Chapter Summaries

Supervisor Wen prepared to ambush the Linax Federation personnel, but General Affairs Bureau investigators arrived and ordered him to leave. After he agreed, Supervisor Han attacked him, and a mysterious figure emerged from a car as the confrontation escalated.

• Supervisor Wen inspected the prepared battlefield and confirmed that he and Supervisor Han would attack and block the Linax Federation personnel, respectively.
• General Affairs Bureau investigators presented an Investigation Order and demanded that Supervisor Wen accompany them, saying Director Wu wanted his cooperation.
• Supervisor Wen agreed to leave and placed his troops under Supervisor Han's command.
• Supervisor Han suddenly punched Supervisor Wen, who blocked the Three Phases Force with his Fixed Space Force.
• Gunfire from Supervisor Han's vehicle killed the two investigators, while field creatures disrupted communications.
• A figure rushed out of a special car and appeared beside Supervisor Wen as he prepared to face Supervisor Han.

Supervisor Wen was killed while fighting Supervisor Han and Linax Federation Fighters in a planned ambush, though he managed to wound Han before he fell. At the Handling Bureau, Chen Chuan learned that Yang Ling had been rescued and evidence against Lianwei Heavy Drive preserved, then received a message from Assistant Ling.

• Supervisor Wen recognized Ant Soldier and realized Supervisor Han had joined forces with the Linax Federation to ambush him.
• Skinner killed Supervisor Wen's stationed team members from a lookout post, while a mental shockwave prevented the survivors from releasing their Combat Creatures.
• Supervisor Wen signaled his people to retreat, then sacrificed himself to pin Supervisor Han's sword and destroy Han's arm before Ant Soldier killed him.
• Dream Master agreed to handle the unconscious and captured people, while Supervisor Han let Skinner take Supervisor Wen's body and ordered him to clean up thoroughly.
• The Medical Team told Chen Chuan that Yang Ling had been rescued, her Mutated Tissue removed, and the Active Consciousness Entity preserved as evidence against Lianwei Heavy Drive.
• Qin Qingque reported that the captured people were willing to testify, and Chen Chuan received a notification from Assistant Ling.

Chen Chuan questioned the recovering Yang Ling, maintained the lockdown of Lianwei Heavy Drive, and learned about the bureau’s staffing and a diplomatic negotiation. Assistant Ling then invited him to Wu Yi Academy to show him proof, and Chen Chuan arrived at their meeting place.

• Chen Chuan visited Yang Ling in Safe Room 509, helped ease her headache with breathing guidance, and told her they would discuss her connection to Lianwei Heavy Drive after she recovered.
• Captain Gu reported that Chen Chuan’s lockdown of Lianwei Heavy Drive had prevented anyone from entering or leaving or any information from getting out.
• Chen Chuan learned that Supervisors Wen and Han had transferred bureau staff to other assignments, then reviewed footage of negotiations attended by Lieutenant General Archimo of the Linax Federation.
• Assistant Ling called Chen Chuan and invited him to Wu Yi Academy to see proof, and Chen Chuan accepted and set out for the academy.
• Sun Rao and Wei Yuji discussed Chen Chuan’s rise and the dangers of Central City while Chen Chuan traveled to the Mystic Palace Building.
• Chen Chuan arrived at the Sky Garden on the ninetieth floor, where Assistant Ling welcomed him.

Assistant Ling showed Chen Chuan the True Form Tree and explained how it housed the consciousnesses of hundreds of people in a simulated world where they could pursue limitless cultivation. He invited Chen Chuan to join his project, but Chen Chuan refused.

• Assistant Ling led Chen Chuan through the Sky Garden and said he had wanted to discuss something with him since their previous conversation.
• Assistant Ling revealed the True Form Tree, a mature organism from the Convergence Zone that could absorb other organisms and create a consciousness space.
• Chen Chuan learned that hundreds of human brains were connected to the tree, with their owners' consciousnesses housed inside it.
• Assistant Ling explained that the tree's simulated world could provide unlimited resources and let its inhabitants cultivate toward the third limit or higher.
• Assistant Ling invited Chen Chuan to join him in making the simulated world real, but Chen Chuan refused.

