Chapter Summary: Chaos City

Key Plot Points

• Yue Zhong, captain of the Dawn Blade squad, officially acknowledges Gao Jing as a full team member, telling him that completing the mission matters less than his safety.
• Gao Jing sets off alone on foot toward Ancient Yin Ruin City, leaving his mount with teammates; Yue Zhong and the others watch him depart, with Ling Long questioning the decision but receiving Yue Zhong's firm trust.
• Upon approaching the ruin, Gao Jing uses his Mental Web and discovers the city is far from abandoned—a massive Totem Formation lies beneath it, making it a "colossal beast lying in wait." He avoids probing deeper out of caution, realizing why the City of Ten Thousand Kings tolerates this lawless place.
• At the single southern entrance, a gargoyle (a Wizard creation equal to an Initial-Rank Grand Wizard) demands a ten Shell Coin entry fee. Gao Jing pays and is welcomed with the rule: "As long as you obey the rules here, you may do whatever you wish."
• Inside, Gao Jing finds a shockingly bustling yet lawless city—crowded streets, shops, and hawkers contrast with dilapidated buildings, trash, bloodstains, and hostile looks from fierce Warriors and Wizards.
• A random murder occurs near him: a ragged Giant is chased from an alley, chopped into pieces by warriors, then burned to ash by a black-robed Wizard—a casual display of the city's brutality.
• Gao Jing resolves to find lodging first, then summon Nine-Wing to track his target. As he walks, a slick voice offers him a guide's services, ending the chapter.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates courage, composure, and tactical caution; stays calm amid extreme violence and views the mission with clear-headed seriousness.
• Yue Zhong: Shows respect for Gao Jing's willingness to shoulder responsibility, admits Gao Jing is "shrouded in mist" he cannot see through, yet chooses to trust him.

Significant Themes

• Lawlessness and chaos: The city operates on survival of the fittest; murder in broad daylight garners no reaction from bystanders.
• Deceptive appearances: The ruin looks empty and safe but hides a powerful Totem Formation; the city's bustling interior contradicts its "ruined" exterior.
• The price of freedom: Entry to the city grants near-total autonomy, but only within its rules—underscoring the tension between order and anarchy.

Key Character Interactions

• Yue Zhong and Gao Jing: Solemn farewell with validation of Gao Jing's place in the squad; Yue Zhong's inner conflict shows admiration for Gao Jing's boldness.
• Gargoyle and Gao Jing: Brief, official exchange; Gao Jing senses a hidden controller behind the gargoyle's questioning.
• Gao Jing and the city's inhabitants: Hostile stares and a violent killing nearby serve as the city's brutal "welcome"; the anonymous guide's offer introduces a potential ally or threat.

Chapter Summary: Blood Moon Auction

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing arrives in Ancient Yin Ruin City and is approached by a male dwarf offering guide services
• The dwarf tells him about the Blood Moon Auction, a grand annual event hosted by the Blood Moon Society during the full Blood Moon
• Auction items include artifacts, potions, materials, secret techniques, and even slaves
• Most notably, a Ten-Thousand Ancestors Tree Seed is rumored to appear—a highly valuable treasure that can be exchanged for Merit Points at the Judgment Pavilion
• Gao Jing requests the dwarf secure him an invitation to the auction
• After dismissing the dwarf, Gao Jing uses Nine-Wing (in Spirit-Light Transformation) to search the city for Quinn's aura, the target of his mission
• After over an hour of searching, Gao Jing realizes something has gone wrong—leaving him in a troubling situation

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Cautious yet opportunistic; he is intrigued by the auction but remains focused on his actual mission (tracking Quinn). He demonstrates intimidation tactics to keep the dwarf honest. His advantage in combat and social standing among the Dwarf Race is evident. The ending suggests his tracking ability has encountered an unexpected obstacle.

Significant Themes

• Social hierarchy: The Dwarf Race occupies the lowest rung of Giant society, performing menial labor and viewed as sly, deceptive, and treacherous; yet Gao Jing shows indifference and practical use for them
• Wealth and power: The Blood Moon Auction attracts powerful figures; money (Shell Coins) easily buys information and favors
• Hidden mysteries: The presence of a Ten-Thousand Ancestors Tree Seed in a ruin city is suspicious and unexplained

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing & the male dwarf: A transactional relationship—the dwarf seeks profit, Gao Jing seeks information. Gao Jing intimidates the dwarf with his bloody aura to ensure loyalty, and the dwarf flees in fear to procure the invitation
• Background: Ling Xiu is referenced as having previously condensed Quinn's aura for Gao Jing; the Dwarf Race's origin as failed Giant evolution is briefly explained

Key plot points

• Unable to locate Quinn in Ancient Yin Ruin City, Gao Jing concludes that the city’s defenses interfere with perception and prophecy. He reports back to Yue Zhong through Nine-Wing.
• Yue Zhong supports Gao Jing’s continued search but keeps Dawn Blade stationed nearby as backup. Gao Jing has ten days to find Quinn before he must rejoin the squad and the Elders Council decides what to do next.
• At a tavern, Gao Jing meets a dwarf who brings him Mu Zhen, a Black Wizard affiliated with the Blood Moon Society. Gao Jing realizes that the Blood Moon Auction could be his best chance to find Quinn, who may attend.
• Mu Zhen demands an inflated price for an auction invitation. After bargaining, Gao Jing buys it for eighty Mystic Gold Coins and gives the dwarf a five-coin commission.
• The dwarf’s greed becomes apparent, and Mu Zhen soon returns with armed warriors, accusing Gao Jing of stealing from him. Gao Jing slips away into the tavern, leaving his pursuers baffled.

Character developments and interactions

• Gao Jing adapts his plan when tracking Quinn by aura fails. He is observant and cautious in negotiations, and stays composed when Mu Zhen turns on him.
• Yue Zhong shows loyalty to his mission and team: he refuses to abandon Gao Jing, keeping Dawn Blade nearby to reinforce him.
• Mu Zhen presents himself as a powerful, hard-nosed seller, but his later accusation reveals his greed and hostility.
• The dwarf intermediary acts ingratiatingly and celebrates the commission, yet his glance at Gao Jing’s full purse hints at further opportunism.
• The chapter’s main exchanges are Gao Jing’s tactical discussion with Yue Zhong, his tense price negotiation with Mu Zhen, and his courteous but wary dealings with the dwarf.

Significant themes

• Adaptability under uncertainty: Gao Jing turns from aura-tracking to the auction as a new route to Quinn.
• Deception and suspicion: The city conceals its secrets, while the apparent sale of an invitation quickly becomes a setup.
• Duty and mutual support: Yue Zhong balances the mission’s urgency with the squad’s responsibility to protect Gao Jing.
• Greed and power: Money and access shape the dealings, and the chapter ends with a sudden threat of violence.

