Chapter Summaries

Wesker fought tree-like monsters as a buried creature attacked the camp with flesh-draining spikes. Pu Yunchuan rescued several soldiers, but the ground then split open, revealing the monster beneath it.

• Mullen recklessly attacked the tree people with Sword Qi, exhausted his battle aura, and left Wesker to face the advancing monsters.
• Wesker charged the monsters while Mullen tried to organize the soldiers, but spikes erupted across the camp and impaled more than a hundred people.
• Wesker cut through Mullen's spike and rescued him, while the other impaled soldiers called for help.
• Pu Yunchuan leaped through the air and used his spear to shatter spikes, rescuing Black Bear and several other soldiers.
• The spikes withdrew and the ground split apart, causing soldiers to fall into a huge pit where they saw the monster beneath the earth.

Pu Yunchuan offered to rescue the soldiers trapped by the enormous flesh creature beneath the pit, while Wesker struggled to decide whether to retreat or help. After the others withdrew, Wesker stayed behind with Pu Yunchuan, who had claimed a sixty percent chance of saving the soldiers.

• Jack and the others saw that the tree-men were connected to a huge mass of flesh beneath the pit, which had dug a tunnel from the Black Stone Forest and was absorbing the trapped soldiers.
• Mullen urged Wesker to retreat, while Black Bear argued that they could not abandon their comrades; Wesker hesitated over whether to risk a rescue.
• Pu Yunchuan volunteered to try to save the trapped soldiers, and he challenged Mullen to stay as a witness after Mullen accused him of pretending to help.
• Pu Yunchuan told Wesker he had about a sixty percent chance of success, and Wesker agreed to stay and help.
• Jack led Black Bear and the others away from the pit, while Mullen and the remaining soldiers retreated; Wesker then asked Pu Yunchuan what they should do.

Pu Yunchuan identified the monster’s Energy Core and destroyed it, saving the soldiers trapped beneath it. After the battle, Xi Ye watched the footage and concluded that the Black Goat Diagram was evolving faster than expected, making it urgent to accelerate the players’ progress.

• Pu Yunchuan spotted that the monster’s suckers funneled nutrients toward a central point and offered to attack it while Wesker supported him.
• Pu Yunchuan demonstrated his strength by pinning Wesker in place, then charged through the monster’s spikes and the Treants blocking his path.
• Pu Yunchuan struck and shattered the monster’s Energy Core, causing the behemoth, the tree monsters, and the tentacles to collapse and die.
• The surviving soldiers cheered and tossed Pu Yunchuan into the air, while Wesker admitted he had been wrong about him.
• Xi Ye watched the battle footage near Kunlun Mountain and resolved to accelerate the players’ progress because the Black Goat Diagram was producing powerful monsters sooner than expected.

After the army’s morale collapsed following a monster attack, Pu Yunchuan urged the soldiers to continue into the Black Stone Forest. He promised to risk his life to protect anyone who followed him, and the soldiers began to reconsider retreating.

• Wesker saw that the soldiers were demoralized after the attack, while Mullen wanted to return to Gondolin and give up his knightly career.
• Pu Yunchuan arrived and said he wanted to continue into the Black Stone Forest to find a river and wash off the monster’s foul residue.
• Mullen argued that the army should withdraw, but Pu Yunchuan rebuked him for wanting to retreat before they had even entered the forest.
• When a soldier questioned whether their lives mattered, Pu Yunchuan reminded the army of the civilians who had sacrificed and supported them.
• Pu Yunchuan promised to risk his life to save the soldiers and warned that the monsters could eventually threaten Gondolin.
• Pu Yunchuan said anyone could return alone, but those with the courage to follow him would have his protection as long as he lived.

Xi Ye monitored Pu Yunchuan’s growing influence among the soldiers while worrying about the powerful force sealing the Kunlun Secret Realm. As Pu Yunchuan’s unit prepared to continue its expedition, he persuaded the injured Black Bear to return for treatment that could also make him a volunteer for Isabelle’s biological evolution experiments.

• Xi Ye learned that Pu Yunchuan’s speech had convinced most of the soldiers to continue the expedition and ordered Intelligence to monitor his faction without intervening unless necessary.
• Xi Ye concluded that the force sealing the Kunlun Secret Realm was above Tier 5 and might come from an unknown existence above Tier 8.
• Mullen behaved herself for two days and joined the disabled soldiers being sent back to Gondolin, determined to warn Isabelle about Pu Yunchuan.
• Pu Yunchuan told the devastated Black Bear that staying with the expedition would burden the unit, prompting Black Bear to ask to be killed rather than return home crippled.
• Pu Yunchuan revealed that a mage in the Tin House had rebuilt his body and promised Black Bear the mage could cure him, encouraging him to return for treatment.
• Pu Yunchuan privately recognized that Black Bear could become one of the first volunteers for Isabelle’s biological evolution experiments.

