Chapter Summaries

Chapter 84 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After an exhausting struggle, Lu Ao finally regains enough strength from the food and energy drink Lin Qiyan gives him to continue fighting the enormous Bluefin Tuna.
• He gradually reels the fish toward the boat after an hour and a half of resistance. Once the tuna reaches the side of the vessel, Old Chen hooks it with a large gaff.
• The crew works together to secure the fish with ropes and a crane. Though the tuna makes one final attempt to escape, it is too exhausted and is hoisted onto the deck.
• The crew reacts with amazement, taking pictures and speculating that the tuna could be worth several million.
• Lu Ao collapses from exhaustion immediately after landing the fish. He is too weak to do anything except rest, quietly satisfied that the catch has been secured.
• Boss Chen offers to process the tuna, and Lu Ao agrees. Boss Chen cuts the fish near the jaw so it can be properly bled and aged.
• The crew weighs the tuna using a basket and platform scale because it is too large for the scale alone. The final weight is revealed to be 437 jin, confirming it as an exceptionally large Bluefin Tuna.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates tremendous endurance and determination, successfully landing a fish far larger than anything the crew expected. His complete physical collapse afterward emphasizes the extreme effort required.
• Lin Qiyan supports Lu Ao practically and thoughtfully by feeding him and providing an energy drink, enabling him to recover enough strength to finish the fight.
• Boss Chen takes charge during the landing and processing of the tuna. His experience, enthusiasm, and respect for the catch become evident as he manages the crew and handles the bleeding procedure.
• Zhong Honghai is impressed by the tuna but also feels conflicted and envious. Although his crew helped bring it aboard, the most valuable catch belongs to an outsider rather than to one of his own fishermen.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance and physical limits: Lu Ao’s victory comes only after prolonged effort, and his exhaustion shows the personal cost of achieving it.
• Teamwork: Although Lu Ao catches the tuna, the crew must cooperate to gaff, lift, weigh, and process it.
• Respect for nature and experience: The crew’s awe toward the huge tuna and Boss Chen’s careful handling of it reflect their respect for the sea and their profession.
• Value and opportunity: The tuna represents enormous financial potential, while also creating envy and complicated feelings among the fishermen.
• Proper treatment of the catch: The explanation of bleeding and aging highlights the importance of skill and timing in preserving the tuna’s quality.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qiyan cares for Lu Ao during his struggle by supplying food and energy.
• Boss Chen and the crew urgently coordinate to land the tuna, repeatedly calling for help, equipment, and the crane.
• Boss Chen reassures Lu Ao and offers his expertise in processing the fish; Lu Ao accepts gratefully.
• Zhong Honghai admires the tuna but reveals disappointment that such a lucrative catch was made by Lu Ao rather than someone from his own crew.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao catches a massive Bluefin Tuna, a highly valuable fish potentially worth several million. His success confirms the crew’s belief that he is exceptionally lucky.
• After exhausting himself, Lu Ao decides not to continue fishing. Boss Chen accepts his decision and has the tuna stored in the boat’s cold storage.
• Another crew member catches a smaller but still highly valuable Bluefin Tuna, prompting everyone to resume fishing urgently before the school of tuna moves away.
• Encouraged by Lu Ao, Qi Yan decides to try fishing himself. Though inexperienced and physically awkward from his desk-bound lifestyle, he studies the Kite Fishing Method and successfully sets up his line.
• A third fisherman hooks an even larger tuna but quickly loses strength. Zhong Honghai takes over, though he too soon becomes exhausted.
• The fisherman asks Lu Ao for help, believing Lu Ao is the only person strong enough to land the fish. Qi Yan objects, worried that Lu Ao has not recovered and that the arrangement is unfair.
• Lu Ao initially appears ready to help, but Qi Yan argues that the fish’s ownership and reward would become unclear. Lu Ao then refuses politely.
• Other crew members criticize Lu Ao for failing to show team spirit, motivated largely by greed. Lu Ao turns their accusation back on them, sarcastically suggesting that the two men asking for help should assist instead. One reacts angrily.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Demonstrates extraordinary fishing ability and physical strength by landing the largest tuna, but also shows restraint by refusing to overfish or endanger himself. He remains calm under pressure and handles criticism with quiet confidence and sarcasm.
• Qi Yan: Moves from passive observer to active participant. Despite his lack of experience, he is intelligent and observant enough to learn the fishing technique. His concern for Lu Ao’s safety reveals growing protectiveness and loyalty.
• Zhong Honghai: Continues acting as an experienced leader, urging everyone to seize the rare opportunity and helping another fisherman when needed. However, even his strength proves insufficient against the largest tuna.
• The other fishermen: Their admiration for Lu Ao quickly becomes envy and self-interest. Their willingness to pressure him reflects how the tuna’s enormous value affects group relations.

Significant Themes

• Luck versus skill: Lu Ao’s catch is called luck, but his strength, experience, and judgment also contribute to his success.
• Greed and opportunity: The tuna’s huge monetary value causes the crew to abandon caution and push themselves beyond safe limits.
• Fairness and obligation: The dispute over whether Lu Ao should help raises questions about team loyalty, shared work, and who deserves the profits.
• Physical limits and self-preservation: Several fishermen injure or exhaust themselves pursuing wealth, while Lu Ao recognizes when he should stop.
• Encouragement and trust: Lu Ao’s support gives Qi Yan the confidence to attempt fishing, strengthening their relationship.

Character Interactions

• Boss Chen respects Lu Ao’s decision to rest rather than press him to continue.
• Lu Ao encourages Qi Yan to fish and silently supports him when Qi Yan finally agrees.
• Zhong Honghai assists the exhausted fisherman but later calls on Lu Ao when the fish proves too powerful.
• Qi Yan defends Lu Ao, prioritizing his safety and challenging the unfair expectation that he should do most of the work.
• Lu Ao backs Qi Yan’s position, refusing to be exploited and exposing the hypocrisy of those demanding his help.

Chapter 85 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• An argument breaks out over whether Lu Ao should help Zhong Honghai’s group catch an enormous Bluefin Tuna. Boss Chen reminds everyone that helping is voluntary, while Qi Yan criticizes the group for asking Lu Ao for assistance despite barely knowing him.
• Zhong Honghai and his crew continue battling the giant tuna, taking turns because no one can endure more than a few minutes of the strain. After more than forty minutes, the fish still shows no signs of tiring, and the group fears it may escape.
• Zhong Honghai eventually asks Lu Ao to help, promising him a proportional share of the profits. Lu Ao is about to refuse when Qi Yan suddenly hooks another fish and urgently calls for assistance.
• Lu Ao takes over Qi Yan’s rod. The fish is only moderately large, and Lu Ao handles it calmly, allowing it to tire before gradually bringing it alongside the boat.
• Boss Chen praises Lu Ao’s fishing ability, joking that his technique has reached the level of a martial-arts master. Lu Ao modestly attributes his success to physical strength rather than skill.
• Meanwhile, Zhong Honghai’s crew becomes increasingly exhausted and demoralized while fighting the giant tuna. Unable to pull it in manually, Zhong Honghai orders them to bring over the boat’s crane.
• The crane is attached to the fishing line, but the crew worries that mechanical force will snap the line. The chapter ends as they prepare to risk lifting the tuna, emphasizing the danger of their approach.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao remains restrained and principled, initially refusing to help people who have treated him with hostility. However, he immediately assists Qi Yan when the latter is genuinely struggling, showing that he is dependable and responsive to real need.
• Qi Yan continues to defend Lu Ao, criticizing Zhong Honghai’s group and indirectly trying to prevent Lu Ao from being exploited. His sudden catch also creates an opportunity for Lu Ao to avoid being pressured into helping.
• Zhong Honghai is portrayed as practical and increasingly desperate. He suppresses his associate’s objections, seeks Lu Ao’s assistance when his own team begins failing, and finally resorts to using the crane.
• Boss Chen acts as a mediator during the dispute and admires Lu Ao’s calm, effective fishing technique.
• Zhong Honghai’s crew shifts from confidence to exhaustion and fear as the tuna proves far more powerful than expected.

