Arc 66The Nebula and the Red Mist

Qu Jianlei and Digital Phantom secured a dangerous Nebula while clashing with Imperial Capital Academy and responding to attacks on their people. After Duo Gan and Rhine advanced through tribulation, Qu Jianlei turned his attention to the Alliance and brought Jing Yuexin and Xiao Hu to Ke Qi Star, where they met High-Fidelity Replica.

  • Qu Jianlei freed a Split Soul from the Illusory Heavenly Devil, learned the Nebula had drawn in the demon, and gave the Cloud Crown to Yuanyuan to refine it.
  • Red Mist followed Qu Jianlei, and Xiao Hu took it in while the Artifact Spirit searched for a way to help it find a home.
  • Duo Gan and Kefu confronted Imperial Capital Academy over the Nebula, and Duo Gan secured its purchase despite official delays and opposition.
  • After Imperial Capital Academy-affiliated people and Digital Phantom members were attacked, Qu Jianlei identified a suspect, and Bashar eventually took his own life after the authorities pressed the Academy to meet Digital Phantom’s demands.
  • Duo Gan used the Cloud Crown during her tribulation, and Qu Jianlei’s group repeatedly attacked her until the Artifact Spirit confirmed the Heavenly Devil Qi was gone.
  • Xiao Moshan survived tribulation and became the team’s second Wind Attribute Supreme, while negotiations with the Empire over Duo Gan’s Star Cluster transaction broke down.
  • Qu Jianlei exposed an Alliance test fleet seeking evidence against the Empire, and Hua Xiezhi and Jing Yuexin rejected the military’s attempts to question Digital Phantom.
  • Rhine survived tribulation and chose the Ink Marker as her magical artifact, then Qu Jianlei took Jing Yuexin and Xiao Hu to Ke Qi Star, where Xiao Hu introduced High-Fidelity Replica.
Chapters 1627–1651 Vol. 17 Read

Ch. 1627All Means Deployed

Qu Jianlei and his companions fought to draw the Illusory Heavenly Devil into the Cloud Crown, while Qu Jianlei exhausted himself sustaining the treasure. After the demon vanished into the Cloud Crown, a mysterious figure appeared, claiming to be a dormant Split Soul freed from the demon’s interference, but the group remained wary of its condition.

  • Qu Jianlei kept the Cloud Crown’s suction active as his companions attacked the Illusory Heavenly Devil and helped reinforce him.
  • The Illusory Heavenly Devil threatened to self-destruct, and Qu Jianlei refused to release it as the head repeatedly expanded and contracted.
  • The demon’s apparent explosion proved to be a feint or transformation: it became green smoke and entered the Cloud Crown, while a faint phantom appeared in the air.
  • Qu Jianlei’s companions tested the phantom with lightning and ice, and Qu Jianlei confirmed that it was not an illusion.
  • The phantom identified itself as a dormant Split Soul freed from the Heavenly Demon’s suppression, while Qu Jianlei and his companions questioned whether it had truly escaped possession.

Ch. 1628Forthright

Qu Jianlei pressed the Split Soul to explain its connection to a Heavenly Demon and a mysterious third aura. After learning that a damaged Spirit Treasure’s new consciousness had drawn in the Heavenly Demon, he asked the senior for the method of refining an Abode.

  • The Split Soul offered advice on using its space to break through the barrier, and allowed the Artifact Spirit to absorb the Abode’s origin.
  • Qu Jianlei challenged the Split Soul about the Space Fetal Membrane and its connection to a Heavenly Demon, refusing to accept its account without an explanation.
  • Qu Jianlei sensed the aura of the world’s Heavenly Dao and demanded to know whether the senior had conspired against the Human Race.
  • The Split Soul explained that the Nebula had been a damaged Spirit Treasure that developed a faint consciousness, which then drew in the Heavenly Demon.
  • The Artifact Spirit confirmed the senior’s account, and the Split Soul offered Qu Jianlei a reward for helping him.
  • Qu Jianlei asked for the method of refining an Abode.

Ch. 1629Refining

A mysterious Great Expert warned Duo Gan that changing cultivation methods would make her tribulation fatal, then gave her a way to improve her chances of surviving it. After the team recovered from battle, Qu Jianlei assigned Yuanyuan to refine the Heavenly Demon sealed in the Cloud Crown, a task that could also benefit This World System.

