Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Li Xin’s Past”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Xin initially suspects Long Haochen of having romantic intentions toward Sheng Cai’er when he was younger, but ultimately believes his explanation.
• Feeling guilty for doubting him, Li Xin affectionately kisses both of Long Haochen’s cheeks, leaving him embarrassed and flustered.
• On their way back to the Hao Yue Sub-Temple, Long Haochen asks about Li Xin’s broken friendship with Lin Jialu.
• Li Xin explains that she and Lin Jialu had both fallen in love with the same Mage Temple boy five years earlier. She sacrificed her own feelings out of consideration for their friendship.
• The boy later told Li Xin that Lin Jialu had forced him into the relationship through her family’s influence. When Li Xin confronted Lin Jialu, Lin denied the accusation and called Li Xin a liar, leading to a fight and the end of their friendship.
• Long Haochen realizes that the boy probably deceived both women by telling each of them a different story before abandoning them. Li Xin accepts that this explanation is likely true.
• Li Xin reveals that she made the wager with Lin Jialu to obtain a Radiant Shield for Long Haochen, who intends to become a Guardian Knight.
• A servant delivers the Radiant Shield from Lin Jialu. Li Xin helps adjust it to fit Long Haochen, and he tests its defensive abilities.
• The shield proves highly practical, offering strong defense, resistance to magical negative effects, and limited self-repair through its Gold-Melting Stone.

Character Developments

• Li Xin: Her jealousy and passionate affection for Long Haochen are made clear. Although she recognizes that her past conflict with Lin Jialu may have resulted from manipulation, she remains resentful toward Lin for attempting to seduce Long Haochen. She also demonstrates her care for him by acquiring valuable equipment despite her limited finances.
• Long Haochen: He shows emotional maturity and perceptiveness by identifying the likely deception behind Li Xin and Lin Jialu’s falling-out. He reassures Li Xin that he cares about her present feelings rather than her past. His practical evaluation of the Radiant Shield also reflects his growing awareness as a future Guardian Knight.
• Lin Jialu: Though absent in person, she is shown to be financially strained yet considerate, sending the promised shield. Her past relationship with Li Xin remains unresolved.

Significant Themes

• Jealousy and trust: Li Xin’s suspicion briefly creates tension, but her apology and Long Haochen’s reassurance strengthen their bond.
• Deception and misunderstanding: The chapter suggests that both Li Xin and Lin Jialu were victims of the same man’s manipulation, showing how false stories can destroy long-standing relationships.
• Maturity in love: Long Haochen responds calmly to Li Xin’s past and emphasizes that her current feelings are what matter.
• Sacrifice and affection: Li Xin’s willingness to struggle financially and compete for the shield demonstrates her devotion to Long Haochen.
• Practical preparation: The Radiant Shield symbolizes Long Haochen’s progress toward becoming a Guardian Knight and provides him with essential defensive support.

Character Interactions

• Li Xin and Long Haochen share playful romantic exchanges, including her kisses and his embarrassed reaction.
• Long Haochen acts as an objective adviser when Li Xin recounts her conflict with Lin Jialu.
• Li Xin worries that her past love might bother Long Haochen, but he reassures her.
• Li Xin lovingly equips Long Haochen with the Radiant Shield, reinforcing their close and supportive relationship.

Chapter Summary: “Top Student Joins an Ordinary Class”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Xin gives Long Haochen extensive advice before he begins studying at the Hao Yue Sub-Temple. He memorizes her practical guidance and asks about Chief Instructor Ye Hua.
• Li Xin’s uneasy reaction suggests Ye Hua has a harsh and unpopular reputation, though she refuses to criticize him directly.
• The next morning, Long Haochen enters the Guardian Knight classroom. Because of his youthful appearance, the other Knights assume he may have entered the wrong class.
• Ye Hua introduces himself and immediately establishes strict authority, warning Long Haochen that talent will not earn him special treatment. He must meet the same standards as every other Knight or be sent back to the Squire ranks.
• During the first lesson, Ye Hua tests the class’s discipline by demanding that everyone remain calm. When the students react slowly to his command to stand, he orders them to wear heavy gear and run fifty laps.
• Long Haochen refuses to join the others, believing that ordinary running will provide him with almost no benefit compared with the extreme training he has already endured.
• The chapter ends with Long Haochen respectfully explaining his refusal to Ye Hua, setting up a direct conflict between the gifted student and the uncompromising instructor.

2. Character Developments

• Long Haochen: Demonstrates excellent memory, courtesy, confidence, and independent judgment. Although he remains respectful toward authority, he is unused to being treated as an ordinary student and struggles to accept training he considers inefficient. His belief in his exceptional abilities—reinforced by years of elite instruction—causes him to challenge the class’s routine.
• Li Xin: Acts as a caring older sister and mentor. She offers Haochen valuable advice and shows affection by kissing him goodbye, while her guarded comments about Ye Hua reveal her awareness of his difficult personality.
• Ye Hua: Is established as rigid, intimidating, and demanding. He values absolute discipline and calmness, shows no interest in accommodating individual talent, and uses severe punishments to enforce obedience.
• Long Xingyu and Feng Xiu: Though absent, both strongly influence Haochen. Long Xingyu’s punishing, specialized training has made Haochen far stronger than ordinary Knights, while Feng Xiu’s belief in separating geniuses from mediocrity has shaped Haochen’s difficulty adapting to the class.

3. Significant Themes

• Genius versus ordinary training: The chapter questions whether a prodigy should follow standardized instruction or pursue training suited to his unique abilities.
• Discipline and authority: Ye Hua believes obedience, composure, and conformity are essential to becoming a Guardian Knight, while Haochen prioritizes efficiency and personal improvement.
• Adaptation and humility: Haochen must learn how to function in an ordinary environment despite his exceptional talent, raising the possibility that raw ability alone may not be enough.
• Different approaches to education: Long Xingyu’s individualized, extreme training contrasts with Ye Hua’s uniform and punitive methods.
• Individuality versus conformity: Haochen’s refusal to run shows his unwillingness to blindly follow the group, but it also risks making him appear arrogant or undisciplined.

4. Character Interactions

• Li Xin and Long Haochen share a warm, affectionate sibling-like relationship. She mentors him, while he sincerely values her advice.
• Li Xin’s reluctance to discuss Ye Hua creates anticipation for Haochen’s first encounter with him.
• The other Knights initially treat Haochen as a lost child, but his polite introduction establishes that he belongs in the class.
• Ye Hua immediately asserts dominance over Haochen and the other students through threats and harsh commands.
• Haochen responds to Ye Hua with formal respect but refuses to obey an order he considers pointless, creating the chapter’s central confrontation between institutional discipline and individual genius.

Chapter Summary: “Defeating Ye Hua”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Hua challenges Long Haochen after he refuses to run laps, declaring that Haochen will be spared only if he can force Ye Hua to move his feet.
• Long Haochen accepts, partly to test whether Ye Hua is truly worthy of being his instructor. Because Haochen has previously learned from legendary figures such as Feng Xiu and Long Xingyu, he will not submit to a teacher he considers inferior.
• On the training field, Haochen begins the duel with a Rush-enhanced Pure White Blade. Ye Hua easily deflects the attack and counters with a shield charge, sending Haochen flying backward.
• Haochen recovers gracefully using a technique taught by Feng Xiu, impressing Ye Hua with his reflexes and adaptability despite losing the exchange.
• Angered when Ye Hua calls him “trash,” Haochen launches a stronger attack: three consecutive Sun-Splitting Slashes, a Fourth-Rank skill normally beyond his current level.
• Ye Hua is forced to defend repeatedly with his shield. Although he is a Fifth-Tier Sky Knight, his promise not to move his feet prevents him from using footwork and leaves him visibly unsteady.
• Haochen discards his shield, moves behind Ye Hua, and uses a sword thrust as a feint. His real attack is Astonishing Dragon Fist, which strikes Ye Hua’s shield with enough force to push him one step forward.
• By forcing Ye Hua to move, Haochen technically fulfills the condition of the challenge and exposes the weakness created by Ye Hua’s own boast.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen demonstrates exceptional combat awareness, reflexes, control, and tactical creativity. He remains calm under pressure and uses observation rather than rushing blindly.
• Haochen’s confidence becomes more assertive. He respects genuine strength but refuses to accept humiliation from someone he has not yet judged worthy.
• His unusual status as a Child of Light allows him to use Sun-Splitting Slash at a reduced spiritual cost, letting him perform the skill three times in succession.
• Ye Hua is shown to be powerful but arrogant, harsh, and contemptuous. His underestimation of Haochen causes him to restrict himself unnecessarily.
• Ye Hua is nevertheless surprised by Haochen’s advanced abilities and begins to recognize that the boy is far more capable than his apparent rank suggests.

