Chapter Summaries

A Wen publicly exposed South Korea’s secret plan to open special industries while preparing to visit Umbrella, derailing Tak’s attempt to undermine him. As a Resident Evil outbreak crippled a Beautiful Country garrison in Busan, Tak scrambled to contain it, while a secret K-virus laboratory on Jeju continued experiments that could make infected subjects controllable.

• Tak ordered a campaign portraying A Wen’s planned visit to Umbrella as an act of surrender, but A Wen’s spokesperson used the press conference to reveal the previous administration’s controversial industry plan.
• The spokesperson’s disclosures ignited public outrage and drew global attention, leaving Tak unable to proceed with his planned action against A Wen.
• Tak learned that a mutated Resident Evil outbreak had begun at the Beautiful Country garrison in Busan after its ammunition depot exploded, and the organization ordered him to coordinate South Korea’s response.
• A Wen’s spokesperson linked the Busan explosion to Beautiful Country’s past biochemical activities, while Tak rushed to join rapid-response forces and contain any spread.
• Researchers at a secret laboratory on Jeju used an Umbrella brain-computer calibration device to communicate with intelligent K-virus-infected subjects and discussed turning them into controllable biological weapons.
• A tremor shook the Jeju laboratory as its lights flickered, unsettling the researchers despite the facility’s independent power supply.

A zombie outbreak spread through Seoul after attacks began at Busan and Longshan Base, while Cheng Xue and Song Jin-yeon carried out a covert assault on the garrison. As survivors fled the chaos, Kim Jun-ryang, Li Qing, and Lee Yun-hee sought shelter and a helicopter, only to find armed Beautiful Country soldiers forcing their way into a building.

• Cheng Xue and Song Jin-yeon watched infected soldiers unleash chaos near Longshan Base, then split up to target the commander and reserves.
• Wang Yi examined research files linking zombies, spirits, and abyssal creatures before heading back from Jeju Island.
• Li Qing and Kim Jun-ryang escaped through the infected streets and blamed the organization for unleashing the virus as armed Umbrella troops arrived.
• Lee Yun-hee fled her stalled car and reunited with Li Qing while rapid-response troops opened fire on the infected.
• Li Qing led Kim Jun-ryang, Lee Yun-hee, and their companions toward Maoming Building to wait for a helicopter, but Beautiful Country soldiers threatened the building's guards to force entry.

Li Qing and his group struggled through the infected Maoming Building as panicked crowds and armed soldiers made the situation worse, until Umbrella drones arrived and took control. South Korea’s forces contained the outbreak, but the Beautiful Country challenged Umbrella’s role in the cleanup.

• Beautiful Country soldiers shot civilians at Maoming Building’s entrance and sealed the doors as infected surged toward the crowd.
• Escalators collapsed under panicked survivors, trapping people on the first floor while Li Qing, Kim Jun-ryang, and Lee Yun-hee climbed toward the rooftop.
• Mutants broke into the building and attacked survivors on the upper floors, but Umbrella drones swept in, killed the infected, and took control of the scene.
• The drones questioned the soldiers and coordinated with ground forces as a New World helicopter arrived and carried Wang Yi, Kim Kwang-yo, Kim Jun-ryang, Li Qing, and Lee Yun-hee away.
• A Wen concluded that the Beautiful Country had treated South Korea as a bridgehead after outbreaks struck Longshan and Busan, while Umbrella helped South Korean forces contain the crisis.
• The Beautiful Country objected to Umbrella directing the cleanup and asserted that it would take command.

The Beautiful Country took command of South Korea’s cleanup operation, stumbled against intelligent infected, and faced global suspicion after Umbrella exposed an organization-run laboratory on Jeju Island. The Beautiful Country vetoed an investigation, while South Korea’s political turmoil and fragile Jeonse housing system left the country facing a potential financial collapse.

