Chapter Summaries

Han Jiang and Xiao Yun fought Qiongqi, whose attacks forced them to flee into a mountain cave. After Qiongqi collapsed the cave around them, they escaped the rubble and prepared to flee again, with Xiao Yun’s power growing stronger.

• Han Jiang grabbed Xiao Yun and fled from Qiongqi’s attacks, while Xiao Yun unleashed blood-red Honkai Energy and wounded the beast more severely.
• Han Jiang carried Xiao Yun through the forest and into a cave as Qiongqi pursued them, destroying trees along the way.
• Han Jiang and Xiao Yun ran deeper into the cave when Qiongqi began demolishing the mountainside, then dug a small shelter in case the cave collapsed.
• Qiongqi blasted apart the mountain and trapped Han Jiang and Xiao Yun beneath the rubble, but Xiao Yun cleared space around them with water.
• Han Jiang persuaded Xiao Yun to escape with him before they considered fighting Qiongqi, and the two blasted through the rubble as the mountaintop burned.

Han Jiang and Xiao Yun fought Qiongqi until Chiyuan the Immortal arrived and killed the Demon Beast. After recovering at Mount Tai Xu, Han Jiang still could not convince Chiyuan that he wanted to leave Stigmata Space, while Xiao Yun grew close to her.

• Xiao Yun charged Qiongqi to keep it from harming more people, and Han Jiang followed to help him fight.
• Chiyuan the Immortal freed the prisoners trapped by the wildfire and went to confront Qiongqi.
• Chiyuan protected Han Jiang and Xiao Yun, then killed Qiongqi with a Taiji diagram.
• Han Jiang asked Chiyuan how to return from Stigmata Space, but she did not understand and brought the injured pair to Mount Tai Xu.
• Three days later, Xiao Yun recovered and spent time discussing martial arts with Chiyuan, while Han Jiang remained frustrated by his inability to leave.

Han Jiang learned that ten years had passed on Mount Tai Xu while he believed only weeks had gone by, and Xiao Yun left to travel Shenzhou before returning years later. As Han Jiang tried to understand the strange passage of time and Xiao Yun’s life, he dreamed of meeting her beneath the pine tree and questioned whether the scene was a dream.

• Chiyuan reforged Xiao Yun’s sword into the Divine Key Like Water, then sparred with Han Jiang and taught him fist techniques.
• After ten years on Mount Tai Xu, Xiao Yun told Han Jiang she wanted to travel the world and teach others to fight Demon Beasts, then left with Like Water.
• Chiyuan confirmed Han Jiang’s realization that time on the mountain differed from time in the outside world, and Han Jiang remained there until his cultivation stabilized.
• A month later, Xiao Yun returned to Mount Tai Xu after years of traveling and told Han Jiang about her experiences.
• Han Jiang dreamed of Xiao Yun’s life and then saw her beneath the pine tree, where she told him that only they could know whether it was a dream.

Han Jiang inherited Xiao Yun’s Stigmata after witnessing her memories, then returned to Fu Hua and began recovering and training. Ten days later, he told Fu Hua that Xiao Yun remembered her, and reassured her that he would preserve their memories.

• Xiao Yun explained that she had left her power as a Stigmata for Han Jiang and entrusted him to pass it on to someone worthy if he no longer needed it.
• Han Jiang absorbed Xiao Yun’s Stigmata, gained its combat boosts, and returned from the Stigmata Space.
• Fu Hua told Han Jiang that the Stigmata’s former owner’s consciousness would become dormant after inheritance, and that he had spent less than a day inside.
• Fu Hua led Han Jiang to a prepared training room, where he fell asleep from exhaustion and woke ten days later.
• Han Jiang told Fu Hua that Xiao Yun remembered her and their past, then promised to keep their good memories in his heart.

After waking from ten days of unconsciousness, Han Jiang trained in Fu Hua’s Tai Xu City and asked her for Herrscher cores to strengthen his weapon. Fu Hua revealed she had a batch of Divine Keys and warned him that their residual Herrscher wills could overwhelm their wielders.

• Fu Hua gave Han Jiang wonton noodles, then ordered him to train after he had eaten.
• Han Jiang used the training room’s simulation system to fight Deadwalkers and test his improved strength and Tai Xu Sword Qi.
• Han Jiang asked Fu Hua for an ultra-miniature Honkai reactor and learned she had a batch of Herrscher cores and Divine Keys.
• Han Jiang demonstrated his ability to store weapons in space and told Fu Hua he could control Jizo Mitama a little.
• Fu Hua warned Han Jiang that Divine Keys could drain a weak wielder’s Honkai Energy or control them, leaving him alarmed about Theresa’s earlier decision to give him Jizo Mitama.

