Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Upper-Grade Bright Force”

• A match is turned into a wager. Before Lu Hao and Su Qin begin fighting, Ding Mian asks Xue Yong to predict the winner, then offers two Blood Essence Pills as a prize. Xue Yong reluctantly matches the wager with two of his own, despite believing Su Qin has a major advantage due to her nearly ten years of experience at Upper-Grade Bright Force.
• The elders expect Lu Hao to lose. Several elders mock Lu Hao for challenging Su Qin after only recently becoming a Martial Artist. They recall that Su Qin once killed another elder with a single staff strike, suggesting that Lu Hao may suffer the same fate. Cao Ling is visibly worried, while Xue Yong remains grim and silent.
• Su Qin attacks without waiting for the official start. Although Ding Mian instructs both fighters not to cause serious injury, Su Qin declares that combat is unpredictable and immediately attacks with both staffs. Lu Hao activates the three drops of Blood Essence in his dantian and uses them to strengthen his arms.
• Lu Hao is initially overwhelmed. Su Qin’s power, technique, and experience force Lu Hao entirely onto the defensive. He barely withstands several direct blows, suffers severe numbness and pain in his arms, and is eventually struck in the ribs and thrown to the edge of the arena. Su Qin mocks his weakness and questions his right to enter Green Ox Mountain.
• Lu Hao refuses to surrender. Cao Ling calls for Lu Hao to concede, fearing for his life. Despite the pain beneath his ribs, Lu Hao pushes himself back to his feet rather than surrendering. Su Qin prepares to deliver another decisive attack.
• Lu Hao’s cultivation unexpectedly breaks through. During the battle, Lu Hao’s Black Tiger Golden Saber Blood Essence Formula reaches Grand Mastery. The three drops of Blood Essence in his dantian divide into nine, greatly increasing the density and power of his Blood Essence. His injuries and numbness subside, and immense strength floods his body.
• Lu Hao advances to Upper-Grade Bright Force. The breakthrough causes his aura to rise dramatically. Everyone—including the elders and Su Qin—realizes that Lu Hao has reached Upper-Grade Bright Force after being a Martial Artist for only five or six days. The spectators are stunned, especially because Su Qin herself has remained stuck at that level for nearly a decade.
• The chapter ends with the battle renewed. Su Qin becomes uneasy at Lu Hao’s sudden advancement but attacks him again with both staffs, setting up the next exchange.

Character Development and Interactions

• Lu Hao demonstrates resilience, refusing to surrender even when badly injured. His breakthrough reveals extraordinary cultivation speed and transforms him from an apparent underdog into a genuine threat.
• Su Qin begins the fight confident and contemptuous, relying on her superior experience and overwhelming strength. Lu Hao’s advancement unsettles her for the first time.
• Xue Yong supports Lu Hao indirectly by matching Ding Mian’s wager, though he initially doubts Lu Hao can win.
• Ding Mian manipulates the situation by proposing the Blood Essence Pill wager and appears outwardly cordial while allowing the dangerous match to proceed.
• Cao Ling acts as Lu Hao’s concerned ally, urging him to surrender when the fight appears hopeless.
• The elders represent the conservative judgment of the martial world: they dismiss Lu Hao because of his short training period, only to be shocked by his rapid breakthrough.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance under pressure: Lu Hao’s refusal to give up creates the opportunity for his breakthrough.
• Talent versus experience: Su Qin’s decade of cultivation initially dominates Lu Hao’s raw ability, but his exceptional potential rapidly narrows the gap.
• Hidden strength and sudden transformation: Lu Hao’s apparent defeat conceals a breakthrough that completely changes the balance of power.
• Judgment and underestimation: The elders’ ridicule emphasizes how quickly appearances can be overturned by genuine talent.
• Ambition and competition: The wager and the battle reflect the political and personal rivalries surrounding entry into Green Ox Mountain.

Summary of “Su Qin’s Defeat”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a formal match, Su Qin attacks Lu Hao with her twin short staffs, expecting to overpower him through her greater experience as a veteran Upper-Grade Bright Force martial artist.
• Lu Hao blocks her attack and reveals that his Blood Essence is far more powerful than expected. Although he has only recently entered the same realm, he forces Su Qin backward in their direct clash.
• Lu Hao takes the initiative, repeatedly using the Black Tiger techniques—particularly Black Tiger Rending Wind and Black Tiger Whirl—to overwhelm Su Qin. His attacks are powerful, consistent, and increasingly difficult for her to defend against.
• Su Qin’s hands and arms become numb and injured, while her breathing grows unsteady. Desperate, she pours all her Blood Essence into a final attack.
• Lu Hao counters with Black Tiger Whirl, knocking one staff from her hand, then uses Black Tiger Splits Mountain to disarm her completely and strike both of her collarbones.
• Su Qin is knocked down, spits blood, and suffers severe injuries. Her defeat shocks everyone watching, since she had been considered one of the gang’s strongest elders and a likely candidate for advancing to Dark Force.
• Xue Yong uses Lu Hao’s victory to publicly defend his qualification to enter Green Ox Mountain, humiliating Ding Mian and strengthening Xue Yong’s faction.
• Ding Mian attempts to intervene once Lu Hao approaches the injured Su Qin, but Xue Yong blocks him and argues that interfering would violate the rules of the match.
• Su Qin, terrified that Lu Hao intends to kill her, begs for mercy. She invokes her allegiance to Ding Mian and offers him her share of the Praying Mantis Beast’s core and shell, as well as anything else he wants.
• Her proud, aloof image collapses completely when she kneels and clings to Lu Hao’s legs. Lu Hao remains cold, kicks her away, and prepares to continue confronting her. The chapter ends with him bending down over the fallen Su Qin.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao: Demonstrates that his newly achieved Upper-Grade Bright Force is extraordinarily powerful. His Blood Essence exceeds Su Qin’s despite her decade of experience, establishing him as a dangerous and formidable martial artist. His cold refusal to stop after defeating her also reveals a ruthless, unforgiving side.
• Su Qin: Suffers a dramatic reversal from confident veteran to defeated and desperate victim. Her injuries, loss of weapons, and public humiliation destroy her earlier composure. Her willingness to beg, bargain, and betray her faction’s interests shows how completely fear has overtaken her.
• Ding Mian: Loses his confidence and becomes visibly furious and anxious. His attempt to protect Su Qin suggests that her defeat threatens both his authority and the political standing of his faction.
• Xue Yong: Gains significant advantage from Lu Hao’s victory. He openly celebrates the result, uses it to challenge Ding Mian, and prevents him from interfering, displaying confidence and political opportunism.
• Cao Ling: Moves from fearing that Lu Hao will die to reacting with astonishment and joy at his victory, reinforcing how unexpected Lu Hao’s strength is.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and underestimated talent: Lu Hao’s recent breakthrough conceals power far beyond what others expect, challenging assumptions based on experience and cultivation time.
• Pride and humiliation: Su Qin’s defeat strips away her arrogant public image and exposes the vulnerability beneath it.
• Ruthlessness and survival: The match shifts from a contest of martial skill to a struggle over life and death. Su Qin’s desperate bargaining contrasts with Lu Hao’s determination to show no mercy.
• Factional conflict and political power: The duel is also a confrontation between Ding Mian’s and Xue Yong’s factions. Lu Hao’s victory changes the balance of influence within the gang.
• Rules versus intervention: Ding Mian claims the match is over and tries to save Su Qin, while Xue Yong insists that interfering would violate the agreed rules, using legality as a weapon against his rival.