Here is a concise yet detailed summary of the chapter, organized as requested:

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• A black-robed Wizard, having sold an invitation to Gao Jing, bursts into a tavern looking for him. The tavern staff claim no one entered, and the Wizard searches fruitlessly before leaving angrily.
• The Wizard accosts the dwarf man who helped facilitate the deal, dragging him into an alley and demanding 100 gold coins as compensation for feeling cheated.
• Gao Jing, who had earlier used Spatial Teleportation to evade the Wizard, appears silently. He violently kills the Wizard with a single palm strike, using Legendary-level power that obliterates the body to dust.
• A crimson curse mark — the Blood Moon Curse — attaches itself to Gao Jing’s right hand as a result of killing a Blood Moon Society Wizard.
• The dwarf man warns that the Blood Moon Society will hunt Gao Jing, but Gao Jing purifies the curse using Faithfire (derived from the Sacred Flame Star and Chaos Origin Force).
• After interrogating the dwarf man for useful information about the city, Gao Jing kills him as well, disposing of a potential witness.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates both caution (teleporting away to avoid a direct confrontation) and overwhelming decisiveness (killing an enemy and a potential liability without hesitation). Shows resourcefulness and esoteric knowledge by instantly countering the Blood Moon Curse with Faithfire. Remains pragmatic and ruthless, treating the dwarf man as an information source and then silencing him.
• The Dwarf Man: Initially greedy and deceitful, he becomes a terrified, sniveling informant. He repeatedly wets himself, begs for mercy, and attempts to bargain for his life. Ultimately his usefulness expires, leading to his death.
• The Black-robed Wizard: Greedy, arrogant, and cruel — he bullies a tavern waiter and tries to extort the dwarf man. His confidence is shattered by Gao Jing, and he dies with almost no time to react.

3. Significant Themes

• Power Supremacy: Gao Jing’s Legendary strength effortlessly crushes a High-Rank Wizard, underscoring the vast gap between power tiers.
• Deception and Greed: The original swindle attempt, the Wizard’s sense of being cheated, and the dwarf man’s involvement all highlight the risks of greed and betrayal in a lawless, dangerous world.
• Survival and Ruthlessness: Gao Jing chooses pragmatic violence over mercy, eliminating loose ends to ensure his own safety.
• Light vs. Dark Magic: The Sacred Flame/Faithfire directly counteracts the sinister Blood Moon Curse, reinforcing a classic good-versus-evil supernatural dichotomy.
• Consequences and Curses: Killing a Blood Moon Wizard marks the killer, foreshadowing future conflict with the Blood Moon Society.

4. Character Interactions

• Black-robed Wizard & Tavern Waiter/Patrons: He aggressively interrogates them, shoves the waiter, and searches the establishment — displaying his authority and menacing demeanor.
• Black-robed Wizard & Dwarf Man: In the alley, he physically throws the dwarf down, verbally berates him, and threatens to turn him into a corpse puppet unless he pays compensation.
• Gao Jing & Black-robed Wizard: No dialogue occurs — Gao Jing strikes from behind and instantly kills the Wizard, showcasing cold efficiency.
• Gao Jing & Dwarf Man: Gao Jing calmly says, “We meet again,” after the kill, then lifts him telekinetically, intimidates him, extracts information, and finally kills him. The dwarf man is both terrified and desperate to barter survival information.
• Gao Jing & Blood Moon Curse: An indirect interaction — the curse tries to burrow into his skin, but Gao Jing actively resists and eliminates it, showing his control over higher forces.

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This summary captures the chapter’s essential narrative, character arcs, and thematic elements for quick reference.

Summary: Chapter "Blood Moon Auction"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Three days after arriving in Ancient Yin Ruin City, Gao Jing leaves his inn on the night of the year's largest Blood Moon.
• He takes a beast carriage to the Moon God Temple, the Blood Moon Society's lair, where the annual Blood Moon Auction is held.
• His invitation is verified as genuine, and he enters the temple—now converted from a former Sun God Temple.
• The auction begins in a packed hall. The auctioneer is a High-Ranked Grand Wizard; the first item (a Void Ring) quickly bids past 2,000 gold coins.
• Gao Jing realizes he cannot compete in wealth and clarifies his real purpose: he has not come to buy anything. He silently summons his Nine-Wing and begins searching for his mission target.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Proves methodical and cautious—he spent three days scouting the city, mapped the seven Wizard Towers (the defensive array's core), sensed at least three Legendary presences, and disguised his appearance. He remains ready to flee at any sign of betrayal. His focus is on a covert mission, not the auction itself.
• The city is characterized as lawless: order is maintained by brute force, and the weak are openly abused. This shapes the harsh environment Gao Jing must navigate.

3. Significant Themes

• Survival of the fittest: The strong (Wizards, Totem Warriors) dominate the weak, exemplified by the driver whipping a Beastfolk without consequence.
• Deception and infiltration: Gao Jing operates under disguise, wary of betrayal, in a hostile city.
• Wealth and power disparity: The auction's lavish wealth contrasts sharply with the brutal streets outside.

4. Character Interactions

• Carriage driver: Respectful and deferential to Gao Jing (a Wizard), but vicious toward ordinary civilians.
• Temple guard (black-robed Wizard): Verifies the invitation professionally and welcomes Gao Jing.
• Maid: Guides him to his seat (number 357) and warns him not to bid carelessly without funds, implying dire consequences.
• Mental note of Yue Zhong and others: They stopped outside the city, highlighting the dangers of entering openly—context for Gao Jing's caution.

Key plot points and events

• Gao Jing discreetly searches Moon God’s Hall through Nine-Wing, using the creature’s near-invisibility and the Copper Anchor’s True Sight to inspect the auction’s attendees. He senses a High Rank powerhouse’s Mental Web sweeping the hall, so he avoids drawing attention.
• True Sight reveals the hidden appearances and auras of the crowd. Gao Jing spots the Black Wizard Quinn, his mission target, and recognizes him from the Judgment Pavilion’s portrait.
• Although Nine-Wing’s newly gained Spirit Thorn ability might let him attack Quinn by surprise, Gao Jing decides against killing him inside the hall: Quinn may have a Protective Talisman, and the Blood Moon Society and the High Rank guard could retaliate. Gao Jing instead quietly pins a Spirit Thorn to Quinn’s robe, marking him to track after the auction.
• The auctioneer presents a mysterious Ancient Scroll, once owned by two Legendary Great Shamans. The Copper Anchor reacts intensely to it, making clear that the two are connected. Gao Jing cannot afford the opening bid of five thousand gold coins, so he resolves to obtain the scroll another way.

