Ch. 221New Feature / An All-Too-Leisurely Study Trip
Chapter Summary
1. Key Plot Points and Events
- Ling Mengxue and Lan Yuxin complete their mission at the old house, defeating or apprehending the hostile forces involved. Their allies arrive afterward to handle the aftermath and collect the rewards.
- Yi Yun, an Origin Transformation expert, is assigned to clean up the scene. He is excited about earning mission rewards but is warned by Ling Mengxue not to keep more than ten percent for himself.
- In a secluded grove, Lan Yuxin and Ling Mengxue treat their injuries and change out of their damaged clothes. Lan Yuxin deliberately teases the more easily embarrassed Ling Mengxue.
- Ling Mengxue’s system gains a new “automatic inquiry” function that reveals the personal information, personality, psychological traits, and hostility or favorability of people around her. It identifies Lan Yuxin as highly favorable toward Ling Mengxue but psychologically unstable, causing Ling Mengxue to suspect that her friend is “sick.”
- The mission is reported as a complete success. Instructor Mu Yan reveals that Shangguan Li secretly entered Jadeglow Mountain and was caught. Ling Mengxue leaves the matter to Mu Yan.
- Back at the hotel, Ling Mengxue finds Tang Ling, Liu Yinxuan, and the others dressed in cute school uniforms and watching an inappropriate movie together. Despite her initial concern, she eventually joins them.
- The next morning, the students prepare for their study trip to Jadeglow Mountain and later Jiangzhou City. Shangguan Li, however, remains behind in the hotel badly injured after being mistaken for an enemy by both sides during the previous battle.
- At the Special Affairs Bureau, the captured criminals Yao Fan, Lu Dingtian, and others are sent for judgment. Yao Qingyi, a young woman who was deceived by her martial uncle into joining the criminal organization, is treated leniently because she appears to have been a victim rather than a true criminal.
- During lunch in Jiangzhou City, the students meet Han Shiyu’s group again. Han Shiyu and her companions are fascinated by the magical girls and ask them questions about their abilities.
- Lan Yuxin casually shows affection toward Ling Mengxue by putting food into her bowl, making Ling Mengxue uncomfortable and causing Tang Ling to wonder about her strange reaction.
- Xi He lists several new missions for Ling Mengxue, including attending an idol concert, entering an esports competition, traveling to Xingzhou City, and establishing a Witch Apothecary Shop with 1,000 popularity points.
2. Character Developments
- Ling Mengxue: Becomes increasingly aware of the unusual personalities and hidden feelings of those around her through the system’s new function. She remains cautious about Lan Yuxin’s behavior, struggles with the growing number of missions, and continues acting as the practical, exasperated member of the group.
- Lan Yuxin: Reveals a playful and provocative side, enjoying Ling Mengxue’s embarrassment. Her high favorability toward Ling Mengxue and “somewhat disturbed” psychological profile suggest deeper, potentially obsessive feelings beneath her normally aloof and kind demeanor.
- Yi Yun: Shows his greedy and opportunistic side by hoping to profit from the mission’s rewards, though he admits that he barely contributed. He also becomes deeply intimidated by the magical girls after witnessing their ability to manipulate space and time.
- Shangguan Li: Suffers serious injuries after recklessly interfering in the mission. His experience convinces him to avoid future operations involving special personnel and gives him a more realistic understanding of the conflict between magical forces.
- Yao Qingyi: Learns that her respected martial uncle was actually a cruel criminal. Her worldview collapses, and she breaks down in tears, but the Bureau recognizes her as a manipulated victim and offers her a lighter sentence.
- Mu Yan: Continues to perform his role as instructor and organizer despite the chaos surrounding the group. He successfully manages the mission report, the student trip, and Shangguan Li’s unexpected interference.
- Tang Ling and Liu Yinxuan: Continue acting carefree and increasingly comfortable with their unconventional lifestyle. Their playful behavior contrasts with Ling Mengxue’s more cautious and confused reactions.
3. Significant Themes
- The overwhelming power of magical girls: Yi Yun’s fear emphasizes that magical girls operate on a level far beyond ordinary martial artists, especially after they demonstrate control over space and time.
- Hidden personalities and psychological instability: The system reveals that people’s outward behavior may conceal dangerous or obsessive tendencies. Lan Yuxin’s kindness and understanding coexist with disturbing emotional traits.
- Justice versus manipulation: Yao Qingyi’s situation raises the question of how much responsibility belongs to someone who was deceived into serving criminals. The Bureau chooses rehabilitation and leniency over simple punishment.
- Comedy amid danger: Serious battles, imprisonment, and supernatural powers are repeatedly contrasted with school trips, teasing, cosplay, food, and absurd misunderstandings.
- Growing obligations: Ling Mengxue is increasingly burdened by missions from Xi He. Her ordinary school-life setting is steadily being overwhelmed by magical, criminal, and commercial responsibilities.
- Friendship and romantic tension: Lan Yuxin’s actions toward Ling Mengxue suggest increasingly intimate or possessive feelings, while Ling Mengxue remains confused and defensive.
4. Character Interactions
- Ling Mengxue humorously negotiates with Yi Yun over the mission rewards, exposing his intention to profit from the operation.
- Lan Yuxin teases Ling Mengxue while changing clothes and enjoys watching her become flustered.
- Ling Mengxue confronts Lan Yuxin about her mental state after seeing the system’s psychological assessment, though Lan Yuxin turns the accusation back on her.
- Mu Yan informs Ling Mengxue that Shangguan Li infiltrated the mission area, leading to an awkward exchange where both understand that he caused trouble.
- Tang Ling and the other magical girls drag Ling Mengxue into their strange movie-watching and cosplay activities, despite her objections.
- Yi Yun comforts Yao Qingyi and explains that she is not solely responsible for her actions, emphasizing the Bureau’s willingness to distinguish victims from true perpetrators.
- Han Shiyu and her companions interact with the magical girls over lunch, expressing admiration and curiosity about their powers.
- Lan Yuxin placing food in Ling Mengxue’s bowl creates an awkwardly intimate moment, highlighting her growing attachment and Ling Mengxue’s discomfort.