Chapter Summaries

Tiandao faced Ivan, an Iron Dome Family Mechanical Star Envoy, and effortlessly turned aside his attacks. The fight left Chen Kong comparing himself bitterly with Tiandao’s overwhelming strength.

• Ivan activated his mechanoid armor and declared that Tiandao would not escape this time.
• Ivan fired his Star Energy Particle Cannon, but Tiandao’s Vector Field split the beam around him.
• Tiandao analyzed the cannon’s energy and frequency, prompting Ivan to switch to a melee attack.
• Tiandao caught Ivan’s electrified battle blade with his bare hand and used Myriad Repulsion to divert its current.
• Chen Kong watched Tiandao stop Ivan’s attack and felt the vast gap between their abilities.

Tiandao overwhelmed Ivan in close combat, using his Vector Field and precise attacks on Ivan’s mech’s energy nodes to defeat his weapons and damage his armor. Ivan recovered and began analyzing the fight as Tiandao prepared to continue, treating him as both a gift for Caroline and a worthy opponent.

• Tiandao and Ivan fought at close range while Chen Kong moved himself and Vivian out of the battle’s dangerous aftershocks.
• Ivan fired miniature Star Energy Particle spheres at Tiandao, but Tiandao’s Vector Field deflected and destroyed them.
• Ivan transformed his Battle Blade into a chain blade, but Tiandao dodged it and disrupted its energy node with a precise flick.
• Tiandao struck Ivan in the chest and sent him crashing through three Quantum rooms, leaving his armor cracked and his mech damage at 15.7%.
• Ivan rose and rapidly analyzed the battle data while Tiandao watched with excitement.

Ivan activated his Quantum Hive and used its nanite swarm to repair and upgrade his mech, but Tiandao revealed Vector Control: Storage and countered his assault. Unable to find a conventional way to win, Ivan began a Mechanical Divine Descent to summon the God of Ten Thousand Machines.

• Ivan released the Quantum Hive’s Nanite Mechanical Bees, which returned to his mech and rapidly repaired it.
• Ivan activated Overclocking and Swarm Co-op Combat, then attacked Tiandao with a swarm-forged blade and heavy punch.
• Tiandao used Vector Control: Storage to absorb and return part of Ivan’s attack, damaging Ivan’s mech arm.
• Tiandao explained that stored Vector Damage could be released in stacked layers, leaving Ivan with few viable ways to defeat him.
• Ivan decided to risk summoning the God of Ten Thousand Machines and began the Mechanical Divine Descent.

Ivan invoked the Mechanical God Cult’s ritual to connect with the Quantum Fortress, transforming into a machine-controlled Holy Spirit and preparing to fight Tiandao. Tiandao revealed the technological basis of Ivan’s divine descent, then summoned Purgatory Rashomon and considered how believers might form the cornerstone of his own godhood.

• Ivan prayed to the God of Ten Thousand Machines, calming the Gear Guardians and linking his nanite swarm to the Quantum Fortress.
• The Quantum Fortress took control of Ivan’s fused body, turning him into the Holy Spirit and forming a towering false god above him.
• Tiandao explained that Ivan’s divine descent relied on remote access to a Mechanical Nexus and an exchange of his lifespan for computing power and Star Energy.
• Ivan raised his Mechanoid Battle Blade and prepared to attack Tiandao, who summoned the Quantum Cube technique, Purgatory Rashomon.
• Tiandao reflected that believers might be a crucial foundation for a god and realized he may have found his own cornerstone.

Tiandao used his popularity-fueled power to unleash Perfect Technique: Purgatory Rashomon against Ivan and the God of Ten Thousand Machines. Inside the purgatory space, Ivan’s suppressed human memories resurfaced as Tiandao’s slashes damaged his armor and disrupted his core logic.

• Tiandao revealed that his true target was the God of Ten Thousand Machines, and he unleashed Perfect Technique: Purgatory Rashomon as his opening challenge.
• The Quantum Cube released a black Star Energy Fluctuation that dragged Ivan, Chen Kong, Danika, and Vivian into a dark purgatory space.
• Purgatory Rashomon magnified Ivan’s memories of his childhood, his forced mechanical modification by the Iron Dome Family, and the loss of his humanity.
• Ivan’s suppressed emotions disrupted his core logic and slowed his strike against Tiandao.
• Pitch-black slashes struck Ivan’s armor joints, invaded his consciousness, and intensified his negative emotions.

