Is Chapter 216 where the story finally cashes in the rescue setup around Xia Hong?Chapter 216, "Great Medicine, Going Out, Turmoil in Longyou (Part 2)", is the clearest early answer because the rescue effort creates visible on-page results. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Looking at the person directly across from the big pot, still talking... and follows through with Old Chen, long time no see..
If readers keep asking about Cold Beast, is Chapter 169 the chapter you would send them to first?Chapter 169, "Trade, Bamboo Silk, Regaining Focus", is the clearest early answer because it turns Cold Beast's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Xia Hong nodded, a smile appearing on his face, "It's fine." Hearing... and ending on Casualties were only about ten people at most.. In story terms, it converts Cold Beast into a tangible resource or opportunity, which changes the balance of leverage for Xia Chuan and the surrounding arc.