Han Jiang tested the Key of Domination Divine Keys Like Water and the Crimson Spear, then used materials in Fu Hua's forging room to evolve his Tang Dao into twin four-star Pulse Tang Blades. He continued practicing weapon control and the Crimson Spear's abilities, wondering what its Zero Power could do.

• Han Jiang used Tai Xu Sword Qi to wield Like Water and the Crimson Spear, controlling the spear well enough for Fu Hua to let him keep it.
• Han Jiang asked Fu Hua about changing a Divine Key's shape, but she said he could not transform the Crimson Spear yet.
• Han Jiang went to Tai Xu City's forging room and used the system to evolve his Tang Dao into twin four-star Pulse Tang Blades.
• Han Jiang practiced combining his sword techniques, controlling Honkai Energy, and storing and drawing weapons.
• Han Jiang studied the Crimson Spear's ability to absorb and store different kinds of Honkai Energy and wondered about its Zero Power.

Han Jiang spent New Year's Eve with Fu Hua, encouraging her to share the burden of protecting Shenzhou, and the two shared a festive dinner. The next morning, Han Jiang received a system notice granting him a Sea of Quantum traversal experience card.

• Han Jiang finished integrating his new power and learned to transform the Divine Key into the horse-slaying saber he had wanted.
• Fu Hua told Han Jiang it was New Year's Eve, and he pulled her down to the county town to enjoy the celebrations and fireworks.
• Han Jiang told Fu Hua he wanted to protect Shenzhou alongside her, increasing her favorability and earning Cun Xin Fist Style LV1.
• Fu Hua prepared an eight-dish New Year's Eve dinner, setting out eight pairs of chopsticks for herself, Han Jiang, and people from her memories.
• The next morning, Han Jiang saw a system notice offering him a Sea of Quantum traversal experience card, and Fu Hua asked what was wrong.

Han Jiang returned to St. Freya and asked Theresa to erase records of the research into reviving Rin so no one could use them to endanger her. After school reopened, Kiana and Han Jiang set up a hot pot in the classroom during lunch.

• Han Jiang checked the system and found that his Sea of Quantum Traversal qualification had become an expired trial card, though the trial card itself could still be stored.
• Theresa told Han Jiang that Rin's clone would finish developing in half a month, and he asked her to erase all records of Rin's revival research.
• Theresa agreed to consider Han Jiang's request, weighing Rin's safety against the value of preserving the research and Yae Sakura's role in fighting the Honkai.
• After St. Freya reopened, Han Jiang attended classes and trained while Kiana complained about school and planned a classroom hot pot.
• Kiana unpacked her cooker and groceries, and Han Jiang helped her set up the hot pot and began eating with her.

Han Jiang, Kiana, Mei, Bronya, and Fu Hua dealt with the consequences of eating hotpot in the classroom, while Rin’s clone was finally prepared for the resurrection attempt. The chapter ended as Rin’s lingering soul entered the clone and everyone waited to see whether she would awaken.

• Kiana and Han Jiang ate hotpot in the classroom until Fu Hua ordered them to clean up and sentenced them to ten laps around the training ground.
• Kiana seemed pleased to skip class during the punishment, and she behaved herself for several days afterward.
• Theresa, Himeko, Yae Sakura, and Han Jiang gathered at night in the laboratory for Rin’s resurrection attempt.
• Himeko explained that Rin’s clone was fully grown, and Theresa confirmed that she had erased the cultivation data and disabled the room’s surveillance.
• Han Jiang awakened Rin’s lingering soul and helped it leave his body and enter the clone.
• Rin’s new body remained motionless, leaving Han Jiang, Yae Sakura, Theresa, and Himeko waiting anxiously for a sign of success.

Rin awakened in her newly cloned body, and Himeko confirmed that her vital organs were functioning normally before collapsing from exhaustion. After Himeko was taken to the hospital, she privately revealed to Theresa that her Artificial Stigmata was eroding her body and that she had a little over a year to live.

• Rin woke in the cloned body and recognized Yae Sakura and Han Jiang, while Himeko examined her and found her organs functioning normally.
• Himeko collapsed after the examination, so Han Jiang and Theresa took her to the school hospital while Yae Sakura stayed with Rin.
• Himeko woke and insisted Han Jiang return to the laboratory, where Yae Sakura asked him whether Himeko was all right.
• Himeko told Theresa that Artificial Stigmata erosion had left her with a little over a year to live.
• Theresa vowed to search for Innate Stigmata and then excitedly brought up Han Jiang as another possible source of help.

