Chapter Summaries

The old man presided over the Council’s punishment of Keli for exposing its secrets, ordering Ken to kill his former student. He warned the Council’s members to obey its rules and left Katelin tasked with continuing her work.

• The old man told Keli that he had ordered his capture and that breaking the Council’s secrecy rule meant he had to die.
• Keli insulted the old man and threatened him, so the black cat leaped at him and gouged out one of his eyes.
• The old man ordered Ken to give Keli a quick death, and Ken burned him to a skeleton with ghostly blue flames.
• The old man warned the six members that anyone who violated the Council’s rules would be punished and killed, regardless of rank.
• The old man acknowledged Katelin’s complaints, promised compensation for her lost subordinates, and told her to keep working toward the Council’s goal.

Richard used circuit-cracking methods to simplify and successfully crack the Paralysis Ring’s magic rune. He then examined seven books from the Black Spirit Empire but still could not find the hidden clues connected to their secret.

• Richard compared magic runes to encrypted circuits and devised a method to test their patterns.
• Richard carved and tested runes on White Jade Shards, ruling out regions after each failed attempt.
• Richard successfully activated a simplified rune that produced orange-yellow electrical arcs, cracking the Paralysis Ring’s magic rune.
• Richard recorded the cracked rune and found it had nearly half as many patterns as the original.
• Richard reviewed seven books from the Black Spirit Empire, noting that two bore secret-related symbols numbered 11 and 34.
• Richard ruled out common methods for revealing hidden writing and remained unsure where the books’ clues were concealed.

Richard visited Great Scholar Su La Di to learn more about the books passed down by the Black Spirit Empire, but found Su La Di wrestling with a puzzle from an old friend. The chapter left the puzzle unresolved, with Richard reading the challenge and considering whether he could help.

• Richard arrived at Great Scholar Su La Di’s residence and saw a cold-looking former student leave after an unpleasant visit.
• Richard encountered Hai Di searching the garden for her missing black cat, Mi Qi, and she told him Su La Di was available in his study.
• Richard waited more than two hours while Su La Di struggled with a problem on a Papyrus Scroll.
• Su La Di apologized for keeping Richard waiting and explained that his old friend Ya Duo De had sent him a puzzle challenging his intelligence.
• Richard read the puzzle about finding a thief who hid a treasure in one of thirteen houses and moved to an adjacent house each day.

Richard explained how to catch a thief moving between thirteen rooms within twenty-two days, then gave Great Scholar Su La Di a difficult numerical problem to send to Ya Duo De. Su La Di approved the question about Lychrel Numbers and followed it with two serious questions of his own.

• Richard explained that alternating searches from Room 2 through Room 12 would catch the thief La Di within twenty-two days.
• Great Scholar Su La Di agreed with Richard's reasoning and began drafting a reply to Ya Duo De.
• Su La Di asked Richard to suggest a difficult problem to pose in return.
• Richard considered the Poincaré Conjecture but chose the simpler question of whether any number could never form a palindrome by repeatedly adding its reverse.
• Su La Di praised Richard's Lychrel Number problem, drank cold tea, and asked him two serious questions.

Richard visited the Underground Grand Market in White Stone City to search for books connected to the Black Spirit Empire after Great Scholar Su La Di recommended the place. He spotted Alex selling a dubious potion and arrived at the dilapidated shop Su La Di had identified, leaving his search about to begin.

• Great Scholar Su La Di told Richard about the Underground Grand Market as a place to find Black Spirit Empire books outside auctions.
• Richard entered the bustling, dangerous market and searched among its stalls and shops.
• Richard recognized Alex selling a so-called Spartan Warrior Potion and watched him persuade a customer to pay five Low-grade Crystal Coins.
• Richard left Alex to his sales and went to a dilapidated shop that he believed was the place Su La Di had recommended.

Richard entered the Forbidden Bookstore with a recommendation from Su La Di and searched its shelves for books from the Black Spirit Empire. He finally found a damaged book bearing the empire’s symbol, but the chapter ended before he could examine it further.

