Summary: Living in the Imperial City Is No Easy Matter (Part 2)

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing and Lan He's caravan arrive at the inner city of the City of Ten Thousand Kings, which is divided into five rings—the inner rings hold the seventy-two great clans, while the fourth and fifth rings house newer nobles and merchants.
• The Dawnlight Chamber of Commerce's headquarters is in the fifth ring; Lan He proudly invites Gao Jing to stay in their guest rooms.
• Gao Jing flatly refuses, not wanting deeper entanglement with the chamber, and immediately teleports away using Spatial Teleportation, leaving Lan He shocked and regretful.
• Gao Jing explores the city alone, observing its vastness, the Beastfolk (Lionfolk, catfolk, etc.) he encounters for the first time, and the commercial district with magical signboards resembling neon signs.
• He enters a tavern featuring a dancer and rowdy crowd, orders ale, and is stunned by the high prices (1 large silver coin for one mug vs. five mugs in the Nilo Royal Capital).
• A catgirl approaches him, and he buys her a glass of Fruit Wine (5 silver coins), noting the bartender's subtle look of mockery.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates caution and independence—he refuses Lan He's hospitality to avoid political entanglements, yet is frugal-minded, now worrying whether he can afford a house in the imperial capital given the exorbitant costs. He is initially charmed by the catgirl's cuteness, though the bartender's reaction hints at a possible scheme.
• Lan He: His eagerness to curry favor with a Legendary figure backfires; he realizes he spoiled his opportunity through clumsy haste and is consumed by regret.

Significant Themes

• Class and status divisions: The ring system codifies social hierarchy; only inner-city residency marks one as "someone of standing."
• Cost of living / economic shock: The imperial capital's inflated prices contrast sharply with the provinces, making even basic expenses a concern for a powerful Wizard.
• Independence vs. entanglements: Gao Jing's refusal to accept favors reflects his desire to remain free of factional ties in a city of deep political waters.
• World-building / cultural diversity: Introduction of Beastfolk as minority ethnic groups with special talents, and the imperial capital's more wild, decadent atmosphere.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Lan He: Lan He's over-eager invitation is politely but firmly declined; Gao Jing's opinion of him drops, and Lan He is left self-recriminating.
• Gao Jing & Lionfolk: Gao Jing's curious stare earns a fierce glare from the Lionfolk, who shows no fear of Wizard status—Gao Jing senses the man's High Rank Great Warrior strength.
• Gao Jing & Bartender: The gruff bartender charges standard imperial prices and silently mocks Gao Jing for paying for a catgirl's expensive drink.
• Gao Jing & Catgirl: She flirts, presses against him, and uses cutesy "meow" speech to coax a drink from the newcomer—a likely introduction to a scam or hustle.

Summary: "Playing Against the Script"

Key Plot Points

• In a tavern in the unfamiliar City of Ten Thousand Kings, a catgirl approaches Gao Jing, flirting and asking for drinks—a likely hustle.
• She rejects Fruit Wine, demanding something stronger. Gao Jing produces a giant bottle of vodka from his Void Equipment (96% Spirytus vodka sourced from the Main World/real world).
• He mixes the vodka with Fruit Wine and ice; the catgirl drinks it, quickly becomes intoxicated, and passes out in his arms.
• The bartender, recognizing Gao Jing's Void Equipment, calls a scar-faced thug to have him thrown out and steal the treasure.
• Gao Jing releases an invisible "Legendary Domain" aura, freezing both men in place. They realize they've provoked a Legendary figure.
• Gao Jing calmly leaves the tavern with the unconscious catgirl.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates world-weariness, cunning, and control—he plays along with the catgirl's scheme rather than reacting. Reveals himself as a Legendary-level powerhouse. Introduced as someone who stockpiles Earth goods (vodka, tools, food) for use in the Great World.
• The bartender: Greedy and opportunistic; nearly gets himself killed by provoking a Legendary. Shows the predatory environment of the city's lower taverns.
• The catgirl: A schemer who overestimates her mark; her "script" is entirely overturned by Gao Jing's unconventional methods.

Significant Themes

• Power and status: The story emphasizes that true power (Legendary) instantly collapses the petty schemes of small-time criminals.
• Subverting expectations: Gao Jing doesn't follow the "script" of a typical mark—his exotic Earth liquor and overwhelming power leave everyone outmaneuvered.
• Earth vs. fantasy world: Gao Jing's access to Main World items (like 96% alcohol) gives him unique advantages in the Great World.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing × Catgirl: A flirtatious hustle that he deliberately plays along with, only to out-drink her using Earth liquor. His smile unsettles her, but greed overrides caution.
• Gao Jing × Bartender/Scar-faced man: They attempt intimidation/robbery; Gao Jing's cold glare and Legendary aura reduce them to terror, leaving them frozen and fearing for their lives.
  Endnote: The chapter ends with a begging-for-support message ("Here is the first update. Please support with subscriptions!!!"), indicating this is a web serial installment.

Chapter Summary: A-Miao

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing leaves the tavern with the catgirl A-Miao, who had tried to scam him with the bartender's scheme
• The bartender and scar-faced brute realize A-Miao is beyond their help; even their employer would likely kill them as apology gifts
• A-Miao wakes in a warehouse filled with smoked fish (which she dreams of devouring), panics, and attempts to escape through a window
• Gao Jing blocks her escape using his Domain Power, revealing himself as a Legendary Grand Warrior, not just a wizard
• After A-Miao's repeated escape attempts fail, she breaks down crying, saying she wants to go home to her sick mother
• Gao Jing offers her a deal: become his maid for three years, and he won't settle accounts with her
• A-Miao asks if he provides food and lodging, then quickly agrees and leads him to her home

Character Developments

• A-Miao: Resourceful and shrewd but panics when caught. She checks for signs of assault, attempts escape multiple times, then pragmatically accepts her new situation with surprising speed—adapting instantly to calling Gao Jing "Master"
• Gao Jing: Shows he is not a typical villain—though he uses intimidation, he doesn't take advantage of A-Miao. Demonstrates his strategic thinking (taking a local guide/helper) and his extraordinary power. He's also somewhat frugal, shocked by inn prices
• Bartender and scar-faced brute: Cowardly survivors who abandon A-Miao without hesitation, showing the cruel realities of this world's lower classes

