Recaps

Half a year after Stellaris Season 1 ended, its production team released an extra chapter about Tiandao Siming’s childhood. At Ember Base, young Tiandao identified an injured Deep Sea Scourge and walked toward it to fight, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• The Stellaris Production Team announced the extra chapter “The Innate Strong,” and viewers recognized Tiandao Siming as its protagonist.
• At Ember Base, Tiandao told Yun Meng that snowy days felt more comfortable because his eyes made the world’s Star Energy overwhelming.
• Yun Meng gave Tiandao special sunglasses and praised him for memorizing the Star Beast Encyclopedia in three days, teasing him into embarrassment.
• An injured Deep Sea Scourge emerged from the forest, and Tiandao identified it precisely.
• Tiandao stopped Yun Meng from handling the creature and approached it; the Deep Sea Scourge attacked.

Tiandao defeated the Deep Sea Scourge but collapsed from the strain of Hyper-computation, prompting the Doctor to explain the danger and seal his computing power. The Extra Chapter ended with Tiandao awakening years later, while viewers realized he had been extraordinarily powerful even with his abilities restricted.

• Tiandao dodged the Deep Sea Scourge’s tentacle attacks and killed it with Star Energy Technique - Azure, then collapsed with a nosebleed and dizziness.
• The Doctor told Yun Meng that the Stellar Eclipse Heavenly Eye had released Tiandao’s Hyper-computation, and his young body could not withstand the increased brain activity.
• The Doctor decided to seal Tiandao’s computing power until his body developed, warning that otherwise he might not live to adulthood; Yun Meng agreed.
• The Extra Chapter showed Tiandao awakening from a computation pod and greeting Sister Yun after a long time.
• The Dimensional Audience learned that Tiandao had fought with his Hyper-computation sealed and discussed how overwhelming his strength was.

Season 2 opened in Steam Capital, where Vivian entered the Rust Nail Bar on a mission six years after the Ember Organization's destruction. The chapter left Bertrand trapped in a deadly game of Roulette of Death, facing six bullets and pressure from the gang around him.

• The Dimensional Audience watched the premiere of Stellaris: Glimmer and anticipated Tiandao's return and his reunion with Caroline.
• Vivian arrived at the Rust Nail Bar in Steam Capital's Lower City, carrying a black umbrella and wearing a familiar pink children's toy watch.
• Vivian surveyed the bar's filthy, dangerous surroundings and recoiled at its lawless atmosphere.
• After surviving a round of Roulette of Death, a gang member shoved the revolver toward Bertrand and ordered him to play.
• Bertrand trembled as six bullets were placed before him, while the gang members mocked and threatened him into continuing.

Vivian, a Silver Knight from the Upper City, intervened when the Grey Rat Gang tried to kill Bertrand with a rigged game in the Rust Nail Bar. Chen Kong exposed the gang’s trap and led Vivian and Bertrand away, while Old Jack warned that even visitors from Heaven had to obey Hell’s rules.

• Bertrand swallowed five bullets in Ash Black Beer and survived, only to be told to play the gang’s Roulette of Death.
• Vivian stopped Bertrand from firing a revolver at his temple and revealed she was looking for him alive.
• Old Jack called Chen Kong over to stop Vivian from disrupting the bar’s business.
• Vivian tried to take Bertrand away, and the Grey Rat Gang drew weapons and threatened her.
• Chen Kong confronted the gang and revealed the revolver held six bullets, exposing their attempt to kill Bertrand.
• The Grey Rat Gang left after threatening Chen Kong, and he escorted Vivian and Bertrand away to talk elsewhere.

Chen Kong warned Vivian that searching for the Church’s missing item in the Rust Iron District could be dangerous because the gangs were at war, but she refused to leave without finding it. When Vivian asked him to help, Chen Kong agreed on the condition that she pay more.

• Chen Kong questioned Vivian, and she revealed that the Church had lost something important believed to be hidden in the Rust Iron District.
• Bertrand admitted that he had helped people sneak from the Upper City into the district, though he claimed he did not know they had stolen from the Church.
• Bertrand explained that District 12 was relatively safe, but the three major gangs were fighting across the rest of the Rust Iron District.
• Chen Kong advised Vivian to leave until the fighting ended, but she refused because the Church had to find the item within a month to prevent chaos in the Upper City.
• Vivian asked Chen Kong to help her, and he said he would if she paid more.