Significant Themes

• Merit and authority: Haochen believes a teacher must prove their strength and competence rather than receive automatic obedience.
• Humility versus arrogance: Ye Hua’s contempt and refusal to take Haochen seriously create the conditions for his temporary embarrassment.
• Strategy over brute force: Haochen succeeds by exploiting timing, positioning, feints, and the limitations Ye Hua imposed on himself.
• Hidden potential: Haochen’s rank does not reflect his true ability, emphasizing the gap between formal cultivation level and actual combat power.
• Learning from the past: Techniques and experience gained from Feng Xiu and Long Xingyu directly shape Haochen’s performance.

Character Interactions

• The confrontation is both a physical duel and a test of mutual respect. Haochen seeks to determine whether Ye Hua deserves to teach him, while Ye Hua tries to crush what he sees as youthful pride.
• Ye Hua repeatedly insults Haochen as “trash,” but Haochen answers through action rather than argument.
• Their exchange reveals a clash between Ye Hua’s rigid, intimidating teaching style and Haochen’s disciplined yet independent mindset.
• Haochen ultimately turns Ye Hua’s own condition—“make me move my feet”—against him, forcing Ye Hua to acknowledge his strength, at least indirectly.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen defeats his instructor, Ye Hua, using the Sun-Splitting Slash three times in succession.
• Ye Hua acknowledges his defeat and salutes Long Haochen, but becomes embarrassed and angry when his students witness the loss, punishing them with fifty additional laps.
• Long Haochen and Ye Hua meet Nalan Shu, the master of Hao Yue Sub-Temple. Nalan Shu proudly reveals that Long Haochen is only twelve years old, shocking Ye Hua.
• Ye Hua realizes that Long Haochen had previously learned Retribution Knight techniques but is now cultivating as a Guardian Knight. Long Haochen explains that his father taught him Guardian Knights were more valuable in battlefield and team situations.
• Impressed by Long Haochen’s talent, Ye Hua offers to take him as his personal disciple and create a specialized training plan. Long Haochen respectfully refuses.
• Long Haochen explains that he prefers to arrange his own cultivation and believes Ye Hua’s Fifth-Tier strength would eventually limit his development. He is secretly seeking a teacher of at least Long Xingyu’s level.
• Nalan Shu supports Long Haochen’s decision, granting him unrestricted access to the Hao Yue Sub-Temple Library and allowing him to stop attending ordinary Knight Hall lessons.
• After Long Haochen leaves, Ye Hua angrily objects, fearing that self-study will damage the boy’s future. Nalan Shu reveals that Long Haochen already possesses an astonishing total spiritual energy of 443—equivalent to an Eighth-Level Knight at age twelve—and estimates that his Innate Internal Spiritual Energy is at least 60, possibly over 70.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen: Demonstrates overwhelming talent, confidence, discipline, and independence. He remains polite despite defeating Ye Hua, but firmly refuses instruction he considers insufficient for his long-term growth. His decision shows ambition and an unusually clear understanding of his own potential.
• Ye Hua: Moves from arrogance and underestimation to shock and admiration after witnessing Long Haochen’s strength. However, his pride is wounded by the defeat, and he becomes frustrated when Long Haochen rejects his mentorship.
• Nalan Shu: Acts as Long Haochen’s supporter and recognizes his extraordinary potential. Unlike Ye Hua, he accepts that conventional instruction may not suit Haochen and gives him the freedom to develop independently.

Significant Themes

• Exceptional talent and independence: Long Haochen’s abilities are so advanced that ordinary instruction may hinder rather than help him.
• Humility versus pride: Long Haochen remains courteous after victory, while Ye Hua struggles with humiliation and wounded pride.
• The importance of suitable mentorship: The chapter suggests that a teacher must be powerful and capable enough to guide a student’s future growth; talent alone does not eliminate the need for guidance, but it does raise the standard required.
• Potential and destiny: Long Haochen is portrayed as a once-in-an-era genius destined to become a major powerhouse.
• Individualized cultivation: His rejection of the Knight Hall’s standard methods emphasizes that exceptional individuals may require unique paths of development.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen and Ye Hua exchange formal salutes after the duel, establishing mutual recognition despite their strained relationship.
• Ye Hua attempts to claim Long Haochen as his disciple, but Long Haochen politely refuses, creating tension between them.
• Nalan Shu mediates the disagreement by defending Long Haochen’s choice and granting him access to the library.
• Nalan Shu’s revelation about Long Haochen’s spiritual energy completely changes Ye Hua’s understanding of the boy, transforming his disbelief into astonishment.

Chapter 44 Summary

Key points and events

The author explains the minor revisions made to Chapter 44 in response to reader feedback. The main change concerns Ye Hua’s role and relationship with Long Haochen. In the revised version, Ye Hua is not treated as an indispensable mentor, since the author considers him a weakly developed, foul-mouthed character with little importance after the Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament.

Character developments

Long Haochen is portrayed as less saintly and more assertive than in the original story. Unlike the original Long Haochen, he would not quietly endure Ye Hua’s insults, beatings, or harsh teaching. The author argues that if Long Haochen were written as a proud or talented genius, serious conflict with Ye Hua would naturally result. Ye Hua is characterized as an expendable beginner-level mentor whose teaching ability is not clearly superior to that of Long Xingyu, a Divine Knight.

Character interactions

The central relationship discussed is between Long Haochen and Ye Hua. The author rejects the anime’s depiction of Long Haochen tearfully begging to become Ye Hua’s disciple, noting that this event did not occur in the original novel. In this version, Long Haochen would not accept Ye Hua’s abusive behavior without resistance, making their relationship far more confrontational.

Significant themes

The author emphasizes adaptation fidelity, characterization, and the difference between the original novel and its anime adaptation. The fanfiction uses the original work’s setting and plot as its primary standard rather than the anime, which the author believes has changed the story substantially. The revisions also reflect a preference for more internally consistent character behavior and for avoiding unnecessary plotlines involving characters who lack lasting narrative importance.

Chapter Summary: “Talent Was a Deadly Poison?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nalan Shu nearly reveals Long Haochen’s father’s identity but stops himself because Long Xingyu ordered him to keep it secret.
• Ye Hua bitterly argues that exceptional talent is overrated. He resents those with high Innate Internal Spiritual Energy, believing that his own wisdom and comprehension would have earned him a place on the Throne of Seal if he had possessed greater talent.
• Ye Hua claims that excessive talent can become a “deadly poison,” causing jealousy, isolation, and difficulty accepting discipline. Nalan Shu dismisses this as envy and argues that people ultimately respect those whose strength places them far beyond others.
• Long Haochen seemingly disappears from Hao Yue Sub-Temple, leading outsiders to speculate that Ye Hua expelled him. In reality, he has withdrawn from public view to focus intensely on cultivation.
• His routine consists almost entirely of studying in the library, training, and meditating in the Monastic Quarters. The training grounds are sealed so that only Long Haochen and Nalan Shu can enter.
• Li Xin visits Long Haochen after feeling neglected by his single-minded cultivation. He explains that he wants to reach the Fifth Tier before the Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament in two years.
• Li Xin encourages him to balance cultivation with rest and promises to work harder herself. Long Haochen immediately offers to arrange for her to train and study alongside him.
• They share a warm meal and an affectionate evening together. Li Xin falls asleep resting against him, while Long Haochen reflects on several important people from his past before falling asleep himself.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen: Becomes increasingly disciplined and ambitious, dedicating himself to reaching the Fifth Tier. Despite his intense training, he remains considerate toward Li Xin and values their relationship. His thoughts also reveal that he still misses Yue Ye and wonders about Sheng Cai’er.
• Ye Hua: His resentment and insecurity become more explicit. He recognizes the importance of wisdom and comprehension but is consumed by bitterness over lacking exceptional innate talent.
• Nalan Shu: Acts as a more balanced and perceptive mentor. He sees through Ye Hua’s jealousy and argues that true strength, rather than talent alone, determines how others respond to someone.
• Li Xin: Shows affection and concern for Long Haochen, reminding him not to exhaust himself. She is inspired—and somewhat pressured—by his progress and decides to take cultivation more seriously.