Significant Themes

• Power imbalance: Gao Jing's absolute dominance (Domain Power) leaves A-Miao with no real choice but to comply
• Pragmatic survival: A-Miao's quick acceptance of her role—she understands resistance is futile and chooses to make the best of it
• Subverted expectations: Gao Jing prepared "follow-up measures" to force submission but is caught off guard by A-Miao's easy surrender; A-Miao expected harm but finds Gao Jing unexpectedly restrained
• Urban poverty: The high cost of living (one Large Shell Coin per night) hints at the economic pressures driving desperate schemes

Character Interactions

• Bartender and scar-faced brute: Discuss A-Miao's fate fatalistically, concluding she's unsavable and not worth risking their lives
• Gao Jing and A-Miao: A cat-and-mouse dynamic—A-Miao tries violence, tears, and negotiation in turn; Gao Jing remains calm and controlled throughout, eventually striking a deal rather than forcing her
• A-Miao's first words as maid: She immediately tests the practicalities (food/lodging), showing her priorities lie in survival, not dignity

Key plot points and events

• A-Miao brings Gao Jing to her modest but sturdy three-story home, where her mother, Nunu, greets her with relief after her overnight absence.
• A-Miao tells Nunu she has promised to work as Gao Jing’s maid. She reassures her mother that Gao Jing is a good person.
• Nunu apologizes for A-Miao’s behavior and admits her daughter has been doing wrong things to support her because she is ill.
• Gao Jing offers Nunu a Healing Potion, which cannot cure her condition. A Life Potion eases her coughing and restores some of her color, though it is not a complete cure.
• Nunu offers to serve Gao Jing instead of A-Miao. He clarifies that he only needs help with ordinary household chores.
• Gao Jing rents the house’s unused third-floor rooms, offering to pay for repairs and furnishings. He gives Nunu a pouch of Shell Coins for rent and daily expenses.

Character developments

• Gao Jing shows sympathy by offering medicine and provides the mother and daughter with housing and financial support. He also establishes himself in the city by renting their home.
• A-Miao appears devoted to her mother and admits she has taken on work for Gao Jing, whom she trusts.
• Nunu is gentle and protective of A-Miao. Her illness and dependence on her daughter explain A-Miao’s earlier actions; after receiving the Life Potion, Nunu gains enough confidence to negotiate with Gao Jing.

Significant themes

• Family devotion and sacrifice: A-Miao’s questionable behavior stems from her efforts to support her sick mother.
• Kindness and dependence: Gao Jing’s help offers the family relief, but their vulnerable position means their agreement is shaped by his greater power.
• Trust and uncertainty: A-Miao trusts Gao Jing, while Nunu remains cautious before accepting his arrangement.

Character interactions

• Nunu welcomes A-Miao affectionately, then speaks privately with Gao Jing to defend and apologize for her daughter.
• Gao Jing and Nunu negotiate the household arrangement; she initially misunderstands his interest in having a maid and offers herself instead.
• Gao Jing’s gesture of pinching Nunu’s ear embarrasses her and emphasizes their unequal power dynamic.

Summary: Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing moves into the rabbit girl Nunu's home in the inner city, renovates it, and sets up a cultivation room. He hires A-Miao, a cat girl, to help with errands.
• On the fourth day, Gao Jing visits the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards, the holy land of Great Wilderness Wizards, intending to eventually view the Starry Skies Stele — but he lacks the qualifications for now.
• Following Wu Li's earlier advice, he enrolls in the Wizard Academy. Admission requires being a Formal Wizard and paying steep tuition: 30 Large Shell Coins per day for public lectures, with extra fees for small classes, personal instruction, Wizard Tower access, library use, experiments, and even a student badge.
• Gao Jing pays one month's tuition and exchanges Mystic Gold for Shell Coins. He realizes his wealth is insufficient and begins worrying about future costs, but decides the Hall's superior resources are worth it.
• To fund his studies, he asks about renting a shop in the inner city. A-Miao explains that all inner-city commerce is monopolized by the Governing Hall, Commerce Administration, great lineages, and merchant associations; the outer city is controlled by gangs and factions. Without backing, an outsider Wizard risks robbery or death.
• A-Miao hints there is another way — ending on a cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Shifts from simply wanting to be a Battle Wizard to aspiring to become an Omnipotent Wizard. Shows pragmatism and long-term planning, but also faces financial pressure and self-doubt.
• A-Miao: Initially submits to Gao Jing only out of fear, but becomes genuinely willing after he uses a Life Potion to cure Nunu. Shows resourcefulness and practical knowledge of city politics.
• Nunu: The rabbit girl whose illness is cured by Gao Jing; she becomes a willing servant and proves to be an excellent cook.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and resources are essential even for powerful Wizards.
• Education and opportunity are monetized; access to knowledge requires constant payment.
• Commerce and power are tightly controlled by established factions, leaving little room for outsiders.
• The wizard profession is specialized into Battle, True Knowledge, and Creation Wizards, but Gao Jing aims to transcend these boundaries.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & A-Miao: Evolves from master-servant coercion toward willing service; she becomes his guide to the city's commercial landscape.
• Gao Jing & Nunu: He heals her illness; she repays him with loyal service and excellent cooking.
• Gao Jing & the duty Wizard: Learns the academy's fee structure and registration process.
• Gao Jing & A-Miao (final scene): His question about renting a shop reveals the city's monopolies, and her cryptic "There is" sets up the next opportunity.

Chapter Summary: "Delivered to His Doorstep"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• A young Wizard named Shen Ze (collateral member of the Shen Family, one of the Seventy-Two Great Lineages) blocks Gao Jing and A-Miao, coveting the cat girl.
• Shen Ze invites Gao Jing to a restaurant; he manages his family's grain business and studies at the Wizard Academy.
• Shen Ze asks to purchase A-Miao's contract; Gao Jing refuses, stating A-Miao is not his property.
• Gao Jing reveals two custom-made liquors (White Liquor and Starry Sky Liquor) and proposes a business partnership: Gao Jing supplies, Shen Ze sells.
• Shen Ze confirms the liquors have strong market potential (White Liquor for warriors, Starry Sky for nobles).
• They reach a preliminary agreement: Gao Jing provides a trial batch; if successful, Shen Ze dedicates a shop to the liquors—solving Gao Jing's academy tuition problem.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Displays protectiveness of A-Miao, shrewd business instincts, and calculated confidence (deliberately showing his Void Equipment to signal strength). He adapts his money-making plans to the local environment, using Shen Ze as a local partner.
• A-Miao: Shows fierce loyalty—her eyes turn fierce at the prospect of being sold, then soften when Gao Jing defends her freedom; her tail brushing him signals affection and gratitude.
• Shen Ze: Introduced as a refined but somewhat lecherous young Wizard; business-minded and perceptive, he recognizes both the liquor's potential and Gao Jing's hidden depth. Established as a promising ally.

