Chapter Summaries

After Lu PingAn defeated Wang Hai, the teachers praised his versatility and fighting skill while some questioned his reckless behavior. He was immediately eliminated by Li DaoAn, received an A-rank evaluation, and the entrance examination ended.

• Lu PingAn's defeat of Wang Hai astonished the students and prompted teachers to assess his tactics, versatility, and potential.
• Some teachers questioned Lu PingAn's apparent disregard for his life and added him to the key observation list for a possible internship.
• Lu PingAn entered the next match against Li DaoAn, was instantly defeated, and left frustrated without understanding his opponent's ability.
• The secret realm awarded Lu PingAn an A-rank evaluation, and he complained that the final match had been ignored before asking whether he could choose multiple rewards.
• The entrance examination ended, leaving candidates to joke that the greatest regret was not getting a chance to fight Lu PingAn.

Lu PingAn chose to unlock the Rust Knight shop after earning an A evaluation in the Eternal Suppression Abyss, and received a training manual and a battle axe blueprint suited to his needs. He then met Wang Hai and offered to help ease his curse for free using a demonic plant.

• Lu PingAn returned from the secret realm and told Wang Hai that he had encountered Li DaoAn.
• Lu PingAn realized Wang Hai’s excessive ghostification could not be treated normally and offered to help him ease the curse while collecting data.
• Lu PingAn received an A evaluation for completing the Eternal Suppression Abyss and chose to unlock the Rust Knight shop.
• Lu PingAn obtained A Worn Training Manual and A Worn Battle Axe Blueprint, then left to meet Wang Hai.
• Lu PingAn summoned a demonic plant that covered the Stone Pavilion in blue flowers and offered to use it to ease Wang Hai’s curse for free.

While Wang Hai recovered from their fight, Lu PingAn used his Weaving Lavender Wood to purify contamination, and the three discussed official work, career progression, and future plans. The rankings were announced with Lu PingAn ninth overall, earning a Silver Taboo Item, though he lamented missing first place.

• Lu PingAn treated Wang Hai with his Weaving Lavender Wood while they discussed Secretkeepers and the plant’s uses and limitations.
• Cat Cat joined Lu PingAn and Wang Hai, and Wang Hai invited them to an official Chat Room for incoming members of the Gu City Special Task Force.
• Wang Hai explained how professional tiers balanced innate abilities and warned Lei Shui Yun against advancing too quickly; Cat Cat shared that her brother Lei Huo Ren was preparing to reach Tier 3.
• Wang Hai discussed Xia Qin, Lei Huo Ren, and other official Keepers of Secrets as the three grew more comfortable talking about their careers.
• The results showed Lu PingAn ranked seventeenth in the final round and ninth overall, making him the only Tier 1 among the top thirty and earning him a Silver Taboo Item.
• Lu PingAn sighed that he had not won first place, and Cat Cat pounced on him.

Lu PingAn learned that he had placed ninth overall and that the top ten would receive Silver Taboo Items, while Wang Hai regretted missing the top ten by a fraction of a point. As the candidates waited for the final rankings, Lu PingAn revealed that he had broken through to Tier 1 Soldier that day, leaving Wang Hai and Cat Cat stunned.

• Lu PingAn explained that he had expected his ninth-place overall ranking after performing well in the final round.
• Wang Hai and other candidates lamented missing out on Silver Taboo Items, while Li DaoAn despaired over his poor result.
• The top ten rankings and improved rewards were announced, with Lu PingAn standing out as a Tier 1 from the Logistics Department.
• Candidates in the Chat Room discussed the rewards, internships as Secret Keepers, and growing chaos from new secret realms and Pollution Incidents.
• Cat Cat asked when Lu PingAn had become a Tier 1 Soldier, and he said he had broken through after gaining insight into All Weapons at Will.

After watching Lu PingAn defeat Wang Hai, Xia Qin and the other members of Squad Three discussed his potential transfer and the coming reinforcements. They learned that Gu University would send combat-ready recruits and top exam candidates to help, while Squad Three began considering which third-ranker to pursue.

• Xia Qin obtained and watched a recording of Lu PingAn fighting Wang Hai and Lei Maomao, then discussed his combat ability with Lei Huo Ren and Ke Zhenmo.
• Xia Qin told the squad that reinforcements were coming, likely so they could move against the Sophists and dismantle unexploded bombs.
• Lei Huo Ren reviewed the recruitment files and learned that the first recruits would be combat-ready candidates drawn from local institutions and public-sector sources.
• Xia Qin received news that Gu University would send its top hundred exam candidates to assist, with an average combat strength of 1.86 tiers.
• Squad Three discussed competing for a third-ranker and considered asking Lu PingAn for advice, while one member suggested bringing Shui Yun onto the squad.