Significant Themes

• Help as a choice rather than an obligation: The chapter stresses that assistance is a favor, not something others are entitled to demand.
• Strength and competence: Lu Ao’s physical power and composure contrast sharply with the crew’s exhaustion, establishing him as exceptionally capable.
• Cooperation versus exploitation: Zhong Honghai’s group needs Lu Ao’s help but does not initially show him proper respect, creating tension over whether their request is fair.
• Risk and persistence: The crew’s determination to land the valuable tuna pushes them toward increasingly dangerous methods, including using machinery that could break the line.

Character Interactions

• Qi Yan verbally confronts Zhong Honghai’s side and defends Lu Ao.
• Lu Ao quietly restrains Qi Yan, then later protects him by taking over his rod when he begins to lose control.
• Boss Chen mediates the argument and praises Lu Ao’s fishing.
• Zhong Honghai asks Lu Ao to join the fight and promises him a share of the profits, but Lu Ao’s attention is diverted by Qi Yan’s urgent need.
• Zhong Honghai’s crew encourages one another while struggling, though their morale steadily collapses as the giant tuna refuses to weaken.

Chapter 184 Summary

Key plot points and events

Zhong Honghai’s crew attempts to land an enormous Bluefin Tuna, estimated at over 1,000 jin. Because the fish is far too powerful for the fishing line, Zhong personally operates the crane and drags it toward the boat. The crew prepares ropes and gaffs, but repeated attempts to hook the tuna fail. Just as it nears the boat, the line snaps, allowing the fish to escape.
Meanwhile, Lu Ao steadily reels in his own tuna. With Old Zhang’s help, his group successfully gaffs and hauls aboard a fish weighing roughly 120–130 jin. The contrast between the two groups’ outcomes is especially striking: Zhong’s crew loses a potentially multimillion-yuan catch while Lu Ao’s team lands a respectable fish.

Character developments

Zhong Honghai demonstrates courage and decisiveness by taking over the crane when his crew hesitates, but the loss leaves him deeply frustrated and unwilling to accept the failure. Nevertheless, he remains responsible and restrained, apologizing when tensions rise. Lu Ao reveals a possessive, competitive reaction while watching Zhong’s tuna approach, feeling as if something belonging to him is being taken. He also remains calm and focused, continuing to reel in his own fish rather than becoming distracted. Old Zhang and Lin Qiyan work efficiently with Lu Ao to secure their catch. Old Li, overwhelmed by anger and disappointment, behaves aggressively and nearly provokes a fight, while Old Chen acts as a blunt but stabilizing voice.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes the unpredictability of the sea and the role of fate in fishing. Skill and effort cannot guarantee success, as Zhong’s crew loses an extraordinary catch at the final moment while Lu Ao’s group succeeds with a smaller fish. It also explores emotional control, professional rivalry, pride, and the need to accept losses without blaming others. The story suggests that anyone who cannot accept the sea’s uncertainty may not be suited to life as a fisherman.

Character interactions

Zhong’s crew works anxiously together to land the giant tuna, but their failure creates tension and silence. After seeing Lu Ao’s group successfully catch their fish, Old Li throws his broken rod toward them, nearly causing a confrontation. Old Chen openly criticizes him, and the surrounding crewmen react angrily. Zhong intervenes, orders his men to calm Old Li, and apologizes to Old Chen and Lu Ao. Old Chen responds with a lecture about accepting fate and reminds Zhong that a fish lost at sea is not worth damaging their long-standing friendship.

Chapter 86 Summary

• After the earlier confrontation, Zhong Honghai apologizes to both Old Chen and Qi Yan for panicking and behaving wrongly. Qi Yan accepts his apology, maintaining a professional distance because Zhong is a client.
• Qi Yan catches a 107-jin Bluefin Tuna with Lu Ao’s assistance. He insists on calling it a joint catch and plans to split the profits with Lu Ao, reinforcing their mutual trust and sense of fairness.
• Old Chen helps process and weigh Qi Yan’s fish. Afterward, Qi Yan stops fishing rather than becoming greedy and returns to filming.
• Zhong Honghai’s more experienced team catches three additional Bluefin Tuna. Altogether, the boat brings in five Bluefin Tuna that day: one caught by Lu Ao, one by Qi Yan, and three by Zhong’s team.
• Because Bluefin Tuna are highly valuable, Zhong Honghai and Boss Chen decide to return early to sell the catch while it is fresh.

Character Development and Interactions

• Qi Yan demonstrates humility and gratitude by crediting Lu Ao for helping him land the tuna and willingly sharing the reward. His behavior reflects his growing confidence in their friendship while still respecting boundaries.
• Lu Ao asks Qi Yan to sleep in his cabin for safety after the dispute with Zhong’s group. Qi Yan is initially embarrassed and worries that Lu Ao may feel uncomfortable because of Qi Yan’s sexual orientation.
• Qi Yan reveals that he has often been isolated and avoided by male classmates and friends because of his sexuality. Lu Ao responds calmly that he does not mind, offering Qi Yan acceptance without making the issue seem unusual.
• Since the cabin is cramped, Lu Ao gives Qi Yan the bed and waits outside while speaking with Song Zhou. Their arrangement shows Lu Ao’s consideration and Qi Yan’s continued sensitivity about imposing on others.
• Lu Ao has a warm, intimate phone conversation with Song Zhou. They discuss the grapes growing in Lu Ao’s courtyard, Lu Ao’s expected return, and Song Zhou’s offer to pick him up. Their affectionate exchange emphasizes the closeness of their relationship.
• The night passes peacefully. The next morning, after the boat regains phone signal near shore, Lu Ao reports the catch in his Billionaire Auction Group: two Bluefin Tuna weighing 437 jin and 107 jin, along with a 235-jin Moonfish.