3. Significant Themes

• Status and power: Beastfolk treated as property; Wizards and nobles as elite. Gao Jing's refusal to commodify A-Miao contrasts with societal norms.
• Wealth and survival: The high cost of Wizard Academy attendance drives Gao Jing's need for income and the partnership.
• Freedom vs. servitude: Gao Jing honors A-Miao's agency despite no formal contract, reinforcing his principles.
• Strategic risk: Displaying wealth (Void Equipment) is a calculated message—enough confidence to deter greed.

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Shen Ze: From wary encounter to mutually beneficial negotiation; Gao Jing tests and recruits Shen Ze as a local business partner.
• Gao Jing & A-Miao: Protective and respectful; his defense of her freedom strengthens their bond.
• Shen Ze & A-Miao: His covetous, "collector's" gaze unsettles her; she hides behind Gao Jing, establishing her distrust of him.

Summary: Merit Missions

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing settles into a routine at the Wizard Academy in the City of Ten Thousand Kings, attending lectures by Grand Wizards in the thirty-seven Teaching Pavilions and reading in the Grand Library.
• He uses a "book stealing" method: borrowing books, selecting valuable ones, teleporting to the Main World to scan them into digital files, then returning—saving himself money on reading fees.
• After three months of study, Gao Jing's understanding of Wizards deepens (he sees them as Transcendents who perceive themselves, take nature as teacher, and borrow the momentum of heaven and earth), allowing him to touch new levels of power.
• Gao Jing decides it's time to observe the Starry Skies Stele, but it requires 10,000 Merit Points—an enormous sum that could take years to accumulate. Only 1% of Wizards gain anything from the viewing.
• At the Merit Hall, he considers high-reward missions (with high risks) rather than slowly grinding small ones.
• A bald Wizard recruits him for a team mission: exploring a ruin in Longnight Forest. Gao Jing agrees and follows him to a nearby tavern to discuss details.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing is now disciplined and focused, having resolved his earlier worries about the future.
• He demonstrates resourcefulness and cleverness in his "book stealing" scheme, showing willingness to bend rules for efficiency.
• He is strategically minded—targeting high-reward missions to avoid spending years accumulating Merit Points.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge as power: The Grand Library and lectures are central to a Wizard's growth; Gao Jing treats knowledge acquisition as his top priority.
• Shortcuts vs. legitimate effort: Gao Jing's book-stealing method and desire for high-reward missions reflect his pragmatic approach to advancement.
• Risk vs. reward: Earning Merit Points quickly requires dangerous missions; the Starry Skies Stele itself is a costly gamble with a 1% success rate.
• Community and collaboration: Wizards must form teams for certain missions, highlighting the social aspect of advancement in the academy.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing's daily life involves Rabbit Girl preparing his meals (household role).
• He is approached by an unnamed bald Wizard with a friendly demeanor (voice like a drake's quack), who recruits him for the ruin exploration mission—showing Gao Jing is now seen as a capable potential teammate.

Chapter Summary: "Team Members"

Key Plot Points

1. Team Introduction: Wizard Loman, a bald High-Rank wizard, introduces Gao Jing to his newly formed exploration team at a tavern for a mission to explore an ancient ruin deep in Longnight Forest.
2. Initial Tension: Team member Gru (an Upper Rank/True Knowledge wizard) openly doubts Gao Jing's competence, warning against weak teammates.
3. Display of Power: Gao Jing demonstrates his skill by conjuring five flames in a ring formation—impressively controlled magic that required high cultivation and fine mana control (though he secretly can conjure twelve).
4. Mission Details: The mission involves mapping an ancient ruin in the beast-infested Longnight Forest, with rewards starting at 500 Merit Points and scaling with map completeness.
5. Team Roles Established: Loman handles formations, Gru is the strongest combatant, a burly warrior serves as battle wizard, a white-robed female Novice serves as healer/potion-maker, and Gao Jing joins as a fire-element True Knowledge wizard.
6. Mount Preparation: Gao Jing is advised to buy a Dragonblood Horse; he seeks out his friend Shen Ze, who excitedly leads him to the largest open-air market in the City of Ten Thousand Kings.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Deliberately conceals his true strength (demonstrates five flames when he could do twelve), showing cautiousness and strategic self-presentation in unfamiliar company. He shows willingness to prove himself when challenged.
• Gru: Blunt, forceful, and pragmatic—prioritizes team competence over social niceties, though he accepts Gao Jing after the display.
• Shen Ze: Revealed as Gao Jing's only close friend and business partner; he has little interest in wizard studies and dreams of becoming a top-tier merchant, but eagerly aids Gao Jing.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Verification: New alliances require proof of capability, not just words.
• Strategic Understatement: The wisdom of not revealing the full extent of one's abilities.
• Risk vs. Reward: Dangerous high-stakes adventures require specialized, complementary team members.
• Social Hierarchy in Wizard Society: Cultivation rank dictates social standing and assertiveness within groups.

Character Interactions

• Gru vs. Gao Jing: Adversarial/confrontational; Gru tests Gao Jing publicly, forcing him to prove himself.
• Loman and Gao Jing: Cordial and mutually respectful; Loman vouches for Gao Jing and supports his integration.
• White-robed female wizard: Acts as a peacemaker, clapping to break tension and normalize group dynamics.
• Shen Ze and Gao Jing: Warm, reliable friendship; Shen Ze demonstrates loyalty and eagerness to help his friend.
• Group dynamic: A tense but functional mix of specialists, with the healer serving as softener and Gru as the blunt enforcer of standards.

Summary: Chapter "Buying a Horse"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Shen Ze leads Gao Jing to the open-air market's riding beast trading district in the City of Ten Thousand Kings.
• Shen Ze, a regular, hires a local broker who initially sees them as easy marks ("fat sheep").
• Shen Ze pins on a badge revealing he's a descendant of the Shen Family (one of the Seventy-Two Great Lineages), instantly changing the broker's demeanor from predatory to fawning.
• The broker brings them to a small horse farm selling Dragonblood Horses (mixed-blood varieties).
• Gao Jing notices a dark-red, untamed mixed-blood horse violently ramming itself against its pen rails in protest.
• The farm owner punishes the horse with a Beast-Taming Talisman, forcing it to submit—but fury remains in its pitch-black eyes.
• Gao Jing asks the price; the owner honestly warns it's a recently captured wild horse, not yet trained, and dangerous.
• Gao Jing ignores the warning, approaches the pen, and touches the horse's head—instead of biting, the horse calms down and shows affection.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates an instinctive affinity for the untamed horse. While others see a dangerous, untrained animal, he is drawn to it—hinting at a connection between his own character and what is wild versus broken.
• Shen Ze: Shown as street-smart and well-connected in the city. He understands social hierarchies and uses his family's status to secure fair treatment, acting as a capable guide for Gao Jing.