  • The Great Expert refused Qu Jianlei's request but gave Duo Gan energy to refine within a Hundred Days, raising her chance of surviving tribulation to fifty percent.
  • The Great Expert vanished after saying he and Qu Jianlei would meet in the Cultivation World, and the team agreed not to tell Da Vinci about Duo Gan's opportunity.
  • Qu Jianlei checked with the Soul Nourishing Wood token, whose Artifact Spirit could no longer sense Heavenly Devil Qi on Duo Gan, and the team retreated to recover for half a month.
  • Qu Jianlei divined that the Cloud Crown could restrain the Heavenly Demon and gave it to Yuanyuan to refine with the Soul Refining Cover, estimating the task would take about ten years.
  • Jing Yuexin said refining the Heavenly Demon would bring Heaven and Earth Rejoice to This World System, and Yi He reminded the group that she had displayed a Seven-Colored Phenomenon during tribulation.

Ch. 1630Simulation

Qu Jianlei and the others confirmed that Jing Yuexin could share some of the world’s Luck, then prepared to leave the Star Cluster after dealing with its threats. A newly born consciousness revealed an uncanny knowledge of Xiao Hu and the Nebula, leaving Qu Jianlei staring at an image that suggested it might devour the Nebula.

  • Jing Yuexin agreed to let the team share some Luck while they refined the Heavenly Demon, and Qu Jianlei returned to seclusion to recover.
  • After a month, Qu Jianlei found no remaining hidden dangers and learned that the Subspace black hole had disappeared; he assigned Fourth Boss to clean house and manage the area.
  • Fourth Boss asked to leave Gold Digger behind to help keep watch, and Gold Digger agreed.
  • A dark-red mist appeared and transformed into a token, a head resembling the Heavenly Demon, and then a winged stick figure that looked like Xiao Hu.
  • Qu Jianlei showed the others an image of a token swallowing a Nebula identical to theirs, then silently watched the dark-red mist.

Ch. 1631Beg for Mercy

Qu Jianlei spared Nebula’s young Stick Figure life after it begged the Artifact Spirit, then arranged a confidential purchase of materials for eight hundred Spiritual Qi Conversion Arrays. He also discussed the Alliance’s peace efforts with Qian He and left him to decide whether he could safely spread news of Digital Phantom’s attack on a Heavenly Inquiry Project Group.

  • The Artifact Spirit proposed erasing the Stick Figure, but Qu Jianlei and Paranoid argued that they should spare it, and the Artifact Spirit accepted their decision.
  • Qu Jianlei sent the Artifact Spirit’s Split Soul back to the Celestial Hook Mystic Mansion and went to Future Star to arrange the purchase of materials for eight hundred Spiritual Qi Conversion Arrays.
  • Qu Jianlei discovered that the Red Mist had been following him, and Xiao Hu’s avatar welcomed it as a little brother before taking it away to lay down rules.
  • Qu Jianlei asked Qian He to procure the array materials confidentially, and Qian He reported that the Alliance had recently come to the Empire seeking peace.
  • Qu Jianlei told Qian He that Digital Phantom had destroyed an Alliance Heavenly Inquiry Project Group, then challenged him to consider how he could conceal the source if he spread the news.

Ch. 1632The Feeling of Being a Big Brother

Qu Jianlei helped Xiao Hu find a temporary refuge for Red Mist, while Qian He reported that Duo Gan’s actions in space had caused several deaths. The chapter left Qu Jianlei unmoved by the report as Qian He pointed out that the victims were from Imperial Capital Academy.

  • Qian He explained that his family had discovered his connection to Digital Phantom and that he had confirmed Digital Phantom was not interested in the National War.
  • Xiao Hu asked Qu Jianlei to set up a Gathering Spirit Array so Red Mist could leave its doomed birthplace and find a home.
  • Qu Jianlei found that Red Mist enjoyed the spiritual energy but still felt hungry and adrift, and Soul Nourishing Wood did not give it a sense of security.
  • Qu Jianlei told Xiao Hu to let Red Mist remain in the Gathering Spirit Array while they waited for a solution.
  • Qian He told Qu Jianlei that Duo Gan had apparently caused several deaths while exercising space Mining Rights, and Qu Jianlei replied that he already knew.
  • Qian He noted that the dead were from Imperial Capital Academy and said Duo Gan should not have left survivors after killing anyone.

