Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: The Road Was Underfoot, but Where Was the Pit?

Key Plot Points and Events

• During the flight to Paris, Fu Qiang again asks Qin Fen to authorize him to publish and promote Qin Fen’s book, offering liquor and tea as compensation.
• Wei Tianlong, feeling jealous of Qin Fen’s closeness with Female Hooligan and eager to display his own status, joins the conversation.
• Believing Qin Fen to be an obscure writer, Wei Tianlong boasts about his entertainment-industry connections and offers to help adapt Qin Fen’s work for film and television.
• Song Shaoqing and Fu Qiang deliberately encourage Wei Tianlong’s misunderstanding, then leave Qin Fen alone to endure his increasingly grandiose lecture about publicity, intellectual property, and cross-industry development.
• Qin Fen finally reveals that his book is Qin Fen Talks Wellness, a cookbook—not a novel or literary work—and that he is primarily a chef who appeared on A Bite of China.
• Wei Tianlong is humiliated when he realizes he has spent the entire conversation showing off to someone outside his supposed area of expertise. Qin Fen further explains that he made clothes for Chairman Zhou’s Fashion Week finale.
• After the plane lands in Paris, Wei Tianlong’s mood recovers when a large group of French women greet him enthusiastically, apparently as fans.
• Qin Fen notices a familiar person among the crowd, suggesting that Rogers may have organized the welcome for his teacher.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen remains modest, reserved, and uninterested in fame or self-promotion. He listens politely to Wei Tianlong’s advice despite finding it tedious and does not deliberately expose or embarrass him.
• Wei Tianlong is shown as proud, competitive, and highly concerned with status. His attempt to dominate the conversation backfires when he discovers Qin Fen’s actual profession and accomplishments. However, his confidence quickly returns when he receives public admiration in Paris.
• Fu Qiang understands Qin Fen’s reputation and exploits Wei Tianlong’s ignorance for amusement. He helps set up the misunderstanding about Qin Fen being a writer.
• Song Shaoqing actively stirs up the situation, pretending that Qin Fen is a struggling author in order to encourage Wei Tianlong’s boasting.
• Female Hooligan recognizes the absurdity of the exchange and escapes to the restroom rather than continue listening. Her reaction shows her impatience with Wei Tianlong’s self-importance.
• Rogers is indirectly characterized as respectful and loyal, likely having arranged the welcome party for Qin Fen in Paris.

Significant Themes

• Pride and humiliation: Wei Tianlong’s boastful confidence collapses when his assumptions prove wrong.
• Miscommunication and mistaken identity: The others allow Wei Tianlong to believe Qin Fen is a struggling novelist, creating the chapter’s central comedic misunderstanding.
• True achievement versus superficial status: Qin Fen’s accomplishments span cooking, publishing, and fashion, yet he does not use them to show off, contrasting sharply with Wei Tianlong’s reliance on fame and connections.
• Friendship and teasing: Fu Qiang and Song Shaoqing deliberately orchestrate the joke, turning Wei Tianlong’s arrogance into entertainment for the group.
• Public recognition: Wei Tianlong’s mood depends heavily on external admiration, while Qin Fen’s value and reputation exist independently of publicity.

Character Interactions

• Qin Fen and Fu Qiang: Discuss the possible publication of Qin Fen’s cookbook, with Fu Qiang trying to negotiate promotional rights.
• Wei Tianlong and Qin Fen: Wei Tianlong lectures Qin Fen about marketing and film adaptations, unaware that Qin Fen’s book is simply a wellness cookbook.
• Fu Qiang and Song Shaoqing: Work together to mislead Wei Tianlong and then abandon Qin Fen to face his unwanted speech.
• Wei Tianlong and Female Hooligan: His desire to impress her motivates much of his boasting, while she responds with discomfort and avoidance.
• Qin Fen and Rogers: Qin Fen recognizes Rogers among the welcoming crowd, hinting at their teacher-student relationship and setting up the Paris events to come.

Chapter Summary: “A Fatal Blow”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In the rain outside the cabin, an enthusiastic crowd of French female fans erupts in excitement when the group arrives.
• Wei Tianlong assumes the fans have come specifically to see him. Emboldened by their screams, he poses dramatically, declares his love for them, and gives an impromptu speech for the media.
• Believing he is the main attraction, Wei Tianlong boasts about his popularity and asks reporters to photograph him favorably.
• Female Hooligan, who understands French, realizes that the crowd is actually shouting about sculpture, cuisine, and martial arts—clues that someone else is the true focus.
• Rogers interrupts Wei Tianlong and explains that the fans are there to welcome Qin Fen, not Wei. He reveals Qin Fen’s extraordinary reputation in Europe as a renowned chef, martial artist, sculptor, tailor, photographer, and celebrity associated with royalty and Guinness World Records.
• Qin Fen is described as a mysterious, wealthy, highly talented Eastern man whose skills and status have made him extremely attractive to European women.
• The crowd immediately surges toward Qin Fen, confirming Rogers’s explanation and completely humiliating Wei Tianlong.
• A reporter, who had come hoping to interview Qin Fen about his royal banquet work and clothing design, becomes frustrated after Wei Tianlong accidentally takes his microphone and monopolizes the scene.
• Overwhelmed by embarrassment and jealousy, Wei Tianlong flees. Fu Qiang and Song Shaoqing are also stunned by Qin Fen’s overwhelming popularity, while Qin Fen himself is uncomfortable with the attention and unwanted physical contact.