Significant Themes

• Social Status & Power: The stark difference in treatment between an ordinary wizard and a descendant of a great Lineage—even the broker's livelihood depends on recognizing and respecting such hierarchies.
• Wild vs. Tame: The contrast between horses broken by Beast-Taming Talismans and the defiant wild horse; Gao Jing's affinity for the unbroken foreshadows his own nature.
• First Impressions & Deception: The broker's initial greed versus his instant subservience after the badge reveal.

Character Interactions

• Shen Ze & Gao Jing: Shen Ze acts as the experienced friend, handling negotiations while Gao Jing observes and learns.
• Shen Ze & Broker: A power dynamic shift—the broker's exploitative intent is crushed by the revelation of Shen Ze's family badge, replaced by eager servility.
• Gao Jing & The Wild Horse: The most emotionally significant interaction—a violent, suffering animal instantly accepts Gao Jing's touch, forming an unexplained bond and implying something special about Gao Jing himself.

Chapter Summary: Scarlet Charger

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing visits a stable and feels an inexplicable, profound connection to an untamed Hybrid Dragonblood Horse.
• He asks the price; the stable owner initially considers overcharging but is deterred by a warning glance from the broker, so he offers a fair price of 1,000 Shell Coins. Shen Ze approves the deal, and Gao Jing buys the horse along with its Beast-Taming Talisman.
• To everyone's shock, Gao Jing crushes the Beast-Taming Talisman, meaning the horse could now flee or resist at will. Instead, the horse approaches him affectionately, rubbing against him and licking his face, proving a genuine bond.
• Shen Ze suspects the horse may be a mutated beast. The stable owner, now eager to curry favor, offers free tack, but Gao Jing insists on paying for the best equipment.
• The stable owner reveals a quirk: the horse doesn't eat normal feed—it prefers meat and wine.
• Amused, Gao Jing feeds it dried meat from his storage space—but the meat is from an Earthshell Beast, a Fourth Rank Demon Beast whose Spirit-Energy-rich flesh is far too powerful for a non-Demon Beast to consume.
• The horse erupts in pain: it spews fire, stomps cracks into the ground, and seeps blood from its pores. Realizing his mistake, Gao Jing injects Chaos Origin Force into the horse to stabilize it.
• The energy merges wondrously with the horse's body, causing it to undergo Demonization—evolving from a Wild Beast into a Demon Beast—and grow a small horn on its forehead.
• Shen Ze is astounded, as Hybrid Dragonblood Horses should never be able to demonize. The horse's coat transforms from dark red to crimson, looking far more magnificent. Gao Jing names it Scarlet Charger.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates spontaneity and trust by crushing the talisman, choosing to rely on the natural bond rather than forced control. He also shows compassion and resourcefulness—when his mistake endangers the horse, he acts quickly and selflessly to save it, using his Chaos Origin Force. His actions lead to an unexpectedly fortunate outcome.
• Shen Ze: Shows protective loyalty toward Gao Jing, implying he would punish the stable owner for overcharging. He is knowledgeable about beasts and genuinely impressed by the demonization event, which overturns his understanding of Hybrid Dragonblood Horses.
• Stable owner: Cunning but pragmatic; he suppresses his greed due to fear of Gao Jing's status (via the broker's warning) and later shifts to fawning respect, offering gifts and diligently caring for the horse.

3. Significant Themes

• Fate and connection: Gao Jing's inexplicable bond with the horse suggests destiny—the animal trusts him without magical coercion, and an accident turns into a blessing.
• Risk and reward: A careless mistake (feeding inappropriate meat) becomes the catalyst for a miraculous transformation, underscoring how fortune can arise from error.
• Power and status: The social hierarchy is clear—the stable owner's behavior is dictated by fear of powerful figures, and Shen Ze's casual authority demonstrates the privileges of noble families.
• Transcending limits: The Hybrid Dragonblood Horse, supposedly incapable of demonization, achieves it anyway, echoing a theme of overcoming innate limitations through unexpected means (here, Chaos Origin Force).

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing and the horse: Instant mutual affection; the horse is gentle and affectionate with him, even after the talisman is destroyed, and remains loyal during painful transformation.
• Gao Jing and the stable owner: A transactional relationship marked by the owner's initial greed and later deference; Gao Jing behaves fairly and generously.
• Shen Ze and the stable owner: Shen Ze leverages his family name as a quiet threat, ensuring a fair price; he acts as Gao Jing's ally.
• Gao Jing and Shen Ze: Companions who share a rapport—Shen Ze congratulates Gao Jing, and the two witness the demonization together, with Shen Ze providing expert commentary.
• Witnesses (stable owner, workers): React with fear and retreat during the horse's outburst, emphasizing the danger and awe of the moment.

Chapter Summary: Longnight Forest

Key Plot Points

1. Scarlet Charger's Demonization Confirmed: The horse enjoys its new name and shows deep affection for Gao Jing. Shen Ze, envious, attempts to replicate the demonization by buying another horse from the same herd and feeding it the same Fourth Rank jerky—but the new horse refuses to eat it, instinctively sensing it would die. Shen Ze gives up.
2. Departure for Longnight Forest: Early the next morning, Gao Jing and Scarlet Charger meet the bald Wizard and a Totem Warrior follower at the inner city's western gate. The five-person party rides toward Longnight Forest.
3. Horse Quality Revealed: During a noon rest, Scarlet Charger shows no fatigue while the other Dragonblood Horses are drenched in sweat. The bald Wizard notices and assumes it's a pure-blood demonized Dragonblood; Gao Jing only says he "got lucky" without revealing the price.
4. Arrival at Longnight Forest: At dusk, the party sees the vast, dark forest. They stay at a Wizard Outpost at the forest's edge overnight.
5. Entering the Forest: The next morning, they proceed on foot (mounts unsuitable for forest terrain). A female Wizard scatters medicinal powder to mask scents and repel insects. The bald Wizard navigates with a map, guiding talisman, and a special danger-detection ability. The party reaches a cave by nightfall without encountering any danger.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates resourcefulness and good fortune—his bargain purchase proves to be a high-quality demonized mount. He also shows care by feeding and rest-ting his horse properly.
• Shen Ze: Envious of Gao Jing's luck; attempts to force the same fortune but fails, revealing that Gao Jing's success isn't easily replicable.
• Scarlet Charger: Proud, aloof (ignores Nunu and A-Miao, nearly kicks A-Miao), but loyal and affectionate toward Gao Jing; possesses exceptional stamina.
• Bald Wizard: Experienced, well-prepared, with apparent danger-sensing abilities; leads the expedition with competence.
• Gloomy Wizard: Exchanges an "unreadable glance" at Gao Jing's horse—potential seed of future conflict.