Significant Themes

• Trust and fairness: Qi Yan’s decision to share the tuna’s proceeds with Lu Ao reflects the importance of acknowledging shared effort.
• Reconciliation and professionalism: Zhong Honghai’s apology repairs the tension from the previous conflict, while Qi Yan accepts it without abandoning appropriate boundaries.
• Acceptance and companionship: Qi Yan’s painful history of social exclusion contrasts with Lu Ao’s easy acceptance, marking a meaningful moment of emotional support.
• Practicality and restraint: The crew prioritize selling the valuable fish quickly, while Qi Yan chooses not to keep fishing after achieving a successful catch.
• Growing intimacy: The sleeping arrangement and Lu Ao’s gentle conversation with Song Zhou highlight the chapter’s emphasis on trust, comfort, and close personal bonds.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao posts photos of two newly caught fish in the group chat: a Bluefin Tuna and a rare Moonfish. He also privately alerts Weng Qian and Gui Yaoyao.
• Group members discuss the fish’s flavor, nutritional value, size, and market prices. Because the Bluefin Tuna are extremely large, several members say they cannot afford or consume an entire fish.
• Lu Ao proposes having a professional chef cut the tuna into portions and ship them, but the group advises him that whole-fish sales may bring a better price.
• The group enthusiastically agrees to advertise the fish through social media and personal business connections, especially among hotels and sashimi enthusiasts.
• Weng Qian offers 500,000 yuan for the smaller 107-jin Bluefin Tuna. Lu Ao consults Lin Qi Yan, who readily agrees, believing the price is excellent.
• Weng Qian also offers 500,000 yuan for the Moonfish, and Lu Ao immediately accepts. They arrange to complete the transaction after the boat reaches shore in roughly two hours.
• The larger Bluefin Tuna remains unsold because of its enormous size. Lin Qi Yan offers to promote it through his wealthy online followers, while Lu Ao says they can keep, share, freeze, or process it into fish floss if necessary.
• Lin Qi Yan worries that Brother Zhong’s fish may also be difficult to sell, but Lu Ao dismisses the concern because their relationship has already broken down.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates practical business sense and confidence. He listens to advice about pricing and distribution, negotiates efficiently, and remains calm even when the largest tuna has not yet found a buyer.
• Lin Qi Yan shows growing excitement and confidence in the value of their catch. He willingly accepts the 500,000-yuan offer and uses his online influence to help sell the remaining fish.
• Weng Qian emerges as an enthusiastic buyer with sufficient resources and knowledge to recognize the fish’s value. He purchases both the smaller tuna and the Moonfish.
• The group members display strong goodwill toward Lu Ao by volunteering to promote the fish through their social and professional networks.

Significant Themes

• Unexpected wealth and opportunity: A successful fishing trip turns rare fish into a major source of income.
• Commerce and negotiation: The chapter focuses on pricing, market demand, product size, shipping, and finding suitable buyers.
• Community cooperation: Lu Ao’s group helps advertise and sell the fish, showing the value of social connections.
• Practical problem-solving: The characters adapt to the difficulty of selling oversized fish by considering portioning, shipping, social-media promotion, preservation, and sharing.
• Broken relationships and emotional distance: Lu Ao’s refusal to concern himself with Brother Zhong’s sales reflects the consequences of their falling-out.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Weng Qian negotiate privately, with Weng asking about availability and offering 500,000 yuan for each of the smaller tuna and the Moonfish.
• Lu Ao wakes Lin Qi Yan to obtain his consent before selling their jointly caught tuna, demonstrating mutual trust and shared ownership.
• Lin Qi Yan suggests using his fanbase to market the large tuna, contributing actively to their business efforts.
• The auction group members discuss the fish’s quality and price while offering to connect Lu Ao with hotels, sashimi lovers, and other potential buyers.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qi Yan briefly discuss Brother Zhong, revealing that their previous cooperation has ended and that Lu Ao no longer feels responsible for helping him.

Chapter 87 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• While Zhong Honghai’s group discusses their own unsold fish, they begin speculating about Lu Ao’s prized catches. They doubt Lu Ao has the connections needed to sell them and consider tricking him by having someone pose as an outside buyer.
• Zhong Honghai does not immediately reject the idea, though he tells the others to keep it secret, especially from the boat captain, Old Chen.
• The group complains about Old Chen’s obvious favoritism toward Lu Ao and resents Lu Ao for refusing to cooperate with them earlier, believing his lack of teamwork cost them the chance to catch a giant Bluefin Tuna.
• As the boat nears shore, Zhong Honghai approaches Lu Ao during breakfast to ask whether his fish have sold.
• Lu Ao reveals that only the large Bluefin Tuna remains unsold; the Moonfish and smaller Bluefin Tuna have already been sold.
• Zhong Honghai is shocked to learn that Lu Ao sold the smaller Bluefin Tuna for 500,000 yuan, insisting that such a fish would normally sell for only 200,000–300,000 yuan outside an auction.
• Concerned that Lu Ao may have been cheated, Zhong Honghai questions the deal. Lu Ao realizes that the buyer, Weng Qian, may have mistakenly overpaid after relying on exaggerated online reports about Bluefin Tuna prices.
• Lu Ao contacts Weng Qian and informs him that the fish was probably worth much less. Weng Qian is stunned and asks what the normal price should have been.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Continues to appear calm and straightforward. Despite his aloof first impression, he has integrated well with the crew and is treated warmly by them. He also demonstrates honesty by warning Weng Qian that he may have overpaid.
• Zhong Honghai: Becomes increasingly suspicious of Lu Ao’s success and remains wary of him, but he is more restrained than his teammates. He recognizes that Lu Ao’s fish have unusual value and is surprised by how well Lu Ao gets along with the crew.
• Weng Qian: Is revealed to have paid far above the likely market price for the smaller Bluefin Tuna, apparently because of an innocent misunderstanding rather than deliberate deception.
• Zhong Honghai’s teammates: Their resentment toward Lu Ao grows into open scheming. They are jealous of his catches and willing to consider deceptive methods to profit from them.
• Old Chen and the crew: Their friendliness toward Lu Ao becomes clear, contrasting sharply with Zhong Honghai’s group’s hostility.

Significant Themes

• Envy and opportunism: Zhong Honghai’s team views Lu Ao’s valuable fish as a chance for profit and considers manipulating him rather than dealing honestly.
• Appearance versus reality: Lu Ao initially seems cold and difficult to approach, but he is accepted warmly by the crew. Likewise, the fish’s reported prices differ greatly from their actual wholesale value.
• Honesty and fairness: Lu Ao’s decision to inform Weng Qian about the overpayment highlights his integrity, especially in contrast to the underhanded plans of Zhong Honghai’s group.
• Competition and resentment: The failed cooperation at sea continues to fuel hostility, with Zhong Honghai’s team blaming Lu Ao for their missed opportunity.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Honghai’s team privately mocks Lu Ao and discusses deceiving him.
• Zhong Honghai reprimands his teammates when their insults toward Old Chen and Lu Ao become excessive.
• The ship’s crew welcomes Lu Ao at breakfast, sharing food and treating him familiarly.
• Zhong Honghai questions Lu Ao about his sales, leading to the discovery that the smaller Bluefin Tuna sold for an unusually high price.
• Lu Ao then calls Weng Qian to warn him, prompting Weng Qian’s shocked realization that he may have made a costly mistake.

