Ch. 221Zhang Lexuan Learned the Truth, the Selection Tournament Was About to Begin
Key plot points and events
- Tian Chen gives Zhu Lu the Netherworld Heart, an external soul bone suited to her martial soul, presenting it as a symbol of his love. Overcome with emotion, Zhu Lu accepts it and becomes intimate with him.
- Zhu Lu reflects on how poorly Dai Huabin treated her and resolves to leave that past behind, believing Tian Chen has shown her what it means to be cherished.
- At Shrek, Mu En assigns Xuan Zi to oversee the upcoming Soul Master Tournament selection, warning him to avoid repeating earlier mistakes and to pay attention to candidates previously discussed by the Sea God Pavilion.
- Zhang Lexuan confronts Mu En about how he found her and how her family died. Mu En repeats his old story—that the Li Family killed them over business disputes—but refuses to answer further and tells her to treat Shrek as her home.
- His evasiveness confirms Zhang Lexuan’s suspicions that Mu En was responsible for her family’s deaths and had lied to her. She returns to her room, destroys things associated with him, and declares herself free of him.
Character developments
- Zhu Lu shifts her loyalty away from Dai Huabin and embraces her relationship with Tian Chen, though her belief that his desire proves his love suggests deep insecurity.
- Zhang Lexuan moves from suspicion to certainty about Mu En’s betrayal. Her grief turns into anger and a determination to live independently.
- Mu En maintains a composed façade but becomes tense when questioned, then privately reassures himself that his secret remains undiscovered.
- Xuan Zi is tasked with running the selection tournament, though the scene leaves doubt about how carefully he will follow Mu En’s instructions.
Significant themes
- Betrayal and truth: Mu En’s refusal to answer exposes the gap between the story he told Zhang Lexuan and what she now believes happened.
- Freedom and self-determination: Zhang Lexuan’s outburst marks her rejection of Shrek’s authority and the identity built around Mu En’s protection.
- Love and vulnerability: Zhu Lu experiences affection after Dai Huabin’s neglect, but her willingness to equate sexual desire with love reveals how vulnerable she remains.
- A new beginning: The upcoming tournament selection points toward the next stage of events at Shrek.
Character interactions
- Tian Chen’s gift and affection contrast sharply with Dai Huabin’s past exploitation of Zhu Lu.
- Mu En gives Xuan Zi tournament responsibilities and cautions him based on previous failures.
- Zhang Lexuan presses Mu En for the truth; his guarded answers deepen her distrust and prompt her final break from him.