands of a master.
• Social Currency: Paying with premium material instead of money reflects the novel's theme of building networks and "connections."
• Value Recognition: True appreciation for quality is shown through the craftsman's reaction and the fat man’s awe.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing quietly observes the craftsman’s work before introducing himself, showing patience.
• The craftsman initially doesn’t notice Gao Jing, then becomes warmly respectful once he sees the material.
• The fat man enters loudly, expresses disbelief, and tries to get Gao Jing’s attention, but Gao Jing remains indifferent—hinting that he is not easily impressed and holds the upper hand in future dealings.

Here is a concise summary of the chapter:

Key Plot Points

1. Encounter on the Street: Gao Jing is stopped by a portly stranger (Niu Jinxing) after his bracelets attract attention on Rosewood Street.
2. Introduction: Niu Jinxing introduces himself as a furniture magnate from Beiyang and immediately offers to buy one of Gao Jing's Premium Full Golden-Star Grain bracelets.
3. Gift, Not Sale: Gao Jing refuses to sell but gifts Niu Jinxing a bracelet, claiming they hit it off and "meeting is fate."
4. Niu Jinxing's Gratitude: Overwhelmed by Gao Jing's generosity, Niu invites him to a meal and insists they are now friends.
5. Background Exchange: During the drive, Gao Jing reveals (partially truthfully) that he was formerly a salesman and is now planning to register an import-export company on Hong Kong Island, sourcing red sandalwood from India.
6. Departure: Niu has his driver lead the way in his Bentley while he rides with Gao Jing, and the two head toward the city center.

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Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates cunning social strategy—he uses a valuable gift as a "stepping stone" to break into the trade circle. He is careful not to overstate his background, deliberately correcting Niu's assumptions to avoid future problems. Shows both generosity and calculation.
• Niu Jinxing (Fat Ox): Revealed as a wealthy, bold, and slightly ostentatious businessman with a deep passion for Little-Leaf Red Sandalwood. He is emotionally moved by Gao Jing's gift, suggesting he values personal rapport and loyalty over money.
• The two lackeys: Serve as observers, highlighting that Niu's quick friendship with Gao Jing is unprecedented, which underscores Gao Jing's charm and Niu's impulsive nature.

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Significant Themes

• Networking and Favor-Trading: Gao Jing uses a physical gift not just as a token of friendship, but as a deliberate investment in a relationship with a powerful local figure.
• Appearance vs. Reality: Niu initially mistakes Gao Jing for someone of elite background; Gao Jing deliberately clarifies his humble origins, showing his commitment to avoiding deception and building trust on genuine terms (even if his business story itself is partly fabricated).
• The Value of Rare Goods: The chapter emphasizes the rarity and allure of Premium Full Golden-Star Grain sandalwood bracelets, making them a symbol of status and a conduit for social connection.

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Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Niu Jinxing: The core interaction. Niu approaches with curiosity and desire; Gao Jing responds politely, then strategically offers a gift instead of a sale, instantly winning Niu's loyalty. Their banter ("Big Ox," "Brother Gao Jing") establishes an instant, almost theatrical camaraderie.
• Niu & His Lackeys: Niu's commanding yet casual treatment of his underlings reinforces his status as a "nouveau riche" boss who wants to appear approachable to equals but still controls his entourage.
• Gao Jing's Internal Strategy: Though not a spoken interaction, Gao Jing's inner thoughts reveal his calculated decision to "throw out a stone to ask for directions," using Niu as his entry point into Beiyang's trade world.

Chapter Summary: "God of Wine"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing and Niu Jinxing arrive at Shangshu Ward, a historic courtyard in Beiyang, to dine at Zhang Family Restaurant—a prestigious Huaiyang cuisine private eatery owned by Master Zhang Huai'an, which normally requires months of advance reservations.
• Niu Jinxing secures a table with a single phone call, demonstrating his influence.
• Over dinner, Gao Jing out-drinks Niu Jinxing and his two underlings—consuming over five bottles of Feitian Moutai with zero visible effect—earning him the title "God of Wine" and Niu Jinxing's genuine respect.
• During the conversation, Gao Jing gains extensive insider knowledge about the rosewood and Purple Sandalwood market, including unspoken rules and inside details, which sharpens his pre-existing business plans.
• The two part as friends, with Niu Jinxing calling Gao Jing "Brother" and promising future camaraderie; Gao Jing chooses to return to Cloud City despite Niu Jinxing's invitation to stay.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates exceptional social intelligence via his "Friend-Making-from-Nothing Technique"—catering to Niu Jinxing's tastes without being obsequious. His post-transformation superhuman physique now includes vastly enhanced alcohol tolerance. He remains level-headed despite Niu Jinxing's warmth, viewing the relationship pragmatically as a mutually beneficial business channel.
• Niu Jinxing: Transitions from local "tiger" to an enthusiastic ally. Initially respectful due to Gao Jing's apparent connections, he becomes genuinely impressed by Gao Jing's drinking prowess and composed demeanor, extending true friendship by the chapter's end.