Significant Themes

• Talent versus wisdom and effort: The chapter questions whether innate ability is more valuable than understanding, judgment, and dedication.
• Jealousy and resentment: Ye Hua’s bitterness illustrates how envy can distort one’s view of talented individuals.
• The burden of genius: Great talent may isolate a person or attract hostility if not guided properly.
• Strength and recognition: Nalan Shu suggests that society often envies those who excel but eventually admires them once their power becomes undeniable.
• Ambition balanced with relationships: Long Haochen’s relentless cultivation is contrasted with Li Xin’s reminder that emotional bonds and rest remain important.
• Memory and emotional ties: Long Haochen’s thoughts of Yue Ye, Cai’er, and his family show that his past relationships continue to influence him.

Character Interactions

• Ye Hua and Nalan Shu: Their exchange exposes Ye Hua’s jealousy and Nalan Shu’s blunt but good-natured rebuttal.
• Long Haochen and Li Xin: Their affectionate reunion emphasizes their sibling-like closeness and mutual encouragement. Li Xin worries about his health, while Long Haochen eagerly includes her in his training plans.
• Long Haochen and his memories: While resting with Li Xin, he thinks of Yue Ye and Sheng Cai’er, revealing unresolved affection, concern, and anticipation about meeting them again during the Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament.

Chapter Summary: Samsara Temple and Sheng Cai’er

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens in the Assassin Temple’s mysterious Samsara Temple, a dark-gold, rune-covered chamber filled with killing intent and ancient elven inscriptions.
• Sheng Cai’er lies beneath a floating black dagger, trapped in a state of total numbness and helplessness. She has endured this condition for six months and is expected to remain there for another two years.
• Feeling abandoned by her family and consumed by pain and hatred, Cai’er loses her will to live and begins to approach death.
• She remembers Long Haochen protecting her in Odin Town. The memory gives her warmth and restores her desire to survive. She resolves to find him again and repay him, despite not knowing his name.
• Two months later, Long Haochen meditates at the Hao Yue Sub-Temple. His Mysterious Spirit Furnace, after absorbing the Saint Attraction Spirit Furnace, creates a spiritual-power vortex that steadily increases his cultivation even without active training.
• Long Haochen’s spiritual power rises from 499 to 501, allowing him to break through to the Fourth Tier and become a First-Level Grand Knight.
• Having reached the required level, he begins studying the first technique of the Nine Golden Dragon Techniques: Golden Dragon Battle Form.
• After three days of practice, the story moves to the Hao Yue Sub-Temple’s training grounds.

Character Development

• Sheng Cai’er: Cai’er changes from a despairing, emotionally broken child who wishes for death into someone with renewed hope and determination. Long Haochen’s brief act of protection becomes a source of emotional strength and gives her a reason to live.
• Long Haochen: Long Haochen’s extraordinary cultivation speed is emphasized. His Son of Light Constitution and Mysterious Spirit Furnace allow him to advance rapidly, reaching the Grand Knight realm in a remarkably short time. His breakthrough also marks the beginning of his training in a powerful new combat technique.

Significant Themes

• Hope amid despair: A single compassionate memory can rescue someone from complete hopelessness.
• Abandonment and emotional isolation: Cai’er’s suffering reflects the cruelty of forcing a young child to endure a harsh trial without comfort or support.
• The power of human connection: Though Long Haochen and Cai’er barely know one another, his selfless protection leaves a lasting impression on her.
• Rapid growth and destiny: Long Haochen’s unusual constitution and spiritual furnaces set him apart, suggesting an extraordinary future.
• Endurance and transformation: Both characters are undergoing difficult trials that will shape their abilities and identities.

Character Interactions

• Cai’er has no direct interaction with anyone in the Samsara Temple, but her memories of Long Haochen become the central emotional interaction of the chapter.
• Long Haochen’s earlier act of shielding Cai’er from danger profoundly affects her, inspiring her to survive and seek him out.
• Long Haochen interacts indirectly with Feng Xiu through the Nine Golden Dragon Techniques, beginning to apply the instruction he previously received.

Chapter Summary: “Divine Shield Block Wasn’t So Appealing Anymore”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen and Li Xin conduct an intense sparring session in a sealed training ground.
• Li Xin uses several Third-Rank Retribution Knight skills, including Ascension Formation, Light Slash Sword, and Lightning Thrust.
• Long Haochen reveals and tests his newly learned self-created technique, Golden Dragon Battle Form.
• The skill easily absorbs Li Xin’s Light Slash Sword and greatly strengthens Long Haochen’s defenses against her repeated Lightning Thrusts.
• Long Haochen compares Golden Dragon Battle Form with Divine Shield Block and concludes that the new technique is far more versatile and powerful.
• He asks Li Xin to keep the technique secret, claiming that his father taught it to him.
• The two continue training, with Li Xin testing the skill using Astonishing Dragon Fist.
• After training, they share dinner at Long Haochen’s quarters. Li Xin lingers late into the evening, creating a flirtatious and increasingly romantic atmosphere.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen demonstrates significant growth in combat ability and tactical understanding. He carefully analyzes Golden Dragon Battle Form’s strengths, limitations, and future potential.
• He becomes more confident and playful around Li Xin, teasing her and responding to her physical affection without embarrassment.
• Long Haochen also shows caution and secrecy by attributing the technique to his father and asking Li Xin not to reveal it.
• Li Xin is impressed and surprised by Long Haochen’s powerful new skill. Her suspicions about his father being an exceptionally powerful Knight grow stronger.
• Although normally bold and known as the “Hell Rose,” Li Xin becomes shy and flustered when Long Haochen teases her, revealing a more innocent and girlish side.

Significant Themes

• Power and progression: Golden Dragon Battle Form represents Long Haochen’s rapid advancement and has far greater potential than Divine Shield Block.
• Strategic adaptability: Unlike Divine Shield Block, Golden Dragon Battle Form allows movement and protects against both physical and magical attacks.
• Secrecy and hidden identity: Long Haochen continues concealing the full truth about his abilities and background.
• Trust and intimacy: Li Xin agrees to protect his secret, showing the growing trust between them.
• Romantic tension: Their playful exchanges gradually shift their relationship from familial affection toward flirtation and mutual attraction.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen and Li Xin begin as sparring partners, with Li Xin attacking and Long Haochen testing his defenses.
• Li Xin’s curiosity about Golden Dragon Battle Form leads Long Haochen to reveal only a limited explanation.
• She affectionately pinches his cheek, and he jokingly kisses her hand in retaliation, leaving her embarrassed.
• During dinner, Li Xin deliberately remains close to Long Haochen and teases him about wanting her to leave, intensifying the romantic tension between them.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After a charged encounter with Li Xin, Long Haochen struggles to control his desire for her. Li Xin leaves embarrassed but privately regrets that she cannot pursue him further.
• Long Haochen receives a message from Feng Xiu through a Voice Transmission Stone. Feng confirms that Long Haochen has reached the fourth-tier Grand Knight level and warns him not to choose a lizard-type magical beast at Knight Sacred Mountain, since Austin Griffin may appear in that form.
• Long Haochen asks about Yue Ye. Feng tells him that Yue Ye is in Star-Seeking City, but Long Haochen decides to wait until after the Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament in two years before seeking her.
• Long Haochen confesses that he has feelings for Sheng Cai’er and Li Xin. Rather than criticizing him, Feng Xiu praises him and encourages him to acquire even more girlfriends.
• Feng Xiu privately reveals his real motives: he wants Long Haochen to inherit the Creator God’s power, help him break the seal restricting him, and serve as a controllable alternative to Austin Griffin. He also hopes Long Haochen’s relationships with talented women in the Temple Alliance will help undermine and eventually dismantle the Alliance.
• Feng Xiu tells Bai Lingxuan about Long Haochen’s romantic affairs, humorously exaggerating what happened with Li Xin.
• Six months pass. The chapter ends when Long Haochen visits Nalan Shu at his office.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen: Reaches the fourth-tier Grand Knight level and prepares for the future Knight Sacred Mountain selection. He remains conflicted about his relationships and feels guilty about seeming fickle, but he also demonstrates maturity by prioritizing the upcoming Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament.
• Li Xin: Shows strong romantic interest in Long Haochen but remains frustrated by their inability to pursue a relationship openly or physically.
• Feng Xiu: Presents himself as a supportive grandfather, but his affection is mixed with political calculation. He views Long Haochen as a weapon against Austin Griffin and as a means of infiltrating the Temple Alliance.
• Yue Ye: Is established as talented, influential, and politically valuable through her leadership of the Moonlit Chamber of Commerce.
• Bai Lingxuan: Remains close to Feng Xiu and becomes amusedly informed about Long Haochen’s romantic life.