Tiandao defeated Ivan by disrupting his divine descent and awakening his humanity, after which Ivan shut down his power core and died. Jing Liuli arrived in the Steam Capital to investigate Chen Xing and found Steam Guards fighting Lower City citizens, prompting her to alert Caroline.

• Tiandao's Purgatory Judgment shattered Ivan's divine descent, leaving him powerless as the Purgatory space collapsed.
• Ivan rejected the Iron Dome Family's control, shut down his power core, thanked Tiandao, and died.
• Tiandao stored Ivan's mechanical shell in his Quantum Cube and asked Danika to overhaul the Steam Furnace.
• Jing Liuli arrived in the Steam Capital and told Caroline she had come to see Chen Xing.
• Jing Liuli witnessed Steam Guards brawling with Lower City citizens and sent Caroline a photo and an urgent message about the chaos.

Jing Liuli arrived at Steam Capital during the battle between its Upper City and Lower City, and contacted Chen Xing, who told her to wait at Gear Tower while she handled something. Jing Liuli instead persuaded Mei Ling to help her find Chen Xing’s guardian, but she was recognized by fans at the station and began asking about the city’s troubles.

• Mei Ling stopped Jing Liuli from leaving the train station and arranged for a company car while the city outside remained engulfed in fighting.
• Jing Liuli sent Chen Xing photos announcing her arrival, and Chen Xing told her to go to Gear Tower while she dealt with an urgent matter.
• Jing Liuli suspected Chen Xing was hiding something and persuaded Mei Ling to help her find Chen Xing’s guardian instead of going to Gear Tower.
• A young man recognized Jing Liuli at the station, drawing a crowd of fans who asked for autographs and a concert.
• Jing Liuli signed the young man’s mechanical arm and asked him what had happened in Steam Capital.

Jing Liuli learned that something had happened at the Steam Furnace and hurried there, while Liam waited outside as the furnace transformed. Inside, Tiandao and Danika completed renovations that gave Tiandao a stake in the furnace, and Tiandao began investigating a new lightning ability.

• Jing Liuli confirmed that Chen Xing and her guardian were headed to the Steam Furnace, then flew there on her Dream Pillow with Mei Ling following.
• Chen Kong emerged from the Steam Furnace carrying the unconscious Vivian, and Liam questioned him before deciding to wait for the furnace to stabilize.
• Liam sensed that three Calamities had gathered in the Steam Capital and worried about the Steam Branch's situation.
• Danika rested after helping Tiandao divide the Steam Furnace into twelve areas, while the new rules reduced its maximum output but allowed twelve people to use it at once.
• Tiandao established a service fee for users of the Steam Furnace to bind himself to it and secure General President Enit's support.
• Danika asked what Tiandao was studying as pale blue electricity flowed around his arm, and the Dimensional Audience speculated that he was unlocking a new ability.

Tiandao explained how he planned to use his next Character Story Background Modification Permission to gain Tiandao Cells and develop Sage Mode for Season 3. He showed off lightning produced through Vector Control, while Little Danika worried that Chen Kong might be in for trouble.

• Tiandao waited to break through to Rank 3 until he could claim the Season 2 popularity championship reward and modify his character background.
• Tiandao planned to add Tiandao Cells, a talent that would strengthen his recovery, energy capacity, regeneration, adaptability, and ability to host multiple techniques.
• Tiandao used Vector Control to guide electrons through the air and create lightning around his arm, but avoided shocking himself before gaining Tiandao Cells.
• Tiandao planned to combine Sage Mode, Eight Gates Formation, and Lightning Release Chakra Mode during Season 3's Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Competition.
• Little Danika saw Tiandao grin and wondered whether Chen Kong would suffer because of whatever he was planning.

Tiandao offered Liam a share of the Steam Furnace’s forging fees in exchange for the Steam Branch’s support, and the two began negotiating. In Star Orbit Corridor, Valentina brought Enit news from the Steam Capital, which caught the Current Strongest Star Envoy’s interest.

• Danika questioned Tiandao’s decision to offer thirty percent of the forging fees, and he told her that people valued getting what they wanted more than the price.
• Liam arrived alone, and Tiandao offered the Steam Branch thirty percent of every Steam Furnace forging fee if it vouched for him.
• Liam demanded at least seventy percent, but Tiandao argued that the General President might accept the outcome; Liam agreed to negotiate.
• Valentina showed Enit news from the Steam Capital, and Enit read the Tactical Tablet with keen interest.
• Enit’s punch stopped short of Valentina but split the storm clouds above the ruined dojo courtyard.