• Richard presented Su La Di’s recommendation to the Black Strongman, who explained the bookstore’s rules and let him enter.
• Richard browsed the store’s shelves and discovered books containing cruel recipes and forbidden practices.
• Richard searched through nearly every bookshelf for records from the Black Spirit Empire.
• Richard found a damaged book opened to a page bearing the Black Spirit Empire’s symbol.

Richard accidentally rang a bell while examining a damaged copy of Moratos's autobiography in the Forbidden Bookstore and had to buy it. He gained permission to enter the store freely but left without taking the strength test required for the inner section, wary that demonstrating his abilities might expose his disguise.

• Richard recognized the damaged book as a duplicate of his copy of My Autobiography—Moratos, then accidentally rang its bell.
• The Black Strongman demanded payment or threatened to beat Richard for stealing, and Richard paid 150 Low-grade Crystal Coins for the book.
• The Black Strongman cut the tough red cord and gave Richard a gold plaque for free entry and a silver plaque he could use to recommend someone else.
• Richard asked to enter the inner bookstore and learned that he had to pass a test of strength to prove he could protect its secrets.
• Wary that displaying his strength might reveal his disguise or attract Great Scholar Su La Di's attention, Richard decided to consider the test and returned to his laboratory.

Richard discovered that the two copies of My Autobiography - Moratos bore different Black Spirit Empire Symbol numbers, 9 and 27, and formed a theory about the numbers. He planned to test it at the next Underground Grand Market, while spending the intervening nights deciphering and modifying magic patterns.

• Richard compared books bearing the Black Spirit Empire Symbol and found that the Forbidden Bookstore copy of My Autobiography - Moratos was numbered 27 rather than 9.
• Richard rejected his theory that the numbers marked categories and considered several possible relationships between 9 and 27.
• Richard recalled the Thief's Locked-Room Problem discussed with Great Scholar Su La Di and formed a new theory about the books' differing numbers.
• Richard decided to seek more matching books inside the Forbidden Bookstore at the next Underground Grand Market, three days later.
• Richard deciphered the Freezing Bracelet and Venom Pendant's magic patterns, improved the patterns, and engraved all three designs onto the Paralysis Ring.
• Four days later, Richard prepared for the Underground Grand Market to open again.

Richard prepared for another trip to the Underground Grand Market by checking his magical rings, potions, and Destruction Pearl, then disguising his voice and appearance. He left the laboratory in a new identity, intending to enter the Forbidden Bookstore without revealing who he was.

• Richard inspected his Space Iron Ring, Antique Ring, Ring No.1, and Ring No.2, testing the spells on his two Magic Rune Rings.
• Richard reviewed his potions and Destruction Pearl as precautions for his trip to the market.
• Richard used Water Droplet Condensation to gather gases and tested them until he found one that made his voice sound hoarse and old.
• Richard altered his appearance with cosmetics and put on a black hooded robe, gloves, and high-heeled boots.
• Richard left the laboratory and headed to the Underground Grand Market in disguise.

Richard entered the Forbidden Bookstore, bought a book to become an official customer, and chose to prove his strength by fighting the Black Strongman. Just as Richard prepared to attack with magic, a black shadow appeared and stopped the test.

• Richard showed the Black Strongman his Silver Nameplate and entered the Forbidden Bookstore.
• Richard bought a book, gave it to the store, and received a Golden Nameplate granting him official customer status.
• Richard asked to enter the inner section and chose the test of defeating the Black Strongman.
• The Black Strongman displayed his Bloodline Seed aura and invited Richard to attack first.
• Richard prepared a spell, but a black shadow appeared between them and said, “Stop!”

Richard entered the Forbidden Bookstore’s inner section under the name Lynn and bought eight books marked with the Black Spirit Empire’s symbol. As he left, Hagens attacked him, but Richard easily stopped him and spared him, leaving Hagens to ask him not to tell Hardy.