Character developments and interactions

• Gao Jing demonstrates patience and caution, prioritizing a safe plan over an immediate, risky attack on Quinn. His connection with the Copper Anchor becomes more significant when it responds powerfully to the scroll.
• Nine-Wing has grown stronger through Spirit-Light Transformation, gaining an innate ability to fire lethal Spirit Thorns and a closer soul-bond with Gao Jing that enables their shared perception.
• Gao Jing and Nine-Wing work in close coordination: Nine-Wing scouts the hall, marks Quinn, and relays what Gao Jing needs to act.
• Quinn remains unaware that he has been identified and tagged.
• The unseen High Rank powerhouse and the Blood Moon Society shape Gao Jing’s choices, even though neither directly confronts him.

Significant themes

• Caution versus opportunity: Gao Jing resists an easy-looking assassination because its consequences are uncertain.
• Hidden identities and perception: True Sight exposes disguises and reveals the moral darkness beneath appearances.
• Growing bonds and power: Gao Jing’s deepening link with Nine-Wing unlocks new abilities.
• Temptation and necessity: The scroll’s pull is unmistakable, but Gao Jing lacks the means to win it legitimately—setting up a potentially dangerous choice.

Chapter Summary: “Tracking”

Plot points and events

• An Ancient Scroll allegedly once owned by two Legendary Great Shamans is auctioned at the Blood Moon Auction. Bidding escalates to an extraordinary 40,000 gold coins, after which the masked buyer stores it in Void Equipment.
• Unknown to the buyer, Gao Jing has secretly attached a tiny tracking thorn to their robe.
• After the auction, an assassin attacks a wizard outside the Moon God’s Hall but is instantly crushed by a powerful Wizard’s Hand, revealing the likely strength of a High Rank Great Shaman. The surrounding crowd treats the incident casually, showing that such violence is not unusual in the city.
• Gao Jing uses Nine-Wing to track both the scroll buyer and Quinn, the Black Wizard he has been pursuing. He chooses to follow the scroll buyer first because the scroll has provoked an unusually strong reaction from the Copper Anchor and may soon leave the city.
• The buyer travels under heavy guard to a Wizard Tower. Gao Jing decides not to infiltrate it because Wizard Towers are heavily defended magical structures connected to one another through the city’s defensive network.
• Gao Jing then returns to tracking Quinn, who is hiding in an old villa in the northern mountain district. He detects a protective Totem Formation around the property.
• Taking precautions, Gao Jing suppresses the Dragon-Elephant Totem’s enhancement, activates his Dragon-Scale Armor, shrinks himself, and approaches stealthily.
• Nine-Wing locates Quinn in a second-floor study, where he is speaking with a pale, hook-nosed middle-aged man about obtaining materials. Gao Jing teleports into the room just as the man agrees to help Quinn.

Character developments

• Gao Jing demonstrates patience and strategic judgment. Rather than recklessly attacking the scroll buyer inside a Wizard Tower, he recognizes the danger and postpones the confrontation.
• His curiosity and interest in the Ancient Scroll deepen, especially because of its connection to the Copper Anchor, but he remains disciplined enough to prioritize stealth and timing.
• Gao Jing also shows growing confidence in his abilities, using Nine-Wing, Mental Web, teleportation, Dragon-Scale Armor, and physical transformation in a coordinated surprise attack.
• Quinn appears desperate and resourceful, seeking outside assistance to acquire materials after failing to obtain them at the auction.
• The mysterious scroll buyer is established as wealthy, well protected, and likely powerful enough to reside in or visit a Wizard Tower.

Significant themes

• Knowledge and power: The Ancient Scroll’s enormous price reflects the value and danger of lost magical knowledge, even though its secrets remain undeciphered.
• Caution versus ambition: Gao Jing’s desire to obtain the scroll conflicts with the practical danger of attacking a Wizard Tower, emphasizing the importance of restraint.
• Hidden surveillance and pursuit: The tracking thorn and Nine-Wing create a contrast between visible events at the auction and the covert maneuvering taking place afterward.
• Violence as ordinary life: The assassin’s death is treated almost casually by the crowd, illustrating the brutality and danger normalized within Ancient Yin Ruin City.
• Defensive power structures: The linked Wizard Towers symbolize the organized strength of the city’s magical authorities and the difficulty of challenging them directly.

Character interactions

• The auction’s bidders compete fiercely over the Ancient Scroll, while the Blood Moon Society enforces immediate payment and collection.
• A powerful wizard kills an assassin attempting to attack another wizard, prompting casual remarks from nearby spectators.
• Gao Jing observes the scroll buyer and their four knight escorts but avoids direct confrontation after the buyer enters a Wizard Tower.
• Quinn meets with the pale, hook-nosed middle-aged man and asks for help obtaining materials. Their discussion is interrupted when Gao Jing teleports into the study, setting up the next confrontation.

Slaying

"Who?"
The instant Gao Jing completed Spatial Teleportation and appeared in the villa's study, the first to react was not his target, the Black Wizard Quinn, but the somewhat thin middle-aged man.
With a sharp roar, he sprang to his feet. His body swelled in an instant, radiating a fierce, razor-sharp aura.
The intensity of his Transcendent fluctuations had actually reached the level of a High-Tier Totem Grand Warrior!
The middle-aged man reacted with extreme speed. As he rose, he cast a layer of dark blue-green Battle Armor over himself.
Yet Gao Jing's target was not him.
Still in midair, Gao Jing activated the Dragon-Elephant Totem. Vast Chaos Origin Force supported his enormous body in an instant, pushing his strength to its peak.
The Dragon-Slayer Saber appeared soundlessly in Gao Jing's hand, carrying a dazzling crimson flash as it slashed like lightning toward Quinn's head!
Though this Black Wizard reacted a fraction slower than the middle-aged man, he still activated his protective magic shield at top speed and completed his spell before the saber light reached him.
From the moment Gao Jing teleported in and launched his sudden attack to the two men in the study making their respective responses, only one or two seconds had passed.

Pfft!

