Chapter Summaries

After Barn fell, the Mother Goddess Road lost the world's support, devastating its followers and strengthening Lu PingAn's abilities. Lu PingAn realized he could spread his own pathways, but he chose to keep accumulating power rather than rush toward godhood.

• The world's judgment mechanism erased the Mother Goddess's influence, weakening her followers and causing many high-ranking believers to lose ranks, mutate, or die.
• Lu PingAn sensed that he could share his Specialized Pathways with others and gain strength and recognition from their growth.
• Lu PingAn experimented with Fictional Assets, discovering that he could create and name powerful items and beings to expand his legion and armory.
• Lu PingAn considered creating lower-rank professions from his composite system but decided it was too early to establish his own pathway.
• Big Cat urged Lu PingAn to accumulate more before ascending, then objected when he teased her about being a gentleman.

Lu PingAn learned that the Nirvana Plan aimed to send promising people into the outer domains in hopes that humanity might one day produce a Pillar-level being capable of protecting Earth. Reassured that the authorities supported his free development, he prepared to return to Mercury 42.

• Lu PingAn reflected on his honorary military rank and how proud his parents were of his appointment as Logistics General.
• A military demigod explained that the authorities encouraged talented people to grow in the outer domains rather than bind them to Earth.
• The demigod revealed that the Nirvana Plan ultimately sought to produce a Thirteenth Pillar who could protect humanity's home world.
• Lu PingAn questioned whether such a being would remain attached to humanity, and the demigod argued that a Pillar's race would likely become part of their power.
• After confirming that the homeland and Mercury 42 were doing well, Lu PingAn began preparing to set out again.

Lu PingAn was offered a major role in Eastern Kingdom investment and development on Mercury 42, but the new responsibilities overwhelmed him, so he delegated Wanjing’s affairs to Catherine and left. He turned to developing his own abilities and outfitting his association, only to discover how expensive the required materials were.

• Lu PingAn sampled dishes for a proposed Hometown Cuisine chain and learned the Eastern Kingdom planned to launch hundreds of stores on Mercury 42.
• An official offered Lu PingAn ten percent of the chain in exchange for lending protection and helping train security personnel, and Lu PingAn accepted.
• Lu PingAn visited a state-owned warship Factory and heavy-equipment facilities, where business leaders presented him with additional investment proposals and shares.
• The mayor of Ancient City advised Lu PingAn to leave Wanjing so officials could handle its affairs without needing his approval.
• Lu PingAn offered Catherine one hundred points a week to manage the Wanjing matters, then departed to work on his own progress and equipment plans.
• Lu PingAn calculated the materials needed to develop his abilities and equip the association, then lamented their high cost.

Lu Mouren spent heavily on materials, blueprints, and equipment to strengthen Little Slash and arm his Rule-level companions. After finishing the purchases, his team set out for Mercury 42 aboard God's Ark, confident and well supplied.

• Lu Mouren bought most of a warehouse’s stock and collected it with the Courtyard, then asked for Abyss materials, especially Abyss Lord bones and dragon bones.
• Lu PingAn prioritized upgrading Little Slash with Abyss Lord bones to deepen its Abyssification and raise its potential.
• Lu PingAn added boots and other equipment to the shopping list for Chris and his other companions, including weapons for Hua Xueyi and supplies for Xue En.
• Lu Mouren bought large quantities of materials and blueprints to forge weapons and defensive equipment for the Rule-level members during the journey and on Mercury 42.
• After God's Ark returned with news from the Mercury 42 battlefield, Lu PingAn's team departed for foreign lands with their purchases and renewed confidence.

Lu PingAn left the Mother Star after Big Cat warned that his rapid growth risked limiting his future, then spent the journey forging weapons and advancing his artisan profession. By the time God's Ark reached the other shore, his hastily raised artisan rank had reached Tier 6, though Big Cat cautioned that it was still a deficient, false profession.

• Lu PingAn learned of the Mother Goddess Church's downfall, while Fang Wen was shaken and its ruling faction appeared unaffected.
• Big Cat urged Lu PingAn to leave and focus on accumulation rather than letting his growing power push him toward godhood too quickly.
• Lu PingAn mass-produced Quasi-Pollution Weapons and Taboo Items in God's Ark, using failed pieces as reserves for his armed legion and taking on customers' materials for payment.
• Lu PingAn broke through to Gilded Artisan (Silver Middle Rank), but Big Cat explained that his artisan path was an imitation that would eventually hit a bottleneck without serious study.
• Lu PingAn forged equipment for Big Cat, Xue En, and himself, and his false artisan rank reached Tier 6 before God's Ark arrived at the other shore.

