Chapter Summaries

Lu PingAn recovered enough to read and joke with his visitors, though Black Blood still dripped from beneath his Red Cloth and he claimed his sight had changed. After he fell asleep, his status panel revealed the unclassifiable Eye of Truth ability.

• Lu PingAn reassured his visitors by reading, joking about their bananas, and teasing Guan Xinxian about being covered in dust.
• Xia Qin returned for her forgotten bag and asked whether Lu PingAn could still see, but left without removing his Red Cloth.
• Lu PingAn told Big Cat he had seen many interesting things, teased her about whether she was worthy of knowing, and asked her to sing him a lullaby.
• Big Cat went to find Fang Wen to learn a lullaby, but Lu PingAn fell asleep before she returned.
• Lu PingAn's status panel revealed Eye of Truth, an unknown-rank ability that the Rule-level Life Bank could not analyze.

Lu PingAn examined his altered grayscale vision and developed a speculative model of the universe’s roots, realizing that his insight could threaten the foundations of gods like Big Cat. The chapter ended with Big Cat watching him with conflicted awe as he stood poised to pursue a path beyond her own.

• Lu PingAn discovered that tapping a certain spot made the windowsill vanish into a gray-black otherworld, and he found that he could see only in grayscale.
• Lu PingAn reflected that Big Cat refused to hear his truth because questioning it could destabilize the divine kingdom she had built around her understanding of the Mother Goddess.
• Lu PingAn used ideas about fundamental particles, waves, and quantum mechanics to speculate that All Spirits and Perpetual Motion might be aspects of a deeper universal root.
• Lu PingAn concluded that recognizing a higher dimension could make it recognize the observer in return, and that his theory had already reached beyond most gods’ understanding.
• Big Cat feared that Lu PingAn’s insight could prove her path wrong, while Lu PingAn could begin again and build a new throne from a starting point beyond her endpoint.

After recovering, Lu PingAn returned to work and used his new understanding of the universe to reinterpret the opposing Gardener and Beast Tamer paths. He saw a path toward realms beyond Law Decree-level, while his new Taboo Scholar profession revealed a powerful universal Forbidden Knowledge skill.

• Lu PingAn returned to work after resting for two days, and others noticed that he seemed changed.
• Lu PingAn concluded that Gardeners turned matter into spirit while Beast Tamers turned spirit into matter, making their paths fundamentally opposed.
• Lu PingAn asked Big Cat about high-level Gardeners and Beast Tamers, and she confirmed his deductions about their abilities.
• Lu PingAn decided to strengthen his spirit and prepare his foundation for a future beyond ordinary gods.
• Lu PingAn examined his Taboo Scholar skills and discovered that Forbidden Knowledge had split into specialized skills, including Forbidden Knowledge (Universal) lv33.

Lu PingAn returned to work and prepared to activate the Radio Tower, a makeshift structure assembled from scrap. He let Fang Wen emerge in a small sphere to awaken the tower, while his blunt assessment of her path left her shaken.

• Lu PingAn returned to work despite his changed eyes and examined the Radio Tower built from scavenged equipment.
• Lu PingAn approved the makeshift tower and ordered the team to prepare for its activation that night and reinforce their defenses against the Aus.
• Lu PingAn rejected the slower plan of having Fang Wen process the tower’s parts inside the Courtyard and chose to let her awaken the construct herself.
• Fang Wen emerged as a small metal sphere and began working on the tower, surprised that Lu PingAn had released her.
• Lu PingAn called Fang Wen a pitiful fool who had taken the wrong path, leaving her to wonder if he knew how she could progress.

Lu PingAn explained how Fang Wen’s Mechanical Awakener path and her wish to make mechanical pets into living beings had trapped her in a self-defeating cycle. After Fang Wen rebuilt a giant machine, Lu PingAn had her awaken it, restoring the group’s radio signal while keeping her silver sphere.

• Lu PingAn judged that Fang Wen’s abandonment of her body and attempts to give life to machines had undermined her path to advancement.
• Fang Wen worked alone to assemble a heap of junk into a humanoid machine, following Lu PingAn’s instructions.
• Lu PingAn ordered Fang Wen to awaken the machine, and the silver sphere entered its core.
• The machine stood up and broadcast signals that restored the group’s radio communications.
• Lu PingAn took back the silver sphere and praised Fang Wen, who eventually thanked him.