Mullen tried to cast suspicion on Yunchuan before Isabelle, but she revealed that she had killed Mullen’s father for investigating her and killed Mullen as well. Outside the Micro Base, Su Changyun and the Developer Experts received the badly injured Black Bear as their first sample for treatment.

• Mullen reported Yunchuan’s unusual strength to Isabelle and suggested he might be connected to the monsters.
• Isabelle told Mullen that his father had suspected her during the Black River Battle and that she had caused his death.
• Mullen realized that he and his father had acted out of envy, but Isabelle drew her sword and killed him.
• Su Changyun learned that Yunchuan had sent Black Bear to the Micro Base, and the Developer Experts promised to treat him while anticipating their first sample.

At the Micro Base, Ran Xiaojuan prepared to test gene sequences on applicants whose mutations came from the Black Goat Diagram, while warning Isabelle that many citizens could lose their humanity as the mutations took hold. Xi Ye defended the risky experiment as a chance for Zuan Civilization to strengthen its people and develop independently, leaving its success uncertain.

• Ran Xiaojuan told Isabelle that her research team was ready to begin experiments using the Black Goat mutations and its gene sequences.
• Ran Xiaojuan explained that crude mutations could turn citizens into mindless monsters, alarming Isabelle, who had not been told of the danger earlier.
• Ran Xiaojuan claimed the experiment had an eighty percent success rate, while Isabelle doubted her assurances.
• Xi Ye rejected offering the researchers ready-made gene templates, arguing that dependence on them would restrict Zuan Civilization's future.
• Xi Ye accepted the dangers of experimenting with Black Goat energy because success could advance citizens beyond Level 0 and produce powerful combatants.

With rumors driving away nearly all the volunteers, Ran Xiaojuan used Black Bear as the research team's sole experimental subject and chose a risky gene sequence. Black Bear woke to find his paralysis cured and his body transformed, but Ran Xiaojuan ordered him back for more tests.

• Rumors about the alchemists' experiments frightened away the volunteers, leaving Black Bear as the only person who still came to the laboratory.
• When Black Bear tried to withdraw, Ran Xiaojuan sedated him and chose Sequence 4 despite its low tolerance rate.
• Black Bear woke in severe pain as Su Yunchang guided him through breathing and movement exercises.
• Black Bear regained control of his formerly paralyzed side and eventually stood up, discovering that he had returned to human form with a much larger, more muscular body.
• Ran Xiaojuan told Black Bear to return the next day so she could measure his changes.

After surviving a mage experiment that healed and strengthened him, Black Bear returned to the barracks and revealed his transformation to the soldiers. The wounded soldiers grew hopeful, while Zade and Nide wondered whether the experiment could cure and empower others too.

• Black Bear caught an arrow from Zade and confronted him before Lieutenant General Nide recognized him as Adolf.
• Black Bear told Nide that the mages had cured him, and Nide escorted him to the camp to share the news.
• Zade decided to gather the wounded soldiers and investigate whether the experiment could help them.
• News of Black Bear's recovery spread through the barracks, drawing soldiers who wanted to see his transformation.
• Zade apologized for firing at Black Bear, then pointed out that the experiment seemed to have made him much stronger.
• Nide recalled Black Bear's hardened muscles and marveled that he had caught Zade's arrow, considering whether the experiment could also strengthen other soldiers.

Black Bear Adolf returned to the City Lord Manor for a public test of his transformation, drawing a crowd that included injured soldiers hoping for the same treatment. He easily lifted two tons and said it felt too light, so Ran Xiaojuan ordered the weight doubled.

• Hans arrived early to see whether Black Bear's transformation had healed him, and Isabelle arranged for Hans and other injured soldiers to watch from a special area.
• Hans spoke with Jimmy, who confirmed that Black Bear had recovered, before Black Bear Adolf entered the testing square looking dramatically more muscular.
• Ran Xiaojuan began Black Bear's strength test by setting the bench press at two tons after dismissing his suggestion of five hundred kilograms.
• Black Bear lifted the two-ton weight with ease and said it felt too light, prompting Ran Xiaojuan to order the weight doubled.