Significant Themes

• Affection versus manipulation: Feng Xiu’s apparent concern for Long Haochen conceals broader political and strategic ambitions.
• Control and free will: Feng Xiu prefers Long Haochen because he believes Long Haochen can be controlled, unlike the unpredictable Austin Griffin.
• Romantic relationships as political tools: Long Haochen’s relationships are treated not only as personal matters but also as a method of weakening the Temple Alliance.
• Destiny and power: The conflict between Long Haochen, Austin Griffin, and the Creator God’s inheritance continues to shape the future of both races.
• Comedic romantic tension: Long Haochen’s embarrassment and Feng Xiu’s shameless encouragement create a contrast with the chapter’s darker political implications.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen and Li Xin: Their intimate encounter increases their mutual attraction, though both remain embarrassed and uncertain.
• Long Haochen and Feng Xiu: They discuss Long Haochen’s advancement, Austin Griffin, Yue Ye, and his romantic interests. Feng Xiu acts approvingly rather than judgmentally.
• Feng Xiu and Bai Lingxuan: Feng Xiu shares a humorous version of Long Haochen’s romantic situation with her.
• Long Haochen and Nalan Shu: Their brief interaction at the end sets up the next chapter’s events.

Chapter Summary: A Pity He Was Still Too Young

Key Plot Points and Events

• After six months of growth and training, Long Haochen reaches 1,014 spiritual energy, advancing from an Eighth-Level Knight to a Fourth-Level Grand Knight at under thirteen years old.
• He asks Nalan Shu for permission to visit the Knight Sacred Mountain and obtain a magical-beast mount, having deliberately waited to improve his cultivation and increase his chances of gaining a powerful partner.
• Nalan Shu, occupied with other matters, assigns Ye Hua to accompany him.
• Li Xin visits Long Haochen before his departure, explains the importance of the Knight Sacred Mountain, and describes how knights must earn a magical beast’s approval before forming a contract.
• The next morning, Ye Hua summons his own mount: a rare Sixth-Level Mountain-Shaking Vulture, an earth-element flying beast with strength comparable to a human Fifth-Tier professional.
• Long Haochen realizes that Ye Hua is the previously mentioned Fifth-Tier Sky Knight, revealing that his stern instructor is considerably more powerful and accomplished than he had assumed.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen continues to demonstrate extraordinary talent and rapid cultivation progress. His restraint in delaying the trip shows patience and strategic thinking rather than simple eagerness.
• He remains respectful toward his elders, particularly Nalan Shu, Ye Hua, and Li Xin, while growing more confident in his own abilities.
• Ye Hua’s background and strength become clearer. Though outwardly cold and rigid, he possesses a powerful flying mount and has reached the Fifth Tier, earning the status of Sky Knight.
• Li Xin displays her affectionate, playful relationship with Long Haochen. She teases him about his youthful appearance but is genuinely concerned about his future and success.
• Long Haochen’s striking appearance draws attention, especially from Li Xin, whose teasing highlights both his immaturity and his unusual beauty.

Significant Themes

• Talent and exceptional growth: Long Haochen’s cultivation speed marks him as a rare prodigy whose potential may soon affect the wider Temple Alliance.
• The importance of companions: A knight’s strength depends not only on personal cultivation but also on forming a powerful bond with a suitable mount partner.
• Preparation and timing: Long Haochen’s decision to delay visiting the Sacred Mountain emphasizes the value of becoming stronger before pursuing a major opportunity.
• Mentorship and family-like affection: Nalan Shu provides institutional support, Ye Hua offers stern guidance, and Li Xin combines playful companionship with sincere care.
• Youth and maturity: Despite his remarkable power, Long Haochen is still physically and emotionally young, creating a contrast between his extraordinary abilities and his innocence.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen formally requests permission from Nalan Shu, who acknowledges his progress and arranges for Ye Hua to accompany him.
• Li Xin visits Long Haochen, teases him after seeing him fresh from bathing, then gives him practical information and encouragement about the Knight Sacred Mountain.
• Long Haochen greets Ye Hua respectfully the following morning and observes his instructor’s summoning ritual.
• Ye Hua calmly summons and interacts with the Mountain-Shaking Vulture, allowing Long Haochen to recognize his true rank and experience.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen and Ye Hua travel by Mountain-Shaking Vulture toward Knight Sacred Mountain.
• Ye Hua explains that obtaining a mount companion depends on both compatibility and luck. Even with Knight Sacred Mountain’s influence, a magical beast may refuse to bond with a knight.
• He also explains that a knight’s talent affects the kind of mount he can attract.
• Long Haochen asks about Ye Hua’s Innate Internal Spiritual Energy, prompting Ye Hua to reveal that it is only nine—far below the level normally associated with his strength.
• Ye Hua recounts how he was once considered a genius before his talent was tested, after which his teachers and fellow disciples treated him as worthless.
• Determined to prove himself, Ye Hua trained through sheer effort and eventually reached the Fifth Tier. At Knight Sacred Mountain, he spent an entire month crying and shouting until the Mountain-Shaking Vulture accepted him.
• Ye Hua views the vulture not merely as a mount, but as his closest companion and “family.”
• Curious about Long Haochen’s extraordinary advancement, Ye Hua asks about his Innate Internal Spiritual Energy. Long Haochen hesitates because the value is a closely guarded secret and because he fears humiliating or discouraging Ye Hua.
• He finally agrees to reveal it, provided Ye Hua promises to keep it confidential.

Character Development

• Long Haochen: Remains calm and composed during the flight, showing that extraordinary experiences no longer easily impress him. He demonstrates compassion and emotional awareness by worrying about Ye Hua’s feelings. His exceptional talent is strongly implied, as he has already reached the Fourth-Order Grand Knight level before age thirteen.
• Ye Hua: His arrogant, jealous, and abrasive exterior gives way to vulnerability. His low innate talent, lifelong frustration, and determination are revealed, showing that his achievements come from persistence and intelligence rather than natural ability. His emotional bond with the Mountain-Shaking Vulture is also emphasized.
• Mountain-Shaking Vulture: Is portrayed as loyal and sympathetic toward Ye Hua, reinforcing that their relationship is based on mutual affection rather than simple ownership.

Significant Themes

• Talent versus effort: The chapter contrasts Long Haochen’s exceptional natural ability with Ye Hua’s progress through perseverance.
• Prejudice based on potential: Ye Hua’s treatment after his awakening shows how quickly others dismiss someone judged to have poor talent.
• Companionship and belonging: The Mountain-Shaking Vulture becomes Ye Hua’s only true family after others reject him.
• Secrets and emotional consideration: Long Haochen’s hidden talent is not concealed out of distrust alone; he also wishes to protect Ye Hua from further feelings of inadequacy.
• Recognition and self-worth: Ye Hua’s struggle is driven by his desire to prove that limited talent does not make him worthless.