Assistant Ling revealed that his faction intended to merge Red Dust’s manifested consciousness into the True Form Tree and threatened to place Chen Chuan’s brain there if he refused. He used his authority to control Red Dust and ordered her to attack Chen Chuan as he prepared to add further pressure.

• Assistant Ling tried to recruit Chen Chuan, who rejected his ideals and accused him of treating Fighters as tools.
• Assistant Ling explained that Chen Chuan’s compatibility with Red Dust made him useful for incorporating Wuyi Academy’s techniques into the True Form Tree.
• Assistant Ling threatened to remove Chen Chuan’s brain and revealed that an unnamed party had invited his faction to deal with him while the Handling Bureau was occupied.
• Assistant Ling used his authorization to open a passage to the Convergence Zone and summon Red Dust, whose self-awareness was suppressed and who obeyed only his commands.
• Red Dust attacked Chen Chuan with the Wild Goose Feather Blade, and Chen Chuan merged with his Second Self and blocked her strikes using the sheathed Snow Monarch Blade.
• Assistant Ling watched Chen Chuan withstand Red Dust’s attacks, then changed the surroundings and prepared to add more pressure.

Chen Chuan used the domain field’s influence to evade Red Dust’s attacks and charge Assistant Ling, then gained the upper hand with a rapid sword assault. He decapitated Assistant Ling, though Red Dust remained in the fight.

• Assistant Ling used the domain field to manifest dangerous plants and strengthen Red Dust, while Chen Chuan realized the battle would turn against him if it dragged on.
• Chen Chuan shifted his second self out of resonance with the domain field, escaping its field space and making himself untouchable, but he could not reach Assistant Ling.
• Chen Chuan reentered the field space and rushed Assistant Ling, phasing out of Red Dust’s attacks as he drew the Snow Monarch Blade.
• Assistant Ling blocked Chen Chuan with a meteor hammer and short blade, but Chen Chuan increased his speed with mutated tissue and the Furnace Breathing Method.
• Assistant Ling collapsed the tree trunk and sent his meteor hammer toward Chen Chuan as Red Dust attacked from behind, but Chen Chuan spun and severed Assistant Ling’s head.

Chen Chuan defeated Assistant Ling and learned that the True Form Tree was in the Convergence Zone, where its followers planned to continue their work. He helped Red Dust sever her link to the academy, accepted her red scarf as a refuge, and reported the incident under the No-Confidence Clause.

• Chen Chuan questioned Assistant Ling about the True Form Tree, the academy’s involvement, and the group’s plans, then Assistant Ling’s head exploded and Chen Chuan recovered his World Token.
• Red Dust asked Chen Chuan to sever her connection to the academy so she could escape to the Convergence Zone, and he cut the mental link with the Snow Monarch Blade.
• Red Dust’s consciousness detached from her main body and offered to protect Chen Chuan in exchange for attaching itself to him, and he accepted her red scarf.
• Chen Chuan returned the Sky Garden to normal and reported Assistant Ling’s attack and death, requesting a secret investigation and activation of the No-Confidence Clause.
• An elite Handling Bureau response team arrived within a quarter of an hour and took over the scene.

After learning Supervisor Wen’s operation had failed, Chen Chuan took command, reviewed the evidence Wen had left, and secured temporary highest-level authority over An Shield. As Chen Chuan prepared to act, Supervisor Han left White Bird District and repeatedly changed course while asking about the bureau.

• Chen Chuan received Supervisor Wen’s timed message and learned that Wen had not returned and his operation had failed.
• Shao Xin Quan handed Chen Chuan Wen’s documents and recordings, and Chen Chuan ordered Zou Jin Hang to gather available personnel.
• Chen Chuan entered Director Wu’s office, used the password to obtain temporary highest-level authority over An Shield, and received a briefing from Commissioner Cao.
• Chen Chuan contacted relevant people, put on a hooded robe, took the Snow Monarch Blade, and left the Handling Bureau.
• Supervisor Han left the conference hall, asked An Shield about the bureau and Chen Chuan, and repeatedly redirected his convoy between districts before ordering it back to the Handling Bureau.