Ch. 1633New Grudges and Old Hatreds

Qu Jianlei and Digital Phantom faced Imperial Capital Academy’s demand for an explanation over the deaths of its people. Both sides assembled at Pan Rock Star, where retired Vice Dean Bashar opened negotiations by questioning whether Kefu had authority to decide the matter.

  • Qu Jianlei dismissed Imperial Capital Academy’s efforts to hold Digital Phantom accountable, while Qian He warned that releasing witnesses had given the academy grounds to demand an explanation.
  • Qu Jianlei delivered a large shipment, including fifteen hundred robots, to the Celestial Hook Mystic Mansion, and the Artifact Spirit said it would consider whether it could help the Red Mist.
  • Duo Gan learned that three Imperial Capital Academy Supremes had arrived on Pan Rock Star and set out with Kefu to meet them.
  • Jing Yuexin and Paranoid joined Duo Gan and Kefu at Pan Rock Star, and Qu Jianlei arrived soon after; Jing Yuexin suspected the academy wanted access to the region of space.
  • Kefu met Bashar and the other Imperial Capital Academy representatives in a Shui Corporation reception room, where Bashar asked whether Kefu could make decisions for Digital Phantom.

Ch. 1634Throwing His Age Around

Kefu and Bashar argued over Imperial Capital Academy researchers killed by Duo Gan’s faction, while Bashar hinted that the academy was interested in an anomalous nebula. Duo Gan and Paranoid appeared and claimed Digital Phantom had created the nebula, and the chapter ended as a Palace-Attired Beauty arrived to explain the killings.

  • Kefu rejected Bashar’s demand for an explanation and insisted the academy researchers had deserved to die for offending Duo Gan’s interests.
  • Bashar presented exploration records and raised the academy’s discovery of strange phenomena in a nebula, but Kefu barred the academy from exploring it.
  • Bashar challenged Kefu’s claim of priority and warned that Imperial Capital Academy had Above Supreme graduates, but none had agreed to intervene.
  • Duo Gan appeared and declared that Digital Phantom had created the nebula, startling Bashar and the officials observing the discussion.
  • Paranoid appeared and dismissed Bashar’s demand for proof, while Bashar accused Digital Phantom of killing the academy’s teachers without first explaining the situation.
  • A Palace-Attired Beauty appeared and said she would explain.

Ch. 1635Smear Campaign (Second Update)

Digital Phantom confronted Imperial Capital Academy over the deaths of suspected Alliance spies, while Qu Jianlei revealed that the case involved the classified Tianwen Project. The confrontation ended with Digital Phantom demanding to know who had sent the Academy after them, and Stand warned that the Academy was outmatched.

  • Jing Yuexin accused the dead of being Alliance spies, and Qu Jianlei named Taiqing Star and the Tianwen Project Group as evidence he could not disclose.
  • A colonel said Tianwen was tied to the Empire's advantage over the Alliance, while Bashar continued defending Imperial Capital Academy's reputation.
  • Stand asked whether the Nebula could be studied, and Qu Jianlei warned that Digital Phantom might betray the Empire if it failed to respect their work.
  • Qu Jianlei gave the Academy two days to reveal who had instructed it to confront Digital Phantom, and Jing Yuexin and Qu Jianlei blamed the Academy for starting the conflict.
  • After Digital Phantom left, Bashar proposed seeking special support, but Stand argued the Academy was outmatched by Digital Phantom's Above Supremes.

Ch. 1636Reversing the Wheels of History

Digital Phantom learned that Imperial Capital Academy was seeking a law to separate space Exploration Rights from Mining Rights, threatening its control of the nebula. After Digital Phantom refused further negotiations and began preparing a response, Stand tried to pressure Shui Xisheng into coordinating, and a wave of Mental Strength followed his request.

  • The colonel reported Qu Jianlei's warning to military leaders, who chose to prioritize the war zones over the nebula.
  • Qu Jianlei learned that Imperial Capital Academy had proposed separating space Exploration Rights from Mining Rights and discussed ways to protect the nebula with his allies.
  • Duo Gan decided to secure ownership of the nebula, Kefu and Duo Gan left to handle the matter, and Paranoid targeted Imperial Capital Academy's industries.
  • Stand arrived at Shui Corporation seeking Kefu, but Shui Xisheng told him that Digital Phantom would no longer negotiate.
  • Stand asked Shui Xisheng to coordinate and hinted at consequences for Shui Corporation, prompting a wave of Mental Strength and the question of whether it was a threat.