Character Interactions

• Ye Hua tries to impress Long Haochen with the flight and his knowledge of magical beasts, but Long Haochen’s calmness leaves him feeling overlooked.
• Long Haochen’s questions unintentionally force Ye Hua to confront his painful past.
• Ye Hua’s confession creates a moment of genuine emotional openness between instructor and student.
• Their relationship begins shifting from one-sided instruction and jealousy toward mutual understanding, as Long Haochen recognizes Ye Hua’s perseverance and Ye Hua becomes increasingly curious about his student’s hidden potential.

Chapter Summary: “No Comparison, No Harm”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen reveals to Ye Hua that his Innate Internal Spiritual Energy is ninety-seven points, shocking and frustrating his instructor.
• Ye Hua initially doubts the result, arguing that Long Haochen’s rapid cultivation growth seems impossible. Long Haochen explains that his spiritual energy had been increasing at an extraordinary rate even before Sacred Awakening.
• Realizing that Long Haochen’s talent had always far surpassed his own, Ye Hua suffers a crisis of confidence and finally gives up comparing himself to his disciple.
• Long Haochen asks what kind of magical beast would suit him as a mount. Ye Hua advises him to seek a juvenile Ninth-Level magical beast, since weaker beasts would be unworthy of someone with Long Haochen’s Child of Light constitution.
• Ye Hua and Long Haochen travel north for fifteen days aboard the Mountain-Shaking Vulture. During the journey, Long Haochen continues cultivating and increases his spiritual energy by another sixty points.
• They arrive at the Knight Sacred Mountain, a region filled with exceptionally dense light elements.
• Before entering, they encounter Ye Hua’s hostile former martial brother, Ghost Shadow, and his arrogant son, Gui Wu. Ghost Shadow openly mocks Ye Hua and orders Gui Wu to harm Long Haochen inside the Sacred Mountain.
• Long Haochen senses that the Sacred Mountain’s light-element energy is at least five times denser than outside, making it an ideal place for his cultivation.

Character Development

• Long Haochen remains humble and straightforward despite possessing extraordinary talent. He is also tactful, initially hesitating to reveal his spiritual-energy level because he knows it will upset Ye Hua. His continued cultivation during the journey demonstrates his discipline.
• Ye Hua is forced to confront his jealousy and feelings of inferiority. Once proud of his own former achievements, he realizes that Long Haochen had surpassed him even before Sacred Awakening. Though shaken, he ultimately accepts Long Haochen’s exceptional potential and gives him practical advice.
• Ghost Shadow is established as arrogant, vindictive, and openly hostile toward Ye Hua. His instructions to injure Long Haochen reveal that the conflict between the adults may become a danger to the younger generation.
• Gui Wu mirrors his father’s arrogance and cruelty. He eagerly agrees to attack Long Haochen and threatens to break his limbs.

Significant Themes

• Talent and comparison: The chapter emphasizes how comparison can cause jealousy, insecurity, and emotional harm. Ye Hua’s phrase that “without comparison, there is no harm” reflects his painful realization that Long Haochen’s natural gifts are far beyond ordinary standards.
• Humility despite greatness: Long Haochen possesses overwhelming talent but does not boast about it. His calm attitude contrasts sharply with Ye Hua’s jealousy and Gui Wu’s arrogance.
• Cultivation and opportunity: The Knight Sacred Mountain’s concentrated light energy symbolizes a major opportunity for Long Haochen’s growth and mount selection.
• Rivalry and hostility: The encounter with Ghost Shadow and Gui Wu introduces a personal conflict that may threaten Long Haochen’s safety during the upcoming trial.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen’s candid answers unintentionally devastate Ye Hua, creating a humorous but revealing exchange between mentor and disciple.
• Ye Hua’s advice shows that, despite his jealousy, he recognizes Long Haochen’s extraordinary potential and wants him to obtain a mount worthy of it.
• Ghost Shadow deliberately provokes Ye Hua, while Ye Hua refuses to engage and leads Long Haochen away.
• Ghost Shadow and Gui Wu then discuss attacking Long Haochen, establishing them as antagonists before the pair even enters the Sacred Mountain.

Summary: “Entering the Sacred Mountain”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Hua warns Long Haochen not to cultivate inside Knight Sacred Mountain, since doing so could disrupt the light-element balance of the protective magic array. However, the dense light elements naturally accelerate the spiritual-energy vortex surrounding Long Haochen’s Spirit Furnace.
• At the mountain’s entrance, an imposing one-armed, one-eyed guardian demands their credentials. Ghost Shadow and his son, Gui Wu, arrive first and explain that they have come to select magical beast mounts.
• The guardian examines the credentials of both groups and is astonished by Long Haochen’s records, discovering that he became a Grand Knight before the age of thirteen.
• He tests Long Haochen personally and gives him a special token that identifies magical beasts by rank through different colors. The token also turns gold when an aggressive beast is nearby and will teleport Long Haochen out if he fails to find a companion within thirty days.
• The guardian reveals that Long Haochen has an additional privilege because of his exceptional cultivation speed: if necessary, the guardian can use the mountain’s peak teleportation array to summon a random magical beast from another plane as his mount.
• The guardian asks whether Hao Yue Sub-Temple is willing to report Long Haochen to the Temple for special training. Long Haochen refuses indirectly, explaining that his father, Long Xingyu, deliberately sent him to Hao Yue Sub-Temple to temper him rather than raise him in Holy City.
• The guardian realizes Long Haochen is Long Xingyu’s son and accepts his decision. Long Haochen then enters the Sacred Mountain.
• During five days of exploration, Long Haochen travels toward the mountain’s center. He encounters increasingly powerful beasts, progressing from Rank Two and Three creatures to Rank Five, Six, and even some Rank Seven beasts. Although many are instinctively attracted to him, none approaches because they feel unworthy of becoming his companion.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen demonstrates humility, discipline, and confidence. He remains respectful toward the guardian, trusts him not to cause harm, and firmly defends his choice to continue training under Ye Hua instead of seeking immediate Temple support.
• His extraordinary talent becomes publicly confirmed: he achieved the Grand Knight realm before thirteen, surpassing even the guardian’s memory of Long Xingyu at the same age.
• Ye Hua is shocked to learn that Long Haochen is Long Xingyu’s son. This explains Haochen’s unusual abilities and his earlier reluctance to formally acknowledge Ye Hua as his master.
• The guardian shifts from suspicion and routine inspection to deep admiration and personal investment in Long Haochen’s future, offering him special assistance because of his talent.
• Gui Wu is allowed to enter the mountain, while Ghost Shadow remains outside. His presence contrasts with Long Haochen’s exceptional status and the guardian’s intense interest in him.

Significant Themes

• Exceptional talent and expectations: Long Haochen’s unprecedented cultivation speed attracts attention and creates the possibility of special treatment, though he prefers to prove himself through ordinary training.
• Humility despite power: Though gifted and the son of a Divine Knight, Long Haochen behaves respectfully and does not assume he is entitled to a powerful mount.
• Self-directed growth: His choice to remain at Hao Yue Sub-Temple emphasizes the value he places on experience, discipline, and tempering rather than relying solely on elite resources.
• Compatibility and worthiness: The magical beasts are drawn to Long Haochen but avoid him because they consider themselves unworthy, foreshadowing the difficulty of finding a companion capable of matching his potential.
• Tradition and sacrifice: The scarred guardian represents the dangers and sacrifices associated with protecting the Knight Temple and its sacred institutions.

Character Interactions

• Ye Hua instructs and protects Long Haochen, while Long Haochen listens respectfully but asserts his independence.
• Ghost Shadow and Gui Wu’s formal introduction brings them into contact with the guardian and highlights the difference between ordinary applicants and Long Haochen.
• The guardian closely examines Long Haochen, tests him physically, gives him the identification token, and offers him special access to a summoned mount.
• Long Haochen respectfully thanks the guardian and explains his relationship with Long Xingyu, leading the guardian to withdraw his proposal for Temple intervention.
• After parting from Ye Hua, Long Haochen begins his solitary search through the Sacred Mountain, surrounded by beasts attracted to him but unwilling to approach.

