Chapter Summaries

Wu Heng tested two new skills and set out with the Skeleton Army to capture the airport in the Zombie World. When a Light Knight summoned by the Association insignia fought the Zombie Horde, it proved powerful against individual Zombies but was nearly overwhelmed, leaving Wu Heng to send in his skeletons.

• Wu Heng used the Yin Jade to increase the ghosts' absorption speed, then unlocked Corpse Explosion Technique and Heavy Injury Technique from their Skill Books.
• The next morning, Wu Heng and Qi Hancai led a convoy toward the airport while discussing Wang Haibing's power-plant inspection, the Central Broadcast Station's blueprints, and Wang Ke's wedding.
• The convoy entered a Residential Area, where Skeleton Flying Dragons bombarded a large Zombie Horde and Granda went ahead to fight eight Level 2 Mutated Zombies with the Evil Sword.
• Wu Heng activated Pure Sacred Radiance and summoned a Light Knight, which he redirected from attacking a Skeleton Attendant toward the Zombies.
• The Light Knight burned through the Zombie Horde but weakened under the swarm's assault, so Wu Heng recalled it and ordered the Skeleton Army to advance.

Wu Heng’s convoy crossed a survivor-held bridge after Liang Zheng and his men died in a mysterious shootout, then fought through another Zombie Horde and reached the airport after dark. Ghosts scouting the ruined terminal found a Level Four Zombie King resembling a humanoid Rhinoceros Beetle.

• Wu Heng reviewed the summoned Light Knight’s abilities, then continued expanding the Skeleton Army and led the convoy toward the airport.
• The convoy found a bridge blocked by a shelter led by Liang Zheng, who demanded grain and a Military Truck in exchange for passage.
• Wu Heng sent Xiaoxiao to scout and learned Liang Zheng’s group was preparing explosives, then ordered the group killed; Liang Zheng and the others died in a shootout inside their building.
• Wu Heng’s people removed the explosives, rescued four women and two men, dismantled the bridge buildings, and crossed with the convoy and Skeleton Army.
• The convoy bombed a Zombie Horde, and Wu Heng used the Light Knight to kill nearly a thousand Zombies before continuing toward the airport.
• Wu Heng’s ghosts scouted the dark airport and found it full of Zombies, including a Level Four Zombie King with black keratin and a shell-like back.

Wu Heng led his forces to attack the airport, where they faced a flying Zombie King. After Cassius killed it, Wu Heng raised it as a skeleton, leaving the group to see whether it could fly.

• Wu Heng ordered his forces to prepare for a nighttime airport assault and sent Xiaoxiao to watch the Zombie King while Granda guarded the surroundings.
• Wu Heng used a skeleton to lure the airport Zombies into a spear formation, then had the Skeleton Flying Dragons bomb the horde as skeleton squads blocked attacks from the alleys.
• The flying Zombie King tried to attack the convoy, but gunfire forced it to land before it fled into the sky.
• Wu Heng illuminated the sky and shot the fleeing Zombie King, while Cassius chased it on the Flying Carpet and beat it to death.
• Wu Heng used Bone Manipulation Technique on the Zombie King's corpse, raising a black-shelled skeleton with dragonfly-like wings that Xiaoxiao called ugly.

Wu Heng’s group captured the airport and began preparing it as a future exchange point, while Qi Hancai reported their success and the flying Level 4 Zombie to the Central Broadcast Station. Back at the Military Factory, Li Yahong blindfolded Wu Heng, and Qi Hancai joined her in a surprise that left him wondering whose hands were on his thighs.

• Wu Heng named the flying skeleton Flying Demon One, cleared the airport, and arranged for survivors and skeletons to defend it as a future exchange point.
• Wu Heng and Qi Hancai returned to the Military Factory, where Li Yahong invited Wu Heng to spend the evening with her.
• Qi Hancai told the Central Broadcast Station that Xinfu City Base had taken the provincial civil airport, offered food for valuables and blueprints, and reported the Level 4 Zombie’s flying ability and armor.
• Li Yahong blindfolded Wu Heng in their dormitory, then Qi Hancai entered and joined her beside the bed.
• Cold hands touched Wu Heng’s thighs, leaving him unsure whether they belonged to Li Yahong or Qi Hancai.

