He does go through a major redemption arc, aside from the SA, he's a very morally grey character based off his back story which is super dark.
There's basically a major plot twist which will explain his horrible unjust hatred for Chu Wanning and why he became Taxian-Jun.
Again it doesn't excuse what he did but it does add some background to it. (Also yes he is a huge idiot)
Honestly, going by the official novel, his redemption arc really starts in novel 3 and you truly see his change of character by 4.
The ending I felt like it wasn't enough with the amount of torture that most characters go through, it felt a bit rushed ykno? I was told there would be a happy ending but it felt more bittersweet.
Overall this novel is truly dark, I don't recommend it to you. I think if you want MDZS related stuff, a good start would be reading other MXTX novels like Heavenly Official Blessings or SVSSS.
I hope this helps! (as someone who finished the novel yesterday)
Based on what I read so far, I can only describe him as morally dark :(
I don't mind reading some dark stuff, but this just has tooo much explicit dark stuff. I at least need the abuser to suffer and grovel (Even then I sometimes don't feel they deserve forgiveness. Especially in r@pe cases.) and an extraordinary redemption arc for such works. But based on your comment, that doesn't seem to be the case :(
I think I will skip this. Thanks for providing more information on this though :)
Yeah. I read all of MXTX works, truly love them :)
I liked MDZS and was looking for similar novels. I started reading this because someone recommended this. Big mistake. I honestly could not continue with this. Too much r@pe and torture.
And what's with Mo Ran... is he an idiot... How oblivious can one be about their own thoughts.. I understand he did not know about Waning's feelings or his effort.. It's understandable he is oblivious about that.. but your own feelings.. And how does that give him any right to trample on other people.
Even after reincarnation he is the same idiot. He still has disgusting thoughts and gets jealous and irrationally possessive. The plot is too rape and rape thoughts centric and romance (from Waning's side. I don't understand why you would have to put up with that shit just because you love him).
I read in the comments that he does change for the better, but I am not sure if it's worth reading the whole thing for the redemption.