As Mercury 42’s factions struggled to hold their fronts, Big Horde Shuichi announced that Lu PingAn had returned with major aid and agreements from Earth and other powers. The chapter ended with the factions learning that Lu PingAn had killed World Devourer Barn and reconsidering how they would treat him.

• Mercury 42’s leaders complained that their divided factions were struggling against the invading forces while Lu PingAn’s group remained away.
• Big Horde Shuichi announced that Lu PingAn had returned and confirmed that he had succeeded in securing help.
• Shuichi reported an alliance with the Silent Mountain Range World, including two deities and over a hundred thousand Phosphorus People, as well as the Moon God’s defection and arrival as a Guardian God.
• Shuichi revealed that Earth’s officials had approved mercenaries, support for the Savior Army to establish a nation, major infrastructure investments, and Eastern Kingdom immigrants.
• Shuichi explained that Lu PingAn had been delayed by fighting World Devourer Barn in Siberia for a week and had killed him completely.
• The factions accepted Lu PingAn’s accomplishments and resolved to reconsider how they dealt with him.

Lu PingAn welcomed investors from the Phosphorus People, Ancient City, and Wanjing to Mercury 42, then brought them to Flood Dragon City while he headed toward Salt City. After learning that about half a year had passed during his absence, he considered inspecting both cities before choosing his faction’s capital.

• Lu PingAn received the investor delegations in Ancient City, where Mayor Qian ShuEn and Wang Xi'er reacted to Mercury 42’s polluted air.
• Lu PingAn took the delegations to Flood Dragon City, a candidate for the capital of his territories, and offered them a safe place to stay while they assessed local conditions.
• Lu PingAn left the guests and set off for Salt City, where he had a biochemical base and the Tree of Salvation.
• Lu PingAn inspected the expanded docks, cargo facilities, and shipbuilding industry that had developed during his absence.
• Local intelligence confirmed that about half a year had passed, and Lu PingAn decided he could inspect Salt City and Flood Dragon City before choosing the capital.

Lu PingAn returned to Salt City and discovered that Redemption had purified the surrounding waters and spread a vast garden of flowers through the city. The city had renamed itself Flower City and prospered dramatically during his absence, leaving its governor bewildered by the changes.

• Redemption showered the ship with Petals and formed a flower passage from the ship to Salt City, while Lu PingAn confirmed the seawater had been purified.
• Lu PingAn learned that Redemption’s growth and purification had surpassed his expectations, then decided to adjust his plans for the tree.
• Officials and citizens greeted Lu PingAn with a grand welcome as his ship arrived in Salt City.
• A local official reported that commercial tax revenue had surged and the city’s pollution had diminished during Lu PingAn’s absence.
• Lu PingAn learned that Salt City had been renamed Flower City in his honor.

Lu PingAn learned that Guan Xinxian’s efforts had helped Redemption saplings spread across Mercury 42 and transformed the Lamp Flowers and Trees into a world-recognized species with greatly enhanced purification powers. As the Redemption returned, Lu PingAn received Guan Xinxian’s request to help him ascend to godhood.

• Lu PingAn saw that Redemption saplings were selling widely and that Flower City had become a major producer of Lamp Flowers and Lamp Trees.
• Lu PingAn discovered that his Tree of Salvation had grown stronger and gained the Holy Sun Tree species name and the Splendid Tree racial trait.
• Chris explained that the world’s recognition had changed the plants’ nature, strengthening their ability to purify pollution and otherworldization.
• Lu PingAn learned that Guan Xinxian had likely caused the plants to receive the world’s blessing and decided to ask him about it in person.
• Guan Xinxian asked Lu PingAn to help him ascend to godhood.

Lu PingAn reunited with Guan Xinxian, who had gained the divinity of a Savior and wanted to ascend to godhood to rescue people in the apocalyptic world. Lu PingAn warned that ascension could erase Guan Xinxian’s humanity, and Guan agreed to wait while Lu PingAn helped him preserve it.

• Lu PingAn met Guan Xinxian aboard the expanded Ark and learned that only half a year had passed for him since their last meeting.
• Lu PingAn sensed that Guan Xinxian possessed the divinity of a Savior and heard that fate had called him to become a God of Redemption.
• Guan Xinxian said he wanted to ascend soon because people were dying without help, despite Lu PingAn’s warning that ascension could thin his humanity.
• Lu PingAn asked Guan Xinxian to wait so they could protect his humanity and ensure his salvation did not aid evildoers at victims’ expense.
• Guan Xinxian agreed to wait, thanked Lu PingAn, and shared a final toast with him.