Significant Themes

• Luck vs. Effort: Gao Jing's inexplicable luck contrasts with Shen Ze's failed attempt to force similar results.
• Danger and Mystery of Longnight Forest: The forest is described as vast, dark, and lethal—even Legendary Transcendents could "not emerge with their bodies intact."
• World-Building: Introduces the Wizard Outpost system, the dangers of demon beasts, and the resource-hunting culture around Longnight Forest.
• Class/Hierarchy: The difference in horse quality (mixed-blood vs. pure-blood) and the envy it stirs subtly highlight resource disparities among Wizards.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & Shen Ze: Friendly rivalry; Shen Ze asks for Gao Jing's jerky and advice openly, and Gao Jing isn't stingy, but their approaches differ.
• Gao Jing & Scarlet Charger: Growing bond—the horse's demonization deepens its loyalty and connection to Gao Jing.
• Gao Jing & Nunu/A-Miao: Brief domestic scene; Scarlet Charger's pride creates minor tension (A-Miao nearly kicked).
• Gao Jing & Bald Wizard: Professional partnership; the bald Wizard's envy and curiosity about the horse, but he doesn't press for details.
• Gloomy Wizard's glance: Non-verbal moment suggesting possible future scheming or jealousy regarding Gao Jing's acquisition.

Chapter Summary: Ancient Ruins

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The team camps in a cave and eats a meal of boiled beast meat and rye bread.
• The bald Wizard initiates conversation, revealing he will lead the exploration mission.
• Gao Jing introduces cigarettes to the team; all enjoy them, improving group morale.
• The next morning, the team continues deeper into Longnight Forest, fighting off several Demon Beast ambushes.
• After three days of travel, they reach the ancient ruins hidden in the forest — the previous discovery of the bald Wizard.
• The ruins are remnants of a mysterious kingdom from after the Great Cataclysm, full of potential treasures.
• The bald Wizard warns the group about the Vengeful Spirits he previously encountered there, which nearly killed him.
• Before entering, the female Wizard Liv casts Light Spirit Art on all members — a spell that dispels Wraiths, suppresses Vengeful Spirits, and provides illumination, though it exhausts her.
• The team enters the unknown ruins, with Gao Jing assigned to protect Liv.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Proves socially adept and generous by sharing cigarettes; reveals entrepreneurial ambition (selling cigarettes in the City of Ten Thousand Kings); takes on the supportive role of protecting the healer.
• The bald Wizard (mission initiator): Skilled in arrays and communication; an experienced but cautious leader; harbors lingering fear from his previous encounter in the ruins.
• The burly Wizard: Fierce frontline fighter who uses a warhammer; charges into battle and acts more like a warrior than a Wizard.
• The sinister Wizard: Highest cultivation but prefers sneak attacks and lethal ambushes; a loner who rarely speaks but shows a faint smile during bonding time.
• The female Wizard (Liv): Initial Rank, the team's healer and support caster; casts demanding spells like Light Spirit Art despite her lower cultivation, showing dedication.

3. Significant Themes

• Teamwork and Coordination: The group grows more efficient in combat as they work together, each member playing a distinct role (tank, DPS, support, healer, commander).
• Comradeship and Social Bonding: Cigarettes act as a "social weapon," bridging the distance between strangers and building trust before dangerous missions.
• The Dangers of Exploration: Ancient ruins are repeatedly characterized as highly risky, harboring Wraiths, Vengeful Spirits, and even Demon Ghosts.
• Worldbuilding and Mystery: The ruins hint at lost civilizations that vanished after the Great Cataclysm, adding historical depth and incentive for Wizard expeditions.
• Preparation and Caution: The use of rune arrays, medicinal powders, and protective spells highlight the need for careful planning before venturing into danger.

4. Character Interactions

• The bald Wizard initiates small talk with Gao Jing to start a conversation; they exchange anecdotes and rumors about Wizards.
• Gao Jing demonstrates how to smoke, teaches the others, and gives the bald Wizard a full pack — noticeably improving everyone's impression of him.
• The sinister Wizard, normally silent, smiles faintly at the cigarette humor.
• The team bonds over shared meals and smoking, transitioning from strangers to coordinated comrades.
• The bald Wizard and female Wizard work together strategically (she casts Light Spirit Art, he takes point) before the ruins crossing.
• The bald Wizard gives Gao Jing a direct order to protect Liv, establishing their pairing for the exploration.

Chapter Summary: "Dead End"

Key Plot Points & Events

1. Demon Beast Ambush: A demon beast with ghostly blue eyes attempts to ambush the five-person team from behind. Gao Jing detects it, fires a flaming arrow, and the burly wizard finishes it with a flying axe.
2. Temple Arrival: The team reaches a temple where the bald wizard previously encountered Vengeful Spirits. They find an underground passage before the temple's deity statue.
3. Underground Palace: The team descends into an unexpectedly small underground palace containing only totem pillars and a sacrificial altar—no other passages or threats.
4. Betrayal & Trap: The bald wizard reveals his treachery, activating a "Dragon-Binding Formation" that binds all five members with blinding light.
5. Failed Escape: The burly wizard attempts to crush his talisman trump card, but the sinister wizard pierces his hand with a golden blade from his staff, neutralizing him.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Growing more proficient as a Wizard; his dual "Fire" and "Spirit" essences make fire spells highly effective. He conceals his storage ring to avoid exposing his Void Equipment.
• The Bald Wizard: Revealed as a traitor who lured the team into a trap—the mission was a setup from the start.
• The Sinister Wizard: Shown to be the bald wizard's accomplice; his blade pierces through shields and armor effortlessly, making him a formidable threat.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and Deception: The "ruin exploration" was a carefully staged ambush; trust within the team proves fatal.
• Dead End/Entrapment: The title reflects both the physical trap (Dragon-Binding Formation) and the inescapable situation the team now faces.
• Survival and Instinct: Gao Jing's combat instincts and the team's escalating vigilance contrast with their ultimate vulnerability to treachery.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing receives a thumbs-up from the burly wizard after the demon beast kill, showing team camaraderie.
• The team hesitantly follows the bald wizard's lead based on his prior experience, demonstrating misplaced trust.
• The burly wizard's reliance on his talisman trump card is immediately countered by the sinister wizard's coordinated attack, revealing the traitors' premeditated planning.