Enit reviewed Tiandao’s actions in the Steam Capital and ordered Iron Dome to stand down, then summoned Tiandao to the Star Orbit Corridor because he suspected Tiandao knew where Dragon was. Meanwhile, Jing Liuli arrived at the Brass Tower to see Chen Xing and was promptly dragged down by the ear.

• Enit recognized that Tiandao expected him to handle the aftermath in the Steam Capital and told Valentina to end Iron Dome’s interference.
• Enit ordered Valentina to have Tiandao visit him at the Star Orbit Corridor and said that people still doubted Dragon was dead.
• Enit studied Tiandao’s profile and suspected Valentina would go to the Steam Capital to test him, predicting she would suffer a loss.
• On the Brass Tower rooftop, Fox warned Chen Xing that Jing Liuli was approaching with a Calamity.
• Jing Liuli arrived boasting that she was a big star, but Chen Xing grabbed her ear and dragged her down to the Brass Tower.

Jing Liuli came to the Brass Tower because Caroline was worried about Chen Xing, but she sensed Tiandao’s Star Energy near the Steam Furnace and used her ability to uncover his return. She confronted Chen Xing and asked whether Caroline knew, leaving Chen Xing’s secret exposed.

• Jing Liuli told Chen Xing that Caroline had sent her to check on Chen Xing because she had been acting strangely.
• Chen Xing invited Jing Liuli, Chen Kong, and Liu Ma to leave the Brass Tower and catch up, while concealing the conflict between the Steam Branch and the Gear Church.
• Jing Liuli sensed a familiar Star Energy aura from the Steam Furnace, and Chen Xing tried to dismiss it as her imagination.
• Jing Liuli activated Eternal Night Phantom Butterfly and asked Chen Xing whether she would attend the Starry Sky Ladder.
• Jing Liuli realized Tiandao had returned, and she confronted Chen Xing, asking when he had arrived and whether Caroline knew.

Chen Xing and Jing Liuli ended their tense standoff and began a private conversation, while Tiandao received news that a new Movie Edition was starting. He considered how to enter the production and earn Popularity Points as the story set up a conflict at Jing Liuli’s advancement ceremony.

• Fox and Mei Ling confronted one another with Calamity-class pressure, forcing Chen Kong and Liu Ma back against the wall.
• Yu Chen asked Chen Kong what was happening, and Chen Kong said it was more complicated than a Mechanical Star Envoy’s circuit boards.
• Jing Liuli laughed and agreed to talk with Chen Xing, while their guardians raised a Star Energy Barrier to keep the conversation private.
• Tiandao tried to see what Chen Xing and Jing Liuli were discussing, but a system notice announced the Movie Edition warm-up and revealed its cast, title, synopsis, and rewards.
• Tiandao recognized the value of the Permanent Movie Edition Art Style and considered reuniting with Caroline and how to earn popularity in the Movie Edition.

Tiandao reunited with Jing Liuli after emerging from the Steam Furnace, and the two joined Chen Xing and the others at a villa in Steam Capital. Jing Liuli revealed that she wanted Tiandao’s help with trouble from the Starfrost Faction and invited him to her upcoming concert, setting up a new storyline.

• Liam stopped Yae Zhai from attacking Tiandao and told the Branch Star Envoys he had made a deal with him.
• Jing Liuli flew into Tiandao’s arms, and he teased her before joining her and the others to talk elsewhere.
• At a villa, Jing Liuli explained that Caroline had sent her to check on Chen Xing and asked Tiandao why he had not visited Caroline after waking.
• Tiandao said he had avoided involving others while facing trouble from the Iron Dome Family, and he confirmed that danger had passed.
• Jing Liuli admitted she wanted Caroline, Chen Xing, and Tiandao at her concert to deter the Starfrost Faction from causing trouble.

Season 2 concluded by showing how the Steam Capital changed after the purge and how Tiandao’s allies prepared to leave for the Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Competition. The playback ended with Tiandao and the others aboard a departing train, as he learned he would next prepare for the Movie Edition.

