Well, it could be seen as both. It depends on how you interpret the character's development and the story's cues. Sometimes, hints are dropped that make it a bit expected, but the reveal can still shock you.
Chapter 146, "Rage, Murder, Ferocity", is the clearest early answer because it pushes Cold Resistance Level into a new phase or setting. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Hearing He Gang's words, He Meng touched his own ear, a flash of... and follows through with Just fine, I'll take care of you all together!.
Chapter 115, "New Earth-digging Realm, Enhance Mining Efficiency [Three-in-One]", is the clearest early answer because Rogel Camp finally turns buildup into a real advancement. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Since contributions vary, the emergence of hierarchy and comparison... and ending on When he looked up, his flushed face was full of astonishment..
Chapter 153, "The Terrifying Hue of the Dense Forest, The Shadow of Mirror Immortal Gu", is the clearest early answer because it turns Yi Blade's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Xia Hong's murderous intent was intense, not holding back in the... to As if confirming something, his face was instantly filled with....
Chapter 107, "The Tremendous Peril of the North Slope Cliff【3-in-1 Mega Chapter】", is the clearest early answer because it turns Great Xia's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, If we still can't find them in Redwood Ridge tonight, we'll have to.... By the end, Their stations are quite similar to the slope where Great Xia was....
Chapter 123, "Arrow Bamboo Forest, Rat King, New Camp", is the clearest early answer because the buildup finally cashes out in a real clash. It opens with Facing such an overwhelming victory, Xia Hong couldn't help but feel... and closes on Not to mention, it shot out directly from underground!. The key payoff is that the chapter closes with At this moment, Xia Chuan had placed the unconscious Luo Yuan on the ground.
Chapter 508, "Mapping Out The Forest", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Not with birdsong—there were none bold enough to sing here—but with a..., but the pressure keeps building through Somehow, he'd managed to sleep after all that carnage..
Chapter 474, "A Spar With Soldiers", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with Seliah swallowed after hearing what Damien had replied with. and closes on The next, it was inches from the man's face, its low, furious rumble.... The key payoff is that the chapter closes with "Come., which gives power growth a stronger narrative position and pushes the power growth onward.
Chapter 122, "Finally Started to Withdraw【Three in One】", is the clearest early answer because it turns Redwood Ridge's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from The broadsword can be used, but against a swarm of rodents, its... to The lead two rodents were nailed by the Iron Arrows, the poison sacs....
Chapter 114, "New House, New Rules, New Starting Point [Four-in-One Mega Chapter]", is the clearest early answer because it turns Mu Dong's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Leader, this way..." Mu Dong gestured invitingly, leading Xia Hong... to Eight more ordinary ones were placed on both east and west sides,....
Chapter 101, "The Excitement of New Clothes", is the clearest early answer because it turns Beast Skin Skirts's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on It's not that Xia Hong is particularly handsome. and ending on Besides, clothing is not a particularly scarce resource.. In story terms, the chapter closes with Shi Qing's son, Shi Ping., which gives Beast Skin Skirts a stronger narrative position and pushes the power growth onward.