Wu Heng accepted Qi Hancai into his relationship with Li Yahong after the two women raised concerns about Qi Hancai’s future. After Li Yahong returned to Xinfu City, Wu Heng went to Treasure Island, gave his new maids supplies, and inspected a newly crafted Compound Bow.

• Li Yahong revealed that she had arranged for Qi Hancai to join Wu Heng, and Wu Heng agreed to accept her.
• The next morning, Li Yahong prepared to return to Xinfu City, while Wu Heng asked her to vet shelters seeking to join the base and transport skeletons converted from Mutated Zombies.
• Wu Heng asked Qi Hancai to keep following up with the Central Broadcast Station, then returned to Treasure Island and stored his Corpse Cores and collected finished potions.
• Wu Heng gave Robbie and Annette Spatial Rings and potions, telling Minnie to supervise them when they took the potions.
• Minnie showed Wu Heng the newly made Compound Bow and reported that its power was more than five times greater than an ordinary longbow with the same draw strength.

Wu Heng tested a powerful new Compound Bow and agreed to Star Flower’s terms to secure Shanala’s release. Meanwhile, Solvay learned about Treasure Island and considered taking control of the island for the church.

• Wu Heng tested the Compound Bow, found it comparable to a Fine Grade heavy crossbow, and ordered materials for five thousand sets.
• Wu Heng read Shanala’s messages and called her to discuss the Council of Elders’ conditions for her release.
• Shanala told Wu Heng that Star Flower would free her if he maintained orders worth at least 200,000 gold annually for three years, and Wu Heng agreed.
• Wu Heng promised to arrange Shanala’s return and said he would support her negotiations with the elders.
• In Yeke Kingdom, Solvay met with the Protector and learned that Treasure Island’s Island Master and Deacon had defeated the cult’s people.
• Solvay considered taking Treasure Island for the church after learning its Island Master and Deacon were likely level 12.

Wu Heng investigated the disappearance of Association members and island residents, using a tracking item and the Skeleton Prophet to learn that the abductees had been killed. That night, he and Shiraque located a suspected killer in a tavern, where Granda discovered two grotesque wraiths flying toward her.

• Minnie reported that the Elf Race shop had begun preparing Compound Bow materials, while Andeviel reported the first merchant shipments had arrived; Wu Heng stored the goods in Zombie World and started the Military Factory's production lines.
• Shiraque gave Wu Heng the Association's new action manual and told him to distribute it to the regional Associations; she also shared the vampires' explanation of the exiled criminal and the Association's ongoing search for the Mandate of Heaven Cult.
• Wang Haibing delivered Power Plant blueprints and agreed to restore electricity at the bases, while Qi Hancai told Wu Heng that the Central Broadcast Station would soon finish the airport blueprints and copied the Association manual for him.
• Shiraque brought Wu Heng a missing person's shawl, and the Tracking Pendant revealed that the person was dead; the Skeleton Prophet showed Shiraque that hooded abductors had taken the victims and that they had been buried.
• Wu Heng and Shiraque tracked suspects to a tavern on Lighthouse Street, where Granda scouted a private room and identified a level 15 man before spotting two grotesque wraiths approaching her.

Wu Heng and Shiraque uncovered a Mandate of Heaven Cult cell collecting corpses on the island and traced its leader, a Necromancer, to the East Side Residential Area. They stormed his hiding place, where they found a missing Association Member’s mutilated corpse and giant spiders attacking their skeletons.

• Granda was ambushed by two grotesque ghosts at the tavern, and Wu Heng rushed to rescue her as Shiraque’s team attacked the cultists.
• Wu Heng trapped one ghost in a Bone Cage while Cassius destroyed a shadow attacker, and Granda showed Wu Heng what she had seen inside the tavern.
• Wu Heng questioned the corpses and learned that twelve Mandate of Heaven Cult members had come to the island, led by a Necromancer called the Church Great Knight who was collecting corpses.
• Wu Heng and Shiraque followed the dead cultist’s directions to the East Side Residential Area and broke into the marked building.
• Wu Heng illuminated the room and saw a missing Association Member hanging from the ceiling as giant spiders attacked the skeletons.

