Chapter Summaries

Chen Chuan discussed the source of Pure Essence and his future influence with Gao Ming. He left considering the Purity Faction as the safest possible source of Pure Essence.

• Chen Chuan decided to look after Chen Xiaojin and suspected that Fang Zhixin was secretly watching over him.
• Chen Chuan met Gao Ming in Weiguang District and explained the Pure Essence investigation and the authorities’ suspicions.
• Gao Ming proposed that inherited schools or a growing company might provide Chen Chuan with a legitimate record of acquiring Pure Essence.
• Gao Ming urged Chen Chuan to build an influence network by bringing people from Yangzhi to Central City.
• Chen Chuan left the meeting and focused on obtaining Pure Essence from inherited schools, with the Purity Faction foremost in his thoughts.

Chen Chuan received a booklet hinting that the Purity Faction could offer him an alternative path, then was officially promoted to Investigation Supervisor of the Handling Bureau. He learned about his new authority, resources, and responsibilities, and was granted three months of leave before receiving assignments.

• Chen Chuan sensed a senior member of the Purity Faction had left a message in Instructor Wen’s booklet, offering a choice to anyone unwilling to follow the path prescribed by powerful factions.
• Wei Huan officially promoted Chen Chuan to Investigation Supervisor, and bureau members congratulated him.
• Guo You showed Chen Chuan the bureau’s Active Consciousness Entity, An Shield, and helped him register a World Token with expanded access and protection.
• Guo You outlined Chen Chuan’s security staff, hiring slots, funds, and service benefits, then explained that his role involved confronting company forces when necessary.
• Guo You told Chen Chuan that the higher-ups had approved three months of leave before the bureau assigned him specific duties.

After reviewing the Handling Bureau’s plans and equipment, Chen Chuan left with an armed escort to visit the old Ferris Wheel Company site. His promotion drew reactions from former colleagues and the attention of the Essence Refinement School, which decided to keep watching him.

• Chen Chuan reviewed the Lian Wei Re-Control Company case, recruitment applications, and equipment available for purchase, then decided to consider staffing and gear after his leave.
• Chen Chuan departed the bureau with a security convoy led by Yu Xiao and headed for the Ferris Wheel Company Old Site in Yinglu District.
• Sun Rao and Wei Yuji recognized Chen Chuan’s promotion as they returned to the bureau, and Sun Rao told An Cheng that Chen Chuan had become an Investigation Supervisor.
• Two people from the Essence Refinement School discussed Chen Chuan’s role in defeating Ferris Wheel and chose to observe him before considering recruitment.

After receiving his promotion to Investigation Supervisor, Chen Chuan gathered his team, recruited San Cheng Huang, and distributed their operation rewards. He also checked on Zhao Ming at the Wing Blade Light Nest Company, where the pet had passed observation and was expected to leave in a few days.

• Chen Chuan declined An Shield's offer to block Deng Xin's call, and Deng Xin thanked him for destroying the Ferris Wheel Company and offered her ability to foresee danger.
• Chen Chuan returned to Wuding District and told Yuan Qiuyuan, Qin Qingque, and Su Wei that he had been appointed Investigation Supervisor; they agreed to keep serving under him.
• Chen Chuan invited his team to dinner at the Stretch the World Hotel and asked San Cheng Huang to join his team, which San Cheng Huang accepted.
• Chen Chuan gave the group their operation rewards, including a share of special medication for San Cheng Huang, and told the others to carry out missions during his three-month leave.
• Chen Chuan visited Zhao Ming at the Wing Blade Light Nest Company, where Manager Zhuang confirmed that Zhao Ming had passed the observation period and could leave in a few days if nothing unusual happened.

Chen Chuan learned about Zhao Ming’s projected abilities and growth at Wing Blade Company, then returned to Wuyi Academy and applied for teaching qualifications. At his assessment the next day, the academy changed the testing environment into a dark forest and Teacher Yang disappeared.

• Manager Zhuang showed Chen Chuan simulations of Zhao Ming’s future combat abilities and explained its training, growth stages, and prospects for surpassing its limits.
• Chen Chuan decided to let Zhao Ming grow naturally, left Wing Blade Company, and returned to Wuyi Academy.
• Chen Chuan applied for teaching qualifications and quickly received approval to choose an assessment time.
• Chen Chuan selected the following afternoon, trained, and arrived at the assessment site, where Assistant Ling introduced Teacher Yang as the assessor.
• Assistant Ling summoned Red Dust to provide the assessment instructions, and Teacher Yang asked Chen Chuan whether he had any objections.
• At Teacher Yang’s request, Red Dust transformed the assessment area into a dim forest, and Teacher Yang vanished from Chen Chuan’s sight.

