Chapter Summaries

Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao fought the Deep Gorge Guardian underwater, but it escaped after nearly crushing Landfall. As the strait began closing around them, the three decided to push forward through it.

• The Deep Gorge Guardian focused its attacks on Landfall, eventually trapping and crushing him in a tentacle.
• Li Miao wounded the guardian, forcing it to release Landfall before it vanished in a cloud of black ink.
• The three scanned the area, confirmed the guardian had fled, and boarded the Submersible Ghost Submarine.
• Li Miao discovered the strait was closing, and the three chose to charge ahead rather than turn back.

Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao escaped the collapsing passage in the Submersible Ghost Submarine and reached a hidden underwater base. They left the vessel and entered the apparent ruins of a laboratory, whose purpose remained uncertain.

• The Ghost Helmsman steered the trio through falling rocks, exploding Water Mine Barnacles, and a narrowing passage into a rectangular entrance before a boulder sealed it.
• Li Miao examined the steel-lined passage and the trio debated whether the Deep Gorge Guardian could have entered the base.
• Wang Dao spotted a docking area and Spirit Candle guidance, and the trio guided the submarine there.
• The trio emerged from the water and followed a moss-covered steel slope into the base.
• Li Miao lit an Illumination Candle and speculated that the ruins might have belonged to Flesh Curse - Shuri.

Landfall, Li Miao, and Wang Dao investigated a guard’s corpse and discovered a mutated Gut-Eating Leech before using the guard’s bones to open the base gate. They found a heap of corpses and strange pollen spreading toward them inside.

• Landfall, Li Miao, and Wang Dao found a modified Fishman corpse beside the Milestone Spirit Candle and discovered a Gut-Eating Leech inside it.
• Landfall poked the leech with a steel bar, and the Demon Hunter Staff’s skill made it explode across his face.
• The three tried to force open the base gate, but Li Miao noticed a strange layer of tissue beside it.
• Wang Dao placed the guard’s hand bones into the tissue, causing it to activate and open the gate.
• Wang Dao warned the others as a pile of corpses collapsed inside the gate, releasing white pollen from strange flowers toward them.

Li Miao, Wang Dao, and Landfall survived the Roseberry Flower’s deadly pollen and explored a side passage in the abandoned base. They found the passage transformed into flesh and bone, where Wang Dao considered pulling a strange lever-like protrusion.

• Wang Dao tested the pollen with a Sacrificial Ghoul, which sprouted flowers and became a humanoid potted plant.
• The three waited underwater until the Roseberry Flower’s pollen faded, then examined the withering flower and read its description.
• At a three-way crossroads, the Spirit Candle guided them toward the central path, so they chose to explore the left side passage first.
• The trio entered a passage made of pulsing flesh and bone, where Landfall compared it to a whale’s intestines.
• Wang Dao found a lever-like protrusion wrapped in flesh and asked Li Miao and Landfall whether he should touch it; they encouraged him.

Wang Dao activated the Flesh Passage and cut open a cyst, revealing a dying Cursed Experiment Embryo. Li Miao and Landfall worried that playing Spirit Candle might worsen Wang Dao’s mental condition, then the trio continued onward.

• Wang Dao pulled the lever, causing the Flesh Passage to writhe and its curse patterns to flicker.
• Li Miao noticed the passage had been activated, while Landfall wondered if they were inside a gigantic beast.
• Wang Dao asked to cut open a cyst, and Li Miao and Landfall agreed while keeping their distance.
• Wang Dao sliced the cyst open, releasing a grotesque Cursed Experiment Embryo that cried out before dying and turning to ashes.
• Landfall and Li Miao discussed whether Spirit Candle could worsen Wang Dao’s condition, then told him to keep moving forward.

Wang Dao, Li Miao, and Landfall explored a malfunctioning passage in Spirit Candle’s strange base and discovered a dormant Base Recorder. After it awakened, it demanded identity verification, but Landfall failed the scan and had two attempts remaining.

• Wang Dao sent a Sacrificial Ghoul ahead, and a malfunctioning Nail Door sliced it in half before the three crossed through during an opening.
• The group found a Fishman corpse partly swallowed by the floor and a damaged page-like book beside it.
• Landfall found a tumor, and Wang Dao tried to cut it open before it blossomed to reveal a Brain Flower with an eyeball attached.
• Li Miao identified the creature as a Base Recorder and stopped Landfall from attacking it.
• The Base Recorder awakened, announced that Epidermis No. 2 had restarted, and demanded identity verification.
• Landfall attempted verification, but the Base Recorder found no Heart Echo recorded and told him he had two attempts remaining.