Black Bear impressed the officers with his transformed strength, lifting a ten-ton bench press, before Ran Xiaojuan began the dangerous Sequence 4 test. The chapter ended as the injected serum triggered a violent transformation in Black Bear.

• Black Bear lifted an eight-ton barbell with ease, then asked to limit the next increase to two tons and successfully lifted ten tons.
• Ran Xiaojuan reported that Black Bear's strength met the Level 2 Being target, though his explosive power and agility were comparatively weaker.
• Isabelle considered the risks of Sequence 4, which offered greater potential than the safer Sequence 6 procedure but was far less stable.
• Ran Xiaojuan injected Black Bear with an ice-blue serum, and he suffered a fierce reaction as energy surged through his body.
• Lieutenant General Nide demanded to know what Ran Xiaojuan had done to Adolf, while she watched Black Bear's transformation begin.

Ran Xiaojuan demonstrated Adolf’s Sequence 4 transformation into a White Giant Bear, revealing its great strength but severe stamina cost. Isabelle learned that the gene model had enormous long-term potential but required individual genetic formulas, while exhausted Adolf asked for pants.

• Adolf transformed into a White Giant Bear, terrifying the assembled soldiers with his roar and size.
• Ran Xiaojuan stopped Adolf’s performance by throwing a bottle at him and showed that he still obeyed her commands.
• Adolf reverted to human form after quickly exhausting himself, and Isabelle asked Ran Xiaojuan about the transformation’s stamina demands.
• Ran Xiaojuan explained that activating the Gene Lock consumed energy and that training, not medicine, would improve Adolf’s endurance.
• Ran Xiaojuan told Isabelle that Sequence 4 required formulas suited to each soldier’s genes but could have far greater potential than Sequence 6.
• Adolf weakly asked Isabelle for a pair of pants.

After Black Bear’s successful test drew 941 volunteers, the council discussed training researchers, extending his transformation, and supplying experimental subjects with enough nutrition. Isabelle postponed a decision on funding and let the volunteers choose between two experimental sequences, leaving the base to proceed amid uncertainty over costs and risks.

• Ran Xiaojuan reported that 941 people had signed up and said the base needed to train more research personnel.
• Isabelle agreed to recruit Gondolin’s alchemists for training and considered Dr. Kyle to design the curriculum, while Professor Ireland prepared exercise and nutrition plans for Adolf.
• Isabelle realized that feeding advanced warriors could drain the team’s points and asked for a day to consider the expense.
• Ran Xiaojuan urged the council to use Sequence 4, but Isabelle worried about its roughly fifty-percent success rate.
• Isabelle decided to publish the advantages and disadvantages of both sequences and let volunteers choose.

The announcement of two gene experiments left the disabled soldiers torn between a risky chance at a human appearance and greater potential, and a safer transformation with limited prospects. The choices were submitted, and Isabelle began arranging fresh food supplies for the volunteers despite the steep cost.

• The city learned that Sequence 4 Gene had a fifty percent success rate but could offer a human appearance and Empire General-level potential, while the safer second option left recipients permanently half-human and half-beast.
• Black Bear told the soldiers he had gambled on the risky experiment because he had few ties, while cautioning them that their circumstances were different.
• Ran Xiaojuan reported that 305 of the 941 volunteers chose Sequence 4 Gene and the rest chose the second option.
• Ran Xiaojuan told Isabelle that the soldiers needed fresh, high-energy foods during recovery, and Isabelle worried that the supplies would cost far more than Nutrient Solution.

Little Cabbage’s farming faction prospered, and Isabelle visited to buy food for Gondolin. Little Cabbage offered a steep discount in exchange for access to Gondolin’s market, leaving Isabelle resigned to Alice’s expected arrangement.

• Little Cabbage planned to expand her farming business and partner with Wang Gou Dan and a Little Fairy to open restaurants.
• Lulus told Little Cabbage that Isabelle had come to visit, and Little Cabbage invited her into the tent.
• Isabelle saw the thriving farmland, abundant elemental spirits, and well-equipped beastfolk soldiers on her way to meet Little Cabbage.
• Little Cabbage offered to sell Gondolin food at one-tenth the market price and said her reserves could feed the city for three years.
• Isabelle asked what Alice wanted in return, and Little Cabbage said they wanted to enter the Gondolin market.

Little Cabbage negotiated with Isabelle for access to Gondolin’s weapons and armor market, while Isabelle weighed the deal against her faction’s interests. Alice’s instructions led Little Cabbage to act cute, leaving Isabelle flustered after demanding free high-quality equipment in addition to food.