Character Interactions

• Lu Hao and Su Qin: Their battle evolves from a formal contest into a personal confrontation. Lu Hao dominates her physically, while Su Qin shifts from attacking him to pleading for her life.
• Ding Mian and Xue Yong: Their hostility becomes explicit when Ding Mian tries to enter the arena and Xue Yong blocks him. Xue Yong taunts him by reminding him that he established the match and its stakes.
• Su Qin and Ding Mian: Su Qin relies on her connection to Ding Mian when begging Lu Hao for mercy, but Ding Mian’s inability to immediately protect her leaves her vulnerable.
• Lu Hao and the spectators: Lu Hao’s performance overturns the crowd’s expectations, transforming him from a supposedly unqualified newcomer into a figure capable of defeating one of the gang’s strongest elders.

Chapter Summary: “Setting Out for Green Ox Mountain”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Hao defeats and kills Su Qin in their duel using Black Tiger Rending Wind, despite the fight supposedly being a sparring match.
• He claims the wagered Blood Essence Pills, combining the two bottles into one containing four pills.
• Ding Mian, Su Qin’s ally and the “Smiling Tiger,” suppresses his anger and publicly accepts Su Qin’s death. Rather than seek immediate revenge, he praises Lu Hao and attributes the outcome to fate.
• Xue Yong declares that the matter is settled and confirms Lu Hao’s qualification to join the expedition into Green Ox Mountain. Lu Hao takes Su Qin’s place among the five elders accompanying Xue Yong.
• The six Black Tiger Gang members—Xue Yong, Lu Hao, Cao Ling, Zhou Yuan, Chang Kun, and Zheng Huaijian—leave Bluestone County and travel toward Green Ox Mountain.
• Before their departure, Ding Mian secretly gives Zheng Huaijian instructions, implying that he intends to influence events during the expedition.
• Cao Ling warns Lu Hao that Ding Mian will eventually retaliate for Su Qin’s death. He also cautions Lu Hao to watch Zheng Huaijian, who belongs to Ding Mian’s faction.
• Upon entering Green Ox Mountain, the group hears unfamiliar beast roars, creating an immediate sense of danger.
• Meanwhile, a group from the Golden Saber Gang, led by Deputy Gang Leader Xie Chong, is leaving the mountain while carrying the corpse of a powerful Praying Mantis Beast. Xie Chong insists on bringing the entire corpse because its flesh can strengthen Blood Essence.
• The two groups encounter each other in the forest. The Golden Saber Gang draws its weapons, and both sides prepare for a possible confrontation.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao demonstrates decisive brutality and growing confidence by killing Su Qin without hesitation. His victory establishes him as a formidable martial artist and earns him a place in the Green Ox Mountain expedition.
• Ding Mian reveals his calculating and patient nature. Though visibly angered by Su Qin’s death, he hides his emotions, avoids an unfavorable confrontation, and begins plotting through Zheng Huaijian.
• Xue Yong acts pragmatically, accepting Lu Hao’s strength and immediately incorporating him into the mission.
• Cao Ling shows loyalty toward Lu Hao by warning him about Ding Mian and Zheng Huaijian.
• Zheng Huaijian becomes a potential internal threat because of his allegiance to Ding Mian and the secret instructions he receives.
• Xie Chong is shown as experienced and cautious, aware that the mountain becomes far more dangerous after nightfall. He is also practical and resource-conscious, valuing the Praying Mantis Beast’s flesh as much as its core and armor.

Significant Themes

• Power and survival: Lu Hao’s victory proves that strength determines status and survival within the gangs.
• Hidden hostility and political maneuvering: Ding Mian’s polite reaction masks resentment and foreshadows covert revenge.
• Trust and betrayal: The expedition is threatened not only by demon beasts but also by conflict within the Black Tiger Gang.
• Greed and resources: The gangs risk danger to obtain demon beast materials that can increase martial power.
• The danger of nature: Green Ox Mountain is portrayed as a hostile environment where powerful beasts emerge at night, making time and preparation essential.

Character Interactions

• Lu Hao and Su Qin’s duel ends in her death, dramatically shifting the gang’s internal balance.
• Ding Mian and Lu Hao exchange formal, restrained words despite their underlying hostility.
• Xue Yong formally validates Lu Hao and organizes the expedition.
• Cao Ling privately advises Lu Hao, establishing an alliance and warning him against Ding Mian’s faction.
• Ding Mian secretly communicates with Zheng Huaijian before the journey, suggesting coordinated action against Lu Hao.
• The chapter ends with the Black Tiger Gang and Golden Saber Gang confronting one another, setting up a likely conflict over the demon beast corpse or their competing interests in Green Ox Mountain.