Chapter 88 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Weng Qian explains that Lu Ao’s Bluefin Tuna could be worth 200,000–300,000, depending on the market, while the moonfish’s price is reduced by 200,000.
• Weng Qian worries that buying an expensive fish at the wrong price could lead to criticism from his shareholders. Lu Ao sympathizes and agrees to the adjustment.
• Weng Qian offers to find an overseas auction channel for Lu Ao’s unusually large Bluefin Tuna. He contacts an associate and arranges for the fish to be sent to a major auction house in R Country.
• Lu Ao offers Weng Qian a five-percent service fee, but Weng Qian initially refuses, saying friends should help each other. He ultimately agrees to handle the deal and its logistics.
• Lu Ao and Weng Qian arrange to meet at Xiding Airport, where the fish will be transferred for shipment overseas. Lu Ao plans to arrive by helicopter.
• Lin Qi Yan overhears the discussion and realizes that the fish was not truly worth the 500,000 price at which it was sold. He insists that the price be corrected so he does not profit unfairly.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qi Yan agree that 300,000 is a fairer price, with Lin acknowledging that Lu Ao deserves much of the credit for helping him catch the fish.
• After docking, Zhong Honghai and the others take away the fish without speaking to Lu Ao or Lin Qi Yan, indicating that their partnership has broken down.
• Lu Ao hires two helicopters, including a cargo helicopter, to transport the fish. The trip costs 50,000.
• Lu Ao begins considering a long-term partnership with the helicopter company and adds the pilot on WeChat for future convenience.
• At Xiding Airport, Weng Qian reports that the Bluefin Tuna qualifies for shipment to the reputable Ark Auction House in R Country. He has already begun arranging quarantine procedures and plans to accompany the fish if necessary.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao demonstrates generosity, business sense, and reliability. He is willing to lower prices fairly, compensate Weng Qian for his efforts, and invest in efficient transportation.
• Weng Qian proves to be a trustworthy and resourceful businessman. He values Lu Ao’s honesty and actively uses his connections to secure a profitable overseas market.
• Lin Qi Yan shows strong integrity. Rather than accepting money gained through an inflated price, he voluntarily asks to reduce the payment and recognizes Lu Ao’s greater contribution.
• Zhong Honghai and his associates become increasingly distant, and their decision to take the fish without acknowledging Lu Ao or Lin Qi Yan confirms the collapse of their cooperation.

Significant Themes

• Integrity in business: Lu Ao and Lin Qi Yan prioritize fair pricing and mutual honesty over maximizing profit.
• Trust and friendship: Weng Qian’s willingness to help without demanding payment reflects the value of personal relationships in business.
• Professional growth and networking: Lu Ao expands his business connections through auction agents, transport companies, and international markets.
• Broken partnerships: The strained interaction with Zhong Honghai contrasts with the mutual respect between Lu Ao, Lin Qi Yan, and Weng Qian.
• Fair distribution of credit and profit: Lu Ao and Lin Qi Yan openly discuss who contributed what, emphasizing cooperation rather than selfish gain.

Important Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Weng Qian: Negotiate the fish’s price and overseas sale while building mutual trust and respect.
• Lu Ao and Lin Qi Yan: Discuss the true value of the fish, ultimately agreeing on a fairer division and acknowledging each other’s contributions.
• Lu Ao and the helicopter pilot: Their brief exchange leads Lu Ao to consider establishing a regular transportation arrangement.
• Lu Ao, Lin Qi Yan, and Zhong Honghai’s group: The group’s silent removal of the fish highlights the end of their partnership and the growing separation between them.

Chapter Summary

• Business arrangements: Weng Qian personally travels to inspect the newly arrived Moonfish and Bluefin Tuna. After both parties confirm the shipment is satisfactory, government officials complete the registration and quarantine procedures. Weng then leaves for R Country to purchase ingredients, while Lu Ao handles the remaining arrangements with his staff.
• Lu Ao recognizes his feelings: Exhausted after several demanding days, Lu Ao decides to call Song Zhou instead of taking the long train-and-bus journey home. Hearing Song Zhou’s voice causes an unusually intense emotional and physical reaction. Lu Ao realizes that his feelings have gone beyond friendship and that he has fallen in love with Song Zhou. Memories of his mother’s white magnolia bracelets deepen this realization, as ordinary sights now remind him of Song Zhou.
• Reunion with Song Zhou: Song Zhou immediately offers to come pick Lu Ao up. He teleports to the quiet alley where Lu Ao is waiting, and Lu Ao struggles to conceal his embarrassment and affection. Song Zhou lightly holds Lu Ao’s wrist, making him even more self-conscious, though he pretends nothing is wrong.
• At Song Zhou’s office: Song Zhou brings Lu Ao to his antique office and asks him to wait while he finishes approving documents. Lu Ao observes the courtyard and feels that something within the large tree may be watching him, hinting at the supernatural or mysterious atmosphere surrounding Song Zhou’s world.
• Meeting You Li: A tall, lean man named You Li approaches with homemade ice cream and introduces himself to Lu Ao. Song Zhou encourages Lu Ao to try it and casually praises You Li’s cooking, while You Li jokes that he deserves a better evaluation. Their friendly exchange establishes Lu Ao’s introduction to another person in Song Zhou’s circle.

Character Development and Relationships

• Lu Ao: Becomes fully aware of his romantic love for Song Zhou. Although he is embarrassed and uncertain how openly to express it, he chooses not to reject or suppress the feeling immediately. His emotional sensitivity toward Song Zhou contrasts with his normally practical, restrained personality.
• Song Zhou: Responds quickly and warmly when Lu Ao calls, teleporting to meet him and bringing him to his office. His physical closeness and easy familiarity suggest growing intimacy between them.
• Weng Qian: Demonstrates reliability and willingness to cooperate by personally inspecting the shipment, though the business interaction remains professional.
• You Li: Is introduced as sociable, confident, and connected to Song Zhou. His playful conversation with Song Zhou suggests an established familiarity between them.

Significant Themes

• The chapter centers on the realization and acceptance of romantic love, especially Lu Ao’s discovery that his attachment to Song Zhou has surpassed friendship.
• It contrasts ordinary business responsibilities with Lu Ao’s increasingly personal and emotional inner life.
• Repeated sensory details—Song Zhou’s voice, physical warmth, flowers, wind, and familiar scents—show how love transforms everyday experiences into reminders of the beloved.
• The mysterious tree and supernatural teleportation maintain the story’s underlying atmosphere of hidden powers and an unusual world.

Chapter 89 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• You Li visits Song Zhou and offers to show Lu Ao around, but Song Zhou quickly finishes his paperwork and takes Lu Ao away, revealing a subtly possessive attitude toward his time and company.
• Lu Ao finishes an elaborate ice cream dessert and enjoys it despite pretending it is only “all right.” Song Zhou notices his enjoyment and promises to have it made again.
• Back at Lu Ao’s courtyard, Lu Ao examines the young grapes growing beneath the trellis. Song Zhou explains that they are sour and better suited for making wine than eating.
• Three days later, Weng Qian informs Lu Ao that an auction company will buy his giant Bluefin tuna outright for eight million R Country currency rather than accept it on consignment. After taxes and deductions, Lu Ao expects to receive roughly three million yuan.
• Lu Ao immediately agrees to the sale, signs the contract, and sends the scanned documents back. Weng Qian completes the transaction and transfers 7.6 million R Country currency to Lu Ao after deducting a five-percent commission.
• Lu Ao’s companions discuss their poor recent fishing results and the possibility that the tides will remain unfavorable.
• The group also teases Lin Gongshang about his upcoming wedding. He initially downplays the preparations, but it becomes clear that he wants to satisfy his fiancée Luo Xiaohui’s expectations.
• Lu Ao reveals that he has ordered a car costing more than 600,000 yuan and jokingly offers to lend it to Lin Gongshang for the wedding.
• That evening, Lu Ao sends Song Zhou a screenshot of the payment. Song Zhou responds approvingly, saying Lu Ao has “made something of himself.”