• The Beautiful Country demanded control of South Korea’s military response and compensation for its dead troops, so Umbrella withdrew from command while continuing cleanup work.
• The Beautiful Country’s command team blundered into ambushes by intelligent infected, and Umbrella’s drone footage prompted widespread ridicule.
• Umbrella forces raided the Jeju Lava Laboratory, where the instructor shot the person in charge and captured researchers and evidence of experiments to create intelligent zombies.
• Umbrella’s recordings and the researchers’ testimony implicated the organization, but the Beautiful Country vetoed South Korea’s motion for a United Nations investigation.
• The Beautiful Country continued demanding compensation from South Korea as pro-Beautiful Country voices stirred domestic conflict and footage circulated of Tak’s enhanced squads fighting infected.
• The chapter explained how South Korea’s highly leveraged Jeonse housing system could unravel after the Seoul crisis weakened public confidence.

South Korea's zombie crisis spiraled into a financial and food catastrophe as conglomerates and international speculators exploited the country's collapse, while A Wen turned to Umbrella for help. Umbrella expanded its security and medical role in South Korea, exposed Beautiful Country's conduct during the outbreak, and announced a machine that could make carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water.

• South Korea's Jeonse system collapsed amid panic, debt, and foreign speculation, while conglomerates withheld support and food prices soared.
• A Wen arranged to meet the conglomerates, then received an Umbrella representative and pursued cooperation with Umbrella on public security and medical services.
• At a banquet, South Korean conglomerate representatives celebrated their role in the financial attack and sought support for creating their own armed forces.
• Beautiful Country condemned South Korea's agreements with Umbrella, and Umbrella released footage exposing its soldiers' actions during the zombie crisis.
• Beautiful Country's incoming leader admitted that high food prices could kill South Koreans, and Umbrella announced a machine that could turn carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates.

Umbrella’s synthetic-food technology ended South Korea’s food-price crisis and gave A Wen leverage over the chaebols, while Umbrella used its security presence and capital to reverse the financial attack on the country. As speculators found themselves trapped in their positions, Wang Yi learned that the chaebols planned to sacrifice Hyundai Heavy Industries.

• Umbrella announced mass-production synthetic-carbohydrate machines, household models, and nutrition packs, restoring confidence in South Korea’s food supply.
• The chaebols agreed to attend A Wen’s tea gathering, and A Wen reflected on his late friend A Wu before preparing to meet them.
• Wang Yi found Lee Yun-hee among the trainees and girl group members, while Lin Shiqin reported that the chaebols intended to make Hyundai Heavy Industries their scapegoat.
• Umbrella’s drones, factories, and public-security agreement gave it influence in South Korea as humanitarian food shipments and equipment helped stabilize the crisis.
• Umbrella took over Hyundai Heavy Industries and announced plans to expand robotics and automobile production, reassuring South Korea’s markets and workers.
• International speculators struggled to withdraw from their South Korean positions after Umbrella broke their attack’s momentum.

Umbrella crushed the short sellers and South Korea’s chaebols, leaving the country’s profitable industrial assets divided between Umbrella and New World. It then introduced synthetic food to the world, prompting backlash over its taste and origins before Umbrella offered a major power the formulas and equipment to produce feed.

• Umbrella and South Korea’s authorities absorbed the won dumped by short sellers, forcing the speculators to buy it back at rising prices while the chaebols faced devastating losses.
• Kim Jun-ryang and Li Qing discussed New World’s sudden rise into South Korea’s largest chaebol, while Song Xinran remained under their control as a confidant.
• Umbrella’s engineering robots unloaded its first commercial synthetic-food equipment in South Korea, and A Wen and reporters sampled the bland but filling grain cakes.
• Researchers verified the synthetic food’s basic ingredients, while the Big Four grain traders backed efforts to steer public opinion toward its taste and supposed industrial-waste origins.
• Umbrella released formulas for using synthetic carbohydrates in feed, and a major power saw an opportunity to use its thermal plants to produce feed and improve food security.

Wang Yi prepared a Brain-Computer Interface version of Starry Sky World and published a paper on applying Magic Mathematics to neural connection algorithms, while Umbrella’s growing influence alarmed Beautiful Country’s leaders. At Xi'an Jiaotong University, Wang Yi’s lecture visit gave a spy organization an opening to approach him through Chen Jie.