• The new Brass Nobles accepted Scorpio Leighton as their president, while Leighton and the Qianyu Group began reforms in the Steam Capital’s Lower City.
• The Iron Dome Family yielded after a warning, and the Association’s wanted order for Tiandao was burned and withdrawn.
• Vivian reunited with Chen Kong at the renewed Riveting Tavern, where they received an invitation to the Starry Sky Ladder Ranking Competition.
• Tiandao, Chen Xing, Jing Liuli, Danika, and the others boarded a Steam Train to leave the Steam Capital.
• The Season 2 playback ended, and Tiandao learned that he would prepare for the Movie Edition.

After winning the second-season Popularity Points ranking, Tiandao raised his loan limit and used his background modification permission to gain the special talent Tian Dao Cells. As Tiandao grew stronger aboard the train, Chen Xing realized she still could not catch up to him.

• Tiandao received first place in the second-season Popularity Points ranking and raised his Popularity Loan limit to 20 million.
• Jing Liuli got upset when Tiandao would not tell her what had made him smile, and she wrote that he was a selfish ghost on her pillow.
• Tiandao confirmed his exclusive story background modification and gained the special talent Tian Dao Cells.
• Fox, Mei Ling, and Chen Xing sensed Tiandao's transformation, and Chen Xing reflected that she could never catch his back.

Tiandao activated the Tian Dao Cells, gaining powerful regeneration, improved attributes, and a huge increase in Star Energy. After stealing Jing Liuli’s sweets and being forced to write an apology, he rode the train into the Sea of Crimson Mist and watched his exclusive side story begin airing.

• Tiandao activated the Tian Dao Cells, which soothed his injuries and raised his Star Energy Value to 29,999 while improving his attributes.
• Tiandao discovered that the Tian Dao Cells’ recovery required food, especially sweets, and stole candies and chocolates from Jing Liuli’s Dream Pillow.
• Jing Liuli cried over the stolen snacks until Tiandao returned the pillow and wrote a pledge not to steal from her again.
• Chen Xing photographed Tiandao apologizing to Jing Liuli, who hid the pledge in her pillow and forgave him.
• The Steam Train left the Steam Capital and entered the Sea of Crimson Mist as Tiandao received a prompt that his exclusive side story, “The Innate Strong 2,” had begun airing.

Three months after Stellaris Season 2 ended, fans on Station 13’s forum fought over the Star Brilliance rankings and Tiandao’s official pairing. Their arguments stopped when Tiandao’s exclusive extra, “The Innate Strong 2,” was announced, and it began airing three days later.

• Caroline, Jing Liuli, and Chen Xing fans argued over who ranked second beneath Tiandao, citing hidden strength, talent, and Season 2 battle records.
• Chen Xing fans promoted the Tian Xing pairing with Tiandao while feuding over the rankings, prompting Caroline fans to prepare a defense of their preferred pairing.
• The forum announced that Tiandao’s exclusive extra, “The Innate Strong 2,” would air Saturday at 8 PM, redirecting fans’ attention from the arguments.
• Fans gathered around the countdown, and three days later “The Innate Strong 2” began airing on Station 13.

A childhood extra chapter showed Tiandao’s extraordinary combat instincts and Hyper-computation, which he used to defeat three delinquents despite having no Star Core or Star Source. After sensing a change in the wind on his way to tutoring, Tiandao entered the building as a manhole cover in a nearby alley began to shake.

• Young Tiandao left elementary school alone and encountered three delinquents who tried to rob him.
• Tiandao used Hyper-computation and precise strikes to defeat all three delinquents in less than half a minute.
• Tiandao wiped away a nosebleed caused by Hyper-computation and ate chocolate before heading to tutoring.
• Outside the tutoring building, Tiandao sensed danger in the changed wind and remarked that its scent had changed.
• After Tiandao entered the building, a manhole cover in a nearby alley began to shake violently.

Tiandao watched the city before a Beast Tide struck and then faced Green-skinned Monsters in a park. After killing five and healing his wounds with chocolate, he left for home, telling Yellow Hair that the monsters were the prey.

• Tiandao asked his cram school teacher what kind of creature would release its scent without restraint, and the city alarm sounded before the teacher could get an answer.
• The teacher urged Tiandao to go home and secure his doors and windows as black clouds covered the sky and a fishy-sweet scent filled the air.
• Green-skinned Monsters chased Yellow Hair and killed the two boys who had once cornered Tiandao.
• Tiandao appeared in the park and went to confront the monster pursuing Yellow Hair.
• Tiandao killed five Green-skinned Monsters, healed his wounds by eating chocolate, and told Yellow Hair there was nothing to fear because the monsters were prey.
• Tiandao picked up his schoolbag and walked home through the firelit city.