Li Quyi’s battered team received a radio message from Wang Xi'er and Lu PingAn offering shelter and medical care, but Liu Ge died just before they could reach safety. At the rebuilt Radio Tower, the arriving survivors’ confusion turned to hatred as the Aus approached, and Lu PingAn prepared to deliver Redemption.

• Li Quyi carried the dying Liu Ge while leading wounded survivors toward another gathering point, though the group doubted they could keep going.
• Wang Xi'er and Lu PingAn’s team broadcast that they had rebuilt the Radio Tower at X37, Y119 and offered assistance and medical treatment.
• Li Quyi discovered that Liu Ge had died, then led the survivors toward the camp and vowed revenge.
• Lu PingAn watched wounded and defeated Explorers arrive at the camp as their grief and confusion gave way to hatred.
• The Aus approached the camp, and a frail-looking girl called for bloodshed before Lu PingAn closed his book and said someone needed Redemption.

Lu PingAn unleashed the enlarged Fusang Tree Redemption and its Blood Vines against an Aus convoy, killing hundreds and destroying many vehicles. A powerful Aus Flame Driver began clearing a path, but Lu PingAn triggered Plant Frenzy to crush a monster truck before letting the survivors flee.

• Lu PingAn called Redemption, and the awakened Fusang Tree and its Blood Vines ambushed the Aus convoy beneath its branches.
• Redemption's vines destroyed vehicles and killed hundreds of Aus attackers, while Lu PingAn explained that his growth potions and Giant in the Palm had enlarged the ancient tree.
• A high-level Aus Flame Driver used powerful fire to burn through Blood Vines and open a path for the convoy.
• Lu PingAn activated Vigilance of Nature (Plant Frenzy), and hundreds of Blood Vines dragged a monster truck down and tore through its armor.
• Lu PingAn eased his control over Redemption as the remaining Aus tried to escape, and his companions reacted with disbelief at the scale of the casualties.

Lu PingAn’s defenses inflicted heavy losses on the Aus, but their aerial riders arrived and threatened to expose the East Country People’s positions. As the two sides prepared for a longer battle, Lu PingAn’s allies sought an answer to the enemy’s air advantage.

• Lu PingAn ended Redemption’s Gigantification, and Li Zhenhuan and Wang Xi'er recognized his team’s potential as an Independent Legion.
• Lu PingAn and Wang Xi'er exchanged ambiguous smiles while privately thinking about cooperation and rewards.
• The attackers regrouped at the foot of the mountain after losing a third of their men to Lu PingAn’s traps.
• Lu PingAn spotted more than thirty Aus aerial mounts circling above the battlefield and realized they could expose the defenders’ positions.
• The East Country People struggled to respond to the threat from the sky, while Fang Wen argued with an ally about bringing out the Italian Cannon.

Lu PingAn’s team used a hastily modified cannon to shoot down an Aus aerial scout and his vulture mount. Lu PingAn wondered whether the kill had eliminated a tempting but wrong option for their own Beast Taming plans.

• Austin circled above the camp to record intelligence, but explosions panicked his Two-Headed Vulture Beast and caused him to lose control.
• Austin used his Rider ability to regain control temporarily and flee, but a second shot killed him and sent his mount crashing into the camp.
• Lu PingAn celebrated the kill with his Super Big Gun until Xia Qin made him hand it to the professional marksman.
• Wang Xi'er questioned how Lu PingAn had anticipated the Aus would send aerial troops, while Lu PingAn kept his reasons secret.
• Lu PingAn looked at the wreckage and wondered whether they had eliminated a tempting wrong option.

Lu PingAn’s forces used the rebuilt Radio Tower to regroup and draw reinforcements while the Aus assembled their own troops for a decisive battle. After other team leaders rejected his proposed surprise attack, Lu PingAn learned over the radio that the Aus’ Big Guy was almost there.

• Ma JiLiang used the Super Heavy Sniper Cannon to shoot down aerial scouts as Lu PingAn monitored the growing Aus forces.
• Lu PingAn learned that nearby Eastern Kingdom gathering points were forming, coordinating over private radio channels, and attacking Aus convoys and facilities.
• Both sides continued bringing in troops and powerful fighters, while Aus frontline soldiers hesitated to assault the defenders’ strong position.
• Lu PingAn proposed a surprise attack, but the other team leaders refused because their forces were injured, wary of one another, and reluctant to leave their defenses.
• Infiltrators reported over the radio that the Aus’ Big Guy was almost there.