Chen Chuan confronted Supervisor Han with evidence of his treason and temporary authority to judge him. Supervisor Han attacked, but Chen Chuan overwhelmed him and continued beating him down in front of the assembled forces.

• Supervisor Han's convoy entered Wuding District and found its route sealed by armed forces, with Chen Chuan waiting alone on the avenue.
• Chen Chuan showed Supervisor Han an authorization letter granting him temporary supreme authority and shared evidence linking Han Fu to Supervisor Wen's murder and collusion with the Union and Linax Federation.
• Chen Chuan declared that Supervisor Han's actions constituted treason and said the General Affairs Bureau had arrested his stand-in.
• Supervisor Han attacked Chen Chuan with his sword, but Chen Chuan caught and deformed the blade before knocking him away.
• Chen Chuan repeatedly struck, kicked, and slammed Supervisor Han into the road while the assembled Handling Bureau members watched.

Chen Chuan defeated and arrested Supervisor Han, took control of the Handling Bureau, and began investigating the people behind the coup. At the docks, Teacher Xue returned, gave Chen Chuan a small fruit, and said he would stay at Wu Yi Academy; then Chen Chuan was summoned back because Han Fu wanted to see him.

• Chen Chuan battered Supervisor Han until his body was nearly stripped of flesh, then ordered the convoy arrested and announced that he was taking over all Handling Bureau affairs.
• Chen Chuan returned to headquarters and organized interrogations as the bureau’s branches detained Supervisor Han’s remaining personnel.
• After receiving a direct message through the World Token, Chen Chuan left Captain Zou Jin Hang in charge and drove to the docks near Yinglu District.
• Teacher Xue told Chen Chuan he had returned to deal with the Union delegation, gave him a small fruit, and said he would stay at Wu Yi Academy to help with mental cultivation.
• Chen Chuan received word that Han Fu wanted to see him, and Teacher Xue vanished from the docks.

Chen Chuan learned from Han Fu’s confession that Councilor Zeng and outside forces had plotted to weaken the Government Affairs Hall and gain influence over the Convergence Zone. With Captain Xu out of contact and the Lost Object at stake, Chen Chuan turned to Specialist Liang for help, but broad restrictions on corporate access were blocked by international agreements.

• Chen Chuan rejected Han Fu’s attempt to use factional ties as leverage, and Han Fu confessed three hours later.
• Han Fu’s statement implicated Councilor Zeng and the Gray Shell Agency in a plan to send unregistered Linax Federation and Union personnel into the Convergence Zone.
• Chen Chuan concluded that the Municipal Council’s broader interest group could not yet be confronted and that securing the Lost Object had to take priority.
• Chen Chuan noted that Captain Xu had gone silent while searching the Convergence Zone and decided to seek reinforcements and restrict hostile forces from entering.
• Chen Chuan sent Han Fu’s statement to Specialist Liang and proposed barring corporate personnel from routes to the Convergence Zone, but Liang explained that international agreements and company settlements made this impossible.
• Chen Chuan agreed that they would have to use the second plan.

Chen Chuan proposed entering the Convergence Zone to eliminate armed operatives, and the Government Affairs Hall approved the plan and promised support. After preparing the Handling Bureau for his absence and studying intelligence about the zone, he set out to meet Chang Dong and Gao Yanjun and pick up Mister Zhuan.

• Chen Chuan told Specialist Liang he would enter the Convergence Zone to eliminate armed operatives, and Specialist Liang agreed to seek the Government Affairs Hall's approval.
• Secretary Qiao, speaking for Chief Administrator Qi, approved Chen Chuan's operation and agreed to provide the authority and support he requested.
• Chen Chuan reviewed Supervisor Han's testimony and files, noted that he needed to recover Supervisor Wen's remains, and studied information about the armed operatives and the Convergence Zone.
• Chen Chuan arranged for An Shield, Zou Jin Hang, and other Handling Bureau staff to manage the bureau while he was away, and he brought reserves and city security personnel in to fill vacancies.
• After Chang Dong said headquarters had sent Mister Zhuan by train, Chen Chuan picked up Chang Dong and Gao Yanjun and drove toward Longhu Station.