Character Developments

• Wei Tianlong: Begins confident, vain, and convinced he is the star of the event. His pride collapses when he discovers the fans are there for Qin Fen. His humiliation leads him to abandon the scene.
• Qin Fen: Is revealed to have an enormous and unexpected international following. His fame comes from his diverse talents, wealth, culinary achievements, and connection to royalty, though he personally dislikes the intense attention.
• Female Hooligan/Sun Yating: Demonstrates her sophistication and linguistic ability by understanding the French fans’ actual intentions before the men do.
• Rogers: Acts as the source of information, bluntly exposing Qin Fen’s reputation and unintentionally delivering the devastating truth to Wei Tianlong.
• Fu Qiang and Song Shaoqing: Both react with envy and disbelief, recognizing that they cannot compete with Qin Fen’s exceptional fame.
• The reporter: Represents the media’s intense interest in Qin Fen but becomes irritated when Wei Tianlong hijacks the microphone.

Significant Themes

• Humiliation caused by misplaced pride: Wei Tianlong’s assumption that the crowd admires him creates the chapter’s central comedic reversal.
• The unpredictability of fame: Qin Fen’s popularity comes from an unusual combination of talents rather than conventional celebrity status.
• Jealousy and competition: The men compare themselves to Qin Fen and feel inadequate when confronted with his overwhelming appeal.
• Public image versus reality: Wei Tianlong tries to perform for the cameras, but his carefully crafted moment becomes embarrassing once the truth is revealed.
• Cultural fascination: European fans are captivated by Qin Fen’s blend of Eastern mystery, martial arts, cuisine, artistry, fashion, wealth, and social influence.

Character Interactions

• Wei Tianlong performs for the crowd while Fu Qiang and Song Shaoqing watch with growing irritation.
• Female Hooligan silently recognizes that the men have misunderstood the fans’ enthusiasm.
• Rogers directly corrects Wei Tianlong and explains that Qin Fen is the actual celebrity.
• The fans abandon their apparent interest in Wei Tianlong and rush toward Qin Fen, creating the chapter’s decisive reversal.
• The reporter angrily attempts to reclaim his microphone from Wei Tianlong while trying to reach Qin Fen.
• Fu Qiang and Song Shaoqing commiserate over Qin Fen’s superiority, while Wei Tianlong reacts by fleeing the scene.

Chapter Summary: “Misfortunes Never Come Alone”

Plot Points and Events

• Qin Fen is overwhelmed after being mobbed by enthusiastic female fans at the airport. It takes half an hour for him to escape, leaving his face covered in lipstick and making him deeply uncomfortable with his sudden public fame.
• Fu Qiang, Song Shaoqing, and Female Hooligan tease Qin Fen about his popularity. Qin Fen insists that he has no idea why the foreign women are so enthusiastic and would rather avoid attention.
• At the airport waiting hall, Wei Tianlong is irritated because he mistakenly believed the fans had come for him. Feeling overshadowed by Qin Fen, even though Wei is a major celebrity, he complains about the time Qin Fen has wasted.
• Qin Fen apologizes rather than arguing. Wei Tianlong soon learns from Chairman Zhou’s assistant that Qin Fen is an especially important guest for Sea House and realizes he cannot afford to offend him.
• A large Mercedes-Benz motorcade is arranged to take everyone to the hotel. The assistant initially assigns Qin Fen to the first vehicle, but both Female Hooligan and Wei Tianlong insist on riding with him.
• Wei Tianlong forces his way into the first vehicle, believing there is only one seat left and using Qin Fen’s relationship with Female Hooligan as an excuse to justify staying there.
• In reality, Wei Tianlong has entered an identical vehicle belonging to an entirely different group. The mistake is not noticed until the vehicle has already departed.
• Wei Tianlong gradually realizes that the passengers are intimidating foreign bikers and that the vehicle is heading somewhere other than the hotel.
• The vehicle stops at a church, where Wei discovers he has been taken to the funeral of a bald biker gang member named Flander. Surrounded by dozens of leather-clad bikers, he understands that he is the only person who does not belong.
• After his accidental remark is interpreted as disrespectful, Wei is pressured into giving a speech. He awkwardly claims he will sing a song honoring Flander and begins singing about loneliness and invincibility.
• The biker leader interrupts him, takes his flower, and unexpectedly begins setting up a tango with Wei, leaving the celebrity terrified and completely confused.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen: His popularity has grown dramatically, but he remains humble, private, and uncomfortable with public attention. His instinct is to avoid confrontation and quietly accept responsibility when others are inconvenienced.
• Wei Tianlong: His jealousy and wounded pride make him desperate to maintain his status beside Qin Fen. His attempt to compete for the first vehicle leads directly to the humiliating and dangerous mistake. He shifts from arrogant celebrity to frightened outsider.
• Female Hooligan: She openly prefers Qin Fen’s company and competes with Wei for a place in the first vehicle, reinforcing her closeness to Qin.
• Fu Qiang and Song Shaoqing: They tease Qin Fen but remain loyal friends, choosing not to criticize him harshly despite agreeing that he delayed everyone.
• Chairman Zhou’s assistant: He treats Qin Fen as the exhibition’s most important guest and struggles to satisfy the competing demands of Qin, Female Hooligan, and Wei.

