Chapter 221, "Spectacle, Threats, and Long Mountain's Intentions (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Li Xuanyan's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is If it weren't for their desperate fighting style, they wouldn't have..., but the pressure keeps building through Defeat and demise were only a matter of time, so he naturally....

Chapter 221, "Spectacle, Threats, and Long Mountain's Intentions (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Li Xuanyan's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is If it weren't for their desperate fighting style, they wouldn't have..., but the pressure keeps building through Defeat and demise were only a matter of time, so he naturally....
Chapter 221, "Spectacle, Threats, and Long Mountain's Intentions (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Longshan's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with If it weren't for their desperate fighting style, they wouldn't have... and closes on Nobody saw that in front, Li Xuanyan, hearing Li Xuanling speak with.... The key payoff is that the chapter closes with "Let's hope that Hou Hu is smart enough.
Chapter 855, "Threats (Part 1)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Althea's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 856, "Threats (Part 2)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Shrao's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 922, "The true intentions", is the clearest early answer because it turns Amon's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 849, "A Half-orc’s Threats", is the clearest early answer because it turns Baku's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 169, "Fridall Clan intentions", is the clearest early answer because it turns Alec's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 306, "Rebel Collaborators, Chaos and Opportunism, Long Mountain Changes Hands", is the clearest early answer because it turns Long Mountain's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Xia Hong's expedition to the north never intended to capture Long..., but the pressure keeps building through His sole purpose was to besiege Long Mountain to force Li Xuanling to....
Chapter 306, "Rebel Collaborators, Chaos and Opportunism, Long Mountain Changes Hands", is the clearest early answer because it turns Long Mountain's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Xia Hong's expedition to the north never intended to capture Long..., but the pressure keeps building through His sole purpose was to besiege Long Mountain to force Li Xuanling to....