Black

Story context

New chapter, new destination! After the intense battles of the last few arcs, our favorite traumatized couple is heading to the capital. Wait—did I say *couple*? Well, they're traveling together, so close enough. But as usual, the Dao-Twisted World isn't about to give Li Huowang a single peaceful night's sleep. The chapter opens with a deceptively quiet journey, but the moment they roll into a seemingly empty village, you *know* some folk-horror nonsense is about to kick off. Because when has a village full of cheerful, arm-band-wearing, chore-dancing peasants ever meant good news? Get ready, folks—it's time to see what brand of weekly nightmare the local god is cooking up tonight.

Why it matters

This chapter is a masterclass in setting, pacing, and atmospheric dread. It's the calm before the storm, the quiet rumble before the folk-horror jumpscare. Watch how the world-building does the heavy lifting here: the black armbands (a real historical mourning custom in China), the crumbling houses, the casual reference to the Heavenly Calamity—these details paint a vivid picture of a society broken by forces beyond its control. Li Huowang's own characterization shines through his actions: his gentle care for Bai Lingmiao, his small deceptions for practicality, and his cold confidence in his own combat ability. The real treat is the final scene: a dance in the dark. Who's this "Child-God"? What are they asking for? The chapter ends with a masterful hook, leaving you itching for the next chapter. This is the novel at its most subtle and effective—letting a single, eerie ritual tell a whole story of desperation.

Quick facts

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Source novel

Dao Gui Yi Xian