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Demonstrates growing financial success and decisiveness. He handles the tuna sale efficiently, has ordered an expensive car, and is becoming increasingly secure and independent. His enjoyment of small pleasures, such as the ice cream and grapes, also shows his relaxed side.
• Song Zhou: Displays attentiveness and a mildly possessive protectiveness toward Lu Ao, discouraging You Li from taking him elsewhere and personally accompanying him home. He also encourages Lu Ao by recognizing his financial achievement.
• You Li: Acts sociable and hospitable but is unable to draw Lu Ao away from Song Zhou.
• Weng Qian: Proves efficient and reliable by arranging the tuna sale quickly and completing the financial transfer.
• Lin Gongshang: Reveals concern about wedding expenses and his desire to make his fiancée happy, despite pretending not to care about elaborate preparations.
• The fishing group: Their recent poor catches highlight the uncertainty and difficulty of their work.

Significant Themes

• Financial security and upward mobility: Lu Ao’s valuable tuna, new car, and large payment mark his improving circumstances and changing social position.
• Practical success versus modesty: Although Lu Ao is becoming wealthy, he remains understated and avoids openly boasting about his purchases.
• Affection expressed through everyday actions: Song Zhou’s concern, hospitality, and approval show his feelings more through behavior than direct declarations.
• Responsibility in relationships: Lin Gongshang’s thoughts about his wedding emphasize the importance of meeting a partner’s emotional expectations, even when money is limited.
• Work and uncertainty: The fishermen’s poor catch and unfavorable tides contrast with Lu Ao’s sudden financial windfall.

Character Interactions

• Song Zhou gently but firmly prevents You Li from taking Lu Ao sightseeing, suggesting his desire to keep Lu Ao’s attention.
• Song Zhou and Lu Ao share a comfortable domestic exchange over the ice cream and the grapevine, reflecting increasing familiarity.
• The fishermen tease Lin Gongshang about his wedding, prompting him to acknowledge internally that Luo Xiaohui deserves a proper celebration.
• Lu Ao’s offer to lend his new car strengthens his friendly bond with the group.
• Lu Ao shares his financial success with Song Zhou, whose approving response provides emotional validation.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ao’s savings have nearly reached ten million yuan. During a conversation with Song Zhou about managing his money, he subtly asks whether Song Zhou would help manage their household finances—an indirect confession and test of Song Zhou’s feelings.
• Song Zhou replies only, “Don’t be lazy,” leaving Lu Ao uncertain whether he failed to understand the implication, lacks romantic interest, or is simply heterosexual. Lu Ao spends the night restless and arrives the next morning with dark circles under his eyes.
• Lu Ao checks on his fifty-one geese, which are thriving by the river and have become a nuisance to Lin Qi Yan. Their growing size and appetite require him to buy over a thousand jin of old grain to supplement their natural food.
• The geese already weigh more than four jin each, with some exceeding five jin, but Lu Ao estimates they need at least two more months to reach a suitable size. He realizes their waste may eventually damage the river’s ecology and begins planning a goose shed.
• Since Lu Ao’s lease for Haining Mountain has been approved, he plans to fence off the mountain, establish clear ownership, transplant fruit trees, and eventually transform into his dragon form there without being observed. The mountain’s coastal side provides additional privacy.
• Lin Man Zhang calls to invite Lu Ao to join a group going to sea to drain a tidal pool, possibly at Whitebeard Island, where large fish may be found. Lu Ao agrees, accepts an invitation to lunch, and heads to Lin Man Zhang’s home, where Lin Gongshang and Lin Qi Yan are already waiting.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao: Becomes increasingly aware of his feelings for Song Zhou and tentatively tests the possibility of a domestic relationship, though he is embarrassed and anxious about the response. He also demonstrates practical responsibility by planning for the geese’s long-term care and beginning to develop Haining Mountain as a private base.
• Song Zhou: Remains emotionally unreadable in this exchange. His casual response unintentionally frustrates Lu Ao, suggesting either that he does not recognize Lu Ao’s romantic implication or does not reciprocate it.
• Lin Qi Yan: Has become intimidated by the growing geese after repeated painful encounters, especially because he can no longer manage the entire flock alone.
• Lin Man Zhang and his family: Continue to include Lu Ao in family meals and recreational activities, reinforcing his integration into the village community.

Significant Themes

• Unspoken affection and emotional uncertainty: Lu Ao’s financial question serves as a veiled confession, but Song Zhou’s ambiguous response leaves him distressed and unsure of their relationship.
• Responsibility and sustainable development: Lu Ao recognizes that caring for the geese requires more than feeding them; he must also address waste, space, and environmental impact.
• Growing independence and ownership: With Haining Mountain legally under his control, Lu Ao begins planning how to protect, cultivate, and use the land according to his unusual needs.
• Integration into rural life: Despite his wealth and supernatural identity, Lu Ao participates in village routines, family meals, livestock care, and communal fishing activities.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao and Song Zhou exchange messages about money, with Lu Ao cautiously implying that they could share domestic responsibilities. Song Zhou’s teasing reply leaves Lu Ao emotionally shaken.
• Lu Ao interacts with the geese in a confident, controlled manner, easily handling them despite their aggressive behavior toward Lin Qi Yan.
• Lin Qi Yan’s fear of the flock contrasts with Lu Ao’s authority over the animals.
• Lin Man Zhang persuades Lu Ao to join the fishing trip by inviting him to lunch, while Lin Gongshang and Lin Qi Yan welcome him upon his arrival.