Chen Chuan passed Wuyi Academy’s teacher assessment by using his domain field to locate and quickly defeat Teacher Yang. He then visited Cao Guiqi at the Cao Family Manor, where Cao Guiqi warned that Chen Chuan would now be judged by a different set of rules.

• Chen Chuan released his domain field across the forest and waited for Teacher Yang to reveal himself.
• Teacher Yang attempted to flee and hide again, but Chen Chuan caught him and drained his strength.
• Red Dust announced that Chen Chuan had passed, and Assistant Ling welcomed him to Wuyi Academy.
• Chen Chuan suspected the assessment had been connected to Assistant Ling, then drove to Mo Tie Mountain to visit Senior Brother Cao.
• Cao Guiqi congratulated Chen Chuan on becoming Investigation Supervisor and told him that different rules would now determine how he was judged.

Cao Guiqi explained how access to Pure Essence and other Combat Cultivation resources depended on joining a powerful force, and he advised Chen Chuan to consider a school or search for Hidden Treasures. After returning from Cao Family Manor, Chen Chuan arranged dinner with Wei Dong and Wu Han and joined them at a restaurant in Central City.

• Cao Guiqi told Chen Chuan about the Old Dynasty’s Marrow Tax Blood Tribute and how the Great Shun Government and other factions controlled advancement resources in the New Era.
• Cao Guiqi gave Chen Chuan a token to approach the Essence Refinement School, advised him to favor the government over companies if necessary, and warned him to be cautious around Hidden Treasures.
• Cao Guiqi withheld the location of a particularly dangerous Hidden Treasure, explaining to Uncle Ding that companies and the government were watching it and that the old order could not be restored.
• Chen Chuan contacted Wei Dong and Wu Han to arrange dinner before returning to Yangzhi, then drove alone to their chosen restaurant the next day.
• Chen Chuan used his World Token to inspect people on the street, noticed that many had criminal records linked to one gang, and greeted Wei Dong and Wu Han at the restaurant.

Chen Chuan dealt with a Golden Boots Gang encounter, learned that his company might gain former Ferris Wheel Company operations, and prepared to leave Central City for vacation. He departed Wuyi Academy with an armed convoy as a brilliantly feathered figure appeared overhead.

• Chen Chuan noticed that the Convergence Zone insects had changed, and he recognized Green Source Ecology Company’s repellent plant as a product linked to a company he suspected of supporting the Plague Cult.
• Chen Chuan warned Wu Han to contact the Yangzhi City Handling Bureau or Patrol Bureau if trouble arose, then Tan Chong, leader of the Golden Boots Gang, approached their table and offered to pay for their meal.
• An Shield mobilized Combat Creatures against Tan Chong’s group, but Chen Chuan called off the defensive purge, and Tan Chong left shaken.
• Yan Yi told Chen Chuan that the company was competing for former Ferris Wheel Company operations and feared rivals might use non-commercial tactics; Chen Chuan said he would send San Cheng Huang to help protect the company.
• Chen Chuan spent several days preparing, then left Wuyi Academy on June 9 with Yu Xiao and an armed convoy as a brightly feathered figure appeared in the sky.

Chen Chuan returned to Yangzhi City as a Handling Bureau Investigation Supervisor and was formally welcomed by local officials. Meanwhile, Qiao Linhu left Wu Yi Academy for Central City with his student, and Chen Chuan noticed Yuan An Company's new structure at the former Mo Lan Company site.

• Guan Yuming and He Fen waited at the city entrance to receive Chen Chuan and his convoy.
• Chen Chuan greeted Guan Yuming and He Fen, accepted their invitation, and traveled with them to the Yangzhi City Handling Bureau.
• Zhu Xian told his secretary to handle Chen Chuan's reception according to protocol and keep him informed.
• Cheng Zitong called Wu Yi Academy seeking Qiao Linhu, then learned that Qiao Linhu had already left for Central City with his student.
• Qiao Linhu departed through the back entrance of Wu Yi Academy, while Cheng Zitong arrived too late to see him off.
• Chen Chuan observed Yuan An Company's renovated building and sculpture before his convoy entered the Handling Bureau administrative building.

Chen Chuan returned to Yangzhi City and offered to help Nian Fuli and Yu Wan move their family to Central City, but they chose to stay and accepted his offer to arrange tutors for the children. He then prepared to meet Instructor Wen and focused on cultivating with the Pure Essence leaking through the World Ring.

• Chen Chuan arrived at the Patrol Bureau family housing in a special car, greeted Nian Fuli and Yu Wan, and reunited with Nian Lu and Nian Mo as Zhao Ming descended to join them.
• Chen Chuan gave his aunt's family gifts, caught up with Nian Fuli and Yu Wan, and offered to arrange Central City citizenship, work, and schooling for them.
• Nian Fuli and Yu Wan decided to remain in Yangzhi City, and Chen Chuan promised to hire good teachers for Nian Lu and Nian Mo.
• Chen Chuan learned that Instructor Wen was usually home in the morning and planned to visit him about the booklet he had received.
• That night, Chen Chuan sensed Pure Essence still leaking through the World Ring and used breathing meditation to continue improving his physical and spiritual cultivation.