Chapter Summary: Praying Mantis Beast Demon Beast Core

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xue Yong leads the Black Tiger Gang to confront Xie Chong and the Golden Saber Gang on Green Ox Mountain.
• The two groups accuse each other of previous massacres: the Golden Saber Gang blames the Black Tiger Gang for destroying its Azure Robe Branch Hall, while the Black Tiger Gang holds the Golden Saber Gang responsible for killing its members.
• Xie Chong realizes the Black Tiger Gang found them because of a traitor. He identifies Shen Yansong, who immediately proves guilty by stabbing a fellow Golden Saber Gang elder.
• Shen Yansong is quickly surrounded and killed, decapitated by one of the Golden Saber Gang members.
• A violent battle breaks out:
  • Chang Kun kills one elder but is stabbed and killed.
  • Zhou Yuan kills that elder, only to be fatally stabbed by Xie Chong.
  • Lu Hao kills another elder with his Black Tiger Throat-Piercer technique and absorbs the man’s Blood Baleful Intent using the Golden Saber Blood Essence Formula.
  • Cao Ling fights the elder guarding the Praying Mantis Beast’s corpse.
• The Golden Saber elder retreats to the corpse, cuts open its abdomen, and retrieves a crimson Demon Beast Core with a dark green sheen.
• The core’s powerful Blood Essence fluctuation causes both sides to stop fighting and focus on it. Xie Chong reveals that it was intended to help the Golden Saber Gang leader break through to high-grade Dark Force.
• Xue Yong attempts to stop the elder from claiming the core, but Xie Chong desperately prevents him. Lu Hao and Cao Ling join Xue Yong, and the three defeat Xie Chong.
• Before they can seize the core, the Golden Saber elder swallows it.
• The elder undergoes a monstrous transformation: his body swells, dark green light covers his skin, and his arms become serrated, sickle-like limbs. He lets out a terrifying roar, becoming something between a human and a praying mantis beast.

Character Developments

• Xue Yong acts as the Black Tiger Gang’s determined leader, seeking revenge for his fallen comrades and protecting his group. His anger intensifies after Shen Yansong, Chang Kun, and Zhou Yuan are killed.
• Xie Chong is revealed as ruthless, suspicious, and fiercely protective of the Demon Beast Core. His desperation drives him to fight recklessly, even after the core is taken.
• Shen Yansong is exposed as a Black Tiger Gang spy. Although he strikes first and kills a Golden Saber elder, he is swiftly executed, demonstrating the danger of betrayal and infiltration.
• Lu Hao displays exceptional combat ability and tactical precision. His technique not only kills an enemy but also allows him to absorb the opponent’s Blood Baleful Intent, strengthening his cultivation.
• Cao Ling proves capable of holding his own against a powerful Golden Saber elder, though the opponent escapes to retrieve the core.
• Zheng Huaijian conspicuously avoids committing himself during the battle, suggesting hidden motives or cowardice.
• The Golden Saber elder who consumes the core sacrifices his humanity for power, transforming into a dangerous beast-like creature.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and mistrust: The conflict is intensified by the discovery of Shen Yansong’s espionage and by the gangs’ mutual accusations.
• Revenge and gang warfare: Both groups are motivated by retaliation for earlier bloodshed, creating a cycle of violence.
• Power at the cost of humanity: The Demon Beast Core offers immense strength but transforms its user into a monstrous hybrid.
• Survival and opportunism: Characters exploit openings, abandon fair combat, and prioritize the core over alliances or personal safety.
• The dangers of greed: The desire to obtain the core causes both sides to ignore the larger threat it represents.

Character Interactions

• Xue Yong and Xie Chong engage in a personal confrontation fueled by mutual hatred and accusations.
• Xie Chong exposes Shen Yansong’s betrayal, leading directly to Shen’s death.
• Zhou Yuan and Chang Kun fight alongside each other, but both are killed in rapid succession.
• Lu Hao, Xue Yong, and Cao Ling cooperate to defeat Xie Chong after the Demon Beast Core becomes the central objective.
• The Golden Saber elder’s transformation shifts the conflict from a gang battle into a confrontation with a powerful beast-like enemy, setting up the next stage of the story.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Golden Saber Gang elder swallows the Praying Mantis Beast’s core, triggering a demonic transformation. His Blood Essence expands dramatically, and his strength rises from Upper-Grade Bright Force to a level approaching Dark Force.
• His body and fighting style become mantis-like, with scythe-shaped forelimbs, enhanced speed, strength, and instinctive senses.
• He overwhelms the group:
  • Xue Yong’s staff is broken, and he is thrown into a tree with a severe chest wound.
  • Cao Ling suffers a deep shoulder slash that exposes bone.
  • Lu Hao’s right forearm is badly injured and rendered temporarily useless.
• Zheng Huaijian hangs back and considers fleeing. He recalls Ding Mian’s orders to retrieve the beast core—or at least the beast’s corpse—and to find a chance to kill Lu Hao. With the core already consumed, he focuses on preserving his own life.
• Lu Hao realizes that although the transformed elder is immensely powerful, he has lost his reason and relies mainly on animal instinct. Lu Hao also notices that the elder is several times stronger than Su Qin.
• Using the Blood Baleful Blade Method, Lu Hao combines Blood Essence with Blood Baleful Intent, producing a blackish-purple power in his left hand.
• Lu Hao attacks with Unifying Primordial Baleful Intent, opening a crack in the elder’s neck. He follows with Threefold Blood Waves, progressively widening the wound until his blade pierces the elder’s neck.
• Lu Hao absorbs the transformed elder’s Blood Baleful Intent through the Golden Saber Blood Essence Formula. The elder’s body shrivels and collapses, briefly regaining human clarity in his eyes before dying.
• The battle leaves Lu Hao completely drained, barely able to kneel. As he loses consciousness, Zheng Huaijian approaches from behind with a sinister smile, setting up an imminent betrayal or attack.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao demonstrates tactical awareness, recognizing the elder’s loss of reason as a weakness. Despite his injured arm and the elder’s overwhelming power, he decisively risks everything to kill him.
• Lu Hao’s mastery of the Blood Baleful Blade Method advances as he successfully unifies Blood Essence and Killing/Baleful Intent into a stronger attack.
• The transformed elder becomes more powerful but loses his humanity and martial technique, fighting through instinct alone. His brief return to clear vision at death suggests that some human consciousness remained beneath the transformation.
• Xue Yong, Cao Ling, and Lu Hao are all seriously injured, showing the destructive gap between the transformed elder and the group.
• Zheng Huaijian reveals his opportunistic and treacherous nature. Rather than helping the others, he waits for them to weaken and prepares to attack Lu Hao, consistent with Ding Mian’s secret orders.

Significant Themes

• Power at the cost of humanity: The beast core grants extraordinary strength but strips the elder of reason and identity.
• Instinct versus strategy: The transformed elder possesses superior physical power, but Lu Hao defeats him by observing his predictable, instinctive behavior.
• Risk and sacrifice: Lu Hao exhausts all his Blood Essence and Baleful Intent to overcome an enemy far stronger than himself.
• Betrayal and hidden agendas: The external monster is defeated, but human treachery immediately becomes the next threat.
• Assimilation of power: Lu Hao’s ability to absorb the elder’s Blood Baleful Intent suggests both growing strength and the danger of relying on violent energy.