Wu Heng and Shiraque investigated the Necromancer’s hideout, confirmed a team member had been killed, and organized a search for the Mandate of Heaven Cultists. Back at the manor, Wu Heng learned that a wraith and a shadow had entered the grounds during the night, and the chapter left him viewing the Skeleton Prophet’s memories of the intrusion.

• Shiraque’s team killed a giant spider with arrows and crossbow bolts, then searched the room and found that the enemy had fled.
• Shiraque confirmed the corpse outside was an Association team member, while Wu Heng’s Tracking Pendant showed that the recovered items’ owners were dead.
• Shiraque’s subordinates reported that the enemy group included about twenty-five people, and she assigned teams to search the island and guard key areas.
• Wu Heng returned to the manor, reassured the maids, and learned from Andeviel that the Skeleton Prophet had watched an invisible presence outside all night.
• The Skeleton Prophet showed Wu Heng images of a wraith circling the manor and an ink-black shadow crossing the courtyard and climbing onto the balcony.

Wu Heng hid the maids in his Mansion Spell, reinforced the island’s defenses, and joined the search for the Mandate of Heaven Cult. The cult’s Great Knight Solvay planned to kill some of the islanders’ companions before moving again.

• A shadow attacked Andeviel’s room, but the level 18 Skeleton Prophet drove it away, and Wu Heng realized a powerful Necromancer was targeting them.
• Wu Heng sent an Armored Vehicle and twenty high-level skeletons to assist with port defense, then put the maids inside Mordencainen's Magnificent Mansion for safety.
• Wu Heng dispatched skeletons to the Zombie World and the manor, brought the Skeleton Prophet to the Association, and patrolled with Shiraque, Philippa, and Millicent.
• Wu Heng reflected on the island’s weak intelligence network and considered contacting Mackintosh after the crisis.
• Great Knight Solvay turned a ghost into a spirit servant and learned that the Association was conducting house-to-house inspections.
• Solvay rejected his subordinate’s suggestion to lie low and decided to kill some of the islanders’ companions in revenge.

The Association searched for the Mandate of Heaven Cult after the cult attacked its forces, while Wu Heng warned the Team Leaders about the enemy Necromancer’s abilities. After five guards were found dead, Wu Heng realized the killer had questioned them, and Shi Yali encountered the cult in the Central District.

• Shiraque assigned the teams to search the remaining Residential Areas and asked Wu Heng to explain how to handle a Necromancer.
• Wu Heng warned the Team Leaders about the Necromancer’s ghosts, shadow attacks, Plague Insect Technique, and Corpse Explosion Technique, then distributed radio earpieces.
• A staff member reported that guards and skeletons at the North District Patrol Guard post had been killed, and Shiraque took Wu Heng to inspect the scene.
• Wu Heng deduced that the killer had questioned the five dead guards, prompting Shiraque to realize the cult was seeking information.
• Shi Yali left a tavern after ordering lunch and found several tall figures blocking her path; one addressed her by name and title.

Shi Yali was attacked by the Mandate of Heaven Cult, and Wu Heng and the Association’s forces moved to stop the Necromancer and his followers. Wu Heng revived Shi Yali, while Shiraque left with him to pursue the fleeing enemies.

• Shi Yali recognized the Mandate of Heaven Cult’s attack, sent a warning, and was struck down by the cultists in the tavern.
• Association forces surrounded the area, but the Necromancer turned their skeletons against them and escaped into the Black Mist as his followers fled.
• Wu Heng and Shiraque reached the tavern and found Shi Yali apparently dead; Wu Heng’s Resurrection Technique initially had no effect.
• Shi Yali began vomiting blood and revived, so Wu Heng’s Necromancer Clone treated her while Shiraque left with the others to hunt the Necromancer.
• The Prophecy Clone found the tavern owner’s body, and Shi Yali noticed Wu Heng’s clones and wondered if she was still dying.