Gao Jing's saber hacked savagely into the Black Wizard's neck. The protective magic shield Quinn had just deployed was like butter cut by a hot knife, instantly melting away and shattering.
It had only delayed the Dragon-Slayer Saber for a tenth of a second!
Under normal circumstances, a Wizard's protective magic shield could withstand attacks above the caster's own energy level. How long it lasted depended on the caster's strength and mastery of the spell.
The stronger the caster's cultivation and the higher the spell's level, the greater its defensive power naturally became.
As a Wizard's most important defensive measure, a protective magic shield could prevent the caster from suffering a fatal blow to the greatest extent possible.
But that was only if the opponent was not too powerful.
This strike contained every ounce of Gao Jing's strength as a Legendary Grand Warrior. On top of that, he used Chaos Origin Force to drive the Blazing Sun Formula and unleash the Solar Blade, raising its destructive power to the absolute limit.
This strike was enough to pose a fatal threat to an opponent of the same rank. Used in a sneak attack against Quinn, a High-Rank Grand Wizard, it was nothing less than a crushing blow from a higher dimension!
The Black Wizard's protective magic shield simply could not bear it. Being cleaved apart was entirely normal.

Crack!

The instant the protective magic shield shattered, the Skeleton Bracelet on Quinn's right wrist suddenly exploded. The five skulls strung together all turned to dust at once.
Seven streaks of black light flashed across Quinn's body in rapid succession, forcefully blocking the Dragon-Slayer Saber.
"Hmm?"
Gao Jing felt as though his saber had struck an incredibly thick piece of old cowhide, actually slowing for a full second.

Crack!

A crisp cracking sound came from the ring on Quinn's left ring finger.
His figure vanished from the spot in an instant, causing Gao Jing's saber to slash through empty air!
The Black Wizard reappeared in the corner of the study, his expression ugly beyond measure.
Gao Jing's ambush had cost him the two most important Witchcraft Artifacts on his person. Especially the Skeleton Bracelet on his right hand—each skull upon it could block one fatal injury, yet all of them had exploded at once.
It was utterly ruined.
This High-Rank Witchcraft Artifact was not only immensely valuable, but also a relic left to Quinn by his mentor.
The loss pierced Quinn's heart like a knife.
Even as his heart bled over the loss, the Black Wizard also felt overwhelming terror.
What kind of terrifying existence was an enemy who could cleave through his protective magic shield with one strike, then break his defensive Witchcraft Artifacts as well?
Even more terrifyingly, Quinn had no idea how this powerful warrior had appeared.
With his Transcendent senses, even a top-tier assassin should not have been able to approach him soundlessly.
Moreover, defensive formations had been set up throughout the villa.
Yet they had given no warning whatsoever of the intruder!
"My lord..."
Forcibly suppressing the fear in his heart, Quinn rasped, "Can we talk?"
He realized Gao Jing was someone he could not possibly match. Rather than immediately counterattacking, he tried to stall through negotiation and win himself a sliver of hope for survival.
"Whatever you want, I can give it to you!"
At the same time, the middle-aged man with the strength of a High-Tier Totem Grand Warrior suddenly shot backward.
His judgment was no worse than Quinn's. Naturally, he could see how formidable Gao Jing was, so he decisively chose to flee.
Several Legendary powerhouses were stationed in Ancient Yin Ruin City. With three Wizard Towers and the grand defensive formation, as long as he could escape this room, he would have every chance of escaping alive.
But while the middle-aged man's hopes were beautiful, reality was incomparably cruel.
Before his back could slam into the wall, an unfathomably vast power descended without warning.
It enveloped both the middle-aged man and Quinn!

"Domain!"

The middle-aged man, his body abruptly frozen in place, let out a despairing roar in his heart. He had never imagined that Gao Jing was actually a Legendary powerhouse who had mastered the power of a domain.
At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to tear Quinn into ten thousand pieces.
It was Quinn who had provoked such a terrifying figure. He himself had simply suffered a disaster out of the blue.
At this moment, the Black Wizard was even more desperate than the middle-aged man.
While speaking, he had secretly been preparing a spell. Yet before he could activate it, Gao Jing's Chaos Domain suppressed him. Like a moth caught in a spiderweb, every struggle was doomed to be futile.
Only a domain could resist a domain. That was the law of the Great World!
It would have been somewhat better if they were fighting across a vast area, since even a Legendary's domain had range limitations.
But this was merely a study!
"My lord!"
Quinn opened his mouth, trying to continue negotiating with Gao Jing, but a blazing saber light suddenly filled his vision. Scorching heat swallowed his entire body.
The Black Wizard suddenly discovered that he was flying through the air. He could actually see a very familiar body below him.
It had no head.
That's me!
The instant realization dawned on him, he fell into eternal darkness.

"Aah!"

Just as Gao Jing cleaved off Quinn's head, the middle-aged man suddenly let out an earth-shaking roar. His face flushed crimson, veins bulging across his forehead as he pushed his own strength to its absolute limit.
He actually broke free from the suppression of the Chaos Domain by force and crashed backward into the study wall.

Bang!

The solid wall exploded apart. Countless stones scattered in all directions as a massive hole was smashed through it by sheer force.
The middle-aged man coughed up a mouthful of blood. The Battle Armor protecting him had already dimmed, on the verge of collapsing at any moment.
Only one thought remained in his mind.
Escape!
Yet the moment the middle-aged man retreated into the corridor outside, Gao Jing's figure appeared soundlessly behind him.
He swung his saber at the back of the man's neck.
The first update is here.

Chapter Summary: “Made a Killing!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gao Jing assassinates both Quinn, the Black Wizard he was targeting, and the mysterious middle-aged man who had been meeting with him.
• He uses Copper Anchor’s teleportation ability to return instantly to his hotel room, escaping before the villa’s guards can find him. The ability requires a pre-established anchor point and consumes Faith Power.
• Gao Jing takes both men’s heads as proof of completing his Judgment Pavilion mission and as potential evidence of the middle-aged man’s important identity.
• He searches their two Void Rings and discovers enormous wealth:
  • Quinn’s ring contains a complete, high-quality wizard laboratory, valuable materials, potions, talismans, and a few Witchcraft Artifacts.
  • The middle-aged man’s ring contains a massive fortune in Mystic Gold Coins, several chests of Shell Pearls, potions, and high-grade Demon Beast food suitable for Totem Warriors.
• Gao Jing transfers the loot into his storage space and realizes he has become extremely wealthy overnight.
• Despite his excitement over the treasure, Gao Jing remains focused on obtaining the Ancient Scroll that caused Copper Anchor to resonate.
• He spends the night monitoring the Scroll’s buyer so the person cannot leave Ancient Yin Ruin City unnoticed.
• The next morning, the city is under heightened security. Patrols are everywhere, and all three central Wizard Towers have been activated, signaling a wartime emergency.
• Gao Jing immediately suspects that the investigation and citywide alarm were triggered by his murders.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing demonstrates confidence, ruthlessness, and strategic thinking. He is willing to kill anyone he judges to be deeply sinful, even when that person is not his assigned target.
• His reliance on Copper Anchor’s teleportation reveals one of his greatest advantages and explains his willingness to infiltrate dangerous locations.
• Gao Jing’s priorities remain clear: wealth is useful, but the Ancient Scroll is far more important because of its connection to Copper Anchor.
• His growing power and fortune also encourage greedier thoughts, as he briefly considers killing more wealthy figures in the city, though he recognizes the danger of doing so.

