Chapter Summaries

Wang Jixuan met Ling Tong in Central Park and tried to make her feel at ease, but their conversation was interrupted when a masked Psionicist attacked. Ling Tong swiftly defeated the intruder, who turned out to be a fellow operative, and the chapter ended with Wang Jixuan learning how formidable she was.

• Wang Jixuan spotted Ling Tong reading in Central Park and introduced himself, intrigued by her Mechanical Arms and the power his Spiritual Sense detected.
• Wang Jixuan and Ling Tong discussed his reputation, books, and music, and he compared her to a flower to encourage her.
• Wang Jixuan sensed a powerful Psionicist approaching and stood to defend himself as a masked man rushed at them with a Plasma Shield and revolver.
• Ling Tong used her Mechanical Arms to slice through the attack, break the Plasma Shield, and pin the masked man beneath her.
• The man removed his mask and protested that he was one of them, and Ling Tong deactivated her Destruction Laser Cannon and told Wang Jixuan he was probably an ally.

Wang Jixuan met the investigators assigned to Incident 1023 and joined their briefing as Ling Tong outlined her mission to deal with the 13th Institute’s influence and investigate Lower City. The chapter ended with Ling Tong ordering the operation to begin immediately, with Wang Jixuan guiding her and Zhou Zhengde accompanying them.

• Wang Jixuan declined the blind date and met Zheng Shiduo, a C-Class Psionicist assigned to investigate violations at Fortress 76.
• Zhou Zhengde formally established the Incident 1023 investigation team and introduced Ling Tong as its leader and commander.
• Ling Tong explained that she would protect Zhou Zhengde, eliminate the personnel threatening him, remove Kong Nu’s influence, and investigate Lower City while keeping the operation compliant.
• Ling Tong ordered Zheng Shiduo to surrender his communication devices, and he reluctantly revealed a hidden Crystal Butt Plug.
• Wang Jixuan volunteered to guide Ling Tong in Lower City and said Zhou Zhengde could accompany them; Ling Tong agreed and ordered the operation to begin.

Wang Jixuan and the others descended through Fortress No. 76’s fire stairs after learning that unknown Psionicists had taken control of the elevators. When a surveillance device exposed their team, Ling Tong split them up, leaving Wang Jixuan and Zheng Shiduo to continue the investigation with her.

• Ling Tong revealed that the fortress’s Psionic Outbreak Level had risen to Level 3, with fifty-four Psionicists inside and unknown newcomers guarding the elevators.
• Zheng Shiduo explained that Kong Nu had built political connections by trafficking people between fortresses, and suspected the new Psionicists had come from Fortress No. 82.
• Zhou Zhengde told Zheng Shiduo that Wang Jixuan was a mutated individual who had killed An Qian using a surprise attack and borrowed weapons.
• Wang Jixuan spotted and destroyed a mechanical cockroach, prompting Ling Tong to say that their team had been exposed.
• Ling Tong ordered Zhou Zhengde and three others to seek trusted military reinforcements while she, Wang Jixuan, and Zheng Shiduo continued downward; Zheng Shiduo’s pendant slipped from his collar, and Wang Jixuan’s pupils contracted.

Wang Jixuan led Zhou Zhengde and three officers through Fortress 76 while searching for spirit stones and avoiding Psionicists sent by Kong Nu. After Wang Jixuan killed a pursuing Psionicist, the group learned that more enemies were converging and fled toward the elevators.

• Wang Jixuan recognized a drained spirit stone in Zheng Shiduo's pendant and realized intact ones could help him gather spiritual qi.
• Wang Jixuan guided Zhou Zhengde and three officers through the thirty-second floor, knocking several thugs unconscious as they went.
• Ling Tong warned them that Psionicists were converging and that a transport from the Psionic Capital was headed for the Ancient Basin.
• Wang Jixuan organized an ambush when a D-Class Psionicist pursued Zhou Zhengde and used hand-to-hand techniques to throw him into a wall.
• Wang Jixuan shot the injured Psionicist, took his intercom, and learned that the others were closing in and had mistaken him for an E-Class Psionicist.
• Wang Jixuan gathered the group and used Divine Movement Talismans to speed their retreat.