Ch. 1637Inspecting on Behalf of the Empire

Kefu failed to persuade the Sirius Star Region’s Top Leader to approve the sale of the Nebula, so Duo Gan confronted him directly and forced him to act by inspecting his crimes on behalf of the Empire. The Governor began arranging the sale, but his subordinates questioned the unprecedented procedure.

  • Duo Gan sent Kefu to the Sirius Star Region, where he asked the Top Leader to approve the sale of the Nebula.
  • The Top Leader cited Imperial policy and jurisdictional obstacles, and Kefu left after warning that Duo Gan would come in person.
  • Duo Gan appeared in the Governor’s room, presented evidence of his crimes, and gave him one minute to explain himself.
  • Duo Gan threatened the Governor and his family, then ordered him to complete the sale within three days before vanishing.
  • The Governor reviewed the evidence, contacted his backers, and began arranging the sale, but his subordinates questioned the unprecedented operation.

Ch. 1638Benefiting in Reverse

The governor struggled to secure cooperation for Digital Phantom’s business, so he paid Kefu to pressure officials into completing the necessary procedures. Meanwhile, Jing Yuexin and Paranoid retaliated against Imperial Capital Academy, leaving the academy in turmoil as officials and businesses faced attacks.

  • The governor argued with Kefu over delays and eventually agreed to pay him three hundred million to deal with uncooperative officials.
  • Kefu visited the officials on the list, and most agreed to cooperate after learning Digital Phantom and Imperial Capital Academy were involved.
  • Two officials resigned, but one was killed that night after refusing to finish the required work; another withdrew his resignation and approved the procedures the next morning.
  • Jing Yuexin killed several people at Imperial Capital Academy who had previously escaped punishment, and the academy recognized the attacks as retaliation by Digital Phantom.
  • Paranoid destroyed Imperial Capital Academy businesses and facilities, killed two Project Teams’ members he considered corrupt, and left explanations at the crime scenes.

Ch. 1639Each Has Their Own Methods

Imperial Capital Academy escalated its feud with Digital Phantom by trying to block the nebula purchase and accusing the team of attacks, but Duo Gan completed the acquisition despite the pressure. The sale then became entangled in an unprecedented request for Empire-level filing, leaving the Planet Governor struggling to get a response as Kefu and Duo Gan considered asking First One for guidance.

  • Imperial Capital Academy blamed Digital Phantom for the attacks and lobbied the government to block the nebula acquisition.
  • Duo Gan completed the nebula purchase in five days for fifty billion Empire Coin, paying the first installment from her own account.
  • Sanhe Star officials resisted signing the sale papers, but the Sirius Star Region government asserted that they had authority, and the planetary procedures were completed.
  • The Planet Governor agreed to file the sale with the Empire, but received no response and complained to Kefu about the process.
  • After ten days, Kefu told the Planet Governor to follow up, while Duo Gan and Kefu discussed asking First One what to do.

Ch. 1640Casting Aside Illusions

Qu Jianlei accepted that Digital Phantom would have to confront the Empire over the delayed review of its Nebula purchase, and Duo Gan prepared to act with his support. The governor advised waiting while the review stalled, but Digital Phantom continued retaliating against Imperial Capital Academy, which was told to apologize before negotiations could begin.

  • Qu Jianlei told Duo Gan that completed procedures would not prevent disputes and urged her to prepare for a confrontation, then advised her to treat the crisis as an opportunity and involve him.
  • Kefu told the governor to demand that his superior reconsider her wording, and the superior subsequently arranged for departments to study the unresolved ownership review.
  • After more than ten days without a decision, the governor told Kefu that the review might take a long time and suggested waiting, while Kefu asked him to keep an eye on it.
  • Imperial Capital Academy sent an intermediary to ask Shui Xisheng to end Digital Phantom's retaliation, but Shui Xisheng said the academy had started the conflict and should apologize first.
  • When the intermediary cited the academy's losses, Shui Xisheng pointed out that the Nebula purchase had cost Digital Phantom five hundred billion.