Character Interactions

• Xue Yong warns the group about the elder’s enhanced strength and attempts to defend against him, but is quickly defeated.
• The transformed elder attacks Xue Yong, Cao Ling, and Lu Hao in succession, demonstrating his dominance over the group.
• Lu Hao engages the elder directly, exploiting his instinctive attacks and countering with specialized techniques.
• Zheng Huaijian deliberately remains on the perimeter, watching the others fight while considering escape and the possibility of killing Lu Hao.
• The chapter ends with Zheng Huaijian standing behind the exhausted Lu Hao, creating a direct confrontation between former allies.

Chapter Summary: “Zheng Huaijian, Dead!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the battle with the Golden Saber Gang, Lu Hao is severely weakened, while Cao Ling and Xue Yong are injured.
• Zheng Huaijian reveals that he intends to kill Lu Hao. He admits that Vice Gang Leader Ding Mian ordered him to eliminate Lu Hao and believes the present moment is the perfect opportunity.
• Cao Ling protests, reminding Zheng that Lu Hao saved everyone by killing the Golden Saber elder who had consumed the Praying Mantis Beast’s demon core.
• Zheng dismisses Cao’s objections and knocks him down with his staff. He then approaches the helpless Lu Hao.
• Lu Hao secretly activates a Blood Essence Pill through the system. The pill restores the nine depleted drops of Blood Essence in his dantian, allowing him to recover his strength.
• When Zheng strikes, Lu Hao blocks the staff with his forearm, shattering Zheng’s confidence and injuring his hands.
• Lu Hao counterattacks with overwhelming force, using the Black Tiger Pounces on Prey technique to knock Zheng down and repeatedly punch him.
• Zheng begs for mercy and offers to spy on Ding Mian, but Lu Hao refuses, declaring that anyone who bullies him must die.
• Lu Hao beats Zheng to death. Cao Ling and Xue Yong watch in shock, realizing that Lu Hao still possessed enough strength to kill another powerful opponent despite his earlier exhaustion.
• Night falls, making it impossible for the group to return that day.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao demonstrates resilience, hidden resources, and a strong retaliatory nature. Though apparently exhausted, he uses a Blood Essence Pill at a critical moment and decisively defeats Zheng.
• Zheng Huaijian is exposed as cowardly and opportunistic. He avoided the main danger during the battle, then tried to kill Lu Hao under Ding Mian’s orders. His final regret comes from realizing that obedience and greed led directly to his death.
• Cao Ling shows loyalty and a sense of justice by defending Lu Hao and condemning Zheng’s betrayal, even while badly injured.
• Xue Yong is likewise outraged by Zheng’s actions but is too severely wounded to intervene. His horror at Lu Hao’s brutality reveals how dramatically Lu Hao’s strength and ruthlessness have impressed and frightened his allies.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and loyalty: Zheng turns against his supposed comrades after benefiting from Lu Hao’s protection, while Cao Ling and Xue Yong recognize Lu Hao’s contribution and defend him.
• Consequences of opportunism: Zheng’s attempt to exploit Lu Hao’s weakness backfires, emphasizing that cowardice and treachery can ultimately destroy the traitor.
• Hidden strength and survival: Lu Hao’s concealed Blood Essence Pill allows him to reverse what appears to be a hopeless situation.
• Justice and vengeance: Lu Hao’s declaration that those who bully him must be killed establishes his uncompromising personal code.
• Regret and irreversibility: Zheng recognizes his mistake only at the moment of death, when it is too late to change his decision.

Character Interactions

• Cao Ling confronts Zheng and accuses him of betraying the group after Lu Hao saved their lives.
• Zheng responds with hostility, attacking Cao and ignoring both injured men.
• Zheng attempts to justify killing Lu Hao by claiming he is merely following Ding Mian’s orders.
• Lu Hao answers Zheng’s betrayal through direct violence rather than negotiation, rejecting Zheng’s plea to become an informant.
• Cao Ling and Xue Yong become witnesses to Lu Hao’s decisive transformation from exhausted survivor to dominant victor.

Chapter Summary: “Cave, Demon Wolves”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Injured after the earlier battle, Cao Ling, Xue Yong, and Lu Hao decide to spend the night on Green Ox Mountain rather than continue traveling in the darkness.
• They conceal and leave Zhou Yuan and Chang Kun’s bodies beneath a tree. Lu Hao searches the corpses, recovering banknotes and several porcelain bottles, intending to return the money to the deceased men’s families.
• Lu Hao consults a partial map of Green Ox Mountain. Xue Yong warns him that lighting a fire at night could attract powerful Demon Beasts. They briefly shield a small flame with their clothes so Lu Hao can locate their position.
• The map reveals a nearby Demon Wolf cave marked as containing Lower Bright Force beasts. Since Xue Yong and Cao Ling are badly injured while Lu Hao remains capable of fighting, they choose the cave as shelter.
• Inside, they encounter approximately a dozen Demon Wolves. Lu Hao kills the ordinary wolves almost effortlessly with hand strikes enhanced by Blood Baleful Intent.
• A stronger alpha wolf resists Lu Hao’s initial attack. Following Xue Yong’s advice to target its weaker waist and abdomen, Lu Hao kills it with Golden Saber Throat-Ripper.
• The remaining wolves flee. Lu Hao briefly considers pursuing them but returns after Xue Yong warns that the pack may attract stronger Demon Beasts.
• The chapter ends with Xue Yong fearing that the surviving wolves may return with reinforcements.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao demonstrates increasing combat power and confidence. His Upper-Grade Bright Force cultivation allows him to kill Lower Bright Force Demon Wolves with ease, while his Blood Baleful Intent technique proves especially destructive.
• Lu Hao also shows responsibility and compassion by covering the dead men’s bodies and preserving their money for their families, despite the danger and urgency of the situation.
• Xue Yong remains experienced and tactically useful despite his injuries. He understands the dangers of Green Ox Mountain, advises Lu Hao on the alpha wolf’s weakness, and restrains him from recklessly chasing the fleeing pack.
• Cao Ling acts mainly as support, helping Xue Yong walk and later assisting him as they settle inside the cave. His fear of the surrounding darkness and Demon Beasts emphasizes his vulnerability.
• Xue Yong’s repeated coughing and worsening condition highlight the group’s limited resources and growing danger.