Wang Jixuan led the squad into an ambush against the Psionicists pursuing them, helping them take out five enemies before they relocated toward Elevator No. 7. The fortress then shook, its lights failed, and an alarm sounded as Major Ling Tong’s firefight below appeared to escalate.

• Wang Jixuan positioned the squad near Elevator No. 8 and staged signs that they had fled, drawing three Psionicists into Zhou Zhengde’s sniper sights.
• Zhou Zhengde shot two Psionicists while Wang Jixuan charged around the corner, wounded an E-Class Psionicist, and incapacitated a D-Class telekinetic with his knees.
• Wang Jixuan planted a Micro-Missile on the unconscious Psionicist, and the burly officer fired four Micro-Missiles into the round hall, killing two more Psionicists and wounding two.
• Wang Jixuan regrouped with the others, and the squad relocated toward Elevator No. 7 while the female officer tracked enemy communications.
• The female officer reported that Major Ling Tong had exchanged fire with the Psionicists below, and the fortress shook as its lights went out and an alarm sounded.

Wang Jixuan and his squad joined Ling Tong in the Central Area, where she used her Steel Wings to eliminate two C-Class Psionicists. After Ling Tong revealed that she was investigating Professor Zhuang and led the team toward the forty-ninth floor, Zheng Shiduo tried to use a psionic ability on her, but Wang Jixuan intervened.

• Wang Jixuan and his squad reached the Central Area and carried specialized equipment toward the battle at the nightclub.
• Wang Jixuan found Zheng Shiduo leading Zhou Zhengde and the others in a glow-stick dance while Ling Tong fought inside the nightclub.
• Ling Tong unfurled her Steel Wings and destroyed the nightclub with a barrage of iron feathers, killing two C-Class Psionicists.
• Ling Tong staggered after the battle and explained that a Mental Shock from her fight with a General-Class Blade Beast had put her on leave.
• Ling Tong refused to let Zheng Shiduo split off alone, revealed that her investigation concerned Professor Zhuang, and directed the squad toward the forty-ninth floor.
• Zheng Shiduo tried to use a psionic ability on Ling Tong, but a figure with pale golden eyes moved behind her and blocked his gaze.

Ling Tong captured Zheng Shiduo after he used a sleep technique on Wang Jixuan, and Zheng revealed details about the Psionicist system and Professor Zhuang’s role. After learning that the investigation uncovered illegal Blade Beast experiments, Wang Jixuan asked to go to Upper City to watch Kong Nu, and Ling Tong assigned Zhou Zhengde to accompany him.

• Ling Tong pulled Wang Jixuan out of Zheng Shiduo’s Mental Interference, incapacitated Zheng, and ordered the others to restrain him.
• Zheng Shiduo explained how people became Psionicists, described the control system and the Spirit Capital Rebellion, and defended Professor Zhuang as an innocent researcher.
• Wang Jixuan examined Zheng’s Blade Beast crystal core and learned that the Command Center had found illegal cloning, organ cultivation, and human–Blade Beast gene fusion sites beneath the Black Fire Gang.
• Ling Tong revealed that Kong Nu was only part of a wider investigation and that she needed to collect evidence at three locations.
• Wang Jixuan asked to go to Upper City to keep watch on Kong Nu, and Ling Tong arranged for Zhou Zhengde to accompany him.

Wang Jixuan considered how to cultivate safely and agreed with Zhou Zhengde to change Mu Liang’s records rather than fake his death. As the Fortress Governor’s forces surrounded Kong Nu, Kong Nu sent his family away and appeared ready to face the consequences, but a message prompted him to flee through a hidden passage.

• Wang Jixuan decided to change Mu Liang’s records to the name Wang Zheng and said he would leave Fortress No. 76 if it became dangerous.
• Zhou Zhengde told Wang Jixuan that the Fortress Governor’s forces had surrounded Psionicist’s Home while he sought approval to attack Kong Nu.
• Professor Zhuang warned Kong Nu that his aircraft was targeted and urged him to escape to Fortress No. 82 with his family.
• Kong Nu sent his family and the other Psionicists away, then said he would stay behind and accept his fate.
• Kong Nu received a message from Old Li and fled through a concealed passage beneath his office.