Ch. 1641Counter-Retaliation

Digital Phantom refused official access to the Nebula, while Pute learned of the group’s strength and failed to broker a truce with Imperial Capital Academy. After Bashar rejected Jing Yuexin’s demand that he kill himself, the governor of the Sirius Star Region vanished, and multiple people under Duo Gan and Jing Yuexin began disappearing.

  • The Fourth Boss turned away surveyors and later allowed authorized monitors to watch Wind Forgotten only from outside the Nebula.
  • Pute met Qu Jianlei and Jing Yuexin, who refused to suspend their conflict with Imperial Capital Academy unless Bashar killed himself; she also warned Pute that ten Above Supremes had helped resolve the Nebula’s danger.
  • Pute reported the demand to Imperial Capital Academy, and Bashar vowed he would die in battle rather than kill himself.
  • Duo Gan told Qu Jianlei that the Sirius Star Region governor had vanished with his escort fleet while traveling to the Core Eight Stars Meeting, and they wondered whether Imperial Capital Academy was involved.
  • Several A-rankers and B-rankers under Duo Gan and Jing Yuexin disappeared one after another.

Ch. 1642Iron-Mouthed Prediction

After Qu Jianlei divined that Imperial Capital Academy had killed the missing governors and subordinates, Digital Phantom prepared a counterattack while Jia Shuiqing coordinated with the authorities and Rock Military District. The investigation stalled over Bashar’s denial, so the authorities asked Digital Phantom to identify the culprit, offering compensation for the risks of a Mystic-Side investigation.

  • Qu Jianlei divined that the missing people had been killed, prompting Paranoid to call for war against Imperial Capital Academy.
  • Jia Shuiqing told Rock Military District’s leader that Digital Phantom planned a full-scale counterattack and agreed to wait briefly for the authorities’ investigation.
  • Rock Military District’s leader reported that investigators had confirmed a Warp Jammer was used, while Jia Shuiqing revealed Digital Phantom had identified the attack through the Mystic-Side.
  • Bashar denied ordering the killings, and the authorities struggled to investigate him without violating his rights or provoking Digital Phantom.
  • The authorities asked Jia Shuiqing to have Qu Jianlei find the suspect and offered five billion Energy Blocks; she agreed to ask him after learning the suspect list contained more than three hundred thousand names.

Ch. 1643Close-Range Ultimate

After Qu Jianlei’s divination identified the people behind attacks on Digital Phantom’s associates, the Empire’s investigation exposed an Above Supreme with ties to Imperial Capital Academy. Jia Shuiqing then resumed retaliation, leaving the Academy under attack and a Planet Governor demanding protection from the authorities.

  • Qu Jianlei used the list to identify one Above Supreme and two A-rankers, and the Empire arrested people connected to them after the Above Supreme died resisting arrest.
  • Investigators linked the Above Supreme’s attacks on Duo Gan and Jing Yuexin’s subordinates to an underground organization, while Imperial Capital Academy suggested Digital Phantom might have staged the incidents.
  • Jia Shuiqing told Rock Military District’s First One that Digital Phantom would continue killing while the other side made moves, and six more Academy-affiliated people died in attacks across four locations the next night.
  • People tried to reach Digital Phantom through Tianfeng Star, but Xiao Moshan refused to plead on the Academy’s behalf, saying he had nearly been assassinated himself.
  • Digital Phantom continued its attacks against two Planet Governors who had supported independent Exploration Rights; Jing Yuexin withdrew when Above Supremes formed a Battle Formation, while the other governor survived through a decoy and reported the attack to higher authorities.

Ch. 1644A Sudden Whim

Qinghu gave the Empire one more chance to make Digital Phantom’s demands stick, while the authorities grew wary after the assassinations and Bashar’s suicide. Ten months later, Qu Jianlei returned to help Duo Gan prepare for her impending tribulation, and she asked to borrow his Cloud Crown.

