Ch. 361Volume Five: A World of Possibilities — The Battle to Defend Luo Hotel (Part One)
Plot points and events
- After a major seasoning sale in the Saint Realm, Luo Qian receives a Star Chart Stone from Tie E. Tie E sets destinations for both his planet and Bintie Saint Market, allowing Luo Qian to return directly to either location on future trips.
- Back in the Immortal Realm, Luo Qian learns that the Demon Realm campaign is going well: Sean and Meng Qing have seized nearly half the realm, including much of the fertile Blood-Washed Plains Belt.
- A new crisis has erupted at Luo Hotel. Three thousand Demon Wolf Light Cavalry have besieged it, demanding money and threatening to loot it. Zhang Zhao sends an urgent plea for help.
- While Luo Qian was away, Pei Sefei and Xie Tang consulted Li Feier and Zhu Ke’er; Xie Tang also sought support from the Lu Household. Lu Zhen brought 300 Demonic Cultivators to the Demon Realm.
- Luo Qian recruits Lu Kuangtao’s support. The household head agrees to send 1,500 more Demonic Cultivators, seeing the expedition as both a military campaign and a chance for them to train in the Demon Realm’s rich demonic energy.
- Luo Qian and Lu Kuangtao reach Luo Hotel with the first 500 reinforcements. They arrive during another assault, as the cavalry has broken onto the walls. The fresh Demonic Cultivators overwhelm the cramped ramparts and begin turning the battle, disabling the wolves and bringing down their riders.
Character developments and interactions
- Luo Qian grows more confident in his influence and status. Rather than visiting Lu Kuangtao himself, he summons him, reflecting their new standing as near equals. He also acts decisively to defend the hotel and support his Demon Realm allies.
- Tie E remains a helpful mentor, giving Luo Qian a practical means of navigating the Saint Realm.
- Lu Kuangtao agrees readily to commit forces, motivated by the Demonic Cultivators’ training prospects as well as the campaign. His household’s participation offers its surviving members a chance to grow stronger after heavy past losses.
- Xie Tang and Pei Sefei demonstrate initiative by organizing a response during Luo Qian’s absence. Xie Tang’s connection to the Supreme Pure Emperor helped secure Lu Kuangtao’s cooperation, though Luo Qian does not know this.
- Zhang Zhao and the defenders have held out under severe pressure. Lu Zhen’s original 300 Demonic Cultivators and the hotel guards have suffered heavy casualties before the reinforcements arrive.
Significant themes
- Alliance and mutual benefit: Luo Qian’s enterprises, the Lu Household, and the Demon Realm’s campaign are bound together by shared interests.
- Growth through conflict: The expedition offers Demonic Cultivators a dangerous but valuable path to advancement; survival will shape their future standing.
- Leadership and loyalty: Luo Qian’s allies respond to the hotel’s crisis even while he is away, and he in turn commits substantial forces to protect them.
- Adaptation in battle: The Demon Wolf Cavalry’s unusual wall-climbing tactics are countered when the narrow ramparts deny them room to maneuver and favor the Demonic Cultivators’ close-quarters strength.