Let's discuss some questions.

I’ve seen some friends mention in their release comments that the protagonist is too saintly. How should I put it? The protagonist I designed sees himself as a good person, but in reality, he has a somewhat extreme personality and isn’t afraid to face trouble. As his source energy level rises and his abilities improve, his character only grows more intense.

If anyone feels the protagonist is overly virtuous, I can only say the author didn’t portray him well enough. My apologies.

Also, more than once I’ve seen friends say that I restrict the protagonist’s Devourer ability, and that the introduction of breakthrough materials and source energy corruption is just to suppress him.

As for the Devourer ability—I won’t say much. It is indeed limited, because without that, the story simply couldn’t continue. If the protagonist became invincible just by consuming ghouls, that would be a cliché of invincible stories.

However, I do want to clarify the points about breakthrough materials and source energy corruption.

In fact, whether it’s breakthrough potions or corruption causing loss of sanity, these are common tropes—not just in “The Mysterious Master” but in many similar works.

I even simplified the breakthrough potion into a single material for convenience.

Whether the protagonist is suppressed or not depends on the author’s intentions, not just the settings themselves.

Take this story as an example.

The protagonist has just overflowed his first realm when he receives a special mission and obtains breakthrough materials; he even picked up higher-level breakthrough materials earlier while still in the first realm.

Breakthrough materials do extend the plot and lay down foreshadowing, but I didn’t deliberately suppress the protagonist.

Moreover, although the protagonist’s degree of corruption is increasing, does that mean he’s given up or lacks opportunities for “plundering”?

The Investigation Bureau’s “Sealing” does impose restrictions, but I think that’s a very logical limitation. Devices powered by source energy are powerful and dangerous—if the Bureau didn’t regulate them, that would be a problem.

Aside from the Bureau’s source devices, the protagonist hasn’t lacked other source devices to plunder.

He’s received more than one from others.

Furthermore, as his source energy level rises and his abilities grow, this hints that the Investigation Bureau’s “Sealing” can be broken.

In fact, by the time this many chapters have been released, the protagonist’s growth is like a rocket—he can now easily defeat third realm opponents, while the highest realm in Biyang City barely reaches the fifth.

Is that suppression?

Sigh. After typing all this out to explain, I can only say I took this seriously, and taking it seriously means I lose.

Of course, writing is for the readers; if readers see problems, no amount of explanation from me will help. All I can say is I didn’t write well enough.

I can only ask for everyone’s understanding.

If you can’t accept it, then I can only say that’s unfortunate.

Also, if any single chapter has affected your reading experience, I sincerely apologize.

I will try not to post such standalone chapters again in the future.

PS: The next chapter might be a little delayed.