Wang Jixuan captured Kong Nu’s soul and escaped the tunnel as Kong Nu was killed by snipers, then returned to Zhou Zhengde with evidence and learned the Governor was convening a meeting. He planned to return to the thirteenth floor with six Blade Beast Crystal Cores to question Kong Nu and set up a Spirit Gathering Array.

• Kong Nu crawled toward an air outlet after Old Li arranged a route to the Psionic Capital, but Wang Jixuan caught him and asked where Ye Zi was.
• Wang Jixuan used Soul-Capturing Talismans to place Gu Wending’s weakened soul in Kong Nu’s body and sent it through the outlet as a decoy.
• Snipers killed Kong Nu’s body outside, and Wang Jixuan destroyed the communicator and headed back with Kong Nu’s soul.
• Wang Jixuan took six Blade Beast Crystal Cores from Psionicist’s Home before explosions erupted in its office building and Zhou Zhengde sent troops to respond.
• Wang Jixuan gave Zhou Zhengde evidence and information about Kong Nu’s family and Ye Zi, then said he would return to the thirteenth floor to rest.

Wang Jixuan reached the Qi Refining Realm’s major completion by drawing spiritual energy from Blade Beast crystal cores, but a remnant soul attacked him and revealed the danger of cultivation. After questioning Kong Nu and learning the scale of his crimes, Wang Jixuan faced a sudden arrival by Ling Tong as Zhou Zhengde tried to get him to safety.

• Wang Jixuan used a Spirit Release Array to absorb spiritual energy from three Blade Beast crystal cores and advanced his cultivation to the Qi Refining Realm’s major completion.
• A Blade Beast Remnant Soul emerged from a shattered crystal core and attacked Wang Jixuan, who destroyed it with a spell after glimpsing a disdainful vertical pupil.
• Wang Jixuan realized the remaining energy in crystal cores could conceal Remnant Souls and considered warning Ling Tong about the danger.
• Zhou Zhengde messaged that an old S-Class Psionicist was negotiating with his Maternal Grandfather over a plan to inspect and take Wang Jixuan to the Psionic Capital.
• Wang Jixuan interrogated Kong Nu’s remnant soul with true fire and learned that Kong Nu had harmed more than a hundred thousand people and that Ye Zi had gone to Fortress No. 82 with his family.
• Zhou Zhengde and Doctor Wei Na arrived to take Wang Jixuan to his Maternal Grandfather, but Ling Tong appeared at the end of the Capillary Passage.

Wang Jixuan learned that Ling Tong had been sent to assess him, then helped Zhou Zhengde and Wei Na discuss their health while arranging a new identity to hide from the Psionic Capital. Outside Fortress 76, a strange Blade Beast spotted Ling Tong and appeared to have found its target.

• Ling Tong scanned Wang Jixuan, explained her optional mission to assess his danger, and filed her report without testing him in combat.
• Zhou Zhengde showed Wang Jixuan a photograph of the abandoned cargo truck and explained that Drifters had likely abducted Ye Zi, Kong Nu's daughters, and Kong Nu's wife.
• Zhou Zhengde arranged to erase Mu Liang's identity and give Wang Jixuan the new identity Wang Zheng, while explaining that the Psionic Capital had issued a global warrant for Black Storm Mu Liang.
• Wang Jixuan offered to treat Zhou Zhengde, Wei Na, and Ling Tong, and Ling Tong agreed to answer two questions about Blade Beasts if he helped her.
• A large, caterpillar-like Blade Beast outside Fortress 76 saw Ling Tong reflected in its vertical pupil and seemed to recognize her.

Wang Jixuan evaded an Upper City search for Mu Liang while planning to reach the front lines by becoming a mechanic. As Ling Tong’s massage visits grew into a daily routine, she offered him a place in her logistics team, and he agreed to join her despite the danger of Blade Beast attacks.