Significant Themes

• Survival in a hostile environment: The characters must balance injury, darkness, navigation, and the threat of powerful Demon Beasts.
• Caution versus aggression: Lu Hao’s strength makes him eager to pursue enemies, but Xue Yong emphasizes that reckless action in the mountains could be fatal.
• Responsibility and morality: Lu Hao’s decision to preserve the dead men’s money shows that duty and compassion remain important even amid survival pressures.
• Growth in power: Lu Hao’s mastery of Blood Baleful Intent and his effective use of martial techniques signal his rapid development as a fighter.
• Uncertainty and escalating danger: The surviving Demon Wolves create the possibility of a larger attack, making the cave only a temporary refuge.

Character Interactions

• Cao Ling repeatedly seeks guidance from Xue Yong, who responds with warnings about the mountain’s dangers.
• Lu Hao and Cao Ling physically support the injured Xue Yong throughout their journey.
• Xue Yong initially objects to Lu Hao lighting a fire but accepts his practical compromise of shielding the flame with their clothes.
• During the wolf attack, Xue Yong provides crucial tactical advice, while Lu Hao carries out the killing.
• Xue Yong later acts as a restraining influence, stopping Lu Hao from pursuing the fleeing wolves and warning him that they may return with stronger beasts.

Chapter Summary: “Visitors Outside the Cave”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Lu Hao defeats the Demon Wolf pack and kills the Golden Saber Gang elder, he, Cao Ling, and the injured Xue Yong take shelter in a cave.
• Xue Yong warns Lu Hao not to pursue the surviving wolves, explaining that intelligent Demon Beasts may summon allies and that Green Ox Mountain is especially dangerous at night.
• The men agree to take turns standing watch. Lu Hao drags the wolf corpses away from the cave and later investigates them, finding a Demon Core only in the alpha wolf.
• Cao Ling questions Lu Hao about the sinister-looking cultivation method that caused the Golden Saber Gang elder’s corpse to shrivel. Lu Hao conceals the existence of his Golden Blade Blood Fiend Art and attributes the corpse’s condition to the elder’s direct consumption of a Demon Core.
• Xue Yong supports this explanation, explaining that Demon Cores contain Blood Baleful Intent, which must be cleansed gradually. Direct consumption can erode a martial artist’s reason and cause demonization.
• Lu Hao examines his gains: money, five Blood Essence Pills, the alpha wolf’s Demon Core, and the wolf meat. His system reveals that the Demon Core can temporarily provide limitless Blood Baleful Intent, while the meat can rapidly restore Blood Essence and Blood Baleful Intent.
• Because both of his Equipment Slots are occupied by cultivation arts, Lu Hao cannot equip these resources. He resolves to raise both arts to Perfect Mastery so he can free the slots and possibly unlock another one.
• During the night, Xue Yong’s injuries worsen briefly, but Cao Ling takes over the watch and allows Lu Hao to sleep.
• At dawn, Cao Ling wakes Lu Hao after noticing approaching visitors. Most of the group appear to be foreigners or people not dressed like citizens of the Jin Kingdom.
• Because of Lu Hao’s demonstrated strength, both Cao Ling and Xue Yong look to him to decide how they should respond.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao: Becomes increasingly aware of the value of the Demon Beasts and their resources. He grows more confident in his cultivation path but remains cautious about concealing his system and the true nature of his techniques. His battle experience rapidly improves the proficiency of both his Blood-Baleful Blood-Essence Art and Blood Baleful Blade Method.
• Xue Yong: Develops a deeper respect and gratitude toward Lu Hao after realizing that Lu Hao saved his life. He shifts from addressing him casually to calling him “Brother Lu” and begins actively seeking friendship with him.
• Cao Ling: Shows concern that Lu Hao may be practicing an evil art and warns him against risking qi deviation or madness. He ultimately accepts Lu Hao’s explanation and increasingly trusts his judgment and strength.
• The Group: Their hierarchy subtly changes. Although Xue Yong is the deputy gang leader and Cao Ling is an experienced elder, Lu Hao’s superior combat ability makes him the natural leader in the emerging crisis.

Significant Themes

• Power and trust: Lu Hao’s strength earns him respect, but his secrecy prevents complete trust and forces him to manage what others know.
• Dangerous cultivation: Demon Cores and Blood Baleful Intent offer tremendous power but threaten reason and sanity when used improperly.
• Resource and opportunity: Lu Hao sees Green Ox Mountain not only as a dangerous place but also as a treasure trove of materials that can accelerate his cultivation.
• Changing status: Combat ability, rather than rank or seniority, determines authority within the group.
• Uncertainty and looming danger: The arrival of unfamiliar visitors at dawn introduces a new threat just as the group has survived the Demon Wolf attack.

Character Interactions

• Xue Yong warns Lu Hao against chasing the wolves and later expresses admiration for his abilities.
• Cao Ling confronts Lu Hao about his apparently sinister cultivation art, acting out of concern rather than hostility.
• Lu Hao gives a carefully constructed explanation that both men accept.
• Cao Ling and Xue Yong defer to Lu Hao when unknown people approach the cave, signaling their recognition of his superior strength and judgment.

Chapter Summary: Dog Rong Kingdom, Zhou Zhenbei

Key plot points and events

• Lu Hao, Cao Ling, and Xue Yong prepare for unknown intruders approaching their cave. Following Lu Hao’s advice, Cao Ling and Xue Yong reluctantly consume their precious Blood Essence Pills to restore themselves to peak condition.
• The approaching group is revealed to be Zhou Zhenbei, accompanied by six warriors from the Dog Rong Kingdom. Xue Yong explains that they have illegally crossed from the Dog Rong Kingdom into Jin territory through Green Ox Mountain.
• Zhou Zhenbei and the Dog Rong warriors are searching for Zhi Chupei, a girl from the Zhi Clan who possesses an important key. The Dog Rong men intend to capture and abuse her, while their leader, the Hunt Chief, only wants the key.
• Two Dog Rong warriors enter the cave to search it. Lu Hao kills one with Black Tiger Throat-Piercer, while Cao Ling and Xue Yong attack Amur, who proves to be an Upper-Grade Bright Force expert.
• Zhou Zhenbei enters and recognizes Cao Ling and Xue Yong as members of the Black Tiger Gang. He also identifies Lu Hao as the man who killed his brother, Zhou Zhennan, and declares his intention to take revenge.
• Lu Hao and Zhou Zhenbei exchange blows. Lu Hao is shocked to discover that Zhou Zhenbei is not a Lower Bright Force Martial Artist, as previously believed, but a Peak Bright Force expert.
• Zhou Zhenbei reveals that he and Zhou Zhennan were actually spies from the Dog Rong Kingdom who infiltrated Jin under false identities.
• After battling for dozens of moves without gaining an advantage, Zhou Zhenbei blood-sacrifices a half-broken blade, greatly increasing its speed and power. He manages to slash Lu Hao’s left shoulder, leaving Lu Hao wounded at the chapter’s end.