  • Qinghu told the military representative that Digital Phantom had been provoked and would stop retaliating only if the Empire enforced its demands; she agreed to give the authorities one more chance after the military intervened.
  • The authorities debated who would tell Bashar about Digital Phantom’s demands, and military personnel challenged those who claimed Nebula belonged to the Empire to negotiate with Digital Phantom themselves.
  • After Bashar took his own life, the news spread among the Academy Faction, while Qu Jianlei and his team continued exploring the Nebula and training with Wind Forgotten under outside surveillance.
  • Ten months later, Qu Jianlei returned after learning that Duo Gan was nearing her tribulation and warned that calculating its details might bring backlash upon them both.
  • Duo Gan asked Qu Jianlei to lend her his Cloud Crown for the tribulation, and he realized she might intend to use the unrefined Heavenly Demon inside it to block the lightning.

Ch. 1645Heavenly Devil Legend

Duo Gan used the Heavenly Demon bound in the Cloud Crown to help undergo her tribulation, while Qu Jianlei and the others prepared and concealed her earlier gains from Da Vinci. The tribulation ended, but lightning continued around the courtyard, and Pute watched from a distance as Hua Xiezhi warned him not to approach.

  • Qu Jianlei divined that using the Cloud Crown’s Heavenly Demon could improve Duo Gan’s chances, and the team strengthened its refining before handing it to her.
  • Qu Jianlei predicted the tribulation’s arrival, and Duo Gan faced widespread streaks of lightning while Da Vinci stayed in seclusion.
  • Hua Xiezhi warned the military that the Empire had already faced an Alien Race threat, prompting Pute to investigate Digital Phantom and the possibility of advancing beyond Above Supreme.
  • Pute arrived after Duo Gan’s tribulation had ended but saw lightning still striking the courtyard, and Hua Xiezhi stopped him from approaching.
  • Pute asked about the people producing some of the lightning, and Hua Xiezhi explained that Above Supreme cultivators could cultivate across attributes.

Ch. 1646Thunder Without End

Hua Xiezhi warned Pute that Heavenly Demons threatened the Empire and that Digital Phantom might eventually withdraw, leaving Pute shaken by how much the Empire relied on them. Meanwhile, the team discovered that Duo Gan had retained a trace of Heavenly Devil Qi after her tribulation, and Qu Jianlei prepared a Thunder Generator to remove it.

  • Hua Xiezhi told Pute that Heavenly Demons had appeared beyond the Divine Script System and warned him not to approach.
  • Pute learned that Digital Phantom had been quietly handling multiple dangers for the Empire and might someday withdraw from the world.
  • After Duo Gan's tribulation, Yi He noticed a trace of Heavenly Devil Qi on her, and the Artifact Spirit confirmed it could become a future threat.
  • The Artifact Spirit recommended repeated Thunder Method attacks to eliminate the residue, so Qu Jianlei built a Thunder Generator.

Ch. 1647Information Barrier

Qu Jianlei’s group removed the Heavenly Devil Qi from Duo Gan, while Paranoid refused the Empire’s offer to buy information about a Heavenly Devil Barrier. After Duo Gan recovered, she asked to search for the Space Barrier to the Cultivation World, just as Xiao Moshan arrived to attempt a breakthrough to Above Supreme.

  • Qu Jianlei compared Electromagnetic Art with lightning equipment, then his group attacked Duo Gan for twenty days until the Artifact Spirit confirmed the Heavenly Devil Qi was gone.
  • Pute asked Paranoid about the barrier in the Maiden Star Region, but Paranoid demanded one hundred trillion and five magical artifacts for the information.
  • Da Vinci met Pute and declined to share what he knew about the barrier or his rescue, and Pute later reported the threat to the Empire.
  • Empire Storm, Giant Axe, and Pute tried to negotiate a lower price with Paranoid, but they left without an agreement.
  • After four months of recovery, Duo Gan emerged and asked Qu Jianlei to search for the Space Barrier to the Cultivation World.
  • Xiao Moshan teleported in as Qu Jianlei considered his answer, saying the time was right for his breakthrough to Above Supreme.

Ch. 1648Failed Transaction

Xiao Moshan became a Supreme and chose to spend time traveling with Xiao Qin, while the Empire's attempt to buy information from Digital Phantom collapsed over payment terms. Qu Jianlei ordered Energy Stone Mines to increase production as he suspected the team was drawing growing attention.

