I’d like to see more of the sewer ecosystem. Are there other creatures? The text mentions insects and snakes briefly, but they aren’t used. Maybe later they’ll be obstacles or resources.
Fu Wenxiu's entrance was the best part of this chapter. The way the author sets him up as this powerful figure and then he just completely softens when he looks at Chi An. That shift from cold and authoritative to this quiet warmth is chef's kiss. You can immediately tell who his priority is and it's not his newly found biological brother.
I'm already starting to see a potential plot hole. If the ancient mirror's teleportation changes coordinates based on where Chen Jin dies, and he keeps dying in the same desolate spot...will he ever be able to move to a different, more treasure-filled part of Honghuang? Unless he figures out how to survive being crushed by gravity and heat long enough to walk somewhere new, it seems like he'll be stuck in that one patch of scorched rocks forever. That could be a serious limitation. 1
The awakening scene is awesome. First, the repeated failures make you think she might not awaken either, but then the instrument goes haywire with multiple talents. The description of green, cyan, purple lights and then a beam to the sky gave me chills. And then the black smoke and the registrar throwing glutinous rice! That moment is hilarious and perfectly captures how everyone sees her as something unnatural.
The panda eye situation is going to be a problem. In the apocalypse, having distinctive features like that makes you memorable. She's going to have to keep wearing those sunglasses or find some way to even out her tan. Priorities, I guess.
The pacing is pretty good so far. I was nervous about the rebirth trope dragging, but the author keeps things moving. There's no endless inner monologue about how to get revenge—she just acts. The tension when Mother Huang and Huang Fang leave the room, worrying about what they’ll do next, keeps me wanting more.
The humour often comes from Zhang’s self-awareness. He acknowledges he’s a “proper gentleman” while his body reacts honestly, which is funny. His thoughts about “only a fool refuses money” show his practicality. These little touches make his narration relatable. I find myself smiling at his internal commentary.
I really like how the story jumps right into the action with those kidnappers arguing. The dialogue feels raw and real – “We might as well have kidnapped that young widow” – that line alone tells you everything about their morals. Huihui’s cluelessness is both funny and worrying, like she has no idea how dangerous these guys are. That contrast sets the tone perfectly.