Final State

The team is bound by the formation, their strongest fighter disabled, and the traitors in control—leaving Gao Jing and the remaining members at a critical disadvantage.

Chapter Summary: Breaking the Deadlock

Key Plot Points & Events

1. Betrayal revealed: The sinister Wizard, thought to be an ally, stabs the burly Wizard with a Spellbreaking Blade (a rare anti-magic artifact) while they are trapped in an underground palace formation. The burly Wizard's right hand and rune tablet are pierced, and a venomous mana current freezes his strength.
2. Conspirators unmasked: The sinister Wizard retreats to stand with the bald Wizard at the exit. The bald Wizard reveals he has been luring Wizards to this ruin as sacrifices for a demonic entity, with the sinister Wizard as his accomplice. Together, they have already killed over ten Wizards.
3. Gao Jing breaks free: The Dragon-Binding Formation traps Gao Jing for several seconds, but his Domain Power dispels its hold. He summons the Dragon-Cutting Warblade and unleashes a massive blade radiance that destroys the formation and sends both evil Wizards flying, shattering their shields and severely injuring them.
4. Execution: The sinister Wizard tries to reach for a hidden weapon and is sliced in two. The bald Wizard frantically begs for his life, offering money and property — then the Demon Ghost appears.
5. The Demon Ghost emerges: Above the sacrificial altar floats a monster with a lion's head, humanoid body, and serpent's tail, wreathed in black mist. The bald Wizard (Loman) hysterically reveals he awakened the Demon Ghost half a year ago and has been trading Wizard sacrifices for power and lifespan. He believes the Demon Ghost will protect him — but Gao Jing kills him with a backhand slash.
6. Final stand: Liv casts three support spells on Gao Jing, then helps the wounded burly Wizard retreat to the surface. Gao Jing stays alone to face the Demon Ghost, which gives him an extremely dangerous feeling.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates decisive ruthlessness and overwhelming hidden power — his mana cultivation is Upper Rank Wizard, but his source power has broken through to Legendary tier. He prioritizes protecting his allies and wastes no time on mercy, killing enemies without hesitation.
• Bald Wizard (Loman): Fully revealed as treacherous and greedy — a serial murderer who lures fellow Wizards to their death for personal power. He oscillates between cowardly begging and hysterical overconfidence, ultimately dying deluded.
• Sinister Wizard: Shows stubborn defiance to the end; refuses to beg even when dying, attempting one last resistance.
• Liv: Loyal and pragmatic; recognizes her limits, casts support magic for Gao Jing, and withdraws rather than become a burden.
• Burly Wizard: Victim of betrayal; wounded but survives through Gao Jing's intervention.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and deception: Allies turning on each other for power; the sinister Wizard initially appeared to be a victim but was actually a co-conspirator.
• Greed and its cost: Trading human lives for power and lifespan; the bald Wizard's schemes ultimately lead to his own death.
• Hidden strength vs. apparent power: Gao Jing's true Legendary-tier source power vastly exceeds his outward Wizard rank, allowing him to shatter what even a Grand Wizard allegedly couldn't break easily.
• Justice and retribution: Gao Jing functions as an instrument of punishment for the treacherous Wizards.

Character Interactions

• Sinister Wizard → Burly Wizard: False ally cripples him with a Spellbreaking Blade and venomous mana.
• Bald & Sinister Wizards → Group: Gloat over their trapped "sacrifices," explaining their scheme.
• Gao Jing → Both traitors: Destroys their formation, injures them, then executes them without mercy.
• Bald Wizard → Demon Ghost: Declares fanatical loyalty, calling it "Divine Lord," expecting salvation.
• Liv & Burly Wizard → Gao Jing: Defer to him as their only hope; Liv buffs him before retreating.
• Gao Jing → Demon Ghost: Recognizes the creature as dangerously powerful; a major battle is set up.

Chapter Summary: "Slaying Demons"

Key Plot Points

1. Exposition on Aberrations: The chapter opens explaining that Demon Ghosts are the most powerful of all aberrations (which include Wraiths and Vengeful Spirits). They cannot be destroyed by physical means—only Battle Aura and spells work, though Demon Ghosts have high spell resistance and bizarre abilities.
2. The Face-off: Gao Jing kills the bald Wizard while the lion-headed, snake-tailed Demon Ghost watches contemptuously from above the altar. Liv and a burly Wizard retreat during this time.
3. The Demon Ghost's Offer: The Demon Ghost offers Gao Jing "eternal life" in exchange for allegiance. Gao Jing mockingly refuses, insulting its appearance.
4. The Battle: A prolonged, deadly exchange ensues. The Demon Ghost uses a trident and razor claws, shifting into mist form to teleport. Gao Jing counters with Instant Movement, Dragon-Cutting Warblade strikes, and flaming arrows. Neither can land a hit on the other for dozens of exchanges.
5. Gao Jing's Predicament: His Legendary Domain is suppressed by the Demon Ghost's sinister aura. Maintaining his Giant-sized form via the Dragon-Elephant Totem drains his Source Power rapidly, and frequent Instant Movement strains his soul. He faces exhaustion while the Demon Ghost seems inexhaustible.
6. The Strategic Discovery: Gao Jing notices the Demon Ghost always returns to the altar—a fixed teleportation point. He deduces the altar is integral to its existence and begins attacking it.
7. The Altar's Weakness: The altar is initially extremely durable, but Gao Jing repeatedly hacks at it while using Instant Movement to dodge the enraged Demon Ghost's attacks. Each blow damages the Demon Ghost as well—wisps of its black mist disperse with each strike.
8. Climax: The altar collapses completely. The Demon Ghost explodes into a massive black mist shrouding the entire underground palace, with temperature plummeting and dark aura surging to its peak—ending on a cliffhanger over whether it is truly destroyed.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates sharp tactical intelligence by observing and exploiting the Demon Ghost's pattern rather than relying purely on force. Shows resilience under pressure despite mounting exhaustion. His wit and irreverence remain intact even mid-battle (mocking the Demon Ghost's offer and appearance).
• The Demon Ghost: Initially arrogant and condescending, offering mercy to a "superior" opponent. Its composure shatters when it realizes its weakness is exposed—it becomes desperate, enraged, and finally fearful before exploding.