Character developments

• Lu Hao demonstrates caution and leadership by insisting that his companions restore their Blood Essence before confronting the unknown group. His hidden ability to replenish Blood Essence through the Equipment Slot continues to give him an advantage, though he must conceal it.
• Lu Hao’s confidence is challenged when Zhou Zhenbei matches his strength despite Lu Hao’s recent advancement to Upper-Grade Bright Force. He realizes that Zhou Zhenbei’s true cultivation was deliberately concealed.
• Cao Ling and Xue Yong show their trust in Lu Hao by using their limited Blood Essence Pills despite their reluctance. Xue Yong’s knowledge of the Dog Rong Kingdom and its military geography proves valuable.
• Zhou Zhenbei is revealed as a highly capable Peak Bright Force fighter and a long-term Dog Rong spy. His hatred toward Lu Hao over Zhou Zhennan’s death drives the confrontation.
• Zhou Zhennan and Zhou Zhenbei’s identities are recontextualized: both were Dog Rong agents infiltrating Jin rather than ordinary members of the Water Serpent Gang.

Significant themes

• Hidden identities and betrayal: Zhou Zhenbei’s revelation exposes the danger of foreign spies embedded within Jin society.
• Preparation versus uncertainty: Lu Hao’s insistence on restoring Blood Essence emphasizes the need to prepare fully when the enemy’s intentions and strength are unknown.
• Escalating conflict between nations: The appearance of Dog Rong agents in Jin territory transforms the fight from a personal vendetta into a matter of national security and treason.
• Limits of confidence and strength: Lu Hao’s advancement does not guarantee superiority; concealed techniques, weapons, and experience can overturn an apparent advantage.
• Moral depravity of the enemy: The Dog Rong warriors’ intentions toward Zhi Chupei heighten the urgency and brutality of the conflict.

Character interactions

• Lu Hao directs Cao Ling and Xue Yong’s preparations, establishing himself as the group’s decision-maker.
• Cao Ling and Xue Yong discuss the cost of using their Blood Essence Pills, revealing their limited resources and ambitions to break through to Dark Force.
• Xue Yong identifies the Dog Rong warriors and explains their route into Jin, while Zhou Zhenbei’s presence forces him to confront the treasonous implications of the situation.
• Zhou Zhenbei openly taunts Lu Hao over Zhou Zhennan’s death, turning the encounter into a personal duel.
• Lu Hao and Zhou Zhenbei fight evenly at first, but Zhou’s blood-sacrificed blade gives him the speed advantage and wounds Lu Hao, leaving the battle unresolved.

Chapter Summary: “Demon Bei”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Hao, Cao Ling, and Xue Yong are overwhelmed by Zhou Zhenbei, Amuer, and several Dog Rong warriors. Cao Ling and Xue Yong are captured, while Lu Hao suffers multiple serious wounds and exhausts nearly all his Blood Essence and Blood Baleful Intent.
• In desperation, Lu Hao swallows the wolf leader’s demon core. The core releases a tremendous surge of Blood Baleful Intent, transforming his appearance and greatly increasing his strength.
• In his empowered, increasingly feral state, Lu Hao fights Zhou Zhenbei and Amuer simultaneously, injuring Zhou Zhenbei and disarming Amuer. He gains the upper hand but begins losing his sanity.
• Realizing he will soon become completely berserk and that the demon core’s energy will eventually run out, Lu Hao escapes the cave on all fours. Zhou Zhenbei and Amuer pursue him but quickly lose sight of him.
• Back at the cave, Zhou Zhenbei orders Cao Ling and Xue Yong to be forced to swallow Heart-Eating Pills so they can be used as leverage. The two prisoners resist, but the Dog Rong men overpower them.
• Zhou Zhenbei reveals that he is cooperating with the Dog Rong Kingdom and is connected to the Fangzhang Office as a “Dark Fang.” He and the Dog Rong warriors are searching for Zhi Chupei, the county magistrate’s daughter, apparently intending to abduct and abuse her.
• After fleeing, Lu Hao remains insane for about an hour, racing through Green Ox Mountain. First-Order Demon Beasts avoid him because of his overwhelming aura.
• His sanity eventually returns, but his Blood Essence and Blood Baleful Intent are completely depleted. Unable to move, he collapses and is soon approached by a pack of Demon Wolves led by a powerful Second-Order Demon Bei.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao: Demonstrates immense desperation and resolve by consuming a demon core, but the act temporarily drives him into a beastlike frenzy. Though he defeats or repels powerful opponents, his loss of control leaves him critically weakened and vulnerable.
• Zhou Zhenbei: Reveals himself as a deliberate traitor collaborating with the Dog Rong Kingdom. He is calculating and opportunistic, using captured enemies and exploiting the corruption of Jin authorities.
• Cao Ling and Xue Yong: Shift from active fighters to prisoners. Xue Yong remains defiant, openly condemning Zhou Zhenbei and defending Jin authority, though he is powerless against the Dog Rong forces.
• Amuer: Acts as Zhou Zhenbei’s brutal subordinate. He is aggressive, cruel, and openly enthusiastic about the planned assault on Zhi Chupei.
• Zhi Chupei: Does not appear directly, but becomes an important target whose safety is threatened by the Dog Rong group.

Significant Themes

• Power at the cost of humanity: Lu Hao’s demon-core transformation grants him overwhelming strength but steadily destroys his reason, suggesting that forbidden power carries a severe psychological and physical price.
• Betrayal and corruption: Zhou Zhenbei’s alliance with the Dog Rong Kingdom highlights political treachery and the weakness of Jin’s corrupt authorities.
• Survival and desperation: Lu Hao’s decision to consume the demon core reflects the extreme choices forced upon characters in life-or-death situations.
• Cruelty and exploitation: The Heart-Eating Pills and the Dog Rong men’s plans for Zhi Chupei emphasize the chapter’s portrayal of prisoners and civilians as tools or objects.
• Human versus beast: Lu Hao’s transformation, his movement on all fours, and the arrival of the Demon Bei blur the line between martial human and demon beast.