Lu PingAn agreed to help the Keepers of Secrets confront the followers pursuing Chris, while continuing preparations to become a Tier 0 Scholar. He met Chris at midnight and immediately asked what reward she would offer for discussing the hidden Divine Power Crystal.

• Lu PingAn agreed to Xia Qin's internship proposal and argued that Chris could not stay safe while the tracking holy statue remained undiscovered.
• Lu PingAn convinced the wavering Chris to meet him privately that night, though she still had not agreed to join the operation.
• Lu PingAn continued reading and recording Forbidden Knowledge to complete the Scholar job-change ceremony, which required three hundred pages of notes.
• Lu PingAn added five pages to his notebook, bringing his progress to more than two hundred pages and noting his strong compatibility with the Scholar path.
• Lu PingAn met Chris around midnight and asked what she would offer him, bringing up the Divine Power Crystal she had hidden.

Lu PingAn and Big Cat discussed how the Life Bank could absorb Chris’s Divine Power Crystal and use it to enhance the Courtyard. Lu PingAn chose to turn the idol into a garden, leaving its pedestal topped with an image of Chris after Big Cat objected to his teasing.

• Lu PingAn revealed that he had known from the start that the idol contained Chris’s Divine Power Crystal, and Big Cat realized he had tested her by letting her handle it.
• Big Cat explained that the Life Bank could absorb the crystal and that the idol could be used to improve the Courtyard rather than exchanged for a few hundred Life Points.
• Big Cat warned Lu PingAn not to pursue a stronger idol held by Sophist, which could be worth one or two thousand points and unlock another facility.
• Lu PingAn decided to use the idol to create a garden, hoping that advancing his main path would help him grow and gain access to more Life Points.
• The idol became the garden’s control hub, and Big Cat changed its appearance to her human form after Lu PingAn worried that displaying its original form might cause trouble.

Big Cat explained the Life Secret Realm garden’s growth acceleration and greenhouse facilities, which reflected Lu PingAn’s Gardener abilities and could improve as he progressed. Lu PingAn began using them to cultivate explosives and test fused plants, while accepting that his current Black Iron-grade tools could not save doomed specimens.

• Big Cat explained that the garden could accelerate the growth of ten Demonic Plants at a high cost in water and nutrients, and showed Lu PingAn the Life Essence pool that powered it.
• Big Cat described the greenhouse’s ability to monitor and adjust growing conditions, making it useful for researching grafted and fused Demonic Plants and improving their survival rates.
• Big Cat explained that both facilities came from Lu PingAn’s professional abilities and would grow stronger as his skills and Courtyard improved.
• Lu PingAn filled seven acceleration plots with Spike Fruit and three with Tier 1 Touch-Me-Not Mine, then placed a failed Fused Demonic Plant in the greenhouse.
• The greenhouse failed to revive the dead specimen but began operating for a second, longer-lived fused specimen before it died as well.
• Lu PingAn considered seeking another sacred statue, and Big Cat glared at him until he promised not to take risks unless one appeared in front of him.

Lu PingAn uncovered the hidden control cores of the Gymnasium and Life Bank, then chose to keep the Life Bank’s risky new function sealed. Their discovery led him to consider building a team, and Xia Qin soon offered him a chance to choose the people for reinforcements.

• Lu PingAn confronted Chris about concealing the Gymnasium and Life Bank control cores, and she took him to inspect them.
• Lu PingAn found the Gymnasium’s gambling duel feature but judged it useless to him for now.
• At the Life Bank’s control core, Lu PingAn acquired a new function but decided to seal it until he was stronger and had a suitable target.
• Lu PingAn considered recruiting trustworthy Professionals and developing potential teammates, while deciding to remove the weakest of his three investment slots.
• Xia Qin asked Lu PingAn to choose the specific people for the reinforcements, and he agreed.

Lu PingAn accepted a two-week internship with Special Task Force Three and consulted the school about acquiring advanced knowledge, a club, and a weapon modification. He requested a dangerous Death-type Silver-Rank Taboo Item and planned to visit the police station to find reinforcements.

• Lu PingAn accepted the school's internship assignment at Special Task Force Three, where Xia Qin was his legal guardian and squad captain.
• Lu PingAn asked how to obtain knowledge above the first tier and decided to look for a campus club with easy membership and exit terms.
• Lu PingAn asked the school to arrange a forger to modify his weapon using a Taboo Item blueprint, and learned he had earned a Silver-Rank Taboo Item for placing in the entrance exam's top ten.
• Lu PingAn requested a powerful Death-type weapon or offensive item involving withering or aging, despite the warning that such items carried dangerous costs.
• A Nightingale and Twilight Song Society recruiter invited Lu PingAn to join, and he arranged to return to school before planning to find reinforcements at the police station.