Significant Themes

• Intelligence over brute force: The battle cannot be won by raw power; Gao Jing wins by identifying and exploiting a structural weakness (the altar) rather than defeating the enemy head-on.
• Cost of power: Maintaining supernatural abilities (Dragon-Elephant Totem, Instant Movement) has real physical and mental costs; prolonged combat risks exhaustion.
• Appearances vs. reality: The Demon Ghost seems invincible and inexhaustible, but has a hidden vulnerability. Its offer of "eternal life" is implied to be a trap.
• The threat of the unknown: The chapter ends ambiguously—the Demon Ghost's explosion into black mist may be death, or possibly a final transformation or desperation move.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing and the Demon Ghost: Initially a standoff—the Demon Ghost offers allegiance; Gao Jing refuses with sarcasm. Their relationship is purely adversarial, evolving from the Demon Ghost's contempt to fear as Gao Jing discovers its weakness.
• Liv and the burly Wizard: Mentioned only in passing as having retreated earlier; not directly involved in this chapter's events.
• The bald Wizard: Killed by Gao Jing before the main confrontation; no direct interaction shown here.

Plot points and events

• Trapped in the underground palace, Gao Jing’s Legendary Domain is steadily consumed by the Demon Ghost’s black mist, while his Chaos Origin Force runs low.
• Rather than retreat using the Copper Anchor, Gao Jing activates its Sacred Flame Star, spending Faith Power to kindle Faithfire—a force especially effective against evil.
• Faithfire drives back the mist and overwhelms the Demon Ghost. The creature is destroyed, leaving behind a valuable Soul Orb.
• The altar’s collapse reveals a deeper passage, likely the true entrance to the underground palace. Although tempted to explore, Gao Jing senses grave danger and chooses not to go in alone.
• After searching the dead wizards, Gao Jing leaves with Liv and the wounded burly wizard. The bald wizard’s map helps them return safely from Longnight Forest.
• Back in the City of Ten Thousand Kings, they report the attack and the underground palace to the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards. Gao Jing hands over the discovery in hopes of earning Merit Points, which he can use toward studying the Starry Skies Stele.

Character developments

• Gao Jing shows resolve by choosing to fight the Demon Ghost despite the danger, then demonstrates caution by resisting the lure of the unexplored passage. He turns a perilous discovery into a practical opportunity for Merit Points.
• Liv is relieved to see Gao Jing return safely and instinctively addresses him as “Lord Gao Jing,” suggesting increased respect.
• The burly wizard survives but remains too injured to fight for a while.

Significant themes

• Faith and the struggle against evil: Faithfire turns the tide against the Demon Ghost.
• Courage balanced by prudence: Gao Jing refuses to give up in battle but avoids a reckless solo exploration afterward.
• Pragmatism and the value of knowledge: He reports the underground palace rather than pursuing its possible treasure alone.

Character interactions

• Gao Jing fights the Demon Ghost alone, then checks on the burly wizard and leaves with him and Liv.
• Liv has treated the burly wizard’s injuries before Gao Jing returns.
• The trio report the attack and their findings to the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards, where two Grand Wizards question them and the bald wizard’s attendant.

Summary: "Starry Skies Stele"

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing visits the Judgment Pavilion, the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards' feared law enforcement body, to receive the results of his investigation.
• The investigation confirms his accusations against Wizards Loman and Gru, linking them to the disappearances of several academy wizards.
• The ruins Gao Jing discovered are identified as the suspected divine city of the Great Serpent Wizard God and have been sealed for further exploration.
• Gao Jing receives a reward of 3,000 Merit Points plus an opportunity to observe the Starry Skies Stele—a highly coveted privilege normally requiring 10,000 Merit Points.
• The middle-aged wizard invites Gao Jing to join the Judgment Pavilion's Staff of Judgment, offering a second chance to observe the Stele as an incentive.
• Gao Jing declines for now but obtains a Starry Skies Badge—the credential needed to view the Stele. His observation is scheduled for three days later.
• After three days of preparation, Gao Jing arrives at the main hall with nine other wizards to behold the massive, mysterious Starry Skies Stele—a colossal black monolith embedded with countless star crystals, said to have fallen from beyond the heavens.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing demonstrates patience and composure: he appears unmoved by the investigation results, feels the 3,000 Merit Points are insufficient (revealing his pragmatic ambition), but is genuinely thrilled by the Stele observation opportunity—which he sees as achieving a major goal in one step.
• He shows discipline and focus by spending the three days before his appointment in seclusion, preparing his body and mind for a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and reward: Merit and contribution are directly tied to advancement in this wizard society; Gao Jing's goal-oriented mindset drives the chapter.
• The pursuit of enlightenment/comprehension: Observing the Starry Skies Stele represents a near-mythical chance to grasp the "Wizard's Heart"—something that cannot be bought with wealth alone.
• Awe and mystery: The Stele itself symbolizes the unknown and the transcendent—an artifact from beyond the world, tied to legendary wizards and centuries of research.

Character Interactions

• The grim-faced middle-aged wizard of the Judgment Pavilion serves as the primary interlocutor—formal and dry, but clearly impressed by Gao Jing's composure and contributions. He makes an unexpected recruitment pitch, showing that Gao Jing's reputation has caught official attention.
• The other nine wizards waiting to view the Stele are described as silent and solemn, underscoring the gravity and rarity of the occasion.
• Gao Jing's interaction with the guiding wizard is minimal but important: the hourglass is set, and the observation begins—marking the chapter's climax as Gao Jing finally faces the Starry Skies Stele.

Summary of "Gazing at the Stars to Temper the Heart"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing prepares to observe the Starry Skies Stele, a trial to comprehend the Wizard's Heart, by studying a manual from the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards.
• He enters the stele's cosmic vision, nearly losing himself, but is saved by the roar of his soul-bound Red Dragon.
• Because he wasted time, most stars vanish. He rejects several compatible stars, feeling they are not perfect matches.
• Using the True Sight Star from his Copper Anchor Faith Pool, he spots a dim, fire-aura star and merges with it.
• The fusion refines his soul, forming the Sixth Mountain Range in his consciousness and granting him the Wizard's Heart.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing shows patience, decisiveness, and a refusal to settle for mediocrity.
• His powerful soul, cultivated via the Mountain Tribe Soul Refining Art, enables him to endure the trial and achieve a high-level Wizard's Heart.