Significant Themes

• Unexpected wealth and opportunity: Gao Jing’s success reflects the idea that sudden, risky ventures can produce immense rewards.
• Power and preparation: His prearranged anchor point allows him to overcome overwhelming danger, emphasizing the importance of planning and specialized abilities.
• Moral ambiguity: Gao Jing kills the middle-aged man because of his many sins, showing that his actions are shaped by his own judgment rather than strict mission limits.
• Wealth versus true objectives: Although Gao Jing gains an incredible fortune, the Ancient Scroll remains his central goal, suggesting that knowledge and power matter more to him than material riches.
• Consequences of violence: His successful escape does not end the danger; the city’s lockdown and activated Wizard Towers indicate that his actions have provoked a major response.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing’s confrontation with Quinn and the middle-aged man ends in both of their deaths, transforming a secret meeting into a catastrophic crime scene.
• The villa guards arrive too late, finding only the victims’ headless bodies and realizing that a serious disaster has occurred.
• Gao Jing has no direct interaction with the Ancient Scroll’s buyer in this chapter, but he secretly monitors the person to prevent their escape.
• The city’s patrol warriors and Wizard Towers become the broader institutional response to Gao Jing’s actions, creating a new threat as he prepares to investigate the Scroll.

Chapter Summary: "Interception"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing stakes out the Warhammer Tavern beside the Third Wizard Tower, using the Spirit Thorn's connection to track his target (the buyer of the Ancient Scroll)
• He overhears that the Blood Moon Society has issued a Blood Moon Wanted Notice for Viscount Duka's murderer—Gao Jing himself (from the previous kill)
• The target's convoy leaves the Wizard Tower; Gao Jing follows it across Ruin City and out through the city gate
• After trailing them ~30 minutes to ensure distance from the city, Gao Jing intercepts the convoy and demands the Ancient Scroll
• The guard squad attacks; Gao Jing evades their coordinated charge with a teleportation-like vanish

Key Background Revealed

• Duka's backstory: Former military officer from the City of Ten Thousand Kings, rose to nobility through patronage, then was purged when his patron was killed; his clan was exterminated and he fled to Ruin City, joining the Blood Moon Society as president of the Moon-Worship Merchants Guild
• The bounty: 10,000 gold + High-Rank Witchcraft Artifact for clues; triple that for capture—stirring up all of Ruin City's outlaws

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Patient and methodical—gathers intel in taverns, tracks his prey carefully, only strikes when conditions are optimal (far from reinforcements)
• His combat proficiency: Employing clever positioning, he handles the approach and interception with confidence; demonstrates a teleportation-type ability

Character Interactions

• With the bartender: Brief transaction (ale + dried meat paid with Shell Coin)
• With tavern patrons: Passive observation; their gossip reveals the manhunt for Duka's killer
• With the convoy: Demands surrender first, then fends off the lead knight's blade aura and the squad's combined "battle momentum" charge—a technique unfamiliar to him—before vanishing mid-assault

Significant Themes

• The hunter becomes the hunted: Gao Jing pursues the Ancient Scroll while a city-wide manhunt targets him
• Information as power: Tavern gossip, reputation, and bounties all shape the world's actions
• Price of violence: Every kill has consequences—Duka's death escalates into a high-stakes chase
• Overconfidence vs calculated risk: Gao Jing's careful approach contrasts with the aggressive, momentum-based tactics of the knights

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing teleports above the second carriage and unleashes his Chaos Domain after the knights resist his demands for the Ancient Scroll.
• The carriage roof is destroyed, revealing a black-robed Wizard protected by a powerful Legendary-grade Protective Talisman.
• The Wizard wisely surrenders the Ancient Scroll, offering it as tribute rather than fighting.
• Gao Jing pays for the scroll with a chest of gold coins worth more than the auction price, then teleports away.
• He disguises his appearance and reunites with the Dawn Blade team, handing over Quinn's head as the completed mission objective.
• Gao Jing also reveals he killed Duka (a defected Great Warrior and head of the Moon-Worship Merchants Guild) along with Quinn.
• Yue Zhong is visibly shocked, realizing he has underestimated Gao Jing's true strength.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates pragmatism (pays fairly even when he could take freely), caution (changes appearance to avoid future retribution), generosity (declines a larger reward share), and formidable combat ability beyond what his team expected.
• Black-robed Wizard: Shows survival instinct and wisdom by surrendering immediately, though he secretly laments losing his one-use Legendary talisman and misses the chance to gain Gao Jing's favor.
• Yue Zhong: Displays integrity by offering Gao Jing 90% of the mission reward and humility at his own inadequacy; his respect for Gao Jing grows significantly.

3. Significant Themes

• Power Imbalance: The helplessness of ordinary warriors against a Legendary powerhouse; Gao Jing could have taken everything by force but chooses mercy.
• Pragmatism & Survival: The Wizard's decision to surrender rather than resist highlights the wisdom of knowing when to yield.
• Fairness & Ethics: Gao Jing insists on paying despite holding all the power; Yue Zhong insists on giving credit where it's due.
• Caution & Anonymity: Gao Jing's use of disguise reinforces the theme that even the powerful must remain cautious.

4. Character Interactions

• Gao Jing vs. Black-robed Wizard: Tense confrontation resolved peacefully through the Wizard's submission; Gao Jing respects his cooperation and leaves payment.
• Gao Jing vs. Guard Knights: One-sided intimidation—they are furious but powerless, unable to protect their master.
• Gao Jing vs. Yue Zhong: Professional, respectful dynamic; Yue Zhong's admiration grows as he realizes Gao Jing accomplished far more than the assigned mission alone.