Chen Chuan and the Jibei Province Branch met Mister Zhuan at a warehouse outside Central City, where he relayed headquarters' decision to postpone the old case and leave Tian Rui alone for now. After the others left, Mister Zhuan began teaching Chen Chuan about entering the fourth limit and the sacrifices required to strengthen the mind.

• Chang Dong, Gao Yanjun, and Chen Chuan welcomed Mister Zhuan at Longhu Train Station and took him to a concealed warehouse.
• Mister Zhuan told Chang Dong that headquarters wanted the branch to put the old case on hold and leave Tian Rui alone until the full affair had been resolved.
• Chang Dong showed Mister Zhuan the branch's construction reports and asked for funding support, which Mister Zhuan agreed to help request.
• After Chang Dong and Gao Yanjun left, Mister Zhuan praised Chen Chuan's rapidly advancing mental power and offered to teach him about entering the fourth limit.
• Mister Zhuan explained that crossing into the fourth limit required using the mind to connect with power from the other side, strengthened by giving up a cherished ability or swearing to perform something deeply hated.

Mister Zhuan explained the mental sacrifice and methods involved in entering the Fourth Limit, then gave Chen Chuan breakthrough materials. Chen Chuan learned that Captain Xu’s team was nearing the Lost Object in a dangerous part of the Convergence Zone and prepared weapons and supplies for his own expedition, while keeping Qi Qianyang’s imprint in mind.

• Mister Zhuan explained that a Fighter could break through the Fourth Limit by sacrificing an emotion, attachment, or hobby, and warned Chen Chuan to preserve what mattered to him.
• Mister Zhuan transmitted the breakthrough methods to Chen Chuan and gave him a box of necessary materials.
• Chen Chuan told Mister Zhuan he expected to enter the Convergence Zone soon, where a suspected Fighter traitor might be present.
• Counselor Pei showed Chen Chuan a map marking the Lost Object’s location, warned that the Old Imperial Household was also searching for it, and offered to take him there.
• Chen Chuan returned to his residence and inspected the weapons, supplies, and small Combat Creatures he had prepared for the Convergence Zone.
• Chen Chuan considered clearing out Union and Linax Federation armed personnel and possibly investigating the location in Qi Qianyang’s mental imprint.

Chen Chuan prepared to enter the Convergence Zone, trained Zhao Ming to resist its contamination, and settled his affairs before leaving. Before departing, he visited Chen Xiaojin and Lu Fang, then promised to help Lu Fang break through the third limit when he returned.

• Chen Chuan packed for the Convergence Zone, chose to bring Zhao Ming, and taught it a Breathing Method to resist the area's contamination.
• Chen Chuan reviewed the fourth-limit advancement method and medications from Mister Zhuan, then received confirmation that he would depart at five the next morning.
• Chen Chuan contacted Gao Ming and told him he was leaving on a mission, then visited Chen Xiaojin and increased the boy's daily training repetitions.
• Chen Chuan examined Lu Fang and determined that his body was progressing toward the third limit.
• Chen Chuan told Lu Fang not to overthink his progress and promised to explain how to break through the limit after he returned.

Chen Chuan set out for the Convergence Zone with Counselor Pei and reached Third Fortress, where he planned to continue north by airship. As they arrived, a sentry post opened fire on a huge creature swooping toward them.

• Chen Chuan visited Cao Guiqi before his departure, and Cao Guiqi gave him an Old Imperial Household token bearing the words "Qian Xing" for possible use in the Convergence Zone.
• On October 11, Chen Chuan met Counselor Pei at the station, and they boarded a train bound for the Convergence Zone with Zhao Ming.
• During the journey, Counselor Pei described the competing powers, and Chen Chuan said that victory depended on who could flip the table.
• The train reached Third Fortress, where Counselor Pei arranged for Chen Chuan to travel by airship toward a native settlement farther north.
• As Chen Chuan and Counselor Pei rode away from the station with Lieutenant Dai Hu, a sentry post fired machine guns and Zhao Ming warned Chen Chuan of a huge creature swooping toward them.