Lu PingAn joined Xia Qin and Old Ke to review the Nomination System and choose interns for Special Task Force Three. He discovered that many organizations wanted him for his logistics abilities and selected Xue En as his first recruit before continuing down his prepared list.

• Cat Cat confronted Lu PingAn over his rejection of her application, then headed to the cafeteria to collect half of her brother’s meal.
• Lu PingAn saw three church representatives leave Xia Qin’s office, and Big Cat identified them as dangerous members of Holy Spring Rebirth, including the sixth-rank Rose Liu Zibei.
• Xia Qin showed Lu PingAn the Nomination System and explained how organizations selected interns and submitted internship terms.
• Lu PingAn found that twenty-four organizations had nominated him, ranking him thirty-seventh because his logistics and healing abilities were in demand.
• Lu PingAn and Xia Qin discussed Xue En’s lack of nominations, and Lu PingAn selected him for Special Task Force Three based on his dangerous close-combat ability.
• Lu PingAn began choosing more candidates, prioritizing those on the Gardener, Scholar, and Soldier paths.

Lu PingAn researched Tier 2 combat-oriented Gardener paths and prepared to negotiate with Hua Xueyi’s society. After arranging several appointments for the next day, he received an invitation to join an expedition into an unknown Death-type secret realm.

• Lu PingAn asked Xia Qin and Old Ke about combat-oriented Gardener paths, and Old Ke listed options including Flower Arranger, Bonsai Designer, and Forest Keeper.
• Lu PingAn planned to meet Hua Xueyi and discuss trading for Gardener knowledge with her society.
• Lei Huo Ren shared his experience fighting a Bonsai Designer and suggested Forest Keeper might suit Lu PingAn.
• The school told Lu PingAn that a Forgemaster would meet him the next morning and that his Silver Taboo Item was ready to collect.
• A member of the Nightingale and Twilight Song Society invited Lu PingAn to visit and join their expedition into an unknown Death-type secret realm.

Lu PingAn collected Thompson's Midnight Soup Spoon, a powerful Silver cursed relic that could brew youth and aging potions but carried dangerous costs. After sharing his excitement in the newbie Chat Room, he reflected on the relic’s bloody history and invited Cat Cat to collect a treat from his place.

• Lu PingAn met Gu Da and received Thompson's Midnight Soup Spoon, a Silver Middle Rank cursed relic.
• Lu PingAn learned the spoon could brew youth and aging potions and could curse or bless someone it struck, but required regular brewing and could force its holder into an aged state.
• Lu PingAn tested the spoon and found that All Weapon Proficiency applied to it, then considered whether he could delay its aging curse with his ability.
• Lu PingAn celebrated the relic in the newbie Chat Room, was muted by administrators, and angered the other members.
• Lu PingAn considered whether Thompson and later collectors had committed murders to obtain youth, then invited Cat Cat to pick up something tasty from his place.

Lu PingAn received his Temporary License and learned that it authorized him to perform extraordinary law-enforcement actions under Gu Da’s responsibility, though he would still face review and possible repayment. He left understanding the weight of the license and the worsening situation that was prompting authorities to issue more of them.

• Lu PingAn met Senior Apprentice Sister Fang, who prepared his internship documents despite being cursed and wrapped in runic bandages.
• Lu PingAn received his Temporary License and a silver cursed artifact, then asked Senior Apprentice Sister Fang what the license allowed him to do.
• Senior Apprentice Sister Fang explained that Temporary License holders could only work under formal license holders or assist their superiors, but the license gave their actions official backing.
• Senior Apprentice Sister Fang told Lu PingAn that Gu Da would initially bear the consequences of his actions, while reviewing them afterward and seeking repayment for unreasonable excesses.
• Lu PingAn recalled that licensing requirements would be lowered and more licenses issued next year, and recognized that the situation was worsening.

Lu PingAn met Senior Hua and Wei Dewang at the academy reception building, then discussed clubs and Career Paths with Senior Apprentice Sister Fang. He commissioned Hou Yixi to reshape his weapon, and Hou realized the radical design could take all day.

• Lu PingAn ran into Senior Hua, who was showing Wei Dewang around, and the two freshmen introduced themselves as future colleagues in Zion District.
• Senior Hua invited Lu PingAn to afternoon tea to discuss joining her club, while Senior Apprentice Sister Fang glared at her and asked whether he had decided where to join.
• Lu PingAn told Senior Apprentice Sister Fang he was still considering his options and learned how clubs formed around Career Paths, shared interests, and future alliances.
• Lu PingAn met Hou Yixi of Cat Cart Factory, discussed customized hunting-game gear, and signed a contract for a weapon modification.
• Hou Yixi examined Lu PingAn's plan and warned that the extreme reshaping might take the whole day.

