The author’s use of a first-person perspective? No, it’s third person limited through Lu An. We get his thoughts, which is great. We don’t get the father’s internal conflict until later when he kneels and says “it’s over.” That moment is powerful because for a second we see beyond his bluster. I would have liked a bit more of that earlier—maybe a hint that he loves his son but feels trapped. The line about “deceiving the sovereign” being worse than death gives a glimpse. I think the story could benefit from deeper POV switches, but for this section sticking with Lu An works. The narrative distance is close enough to his emotions that I feel his frustration and fear. The part where he “almost spat blood” hearing his sister really sets his character. I also like the little hints of his past life: mercenary, combat instincts. Those add mystery. I hope the author fills in his backstory eventually.
The crowd’s reaction to Lin Du’s talent was satisfying. Everyone dismissed her because she looked sickly, and then she turns out to have a once-in-a-lifetime spirit root. That classic reversal never gets old. It also sets her up as an underdog, which makes her successes feel earned even when she’s naturally talented.
I love how fast the story moves. We go from a weird dream to her grabbing a hoe and heading to the graveyard in like, two paragraphs. No dragging, no filler. The author knows we want to see if the grandpa’s gift is real or not, and they serve it up quick. That jade bracelet appearing under the wild chrysanthemum? Chills. It makes you wonder if all those old wives’ tales about dream messages have some truth.
The world-building with technology is a refreshing take. Usually, in a cultivation story, technology is either abandoned or treated as lesser. Here, the author says that tech and martial arts *combined* let humanity thrive. The fact that they have colonies on the Moon and Mars just 131 years after the spirit revival is a massive indicator of that synergy. It’s a cool way to have your cake and eat it too: cool sci-fi stuff *and* awesome kung-fu powers. 2
The 1974 setting adds a lot of depth. The feudal superstitions like ghost marriages and the lack of medical care make Yun An'an's situation even more desperate.
1 The subtle theme of isolation vs connection is strong in this section. Ye Qing is isolated by her family’s favoritism, and Shen Shuangyu is isolated by her entire household. Their bond through the screen feels like a lifeline for both. The author writes loneliness well without being melodramatic.
The emotional core of this story — a child trying to save her family and neighbors — resonates deeply. It makes you think about how lucky you are to have easy access to food. Ya Ya’s determination is inspiring and tragic at the same time. I was rooting for her from page one.
I appreciate that the author didn’t make Shougo instantly adapt to his new body or situation. He panics, he mutters to himself, he hesitates. When he operates the futuristic PC, it’s with Jowain’s muscle memory, but his own mind is still an office worker’s. That gap between what he knows and what he can do creates a lot of tension.