Significant Themes

• Misfortune caused by pride: Wei’s insecurity and desire to preserve his celebrity image cause him to make a reckless decision, resulting in an absurdly dangerous situation.
• The contrast between fame and real importance: Qin Fen attracts genuine enthusiasm despite being unaccustomed to fame, while Wei’s established celebrity status does not protect him from being overlooked or humiliated.
• Humility versus vanity: Qin Fen responds to embarrassment with restraint, whereas Wei’s competitiveness and vanity repeatedly worsen his circumstances.
• Cultural and linguistic confusion: The language barrier turns an ordinary transport error into a bizarre misunderstanding involving a foreign biker funeral.
• Comedic reversal: The supposedly powerful celebrity becomes helpless among intimidating strangers, while Qin Fen’s quiet behavior allows him to avoid the disaster.

Character Interactions

• Qin Fen’s friends mock him affectionately over his female fans and lipstick-covered face.
• Wei confronts Qin over the delay, but Qin responds politely rather than escalating the argument.
• Female Hooligan and Wei compete to accompany Qin in the first vehicle, exposing their differing motives—her personal closeness to Qin versus Wei’s wounded pride.
• Wei’s mistaken attempt to assert superiority leads to his being separated from the group and trapped among the bikers.
• The chapter ends with the biker leader forcing an intimate and surreal tango setup with Wei, turning his boastful competitiveness into complete panic.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei Tianlong is abducted by a group of bald biker gang members and taken to an unknown church, where his supposed funeral turns into a chaotic dance party. His assistant, manager, and Chairman Zhou’s staff desperately search for him, while Qin Fen and the others remain unconcerned and go to dinner.
• Qin Fen communicates with Thunder Duke about the dangers of inaccurate lightning strikes. He advises Thunder Duke to reduce accidental deaths by spreading safety knowledge through dreams, including the use of lightning rods and avoiding high places or trees during storms.
• Thunder Duke initially panics at the thought of dealing with Qin Fen, whom many immortals fear because of his troublesome reputation. However, he becomes interested when Qin Fen explains that the campaign will earn him Merit and improve his image.
• Qin Fen recruits Thunder Duke to advertise Great Sage down jackets by saying, “Thunder Duke, Thunder Duke, help you through the winter,” while wearing one during dream transmissions. Qin Fen’s larger plan is to market the clothing first in mortal realms, eventually forcing acceptance of the product throughout the Immortal Realm.
• Thunder Duke agrees and receives the promotional clothing, though he decides to consult Zhao Gongming before proceeding.
• In the Heavenly Court, Emperor Ziwei and his advisers, Greedy Wolf and Pojun, analyze the Jade Emperor’s political maneuvering. Ziwei explains that the Jade Emperor is testing both him and Lord Lao by forcing a decision over an important appointment.
• Ziwei has proposed Wenchang, Wenqu, and Matchmaker Yue as candidates. He believes Wenqu is the most likely choice, while Matchmaker Yue serves as a politically useful alternative that can satisfy the Jade Emperor’s need for an explanation.
• The Jade Emperor, Ziwei, Confucius, and Wenqu all await Lord Lao’s decision. Lord Lao remains distressed—not because the political choice is difficult, but because Jingjing’s arrival is causing him severe anxiety and making him pull out his hair.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen is shown as both benevolent and scheming. He genuinely wants Thunder Duke to reduce lightning-related deaths, but he also cleverly turns the public-service campaign into a marketing strategy for his clothing business.
• Thunder Duke shifts from fear and suspicion to enthusiasm. Although wary of Qin Fen’s reputation, he is persuaded by the promise of Merit and agrees to participate in the advertising scheme.
• Wei Tianlong is reduced to a helpless and terrified victim, contrasting sharply with the carefree attitude of Qin Fen and the others.
• Emperor Ziwei is revealed to be a highly strategic political thinker. He understands the Jade Emperor’s test and maneuvers so that every possible outcome benefits him.
• The Jade Emperor is portrayed as cautious and calculating, using the appointment dispute to test Lord Lao, Ziwei, and the loyalty of Heavenly Court factions.
• Lord Lao appears overwhelmed and increasingly comic, suffering both from political pressure and the disruptive presence of Jingjing.

Significant Themes

• Public welfare mixed with self-interest: Qin Fen’s plan demonstrates how genuine social benefit can be combined with commercial ambition.
• Reputation and fear: Thunder Duke’s fear of Qin Fen shows how Qin Fen’s reputation as a troublemaker influences even powerful immortals.
• Political manipulation and factional balance: The Heavenly Court’s leaders constantly test one another while ensuring that every decision preserves their own influence.
• Innovation spreading from below upward: Qin Fen plans to introduce down jackets to mortal nations first, believing their popularity will eventually pressure the Heavenly Court to adopt them.
• Comedy through contrast: Serious matters—funerals, divine lightning, and political succession—are repeatedly undercut by absurd behavior, such as a funeral becoming a dance party and Lord Lao pulling out his hair over Jingjing.