Character Interactions

• Lu Hao battles Zhou Zhenbei and Amuer, temporarily overpowering both after consuming the demon core.
• Zhou Zhenbei and Amuer coordinate their attack but are frustrated when Lu Hao escapes.
• Zhou Zhenbei and Xue Yong exchange accusations, with Xue Yong condemning his treason and Zhou Zhenbei criticizing Jin’s corrupt officials.
• Amuer humiliates and threatens Xue Yong while revealing Zhou Zhenbei’s connection to the Fangzhang Office.
• The chapter ends with helpless Lu Hao facing the Demon Wolves and their much stronger Demon Bei leader, setting up an imminent confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “Zhi Chupei”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Demon Bei emerges from the pack of seven or eight Demon Wolves and advances on the weakened Lu Hao.
• With his Blood Essence depleted, Lu Hao uses the system to consume a Blood Essence Pill, recovering enough strength to stand and prepare for battle.
• The Demon Bei attacks with overwhelming speed and power, slamming Lu Hao into the ground and repeatedly attempting to bite his neck.
• Lu Hao narrowly evades the beast’s jaws and strikes its snout with his hand-saber technique, causing pain but no serious injury.
• Realizing that the Second-Order Demon Bei is far stronger and tougher than Zhou Zhenbei, Lu Hao concludes that his attacks cannot penetrate its defenses, while each of its blows rapidly drains his Blood Essence.
• He consumes two more Blood Essence Pills, restoring his Blood Essence to full capacity, and prepares to fight the Demon Bei in a desperate battle of mutual destruction.
• A nearby group of three martial artists notices the fight. Their leader, Zhi Chupei, recognizes that Lu Hao—a Bright Force martial artist—is in grave danger and orders her maid, Green Jade, to help him.
• Green Jade hesitates after looking to Zhao Qingyang, who discourages involvement by claiming they have important business and warning that the Demon Wolves could create additional danger.
• Zhi Chupei rejects their objections, insisting that they cannot stand by while a human is attacked. She draws her sword and goes to assist Lu Hao herself.
• Zhao Qingyang privately reveals that he intends to let Zhi Chupei exhaust herself against the Demon Bei before stepping in as a “hero” and using the rescue to advance his position as a potential son-in-law of the Zhi Clan. He also promises to take Green Jade as a concubine.
• When Zhi Chupei reaches Lu Hao, the enraged Demon Bei summons the surrounding Demon Wolves. The beasts rush forward and surround Lu Hao and Zhi Chupei, leaving them in immediate danger.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao: Demonstrates resilience, composure, and tactical awareness despite being badly outmatched. He relies on the system and Blood Essence Pills to repeatedly restore his strength, while recognizing the limitations of his current martial power against a Second-Order Demon Beast.
• Zhi Chupei: Shows courage, decisiveness, and a strong sense of justice. She refuses to abandon Lu Hao even when her companions advise against intervention and personally enters the battle.
• Green Jade: Reveals that her loyalty to Zhi Chupei has weakened because of her growing attachment to Zhao Qingyang. Although she initially obeys Zhi Chupei, she allows Zhao’s opinions to influence her.
• Zhao Qingyang: Is portrayed as calculating, cowardly, and opportunistic. He is more interested in exploiting Zhi Chupei’s danger for personal advancement than protecting her, while also pursuing Green Jade for his own gratification.
• Demon Bei: Establishes its dominance through superior speed, physical strength, and durability. It is powerful enough to overwhelm Lu Hao’s attacks and force him into a battle of attrition.

Significant Themes

• Courage versus opportunism: Zhi Chupei risks herself to save a stranger, while Zhao Qingyang seeks to manipulate the situation for social and romantic gain.
• Strength and survival: Lu Hao’s repeated use of Blood Essence Pills highlights both his resourcefulness and his dependence on limited reserves in the face of a stronger enemy.
• Loyalty and corrupted relationships: Green Jade’s changing allegiance shows how romantic influence can undermine loyalty to her mistress.
• Justice and responsibility: Zhi Chupei believes that witnessing someone being attacked creates a moral obligation to intervene, contrasting sharply with the others’ self-interest.
• Power imbalance: Lu Hao’s struggle against the Demon Bei emphasizes the gap between Bright Force martial artists and higher-level demon beasts or Dark Force martial artists.

Character Interactions

• Lu Hao fights desperately against the Demon Bei, using evasion and hand-saber strikes while repeatedly replenishing his Blood Essence.
• Zhi Chupei orders Green Jade to assist Lu Hao, but Green Jade and Zhao Qingyang resist because of the risks.
• Zhi Chupei confronts their selfishness indirectly by acting herself, establishing her independence and moral authority.
• Zhao Qingyang and Green Jade exchange flirtatious, manipulative remarks, revealing their romantic relationship and his ambition to marry into the Zhi Clan.
• Zhi Chupei joins Lu Hao just as the Demon Bei and its wolves surround them, setting up a combined battle against the demon pack.

Chapter Summary

Plot and events

Zhi Chupei arrives to help Lu Hao fight a Second-Order Demon Bei and seven First-Order Demon Wolves. She engages the Demon Bei while Lu Hao battles the wolves. Using the Blood Baleful Blade Method, Lu Hao swiftly kills all seven wolves. When the Demon Bei nearly strikes Zhi Chupei, Lu Hao intervenes, allowing her to stab the beast through the abdomen and severely injure it. The Demon Bei then begins gathering its power to detonate its Demon Core. Zhi Chupei warns Lu Hao, and the two flee together. The chapter ends with a thunderous explosion as the Demon Bei self-destructs.

Character developments

• Lu Hao demonstrates remarkable combat ability, efficiently slaughtering seven wolves despite being only a Bright Force Martial Artist. He also acts instinctively and protectively toward Zhi Chupei.
• Zhi Chupei is portrayed as outwardly cold but genuinely compassionate and courageous. She voluntarily helps Lu Hao and fights the Demon Bei skillfully. Her cooperation with Lu Hao becomes increasingly close.
• Zhao Qingyang reveals his jealousy, arrogance, and possessiveness. He wants to appear heroic by rescuing Zhi Chupei, but Lu Hao steals the opportunity. His anger exposes his entitlement and resentment.
• Green Jade remains submissive toward Zhao Qingyang despite his mistreatment, hoping to become his concubine. Their relationship is shown as manipulative and degrading.

