The way the Merit System describes itself as "a part of the laws of numerous small worlds" had me laughing out loud. And Rui Bu Si immediately responds by throwing the exact same grandiose nonsense back in its face, claiming she's part of a goddess who just needs five hundred gold coins to save the universe. It's so subversive and witty. Both the system and she know they're full of it, but the game is playing along with the pretense. That dynamic, where nobody is naive about the scam, feels super fresh and self-aware. You don't get that kind of metahumor often in this genre, and it promises a fun ride.
I like that the teacher doesn't just accept the weird stuff. She’s angry, she punishes them, she reacts like a real authority figure would. Too many novels make adults blind to the supernatural. This felt more realistic.
The system stats are interesting, but I’m not sure how they’ll balance out. “Fine Forging Edge” giving armor-piercing to a simple steel sword? That’s huge. And “Commander’s Momentum” boosting morale? If he keeps unlocking stuff, he might become unstoppable. I hope the author doesn’t make it too easy because the world seems harsh enough to keep things tense.
Let's talk about the "Star-awakened" person. The golden hair and eyes as markers of a special race – that's a bit of a trope, but it works here because the character himself is just a nice guy doing his job. He's gentle, he's patient with the scared kids, and he clearly has a personal stake in finding a gifted child (the chance to become their guide and get a better job). He's not just an exposition machine; he has motivations. I liked that the story showed his excitement when he realized Su Ninglong might be special. It made him feel human rather than just a plot device.
Helian Yao Kai is my favorite character so far. The cold-faced detective who melts the second he sees his niece? Yes, please. His awkward attempt at braiding her hair—leaving it lopsided but being so proud—is such a dad move. And the fact that the narration says “if anyone saw him smiling, they’d have a heart attack” made me chuckle. It’s a classic trope but well executed here because his grief is still palpable.
0398 is the best character in the opening chapters. She’s the only one who immediately recognizes the trap and takes desperate action. Crawling through the vents, getting caught, covered in dust. She is angry and smart and I hope she becomes a recurring ally rather than a casualty for motivation.
The translation of this novel is quite respectable and conveys the essence of the original text well. However, I do believe there are notable issues with the narrative itself, which initially held great potential but ultimately fell short due to poor execution. One of the primary concerns I have is with the depiction of the so-called villainous acts within the story. These actions, which are presented as malevolent or morally reprehensible, often lack the depth and complexity that would make them truly villainous. Instead, they come across as superficial and fail to resonate with the audience on a deeper level. For a story to thrive, particularly in the realm of fantasy or wuxia, it's crucial that the characters' motivations are compelling and that their actions reflect a well-thought-out moral framework. Unfortunately, in this instance, the villain's motivations feel shallow, which diminishes the impact of their actions. Moreover, the stakes don’t seem high enough to warrant the supposed villainy. The conflicts and antagonistic elements struggle to evoke the necessary tension that makes a story gripping. When a reader encounters what is meant to be a formidable adversary, it’s critical that the character is fleshed out and provides a real challenge to the protagonists, not merely a caricature lacking substance. In conclusion, while the translation has been done well and showcases the author's style to a reasonable extent, the core storyline could benefit immensely from a more profound exploration of its characters and the implications of their actions. With better development, this story has the potential to transform into something extraordinary.
The line “Huihui is very well-behaved, okay~ Sister~” with the tilde is so cute in writing. You can hear her whiny little voice. Xiao Qing’s weak “Okay~” right after shows she’s already wrapped around Huihui’s finger. Their bond feels instant but natural, like two lonely people finding each other.
To fellow commenters: If you wish to adjust your rating, simply refresh the page and click on the star rating once more—I found that useful! As an avid fan of survival game novels, I've always appreciated a clever main character who not only navigates challenges with wit but also unravels complex puzzles along their journey. Sadly, this novel falls short of those expectations. It feels as though the author has taken a rather lackadaisical approach to crafting a story that demands intelligence and depth. Instead of weaving together a rich tapestry of intrigue, they appear to have resorted to a rather lazy formula, throwing in a hodgepodge of the most clichéd tropes found in contemporary Chinese web novels—highlighted by the ubiquitous "S-class golden finger cheat skill." Why engage in intellectual challenges when one can simply bypass them with an overpowering cheat? This novel embodies that philosophy, opting to bulldoze through any remaining hurdles rather than allow for any genuine problem-solving or clever maneuvering. Furthermore, there is a noticeable propensity for nationalism within the narrative. Although I'm typically indifferent to such themes—each story can have its own unique flavor—this particular author seems to have taken things to an extreme. The level of exuberance for national pride comes across as not only excessive but also nauseating, bordering on blatant pandering. It feels as if the author is attempting to attract a broad readership by flooding this novel with an array of elements they deem “popular,” aiming to set themselves apart from the sea of mediocre offerings available. Unfortunately, instead of achieving this goal, they've inadvertently managed to create a work that stands out for all the wrong reasons, resulting in a novel that feels almost exclusively poor in quality. In conclusion, while I had high hopes for this story given my enthusiasm for the genre, the execution leaves much to be desired. It’s a missed opportunity that ultimately contributes to an overall lackluster reading experience.