Lu PingAn learned that Guan Xinxian could not safely ascend as a pure God of Redemption, since the world’s support would overwhelm him and turn him into a tool god. He began seeking a way to balance Guan’s divine authority and decided to discuss adding vengeance and guardianship with the Savior Army.

• Lu PingAn sensed the Tree of Salvation’s joy and realized Guan Xinxian could not abandon the people he had spent nearly eleven years protecting.
• Big Cat explained that the world could force Guan Xinxian into godhood, but the excess power would overwhelm him and make him a tool god.
• Lu PingAn rejected the pure God of Redemption path and sought further knowledge from Shuichi and Akul.
• Your Excellency Xiu Yi suggested giving Guan Xinxian composite divine authorities so other rules could counterbalance Redemption.
• Lu PingAn chose the God of Vengeance and Guardian God of the Long-Hand Tribe Country as possible authorities and planned to speak with the Savior Army.

Lu PingAn organized his allies to develop his territory into a commercial city and build shared interests that could support Guan Xinxian’s plan to ascend to godhood. He left the meeting focused on logistics and commerce, while the wider war shifted under the Eastern Kingdom’s intervention and incoming reinforcements.

• Lu PingAn explained the plan to pursue godhood and expand the group’s investment, organization, and long-term presence in the world.
• Lu Lu and Wang Xi'er joined the shareholders’ meeting as allies, with Lu PingAn allocating them shares from his personal portion.
• Lu PingAn outlined his territory’s focus on commerce, industry, and agriculture, with a small regular force and high-quality mercenaries supplied to the front lines.
• Lu PingAn agreed with Xiu Yi and General Su Nan to pay War Tax in goods and resources.
• Eastern Kingdom commanders and civil administrators arrived, improving coordination at the front and consolidating rear territories to collect War Tax.
• Lu PingAn concluded that the Commercial City should prioritize logistics and making money from the war before pursuing godhood.

Lu PingAn toured the newly opened Eastern Gourmet Street and other investments from Eastern Kingdom, assessing how local races responded to human food and clothing. He left the still-developing shipyard as investments took root in his new home.

• Lu PingAn attended the opening of Eastern Gourmet Street, promoted the State Grain Group chain stores, and had statistics compiled on customers’ reactions.
• Lu PingAn learned that different races had distinct tastes, prompting chefs to develop dishes and meal sets suited to each group using local ingredients.
• Lu PingAn entrusted the food business to the chefs and managers, sending his own culinary teams to study and improve the menus.
• Lu PingAn visited Fashion Street and saw that locals bought ill-fitting clothes because human fashion had influenced their standards of beauty.
• Lu PingAn visited the shipyard, where machines were being calibrated and Ancient City shipbuilding masters worked with local engineers.

Lu PingAn struggled through a growing pile of government documents while Xia Qin tried to draft a criminal code suited to the harsh realities of New Ancient Town. The chapter ended with Lu PingAn agreeing to write the law himself, prompting Xia Qin to attack him and damage the governor’s residence again.

• Lu PingAn tried to leave during the storm, but Xia Qin stopped him and made him return to the documents they had agreed to finish.
• Lu PingAn considered appointing an acting governor, while Xia Qin insisted he keep handling the town’s affairs until its new institutions were established.
• Lu PingAn worked through documents until midnight as Xia Qin completed a draft criminal code based on Eastern Kingdom’s laws.
• Lu PingAn rejected Xia Qin’s draft, explaining that its moral standards did not suit local conditions such as widespread trafficking and neglectful parenting.
• Xia Qin learned that Lu PingAn knew more about law than she did, attacked him in anger, and caused the governor’s residence to be rebuilt for the third time that week.

Lu PingAn discussed Ancient City's investment plans and his reasons for welcoming people from his hometown to settle in his territory. He reassured Mayor Qian that outside investors could profit while his own priority remained building the region, then revealed that an Ancient City team member might soon become the world's first newly born deity.

• Lu PingAn had Qian ShuEn and the Ancient City officials help with government affairs and legislation while they assessed local investment opportunities.
• Mayor Qian said Ancient City wanted to invest in shipbuilding and entertainment, and explained that its industries would provide jobs and a potential refuge for future migrants.
• Lu PingAn told Mayor Qian that he wanted to bring his parents' neighbors from Ancient City to the new region, which left Qian surprised by how simple his reason was.
• Mayor Qian raised concerns that Wanjing's businesses might gain too much control over Lu PingAn's territory, and Lu PingAn said building the region mattered more to him than who earned profits in the short or medium term.
• Lu PingAn said his team was pursuing ascension and that an Easterner from Ancient City could become the world's first newly born deity, prompting Mayor Qian to consider increasing Ancient City's investment.