• Wang Jixuan denied knowing Mu Liang when Upper City Enforcement Team officers questioned him at his door.
• Wang Jixuan reviewed the military and 13th Institute’s escalating preparations, then continued studying for the Junior Mechanic exam while cultivating.
• Ling Tong warned Wang Jixuan that powerful Psionicists had arrived and asked him to resume her therapeutic massages.
• Over the following days, Ling Tong visited Wang Jixuan increasingly often and compensated him with equipment and Blade Beast exoskeleton.
• Ling Tong brought Wang Jixuan an exam ticket and answers, then offered to recruit him into her logistics team at the Outer Expansion Zone.
• Wang Jixuan accepted Ling Tong’s offer, and she accidentally tore off his door handle while leaving.

Wang Jixuan packed for his move to Expansion Zone C and joined Ling Tong on the journey there, learning more about the fortress and its military. At the tunnel exit, Ling Tong confronted a group that included Psionicists and the new Biological Affairs Minister by ordering them to leave.

• Wang Jixuan exchanged messages with Zhou Zhengde, who said Qin Qin had begun watching Ling Tong and promised to look into her intentions.
• Ling Tong arrived in a Combat Suit and took Wang Jixuan, posing as mechanic Wang Zheng, toward Expansion Zone C.
• Wang Jixuan saw the sunlight, military camp, and mechs, and reflected on the fortress's defenses and the unexpectedly thin spiritual energy aboveground.
• Ling Tong warned Wang Jixuan that unwelcome guests were waiting at the tunnel exit, including the new minister and several Psionicists.
• At the tunnel exit, Ling Tong told the assembled group to get lost, and several people visibly shuddered.

Qin Qin tried to negotiate with Ling Tong and learn about Mu Liang, but Ling Tong drove her group off after firing her Mechanical Arm. Ling Tong brought Wang Jixuan to her camp and welcomed him to her team.

• Qin Qin introduced herself to Ling Tong and explained that she wanted to restore the 13th Institute's reputation and investigate Mu Liang.
• Ling Tong refused to discuss Mu Liang, then fired her Annihilation Cannon at an armored vehicle and forced Qin Qin's group to retreat.
• Qin Qin concluded that Ling Tong and Mu Liang were close and ordered the burly Psionicist to keep Wang Zheng under constant surveillance.
• Ling Tong and Wang Jixuan reached her supply station, where she introduced him to her workshop and welcomed him to her team.

Wang Jixuan settled into Ling Tong’s workshop, learned about the dangers facing Combat Machines, and helped the mechanics handle four suspicious intruders. He realized a C-Class Psionicist was watching the supply station and began planning how to use a powerful ally to deal with the threat.

• Ling Tong introduced Wang Jixuan to Wan Xiaoqi and her parents as the mechanic responsible for maintaining her organic body, prompting the family to mistake them for a couple.
• Wang Jixuan warned Ling Tong about the Biological Affairs Minister and the C-Class Psionicists, then learned that Combat Machines faced severe physical strain and high mortality on the front lines.
• Wang Jixuan sensed four people approaching the supply station, and Uncle Tai and Wan Xiaoqi captured them with an electric net before contacting the military.
• Wang Jixuan suspected the captured intruders were controlled by Mimic Blade Beasts and advised the mechanics to request help and strengthen their defenses.
• A C-Class telekinetic Psionicist watched the military arrive, while Wang Jixuan sensed him and began devising a plan to eliminate him without drawing the 13th Institute’s attention.

Wang Jixuan learned about Ling Tong’s past and her goal of becoming a Terror Mech pilot while preparing to deal with the Psionicist Lu Dongjie. The chapter ended with Wang Jixuan leaving the Supply Station to lure out the enemy as Ling Tong prepared to support him.

• Wang Jixuan warned Zhou Zhengde about the new Biological Affairs Minister and said he intended to eliminate the Psionicist hiding in Expansion Zone C.
• Wang Jixuan tested his cultivation under the stars and found that the available Power of Starlight was scarce.
• At breakfast, Ling Tong identified the Psionicist as Lu Dongjie, and Uncle Tai offered Wang Jixuan Triggered Plasma Shields.
• Sister Wan explained the history of Half-Human Mechs, and Ling Tong told Wang Jixuan that she hoped to pilot a Terror Mech and defeat the Blade Beasts.
• Uncle Tai secretly told Wang Jixuan that Ling Tong might have only three to five years before her organs failed and she had to become a fully Mechanical Lifeform.
• Wang Jixuan left the Supply Station armed and protected, while Ling Tong prepared the Flight Pack and Individual Kill Equipment to support him.

