I’m actually kind of relieved that Hinami isn’t given a combat class. So many isekai protags become overpowered fighters right away. Here, she has a safe house and a protective shield. That forces the story to be more about survival and interaction than fighting. I can imagine her using her singing to befriend spirits or calm beasts. Maybe the “Garden” skill evolves to let her grow plants or create a sanctuary for others. That would be a lovely, peaceful direction — a contrast to the typical battle-heavy fantasy. Of course, there might still be action, but the foundation is non-violent. That appeals to me. I hope the author commits to that and doesn’t suddenly give her a sword. The challenge will be to make a non-combat protagonist engaging. But with the God watching and the point system, there’s potential for drama and growth.
The way he grabs her chin and asks if she's that eager... There's a deep hurt underneath all his anger. He's lashing out because he feels abandoned. It's classic rich guy with a broken heart behavior.
This novel is quite undeniably frustrating to read. It's long and often ploddingly slow-paced, revolving around essentially two recurring plot points that become tiresome rather quickly. Firstly, we have the main character (MC), who is so powerful that his strength and cultivation are often undetectable by others. This sets up an endless cycle where either the MC or his daughters face disrespect, only for those who disrespect them to be utterly shocked when they discover that the MC is, in fact, one of the most formidable beings to have ever existed. What follows is a repetition of the same theme: the MC, having mellowed out after fatherhood, chooses to remain passive, while the antagonists stubbornly cling to their disbelief, convinced that the stories surrounding the MC are exaggerated. They inevitably end up getting curb-stomped as a result. This scenario has played out dozens of times, becoming not just predictable, but also tiresomely repetitive. The second major plot point revolves around the MC and his ex-wife, who, despite being married for a millennium, have somehow never managed to learn how to communicate with one another. The MC is portrayed as a character who feels betrayed yet brimming with love and kindness for his family. However, this seemingly noble attribute only serves to make him appear oblivious to the emotional fallout of his relationship; he never once questions his ex-wife about the reasons behind their divorce. As a result, this paints the MC in a rather poor light—he seems to genuinely disregard the complexities of his past. Meanwhile, his ex-wife is depicted as somewhat dim-witted, further diminishing the emotional weight of the story. As the plot continues, readers are frequently left feeling detached and frustrated, especially when significant developments occur. Late spoilers reveal that the MC’s lack of communication isn't just a minor hiccup, but rather a fundamental flaw in his character. This lack of depth and understanding detracts from the overall richness of the narrative. In conclusion, while the premise of the novel holds promise, the execution falls flat. The repetitive nature of the conflict, alongside underdeveloped character dynamics, ultimately hinders the story's overall impact. The potential for a compelling narrative is overshadowed by an unrelenting cycle of predictable events that leave the reader craving a more layered and engaging experience.
The meeting with Song Xingwen was a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, his whole "I'm a Senior Tasker from the Space-Time Administration Bureau" spiel felt a little too convenient, like an NPC exposition dump. But the way he casually revealed her entire life story and watched her freak out was amusing. His smug "don't be nervous" energy is definitely giving off mentor vibes.
When she grabs the eagle's claws and climbs onto its back, I was holding my breath. Such a risky move. But she pulled it off. Then she yanks a tuft of feathers to assert dominance. The eagle's screech was both painful and ridiculous. I couldn't stop laughing. This is the most memorable trial scene I've read in a while.
1 I really appreciate that the cat didn't immediately accept the system and start power tripping, he actually questioned why he got it instead of his struggling owner and showed concern for the human he left behind, that keeps him grounded as a character with loyalty rather than a power-hungry protagonist.
I appreciate that the story doesn’t waste time on unnecessary description. The narration moves fast from one event to the next, but still pauses for important details like the old Taoist temple on the hill. That temple seems like a Chekhov’s gun; I bet Zhang will visit it eventually. The pacing keeps me engaged, and I never felt like skipping paragraphs.
I kind of wish the transmigration explanation was more unique. “Saves a child, dies, crosses over” is a common trope. But it’s executed cleanly, so I don’t mind too much.
The basketball hitting him on the head is such a classic trope, but I’m actually okay with it here because the nurse assuming it’s just academic stress is too real. Schools literally always blame everything on exam pressure. It sets up the premise cleanly without overcomplicating things. I appreciate that the author didn’t drag out the confusion phase. He adapted in three days, which feels realistic enough for a transmigration story. No pointless angst about being in a new body. Let’s get moving.
The humor is spot-on. The detail about Fu Chaoting making money from the competition tickets by selling expensive spots near the arena is a brilliant, cynical touch. It grounds the fantasy story in a bit of reality. People are going to profit from a big event. And the idea of people coming just to find a husband is hilarious and very clever world-building.