The East Country People faced an Aus force led by a colossal artificial Wind Thunder Turtle, whose weapons and sheer size overwhelmed their defenses. As Lu PingAn considered evacuating, Major Qian Guozhong radioed that the Eastern Kingdom's First Independent Regiment was coming to help.

• The Aus reinforcements appeared with a gigantic turtle beast and began firing its cannon at the East Country People.
• Chris identified the beast as a likely descendant or imitation of a Wind Thunder Turtle, and the former Aus manager revealed Horde Company had resumed a canceled artificial-beast project.
• The East Country People learned that the beast-eared beings on the turtle had sold its blood after the manager's former employer cheated them.
• The turtle advanced with Aus vehicles and mercenaries, leaving the East Country People convinced they could not withstand it unaided.
• Lu PingAn considered abandoning the area and transporting the Radio Tower demon monster away, but worried that fleeing would shatter morale.
• Major Qian Guozhong transmitted over the radio and urged the East Country People to hold on.

As the Eastern Kingdom's artillery turned the battle against the Aus, a giant turtle kept advancing toward the Radio Tower, and Lu PingAn prepared to defend it. Battalion Commander Zhao Quanshan brought prototype Bone God Cannons, and Lu PingAn and Zhi Xi managed to charge one far beyond the level anyone else could reach.

• The Eastern Kingdom Independent Regiment used its artillery and Sky Knights to seize the advantage, while the giant turtle pushed through the bombardment toward the Radio Tower.
• Lu PingAn prepared to initiate Plan Zero when Zhao Quanshan arrived with two prototype Bone God Cannons and asked for Flame Artificers to activate them.
• A Tier 3 Element Driver charged Zhao's cylinder to only two bars, leaving Zhao uncertain whether the weapon could pierce the turtle's defenses.
• Lu PingAn charged the other cylinder to seven bars with Sacred Golden Flame and handed it to Zhi Xi, who infused it with black flames and brought it to six bars.

Lu PingAn charged across the battlefield with an unreliable Rocket Launcher, trying to reach the Wind-Thunder Great Turtle. With Guan Xinxian’s Magic Pea vine carrying their truck into the clouds, Lu PingAn crashed onto the giant beast, where many people were waiting.

• Lu PingAn leaped from the cliff with the Rocket Launcher as both armies abandoned defense and charged into a bloody melee.
• Lu PingAn used his awakened combat skills to fight through the Aus, while the War Eagle gave him a view of the battlefield.
• Lu PingAn seized a monster truck and drove it through the Aus’ lines toward the Wind-Thunder Great Turtle.
• Lu PingAn summoned Guan Xinxian, who grew a giant Magic Pea vine that carried the truck toward the turtle’s cloud-high fortress.
• The vine broke apart, but the tilting truck crashed onto the giant beast and delivered Lu PingAn to a place where many people were waiting.

Lu PingAn and his companions fought through the battlefield atop the giant turtle to reach its head, where Zhi Xi fired a full-power barrage at the super battleship-like monster. The blast seemed to leave the creature unharmed, and the sight that emerged from the smoke stunned the Observer.

• Lu PingAn joined the boarding battle and used Cat Cat’s speed to push toward the giant beast’s head while the Eastern Kingdom’s Professionals slaughtered Aus soldiers.
• Cat Cat carried Lu PingAn through enemy lines, then hurled him into the sky, where he summoned Hua Xueyi to ambush the Sky Knights and engage their captain.
• Xia Qin intercepted an armored Law Decree-level warrior so Cat Cat could keep carrying Lu PingAn forward.
• Lu PingAn reached the giant beast’s head and called for Zhi Xi to fire a full-power barrage from her metallic arm.
• The explosion stunned both sides, but when the smoke cleared, the Observer saw an absurd monster still before them.

Lu PingAn used the time his companions bought to load the Bone God Cannon with Rule-level Sacred Flame. After Xue En’s lightning diversion delayed the Aus forces, Lu PingAn fired the weapon, and its blast killed the giant god.

• The giant beast survived Zhi Xi’s blast, but its retaliation killed many Aus and allied fighters before its handlers sedated it again.
• Lu PingAn concluded that Zhi Xi’s Black Flame and his own Purification Holy Fire were too weak to ignite enough of the Bone God Cannon’s bone.
• Lu PingAn asked his companions to buy time while he summoned Sacred Flame from the Holy Fire Chapel into the cannon, pushing both himself and the weapon past their limits.
• Guan Xinxian, Xue En, Cat Cat, and the others held off Aus attackers as Lu PingAn prepared the cannon.
• Xue En’s call triggered another lightning storm that struck the battlefield and delayed the advancing Aus forces.
• Lu PingAn transformed into the Silver Knight and fired the cannon, creating a massive explosion that collapsed the mountain and killed the god.