Character Interactions

• The biker gang’s rough treatment of Wei Tianlong creates the chapter’s opening comic conflict, while Wei’s staff and Chairman Zhou’s employees react with panic.
• Qin Fen negotiates with Thunder Duke, balancing advice, persuasion, intimidation, and commercial manipulation.
• Thunder Duke’s fear of Qin Fen contrasts with Qin Fen’s casual attitude and confidence in controlling the situation.
• Thunder Duke plans to consult Zhao Gongming, showing that he does not entirely trust Qin Fen’s schemes.
• Ziwei discusses the Jade Emperor’s motives with Greedy Wolf and Pojun, explaining the political logic behind the candidate selection.
• The Jade Emperor, Lord Lao, Confucius, and Wenqu are indirectly connected through the unresolved appointment, each waiting to see how the others will act.

Summary: “Stormy Schemes Above the Heavenly Court”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Heavenly Court waits anxiously for Lord Lao to decide whether to support Matchmaker Yue or Wenqu Star Lord as principal of the Academy.
• The Academy’s leadership is politically crucial because it unites countless immortal families, schools, factions, and social classes. Whoever controls it can build a powerful long-term network of allies.
• Ziwei hopes Lord Lao will remain neutral or support Wenqu, allowing Ziwei to strengthen ties with Confucius’s lineage and challenge the Jade Emperor.
• The Jade Emperor wants Lord Lao to choose Matchmaker Yue, believing this would preserve his influence. He reminds Thousand-Mile Eye that most Academy positions are already held by his supporters.
• Ziwei receives word from Greedy Wolf that Confucius promises a generous reward if Wenqu’s appointment succeeds. Confucius and Wenqu confidently believe their faction is already in an advantageous position.
• Meanwhile, Lord Lao is distracted and distressed by Hu Xiaojing/Jingjing’s presence and Qin Fen’s meddling. Qin Fen’s earlier schemes have left Lord Lao unable to focus on the Academy decision.
• Qin Fen suggests sending Jingjing to participate in square dancing and organize a fashion show with the Queen Mother. Lord Lao realizes this is not innocent advice: the activities could provoke conflict between Jingjing, the Jade Emperor, and other factions.
• Lord Lao accuses Qin Fen of deliberately manipulating events so that he and the Jade Emperor will fight while Qin Fen benefits. Qin Fen responds with shameless denials and wordplay, further irritating him.

Character Developments

• Lord Lao is revealed as unusually flustered, vulnerable, and desperate. Although normally powerful and calculating, he has lost control of the situation because of Jingjing and Qin Fen’s schemes. His attempts to outmaneuver others have backfired.
• Qin Fen/Natural Daoist continues to demonstrate his talent for indirect manipulation, using seemingly harmless suggestions to create political turmoil. He remains irreverent, hungry, and unconcerned with the dignified atmosphere around him.
• The Jade Emperor appears confident but is secretly nervous about losing influence over the Academy. His desire to control the institution reflects his broader struggle to maintain authority.
• Ziwei is patient and optimistic, believing Lord Lao will make the choice most favorable to his faction. He sees the Jade Emperor as weakened by recent misfortune.
• Confucius and Wenqu Star Lord act as though victory is nearly assured. Their mutual trust and understanding show the growing confidence of Confucius’s lineage.
• Greedy Wolf functions as Ziwei’s messenger and political intermediary, carrying Confucius’s promise of reward.
• Little Bean adds comic commentary, mocking Lord Lao’s lack of skill in the metaphorical “territorial” struggle.

Significant Themes

• Political power behind institutions: The Academy is far more than a school; control over it means influence over future generations of immortal families and factions.
• Factional maneuvering and alliances: The Jade Emperor, Ziwei, Confucius’s lineage, and Lord Lao all seek advantage through appointments, promises, and indirect pressure.
• Schemes backfiring: Lord Lao’s own strategies have trapped him, while Qin Fen’s “help” creates consequences he cannot easily control.
• Dignity versus absurdity: Grand political decisions occur alongside petty arguments, hunger, insults, fashion shows, and square dancing, creating a comic contrast.
• Manipulation and unintended consequences: Qin Fen’s actions demonstrate how personal interference can destabilize larger political structures.
• The limits of authority: Even a Saint such as Lord Lao can be emotionally cornered and forced into desperate, undignified behavior.

Character Interactions

• The Jade Emperor and Thousand-Mile Eye discuss the Academy’s political importance and reassure one another about the Emperor’s existing influence.
• Ziwei receives Greedy Wolf’s message and prepares to capitalize on Lord Lao’s decision.
• Confucius privately encourages Wenqu, affirming their strategic advantage while warning him to pay attention to Natural Daoist.
• Qin Fen and Lord Lao engage in a hostile but comic phone conversation. Lord Lao demands that Qin Fen resolve the crisis he created, even threatening to withhold the remaining Golden Cores.
• Qin Fen proposes redirecting Jingjing toward social activities, while Lord Lao recognizes the suggestion as a calculated attempt to provoke a confrontation with the Jade Emperor.
• Their argument ends with Qin Fen twisting Lord Lao’s own “dogs fighting dogs” metaphor against him, leaving Lord Lao furious and humiliated.