Chapter Summary: “Star Unicorn King”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen crosses a mountain and discovers a lake surrounded by more than a dozen Star Unicorns, rare and powerful holy magical beasts.
• He approaches peacefully, storing his weapons to demonstrate goodwill.
• The largest unicorn recognizes something unusual in him. A mutual exchange of golden holy light takes place, creating a strong connection between them.
• The creature reveals itself to be the Star Unicorn King, an intelligent Eighth-Level Peak magical beast.
• Long Haochen asks the king to become his mount companion. However, the Star Unicorn King refuses—not because Long Haochen is unworthy, but because the unicorn believes itself unworthy of serving him.
• The king identifies Long Haochen as the Child of Light, whose extraordinary talent surpasses that of every magical beast on Knight Sacred Mountain. Even Ninth-Level beasts, it claims, lack the potential required to be his true companion.
• Disappointed, Long Haochen leaves, realizing that his exceptional talent may prevent him from finding a suitable mount through ordinary means.
• Gui Wu then appears riding a Red-Armored Earth Dragon and mocks Long Haochen for aspiring to obtain a Star Unicorn.
• Angered by both his recent rejection and Gui Wu’s insults, Long Haochen challenges him to a one-on-one duel.
• Gui Wu dismounts and accepts, preparing to fight with a shield and spear while his magical beast watches.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen: Demonstrates restraint, courtesy, and sincerity when approaching the unicorns. His disappointment after being rejected reveals the emotional burden of his overwhelming talent. Despite his anger toward Gui Wu, he remains tactically aware and tries to separate Gui Wu from his stronger mount before fighting.
• Star Unicorn King: Shows exceptional intelligence, humility, and loyalty. It admires Long Haochen’s holy aura but refuses to deceive him or accept a role it feels incapable of fulfilling.
• Gui Wu: Continues to display arrogance and hostility toward Long Haochen. His taunting provokes Long Haochen into confrontation, though he is confident enough to fight without relying on his mount.

Significant Themes

• The burden of exceptional talent: Long Haochen’s status as the Child of Light gives him extraordinary potential, but it also isolates him by making ordinary companions inadequate.
• Worthiness and humility: The Star Unicorn King reverses the usual relationship between knight and mount, believing that Long Haochen is so gifted that no beast on the sacred mountain deserves him.
• True companionship: The chapter emphasizes that a mount companion must possess talent and potential equal to its knight, rather than simply being powerful.
• Honor and restraint: Long Haochen approaches the unicorns respectfully and challenges Gui Wu under fairer conditions instead of recklessly fighting alongside the Red-Armored Earth Dragon.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen and the Star Unicorn King share a brief but powerful spiritual and emotional connection through their holy light auras.
• The king honestly explains why it cannot become Long Haochen’s companion, leaving Long Haochen disappointed but grateful.
• Gui Wu deliberately insults Long Haochen and his mentor, Ye Hua, provoking a hostile exchange.
• Long Haochen responds by challenging Gui Wu directly, setting up an imminent duel.

Chapter Summary: “A Fated Encounter (I)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen defeats Gui Wu after Gui Wu attacks him with Light Thorn, identifying Gui Wu as only a Third-Rank Knight.
• Using the Fourth-Rank skill Sun-Splitting Slash, Long Haochen easily shatters Gui Wu’s attack and sends him crashing into a tree.
• Long Haochen reveals that he has reached Grand Knight level and punishes Gui Wu by breaking his left arm, severing its tendons, and destroying its meridians, effectively crippling the hand.
• Gui Wu’s Red-Armored Earth Dragon attempts to attack Long Haochen but nearly crushes Gui Wu instead. Gui Wu escapes with the dragon by activating a teleportation token, vowing revenge.
• Long Haochen remains in the Knight Sacred Mountain for the rest of the thirty-day period, searching across the mountain range for a suitable mount companion.
• Despite exploring even the territories of Ninth-Level Magical Beasts, he finds no beast willing to form a contract with him. He also fails to locate the mysterious Austin Griffin.
• Although he gains no mount, the Sacred Mountain’s dense light elements naturally increase his spiritual power by approximately ninety points, bringing him close to the Sixth Rank.
• On the thirtieth day, Long Haochen is teleported out of the Sacred Mountain. Ye Hua and the mysterious old man are surprised and disappointed to see that he has returned alone.
• Since Long Haochen failed to obtain a mount companion naturally, the old man activates a special teleportation array capable of summoning magical beasts from parallel spaces.
• The trio arrives in a cave filled with pale-gold gemstones and ancient elvish inscriptions. The old man explains that Long Haochen has only fifteen minutes to form a contract with a summoned magical beast.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen demonstrates a more forceful and intimidating side. He responds decisively to Gui Wu’s cruelty, punishing him in the same manner Gui Wu intended to punish him.
• His combat ability has advanced significantly: he has reached Grand Knight cultivation before turning thirteen and is nearing the Sixth Rank.
• Despite his immense talent and status as the Child of Light, Long Haochen experiences frustration and uncertainty when no magical beast accepts him.
• He remains proud and self-controlled, rejecting the idea of attracting a mount by howling dramatically because he considers it unbecoming.
• Long Haochen retains confidence in his fate and luck, believing that the summoning array may still provide him with a powerful companion.
• Gui Wu is exposed as arrogant and cowardly. After provoking Long Haochen, he is quickly defeated and forced to flee, though he leaves with a desire for revenge.
• Ye Hua and the mysterious old man become concerned and confused by Long Haochen’s failure to obtain a mount, since his talent should have made the process easy.

Significant Themes

• Talent versus destiny: Long Haochen possesses extraordinary power and the Child of Light physique, yet even his natural advantages do not guarantee a mount companion.
• Pride and dignity: Long Haochen refuses to humiliate himself to attract a magical beast, emphasizing his strong personal standards.
• Consequences and justice: Gui Wu’s threats and aggression are returned upon him, with Long Haochen enforcing a harsh form of retribution.
• Luck and fate: The chapter shifts from Long Haochen’s failed search to the possibility that fate will guide him through the unpredictable summoning array.
• Mystery and anticipation: Austin Griffin remains hidden, while the parallel-space teleportation array introduces the possibility of an unexpected and powerful encounter.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen and Gui Wu clash directly, with Long Haochen overwhelming him and mocking his earlier threats.
• The Red-Armored Earth Dragon’s attempted intervention almost kills Gui Wu, underscoring its impulsiveness and lack of control.
• After returning, Long Haochen speaks respectfully with the mysterious old man and gives Ye Hua only a brief explanation for his failure.
• The old man warns Long Haochen not to expect too much from the teleportation array, while Long Haochen privately remains optimistic about his chances.
• Ye Hua and the old man prepare to support Long Haochen in obtaining a mount through the final, highly uncertain method.

Chapter Summary: “A Fated Encounter (II)”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen begins the magical beast selection ritual by sitting at the center of the teleportation array in the Knight Sacred Mountain.
• The old man activates a golden token using the Radiant Body, a Seventh Tier Temple Knight skill that greatly amplifies sacred light spiritual energy. His immense aura suggests he may be a Ninth-Level Seventh Tier Temple Knight—or possibly even an Eighth Tier Holy Knight.
• The Ancient Elvish Script beneath Long Haochen reacts to the light energy. The Mysterious Spirit Furnace undergoes a violent fluctuation and formally fuses with him, emitting brilliant six-colored light.
• The furnace then releases a gray, deathly aura containing a hateful voice that condemns undead and necromancers. This voice causes the entire Knight Sacred Mountain to shake and activates its network of nine light-element arrays.
• Beneath the mountain, the disturbance awakens sixty-three ancient zombies sleeping in stone coffins within the “Eternal Heroes” cavern. Their leader, a female zombie known as Sister Shu, determines that the voice belongs to an existence far more powerful than them, potentially beyond a Ninth Tier, Ninth Level powerhouse.
• Sister Shu orders the other zombies to return to their coffins while she remains awake to explain the disturbance to the Temple’s investigators, likely including Yang Haohan.
• Once the mountain stabilizes, the old man completes the ritual. A huge golden vortex forms and envelops Long Haochen in a beam of light.
• He instructs Long Haochen that he will soon sense countless magical beast auras. Within fifteen minutes, Long Haochen must locate the nearest one and form an Equal Contract, or he will be unable to bring the beast into the human world.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen successfully fuses with the Mysterious Spirit Furnace, marking a major advancement in his abilities and deepening his connection to its unusual powers.
• The gray radiance and hateful voice reveal that the furnace contains a dangerous or mysterious undead-related presence, suggesting that Long Haochen’s powers may have consequences beyond his understanding.
• The old man demonstrates immense strength and expertise while overseeing the ritual. Although he senses the disturbance in the mountain, he misunderstands its true cause and believes the gray voice itself triggered the arrays.
• Sister Shu is established as the leader of the ancient zombies. She is calm, perceptive, and responsible, prioritizing the group’s concealment and the stability of the Knight Sacred Mountain.

