The story makes effective use of the "stupid girl" trope. The hero calls her stupid. But she's not actually stupid. She's misled. He sees her potential. It's a love language. He insults her but helps her. It's a dynamic that works well. It creates tension in dialogue but warmth in action. I am a sucker for this dynamic.
The writing has a very cinematic quality to it. I can visualize the scenes so clearly: the snow outside the window in the dark bedroom, the warm orange glow of the nightlight, the way Fu Si Yan's glasses reflect the light. The author uses sensory details to build mood. The quiet of the studio at night, the sound of the phone buzzing, the cold touch of the glass door. It feels like watching a movie with a very specific visual style.
Sometimes the dialogue feels a bit too modern or direct for a historical setting but considering this is a fantasy novel with reincarnation and spirits I'll let it slide.
The other nations' failures are a great narrative device. Watching the Kimchi Nation guy die immediately after following the "ex-girlfriend" rule was brutal but educational. It taught me and Chi Mu a vital lesson at the same time. The author uses these deaths as a way to test theories without needing an exposition dump.
I'm hooked. The dark tone, the desperate protagonist, the gross but cool evolution system. It feels like Pet Taming meets body horror meets revenge fantasy. I genuinely want to see where this goes, especially if the author keeps taking risks with the edgy content.