Wang Dao used the Fishman corpse to pass the Base Recorder’s identity verification, activating Epidermis No. 2. The recorder explained the base’s purpose and shared what information their authority allowed, but withheld the identity of the First Lifeform Consciousness.

• After the Base Recorder repeatedly demanded identity verification, Wang Dao carried the still-beating Fishman corpse to it and ordered it to begin verification.
• The recorder recognized the Fishman’s Heart Echo, turned its eye green, and activated Epidermis No. 2.
• Li Miao said the three were explorers investigating the ruins and asked Epidermis No. 2 about itself, the base, and its history.
• Epidermis No. 2 said it was the base’s Second Lifeform Consciousness, that the base researched coexistence between flesh and incantations, and that its creator had likely abandoned it.
• When Li Miao asked about the First Lifeform Consciousness, Epidermis No. 2 said their Heart Echo authority was insufficient and that the base was semi-paralyzed.
• Li Miao asked for all information within their authority, and Epidermis No. 2 described the abandoned base, its Short-finned Merman researchers, and the Fishman’s death from a congenital heart defect.

Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao learned that the mysteries of Epidermis Base were connected to the restricted Ashes Project, then followed Epidermis No. 2’s request to free it. Epidermis No. 2 briefly escaped its shackles before dying and scattering into ashes.

• Epidermis No. 2 explained that the skeleton and Roseberry Flower were connected to the Ashes Project, but its foundational restrictions prevented it from revealing details.
• Epidermis No. 2 outlined the base’s three main areas and its auxiliary Abandoned Pool, which required Heart Echo’s verification to enter.
• As the group prepared to leave, Epidermis No. 2 struggled to ask for help and indicated that Li Miao should sever the blood vessel tissue beneath it.
• Li Miao cut the vessel, freeing Epidermis No. 2 from its restrictions and its inborn wisdom.
• Epidermis No. 2 tried to fly, struck the ceiling, and died before its body turned to ashes and disappeared.

Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao continued through the damaged Flesh Passage and fought off Infected Bee Insects that emerged from holes in its walls. After the battle, they examined the infection and discovered that the insects rapidly consumed their own life force before turning to Ashes.

• The Flesh Passage writhed violently, then settled, and the trio continued exploring despite a mournful cry from beneath them.
• Li Miao spotted strange blood and warned the others to watch for holes overhead after touching the blood triggered an Infection status.
• Infected Bee Insects burst from the holes and attacked, but Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao worked together to defeat them.
• A Sacrificial Ghoul became infected, exploded, and spawned another Infected Bee Insect, so Li Miao told Wang Dao to move his ghouls away from the center of the fight.
• The trio discussed the infection and the insects' unusual strength, then Wang Dao showed them a captured insect whose strength and vitality dwindled until it turned to Ashes.

Li Miao, Wang Dao, and Landfall discovered a hidden passage beneath a sphincter-like opening and learned it led to three boss rooms tied to parasitism, madness, and pain. They chose the route associated with madness and followed Wang Dao into the slime-filled chamber.

• Li Miao, Wang Dao, and Landfall reached a pulsing sphincter-like entrance beside the Milestone Spirit Candle and found a torn tumor-like mass nearby.
• Wang Dao squeezed through the opening into a pale yellow liquid, while Li Miao widened it with Illusory Warfire and Landfall complained about the dungeon's grotesque environment.
• Wang Dao explored the area below and reported that it resembled a stomach-like disinfection chamber with three entrances leading to boss rooms associated with parasitism, madness, and pain.
• Li Miao decided that the group would enter the route for madness first, and Wang Dao and Landfall jumped into the slime pool.
• Li Miao followed them into the pool, and all three plunged through the slime in the direction Wang Dao indicated.

Wang Dao, Li Miao, and Landfall emerged into a grotesque chamber filled with beating hearts, where Wang Dao acquired and tested a Heart Pericardium robe. The group left the ugly but protective equipment behind and wondered why Spirit Candle had special weapons but no special equipment.