• Hardy stopped Hagens from challenging Richard and escorted Richard into the bookstore’s inner section.
• Richard gave Hardy the name Lynn and browsed the inner shelves, where his Antique Ring reacted to several books bearing the Black Spirit Empire’s symbol.
• Richard selected eight books and paid Hagens 2,500 Low-grade Crystal Coins for them.
• Hagens attacked Richard as he was leaving, but Richard dodged and struck Hagens’s fist with a spell that froze and numbed his arm.
• Richard removed the frost and electric arcs, spared Hagens, and left with the books after Hagens asked him to keep the attack from Hardy.

Richard decoded the numbered Black Spirit Empire books as a modified palindrome and Lychrel Number system, which could lead to the secrets of the White Stone Tower and the Black Spirit King. Later, Lance urged Hite to join the Black Gold Society and recruit members to rise through its ranks.

• Richard organized the twelve books into four categories and identified a mathematical pattern linking their numbers to final palindrome results.
• Richard noted differences between the books’ numbering system and Earth mathematics, then calculated the palindrome results and estimated that he still needed to find at least seven more books.
• Richard pondered the long search for the remaining books as night fell.
• Lance told Hite that joining the Black Gold Society and recruiting members could help them gain higher positions and share in Nox's castle and Pist's territory.

Lance brought Hite to a dilapidated house, where an explosion soon engulfed the building in flames. Little Alex discovered that the fire was connected to Winkel’s house, then watched two unharmed Black-Robed Men emerge and leave behind a strange ice symbol.

• Lance encouraged Hite to work hard toward becoming a vice president before leading him into a dilapidated house.
• Little Alex speculated that Winkel was recruiting fools while Madam Amanda urged him to join her for a bath.
• An explosion sent flames high into the sky and engulfed the house Lance and Hite had entered.
• Little Alex carried a bath barrel toward the fire, intending to use the emergency as an excuse to escape Madam Amanda.
• Little Alex recognized the burning house as Winkel’s, then saw two Black-Robed Men walk out unharmed.
• One Black-Robed Man froze the spilled bathwater into a ring, triangle, and vertical-line pattern before both men vanished.

Lance and Hite discovered that two Black-Robed Men had slaughtered the Black Gold Society and set its building ablaze. Elsewhere, Great Scholar Su La Di summoned the Council to investigate the frozen symbol left at the scene and identify those disrupting White Stone City's order.

• Lance led Hite into the Black Gold Society's building and found a dead group leader, while Hite panicked and tried to back out of joining.
• Lance found President Winkel and the other members dead, then fled from two Black-Robed Men, who killed him with an explosion of golden flame.
• One of the Black-Robed Men froze a symbol from the fat man's bathwater and explained that leaving him alive would help spread news of the Black Spirit Empire Symbol.
• Great Scholar Su La Di arrived at an underground chamber with a black cat and addressed the gathered Council members.
• Su La Di ordered the Council to find who had exposed their location, and the members agreed.

Richard learned that White Stone Tower Academy was preparing to host the East Coast Joint Exchange Meeting, but he focused on researching Black Spirit Empire books and cultivating cells that might produce God's Blood. The chapter left him with a promising cell mutation and still seeking more books to uncover the secrets of White Stone Tower and the Black Spirit King.

• Gelo explained that White Stone Tower was preparing to host the East Coast Joint Exchange Meeting, prompting repairs and beautification across the academy.
• Richard encountered Ruth and Baji leaving the library, then realized Ruth believed Baji had beaten him after Baji had helped him instead.
• Richard searched the library and found two more Black Spirit Empire books, though both were copies he already owned.
• Richard improved his magic-pattern research and discovered a mutated cell trait that might eventually enable the cells to secrete God's Blood.
• Richard reviewed his fourteen Black Spirit Empire books and wondered how he could obtain more.