Lu PingAn prepared to leave his expanding territory and take Xue En and Cat Cat to the front lines, after resisting repeated calls to join the war. His territory’s booming economy and growing number of Professionals made it harder to postpone his departure, while his team returned to Flower City to spend resources before the Courtyard moved.

• Lu PingAn reviewed the war’s shifting front lines and recognized that his arms business was thriving because of the fighting.
• Lu PingAn saw his territory’s investments, population, and number of Professionals grow, while he continued refusing rotational frontline duty.
• Lu PingAn decided it was time to move elsewhere and chose Xue En and Cat Cat to accompany him.
• Lu PingAn set another departure date, and his scattered team returned to Flower City to exchange resources for power before the Courtyard left.

Wang Xi'er joined Lu PingAn on a sea voyage to learn more about the world before taking on political work, but their attempts to relax kept turning into work discussions. After Lu PingAn easily destroyed another pirate attack, they considered how rising immigration might require an underwater satellite city.

• Wang Xi'er questioned why pirates had attacked their ship so often, and Lu PingAn explained how widespread piracy was beyond territories protected by powerful lords.
• Lu PingAn and Wang Xi'er discussed the Ancient Town Gazette's advertisement-heavy format and the challenges of making newspapers affordable and sustainable.
• Wang Xi'er asked Lu PingAn about magically modified gaming consoles and arranged to promote Eastern Kingdom works through games, films, and animation.
• Lu PingAn destroyed the twentieth pirate gang they had encountered that week with a rain of Fire Balls, while most of the attackers sank or fled.
• Lu PingAn and Wang Xi'er discussed whether immigration was too lax and suggested starting the Underwater Satellite City project.

Lu PingAn reached the brutal frontline and used a Tree of Salvation to provide limited healing to the wounded, while confronting how little he could do without medical support. After taking over from Shi Xiaoyou, he learned the enemy lineup and received warnings about their habits as he prepared to hold the line.

• Lu PingAn saw the wounded on the frontline and realized that delaying their injuries would not help without reliable medical care.
• He learned that many frontline fighters were volunteers driven by poverty and that the wounded were considered lucky if they were allowed to withdraw.
• Lu PingAn summoned a Tree of Salvation whose blood-red flowers gave the wounded some healing and self-recovery.
• Lu PingAn met Shi Xiaoyou, ate grilled Wonton Dragon, and accepted the frontline commander's communicator and token.
• Shi Xiaoyou left Lu PingAn a brief handover and fled, while Lu PingAn discovered hidden warnings about the enemy's numbers, a stubborn red girl, and avoiding attacks at midnight.

After surviving a brutal first clash with an overlord and three King-level enemies, Lu PingAn treated his injuries and warned that the next day would be more dangerous. He prepared weapons and potions for a possible rematch, hoping to kill the Three-Headed Snake Dragon.

• Lu PingAn explained that Rule-level beings were difficult to kill because their bodies were containers of contamination and rules, then recalled how he had defeated powerful enemies before.
• Lu PingAn washed the venom from his arm while healing, and explained that he had held Xue En back from using Misfortune Aura to avoid turning the clash into a fight to the death.
• The Giant Panda asked why Lu PingAn had restrained her, and Lu PingAn described how Xue En had fought the explosive red octopus while he faced the Three-Headed Snake Dragon and two others.
• Lu PingAn warned Xue En that the enemy would increase the pressure the next day and prepare countermeasures based on what they had shown.
• Lu PingAn ordered his team to work overtime preparing Dragon-Slaying Weapons and potions, hoping to feast on Dragon Meat after the next battle.

Lu PingAn watched the endless slaughter on the front line and realized that saving soldiers or winning a local battle would not change the war, though he resolved to act against an enemy monster tearing through the defenses. Meanwhile, the wounded Three-Headed Dragon assessed Lu PingAn as dangerous and chose to hold position, until it learned that Red Star King had charged out alone.

• Lu PingAn and Cat Cat witnessed the horrific losses on the front line, and Lu PingAn decided against using Deferred Payment to push himself past his limits.
• Lu PingAn concluded that protecting soldiers or killing powerful enemies would not change the war, and he yearned for power capable of protecting people rather than merely destroying.
• Lu PingAn saw the reckless octopus-like monster attacking the front line and decided to intervene.
• The wounded Three-Headed Dragon discussed Lu PingAn’s abilities and suspected that his eyes could see through their attacks.
• The Three-Headed Dragon decided to hold position and avoid fighting to the death, but an attendant reported that Red Star King had charged out alone.