Significant Themes

• Light versus darkness and the undead: The sacred light of the Knight Sacred Mountain clashes with the gray, resentful energy inside the Mysterious Spirit Furnace, linking Long Haochen’s growth to forces traditionally opposed to the Knights.
• Hidden power and unintended consequences: The ritual produces effects far beyond its intended purpose, awakening ancient beings and disturbing the mountain’s protective formations.
• Ancient secrets: The Eternal Heroes cavern and its sleeping zombies hint at forgotten history and powerful forces buried beneath the Knight Sacred Mountain.
• Fate and choice: Long Haochen is about to encounter numerous magical beasts, but success depends on recognizing and forming a contract with the right one within a strict time limit.

Character Interactions

• Long Haochen respectfully follows the old man’s instructions and accepts his guidance during the ritual.
• The old man warns Long Haochen about the conditions of the Equal Contract, emphasizing the urgency of his upcoming choice.
• The awakened zombies look to Sister Shu for leadership. She reassures them, interprets the danger, and orders them to return to their sleep.
• The chapter ends with Long Haochen isolated within the teleportation ritual, preparing for his fated encounter with a magical beast.

Chapter Summary: A Fated Encounter (III)

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Haochen’s soul enters a mysterious realm created by the Knight Sacred Mountain’s core formation. The realm consists of countless luminous clouds, each representing a parallel space, with individual points of light corresponding to magical beasts and their auras.
• He searches through the beasts’ emotions and spiritual signatures, but most react with fear, hostility, or rejection. As the quarter-hour limit approaches, Long Haochen’s spiritual power and consciousness begin to weaken.
• A particularly strong aura suddenly shows intense affection and familiarity toward him. It materializes as a lizard and speaks directly to Long Haochen, calling him by name.
• Long Haochen suspects that the lizard is Austin Griffin, the dangerous creature Feng Xiu warned him never to choose. He attempts to sever the connection, but the lizard forcibly establishes a contract despite his refusal.
• Long Haochen returns to his body exhausted, having completely depleted his Inner Spiritual Power. The creature appears as an ugly, injured, black-scaled lizard with a deathly aura.
• The lizard reveals that it has formed a Life-and-Death Contract with Long Haochen, meaning that if either of them dies, the other will also die.
• Ye Hua assumes Long Haochen has been saddled with a weak Earthfire Lizard and attempts to kill it. The lizard hides behind Long Haochen, while Long Haochen blocks Ye Hua’s attack.
• Long Haochen refuses to let Ye Hua kill his contracted partner, declaring that he accepts responsibility for his choice and will not violate the Knight Code’s principle of compassion.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen: Demonstrates exceptional willpower by enduring the formation beyond the normal limit, despite being only a Radiant Knight-level cultivator. He remains cautious because of Feng Xiu’s warning, but once the contract is formed, he accepts the consequences rather than abandoning or sacrificing the lizard. His compassion, loyalty, and sense of responsibility become especially clear.
• The lizard/Austin Griffin: Reveals extraordinary intelligence, spiritual power, and initiative by communicating telepathically and forcibly creating a contract. Its affectionate yet teasing behavior contrasts sharply with its ugly, wounded appearance and ominous aura, reinforcing the mystery surrounding its true identity.
• Ye Hua: Acts protectively and pragmatically, believing the lizard will become a burden and prevent Long Haochen from forming a better contract later. His willingness to kill it conflicts with Long Haochen’s interpretation of knightly compassion.

Significant Themes

• Fate versus personal choice: Long Haochen appears to encounter the lizard through fate, but he ultimately chooses to protect it and accept the consequences of their bond.
• Compassion and moral conviction: The chapter emphasizes that a knight’s principles apply even to weak, frightening, or inconvenient creatures.
• Trust and responsibility: Long Haochen refuses to abandon his partner once the contract is formed, even though it may endanger his future.
• Hidden identity and danger: The lizard’s intelligence, power, and ability to create a Life-and-Death Contract suggest that it is far more significant—and potentially dangerous—than its appearance indicates.

Character Interactions

• The lizard directly reaches out to Long Haochen, expressing that it has been waiting for him and desperately wants him as a partner.
• Ye Hua attempts to kill the lizard to protect Long Haochen from what he believes is a useless companion.
• Long Haochen physically intervenes and verbally defends the lizard, asserting his independence and insisting that Ye Hua respect his decision.
• The interaction establishes a tense conflict between Ye Hua’s practicality and Long Haochen’s compassion, while the lizard’s teasing mental voice adds an unsettling, intimate dimension to its bond with Long Haochen.

Chapter Summary: “Conversion of Attributes”

Key plot points and events

• Long Haochen chooses the apparently weak Level Two Earthfire Lizard as his mount partner, despite Ye Hua’s warning that it will put him at a disadvantage.
• The old man explains that the lizard’s Dark Constitution prevents it from leaving the Knight Sacred Mountain, since the Light Grand Formation would destroy it and the contract cannot transport it elsewhere.
• The lizard reveals that Long Haochen’s light-attributed blood can cleanse its Dark Constitution through the Blood-Exchange Method. Because their Life-and-Death Contract links their lives, Long Haochen agrees to take the risk.
• Long Haochen activates the contract and cuts his wrist, allowing his blood to flow into the contract rune on the lizard’s back.
• The process causes intense pain to both of them. The lizard’s dark aura gradually disappears, its wounds heal, and its black scales develop a golden sheen. Meanwhile, Long Haochen becomes dangerously weak from blood loss.
• Despite nearly collapsing, Long Haochen perseveres. The lizard’s Dark Constitution is ultimately replaced completely, and it catches Long Haochen when he loses consciousness.

Character developments

• Long Haochen demonstrates his compassion, resolve, and willingness to sacrifice himself for a seemingly weak creature. Although he doubts the lizard and fears the danger it may bring, he refuses to abandon it once their contract has been formed.
• His attitude toward the lizard changes during the ritual. He begins by seeing it as an uncertain burden but gradually senses the genuine bond between them and accepts it as a brother.
• Austin Griffin/the Earthfire Lizard displays exceptional pride, endurance, and loyalty. It withstands the cleansing without surrendering and is deeply moved by Long Haochen’s willingness to risk his life for it.
• Ye Hua and the old man are shocked by Long Haochen’s decision, since he is endangering himself for a creature that appears to be only a weak Level Two monster.

Significant themes

• Sacrifice and loyalty: Long Haochen risks severe injury or death to save his partner, showing that true bonds are proven through self-sacrifice.
• Trust despite uncertainty: Haochen does not know whether Austin Griffin will bring fortune or disaster, yet chooses to trust the contract and the creature’s promise.
• Transformation and renewal: The Blood-Exchange Method physically and symbolically changes the lizard, replacing darkness with light and giving it a new chance to leave the mountain.
• Brotherhood beyond blood: Although Long Haochen has no biological siblings, the contract creates an intense brotherly connection between him and the lizard.