Lord Lao secretly sided with Qin Fen’s fashion show and then appointed Matchmaker Yue as the Academy’s principal, upsetting Confucius and Wenqu while pleasing the Jade Emperor. The appointment was followed by news that Matchmaker Yue had gone mad and was flying through the sky shouting insults.

• Lord Lao agreed to support Qin Fen’s fashion show while keeping his change of sides secret from the Jade Emperor and the Heavenly Court.
• Lord Lao suspected Matchmaker Yue had arranged Hu Xiaojing’s marriage fate and decided to use the Academy appointment to make Matchmaker Yue and Qin Fen suffer.
• Qin Fen dismissed Matchmaker Yue as unreliable while speaking with Lord Lao over dinner.
• Lord Lao announced that Matchmaker Yue was his choice for the Academy’s principal, stunning Confucius and Wenqu and delighting the Jade Emperor.
• Thousand-Mile Eye reported that Matchmaker Yue had gone mad, was flying into the sky, and kept shouting “dumbass.”

Lord Lao’s recommendation of Matchmaker Yue as the Academy’s next principal set off a struggle among the Jade Emperor, Emperor Ziwei, and their allies. Matchmaker Yue refused the job, and the Heavenly Dao intervened, leaving the appointment unsettled while Qin Fen played with his official account.

• Lord Lao proposed Matchmaker Yue as the next principal, surprising the Heavenly Court and upsetting Wenqu’s hopes.
• Matchmaker Yue loudly refused the position, fearing that Natural Daoist and Qin Fen would leave him bearing the blame for the Academy’s troubles.
• The Jade Emperor ordered Wind-Following Ear to bring Matchmaker Yue in, while Emperor Ziwei planned to use the refusal to secure Confucius’s support and prepare an imperial decree.
• The Heavenly Dao declared that Matchmaker Yue did not have to take the job, stopping the Jade Emperor, Emperor Ziwei, and Lord Lao from carrying out their plans.
• The Heavenly Dao asked who would be suitable for the post, while the Jade Emperor dismissed Thousand-Mile Eye and Qin Fen played with his official account.

Qin Fen created a WeChat account and unknowingly appeared to the Heavenly Court as the Heavenly Dao while Matchmaker Yue was asked to recommend a principal for the Academy. Matchmaker Yue eventually recommended Qin Fen, leaving the immortals to accept that he might be the best choice.

• Qin Fen registered the Rhythm Beneath the Desk Lamp account and discovered that he could chat with immortals including Matchmaker Yue.
• Qin Fen chatted with Matchmaker Yue, and the Heavenly Court mistook his messages for the Heavenly Dao's sovereign presence.
• Matchmaker Yue recommended the Daily Duty Star Officer, but the officer refused the principal position.
• Matchmaker Yue then recommended King Li, who rejected the job and insulted Matchmaker Yue.
• Matchmaker Yue recommended Natural Daoist, and the Heavenly Court concluded that Dongwang Gong was a reasonable choice.
• Qin Fen realized Matchmaker Yue had recommended him and wondered whether people chose principals based on looks.

Qin Fen’s casual conversation was mistaken for the Heavenly Dao’s judgment, and his praise of Matchmaker Yue and the duty star official turned their attempt to avoid becoming principal into a mutual endorsement of Qin Fen. Qin Fen accepted the principal position, leaving the Jade Emperor, Ziwei, Lord Lao, and the other powerful immortals appalled by the Heavenly Dao’s strange, rambling behavior.

• The Jade Emperor, Lord Lao, and other immortals interpreted Qin Fen’s remarks as the Heavenly Dao opposing Matchmaker Yue’s suggestion and supporting Natural Daoist as principal.
• Matchmaker Yue praised Qin Fen as the ideal principal, and the duty star official backed him up, hoping to steer the position away from themselves.
• Qin Fen modestly returned their praise, calling Matchmaker Yue and the duty star official capable and hardworking, which the immortals took as the Heavenly Dao recognizing their merit.
• Matchmaker Yue and the duty star official continued insisting Qin Fen was the best candidate, while Qin Fen kept complimenting them and Thunder Duke took the exchange as encouragement to promote his work.
• Qin Fen agreed to become principal, leaving the Jade Emperor, Ziwei, and Lord Lao inwardly furious at the drawn-out mutual praise.

Qin Fen appointed Dongwang Gong as the Academy principal and Matchmaker Yue as vice principal, then praised Emperor Ziwei for recommending Yue. Ziwei expected a reward, but Qin Fen left without offering one, leaving Ziwei furious at the Jade Emperor’s laughter.

• Qin Fen approved Matchmaker Yue’s recommendation of Dongwang Gong as principal and appointed Yue vice principal despite Yue’s protests.
• The Jade Emperor worried that Qin Fen’s remarks about him signaled Heavenly Dao’s dissatisfaction, while Ziwei believed his chance to rise had arrived.
• The star official on daily duty identified Emperor Ziwei as the one who recommended Matchmaker Yue, and Qin Fen praised Ziwei for his judgment.
• Pojun praised Ziwei’s hard work, and Qin Fen said the Academy would bring boundless merit before leaving without giving Ziwei a reward.
• The Jade Emperor laughed at Ziwei for showing off, and Ziwei challenged him to a one-on-one fight.