Significant Themes

• Preparation and inherited knowledge as crucial for overcoming trials.
• Risk versus reward—observing the stele carries real danger, yet Gao Jing embraces it.
• Choosing quality over convenience—rejecting easy options leads to a better outcome.

Character Interactions

• Mainly internal: Gao Jing interacts with the stele, the manual's teachings, his own Red Dragon (a soul manifestation), and the Starry Skies Stele's illusory stars. No direct dialogue or external character interactions occur.

Chapter Summary: “Star Spirit”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the wizards finish observing the Starry Skies Stele, Gao Jing is revealed to be the only one who has successfully comprehended the Wizard’s Heart. The other nine wizards fail, effectively limiting their future cultivation to the Upper Rank Great Wizard level.
• The stars recognize Gao Jing, surrounding him with radiant starlight and granting him a rare Star Spirit—an embodiment of pure spiritual energy.
• The Star Spirit has two major uses:
  • Healing severe damage to a wizard’s spirit soul.
  • Enhancing a spirit pet’s intelligence, strength, and potential.
• Wu Yun, a proud young wizard from the powerful Wu Clan, demands to buy the Star Spirit because his spirit soul was badly damaged during the trial. Gao Jing refuses, unwilling to respond to Wu Yun’s arrogant attitude or be pressured by his clan’s status.
• Gao Jing reveals his longtime spirit Gu, Six-Wing, whose usefulness has declined as Gao Jing’s own strength has increased. Rather than sell or reserve the Star Spirit, Gao Jing gives it to Six-Wing.
• Six-Wing absorbs the Star Spirit and undergoes a spectacular transformation. It grows three additional pairs of wings, becoming Nine-Wing, and reaches the supreme spirit-pet state known as Spirit-Light Transformation.
• This transformation makes Nine-Wing nearly immortal, intangible, capable of passing through solid objects, and able to resurrect as long as Gao Jing remains alive. Nine-Wing then merges into a totem on Gao Jing’s hand.

Character Developments

Gao Jing

• Successfully breaks through his final bottleneck by comprehending the Wizard’s Heart and advances to the rank of Grand Wizard.
• His strength at least doubles, further establishing his superiority over the other wizards.
• Demonstrates confidence and independence by refusing to bow to Wu Yun’s wealth or clan influence.
• Shows loyalty and long-term trust toward Six-Wing by using the priceless Star Spirit to aid his old companion rather than exploiting it for personal profit.

Wu Yun

• Suffers severe spiritual damage during the stele’s trial.
• His arrogance and reliance on his prestigious family name are exposed when Gao Jing refuses his demand.
• His resentment intensifies when Gao Jing uses the Star Spirit on an apparently insignificant insect instead of selling it to him.

Six-Wing/Nine-Wing

• Evolves from a relatively outdated and increasingly unnecessary spirit Gu into an extraordinarily powerful spirit pet.
• Its transformation restores its relevance and gives it near-immortal abilities.

Significant Themes

• Talent and destiny: Gao Jing’s success contrasts sharply with the failures of the other elite wizards, emphasizing that extraordinary achievement cannot be guaranteed by status or ability alone.
• Jealousy and envy: The other wizards react with shock and resentment because Gao Jing receives both the Wizard’s Heart and an exceptionally rare Star Spirit.
• Independence from power and status: Gao Jing refuses to be intimidated by Wu Yun’s connection to the influential Wu Clan, showing that his growing strength has freed him from needing support from established factions.
• Value and judgment: The wizards view the Star Spirit as a priceless resource, while Gao Jing values its ability to strengthen a loyal companion. His decision challenges their assumptions about what constitutes a worthwhile use of treasure.
• Loyalty and transformation: Gao Jing’s investment in Six-Wing produces a dramatic metamorphosis, suggesting that neglected or underestimated beings can reach extraordinary heights when given the right opportunity.

Character Interactions

• The nine defeated wizards silently react to Gao Jing with envy, shock, and bitterness after witnessing his success.
• Wu Yun attempts to pressure Gao Jing into selling the Star Spirit, first through an arrogant demand and then by revealing his Wu Clan identity. Gao Jing dismisses both his attitude and his family’s influence.
• Gao Jing communicates nonverbally with Six-Wing, directing it to absorb the Star Spirit.
• The watching wizards are stunned by Gao Jing’s decision and even more shocked when Six-Wing evolves into Nine-Wing and achieves Spirit-Light Transformation.

Summary: Nine-Wing

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing comprehends the Wizard's Heart before the Starry Skies Stele, receiving the stars' favor and obtaining a Star Spirit
• He advances to Great Shaman, impressing the supervising white-robed Great Shaman
• The other nine Wizards, including Wu Yun, fail and are dismissed from the hall
• The white-robed Great Shaman invites Gao Jing to join the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards, citing cultivation benefits, access to secret books, discounted resources, and High Rank spell exchanges
• Gao Jing postpones his decision, leaves to test his newly evolved Nine-Wing
• Nine-Wing (formerly Six-Wing) has fused with the Star Spirit, becoming a Bound Spirit Pet with dramatically enhanced abilities

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Advances from Wizard to Great Shaman, gaining flight capability and significantly increased power. His talent is recognized as exceptional (only a handful in a thousand years). He demonstrates prudence by asking about obligations before accepting the invitation.
• White-robed Great Shaman: Acts as a mentor figure, showing admiration and actively recruiting Gao Jing with meaningful benefits.

Significant Themes

• Advancement and recognition: The chapter emphasizes climbing toward Legendary status through foundation-building
• Power and responsibility: Joining the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards entails answering summons orders, with betrayal punished by the Judgment Pavilion
• Strategic patience: Gao Jing resists immediate acceptance, choosing to consider the offer carefully
• Growth through adaptation: Six-Wing transforms into Nine-Wing, becoming a meaningful asset rather than being discarded

Character Interactions

• The white-robed Great Shaman's favorable treatment of Gao Jing versus the dismissive handling of the other nine failed Wizards
• Gao Jing's mental connection with Nine-Wing, now capable of sharing his Dragon-Elephant Totem's power and serving as an aerial mount