Significant themes

• Unexpected alliances: Lu Hao and Zhi Chupei join forces effectively despite being strangers.
• Strength versus status: Lu Hao’s practical combat ability surpasses Zhao Qingyang’s dismissive assumptions about Bright Force Martial Artists.
• Jealousy and possessiveness: Zhao Qingyang values Zhi Chupei partly as a political marriage prospect and reacts violently when Lu Hao earns her trust.
• Appearance versus character: Zhi Chupei’s cold exterior hides kindness, while Zhao Qingyang’s respectable family background conceals cruelty and selfishness.

Character interactions

Lu Hao and Zhi Chupei fight cooperatively, rescue one another, and flee hand in hand from the Demon Bei’s impending detonation. Zhao Qingyang watches this interaction with growing fury, believing Lu Hao has taken his chance to “save” Zhi Chupei. Green Jade tries to soothe Zhao Qingyang but is shoved aside and then submissively approaches him again, reinforcing the unhealthy power dynamic between them.

Chapter Summary: “Zhi Chupei Invited Him to Travel with Them”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The intelligent Demon Bei self-detonates its Demon Core after realizing it is unlikely to survive. Lu Hao and Zhi Chupei avoid the blast, though Lu Hao accidentally lands on top of her during the retreat, creating an awkward moment.
• Zhi Chupei explains that intelligent demon beasts destroy their own Demon Cores to prevent humans from obtaining them. Lu Hao reflects that the Golden Saber Gang likely obtained the Praying Mantis Beast’s Core because it was already injured, while the Demon Wolf he killed had died too quickly to self-detonate.
• Zhao Qingyang and Green Jade arrive after the battle, pretending to be concerned despite having stayed away during the danger. Zhi Chupei becomes increasingly dissatisfied with Green Jade for failing to help her and plans to dismiss her after returning to Bluestone County.
• Lu Hao introduces himself under the vague identity of “Young Master Lu,” concealing his true background because of the spies and enemies he has encountered in Green Ox Mountain.
• Zhi Chupei invites Lu Hao to travel with her group toward her second uncle’s residence. Although Lu Hao initially considers refusing so he can search for Xue Yong and Cao Ling and hunt demon beasts alone, he changes his mind after learning that Dog Rong Kingdom spies may be pursuing Zhi Chupei’s group.
• Zhao Qingyang objects, arguing that Lu Hao’s Bright Force cultivation will make him a burden against Dog Rong spies and Second-Order Demon Beasts. Zhi Chupei counters that Lu Hao has already reached Upper-Grade Bright Force and appears close to breaking through to Dark Force.
• Lu Hao accepts the invitation, intending to use the journey to hunt demon beasts, increase his cultivation, and potentially learn more about Zhou Zhenbei and the Dog Rong agents.
• After half a day of travel, the group reaches a mountain cave as night approaches. Lu Hao reviews his gains, including 1,600 taels of silver and major improvements in his martial skills and Blood Essence.
• Lu Hao intends to send 300 taels belonging to Chang Kun and Zhou Yuan to their families once he returns to Bluestone County.
• Green Jade leaves the cave to find food, and Zhao Qingyang follows her, claiming he wants to protect her.

Character Developments

• Lu Hao: Becomes more cautious about the danger of demon beasts’ self-detonation and continues hiding his identity. He strategically joins Zhi Chupei’s group to gain protection, hunt beasts, investigate the Dog Rong spies, and improve his cultivation. His Blood-Baleful techniques reach Grand Mastery, and his maximum Blood Essence rises dramatically to 240 units.
• Zhi Chupei: Demonstrates strong judgment and a sense of responsibility by recognizing Lu Hao’s ability and inviting him along despite his apparent lower cultivation. Her distrust of Green Jade deepens because of the maid’s failure to assist during the battle.
• Zhao Qingyang: Grows jealous and hostile toward Lu Hao after Lu Hao interrupts his attempt to appear heroic and gains Zhi Chupei’s respect. He openly tries to exclude Lu Hao from the group but is ignored.
• Green Jade: Is revealed to be unreliable and self-serving, having avoided helping Zhi Chupei during the fight while remaining close to Zhao Qingyang. Her relationship with Zhao Qingyang appears flirtatious and politically questionable.

Significant Themes

• Pragmatism and survival: The Demon Bei’s self-detonation emphasizes the brutal precautions intelligent creatures take to prevent enemies from profiting from their deaths.
• Hidden identity and strategy: Lu Hao conceals his background and carefully chooses to travel with Zhi Chupei’s group because it serves several personal goals.
• Competence versus appearances: Although Lu Hao is only publicly recognized as a Bright Force martial artist, Zhi Chupei notices that his actual ability is close to the Dark Force realm.
• Loyalty and betrayal: Green Jade’s failure to protect her mistress contrasts with Lu Hao’s willingness to fight and help, prompting Zhi Chupei to reconsider whom she can trust.
• Jealousy and rivalry: Zhao Qingyang’s resentment toward Lu Hao is driven both by wounded pride and by his perception that Zhi Chupei treats Lu Hao with greater respect.

Character Interactions

• Lu Hao and Zhi Chupei share an awkward physical encounter after the explosion, followed by a respectful exchange in which she offers him protection.
• Zhao Qingyang attempts to undermine Lu Hao, portraying him as weak and burdensome, but Zhi Chupei defends Lu Hao’s potential.
• Zhi Chupei coldly confronts Green Jade through her behavior and intends to dismiss her for failing to help during the battle.
• Zhao Qingyang follows Green Jade out of the cave, suggesting continued intimacy and possibly an attempt to separate himself from Lu Hao and Zhi Chupei.

Summary

This chapter is an author’s note rather than a narrative chapter. The author thanks readers for their continued support, including recommendations, monthly votes, and financial rewards. They explain that personal difficulties led to increasingly fanciful and poorly grounded plot decisions, making it unlikely that the story could continue successfully. As a result, the novel ends prematurely, leaving Lu Hao’s character development incomplete.
The author expresses regret that Lu Hao was unable to grow as intended and invites readers to identify the book’s flaws and weaknesses so they can improve as a writer. The note closes with warm wishes for readers’ health, careers, and happiness.

• Key events: The story is abruptly discontinued; Lu Hao’s arc remains unfinished.
• Character development: Lu Hao does not receive the intended growth or resolution.
• Themes: Authorial self-criticism, regret, creative limitations, gratitude toward readers, and the value of constructive feedback.
• Character interactions: There are no fictional character interactions; the note focuses on the relationship between the author and the readership.