Chapter 90 Summary

• Plot and events: After selling their previous catch, Lu Ao and Lin Qi Yan each receive 82,500 yuan. Lu Ao joins Lin Man Zhang, Lin Gongshang, and Lin Qi Yan on a fishing trip to drain a large tidal pool near remote Whitebeard Island. Lin Man Zhang brings fishing nets, hoping the trip will still yield a modest profit despite the poor seasonal fishing conditions. On the way, they discover red streaks in the seawater, indicating a Red Tide. They report the outbreak to the provincial environmental and monitoring authorities, who promise to investigate. As the boat passes through the affected waters, they see numerous dead fish floating on the surface. Realizing that anything caught near the tidal pool might be contaminated, the group abandons the fishing plan and decides to turn back.
• Character developments: Lu Ao continues becoming more integrated into the fishing community. His financial success has improved his circumstances, while his growing fishing knowledge and reputation for good luck make the others eager to bring him along. Lin Qi Yan is also increasingly comfortable, earning money through fan donations and becoming more enthusiastic about filming. Lin Man Zhang demonstrates responsibility and environmental awareness by immediately contacting authorities rather than ignoring the Red Tide. The fishermen’s optimism about earning extra money gives way to caution when they understand the danger posed by contaminated seafood.
• Themes: The chapter contrasts the fishermen’s dependence on nature with their limited ability to control it. Seasonal storms and murky water already threaten their income, while the unexpected Red Tide reveals the larger dangers of ecological imbalance. It emphasizes environmental vulnerability, the limits of human protection efforts, and the importance of prioritizing public safety over profit. The Red Tide also highlights how environmental disasters can damage both marine life and local livelihoods.
• Character interactions: Lu Ao shares a friendly meal with the Lin family and discusses the difficulties of fishing during the rainy season. Lin Man Zhang and Lin Gongshang debate the economic realities of fishing, with Gongshang taking a more optimistic view and Man Zhang stressing the burden of supporting a family. When Lu Ao notices the unusual water coloration, the group investigates together. Lin Man Zhang explains the dangers of Noctiluca and its toxins, while Lin Gongshang raises the practical concern that their catch could be poisonous. His observation convinces everyone, including Lin Man Zhang, to abandon the trip and return.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Red Tide contaminates the local waters, making fishing and seafood sales impossible. Lin Man Zhang pulls in his nets and releases all trapped fish and shrimp, while Lu Ao helps him.
• The fishermen receive an official warning not to eat or sell seafood from the affected area, especially shellfish. Though many complain online, they have no choice but to suspend fishing and tend to their crops instead.
• Lin Gongshang explains that Red Tides can be controlled through costly environmental measures, such as improving water quality and introducing beneficial bacteria or chlorella. The villagers expect the outbreak to fade within about a week.
• While working in the fields, Lu Ao is visited by Lin Gongshang, who admires how abundantly Lu Ao’s vegetables are growing. Lin invites Lu Ao and Song Zhou to a barbecue featuring grilled meat and beef bone marrow, since seafood is unsafe.
• Lu Ao secretly summons rain over his fields, demonstrating his continuing ability to influence the weather. He also harvests surplus vegetables and regularly gives them to elderly villagers.
• This generosity has created a stronger sense of mutual support in the village: the elders give Lu Ao food for his geese and prepared dishes in return, and villagers have become less quarrelsome.
• Song Zhou returns from work, and Lu Ao tells him about the barbecue invitation. They decide to attend later, while discussing the fishing ban and the apparently normal-looking but unsafe sea.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao continues to show compassion and generosity. He helps the struggling Lin Man Zhang, shares his abundant produce with the elderly, and contributes indirectly to improving village relationships.
• He also remains cautious and secretive about his unusual abilities, using his power to summon rain only when no one is watching.
• Lin Man Zhang is portrayed as burdened by hardship, with Lu Ao recognizing the suffering reflected in his appearance and behavior.
• Lin Gongshang demonstrates practical knowledge about environmental solutions and acts sociably by organizing a communal meal to lift the fishermen’s spirits.
• Song Zhou remains supportive and comfortable with Lu Ao, readily agreeing to join the gathering. His unexplained, powerful scent is again noticed by Lu Ao, hinting at an ongoing mystery or supernatural element.

Significant Themes

• Environmental vulnerability: The Red Tide disrupts livelihoods and reveals how dependent the villagers are on the sea.
• Economic hardship and government responsibility: The outbreak can be mitigated, but effective solutions require authorities to invest money and resources.
• Community solidarity: Lu Ao’s generosity encourages reciprocal kindness and reduces conflict within the village.
• Humanity’s relationship with nature: Even when the sea appears clear, it can remain dangerous, emphasizing the limits of appearances and human control.
• Hidden abilities and secrets: Lu Ao’s covert weather manipulation and Song Zhou’s unusual scent suggest deeper supernatural or unexplained developments.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ao assists Lin Man Zhang with the contaminated nets, forming a quiet bond of empathy.
• Lin Gongshang and Lu Ao discuss the Red Tide, farming, and the upcoming barbecue; Lin is impressed by Lu Ao’s crops.
• Lin Gongshang invites both Lu Ao and Song Zhou, reflecting their integration into the local social circle.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a relaxed domestic exchange about the fishing ban and the gathering, while Lu Ao privately reacts to Song Zhou’s strangely compelling scent.

Chapter 91 Summary

• Plot and events: Because market regulations prevent the villagers from selling their fish, the fishing group takes a break and considers tending to the mountains and forests instead. Song Zhou invites Lu Ao to accompany him on an upcoming case involving a possible supernatural incident or lingering human malice. The trip may last one or two nights. Before leaving, Lu Ao realizes Song Zhou has sometimes visited him for dinner even while handling cases, suggesting Song Zhou has been making time for him. They then travel to Lin Gongshang’s barbecue gathering, bringing bamboo shoots. After arriving, they help Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan saw through difficult beef bones before joining the meal.
• Character development: Lu Ao’s romantic feelings for Song Zhou become increasingly apparent. He is deeply affected by the invitation, by the possibility that Song Zhou has been quietly accommodating him, and by Song Zhou’s reassurance that their care for each other is mutual. However, Lu Ao remains afraid to confess, worrying that Song Zhou might reject or avoid him and that their friendship would be lost. Song Zhou, meanwhile, appears comfortable and considerate, openly inviting Lu Ao into more aspects of his life.
• Character interactions: Song Zhou and Lu Ao share a tender, emotionally charged conversation about their relationship and mutual kindness. Song Zhou casually reassures Lu Ao and places a hand on his shoulder before they leave. At the barbecue, Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan teasingly scold them for arriving late and enlist their help with the beef bones. Lu Ao and Song Zhou work together efficiently, highlighting their strength and easy cooperation.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes unspoken affection, emotional restraint, and the fear of risking a valued relationship through confession. It also develops the theme of mutual care expressed through ordinary actions, such as sharing meals and making time for someone. The lively barbecue provides a contrast to Lu Ao’s private anxiety, reinforcing the warmth of community and friendship.

Chapter 92 Summary

Plot Points and Events

The group gathers around a campfire to enjoy grilled food, including chicken, vegetables, and beef bones marinated with peppers, garlic, scallions, and other seasonings. While eating and drinking, Lin Gongshang announces that he plans to travel to Jasmine Island after the Red Tide recedes.
His goal is not only to fish but also to collect wild abalone and sea urchins for his upcoming wedding banquet with Luo Xiaohui. Jasmine Island is distant and costly to reach, but it reportedly has valuable seafood, including abalone and lobster. Lin Man Zhang and Lin Guixiao volunteer to accompany him, and Lin Qi Yan offers to film the underwater search so the footage can be shown during the wedding.
Song Zhou then says that Lu Ao will also go. Because Lu Ao’s friends know he is gay, Song Zhou’s casual statement causes everyone to notice the apparent intimacy between them. Lin Gongshang becomes uneasy and quickly suggests postponing the trip until the following week, allowing Lu Ao and Song Zhou to travel together as planned. The group awkwardly changes the subject by checking whether the grilled chicken and beef bones are ready.

Character Developments

• Lin Gongshang reveals his romantic and generous side. He wants to provide rare wild seafood for Luo Xiaohui’s wedding banquet and is willing to undertake a difficult, expensive trip to make it special.
• Lin Man Zhang and Lin Guixiao demonstrate their loyalty and willingness to help by immediately offering to join the expedition.
• Lin Qi Yan contributes creatively, suggesting that underwater footage could become part of the wedding video and symbolize Lin Gongshang’s sincerity.
• Lu Ao remains quiet but clearly wants to accompany Song Zhou. He becomes embarrassed when Song Zhou speaks for him and indirectly presents them as traveling partners.
• Song Zhou grows more openly protective and familiar with Lu Ao, answering on his behalf and casually including him in future plans. His smile at Lu Ao’s embarrassment suggests increasing intimacy between them.

Significant Themes

• Love expressed through effort: Lin Gongshang’s plan to find wild abalone for his wedding reflects the importance of meaningful, personal gestures over convenience.
• Community and friendship: The group readily offers practical help, turning one person’s wedding preparation into a collective endeavor.
• Romantic ambiguity and social awareness: Song Zhou’s statement exposes the closeness between him and Lu Ao, creating tension because everyone understands its possible romantic implications.
• Domestic warmth and camaraderie: The shared meal, teasing, and teamwork around the fire create a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with the more emotionally charged implications of Song Zhou and Lu Ao’s relationship.