Tiandao entered the Grey Rat Gang hideout in Rust Iron Hell to rescue Danika, the green-haired girl who was the true Key of Miracles. He freed her from her cell and offered her a lollipop, giving her hope amid her despair.

• Tiandao watched Chen Kong on the Dimensional Screen and reflected on how much he had changed during the six years they were apart.
• Tiandao used his Vector Field to land safely from a crane tower, then decided to intervene and rescue the child holding the Key of Miracles.
• Tiandao used Myriad Concealment to pass the Grey Rat Gang guards and enter the abandoned factory’s underground warehouse unnoticed.
• Tiandao bent open the bars of Danika’s cell and offered her a lollipop, which she later remembered as a ray of hope and redemption.

Tiandao led Danika out of the Grey Rat Gang’s guarded cell while explaining the Mechanical God Cult’s beliefs and the truth behind its sacred texts. Danika’s human form and ability to create rules made her a heretical, one-of-a-kind Word whose existence would put her in danger if discovered.

• Danika nervously followed Tiandao past the Grey Rat Gang guards, and Tiandao reassured her that they could not see them.
• Tiandao recalled an old companion who used to hiss at him whenever he tried to pat her head.
• Tiandao considered how Danika’s human form defied the Mechanical God Cult’s doctrine that machines should abandon humanity and ascend.
• Tiandao recognized that Danika could create rules through speech or writing and grant mechanical blessings to those who followed them.
• Tiandao reflected that the Iron Dome Family had built its power around Miracle Stone: Law, turning its Book into the Iron Dome Hub and its Words into the Mechanical Bibles.
• Tiandao concluded that Danika was unique among the Mechanical God Cult’s Words because she had become human.

Tiandao reflected on Danika’s importance to the Gear Church and her tragic original story, then escaped the prison with her and hid atop the Abandoned Factory to watch Chen Kong and Vivian arrive. The chapter ended as they began observing the factory, with Tiandao anticipating his role in Season 2.

• The Gear Church kept Danika’s disappearance secret because only she could read the Wordless Bible and perform mechanical blessings, and losing her threatened its future strength.
• Tiandao recalled how the Iron Dome Family had erased Danika’s humanity and taken her shell in the original Season 2 plot, and vowed not to let them take her.
• Tiandao decided he would treat Danika as herself rather than as a miracle key or tool.
• Tiandao used Myriad Concealment to escape the prison with Danika, who warned him that something was happening ahead.
• Tiandao led Danika to the roof of the Abandoned Factory to watch Chen Kong and Vivian arrive, and the pair began observing the factory.

Chen Kong used his Star Source ability to lead Vivian unseen into the Grey Rat Gang’s stronghold, where she recognized him as District 12’s King of Shadows. As they reached the Manager’s Office to find the Church’s missing item, Chen Kong hinted that a powerful enemy—and a mysterious figure from his past—stood in their way.

• Bertrand led Chen Kong and Vivian to the Grey Rat Gang’s abandoned factory, and Chen Kong stopped Vivian from charging in so they would not alert the gang.
• Chen Kong took Vivian’s hand and used his Star Source ability to conceal them, while Tiandao and Little Danika watched from the factory roof.
• Vivian inferred that Chen Kong was District 12’s King of Shadows, but Chen Kong called himself ordinary and spoke of a monster who had once helped and taught him.
• Chen Kong sensed a powerful person inside the Manager’s Office and told Vivian that capturing him might reveal where the Church’s missing item was.

Vivian confronted Jakes in the Grey Rat Gang hideout to learn the location of the Holy Relic, but he recognized her as William’s daughter and unleashed a giant mechanical rat. As Jakes sent the monster charging, Vivian raised her Hour Hand Greatsword to face it.

• Jakes waited for his gang members to bring him beer, then narrowly dodged Vivian’s rapier as she attacked through the office door.
• Vivian demanded to know where the Holy Relic was, and Jakes unleashed swarms of self-destructing Mechanical Rats against her.
• Vivian transformed her Seconds Hand Rapier into an Hour Hand Greatsword and used Clockwork Rewind to withstand the explosions.
• Jakes recognized Vivian as William’s daughter and revealed his grudge over the leg William had severed.
• Jakes merged with a three-story Giant Mechanical Rat, threw bombs at Vivian, and ordered the monster to attack her.

Vivian defeated Jakes with the Minute Hand Longsword, and the animated series shifted to Chen Kong's encounter with Liu Ma, a former companion now ranked NO.35 in Stellaris. After catching up and discussing Tiandao, Chen Kong and Liu Ma wagered the Mechanical Bible on a fight, which began with Liu Ma countering Chen Kong's Presence Erasure.