Chen Chuan met with Instructor Wen to discuss his rapid mastery of heart force and the Purity Faction’s role in the struggle over who could advance to the Fourth Limit. Instructor Wen offered to recommend him for membership, explaining that greater access to Pure Essence and other support would require a demanding assessment and binding commitments; Chen Chuan asked him to be his recommender.

• Chen Chuan demonstrated heart force to Instructor Wen and explained that he had come to ask about the booklet’s guidance.
• Instructor Wen described how the collapse of the Great Alliance left governments and companies controlling advancement, and explained that powerful schools now pursue political ideals as well as martial traditions.
• Instructor Wen told Chen Chuan that the Purity Faction sought strength through the unaugmented human body and questioned him about Implant Bodies and the other world.
• Instructor Wen explained that He Xiaoxing and he had been assessing Chen Chuan, and offered to recommend him to the Purity Faction.
• Instructor Wen warned that becoming an internal member to gain Pure Essence and greater support would require a stricter assessment, greater obligations, and facing the faction’s enemies.
• Chen Chuan decided he was willing to accept the risks and asked Instructor Wen to serve as his recommender.

Chen Chuan applied to join the Purity Faction and learned that a Fighter would assess him and serve as his recommender. The recommender finally arrived at Instructor Wen's home near midnight after passing unnoticed through Yangzhi City Station.

• Instructor Wen accepted Chen Chuan's application and promised to find him a suitable recommender, while Chen Chuan considered the faction's influence and its expectations of members.
• Chen Chuan inspected the railway construction site on behalf of the Handling Bureau and sent a report by telegram the next morning.
• Wen Tong told Chen Chuan that a Purity Faction assessor would arrive in two days and would likely become his recommender.
• The tall, thin Fighter arrived in Yangzhi City and walked past a government reception without anyone noticing him.
• Chen Chuan waited with Instructor Wen until nearly midnight, when the tall, thin man entered the courtyard carrying his suitcase.

Chen Chuan joined the Purity Faction after hearing its opposition to the Other Side and received an evaluation assignment to eliminate the suspected agent Kenwa. The chapter ended when Mister Zhuan removed his spirit-controlled mask, abruptly cutting off its talkative persona.

• Mister Zhuan explained the Purity Faction’s beliefs and offered Chen Chuan Pure Essence even if he declined to join.
• Chen Chuan agreed to join the Purity Faction, and Mister Zhuan began his entry evaluation.
• Mister Zhuan assigned Chen Chuan to find and eliminate Kenwa, a wanted former officer suspected of serving an entity from the Other Side.
• Chen Chuan asked whether Mister Zhuan was speaking through the mask, and the mask’s spirit explained how it simulated a personality before Mister Zhuan removed it.

Chen Chuan learned that the wanted criminal Kenwa was hiding at Yuanwang Port and rushed there before an Amnesty Order could arrive. As Zhao Ming scouted the port from the sky, Kenwa spotted the bird and fired at it.

• Chen Chuan contacted Commissioner Cao, who confirmed Kenwa’s location at Yuanwang Port and warned that an Amnesty Order could arrive before noon the next day.
• Chen Chuan decided to arrest Kenwa immediately and brought Zhao Ming along to scout the port from above.
• Chen Chuan’s convoy reached Yuanwang Port around noon, and Zhao Ming flew ahead toward the container yard.
• Kenwa, surrounded by armed men in the container yard, spotted Zhao Ming and took a rifle from one of his gunmen.
• Kenwa aimed at Zhao Ming and pulled the trigger.

Chen Chuan tracked Kenwa to the port and killed him after the gunman’s men were rendered unconscious. He destroyed the worm-like creature embedded in Kenwa’s spine, though its distortions and murmurs suggested it carried a dangerous influence.

• Kenwa fired at Zhao Ming, and Chen Chuan used the Domain Field Creature’s magnified view to identify him at the port.
• Chen Chuan sent Yu Xiao and a small team toward the Port Authority, then headed for Kenwa’s location.
• Kenwa sensed danger and warned his armed men, but Chen Chuan’s mental power knocked them unconscious and left Kenwa dazed.
• Kenwa attacked Chen Chuan with his Hammer Ball Staff, but Chen Chuan deflected the steel ball and killed him with a kick.
• Chen Chuan crushed a worm caught in the blood, then stamped on Kenwa’s corpse and destroyed the creature that had replaced his spine.