Character Interactions

• Lin Gongshang discusses the Jasmine Island trip with Lin Man Zhang, Lin Guixiao, and Lin Qi Yan, who each offer support.
• Song Zhou speaks for Lu Ao in front of his friends, subtly revealing their closeness.
• Lin Gongshang notices the implications and tactfully postpones the trip to avoid interfering with Song Zhou and Lu Ao’s plans.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou exchange a quiet, affectionate moment when Song Zhou smiles at Lu Ao’s embarrassment.
• The chapter ends with the group uniting around the fire to retrieve the extremely hot grilled chicken and beef bones.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the barbecue, Lu Ao enjoys roasted beef marrow and chicken with the others. Song Zhou quietly helps him handle the hot food, revealing that he is unaffected by heat and can even make things cold.
• Song Zhou tells Lu Ao to pack thick clothing for their upcoming trip because they are traveling to a cold region near the Arctic Circle, though he describes it as a “local microclimate.”
• The next morning, Song Zhou has already fed the geese and tended the fields, allowing Lu Ao to leave immediately after breakfast. Lu Ao prepares a hearty porridge using the remaining meat, fish, and vegetables.
• Song Zhou transports Lu Ao to an unfamiliar, desolate seaside location with an old stone castle. He explains that their destination is a remote island accessible only by boat.
• You Li arrives by ship to pick them up. During the journey, he discusses the crisis at Sea Beyond the Mountains, where a powerful Giant Sea Demon is threatening to break through the Boundary Stele.
• Song Zhou and You Li explain that Boundary Steles are weak points between planes. If broken, they may allow beings to invade other worlds—or escape their own. The Giant Sea Demon, a cunning kraken-like monster, is seeking a way to leave its plane.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao continues becoming more comfortable with Song Zhou’s supernatural abilities. Although he notices Song Zhou’s unusual resistance to heat, he does not press him for explanations and accepts the revelation quietly.
• Lu Ao shows his practical, domestic nature by caring for the geese, cooking breakfast, and preparing supplies for the journey. His willingness to follow Song Zhou into an unknown environment also reflects growing trust and curiosity.
• Song Zhou demonstrates his attentiveness toward Lu Ao by preparing food for him, tending the household in advance, and ensuring he packs appropriately for the cold destination. He also takes responsibility for explaining the supernatural situation.
• You Li remains energetic and friendly, greeting Lu Ao warmly while providing important information about the crisis at Sea Beyond the Mountains.

Significant Themes

• Growing trust and intimacy: Song Zhou and Lu Ao’s quiet cooperation, shared meals, and increasingly natural routine suggest their relationship is becoming closer.
• The ordinary intertwined with the supernatural: Domestic activities such as cooking, feeding geese, and packing clothes occur alongside teleportation, alternate planes, and sea monsters.
• Boundaries and freedom: The Boundary Stele symbolizes the limits between worlds, while the Giant Sea Demon’s desire to escape raises questions about ambition, confinement, and the right to pursue a different existence.
• Responsibility versus personal desire: Although beings are generally allowed to travel between planes through legitimate spatial nodes, the Giant Sea Demon’s attempt to forcibly break through the Boundary Stele threatens others and requires intervention.

Character Interactions

• Song Zhou discreetly replaces Lu Ao’s hot beef bone with an already unwrapped one, protecting him from the heat without drawing attention.
• Lu Ao and Song Zhou share a calm domestic morning before departing, with Song Zhou handling the chores Lu Ao intended to do.
• Song Zhou introduces Lu Ao to You Li again, while You Li welcomes him aboard and explains the danger facing Sea Beyond the Mountains.
• Lu Ao asks questions about the Boundary Stele and the Giant Sea Demon, and Song Zhou and You Li work together to clarify the existence of multiple planes and the rules governing travel between them.

Chapter 93 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Zhou explains that the dangerous creature they are pursuing targeted the boundary marker, attempted to let the wolf into the house, and has consumed numerous people and demons. Because of this, it must be dealt with.
• Song Zhou, Lu Ao, and You Li leave the shore by boat and row toward a larger magic ship. As Lu Ao rows, he notices that the seawater feels unusually thick.
• The shore suddenly disappears, revealing that they have entered the Endless Sea, a supernatural ocean from which people cannot escape without special methods.
• They board the larger ship, which is powered by spirit stones and moves automatically. Their journey to Sea Beyond the Mountains is expected to take about five hours.
• With no other personnel available, only Song Zhou, Lu Ao, and You Li are assigned to the mission. You Li suggests fishing while they travel.
• While fishing, they encounter a group of Anteniwa Dolphins, spiritual beings that resemble dolphins and “connect life and death.” The dolphins pass overhead, calling pleasantly as though greeting the travelers.
• Lu Ao is fascinated by the dolphins. Song Zhou promises to take him to their dwelling after the mission, and You Li jokingly expresses interest as well.
• The group uses strange canned meat as bait. Lu Ao notices that the meat smells unusually invigorating and discovers that the writing on the cans is completely unfamiliar.

Character Developments

• Lu Ao shows curiosity and sensitivity to the supernatural world. He is briefly frightened when the shore vanishes, but Song Zhou’s reassuring touch calms him. His childlike wonder at the flying dolphins also reveals his openness to unfamiliar experiences.
• Song Zhou acts as a calm, dependable guide. He explains the Endless Sea and the Anteniwa Dolphins, reassures Lu Ao, and offers to accompany him to see the dolphins after the mission. Their growing trust and closeness are emphasized.
• You Li provides humor and energy, complaining about the agency’s understaffing and eagerly organizing the fishing activity. Despite his joking attitude, he is part of the small team undertaking a dangerous assignment.
• The chapter also reveals the difficult working conditions of the Anomalous Personnel Affairs Regulatory Agency, including its inability to replace an isolated colleague stationed at Sea Beyond the Mountains.

Significant Themes

• Wonder amid danger: The group is traveling to confront a deadly creature, yet the journey includes peaceful and beautiful moments such as sunlight, fishing, and spiritual dolphins.
• The supernatural as part of ordinary life: Magic ships, spirit stones, enchanted seas, and spirit creatures are treated as practical realities.
• Isolation and belonging: The Endless Sea cuts travelers off from the outside world, while the isolated agency employee longs to return home. At the same time, Lu Ao begins forming a sense of companionship with Song Zhou and You Li.
• Curiosity and discovery: Lu Ao’s fascination with the dolphins and the unfamiliar canned food reflects his gradual entry into a broader, stranger world.

Character Interactions

• Song Zhou and Lu Ao work together rowing and later fish side by side. Song Zhou’s physical reassurance and promise to show Lu Ao the dolphins strengthen their bond.
• You Li interacts playfully with both men, recruiting them for fishing and joking about joining their dolphin visit.
• The three-person team’s casual conversation contrasts with the serious danger of their mission, presenting them as a developing, if understaffed, group of companions.