• Vivian explained the Minute Hand Longsword's time-acceleration ability and killed Jakes with a single strike.
• Chen Kong encountered Liu Ma beneath the Abandoned Factory and learned that Liu Ma had awakened his Star Core and joined a new company.
• Liu Ma told Chen Kong that Jing Liuli, Chen Kong's sister, and Caroline were thriving outside the base.
• Chen Kong and Liu Ma discussed Tiandao's disappearance and agreed that their instincts said he might still be alive.
• Liu Ma offered the Mechanical Bible as a wager, and Chen Kong attacked, but Liu Ma exposed his Presence Erasure and gained the advantage.

Chen Kong and Liu Ma reunited in battle, with Liu Ma exposing the limits of Chen Kong’s Mark of the Void and discovering his hidden Level Two strength and Perfect Awakening. As they prepared to fight in earnest, Chen Kong formed a Seconds Hand Rapier and engulfed it in Bloodflame.

• Liu Ma broke through Chen Kong’s Presence Erasure with one punch and challenged him to reveal his true strength.
• Liu Ma explained that Chen Kong’s Mark of the Void worked less effectively on old friends and said he had noticed Chen Kong was hiding his Star Source Visionary.
• Chen Kong concealed his Level Two Star Energy as Level One, but Liu Ma sensed his Perfect Awakening and pure Star Energy.
• Chen Kong corrected Liu Ma’s memories of Tiandao, explaining that Tiandao had treated challengers like toys but had been gentler with friends.
• Chen Kong manifested a Seconds Hand Rapier and said he was getting serious, while Liu Ma’s Star Mark activated and transformed his appearance.
• Chen Kong’s rapier erupted with Bloodflame as the two prepared to fight.

Chen Kong used his awakened Visionary to wield replicated Star abilities and fought Liu Ma to a standstill until he won with a vanishing weapon. Tiandao appeared in disguise on the factory rooftop, but the Dimensional Audience recognized him, and the chapter left their attention fixed on his identity.

• Chen Kong used Bloodflame with the Seconds Hand Rapier, wounding Liu Ma and explaining that his Perfect Awakening let him synchronize with Star Core abilities without a time limit.
• Liu Ma transformed with Nether Ghost Fire and fought Chen Kong seriously, matching his strength despite Chen Kong’s superior Star Energy.
• Tiandao put on a white mask and concealed his hair as he watched from the Abandoned Factory rooftop, while Little Danika tried to disguise herself with a chip bag.
• The anime camera revealed Tiandao as a Mysterious Masked Man, and the Dimensional Audience recognized his blue eyes.
• Chen Kong extended Mark of the Void · Presence Erasure to his weapon and defeated Liu Ma by pressing the vanished blade to his throat.

Chen Kong and Liu Ma were confronted by a masked woman after Chen Kong recognized the Hidden Star Society mark, and she badly wounded Liu Ma and Vivian while demanding to know how he knew the name. A second masked figure appeared and stopped her attack, leaving Andromeda stunned.

• Liu Ma gave Chen Kong the Mechanical Bible and sent him a file about Star Core Awakening that Caroline had shared three years earlier.
• Chen Kong told Liu Ma he had encountered another person with a Star Mark, and a masked woman appeared behind him as thunder struck.
• The woman caught Liu Ma's Golden Heavy Fist, threw him aside, and revealed that she had badly wounded and captured Vivian.
• Chen Kong recognized the Andromeda Star Orbit pattern on the woman's mask and said, "Hidden Star Society," prompting her to demand where he had learned the name.
• The woman wounded Liu Ma with a Sound Blade and seized Chen Kong, but a Mysterious Masked Man appeared and stopped her from attacking further.

Tiandao defended himself and Chen Kong from Andromeda’s sound attacks, then rescued Danika from the Abandoned Factory roof. Andromeda revealed her Star Core and threatened to eat Tiandao, who answered with contempt as the confrontation resumed.

• Andromeda attacked Tiandao and Chen Kong with invisible Sound Blades, but Tiandao dodged them and taunted her about fearing Enit.
• Chen Kong struggled to recognize Tiandao’s voice while Andromeda prepared another attack.
• Tiandao rushed to the roof and rescued Danika, who had climbed over the edge because she feared he would leave her behind.
• Tiandao returned with Danika clinging to his leg, and they pretended not to hear Andromeda as the Dimensional Audience watched.
• Andromeda revealed her Star Mark and spider-like Star Beast form, declared she would reclaim the key, and threatened to eat Tiandao.
• Tiandao dismissed Andromeda’s threat, reversing the contempt she had shown her opponents earlier.