Richard reflected on his research and his efforts to find books from the Black Spirit Empire before coming across students from various wizard organizations gathered for a match at White Stone Tower Academy. The chapter ended as Sai Meng opened his duel with Ba Ba La by casting a Small Fireball.

• Richard reviewed his ongoing work cultivating God's Blood-secreting cells, researching magic patterns, and searching for books from the Black Spirit Empire.
• Richard went to the academy library, planning to ask Gelo to help him find books from the Black Spirit Empire.
• Richard saw students from many East Coast wizard organizations gathered around a fighting platform for the Joint Exchange Meeting.
• Sai Meng of Black Erb Castle and Ba Ba La of Deep Blue Fort prepared to duel as the crowd watched.
• Sai Meng launched a Small Fireball at Ba Ba La.

Richard watched Sai Meng defeat Ba Ba La in a duel, then spotted Somen, a man connected to a mysterious organization, disappear into the crowd. As Richard prepared to leave, a scream rang out, leaving the cause unknown.

• Ba Ba La countered Sai Meng’s spells with water and acid attacks while Richard judged their stationary fighting style inefficient.
• Richard recognized Somen from the mysterious organization in the crowd, but Somen vanished before Richard could find him.
• Sai Meng overwhelmed Ba Ba La with a flaming spear and a compressed-air attack, sending her crashing into the edge of the Wooden Stage.
• A White Stone Tower teacher stopped Sai Meng from continuing his attack and declared him the winner, while Ba Ba La’s companions from Deep Blue Fort tended to her.
• Richard saw nothing unusual after the duel and turned to leave, but a scream suddenly sounded.

Ba Ba La’s bite infected Deep Blue Fort students and a White Stone Tower teacher, triggering a rapidly spreading outbreak among the gathered students. Richard rescued a Rose City girl from the infected and fled with her.

• Ba Ba La bit Meng Ke, who lost control and attacked the other Deep Blue Fort students on the stage.
• The infected Deep Blue Fort students overwhelmed and infected the White Stone Tower teacher, then attacked the crowd below.
• Students from the other wizard organizations fought the infected, but their attacks failed to stop the outbreak and the gathering turned into a rout.
• Richard suspected that a fast-acting infection, possibly enhanced by magic, was spreading through the students.
• A Rose City girl fleeing the infected collided with Richard, who took her Fine Sword and disabled one pursuer by cutting its tendons.
• Richard pulled the girl to her feet and ran.

Richard rescued An Qi'er during an outbreak of infected students at White Stone Tower Academy, then lured infected away while Wizards fought to contain them. An Qi'er's teacher arrived and angrily called out to her.

• Richard introduced himself to An Qi'er and told her to hide while he lured infected toward the woods.
• Richard stabbed several infected to draw them away, and An Qi'er fled from other infected approaching her.
• An infected White Stone Tower teacher attacked An Qi'er, but a one-eyed Wizard froze him and warned her to stay put.
• More than ten White Stone Tower Wizards arrived and used spells to kill the infected.
• Richard returned unharmed and told An Qi'er that a Wizard had killed the infected he lured away.
• An Qi'er's teacher called to her in a cold, angry voice, and An Qi'er turned toward her and answered, "T-teacher..."

Richard reflected on the attack that devastated the East Coast Joint Exchange Meeting, then developed a new magic pattern and replenished his Wandering Energy Elements through meditation. As his consciousness returned to his body, he spotted an unexpected person wandering along the normally deserted street outside his laboratory.

• An old woman reprimanded An Qi'er for speaking with outsiders and took her away.
• Richard considered why Somen had attacked White Stone Tower, then asked Gelo to look for books about the Black Spirit Empire after finding nothing useful in the library.
• Richard completed the Low Temperature Dizziness magic pattern and tested it on two mice, killing one and severely injuring the other.
• Richard meditated to recover his Wandering Energy Elements, sending his consciousness above the ground to absorb them from the starry sky.
• As Richard descended toward his body, he noticed someone who should not have been there wandering on the street outside his laboratory.