Wang Jixuan staged an attack at the camp to draw out Lu Dongjie and clear suspicion from the 13th Institute, while Ling Tong killed the Psionicist after he exposed himself. As Ling Tong prepared to deal with the aftermath, a powerful disturbance from the Mine Shaft revealed a surge of Demonic Energy.

• Wang Jixuan led Lu Dongjie to the miners' dormitory area and staged a security incident with people controlled by the Psionicist.
• Lu Dongjie took control of a patrol soldier, who opened fire and shot two of the puppets.
• Ling Tong flew from the Supply Station, tricked Lu Dongjie into becoming vulnerable in midair, and beheaded him.
• Wang Jixuan pretended to be terrified while Ling Tong carried him away and told the soldiers she would handle the aftermath.
• A tremor shook the camp, and Wang Jixuan sensed a powerful fluctuation of Demonic Energy coming from the Mine Shaft.

Ling Tong deployed in Blade Slayer Form to fight a group of Blade Beasts in Mine Shaft Six, while Wang Jixuan armed himself and headed into the mine to support her. He found two Blade Beasts ahead and aimed a laser cannon at them despite Wan Xiaoqi's warning.

• Ling Tong activated her Combat Machine and rushed toward the Blade Beast attack zone after the war zone authorized engagement and called for reinforcements.
• Sister Wan and Uncle Tai equipped Wang Jixuan with Power Armor and supplies, but he also secretly prepared his talismans and weapons.
• Wang Jixuan persuaded Uncle Tai and Sister Wan that he should go down to support Ling Tong, then took an Individual Micro Laser Cannon into the Mine Shaft.
• Wang Jixuan sensed two Basic Blade Beasts chasing a cart, advanced toward them, and aimed the cannon at their Demonic Soul power as Wan Xiaoqi warned him to stop.

Wang Jixuan fought through two groups of Blade Beasts in the mine, collected five Crystal Cores, and hid his abilities from Ling Tong and the war zone. As he tried to retreat with his spiritual power nearly spent, one Blade Beast absorbed two others and mutated into a Low-Grade Mutated Blade Beast that chased him down.

• Wang Jixuan used the Miniature Laser Cannon, a grenade, talismans, and the Demon Breaking Incantation to kill two Blade Beasts, then recovered their Crystal Cores.
• Wang Jixuan contacted Wan Xiaoqi, learned that six more Blade Beasts were ahead, and asked her not to tell Ling Tong about his fight.
• Wang Jixuan ambushed and killed three more Blade Beasts, collecting their Crystal Cores while exhausting most of his spiritual power and supplies.
• Wang Jixuan decided not to confront three distant Blade Beasts and prepared to retreat as reinforcements approached.
• A Blade Beast absorbed the spiritual power of two others, mutated into a Low-Grade Mutated Blade Beast, and caught up with Wang Jixuan as he fled.

Wang Jixuan used a blood curse and the Great Evolution Heart Sword to kill a Mutated Blade Beast, then reached Ling Tong’s position and collapsed from exhaustion. Ling Tong continued securing the mine while soldiers discovered the Blade Beast corpses Wang Jixuan had left behind.

• The Mutated Blade Beast chased Wang Jixuan through the mine passage, shrugging off his talismans and Bone-Piercing Nails and leaving him badly injured.
• The Mutated Blade Beast questioned Wang Jixuan, who secretly completed a blood talisman and used the souls of the dead to empower his Heart Sword attacks.
• Wang Jixuan destroyed the Mutated Blade Beast and the vertical-eye apparition, then collected crystal cores from two other Blade Beasts and tried to erase traces of his fight.
• Ling Tong confirmed that the Blade Beast assault had stopped, ordered soldiers to secure the passage, and found Wang Jixuan waiting nearby.
• Wang Jixuan asked Ling Tong to have Captain Zhou handle the aftermath and take him back, then collapsed into her arms.
• Soldiers in an upper-level passage discovered eight Blade Beast corpses that appeared violently torn apart.