Chapter Summary: "Personal Plane"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing returns home, instructs Rabbit Girl briefly, and seals himself in his cultivation chamber with a defensive formation
• He opens the metal case from the previous chapter; the Ancient Scroll reacts intensely with the Copper Anchor embedded in his chest
• The Copper Anchor detaches on its own and absorbs hundreds of thousands of ancient runes from the scroll over ten minutes
• The scroll turns to ash; Gao Jing is knocked unconscious by a surge of power
• He awakens in a mysterious white space—revealed to be inside the Copper Anchor—and sees the three stars (Lucky Star, Sacred Flame Star, True Sight Star) and a bubbling spring
• A flood of information reveals the Creation Ark's history: a great ship built by a mighty being over countless ages, capable of traversing time and space between worlds and carrying billions to escape world-ending calamities; it was destroyed in an unprecedented explosion, scattering fragments across different planes
• The Copper Anchor transforms: the old storage space becomes a Personal Plane—an expandable space that grows with his soul, theoretically able to contain mountains, seas, or even a planet
• The Faith Pool becomes the Faith Spring, which fills the plane with vitality and allows it to contain living beings—opening the door to transporting creatures, humans, and demons between worlds
• The plane can be expanded with resources and Faith Power and could eventually evolve into a true small world

Character Developments

• Gao Jing gains a vast new ability: a Personal Plane with life-bearing capacity
• He finally learns part of the Copper Anchor's mysterious origins (tied to the Creation Ark), satisfying a long-held curiosity after fruitless searches in the Great World's libraries
• His spatial capacity no longer depends on Faith Power—only on his soul's strength

Significant Themes

• Fusion and transformation: two ancient artifacts merging to unlock hidden potential
• Boundless space: the concept of a personal dimension that grows without limit
• The Creation Ark: a mythic vessel for preserving life across planar worlds and cataclysms
• Power through understanding: Gao Jing's growth comes from learning his artifact's true nature

Character Interactions

• Minimal—only a brief exchange with Rabbit Girl before he seals himself away
• The chapter is almost entirely a solo, introspective discovery scene focused on Gao Jing and the Copper Anchor

Summary of "Rewards" Chapter

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Gao Jing's Copper Anchor evolves, creating a Personal Plane (Copper Anchor Space) and summoning a creature named Nine-Wing.
• He tests the plane's time mechanics: time inside is synchronized with both the Great World and Main World while he is within it; if he stays out, time in the other world remains frozen. This grants him a perfect escape tool against danger.
• After days of study, he returns to the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards and collects mission rewards: 3,500 Merit Points for the Quinn pursuit and 10,000 Merit Points + 100,000 gold coins for Duka's head (submitted via Yue Zhong).
• His total merits exceed 10,000, promoting him to Four-Ring Red Robe and official membership in the Staff of Judgment and Dawn Blade.
• On Yue Zhong's advice, he swaps his pending residential application for Wizard Tower residency (annual cost: 3,000 Merit Points).
• He spends his merit points on two High Rank spells (Crimson Flame Shield Armor, Flame Storm) and cultivation resources, reserving 3,000 for rent—then considers grinding more merit missions.

2. Character Developments

• Gao Jing gains superior control over Copper Anchor Space, now wielding time manipulation as a defensive trump card.
• He advances in status and rank, demonstrating strategic resource use (prioritizing top-tier spells and tower perks).
• He shows a pragmatic, forward-thinking mindset—planning future merit farming.

3. Significant Themes

• Power progression through accumulation of merits, rank, and rare skills.
• Time as a strategic asset—using the Personal Plane to evade danger or stall events.
• Resource management—balancing spending on immediate power vs. long-term growth.

4. Character Interactions

• Nine-Wing: The summoned creature acts playfully (circling Gao Jing, perching on him), indicating a growing bond.
• Yue Zhong: Acts as a mentor, guiding Gao Jing toward the Wizard Tower residency, highlighting its cultivation and security benefits.

Chapter Summary: "Red Crow Demon"

Key Plot Points

• The chapter opens with a scar-faced warrior and his three remaining adventurer companions fleeing through a night forest toward Ancient Yin Ruin City—they are wanted criminals who ambushed and killed travelers, but were betrayed while fencing stolen goods
• Their original party of nine has been reduced to four by pursuers who once shared a friendly relationship with them
• As they near the safety of Ancient Yin Ruin City, a Fire Crow descends from the sky, revealing Gao Jing (the "Red Crow Demon") in red robes
• Gao Jing reveals he's there to capture them, dismisses the warrior's attempt to play innocent
• The four attempt to flee and fight back: one is burned alive, two are chased down by Fire Crows, and the scar-faced warrior uses a High Rank lightning spell (Wrath of Thunder) before Gao Jing kills him with a single blade strike
• Gao Jing takes the severed head to collect 100 Merit Points from the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Has established a fearsome reputation as the "Red Crow Demon"—a Battle Wizard specializing in hunting wanted criminals. He's been grinding missions at the Judgment Pavilion, combining solo work with group missions alongside Dawn Blade. Notably, he differs from other Grand Wizards by never looking down on low-reward missions, driven by a practical, survival-focused mindset. His combat style involves the Summon Fire Crow spell, transformation into Fire Crow form, and a combination of Dragonbone Staff and Dragon-Cutting Warblade.

Significant Themes

• Reputation and Fear: The "Red Crow Demon" name carries such weight that criminals recognize him on sight; demons are referenced as legendary beings who hunt without mercy
• Justice as Pragmatism: Gao Jing treats each mission as both a merit-earning opportunity and a means of honing his combat skills—"a mosquito might be small, but it was still meat"
• Survival Through Combat: The text emphasizes that battle is the best way for a Battle Wizard to improve; Gao Jing's mission-driven lifestyle is framed as both practical and developmental
• The Criminal Underworld: Shows the desperation of wanted criminals—the warrior's rage, his futile attempt to buy his way out, and the cruel realities of a chaotic world where Ancient Yin Ruin City shelters criminals

Character Interactions

• The scar-faced warrior initially tries to feign ignorance and bluster his way past Gao Jing, an attempt that fails utterly
• Gao Jing's cold question—"Do you have any last words?"—demonstrates his efficiency and lack of interest in negotiation
• The warrior's final gambit: hurling his battle axe, then unleashing a sealed High Rank spell (Wrath of Thunder) designed to wound a Grand Wizard—all meaningless against Gao Jing
• The chapter shows a one-sided slaughter rather than a real confrontation, highlighting the gap in power between Gao Jing and ordinary criminals

Summary: "Good News"

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing discovers that after opening a Personal Plane (via the upgraded Copper Anchor), he can now gain Faith Power in the Great World—but only by killing people burdened with sin, not through reputation alone.
• This revelation drives him into a frenzy of mission-grinding, since completing capture missions yields Merit Points, high-quality Faith Power, and battle experience simultaneously ("killing three birds with one stone").
• During a mission, Gao Jing kills a scar-faced warrior and encounters an adventurer squad that had been pursuing the same target.
• He tosses them a pouch of gold coins as compensation, transforms into a Fire Crow, and departs.
• Returning to the City of Ten Thousand Kings, he turns in his mission and receives news from Tumen (Judgment Pavilion steward) that his long-pending application to move into a Wizard Tower has been approved.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing's power growth: Has mastered Summon Fire Crow to a high level—able to summon dozens of crows and transform himself into a flying crow.
• His reputation spreads: He has earned the nickname "Red Crow Demon" throughout the City of Ten Thousand Kings, known for formidable strength and ruthless methods. He dislikes the name but chooses to ignore it.
• A pragmatic streak: He kills without hesitation but also acts with unexpected generosity (giving the adventurers gold despite owing them nothing).
• His motivation: He intends to keep grinding until he has enough Merit Points to exchange for a Tree of Ten Thousand Ancestors seed.