Significant Themes

• Strategic Networking and Mutual Benefit: Gao Jing deliberately cultivates relationships based on shared interests rather than empty flattery, understanding that genuine alliances must benefit both parties.
• Social Capital as Currency: Niu Jinxing's ability to procure coveted restaurant reservations and insider market knowledge illustrates how influence operates in Beiyang's business circles.
• Perception Versus Reality: Gao Jing's calm exterior hides his calculated motives; Niu Jinxing's rough demeanor masks sharp business instincts.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing's initial toast and three consecutive drinks establish his credibility at the table.
• Niu Jinxing's failed attempts to "fight" Gao Jing to a draw lead to humorous escalation (deploying his underlings as drinking reinforcements).
• The final exchange—Niu Jinxing's slightly drunken admission that he didn't let Gao Jing "drink to his heart's content"—signals genuine respect and lays groundwork for future cooperation in the raw materials trade.

Chapter Summary: "Bottom Line and Conscience"

Key Plot Points and Events

1. Company Registration: Gao Jing hires a consulting agency to register a personal company on Hong Kong Island — "Hong Kong Island Great World Import and Export Trading Co., Ltd." — paying 3,500 yuan for expedited processing. He opens corporate and personal accounts at Henghui Bank.
2. Future Business Plans: He intends to travel to Hong Kong Island to register a holding company and an offshore company in the Virgin Islands, layering shareholdings to conceal the true owner behind the scenes.
3. Warehouse Setup: Gao Jing rents a 100-square-meter warehouse near Cloud City's decoration market and buys cutting tools, an electric scale, and an electric drill.
4. Failed Butchering Attempt: He tries to disassemble the Red Serpent's corpse but fails — the hide is impervious to cutting discs, grinding wheels, and drill bits, ruining his tools. The only weak point remains the original crossbow bolt wound. He returns the corpse to the Copper Anchor storage space (which prevents decay).
5. Salt Purchase: He orders 80 tons of edible coarse salt at 2,430 yuan/ton (totaling ~200,000 yuan), paid partially with a deposit, requesting unprinted packaging. He plans to deliver this to the old wizard in the Great World.
6. Candy Order: He orders 2,000 jin (1,000 kg) of peanut sesame candy from a pastry shop at 20 yuan/jin, requesting each piece be a 10-jin block — thinking of Shan Guo'er's reaction.
7. Financial Strain: The expenditures exceed his funds, forcing him to max out his Huabei and Jiebei credit lines from Boss Ma, betting on becoming wealthy after returning to the Great World.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing's Strategic Caution: He layers corporate structures across jurisdictions to protect himself, demonstrating his awareness of his own weakness and his preparation for future business.
• Gao Jing's Moral Integrity: Despite needing salt cheaply, he explicitly refuses industrial salt offered by a shady shopkeeper, valuing his conscience over saving money. Even though industrial salt would be superior to what the old wizard has, Gao Jing refuses to cross his own line.
• Gao Jing's Reflectiveness: He acknowledges how lucky he was to kill the Red Serpent, crediting the goddess of luck.
• Gao Jing's Caring Side: His thoughts of Shan Guo'er's joy upon tasting the candy reveal his affection and emotional connection to the Great World.

Significant Themes

• Conscience and Bottom Lines: The chapter title directly reflects Gao Jing's refusal to buy industrial salt — he has principles even while operating pragmatically. The contrast between "it works just the same" and his actual standards is central.
• Preparation and Disguise: The elaborate corporate structuring shows Gao Jing's forward-thinking approach to protecting himself while he is still weak.
• The Two-World Advantage: Modern goods (salt, candy) have enormous value in the Great World; his wealth strategy depends on this arbitrage.
• Reality vs. Expectation: The failure to process the snake corpse serves as a humbling reminder of his current limitations and how fortunate his earlier victory was.

Character Interactions

• With the salt shop owner: A brief but tense exchange. The owner offers cheap industrial salt, implying it works fine, but Gao Jing is disgusted by his character and lewd smile, leaving immediately.
• With the second salt wholesaler: A successful business negotiation; the owner agrees to the unusual packaging request without issue.
• With the pastry shop owners: Warm interaction with the wife; Gao Jing samples the candy, negotiates a bulk discount, and pays a cash deposit.
• With the old wizard and Shan Guo'er (off-screen/remembered): His purchasing decisions are driven by his promise to the old wizard and his desire to please Shan Guo'er.