Theresa found records of a suspected Innate Stigmata in Shenzhou that might help Himeko, and arranged for an investigation at Nine Serenities. Meanwhile, Rin continued recovering under Yae Sakura’s care, while Han Jiang hid his concern about Himeko’s condition.

• Himeko explained to Theresa that Rin’s successful revival depended on rare circumstances and that creating another such case was unlikely.
• A week later, Theresa gave Himeko historical documents about Jilin, Chiyou, and a suspected Divine Key and Innate Stigmata at Nine Serenities.
• Himeko questioned why Shenzhou had allowed Schicksal to investigate, and Theresa said she had made no demands and believed their ideals might align.
• Theresa told Himeko she could go to Nine Serenities after the negotiations were complete.
• Han Jiang visited Rin, who had regained color and taken a few steps, and asked Yae Sakura to delete her observation logs and prepare for her to receive a legitimate identity.
• Yae Sakura and Rin asked about Himeko, and Han Jiang concealed his knowledge of her Artificial Stigmata erosion.

Han Jiang and his classmates trained while Himeko was absent, and Rikka Ruri asked him about his romantic interests. Himeko later announced an exploration mission that would take the others away for several days, leaving Fu Hua to oversee the class.

• Kiana teased Han Jiang about his improved grades, then chased him to the training grounds after he joked that learning required a brain.
• Fu Hua began combat training and sparred with Kiana, while Mei trained with Bronya and Rikka Ruri trained with Han Jiang.
• Rikka Ruri asked Han Jiang whether he liked anyone, and he said he was too busy preparing to protect people and enjoyed being around his classmates.
• Himeko summoned the intern Valkyries and announced a long exploration mission, while Fu Hua stayed behind to watch the class.
• Himeko told the group they had several days to prepare and encouraged them to develop skills beyond combat.

Himeko prepared the students for a mission to Nine Serenities to search for an Innate Stigmata, while Han Jiang learned that Rin was recovering well. As the group organized supplies and equipment, Raiden Ryoma called Han Jiang to question how Mei was being treated at St. Freya.

• Himeko announced that the group would leave for Nine Serenities in three days and told them to maintain their weapons and prepare supplies.
• Himeko asked Han Jiang about souls, and he explained that Schicksal still did not understand them; he also reported that Rin could walk and was recovering well.
• Han Jiang reviewed information about Nine Serenities while Mei and Bronya handled the mission preparations.
• Han Jiang visited the girls' dorm, where Kiana showed off Bronya's Drive Kometa armor and Bronya explained that it was designed to protect her companions.
• Raiden Ryoma contacted Han Jiang, scolded him for letting Mei take care of him, and asked a series of concerned questions about Mei's life at the academy.

Han Jiang spoke with Raiden Ryoma, had Bronya check his communicator, and shared dinner with the others before the Valkyrie trainee squad traveled to Yuezhou. There, Himeko sent everyone out to investigate clues about Nine Serenities on their own.

• Han Jiang reassured Raiden Ryoma that Mei was doing well, then asked Bronya to inspect his communicator and explain how the class shared channel worked.
• Han Jiang gave Mei information about Yuezhou and stayed for dinner, where he asked Kiana whether Mei kicked off her blanket while sleeping.
• The Valkyrie trainee squad boarded the Hyperion and traveled to Yuezhou, where Himeko presented the mission as an exploration exercise to the local combat department.
• Himeko explained that the squad needed to investigate clues about Nine Serenities and ordered everyone to search alone after entering the city.

Han Jiang and Kiana spent their search in Yuezhou sightseeing while Himeko, Mei, and Bronya gathered information about Honkai Beast activity at sea. After comparing their maps and narrowing down the search area, Han Jiang announced he had an idea for locating Nine Serenities.

• Kiana caught up with Han Jiang and persuaded him to spend their search together exploring Yuezhou.
• Han Jiang explained that he suspected Nine Serenities lay near concentrations of Honkai Beasts, whose movements might reveal the sealed cavern's location.
• Himeko, Mei, and Bronya interviewed fishermen and collected maps of Honkai Beast sightings while Han Jiang and Kiana sampled Yuezhou's food and attractions for ten days.
• Mei and Bronya presented their maps, and Han Jiang claimed he had gathered similar information from an online boaters' forum.
• Bronya used an ancient map to account for coastline changes and narrow the search area, but Mei noted they still did not know where Chiyou had been sealed.
• Han Jiang said he had an idea that might determine the approximate direction of Nine Serenities.