Significant Themes

• Multi-reward efficiency: The synergy between Merit Points, Faith Power, and combat experience.
• The nature of Faith Power: It is tied to killing the sinful in the Great World, not mere fame—distinct from how it works in the Main World.
• Reputation and fear: The adventurers' near-hostility dissolves instantly once Gao Jing is recognized; the warrior leader's terror reflects how a fearsome name can be its own armor.
• Unexpected kindness: Gao Jing's gift of gold counters his bloodthirsty reputation, hinting at a more nuanced character.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing vs. the adventurer squad: The leader recognizes him and bows deferentially, restraining subordinates who briefly contemplate attacking him; the leader later slaps a man for shouting "Red Crow Demon" out of fear of provoking Gao Jing.
• Gao Jing and the warrior leader: A brief exchange where Gao Jing learns the squad knows his reputation; he rewards their restraint with gold coins.
• Gao Jing and Scarlet Charger: He releases his Dragonblood Horse from the Personal Plane, showing warmth and care toward his mount.
• Gao Jing and Tumen: The steward delivers the good news about the Wizard Tower, ending the chapter on a positive note.

Summary of "Very Good Luck"

Key Plot Points

• The chapter opens with a reflection on wizard towers: they are the greatest dream of most wizards, but incredibly hard to own—requiring Legendary or near-Legendary rank, immense wealth, and power. Their benefits include defense, status, accelerated cultivation, and safe research.
• The Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards operates seven major wizard towers in the City of Ten Thousand Kings. Residency positions are scarce and fully allocated; replacements only occur when vacancies arise.
• Gao Jing, who has been applying for months, finally wins a residency spot—and not just anywhere: the Radiant Wizard Tower, one of the top three towers, owned by the legendary Grand Wizard Huo Yan.
• Gao Jing meets Tumen, a steward of the Judgment Pavilion, who hands him a Totem Talisman—the identity plaque for admission. Tumen says Gao Jing is exceptionally lucky, reveals that Huo Yan personally selected him for the position, and notes that Huo Yan has since entered deep meditation.
• After Tumen leaves, a four-ring middle-aged wizard from the Wu Clan approaches Gao Jing, offering to discuss "something very good" with him. Gao Jing is immediately suspicious and remains guarded.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Shows prudence and self-awareness. He recognizes the value of his position, is not blinded by flattery, and distrusts those who approach with unsolicited offers. His earlier accumulated merit and talent earned him the tower spot and even the attention of a Legendary figure.
• Tumen: Serves as a helpful intermediary, offering practical guidance and information. He is respectful of Gao Jing and aware of the political dynamics around the tower appointment.
• Wu Clan envoy: Portrays condescension and envy beneath a superficially polite demeanor, signaling the beginning of a potential conflict or scheme targeting Gao Jing.

Significant Themes

• Rarity and power of Wizard Towers: They represent the pinnacle of wizardly achievement—a symbol of rank, wealth, and safety, but also a source of inequality and competition.
• Luck and merit: Gao Jing's success is framed as both good fortune and recognition of his talent, but luck alone could not have secured such a coveted position.
• Social hierarchy and intrigue: The chapter highlights the rigid structures within the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards and the quiet maneuvering and jealousy that accompany high-status positions.

Character Interactions

• Gao Jing and Tumen: A courteous, professional exchange; Tumen gives advice and the token, reinforcing Gao Jing's legitimate claim to the tower residency.
• Gao Jing and the Wu Clan wizard: A tense, veiled encounter. The envoy offers an ambiguous "good thing," but Gao Jing's cold response and wariness suggest a test of intentions or a potential attempt to exploit or coerce him.

Plot points and events

• Wu Bo, an adjudicator from the powerful Wu Clan, offers Gao Jing wealth, a marriage alliance, and future help building a Wizard Tower in exchange for Gao’s resident seat in the Radiant Wizard Tower.
• Gao recognizes that the seat is far more valuable than the promises and refuses. Wu Bo warns him that the Blood Moon Society knows Gao killed Viscount Duka and will seek revenge.
• Gao dismisses the threat and accuses Wu Bo of colluding with the Society. Wu Bo denies it, and Gao leaves.
• Gao then completes his registration at the Radiant Wizard Tower. Miya, a Fifth-Circle Grand Wizard and Tower Master Huo Yan’s trusted disciple, welcomes him and shows him his quarters on the fourth floor—the tower’s lowest resident level.

Character development

• Gao is shown to be independent, pragmatic, and confident. He is not tempted by wealth or status and is prepared to face the Blood Moon Society rather than surrender his position.
• Wu Bo’s polished offer gives way to intimidation when Gao refuses, exposing the coercive intent behind the Wu Clan’s approach.
• Miya makes a warm, professional first impression as Gao’s new point of contact at the tower.

Significant themes

• Power and privilege: The Wu Clan expects its influence to secure what it wants, including a seat that is not normally transferable.
• Independence versus social advancement: Gao rejects elite status and alliances that do not serve his own goals.
• Threats and hidden loyalties: The Blood Moon Society’s knowledge of Gao’s actions—and Wu Bo’s suspicious awareness—suggests that information and political ties are pervasive.
• New beginnings with unequal standing: Gao gains a place in the tower, but his assignment to its lowest resident floor underscores his relatively modest position within it.

Character interactions

• Gao’s exchange with Wu Bo moves from formal bargaining to veiled threats and open distrust; Gao refuses to be intimidated.
• Gao and Miya interact courteously. Her welcome contrasts with Wu Bo’s pressure and marks Gao’s formal entry into the Radiant Wizard Tower.