• Umbrella signed a cooperation agreement with South Korea that gave it guidance and technology while South Korea handled production and distribution, with profits split evenly.
• Wang Yi and Lin Shiqin planned to use Starry Sky World as a bridge toward immersive Brain-Computer Interface games and considered testing a credit system internally.
• Wang Yi published a paper on Magic Mathematics and Brain-Computer Interface algorithms, drawing researchers’ attention as Beautiful Country’s officials discussed confronting Umbrella’s growing power.
• Xi'an Jiaotong University arranged Wang Yi’s lecture visit and appointed him an Honorary Professor, while its head introduced him to Wang Xin and Chen Jie at dinner.
• Wang Yi recognized Chen Jie as a likely spy but left with her anyway, and her handlers decided to cultivate the connection gradually rather than expose their purpose.

Wang Yi exposed Umbrella’s connection to an alien civilization during a public lecture, then announced plans for VR versions of Starry Sky World and a future immersive game called Abyss World. The lecture’s revelations sparked intense public attention as VR devices went on presale.

• Lin Shiqin reported that Chen Jie had been recruited by her sister-in-law, and Wang Yi used magic to break the spy’s defenses until she confessed her mission.
• Wang Yi delivered a lecture on Magic Mathematics and Brain-Computer Interface algorithms, answering scholars’ questions and advising a Google engineer on improving Don Quixote.
• When a questioner accused him of concealing alien technology, Wang Yi admitted Umbrella had obtained knowledge from an alien civilization and argued that he had consistently shared Magic Mathematics.
• Wang Yi announced that World Company and Umbrella would develop VR connection devices for Starry Sky World and described a future immersive game called Abyss World.
• News coverage amplified the alien-technology revelation and game announcements, while the first VR devices went on presale to strong demand.

Wang Yi approved opening the new brain-computer VR platform to developers, while Umbrella and World Company prepared domestic contract manufacturing to meet soaring demand. As robots and VR devices drove a new wave of production and investment, observers wondered whether the virtual world and giant projects could absorb the people and capacity that automation would eventually leave idle.

• Wang Yi agreed to give Penguin early access to the VR platform’s interface and development manual, and planned to open-source it when the new version of 'Starry Sky World' launched.
• World Company and Umbrella announced a joint venture that would use domestic manufacturers to assemble brain-computer VR devices and other products.
• Qin Xiang rejected requests to bypass purchase rules at the Hengwan Plaza experience store as crowds gathered to buy the new devices.
• A buyer’s video revealed that factories were already producing large numbers of VR helmets, and a factory worker said he had won a robot and found work as a shift supervisor.
• The worker’s follow-up video showed rows of robots at an Umbrella contract-manufacturing site, prompting online excitement and a surge in domestic stocks.
• Some observers worried that mass automation would eventually eliminate scarcity and jobs, and wondered whether VR, the virtual world, and projects like Penglai could provide enough opportunities.

Jiang Bo livestreamed the installation of a brain-computer VR platform and tested its realistic scenes, mini-games, and integration with Starry Sky World, helping spark worldwide excitement. As players embraced the new technology, laboratories and media raised safety concerns, while Qian Yayan defended the platform amid growing public debate.

• Jiang Bo welcomed the delivery crew and filmed as their robots and his Cleaners installed the sports-version VR equipment.
• Jiang Bo tried the VR platform’s realistic environments and mini-games, then entered Starry Sky World and experienced its upgraded graphics and controls.
• Jiang Bo piloted a warship and a mech in Starry Sky World, while streams of early users drew global attention to the new platform.
• Laboratories published analyses praising the brain-computer technology while warning that VR stimulation could endanger users with hidden medical conditions.
• Qian Yayan grew frustrated as safety reports spread, but she saw that most people still supported World Company and joked about wanting to test the equipment.

Wang Yi traced life back to the first union of RNA and Magic Power, anchoring his soul at the Source of Life and resolving the discord between his body and soul. His breakthrough stirred Magic Power across Earth and weakened the spatial barrier, leaving him stronger but making Earth easier to discover.