• Isabelle rejected Little Cabbage’s offer to sell food in Gondolin because the Little Cabbage Faction could become a major competitor.
• Little Cabbage offered to avoid several markets and seek access only to weapons and armor, which Isabelle recognized as a valuable opportunity to build the faction’s brand.
• Isabelle demanded to know what Little Cabbage would offer in return, noting that free food was not enough for such a large market.
• Little Cabbage followed Alice’s note and acted cute, making Isabelle hesitate before she demanded free high-quality equipment as well.
• Little Cabbage pouted and rolled on the ground, and Isabelle became flustered by the scene.

Isabelle secured grain from Little Cabbage through a demanding agreement, then hurried to meet Pu Yunchuan and his returning expedition. Wesker reported that the route had been manageable but the plains beyond were in chaos, and Isabelle asked why the group had brought back thousands of beastkin and livestock.

• Isabelle insisted that Little Cabbage sign an agreement requiring armor, Rune Weapons, food, and Elemental Spirits in exchange for discounted shops in Gondolin.
• Isabelle warned Little Cabbage that Alice often gave strange instructions simply to tease her, and Little Cabbage realized the note had misled her.
• Isabelle obtained grain but had to rent extra Space Cages, then borrowed Gado Beasts to carry the food back to Gondolin.
• Isabelle hurried to the reception hall after learning Pu Yunchuan and his expedition had returned, and saw that he had gained the army's recognition.
• Wesker told Isabelle that the Black Stone Forest had been relatively safe, but refugees from Auge City had made the surrounding plains crowded and violent.
• Isabelle asked Wesker why the expedition had brought back thousands of beastkin and so much livestock, and he began explaining what happened after they left the Black Stone Paths.

Pu Yunchuan and his companions crossed Black Stone Forest and discovered that Black Stone Path Checkpoint had been abandoned amid turmoil in Black Stone Plain. After questioning the starving soldiers left behind, the group decided to reorganize and continue their exploration, though they had not settled what to do once they reached the plain.

• Pu Yunchuan and the others left Mullen and the wounded soldiers, crossed Black Stone Forest, and found few creatures because a powerful monster had driven them away.
• Wesker and the commanders planned a lightning raid on Black Stone Path Checkpoint, with Pu Yunchuan leading the advance team of climbing specialists.
• Pu Yunchuan found the checkpoint undefended except for starving Old Soldiers, who said the troops had withdrawn after Black Stone Plain fell into turmoil.
• The Old Soldiers explained that they feared desertion because Black Stone Tribe's witch doctors could punish them with Witchcraft Gu Technique.
• After debating the risks and opportunity, the commanders decided to reorganize their forces before continuing, and Pu Yunchuan proposed an idea.

Pu Yunchuan’s group sought refuge with the Black Stone Tribe, but the devastated Red Soil settlement revealed that the Dragon Roar Clan had attacked and left the Black Stone Tribe in ruins. Bain’s revelation left the group facing a much larger crisis.

• Pu Yunchuan persuaded the group to seek protection from the Black Stone Tribe, and Trism guided them toward its territory.
• As they traveled, Pu Yunchuan and Wesker saw widespread slaughter and grew suspicious that something had happened to the Black Stone Tribe.
• Pu Yunchuan agreed to detour to Trism’s mother’s Red Soil clan so they could check on the settlement and gather information.
• Trism found the settlement’s residents slaughtered, but Pu Yunchuan discovered Bain alive in a hidden cellar.
• Bain told Trism that the Dragon Roar Clan had attacked and said there was no Black Stone Tribe left.

Bain told Pu Yunchuan and the others that the Dragon Roar Clan had destroyed the Black Stone Tribe with enormous monsters. When one of those monsters appeared overhead, Pu Yunchuan stepped forward to face it.

• Bain explained that the Dragon Roar Clan had wiped out the Black Stone Tribe and that Lord Sajin had been killed.
• Wesker described Sajin's legendary power, while Bain recalled that the Dragon Roar Clan had made a pact with demons and unleashed terrifying monsters.
• A huge flying monster appeared above the survivors, and Bain recognized it as the kind that had destroyed his tribe.
• Wesker chose to fight instead of flee, while Bain warned that children were hidden in the cellar and urged everyone to escape toward the valley.
• Pu Yunchuan offered to handle the monster, and the beastman riding it accepted his provocation.