  • Qu Jianlei sent Yuanyuan to guard the Abandoned Mine, with Tian Yin and Claire supporting from the middle, while Xiao Qin joined Xiao Moshan at Dawn Base.
  • Three months later, Xiao Moshan survived his tribulation and became the team's second Wind Attribute Supreme, then asked the First One to find a way for Xiao Qin to advance.
  • Xiao Moshan and Xiao Qin traveled together, prompting Paranoid to visit Mu Yu and the Fourth Boss to seek out You You and ask Qu Jianlei about her chances of advancing.
  • Datela arrived to negotiate the Empire's purchase of information, but Jia Shuiqing rejected the proposed dedicated account and warned him to leave.
  • Qu Jianlei accepted the Empire's refusal to recognize Duo Gan's Star Cluster transaction but rejected payment terms that excluded Energy Blocks, ending the negotiation.
  • Qu Jianlei ordered the Energy Stone Mines to raise production and remarked that Digital Phantom seemed to be attracting more attention.

Ch. 1649No Mercy

After Digital Phantom rejected an Alliance envoy, Imperial officials tested the team by sending a fleet with Alliance representatives toward its Sirius Star Region base. Qu Jianlei ordered preparations for a possible conflict, and the military tried to prevent the confrontation from escalating.

  • Hua Xiezhi refused the Alliance's request to meet, and Qu Jianlei later learned from Qian He that the Alliance remained focused on Digital Phantom and might have ulterior motives.
  • Fourth Boss stopped an Imperial fleet approaching the Sirius Star Region, fired on its lead Science Vessel, and forced the fleet to withdraw.
  • Qu Jianlei discovered that the fleet's mission was a test involving four Alliance representatives, including two Supremes, who were seeking evidence to accuse the Empire of colluding with the Alien Race.
  • Qu Jianlei told Fourth Boss to fire if another similar incident occurred and ordered Digital Phantom to prepare its ships for contingencies.
  • Hua Xiezhi told the military to question the authorities, and the military said it understood the situation and would pressure the authorities while urging Digital Phantom not to act rashly.

Ch. 1650Imperial Hidden Worries

The Empire and Alliance pressed Digital Phantom over rumors that it had taken a Divine Script master from Taiqing Star and might be sheltering an Alliance defector. Hua Xiezhi and Qu Jianlei denied the accusations, while Shui Xisheng questioned what the Empire had done to earn Digital Phantom’s loyalty.

  • Hua Xiezhi rejected the military’s earlier neutrality and demanded that it stop approaching Digital Phantom without a clear purpose.
  • Shui Xisheng arrived with a military Supreme, who asked whether Digital Phantom had taken a Divine Script cultivator from Taiqing Star and whether Jing Yuexin could be consulted.
  • Hua Xiezhi denied knowing the alleged master, and Qu Jianlei dismissed the Alliance’s claims about the Divine Script System and the Heavenly Demon as pretexts to find Jiao Daoren.
  • Qu Jianlei admitted that Alliance people were among Digital Phantom’s peripheral members, alarming the military Supreme, while Hua Xiezhi challenged his accusation that the Empire had treated her well.
  • Jing Yuexin ordered the visitors away, and Shui Xisheng told the military Supreme that Digital Phantom owed the Empire nothing and therefore could not be accused of betrayal.

Ch. 1651High-Fidelity Replica

Rhine successfully underwent tribulation and became an Above Supreme, while the military tried to learn about the team’s tribulation system. Qu Jianlei then traveled with Jing Yuexin and Xiao Hu to Ke Qi Star to investigate the Alliance, accompanied by Xiao Hu’s Red Mist lifeform, High-Fidelity Replica.

  • Shui Xisheng and a military Above Supreme watched dark clouds gather over Dawn Base, and Rhine underwent tribulation successfully.
  • Hua Xiezhi told the military officer that the tribulation system was not mature and would require magical artifacts as well as money; she confirmed Rhine had become an Above Supreme.
  • After recovering from tribulation, Rhine thanked Jing Yuexin and Qu Jianlei, then chose the Ink Marker as her magical artifact.
  • Qu Jianlei assessed the team’s prospects for advancement and decided to focus on guarding against the Alliance before taking Jing Yuexin and Xiao Hu to Ke Qi Star.
  • Qu Jianlei, Jing Yuexin, and Xiao Hu arrived on Ke Qi Star, where Xiao Hu’s avatar brought the timid Red Mist lifeform named High-Fidelity Replica.
Arc 66 of 116