Chapter Summary: “Life Is Like a Play, the Ever-Changing Big Chef”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Fen leaves the Heavenly Court after causing considerable chaos, dismissing the conflict between the Jade Emperor and Matchmaker Yue as an issue among nearly indestructible immortals.
• He begins questioning the identity behind the Official Account Rhythm Beneath the Desk Lamp, since Heavenly Court figures appear to know him despite his using a different account, Dao Follows Nature. He also wonders who the account represents, why the Heavenly Dao seems involved, and what WeChat’s operator is trying to accomplish.
• By the next morning, the Heavenly Court has unexpectedly become peaceful. The Jade Emperor becomes more diligent, Emperor Ziwei disappears, and harmony returns—apparently as an indirect result of Qin Fen’s actions.
• Matchmaker Yue assumes his new role as vice principal and approves sailor-style school uniforms, which quickly become popular throughout the academy.
• Qin Fen’s advertising scheme succeeds: Thunder Duke appears in people’s dreams promoting down jackets, while humorous advertisements for Haitian, Lanxiang Technical College, and the Underworld Garment Group spread throughout the Earthly Immortal Realm. Haitian City begins large-scale clothing production.
• Qin Fen then begins his first day in France. Chairman Zhou’s assistant brings him and the others to see Wei Tianlong, who has been brutally injured and is covered in bruises, bandages, and a neck brace.
• Wei Tianlong’s injuries have ruined his ability to serve as Sea House’s spokesperson during Fashion Week. The company urgently needs a replacement or solution because his commercials and promotional posters are scheduled to be completed soon.
• Qin Fen repeatedly points out that Wei Tianlong is too badly injured to work, unintentionally worsening the manager’s despair. He then warns that the scandal could damage Sea House’s reputation if the media learns about the situation.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen remains carefree, shamelessly humorous, and oblivious to the emotional damage his comments cause. Although he claims to be expressing concern for Wei Tianlong, his teasing repeatedly adds insult to injury. He also demonstrates growing influence through his advertising ideas and supernatural connections.
• Wei Tianlong is revealed to have suffered his injuries while apparently taking Qin Fen’s place or bearing the consequences of Qin Fen’s actions. He is furious and resentful, but his physical condition prevents him from confronting Qin Fen.
• Female Hooligan understands the absurdity of Qin Fen’s remarks and struggles not to laugh at Wei Tianlong’s misfortune.
• Song Shaoqing openly enjoys the situation and nearly laughs himself to death, while Qin Fen interprets his amusement as ordinary concern.
• Fatty Fu remains an observer, standing by the door and witnessing the scene.
• Matchmaker Yue accepts his administrative role and immediately makes a visible institutional change by approving the sailor uniforms.
• The Jade Emperor becomes more serious and responsible after sensing the Heavenly Dao’s dissatisfaction.
• Wei Tianlong’s manager and assistant become increasingly frantic because the injured spokesperson threatens Sea House’s advertising campaign, Fashion Week preparations, and public image.

Significant Themes

• Chaos producing order: Qin Fen’s reckless actions unexpectedly stabilize the Heavenly Court and improve relations among its inhabitants.
• Identity and hidden systems: Qin Fen’s questions about the Official Account introduce a mystery surrounding the Heavenly Dao, WeChat, and the identity the account represents.
• Modern commerce in a supernatural world: Advertising, branding, fashion, and mass production are integrated into the Heavenly Court and immortal realms, creating a satire of consumer culture.
• Comedy through misunderstanding: Qin Fen’s literal, “righteous” interpretation of events contrasts with everyone else’s awareness of the embarrassing implications, especially regarding Wei Tianlong’s injuries.
• Unintended consequences: Qin Fen’s schemes benefit some people while causing serious trouble for others, particularly Wei Tianlong and Sea House.
• Public image and media pressure: The company’s main concern is not merely Wei Tianlong’s recovery but the effect his condition could have on advertising, Fashion Week, and the brand’s reputation.

Character Interactions

• Qin Fen thinks about his uncertain relationship with the Heavenly Dao and the mysterious Official Account.
• The Heavenly Dao’s influence indirectly alters the Jade Emperor’s behavior and restores peace in the Heavenly Court.
• Matchmaker Yue’s new authority affects academy culture through the sailor-uniform policy.
• Qin Fen, Female Hooligan, Song Shaoqing, and Fatty Fu gather around the injured Wei Tianlong, with the others recognizing the humor of the situation while Qin Fen remains innocently insensitive.
• Wei Tianlong silently blames Qin Fen for his condition, but Qin Fen mistakes his pain and anger for ordinary illness and jokes about hemorrhoids.
• Qin Fen’s comments clash with the manager’s urgent business concerns: every time he seems to offer reassurance, he immediately highlights another reason the advertising campaign may fail.