Key plot points and events

• Gao Jing moves into a well-equipped residence in the Radiant Wizard Tower with the rabbit girl and cat girl. The tower’s cultivation environment is far better than his old home, and he finds that meditation there is several times more effective.
• Tower residency costs 3,000 Merit Points annually, with extra charges for using its resources. Gao Jing has enough Merit Points saved from completing assignments to focus on cultivation for now.
• Shen Ze summons Gao Jing for an urgent meeting. The Wu Clan has begun pressuring Shen Ze’s business and warning him to distance himself from Gao Jing.
• Gao Jing realizes this is retaliation for rejecting Wu Bo. To protect Shen Ze, he offers to end their trade partnership and let Shen Ze keep the remaining profits.
• Shen Ze explains that the Wu Clan wants Gao Jing’s place in the Radiant Tower for its promising young prodigy, Wu Yong, a High-Rank Grand Wizard. Gao Jing suspects they may also expect him to become Wu Yong’s subordinate.
• Gao Jing remains defiant, while Shen Ze urges him to be cautious because the Wu Clan may pursue other ways to target him.

Character developments

• Gao Jing is focused on consolidating his cultivation and pursuing the demanding path of an Omnipotent Wizard. He also shows concern for Shen Ze, willingly sacrificing a profitable partnership to spare him further trouble.
• Shen Ze appears exhausted and anxious, caught between his friendship with Gao Jing and the pressure his family faces from the powerful Wu Clan. Despite that pressure, he remains loyal and offers to help.
• Wu Yong is introduced as a gifted High-Rank Grand Wizard whom the Wu Clan hopes to place in the Radiant Tower.

Significant themes

• Power and privilege: Access to top-tier cultivation and mentorship depends on resources, status, and Merit Points.
• Political coercion: The Wu Clan uses its influence to punish Gao Jing indirectly and secure advantages for Wu Yong.
• Loyalty and sacrifice: Gao Jing tries to protect Shen Ze by ending their business arrangement, while Shen Ze continues to stand by him.
• Ambition and defiance: Gao Jing refuses to yield his place or be made a stepping-stone for Wu Yong, despite the threat.

Character interactions

• Gao Jing and Shen Ze meet at the Hall of Ten Thousand Wizards, where Shen Ze reports the Wu Clan’s threats and explains the family politics behind them.
• Gao Jing responds with sympathy and offers to end their partnership; Shen Ze rejects simple withdrawal and asks how he might help.
• Their conversation reinforces their friendship and business trust, while making clear that Gao Jing’s conflict with the Wu Clan may escalate.

Summary: Secluded Cultivation

Key Plot Points

• Gao Jing decides not to confront the Wu Clan directly, recognizing he's not yet strong enough. He enters secluded cultivation at the Radiant Wizard Tower instead.
• He pays 3,000 Merit Points for a year's residence and prepays 5,000 Merit Points for time in the Spirit Energy Pool.
• Cultivating with the Chaos Formula, he loses track of time and spends 39 days in meditation, making noticeable progress in wizardry.
• A-Miao wakes him to announce Tower Master Huo Yan has finished entering meditation; a regular meeting will be held the next morning.
• Gao Jing notices he's become disheveled with a long beard. After bathing (accompanied by his rabbit girl maid), he attends the meeting.
• At the meeting, he sees the Tower's resident Wizards for the first time, most reacting with curiosity or wariness. One tall, thin Grand Wizard shows obvious hostility toward him.

Character Developments

• Gao Jing: Demonstrates patience, self-discipline, and strategic restraint—he prioritizes personal growth over revenge. His focused cultivation yields tangible progress, and he proves observant, memorizing the hostile Wizard's appearance.
• Rabbit girl: Their relationship becomes intimate—Gao Jing's first time in Giant form—and she shows loyalty and care.
• A-Miao: Shows concern for her master's appearance; her eavesdropping and disappointment at being called "too young" reveal her shy attraction.

Significant Themes

• Patience and deferred revenge: The strong survive and speak in the Great World; Gao Jing understands strength must come before confrontation.
• The cost of cultivation: Resources (Merit Points) buy privilege and progress; environment drastically affects growth speed.
• Navigating unknown politics: As a newcomer among established Wizards, Gao Jing must discern allies from enemies.

Character Interactions

• A-Miao's gentle, caring dynamic with Gao Jing; light humor in her suggestion to shave.
• The intimate bathing scene with the rabbit girl—emotional closeness as well as physical.
• The meeting scene: silent but meaningful exchanges of glances; Gao Jing identifies a likely enemy but doesn't react impulsively.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• Miya introduces Gao Jing to the Radiant Tower’s resident wizards and Huo Yan’s followers. Gao learns that most residents are accomplished Grand Wizards, while only a few—including the hostile Black Mountain—are Battle Wizards.
• Huo Yan arrives, and the residents show him great respect. Though he looks frail with age, Gao senses the immense power behind his appearance.
• Miya runs the Tower’s regular business, reviewing rule violations and assigning penalties. Residents accept the decisions without appeal, giving Gao a glimpse of the Tower’s discipline and organization.
• Huo Yan offers the residents their limited annual opportunities to ask for guidance. Miya asks about condensing and purifying magical power, then other wizards raise carefully chosen questions.
• Gao listens closely to Huo Yan’s concise, wide-ranging answers. Several insights help him recognize gaps in his own knowledge and the weakness of parts of his foundation.
• As Gao is about to leave, Huo Yan unexpectedly asks why he rejected the Wu Clan’s deal. Gao replies that he dislikes being threatened. Huo Yan seems surprised, then smiles and says something that shocks Gao; the chapter ends before revealing what it is.

Character developments

• Gao Jing becomes more aware of how much he still has to learn, especially in wizardry, and eagerly absorbs Huo Yan’s instruction.
• Miya is established as a respected and capable authority who manages the Tower’s daily affairs and leads the meeting.
• Huo Yan proves both immensely powerful and deeply knowledgeable, while his final question suggests he has taken a personal interest in Gao Jing’s dealings with the Wu Clan.
• Black Mountain is introduced as a Battle Wizard from one of the City of Ten Thousand Kings’ great houses, and as someone already hostile toward Gao.

Significant themes

• Learning and humility: Gao recognizes that rapid progress does not replace a solid foundation.
• Order and accountability: The Tower’s privileges come with duties, rules, and consequences.
• The value of rare opportunities: Residents make the most of Huo Yan’s limited guidance by asking focused questions.
• Independence and resistance to coercion: Gao’s refusal of the Wu Clan’s deal reflects his unwillingness to be pressured.

Character interactions

• Miya warmly introduces Gao while maintaining authority over the residents and the meeting.
• Huo Yan’s brief but pointed instruction benefits the whole group, including Gao, who listens silently and attentively.
• The residents show respect for Miya’s decisions and gratitude to Huo Yan for his guidance.
• Huo Yan’s unexpected question about the Wu Clan catches Gao off guard, and Gao’s blunt answer earns a surprised reaction from the master of the Tower.