Tiandao concealed his identity as the Mysterious Masked Man and used a new fighting style, Gale Wind, to defend against Andromeda’s attack. The chapter ended as he prepared to reveal the style’s hidden killing power.

• The Dimensional Audience recognized the Mysterious Masked Man as Tiandao and speculated about his new abilities.
• Chen Kong suspected the masked man was Tiandao but waited for further proof.
• Tiandao chose not to use Black Azure or Azure Black Flash so he could keep his identity hidden.
• Andromeda played her pipa and sent transparent Sound Blades toward Tiandao.
• Tiandao formed a wall of compressed air that deflected the Sound Blades and introduced Vector Control: Gale Wind.

Andromeda unleashed her Star Remains against Tiandao, but he revealed Shattered Star and effortlessly read her attacks. Their battle escalated as Andromeda’s strikes grew faster and stronger, while Tiandao became increasingly impatient.

• Andromeda’s attacks failed to get past Tiandao’s wind barrier, and he mocked the Hidden Star Society’s strength.
• Andromeda realized Tiandao knew about Sentient Species and Star Remains, then transformed into silver armor with a greatsword and spider limbs.
• Tiandao opened a subspace rift and drew Shattered Star, a blade assembled from 999 Star Core Fragments.
• Andromeda vanished at high speed, but Tiandao’s slash forced her to appear beside him and defend.
• Andromeda launched increasingly fast attacks accompanied by sonic vibrations, while Tiandao grew more impatient.

Tiandao defeated Andromeda with Starfall and carried her to a Hidden Star Society villa, where he demanded that Scorpio and Hydra introduce him to their superiors. Scorpio and Hydra drew their weapons, and Tiandao prepared to force them to comply.

• Tiandao overwhelmed Andromeda with Starfall, leaving her badly wounded but alive.
• Tiandao teased Little Danika about teaching her Starfall, then carried her and the unconscious Andromeda out of the Abandoned Factory.
• Tiandao brought Andromeda to the Hidden Star Society villa and asked Scorpio and Hydra to recommend him to their superiors.
• Scorpio and Hydra drew their weapons, and Tiandao's smile grew as he prepared to make them submit.

Tiandao subdued Scorpio and Hydra with Myriad Manifestations and forced them to let him replace an infiltrator in the Hidden Star Society. The Society approved his request, clearing his way to take the identity of captain of the Star Envoy Association Steam Capital Branch's Fifth Squad as he worked to protect Ember's rekindled Glimmer.

• Tiandao used Myriad Manifestations to make Scorpio and Hydra's attacks miss, then pinned them to the floor with crushing pressure.
• Tiandao asked Danika to find a document, discovered she could not read the technical terms, and searched the box himself.
• Tiandao found the Hidden Star Society Steam Branch infiltrator list and told Scorpio and Hydra he would replace a specific person.
• Hydra asked the Society's superiors for instructions, and they approved Tiandao's request after learning he was Tiandao Siming.
• Tiandao inferred that Doctor had returned to the Hidden Star Society and planned to use the organization as cover while building Glimmer.
• Tiandao revealed that he intended to take the identity of captain of the Star Envoy Association Steam Capital Branch's Fifth Squad.

Chen Kong brought the badly wounded Liu Ma and Vivian to Old Jack’s Rust Nail Tavern, where Old Jack warned that sheltering a Silver Knight could endanger District 12. When Cicero and the Blood Skull gang arrived demanding Vivian, Old Jack and Liu Ma prepared to fight them.

• The Dimensional Audience argued over whether the Mysterious Masked Man was Tiandao, whose ambiguous appearance was meant to build interest without revealing his identity.
• Old Jack objected to Chen Kong bringing Vivian to the tavern and explained that locals would target anyone hiding a wounded Silver Knight.
• After three knocks sounded at the door, Chen Kong carried Vivian upstairs while Liu Ma chose to stay with Old Jack.
• Cicero and the Blood Skull gang kicked in the door and demanded that Old Jack hand over the Silver Knight.
• Old Jack armed himself and invoked District 12’s rules, while Liu Ma stood ready to fight; Cicero signaled his men as a battle loomed.