Chapter Summary: “I Want to Be a Star”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Lei, Wei Tianlong’s manager, panics after discovering that Wei’s appearance has been badly damaged, threatening his endorsements, acting opportunities, and public image.
• Qin Fen and the others gather to find a solution. Qin initially jokes about Li Lei’s name, referencing the famous textbook characters “Li Lei and Han Meimei,” unintentionally worsening the tension.
• Qin proposes using special-effects makeup to hide Wei’s scars, but the plan fails because the upcoming advertisement requires athletic scenes in the snowy Alps, and Wei can barely stand.
• Qin concludes that Wei must be replaced, devastating Wei and Li Lei.
• Song Shaoqing, Fu Qiang, and Female Hooligan suggest Qin take Wei’s place. The assistant agrees that Qin’s appearance, height, popularity, and distinctive identity as a chef and designer could create a major publicity hook.
• Qin is unexpectedly chosen to model in the fashion shoot, potentially beginning his transformation into an international celebrity.
• Outside the room, Qin complains that he does not want attention, but everyone mocks him because his achievements and popularity already make him highly conspicuous.
• Female Hooligan teasingly accuses Qin of enjoying attention, while Qin responds by joking that she is “too sour,” leading the others to playfully encourage their romantic “coupling.”

Character Developments

• Qin Fen: Demonstrates practical helpfulness and blunt honesty, though his direct comments repeatedly hurt Wei. He is reluctant to become famous despite already being a celebrated chef, martial artist, health expert, and public figure. His accidental selection as a model forces him toward even greater public exposure.
• Wei Tianlong: Becomes increasingly humiliated and discouraged as each proposed solution fails. He also feels guilty when Qin sincerely tries to help, recognizing Qin’s generosity and magnanimity.
• Li Lei: Moves from panic and helplessness to brief hope when Qin suggests makeup, then suffers renewed despair when the idea proves impossible. He is stunned that a chef may replace his celebrity client.
• Female Hooligan: Enjoys the absurdity of the situation, but also helps manage Qin’s behavior and teasingly exposes the contradiction between his claim of being low-key and his enormous popularity.
• Song Shaoqing and Fu Qiang: Act as amused friends and instigators. They push Qin into accepting the modeling job and openly encourage the flirtatious banter between him and Female Hooligan.
• The assistant: Initially focused on salvaging the advertisement, he quickly recognizes Qin’s potential as a publicity sensation and enthusiastically supports replacing Wei.

Significant Themes

• Fame and public image: The chapter emphasizes how quickly celebrity status can collapse when appearance and reputation are threatened.
• The absurdity of celebrity culture: Wei’s career crisis is treated with both seriousness and comedy, while Qin’s unrelated fame makes him an ideal replacement.
• Reluctance versus inevitability: Qin insists he does not want to stand out, yet his many accomplishments make fame unavoidable.
• Friendship and guilt: Qin’s willingness to help Wei, despite speaking bluntly, causes Wei to feel ashamed and highlights the value of genuine generosity.
• Humor amid crisis: Teasing, wordplay, and exaggerated reactions relieve the tension surrounding Wei’s professional disaster.

Character Interactions

• Qin’s blunt advice repeatedly clashes with Wei and Li Lei’s desperate hopes.
• Qin and Female Hooligan exchange flirtatious insults, revealing their comfortable but emotionally charged relationship.
• Song Shaoqing and Fu Qiang act as comedic commentators, encouraging Qin to become the replacement model and teasing the pair as a romantic “CP.”
• The group’s joking contrasts with Wei’s humiliation, making the chapter’s central situation both sympathetic and highly comic.

Qin Fen traveled to Chamonix with a film crew while Lan Yibing escaped the wilderness and hired assassins to kill him. The assassins’ attempt to attack Qin Fen triggered an explosion that set off an avalanche.

• Lan Yibing escaped Shennongjia, hired Hua Yue and Liu Ergou to kill Qin Fen, and fled again when Little Fatty appeared to demand his second wish.
• Qin Fen rode to the Chamonix ski resort with Female Hooligan and the film crew, while noticing a report about a widening rift beneath the East Sea.
• Hua Yue and Liu Ergou prepared a sniper rifle and rocket launcher to attack Qin Fen from the ski resort.
• Qin Fen’s three pets appeared near the assassins, and the floating manta ray startled Hua Yue into firing his rocket launcher.
• The rocket exploded on the snowy mountain, triggering an avalanche that Qin Fen and the others watched begin to collapse.

A rocket fired by Hua Yue triggered an avalanche in the Alps, sending Qin Fen and the others fleeing for their lives. When Qin Fen stopped to face the desperate cries around him, he remembered that he was a god and turned back toward the disaster.

• Hua Yue accidentally fired a rocket, setting off an avalanche that narrowly spared Hua Yue and Liu Ergou while Nian and Little Bean escaped into the air.
• The photography crew scattered, and Song Shaoqing led Fatty Fu downhill as Qin Fen carried Female Hooligan away from the oncoming snow.
• Fatty Fu fell, and Qin Fen stopped to help him after hearing pleas from people who had fallen behind.
• Song Shaoqing urged Qin Fen to keep running, but Qin Fen realized that his divine status might let him help and turned back.