Lu PingAn commissioned Hou Yixi to turn his old battle axe into an unconventional weapon suited to his Wave Slash Technique and Exotic Weapon proficiency. After a ritual imbued it with the concept of a battle axe, Lu PingAn tested the resulting war scythe and confirmed his gamble had worked.

• Lu PingAn decided the traits of Knight Slavin's Mithril Battle Axe did not suit his mobile fighting style and chose which ones to transfer to a new weapon.
• Lu PingAn and Hou Yixi redesigned the axe as an extra-long, extendable-handled war scythe focused on spinning attacks, while keeping it recognizable as a battle axe.
• Hou Yixi used the Bronze Low-rank cursed item A Worn Battle Axe Blueprint to perform a ritual that gave the weapon adaptability for the Wave Slash Technique and the concept of a battle axe.
• Lu PingAn picked up the finished weapon, swung it, and confirmed it counted as a Bronze Low-rank battle axe; he planned further modifications to it.

Lu PingAn spent his prize money and Settlement Allowance at the Cat Cart Factory, customizing his uniform and buying equipment, including sheaths for his weapons. He arrived fully outfitted for his afternoon appointment with Hua Xueyi, who wondered if he had guessed what she wanted to do.

• Lu PingAn used his new funds to customize his Special Task Force uniform with protective features and upgraded shoes.
• Hou Yixi explained that Silver Taboo Items needed sheaths to limit their pollution, and Lu PingAn bought two despite the expense.
• Lu PingAn bought additional gear at the Cat Cart Factory, including a Fire Dragon Shield Axe to hang at home.
• Lu PingAn stayed at the factory for hours instead of leaving to handle his business, then reached his appointment before three o'clock.
• Hua Xueyi froze when she saw Lu PingAn fully equipped and wondered whether he had guessed her intentions.

Lu PingAn met Hua Xueyi and Lu Lulu to discuss Gardener Path resources and an invitation to join the Venus Mutual Aid Society. After they offered club benefits and Hua Xueyi proposed combat training, Lu PingAn anticipated their usual recruitment fight and challenged her with a counteroffer.

• Lu PingAn met Hua Xueyi and Lu Lulu at the Sky Pavilion and asked about Gardener Path materials and intelligence, as well as inviting Hua Xueyi to join Special Task Force Three.
• Hua Xueyi and Lu Lulu introduced the Venus Mutual Aid Society and offered Lu PingAn ability intelligence, purchasing channels, and a possible internship with Lu Lulu’s mentor, Wen Beixiong.
• Lu PingAn recognized Wen Beixiong’s name and asked whether his granddaughter, Zhong Ying, was enrolling; Lu Lulu teased him about following her.
• Hua Xueyi offered to guide Lu PingAn in combat and said she could contend with ordinary third-tiers.
• Lu PingAn accepted the expected fight and asked whether Hua Xueyi would still teach him if he won, or join Special Task Force Three instead.

Lu PingAn fought Hua Xueyi in a sparring match, using his equipment, abilities, and prepared terrain to counter her speed and precise control of her golden hair. After Hua Xueyi sensed danger and escaped his trap, Lu PingAn revealed that his combat approach had changed and began wielding his axe like a great scythe.

• Lu PingAn and Hua Xueyi traded taunts before beginning their sparring match, with Hua Xueyi noting his professional-grade equipment.
• Lu PingAn opened with a full-field tentacle barrage, but Hua Xueyi used her golden hair to cut through it and quickly close the distance.
• Lu PingAn retreated and turned the arena into a Lavender-filled Garden to hinder Hua Xueyi’s transformation ability.
• Hua Xueyi used her hair to intercept and return Lu PingAn’s explosive spikes, forcing him to block them with a Monkey Shield Tree and Green Armor.
• Hua Xueyi sensed deadly danger in Lu PingAn’s axe and abandoned her attack, escaping his attempted trap.
• Lu PingAn said his combat approach had changed and began rotating his axe with an unusual grip, while Hua Xueyi’s golden hair stood on end.

Lu PingAn used a hidden, poison-coated weapon to overcome Hua Xueyi's superior combat skills. The fight ended with Hua Xueyi poisoned and Lu PingAn teasing her as he took photos.

• Hua Xueyi recognized Lu PingAn's unusual axe technique but remained confident she could defeat him.
• Lu PingAn used Xiao An and several attacks to keep Hua Xueyi probing while he waited for his opening.
• Lu PingAn used Hydra to wound Hua Xueyi with a Silver Poison-coated blade while she focused on his attack.
• Hua Xueyi realized she had been poisoned as Lu PingAn lowered his weapon and took pictures of her.