Chen Chuan killed Kenwa at Yuanwang Port and suppressed the contamination that emerged from the scene before securing the area and arranging to send the remnants to the Central City General Bureau. He returned to Yangzhi City after handing the investigation to He Fen, considering the forces behind Kenwa and the questions he could not yet pursue.

• Chen Chuan used mental power to kill the insects and armed men emerging from the blood, then contacted the convoy to summon He Fen and the Yangzhi City branch.
• Port Security Captain Liao Guang and a senior port official arrived; Chen Chuan explained that Kenwa had attacked them and rejected the official’s objection that Kenwa had received an Amnesty Order.
• Yu Xiao arrived with Chen Chuan’s security personnel, and Chen Chuan ordered them and Liao Guang’s unit to seal off the scene until He Fen arrived.
• Chen Chuan received a telegram from Commissioner Cao telling him not to send further messages, then instructed the operator to report the confirmed Other Side World contamination to the General Bureau.
• He Fen arrived that evening, and Chen Chuan asked him to arrange for the collected remnants to be sent to Central City, promising to credit the branch’s cooperation.
• Chen Chuan returned to Yangzhi City and considered Kenwa’s connection to the Linax Federation, the Amnesty Order, and the limits of his current influence.

Chen Chuan returned to Yangzhi City and met three representatives of the Essence Refinement School, who invited him to join their powerful faction. He rejected them, and after they left, Zhu Xian's secretary summoned him to see the Chief.

• Zhu Xian consulted his teacher about three visitors from Central City and arranged for the Government Affairs Hall's security unit to assist them.
• Chen Chuan received a telegram about the visitors and went to the Government Affairs Hall, where Zhu Xian introduced him to them.
• Ji Xinmin introduced himself as an internal affairs officer of the Essence Refinement School and offered Chen Chuan membership, emphasizing the school's connections and influence.
• Chen Chuan firmly refused to join the school, and Ji Xinmin left him a calling card before departing with his colleagues.
• After leaving the reception room, Chen Chuan met Zhu Xian's secretary, who told him that the Chief wanted to see him.

Chen Chuan received advice from Chief Zhu about the risks of accepting help from powerful people, then reported Kenwa’s defeat to Instructor Wen and learned about the Essence Refinement School and the factions’ uneasy cooperation. Mister Zhuan arrived at Instructor Wen’s home in the early morning, where Chen Chuan was waiting to speak with him.

• Chief Zhu advised Chen Chuan that influential people would expect returns for their favors and warned him to be cautious of those who might target him.
• Chen Chuan returned home, made plans to meet acquaintances, cultivated, and later called Instructor Wen to report that Kenwa had been dealt with.
• Chen Chuan went to Instructor Wen’s home with items taken from Kenwa and told him that the Essence Refinement School had approached him.
• Instructor Wen explained the Essence Refinement School’s elite connections and recruitment practices, and described how factions avoided large-scale conflict ahead of the Great Collision.
• Chen Chuan asked Instructor Wen about the factions until Mister Zhuan arrived at the courtyard around two or three in the morning.

Chen Chuan completed the Purity Faction’s assessment and joined, securing a promise of cultivation resources. After asking how to strengthen his mental cultivation, he learned about a rift guarded by the faction that he could use for training.

• Mister Zhuan confirmed Chen Chuan had eliminated Kenwa and invited him to join the Purity Faction, which Chen Chuan accepted.
• Chen Chuan signed the membership documents and an application for cultivation resources, and Mister Zhuan explained that he would receive two units of pure essence.
• Mister Zhuan described his responsibility as Chen Chuan’s sponsor and adviser, then examined Chen Chuan’s mental power.
• Mister Zhuan explained that cultivating near rifts could accelerate mental growth and offered Chen Chuan access to a long-lasting rift guarded by a former faction heir.
• Mister Zhuan sent information about the rift into Chen Chuan’s mind.

Chen Chuan prepared to travel to the Outer Ocean and reunited with Cheng Zitong at Wu Yi Academy, where he shared his recent achievements and brought him unresolved anomaly cases to handle. Cheng Zitong gave Chen Chuan a family spiritual cultivation record, and Chen Chuan left to continue his plans.

• Mister Zhuan warned Chen Chuan that the Outer Ocean rift could soon be targeted by competing forces and gave him a Pig-Nose Dragon jade to resist contamination.
• Chen Chuan returned home, then visited Cheng Zitong at Wu Yi Academy and thanked him for supporting his early training.
• Chen Chuan gave Cheng Zitong unresolved anomaly files and recounted his experiences in Central City, including becoming an Investigation Supervisor.
• Chen Chuan told Cheng Zitong that he had become a teacher at Wu Yi Academy and asked him to pass a message to the dormitory teacher.
• Cheng Zitong gave Chen Chuan a spiritual cultivation record from the Cheng Family, then watched him leave South Hill.