Chen Chuan and Counselor Pei reached Third Fortress after Chen Chuan and Zhao Ming helped defeat an attacking Skull Bird. They learned Captain Xu had not reported in, and Counselor Pei showed Chen Chuan that their damaged forward camp was under repeated attack while the Union and Linax Federation were building a base near the unexplored region.

• A Skull Bird attacked a watchtower and swooped toward Chen Chuan’s vehicle, but Chen Chuan stunned it with the Shaking Spirit Hammer, Zhao Ming wounded it, and Major Bao Heheng shot it down.
• Major Bao Heheng welcomed Chen Chuan and Counselor Pei to Third Fortress and explained that creatures often attacked from the undeveloped region nearby.
• Counselor Pei received no intelligence from Captain Xu and took Chen Chuan to the combat intelligence room after dinner.
• Counselor Pei showed Chen Chuan evidence that the Union and Linax Federation had established a support camp near the unexplored region.
• Counselor Pei said the Old Imperial Household had severely damaged their own camp and continued attacking it, while higher-ups suspected it had made a limited agreement with the Union.

Chen Chuan planned a surprise attack on the Linax Federation's camp and departed the fortress by airship with Zhao Ming and three Dragon-Nose Horses. He left the airship along his chosen route and rode toward the river and forest.

• Chen Chuan learned that the garrison had no intelligence from inside the camp and decided to leave the next morning.
• Counselor Pei arranged a Heron (Canglu) Airship and three Dragon-Nose Horses for Chen Chuan's journey.
• Chen Chuan studied Chen Bitong's map and planned to circle around the camp to attack its weaker flank and rear.
• Chen Chuan boarded the airship with Zhao Ming and the Snow Monarch Blade, then sent the captain coordinates for his stop.
• Chen Chuan jumped from the airship, landed safely with help from Red Dust, and collected his case and horses.
• Chen Chuan loaded supplies onto the packhorses, mounted a Dragon-Nose Horse, and rode toward the river and forest as Zhao Ming flew ahead.

Chen Chuan traveled through the Convergence Zone, encountered dangerous creatures, and made a secure camp for the night. He opened a rift to cultivate and found that it yielded far more essence than before, though the beings on the other side were starting to probe through.

• Chen Chuan followed the river on horseback, crossed a stretch of stone-like insects, and checked that his Activity Index remained at zero.
• Chen Chuan detoured around a dangerous expanse of black soil filled with Red-Headed Caterpillars and lost time finding his way.
• Chen Chuan built a protected campsite with a sealed tent and three fires, then called Zhao Ming inside as night fell.
• Chen Chuan descended beneath the tent and opened a rift with the Snow Monarch Blade, revealing shrieking creatures with densely packed eyes.
• Chen Chuan cultivated before the rift, absorbing far more essence than he had in Central City as the creatures began probing toward him.

Chen Chuan survived a dangerous night cultivating in a Rift, then rode toward the camp marked on his map. After finding a destroyed native settlement and defeating an Old Imperial Household patrol, he encountered a group of people led by someone wearing an old Pioneer Team Uniform.

• Chen Chuan used the Snow Monarch Blade to repel creatures emerging from the Rift, then closed it when the threat grew too intense.
• Chen Chuan treated Zhao Ming and the horses for parasites before riding onward through the Convergence Zone.
• Chen Chuan encountered four Old Imperial Household cavalrymen, whose leader and companions died after his mental power struck them.
• Chen Chuan reached the marked native settlement and found it burned down and occupied by giant insects.
• Chen Chuan called Zhao Ming back when a large trained bird attacked it, then saw a group emerge from the woods led by a man wearing an old Pioneer Team Uniform.