Chapter Summary: "Where's My Candy?"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Gao Jing returns to the Main World and completes preparations: receives full business licenses for the Hong Kong Island Great World Import-Export Trading Company, stores 80 tons of coarse salt and 200 blocks (1 ton) of peanut sesame candy (specially wrapped to prevent sticking/dampness).
• He transfers the Red Serpent corpse and Purple Sandalwood out of the Copper Anchor's storage space, leaving them behind in the Main World (time there is frozen while he's away, so they're safe).
• Gao Jing returns to the Great World, where time had also been frozen during his absence. He camps in a small grove for three days before returning to the Mountain Tribe, deliberately creating a time gap so the Mountain Giants won't question where he acquired so many supplies.
• He observes the two moons (Silver Moon and Blood Moon) and prays to the Silver Moon, as described in the Chronicle of the Great Wilderness.
• Critical discovery: Only four Silver Scales remain on the Copper Anchor — meaning after this trip, he has just one final round trip left before being trapped in the Great World permanently. He resolves to stay longer and complete his goals.
• On the third day, he sets off for the Mountain Tribe. Shan Guo'er spots him from afar, races out to meet him, leaps onto the packbeast's back with acrobatic precision, and demands her candy.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Shows strategic caution — risks wilderness camping to protect his secret rather than trust the Mountain Giants blindly. Demonstrates growing attachment to the Great World (finds the air "sweet" and refreshing). Feels warmth at seeing Shan Guo'er. Faces mounting pressure from limited Silver Scales.
• Shan Guo'er: Energetic, physically extraordinary (can leap above a giant rhino), deeply familiar with and attached to Gao Jing, playful and affectionate.

Significant Themes

• Limited resources / countdown stakes: The dwindling Silver Scales create urgency and tension around the world-hopping mechanic.
• Secrecy and trust: Gao Jing cannot fully trust even friendly factions with his origin and abilities; he must manufacture alibis.
• Friendship and connection: His bond with Pipi Rhino (his mount) and Shan Guo'er humanizes the adventure and gives him emotional stakes beyond survival.
• Wonder and discovery: The alien environment (two moons, giant flora, fresh air) is framed with genuine awe.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Pipi Rhino: Playful companionship; the rhino is loyal, acts as a sentry, and knows the way home.
• Gao Jing & Shan Guo'er: Joyful reunion — she races miles to meet him, leaps onto his mount, and teases him for candy; their dynamic is warm and teasing.

Chapter-End Hook

• The chapter closes with Shan Guo'er's playful demand — and a humorous author's note: "Where are my votes? Forget it, I won't ask for votes. I'll ask for warmth instead!"

Chapter Summary: "Even Score"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Gao Jing returns to Mountain Stronghold after his shopping trip, bringing 80 tons (2,000 pounds) of goods, including peanut candy and coarse salt
• Shan Guo'er greets him excitedly and receives her promised candy—she quickly devours several blocks
• Gao Jing presents the salt to the old Wizard, who is deeply shaken by its unprecedented quality
• The Wizard reveals the tribe's dire salt situation: they trade valuable Sabertooth Tiger hides for poor, bitter "Saltstone" from merchants who arrive every ~90 days
• Gao Jing also gifts the Wizard several hundred jin of tobacco leaves, which the old man delights in
• The old Wizard orders a bonfire feast in Gao Jing's honor
• The salt (80 tons) proves insufficient for the tribe's 700+ members—it doesn't even fill one jar, highlighting the limits of Gao Jing's current ability to help
• Gao Jing declines lavish thanks, insisting the tribe already saved his life—they are now "even"

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: His goals have evolved—making money is now secondary to a "higher pursuit" (building the tribe's wellbeing and his place within it). He shows growing judgment, buying practical goods (salt, tobacco) tailored to the tribe's needs
• The Old Wizard: Demonstrates trust by candidly explaining the tribe's hardship; upgrades Gao Jing's title to "Lord" (Shi), elevating his status. His relaxed, joyful reaction to tobacco shows a personal, human side
• Shan Guo'er: Remains childlike and endearing—she can't resist the candy, secretly eating again and again, but is also obedient and helpful (brings the jar, fetches her grandfather)
• The Wizard's granddaughter-grandfather bond deepens through his gentle scolding and affection

3. Significant Themes

• Value disparity between worlds: Common goods (a log, a bag of salt) are life-saving treasures in the Great Wilderness; both sides benefit disproportionately
• Reciprocity and "even score": Gao Jing frames the trade as fair repayment for the tribe saving his life, creating a balanced, honorable relationship
• Trust through honesty: The Wizard openly shares the tribe's vulnerabilities, cementing mutual respect
• The burden of leadership: The Wizard carries the weight of a tribe slowly weakening without adequate salt—survival itself is precarious
• Small joys: Candy for the girl, tobacco for the elder—these personal touches humanize the trade relationship

4. Character Interactions

• Shan Guo'er ↔ Gao Jing: A warm, playful bond—she trusts him completely, expects his promises kept; he dotes on her but worries about her candy intake
• The little yellow dog: A comedic beat—it stumbles chasing its owner, is stuffed into the basket, and licks Gao Jing's face with drool
• Gao Jing ↔ Old Wizard: Formal respect that becomes genuine warmth; the Wizard tests the salt, shares his pipe, reveals tribal secrets—a meeting of equals in spirit if not size
• The children: Dismissed from lessons, they leave reluctantly, highlighting the Wizard's authority and the community's curiosity about Gao Jing
• Shan Guo'er ↔ Old Wizard: Tender and playful—the Wizard refuses to eat her candy, she obeys him (mostly) and is caught red-faced with a full mouth