• Wang Dao, Li Miao, and Landfall crawled through a flesh passage and emerged into a chamber lined with hearts.
• Wang Dao tore a Heart Pericardium from a heart and offered it to Li Miao and Landfall, who refused it.
• Wang Dao equipped the Heart Pericardium and had Li Miao test its strong resistance to sharp weapons.
• Wang Dao removed the grotesque robe and put it aside, then Li Miao wondered why Spirit Candle had special weapons but no special equipment.

Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao used Carlos's Eye to dispel an illusion and reveal a giant brain maze containing the level 53 Brain Worm boss. As they studied the maze and its dangers, Li Miao noticed something unusual within it.

• Li Miao asked Wang Dao about the boss room, and Wang Dao explained that an illusion ahead led to it.
• Li Miao realized none of them had brought Carlos's Eye, so he returned through the flesh tunnel to retrieve it.
• Li Miao activated Carlos's Eye, revealing a vast brain-shaped maze filled with bizarre Short-finned Mermen and the Brain Worm at its center.
• Landfall left a wax-marked message warning other players to use the Eye, while Wang Dao described how falling into the maze raised Madness progress.
• Li Miao noticed an abnormal area in the Brain Maze and narrowed his eyes.

Li Miao, Wang Dao, and Landfall discovered that the reddish lumps in the Brain Maze were important to the Brain Worm and provoked it into revealing a final, distinct lump. They planned to split up to attack the lumps and restrain the boss, though Wang Dao warned that his Fire Offering Power’s effects were unpredictable.

• Li Miao used Carlos's Eyes to spot four reddish lumps connected to the Brain Worm and suggested they might be tied to its powers.
• Wang Dao tested the Brain Worm by tossing Sacrificial Ghouls into the maze, while his attempts, Li Miao's throw, and Landfall's attempt to throw one at a lump all went wrong.
• Wang Dao, Li Miao, and Landfall threw more ghouls until one landed near a lump, and Wang Dao controlled it to attack.
• The Brain Worm rushed out and tore apart the ghoul, revealing a final lump that looked different from the others.
• Li Miao proposed splitting into groups to attack the lumps while Wang Dao restrained the Brain Worm, and Wang Dao agreed with caution about his unpredictable Fire Offering Power.

Wang Dao let the summoned Unknown share his senses and control as they slaughtered the monsters in the Brain Maze. The Brain Worm revived in a transformed state and attacked again, while the Unknown mocked its crude use of fantasy-altering power.

• Li Miao and Landfall jumped into the Brain Maze while Wang Dao shifted closer to its central mass.
• Wang Dao lashed the central mass with Blood Tongue, provoking the monsters and drawing the Brain Worm toward him.
• The Short-finned Mermen swarmed and the Brain Worm swallowed Wang Dao, but the Unknown took control and destroyed its head while turning nearby monsters to blood.
• Wang Dao welcomed the Unknown's shared control and agreed to let it descend again, despite its warning that his mind and body might not withstand the power.
• The Brain Worm revived, merged with the central mass, split into three forms, and sent reassembled monsters and armed corpses against Wang Dao.
• The Unknown mocked the Brain Worm for using its power to turn fantasies into reality clumsily.

Wang Dao’s summoned Incarnated Being slaughtered the Brain Worm, ending the Brain Maze and earning Wang Dao an exclusive weapon he named Bloody Fang. Li Miao arrived to find the boss defeated and learned how Wang Dao had won.

• The Brain Worm’s monsters and maze began collapsing after the central mass was destroyed, while Wang Dao spoke with the Incarnated Being he had summoned.
• The Incarnated Being explained that staying clear-headed was necessary to comprehend madness, then departed as Wang Dao’s body returned to normal.
• Wang Dao received an exclusive weapon and named the ring of ancient teeth Bloody Fang.
• Li Miao reached the empty central cyst, and Wang Dao recounted the fight and showed him Bloody Fang.
• Li Miao envied Wang Dao’s luck and wondered whether he should change builds.

After killing the Brain Worm, Wang Dao used its Tinder to promote his Blood-Clad Priest Tinder into an Abyssal Blood Priest, gaining new powers and removing the Cracks in the Body debuff. He tested his transformed appearance and new Abyssal Ghouls, then prepared to continue exploring with Li Miao and the others.