Qin Fen charged into an approaching avalanche to rescue Fatty Fu and Sun Yating, believing he was God but unable to summon his powers. With Nian’s help, the Eastern Emperor Bell rang and awakened Qin Fen’s godhood and divine office as God, leaving him to face the disaster with his identity finally accepted.

• Qin Fen ran into the avalanche’s path and carried Fatty Fu back to safety before charging out again to rescue a fallen foreign woman.
• Qin Fen shielded Sun Yating as the avalanche bore down on them, while the others watched helplessly.
• Qin Fen called on the Eastern Emperor Bell, but it did not respond, and the avalanche continued toward him.
• The Golden Crow on Qin Fen’s ear lit up, and exhausted Nian fell from the sky as the Eastern Emperor Bell rang.
• The bell awakened Qin Fen’s godhood and divine office as God, and he recognized himself as the true deity.

Qin Fen awakened his identity as God in Heaven and used the Eastern Emperor Bell to stop an avalanche from crushing him and Female Hooligan. The chapter ended with the stunned survivors witnessing his apparent miracle.

• Qin Fen manifested his true appearance as God, and the angels knelt and praised him.
• Raphael led the angels in declaring that the Father's will was everywhere, while their faith and fortune gathered around Qin Fen.
• Qin Fen realized that God's power let him command his territory and felt the fortune flowing through him.
• Qin Fen clenched his fist as the avalanche bore down, and the Eastern Emperor Bell rang, stopping the snow in its tracks.
• Qin Fen pressed the avalanche back, burying Hua Yue, while the other survivors stared in disbelief at the miracle.

After Qin Fen stopped the avalanche, the survivors celebrated what they believed was a miracle, and videos of him spread rapidly across Europe. Chairman Zhou learned the disaster was real and that Qin Fen had gone viral, while Qin Fen rested at the hotel and noticed a puzzling message asking, “What the hell is Xi?”

• Qin Fen wondered at the power he had used to stop the avalanche and realized it had left him completely drained.
• The survivors praised the escape as a miracle, while Qin Fen concealed his role and said he had been scared too.
• A crew member posted footage of Qin Fen, and images of him facing the avalanche spread across Europe.
• The assistant told Chairman Zhou that Master Qin had gone viral, but Zhou initially mistook the real avalanche for an elaborate promotional stunt.
• Chairman Zhou confirmed the avalanche was real and learned everyone had survived; Qin Fen rested alone at the hotel and saw a message asking what Xi was.

Qin Fen learned that Xi was likely to emerge from the Endless Sea as New Year approached, and the Daily Duty Star Officer hurried back to inform the Jade Emperor. After Nian arrived exhausted, it drained Sui’s energy, recharging Qin Fen and the Eastern Emperor Bell, while Sui shrank into a peaceful-fortune egg; Qin Fen then reminded the Star Officer that he had given him Nian.

• Qin Fen deduced that Xi might soon emerge because New Year was approaching, while the Daily Duty Star Officer rushed back to report the danger to the Jade Emperor.
• The myna brought an exhausted Nian to Qin Fen, who discovered that touching Nian drew purple energy from Sui through his phone.
• Nian drained Sui’s baleful aura, restoring Qin Fen’s energy and recharging the Eastern Emperor Bell as Sui shrank into an egg filled with peaceful fortune.
• Qin Fen told the Daily Duty Star Officer that Nian could deal with Xi, and the Star Officer panicked at the prospect of others discovering he had given Nian away.

The duty star official reported that Xi in the Endless Sea was nearing a crisis, but the Jade Emperor assigned him and Lord Lao to handle it. Both were secretly unable to produce the divine beings Nian and Sui, which they had given to Natural Daoist, while Qin Fen realized he had leverage over them.

• The duty star official refused Qin Fen’s offer of help and reported the threat in the Endless Sea to the Jade Emperor.
• The duty star official warned that Xi was gathering strength, but Li Jing and Taibai pushed for him to take responsibility because he supposedly had Nian.
• The Jade Emperor assigned Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear to assist the duty star official, then decided Lord Lao should join because he had sealed Xi before.
• Lord Lao and the duty star official both hid that they had given Sui and Nian to Natural Daoist, and each realized the other was trapped by the same secret.
• Qin Fen checked Lord Lao’s thoughts and concluded that he had everything in his hands, while Lord Lao and the duty star official silently recognized their mutual predicament.

As the Jade Emperor sent Lord Lao and the Star Officer on Duty to deal with Xi, Kunpeng discovered that Minghe was close to escaping the Endless Sea with Xi. The chapter ended with Xi refusing help for himself and agreeing to join Kunpeng in freeing Minghe.

• Lord Lao and the Star Officer on Duty privately planned to avoid doing the work themselves, while Qin Fen watched their scheming on his phone.
• The Jade Emperor entrusted Lord Lao and the Star Officer on Duty with resolving the crisis involving Xi, unaware that Nian and Sui were already captured.
• Kunpeng arrived at a terrifying vortex beneath the East Sea and called out to Minghe, who was imprisoned inside the Endless Sea.
• Kunpeng found that Minghe was close to escaping, but sensed an even more powerful presence behind him.
• Xi revealed himself, dismissed Kunpeng's offer to help him escape, and agreed to join forces to free Minghe.