Lu PingAn and his allies defeated the giant beast, causing the Aus forces to rout and leaving the battlefield to be secured. Lu PingAn and his companions survived, gathered around the fallen beast, and began recovering and collecting spoils.

• The giant beast collapsed after the explosion, and East Country's troops cheered as the Aus lost morale and began fleeing or surrendering.
• Lu PingAn emerged from the Courtyard atop the beast's corpse, used Deferred Payment on himself, and received a notice that Holy Fire Exorcism had reached Lv17.
• Lu PingAn's companions gathered around him and Xue En, and Lu PingAn treated Xue En's severe burns with Deferred Payment.
• Lu PingAn declined to pursue the fleeing Aus because the remaining battles against powerful enemies offered too little profit and too much risk.
• Zhi Xi collected blood and flesh from the beast, Xue En prepared a meal, and the others tended their injuries as Lu PingAn rested and reflected that they had survived again.

After the battle, Lu PingAn attended a meeting where Major Qian Guozhong failed to persuade the scattered Professionals to attack Horde Company's headquarters. Wang Xi'er and Qian Guozhong then discussed paid cooperation with those who remained, and the group turned to planning a more practical objective.

• The survivors gathered in the cavern base to recover, eat, sleep, and prepare to rescue separated companions.
• Lu PingAn joined a meeting with Wang Xi'er, Zhao Quanshan, Major Qian Guozhong, team leaders, and powerful Professionals.
• Qian Guozhong urged the Professionals to raid Horde Company's headquarters, but they refused to commit without better intelligence and a clearer assessment of the risks.
• After most attendees left, Wang Xi'er explained that she had hired seven groups, and Lu PingAn offered his team's research expertise while declining frontline duties.
• Qian Guozhong accepted Lu PingAn's terms and proposed discussing a more reasonable plan for cooperation after the enemy's most dangerous threat had been eliminated.

Wang Xi'er, Major Qian, and Lu PingAn established a government-backed system to coordinate rescue, reconnaissance, communications, and defense against the Aus. With the new organization in place and Lu PingAn given a headquarters reconnaissance role, he turned to using the divine beast’s fresh flesh and blood for his own work.

• Wang Xi'er, Major Qian, and Lu PingAn agreed to prioritize saving East Country People and established a coordinated leadership structure.
• Major Qian organized rescue teams and recruited civilian fighters, while other groups took responsibility for contacting camps, reconnaissance, and guard duty.
• Lu PingAn gained a place in the temporary leadership group and discretionary authority as head of a reconnaissance team.
• Lu PingAn returned his attention to the divine beast’s fresh flesh and blood, deciding that the materials were ready for his planned work.

Lu PingAn concluded that his third magic pet needed to strengthen his fragile body and raise his life level, then began refining one from giant turtle flesh, divine bone, slimes, and divine beast meat. The ingredients fused into a chaotic mass of flesh and blood, and the new pet’s creation began.

• Lu PingAn reflected on how his magic pets completed his body and abilities, and decided his third pet should provide powerful flesh and life force.
• Lu PingAn recognized that the giant turtle flesh could form a biological foundation but could not support a skeleton on its own.
• Lu PingAn added the stubborn divine bone to the mixture, then used slimes to erode and absorb it.
• Lu PingAn combined the slimes’ flesh with more divine beast meat as the ingredients separated and fused in a huge, chaotic mass.

Lu PingAn used a Big Pot and Word Spirit to fuse dragon-type materials, Spin Force Stone, and other ingredients into a new life, pushing himself to his limits to bless it. The newborn briefly appeared as an immense, elusive snake before vanishing, leaving a pale blue egg that Lu PingAn learned was named Ajiu.

• Lu PingAn invoked the dragon crystal and Da Guan’s bloodline, claws, and fangs to guide the materials’ properties and bless the new life.
• Lu PingAn added Spin Force Stone and used Word Spirit to give the creature an unfixed form and the ability to shift between energy, spirit, and matter.
• Exhausted and vomiting blood, Lu PingAn gave the creature a final blessing as his blade of infinite growth.
• The creature briefly appeared as a colossal, one-horned snake that seemed to surround the onlookers, then vanished.
• Lu PingAn held the pale blue egg and heard that the newborn’s name was Ajiu.