Han Jiang found a likely location for Nine Serenities in an online report about a dangerous gathering of Honkai Beasts offshore. Himeko contacted Theresa to check the coordinates and request satellite observation.

• Han Jiang proposed searching for Jilin-related worship customs, but Theresa's database search revealed tens of thousands of records across Shenzhou, leaving the group without a clear lead.
• Himeko decided to apply for a well-defended warship and warned that they would abandon the search if going to sea proved too dangerous.
• Han Jiang found a forum post showing Fish-shaped Honkai Beasts gathered twenty kilometers offshore, at a submerged location matching records from Schicksal's hidden files.
• Han Jiang showed Himeko the post and argued that the large gathering of Honkai Beasts suggested the site was connected to Chiyou or a Honkai eruption.
• Himeko contacted Theresa to search the location in the database and observe it with Schicksal satellites, waking her near midnight.

Han Jiang encountered Siegfried, Kiana’s fugitive father, while heading to the night market and joined him for food. Siegfried asked about Kiana and warned Han Jiang not to tell her he was nearby, then realized Han Jiang had known his identity all along.

• After leaving Himeko, Han Jiang headed to a nearby snack street for food.
• Siegfried ambushed Han Jiang in a dark alley, and Han Jiang recognized him after a brief fight.
• Siegfried told Han Jiang he had seen him sneaking out with Kiana and teased him about liking her.
• At a barbecue stall, Siegfried asked Han Jiang how Kiana was doing and learned she was happy but skipped class or slept through it.
• Siegfried told Han Jiang not to reveal his presence to Kiana because being with him was dangerous.
• Siegfried realized Han Jiang had seen his file despite initially claiming not to know who he was, and accused him of being dishonest.

Han Jiang questioned Siegfried’s warning and suspected someone had lured the team toward the sea mission, but he and the others set sail for Nine Serenities anyway. When Honkai Beasts attacked their warship, the five escaped into the water just before it exploded.

• Han Jiang concealed Siegfried’s whereabouts, and Siegfried told him to look after Kiana before hinting that the sea mission would be manageable.
• Han Jiang found that the forum post about the sea beasts had been deleted and suspected the information had been deliberately leaked to him.
• Himeko arranged a warship, and Han Jiang, Himeko, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya set out for the target waters.
• Himeko noticed that fewer Honkai Beasts appeared on the ship’s scanners than in earlier reports, then a beast began attacking the vessel from below.
• The group evacuated into the water as a Fish-shaped Honkai Beast struck the deck, and the warship exploded moments later.

Han Jiang and the others fought off a giant Honkai Beast underwater and reached a cave where Himeko's Artificial Stigmata erosion eased. Bronya determined the cave was not Nine Serenities, but identified a likely entrance 1,351 meters ahead, while Himeko regained consciousness.

• A battleship explosion injured a giant Honkai Beast, which struck Himeko and left her condition unknown as Mei, Bronya, Kiana, and Han Jiang moved to help.
• Han Jiang drew the beast's attention and used Crimson Spear's First Rated Power to pierce it, then reunited with the others as they rescued Himeko.
• Bronya and Kiana protected the group while they crossed the water and reached the planned underwater cave with Himeko.
• Inside the cave, Himeko's erosion symptoms eased, and Bronya concluded the cave was not Nine Serenities but that its entrance was likely 1,351 meters ahead.
• Himeko woke after coughing and asked whether everyone was okay.

After the battleship exploded, Han Jiang and Bronya searched the wreckage for supplies while Himeko and the others recovered in an underwater cave near Nine Serenities. They retrieved a storage locker and fought off Honkai Beasts on the way back, while Bronya wondered why Han Jiang would risk continuing toward Nine Serenities despite the odds.

• Himeko woke in the underwater cave, and Han Jiang decided to search the battleship wreckage for supplies; he brought Bronya while Mei stayed with Himeko and Kiana kept watch.
• Han Jiang and Bronya reached the explosion site, where Bronya found a damaged lifeboat and retrieved a storage locker containing the supplies.
• On their return, eight Fish-shaped Honkai Beasts attacked Han Jiang and Bronya, and Han Jiang killed them after adapting to underwater combat.
• Bronya calculated that the group would have returned if they had found no supplies, but judged that Han Jiang would still choose to go to Nine Serenities and admitted she did not understand that choice.