Chapter Summary

• Key events: While traveling by boat toward Sea Beyond the Mountains, Song Zhou explains that canned spirit-insect meat is a nutritious demon ration. Lu Ao dislikes the idea of eating insects, prompting a discussion about personal tastes and true forms. You Li reveals that he is an eagle who dislikes fish bones, while Lu Ao openly shares that he was once human and became a dragon. You Li mentions that he was the first to detect Lu Ao but that Song Zhou reached him first.
• You Li catches a rare Crystal Fish, whose transparent body and unusual hook-filled throat distinguish it from ordinary fish. He explains that the fish is commonly used in the region: its flesh and bones dissolve into a clear, sweet soup, and it can also be chilled into fish jelly. You Li prepares the fish, and Lu Ao greatly enjoys the soup, drinking five bowls and being warmed by its spiritual energy.
• As they travel farther, the weather becomes unnaturally cold. Lu Ao must put on winter clothing, while Song Zhou and You Li remain comparatively unaffected. You Li worries about Lu Ao and offers him more soup; Song Zhou also transfers warmth to him.
• The voyage reveals increasingly strange environmental phenomena. The sun appears fixed in the same position and gradually resembles a ball of ice rather than a source of warmth. Song Zhou explains that they are approaching a boundary marker where spiritual energy is intensifying and conditions are becoming increasingly unsuitable for humans.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Ao remains curious but considerate, refraining from asking about You Li’s true form until the topic is openly raised. His honesty about his human origins and dragon transformation earns You Li’s approval.
• You Li becomes more familiar and affectionate toward Lu Ao, joking about fate and their missed first meeting. He shows a nurturing side by cooking for Lu Ao and caring about his discomfort in the cold.
• Song Zhou demonstrates trust in You Li and quietly protects Lu Ao by sharing warmth. His knowledge of the region establishes him as the group’s guide and authority.
• The three characters grow more comfortable with one another through casual conversation, shared food, and mutual assistance.

Significant themes

• Acceptance and openness: The characters discuss differences in diet, species, and origins without judgment.
• Fate and connection: You Li frames his delayed meeting with Lu Ao as something fate could not ultimately prevent.
• Care and companionship: Cooking, sharing warmth, and helping one another emphasize the group’s developing bond.
• The supernatural unknown: The Crystal Fish, fixed sun, extreme cold, and intensifying spiritual energy signal that they are entering a mysterious realm governed by forces beyond ordinary human experience.

Chapter 94 Summary

• Arrival at the frozen island: Song Zhou explains that the extreme cold, spiritual energy, and unusual traits of the marine creatures have all been amplified in this region. As the boat travels farther, the temperature drops until it enters a dense, icy fog. Lu Ao attempts to control the mist but finds it far too powerful and exhausting to manipulate.
• The mysterious lighthouse and settlement: The boat reaches a barren island covered in rock and ice, dominated by a towering European-style lighthouse. Although the lighthouse is lifeless, Lu Ao feels an unsettling sense of its immense presence. A group of sturdy island inhabitants soon appears on the shore, wearing highly refined fish-skin clothing designed to protect against the cold.
• Song Zhou’s authority and mission: The islanders address Song Zhou respectfully as “my lord.” They report that they have found no trace of the Kraken during the past two days, but the Boundary Stele has begun developing faint cracks. Tushan Hong and the island clansmen are guarding it constantly. Song Zhou decides to inspect the stele and instructs You Li to look after Lu Ao and provide him with warm clothing.
• Lu Ao struggles with the cold: Song Zhou gives Lu Ao warmth by keeping a hand on his shoulder, allowing him to endure the freezing conditions. After Song Zhou leaves, You Li tries to warm Lu Ao, but his spiritual energy is not strong enough to protect him fully. By the time they reach the stone settlement, Lu Ao is severely chilled, with a blue face and purple lips, though he insists that he is fine rather than admit his weakness.
• Shelter and care: You Li brings Lu Ao into a simple stone house containing only a fireplace, carpet, and blanket. He gives Lu Ao special water said to help resist the cold and promises to obtain fish-skin clothes. You Li then leaves to search for signs of the sea demon. Soon afterward, the tall man who offered a new set of fish-skin clothes arrives at the door.

Character Development and Interactions

• Lu Ao demonstrates endurance and pride, hiding how badly the cold is affecting him. His helplessness in the fog and physical vulnerability contrast with his usual strength and confidence.
• Song Zhou remains calm and authoritative, managing the island’s crisis while showing personal concern for Lu Ao through physical warmth and a gentle promise to take him around later.
• You Li acts protectively toward Lu Ao, repeatedly trying to warm him, finding shelter and clothing, and providing medicinal water. His care is sincere but less powerful than Song Zhou’s.
• The island inhabitants recognize Song Zhou’s leadership and appear prepared to support his investigation into the Kraken and the weakening Boundary Stele.

Significant Themes

• The chapter emphasizes the overwhelming power of the frozen environment, where natural forces and spiritual phenomena have been unnaturally magnified.
• It develops themes of vulnerability, endurance, and dependence, especially through Lu Ao’s struggle to survive the cold.
• Loyalty and communal duty are highlighted by the islanders’ continuous defense of the Boundary Stele.
• The contrast between Song Zhou’s and You Li’s warmth also subtly reinforces Song Zhou’s special connection with and concern for Lu Ao.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

Lu Ao receives a set of fishskin clothing designed to be worn directly against the skin for warmth. While changing, the clothing triggers an unexpected transformation, causing him to revert to his enormous azure Dragon Form. Alarmed by the servant’s suspicious appearance and predatory reaction, Lu Ao smashes through the room’s sealed window and escapes into the sea.
The servant reveals reptilian yellow eyes and expresses excitement at finding a real Dragon. He then pursues Lu Ao into the water, where a gigantic squid emerges and announces its intention to eat Lu Ao to strengthen itself before entering the cultivation world. Lu Ao attempts to flee, but the squid traps him with its powerful, suction-covered tentacles. Lu Ao bites through one tentacle, consumes part of it, and gains renewed strength. However, the enraged squid corners him with several more tentacles. Just before the attack lands, the bracelet given to Lu Ao by Song Zhou activates, releasing a glowing sphere of light around him.

Character developments

Lu Ao demonstrates strong instincts, quick judgment, and considerable combat ability in Dragon Form. Although initially disoriented by the transformation, he immediately recognizes danger and escapes rather than allowing himself to be captured. His battle with the squid reveals his immense physical strength, ferocity, speed, and ability to recover power by consuming his opponent. The bracelet’s activation also suggests that Song Zhou’s gift possesses protective or magical abilities that Lu Ao had not previously understood.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes survival in a hostile and unfamiliar environment, as Lu Ao is suddenly hunted by beings who view him as both a rare creature and a source of power. It also highlights the tension between hidden identity and revealed nature: once Lu Ao’s Dragon Form appears, he becomes a target. The fishskin clothes and bracelet introduce the theme of mysterious objects containing unexpected powers. The chapter further reinforces the dangerous connection between the human world and the cultivation world.

Character interactions

Lu Ao’s interaction with the clothing-maker begins politely but shifts into suspicion when the man reacts strangely to his transformation. The man identifies Lu Ao as a Dragon and displays predatory intent, prompting Lu Ao’s escape. Lu Ao then engages in a violent confrontation with the giant squid, which treats him as prey and attempts to overpower him. Their struggle becomes a battle of speed, strength, and endurance, ending when Song Zhou’s bracelet intervenes and shields Lu Ao from the squid’s attack.