Liu Ma and Old Jack dealt with the Blood Skull gang at the Rust Nail Bar, then went upstairs to check on the young White Eagle. At the Star Envoy Association headquarters, Caroline recognized that her memories contained an error but continued her unexplained habit of eating sweets and setting aside a second portion.

• Liu Ma threw Cicero and the Blood Skull grunts out of the Rust Nail Bar while Old Jack watched.
• Liu Ma took a video call from the Boss Lady, promised to complete her mission, and left Old Jack to handle the gang members outside.
• Old Jack told Liu Ma they should check on the young White Eagle, and the two went upstairs.
• Caroline reflected that her memories contained an error and ate a strawberry cake despite not liking sweets.

Caroline led the Spirit Realm Experiment toward success, hoping to use its virtual space to suppress her Mechanoid Personality and investigate memories she believed were false. She resolved to uncover the truth about Chen Xing and her Dolphin Necklace, no matter the cost.

• Lina asked Caroline why she ordered an extra serving for afternoon tea and ate so little, but Caroline refused to answer and sent her to prepare Research Room Three.
• Caroline analyzed the Spirit Realm Experiment's latest data and told the researchers that success was getting closer.
• After dismissing the researchers, Caroline revealed that she wanted Spirit Realm to suppress her Mechanoid Personality so she could examine memories she believed had been distorted.
• Caroline studied her Dolphin Necklace and recalled that her memory identified it as a birthday gift from Chen Xing, though other clues suggested the memory was wrong.
• Caroline decided to trap her rational Mechanoid Personality by making it process humanity's illogical emotions, then vowed to find the truth no matter the cost.

Caroline received Chen Xing’s message about investigating Sentient Species Star Beasts and reflected on how she had discovered their infiltration of the Star Envoy Association. The chapter ended with Chen Xing preparing to investigate possible Sentient Species in the Steam Capital.

• The Dimensional Audience watched Caroline alone at the Star Envoy Association headquarters and worried that she and Tiandao might not reunite.
• Caroline returned to her room, where White Dolphin told her she had an unread private message.
• Caroline read Chen Xing’s message saying she had found artificially modified Star Beast specimens and would investigate the Steam Capital.
• Caroline recalled discovering disguised Sentient Species Star Beasts through her Star Core Frequency perception after her awakening.
• Caroline secretly reported her findings to Enit, who made her his disciple and entrusted the investigation to her.
• Caroline assigned the field investigation to Chen Xing, who willingly took it on as part of her Perfect Awakening ceremony.

Chen Xing arrived in Steam Capital and judged its rulers for exploiting the Lower City's workers and resisting automation. As she prepared to meet the local Star Envoy Association, she reflected on her regret over failing to understand someone from her past, then learned she might encounter that person again.

• Chen Xing and Fox arrived at Steam Capital's Upper City, where Chen Xing saw workers cleaning enormous steam pipes above the squalid Lower City.
• Chen Xing condemned Steam Capital's corrupt, conservative rulers, and Fox agreed that they could be used to pave the way for the Blazing Sun Family.
• Fox asked why Chen Xing kept her sunglasses close, and Chen Xing explained that they reminded her of missed chances to understand someone she had tried to surpass.
• Chen Xing and Fox headed to the Steam Capital Branch of the Star Envoy Association to report her arrival.
• Chen Xing discovered that the branch was selecting a captain for the Fifth Squad and that someone from her past might be there.

Tiandao disguised himself as Shui Mo and brought Little Danika to the Steam Capital Branch of the Star Envoy Association, planning to use the city’s coming upheaval to prove his value and clear his Wanted Order. He arrived at the Gear Tower determined to rise to the summit and attract General President Enit’s attention.

• Tiandao changed his appearance with black hair, dark contacts, and Passerby’s Glasses, then dyed Little Danika’s hair pink to conceal their identities.
• Tiandao introduced Shui Mo as a refined genius calligrapher, swordsmanship master, and Star Energy Techniques expert from the Deep Blue Metropolis.
• Tiandao reflected that Vivian and Chen Kong’s fated meeting would spark reform in Steam Capital and create an opportunity for him to enter the spotlight.
• Tiandao planned to prove his usefulness to humanity by overcoming the Steam Branch’s challenges and earning Enit’s support to revoke his Wanted Order.
• Tiandao and Little Danika reached the Gear Tower, where Little Danika complained about the industrial smells and Tiandao declared that he intended to climb higher.