Wu Heng and Shiraque tracked down and killed the escaped Mandate of Heaven Cult Necromancer, then helped contain the ghosts and rescue possessed residents. Back at the Association, Wu Heng searched the Necromancer’s ring and discovered a Soul Absorbing Jade that could extract Residual Souls.

• The Necromancer Clone resurrected the tavern owner, and Wu Heng agreed to keep newly arrived wounded alive with potions.
• After the cultists were killed, Granda located the level 18 Necromancer, and Wu Heng’s group pursued him into an alley.
• The Necromancer summoned ghouls and wraiths, but Wu Heng and Shiraque attacked while Wu Heng’s ranged weapons destroyed his body and trapped his ghost.
• Granda absorbed the loose ghosts as Association members restrained and treated possessed residents, while Wu Heng stored the Necromancer’s corpse and ghost.
• Wu Heng inspected the ring at the Association and found a Soul Absorbing Jade that extracted incomplete Residual Souls from living beings and corpses.

Wu Heng investigated the Mandate of Heaven Cult’s attack, returned home after defeating its Necromancer, and considered improving the island’s intelligence network. He contacted Mackintosh, whose reaction suggested that he had uncovered her supposed death.

• Wu Heng examined the Necromancer’s spoils, identified the Soul Absorbing Jade, and kept a Skill Book and other useful items.
• Shiraque questioned the attackers’ corpses and learned about the Mandate of Heaven Cult’s leadership, strength, and former base.
• Wu Heng failed to turn the Necromancer’s ghoul body into a skeleton, then returned to his manor and reunited with the maids and his wraiths.
• Wu Heng decided the island needed better intelligence and sent Mackintosh a letter using the Blank Envelope.
• Mackintosh woke in Dam Port City, found Wu Heng’s letter beside her pillow, and realized that he might have discovered her secret.

Mackintosh received Wu Heng’s invitation to return to Treasure Island and considered the prospect. In the Zombie World, Qi Hancai met with Central Broadcast Station commander Lu Changan to exchange supplies and discuss cooperation, including collecting Ability Users’ blood samples.

• Mackintosh read Wu Heng’s letter describing Treasure Island’s growth and offering support if she returned, then wondered whether to go back.
• Wu Heng arrived at the Zombie World base and learned that Qi Hancai had gone to the airport to meet the Central Broadcast Station convoy.
• Qi Hancai guided the transport aircraft to land after explaining that the flying dragons patrolling the airport belonged to the base.
• Qi Hancai welcomed Lu Changan and his group, who brought thermal power plant blueprints, gold, and silver for the agreed exchange.
• Lu Changan showed Qi Hancai a list of weapons and equipment available for trade, then proposed testing Ability Users using their blood samples.

Qi Hancai told Wu Heng about the Central Broadcast Station’s proposals to study Ability Users and train more of them, while Wu Heng reviewed the supplies and considered giving trusted survivors Profession Scrolls. The next morning, he went with Shiraque to the dungeon, where Babuchi admitted to his crimes.

• Lu Changan presented Qi Hancai with the Ability User Inspection Protocol, the Ability User Training Plan, and a weapons list, and she said she would report the proposals to Wu Heng.
• After the Central Broadcast Station delegation left, Qi Hancai told Wu Heng about the proposals, and he rejected the blood-sample and training agreements while leaving the weapon purchase for later.
• Wu Heng stored the traded blueprints, gold, and silver, then returned to Treasure Island and asked Granda to translate the blueprints.
• Wu Heng considered letting Qi Hancai and Li Yahong use Profession Scrolls before deciding whether to offer them to other survivors.
• The next morning, Wu Heng delivered printed Association Handbooks and Action Guides, then accompanied Shiraque to the dungeon, where Babuchi admitted to robbery, murder, and killing Association Members.

Wu Heng arranged for Babuchi to be released as an informant tasked with investigating the Mandate of Heaven Cult, then updated Philippa and handled business on Treasure Island and in Lopes City. The chapter ended with Shanala reporting that the Wood Elf elders had agreed to cooperate and would send a Star Flower representative.