• Li Miao told the lost Landfall to use Return Candle Wax Drops while he and Wang Dao checked the Brain Worm’s loot.
• Wang Dao chose the Brain Worm Tinder and performed Sacrificial Fire, promoting his Blood-Clad Priest Tinder into an Abyssal Blood Priest.
• The promotion increased Wang Dao’s Faith and Constitution, changed his Sacrifice skills, and cleansed the Cracks in the Body effect.
• Wang Dao transformed into his Tinder Form, and Li Miao judged his partly worm-like appearance acceptable.
• Wang Dao summoned an Abyssal Ghoul and tested its sacrifice effect, finding the resulting enhancement satisfactory.

Wang Dao and Li Miao crawled through a monster-filled fleshy duct toward the Parasitism boss room, where Wang Dao was infected by an Infected Bee Insect. Wang Dao cut open his own abdomen and removed the parasite, but Li Miao and Wang Dao then discovered that Landfall had been left behind as a ghostly soul.

• Li Miao, Wang Dao, and Landfall chose the Parasitism boss room and crawled through its fleshy ventilation duct.
• Infected Bee Insects attacked the trio inside the duct, and Wang Dao bit one apart as he escaped.
• Li Miao noticed Wang Dao was badly bitten and infected, with his abdomen grotesquely swollen.
• Wang Dao used Bloody Fang to cut open his stomach and tear out the Infected Bee Insect, ending the infection.
• After Wang Dao healed with a Replenish Wax block, he and Li Miao realized Landfall was missing, and Landfall's ghostly soul said he was behind them.

Landfall, Li Miao, and Wang Dao fought the Infected Beehive, using special items to control its swarms and destroying its Queen Bee before Landfall dealt the finishing damage. They defeated the boss on their first attempt and began checking the drops.

• Landfall, Li Miao, and Wang Dao reached the Infected Beehive’s chamber and attacked the boss from outside, but their attacks barely damaged its shell.
• The Infected Beehive released a tide of Infected Bee Insects, and Li Miao used Unclaimed Body's Repentance to stop most of them.
• Li Miao concluded that they needed to enter the hive and destroy its core, and the three fought through the mutated bees inside.
• Li Miao and his companions found and destroyed the Queen Bee fused into the hive, dropping the Infected Beehive’s health by two-thirds.
• Li Miao held off the surviving monsters while Landfall used Starfall Gaze to empower Miteros Torrent, and Wang Dao supported him as they killed the boss.
• Landfall claimed he was the MVP, Li Miao called him a freeloader, and Li Miao went to inspect the drops.

Li Miao used Warfire on the Parasitized Merman Head and uncovered fragmented records about failed Ashes Project experiments before his group logged off. The Storyteller later pieced together a likely history of the Thousand-Page Deep Gorge base from the players’ findings.

• Li Miao stimulated the Parasitized Merman Head with Warfire, and it muttered about failed experiments involving the Madness Worm and parasitic aura fusion.
• Li Miao, Wang Dao, and Landfall decided to take the head to the Storyteller and logged off without finishing the dungeon.
• Players shared discoveries, routes, and warnings about Thousand-Page Deep Gorge on the forum and in group chats.
• The Storyteller concluded that Flesh Curse - Shuri likely owned the base and ran the Ashes Project there, before unknown events and the Extinguishing Moment left it frozen in time.

Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao encountered the Honored Recipient in the Ashes Project dungeon, where a Gray Pot Salary Seizer arrived and began using Agony to merge with it. The party’s attempts to attack were ineffective, and the chapter ended as the two enemies fused into a terrifying new monster.

• Li Miao, Landfall, and Wang Dao entered the Honored Recipient’s domain and found the damaged Epidermis No. 3 repeating fragments about the Ashes Project.
• A Spirit Candle warning announced that the Salary Seizers had arrived, disabled certain items, and assigned Li Miao a mission to defeat them.
• The Gray Pot Salary Seizer emerged from a spatial rift and ignored Landfall’s Bloodstone Burst, quickly healing its injuries with black power.
• Li Miao stopped Landfall from rushing in as the Salary Seizer gathered Agony from the struggling Honored Recipient.
• The Gray Pot Salary Seizer and the Honored Recipient fused into a new monster after Landfall failed to interrupt the process.