Joyous

Story context

Wang Chan thinks he has Han Li cornered—again—and decides to sacrifice a bit of essence blood to finish the job. But when he finally cuts through the fog, he finds Han Li has already activated a Talisman Treasure, shatters the blood-cloud, and bolts. The chase that follows is short-lived because Wang Chan suddenly realizes he’s been poisoned by the very blood-cloud he used to hunt. What should have been a clean kill turns into a facepalm-inducing escape, leaving both sides fuming with regret. Meanwhile, the Ghost Spirit Sect’s larger operation hits an unexpected snag when the Joyous Union Sect swoops in and snatches two prisoners. And poor Han Li? He gets conscripted by another sect before he can even make it home.

Why it matters

This chapter is a masterclass in Mortal Stream ironies. Wang Chan thinks he’s the predator, but he’s been poisoned by his own chase. Han Li thinks he’s escaped cleanly, but he immediately regrets not finishing the job. And right when Wang Chan is fuming over his losses, his own prisoners get stolen by a rival. The universe just loves to twist the knife. Han Li’s escape is clever—using the mist to buy time for a Talisman Treasure activation—but he’s not invincible; he lets a perfect killing chance slip by. That regret is what makes him feel real. Also, the author’s note at the end is a great window into web novel culture: real schedules, real apologies, and the grind of daily serialization. Don’t skip it.

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Source novel

A Record Of A Mortal S Journey To Immortality