• Shiraque offered Babuchi an Atonement Opportunity to investigate the Mandate of Heaven Cult, and he agreed to cooperate under a Slave Contract with Team One.
• Shiraque told Wu Heng that the Association had rejected funding for Treasure Island's port, while Wu Heng asked about items that could restrain ghosts.
• Wu Heng told Philippa that Babuchi would be released as a confidential informant, and she agreed not to meet him.
• Wu Heng inspected the construction site, traveled to Lopes City, and ordered five Blazing Fire Furnaces from the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate.
• Wu Heng read Shanala's note stating that the Wood Elf elders had agreed to cooperate and that a Star Flower representative would come to discuss it.

Wu Heng arranged for Shanala to return to Treasure Island after agreeing to maintain 200,000 gold in Wood Elf orders over three years, and learned she had lost her authority in Star Flower. In the Zombie World, he tested the Soul Absorbing Jade on a Zombie horde, allowing Granda and Xiaoxiao to absorb the rising Residual Souls and rapidly level up, while a girl watching from a nearby building saw the battle.

• Wu Heng spoke with Shanala, who said she could return soon but had become a figurehead without authority in Star Flower.
• Wu Heng agreed to order ships from Star Flower and asked Shanala to arrange her return with Philippa.
• Wu Heng directed his skeletons to fight nearly a thousand Zombies while a flashlight-mounted Soul Absorbing Jade projected its magic array over the battlefield.
• Residual Souls rose from the dead Zombies, and Granda and Xiaoxiao absorbed them as they floated away.
• Granda and Xiaoxiao gained levels, while a girl in a nearby high-rise shouted to her mother that someone was sending the Zombies on.

Wu Heng expanded his operations on Treasure Island and placed a massive order with the Starflower Merchant Association, while preparing a truth-revealing relic to resolve accusations against his base. The Provincial Rescue Team began its long-delayed city offensive, but the zombie horde abruptly scattered and hid as the assault advanced.

• Wu Heng’s skeletons cleared Tiebei Commercial Street, rescued thirteen nearby survivors, and returned with supplies to the Military Factory.
• Wu Heng ordered electricians for Treasure Island, discussed trade with the Central Broadcast Station, and bought food, armor, axes, and ten warships from Star Flower representative Sheamus.
• The Dwarf Designer reported that the Energy Factory Building was complete and accepted Wu Heng’s offer to lead a Design Institute.
• Qi Hancai told Wu Heng that a shelter had accused their recruits of robbery and murder, so Wu Heng demonstrated a clay figurine that compelled people to tell the truth and asked her to pass it to Li Yahong.
• Qi Hancai reported that the Provincial Rescue Team had begun attacking the city, and Wu Heng watched the team bombard a massive zombie horde on Jiuhua Street.
• The zombie horde suddenly stopped charging and scattered into buildings, leaving the attacking Rescue Team bewildered.

A Provincial Rescue Team convoy was ambushed by a Zombie Horde controlled by a highly intelligent Zombie, and the horde later destroyed the team’s base before pursuing the survivors toward Xinfu City’s Military Factory. Meanwhile, Wu Heng met two new Vice Deacons on Treasure Island and approved plans to sell property in the island’s expansion area; the Military Factory was left with only half an hour to prepare for the approaching horde.

• The convoy’s retreat was overwhelmed by Zombies, and only two Armored Vehicles escaped after the others were lost.
• Wu Heng welcomed Skitt and Gadain, two level 12 professionals newly assigned as Vice Deacons, and discussed Shi Yali and the island’s defenses with Shiraque.
• Andeviel told Wu Heng that the expansion area would soon be complete, and he approved setting prices and selling its houses and shops.
• The Provincial Rescue Team identified a possible Zombie King, then discovered a huge horde outside its base and evacuated as the Zombies attacked.
• The survivors’ convoy destroyed the overrun base with explosions, but another horde pursued them toward Xinfu City.
• The Military Factory received a warning that the convoy and its pursuing horde would reach the area in half an hour, and its staff debated evacuating while their leader was away.