The emotional beats are handled well. The moment with his brother inviting him to stay is a bit cheesy and predictable, but it works because the context is so grim. That one act of kindness from a starving family feels more powerful than a grand hero speech.
One thing that bugged me: how did Lin Che, who was barely conscious and poisoned, manage to climb out of a ten-meter-deep well just after spending five points? The system gave him strength, sure, but the scene felt a bit rushed. I wish there was a short moment of him testing his new body, feeling the power surge, before he triumphantly escaped. Still, the immediate twist with the crossbowmen was a good reality check.
Why does Ji Chuan keep going back to Gu Yunxi though? He says it’s to study her golden core, but honestly it feels like he’s just lonely. Feeding her, locking the gate, bringing supplies — that’s not just research. I ship them a little, even if she’s a dumb blonde stereotype. A zombie and his clueless survivor princess.