Character interactions

• Ye Hua warns Long Haochen against choosing the lizard, while the old man explains why the creature cannot leave without undergoing the dangerous transformation.
• The lizard directly persuades Long Haochen by explaining their shared life-and-death fate and promising to become his brother.
• During the ritual, the lizard encourages Long Haochen to endure, while Long Haochen’s actions prove his commitment to their bond.
• At the end, the lizard reverses their earlier dependence by catching Long Haochen as he collapses, demonstrating that their relationship has become mutual rather than one-sided.

Chapter Summary: “Another Reborn”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Long Haochen completes his mission in Knight Sacred Mountain, the Earthfire Lizard begins a mysterious evolution.
• Violet energy erupts from its body, causing it to grow dramatically and sprout a second head. Its strength rises from the middle of Level Two to the middle of Level Four—an unprecedented leap of eight stages.
• The new creature is revealed to possess two different attributes: the original head retains its gray, destructive nature, while the new head carries the light attribute.
• The lizard injures the tip of its own tail and uses its violet blood to reinforce Long Haochen through their contract. The infusion restores Long Haochen’s strength and transforms his bloodline.
• The creature names itself Haoyue, after Long Haochen’s name.
• Long Haochen, Ye Hua, and the old man leave Knight Sacred Mountain. During the journey, Long Haochen privately questions Haoyue about its true identity.
• Haoyue confirms that it was originally Austin Griffin, the God of Damnation and a terrifying symbol of destruction.
• Haoyue explains that the Time-Space Stone reversed time. During this reset, it preserved its memories and destructive power, allowing it to be reborn in a weaker initial form.
• Haoyue reveals that it and Long Haochen were once brothers and allies in the previous timeline, and that it deliberately waited for Long Haochen to summon it again.
• It also clarifies that Feng Xiu did not kill Austin Griffin. Rather, Austin Griffin’s death resulted from a scheme involving the Creator God.
• Haoyue says it will not oppose the Demon Race for the time being and promises to reveal the larger truth once Long Haochen reaches the Ninth Tier and approaches godhood.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen: Gains renewed strength through Haoyue’s blood and learns that his bonded companion has an immense history and power. He becomes aware of how limited his own understanding and strength are, leaving him shocked and humbled.
• Haoyue/Austin Griffin: Evolves into a powerful two-headed creature and establishes a deeper identity beyond the Earthfire Lizard. It is shown to possess immense knowledge, loyalty toward Long Haochen, and a hidden connection to the previous timeline.
• Ye Hua and the old man: Witness Haoyue’s impossible evolution and are left stunned by its power and unusual nature.
• Feng Xiu: His past actions are recontextualized. His knowledge of Austin Griffin and his protection of Long Haochen suggest that he remembers the previous timeline and understands the dangers surrounding Haoyue.

Significant Themes

• Rebirth and altered destiny: The chapter introduces time reversal and the possibility of preserving memories and power across lifetimes.
• Loyalty and brotherhood: Haoyue’s decision to remain connected to Long Haochen reflects a bond that survived death, time, and the destruction of the previous world.
• Hidden identities and revelations: The seemingly ordinary Earthfire Lizard is revealed to be Austin Griffin, a legendary being whose true nature has been concealed.
• The limits of human understanding: Long Haochen realizes that events involving the Creator God, time, and godhood are far beyond his current level.
• Power and transformation: Haoyue’s physical evolution and the infusion of its blood into Long Haochen symbolize the protagonists’ growing connection and future potential.

Character Interactions

• Haoyue communicates telepathically with Long Haochen, reassuring him during the evolution and asking him not to betray it again, hinting at unresolved events from the former timeline.
• Long Haochen gently accepts Haoyue despite its frightening origins and questions it about its name, history, and relationship with Feng Xiu.
• Haoyue explains the past while deliberately withholding details about the Creator God’s conspiracy, telling Long Haochen that he must become stronger before learning the full truth.
• Ye Hua and the old man silently observe Haoyue’s transformation, their shock emphasizing how extraordinary its evolution is.

Chapter Summary: “Everything Was Normal!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After another fifteen days, Ye Hua brings Long Haochen back to Hao Yue Sub-Temple, completing a month-long round trip. Combined with his month at Knight Sacred Mountain, two months have passed.
• Long Haochen undergoes another spiritual-energy test with Nalan Shu, Ye Hua, and Li Xin watching. His spiritual energy has risen from 1,014 to 1,901, an astonishing increase of 887 points.
• When questioned about his progress, Long Haochen innocently insists that “everything was normal,” frustrating and shocking the others. Ye Hua leaves in exasperation.
• Haoyue explains that the Life-and-Death Contract between them causes their powers to strengthen one another. This accounts for part of Long Haochen’s rapid growth.
• While meditating, Long Haochen realizes that the newly fused Mysterious Spirit Furnace is also greatly accelerating his cultivation. His spiritual-energy vortex revolves faster, and he encounters almost no bottlenecks after reaching the Fourth Tier.
• The Spirit Furnace reveals itself as the Six Desires Spirit Furnace. A gray sphere of resentment within it awakens and speaks to Long Haochen.
• The mysterious spirit claims that powerful undead are hidden beneath Knight Sacred Mountain, despite its sacred status.
• The spirit also reveals that the Six Desires Spirit Furnace once belonged to the ancient Glorious Church and was a qualification for becoming pope.
• Long Haochen tells the spirit that the Glorious Church and the three great empires disappeared after the Demon God Pillars descended six thousand years ago, beginning the Dark Era.
• Enraged by the fall of humanity, the spirit blames an ancient necromancer for weakening mankind and asks Long Haochen about his Innate Internal Spiritual Energy. Upon learning it is ninety-seven, the spirit explains that this is why the Six Desires Spirit Furnace accepted him.
• The chapter ends with Long Haochen asking the spirit to explain the Spirit Furnace’s abilities and history.

Character Developments

• Long Haochen experiences extraordinary advancement and begins to understand that his growth results from both Haoyue’s contract and the Six Desires Spirit Furnace.
• His curiosity deepens as he investigates the Spirit Furnace, Knight Sacred Mountain, the undead, and the lost Glorious Church.
• Long Haochen remains sincere and straightforward, even when his achievements are so abnormal that others find his modest claim—“everything was normal”—comically unbelievable.
• Haoyue demonstrates greater intelligence and provides important information about the Life-and-Death Contract.
• Ye Hua becomes overwhelmed by Long Haochen’s seemingly impossible progress, reacting with disbelief and leaving to escape the emotional strain.
• Nalan Shu and Li Xin are likewise stunned by Long Haochen’s rapid improvement.
• The mysterious spirit’s identity and history begin to emerge. It was likely an exceptionally powerful figure from the Glorious Era, possibly even its pope.

Significant Themes

• Rapid growth and extraordinary destiny: Long Haochen’s unusual talent and powerful bonds place him far beyond normal cultivators.
• Mutual dependence: The Life-and-Death Contract shows how Haoyue and Long Haochen’s strengths are linked, making their partnership a source of shared advancement.
• Ancient secrets resurfacing: The Six Desires Spirit Furnace connects Long Haochen to the lost Glorious Church and reveals hidden truths about the continent’s past.
• The legacy of history: The fall of the Glorious Era and the rise of the Demon Race continue to shape the present.
• Sacredness versus hidden danger: Knight Sacred Mountain, considered holy by the Knight Temple, may conceal terrifying undead beneath its surface.
• Resentment and memory: The spirit’s lingering hatred demonstrates how powerful emotions can survive death and influence the living.

Important Character Interactions

• Long Haochen and Haoyue: Haoyue explains the Life-and-Death Contract, changing Long Haochen’s view of its value and making him more appreciative of Haoyue.
• Long Haochen and Ye Hua: Ye Hua reacts with disbelief to Long Haochen’s test results and is emotionally overwhelmed by his disciple’s abnormal progress.
• Long Haochen, Nalan Shu, and Li Xin: They witness the astonishing spiritual-energy increase and struggle to accept that it occurred naturally.
• Long Haochen and the mysterious spirit: Their conversation reveals the Six Desires Spirit Furnace’s origins, the existence of hidden undead, and the lost history of the Glorious Church. Their discussion establishes a new mystery that Long Haochen is determined to investigate.