• Wang Yi used a Nobel Prize-winning paper about RNA's ability to catalyze reactions to identify the missing anchor in his search for life's origin.
• Wang Yi resonated with the Source of Life, unified his soul and body, and gained insight into the path to godhood.
• Magic Power detectors worldwide sounded alarms as auroras appeared across Earth and brought people an unusual sense of peace.
• Enzo sensed Wang Yi's breakthrough in the Abyss and noticed that Earth's barrier had weakened.
• Wang Yi realized he could now stir more Magic Power and use the Mage Towers as springboards for spatial teleportation.
• Wang Yi told Lin Shiqin to explain the anomaly as a lingering effect of the New York invasion.

Wang Yi completed his breakthrough beyond Legend and secured immortality, while Umbrella launched Credit Points as a silver-backed way to buy its products. The Beautiful Country tried to block the system, but Umbrella redirected its priority supply to Mexico as the points began drawing attention from banks, businesses, and governments.

• Wang Yi learned that his union with the Source of Life had made his soul eternal unless outside forces interfered, and Enzo reported eight remaining locations researching followers' flesh.
• Wang Yi told an eager researcher to keep studying and training before entering the Abyss, then discussed Umbrella's Credit Points plan with Lin Shiqin.
• Umbrella announced that customers could exchange silver for Credit Points, which offered discounted priority purchases of its products and could be converted into dollars or euros.
• Silver prices surged after the announcement, and the Beautiful Country's new leader condemned Credit Points and barred their use in the country.
• Umbrella said it would move the Beautiful Country's priority production allocation to Mexico, prompting angry reactions from consumers and diplomatic efforts to rally European support.
• Qin Xiang saw banks treating Credit Points as silver-linked financial derivatives, while Umbrella added essential products such as batteries and culture medium to the discounted system.

Umbrella’s Credit Point system and VR platform drew growing interest while financial leaders discussed how to contain the threat. Umbrella then challenged beauty companies’ claims about Magic Power, leaving consumers skeptical and the beauty industry facing a major backlash.

• An elderly banker urged the gathered financial leaders to rally allies and address Umbrella’s Credit Points over the long term.
• Game companies and software firms announced plans to develop for the VR platform as players flocked to Starry Sky World and banks offered convenient ways to buy Credit Points.
• Qian Yayan organized the Starry Sky Cup Mecha Fighting Tournament and later asked Wang Yi when Umbrella’s skincare products would be released.
• Wang Yi explained that Umbrella could use exclusive skincare products to encourage Credit Point adoption without provoking an immediate upheaval.
• Professor Sen told a televised interviewer that beauty and health products marketed with Magic Power lacked Umbrella’s technology or culture medium, then presented Liu Xiaoke and his own skin as evidence of Umbrella’s internal skincare products.

Liu Xiaoke’s visit to a film set was interrupted when Wang Yi and Qian Yayan arrived and arranged for her to take a week off. After Xiaoke asked whether they were going to Qiongzhou, Wang Yi said they were going to Penglai.

• Liu Xiaoke performed a difficult action sequence in one take, earning praise from Director Wu Ke.
• Zhang Shishi asked Liu Xiaoke about Umbrella’s skincare products, and Xiaoke advised using them with the beauty device.
• Wang Yi and Qian Yayan arrived at the set to visit Liu Xiaoke.
• Qian Yayan asked Director Wu Ke to let Liu Xiaoke take a week off, and he agreed.
• Liu Xiaoke asked Wang Yi if they were going to Qiongzhou, and he told her they were going to Penglai.

Wang Yi brought Ma Dong and his family to Penglai, where Ma Dong livestreamed the futuristic city and Umbrella’s plans to open it to residents and visitors. Their medical examinations revealed advanced diagnostic and repair technology, leaving the public eager to visit Penglai and access its treatments.

• Wang Yi welcomed Ma Dong, Xia Mei, and their children to Penglai and showed them its airport and automated industrial areas.
• Ma Dong livestreamed Penglai, and an Umbrella employee announced plans to open its outer areas and accept one million residents selected for their knowledge and way of thinking.
• The employee showed Ma Dong’s family Penglai’s garden-like residential areas, simulated sunlight, and extensive recreational facilities, and said Abyss World’s first closed beta players would be selected from residents.
• Xia Mei underwent a detailed examination that detected potential health issues and recommended treatments, while Ma Dong’s scan revealed old soft-tissue injuries and intestinal polyps.
• Ma Dong received treatment in a medical pod and found that his old injuries and pain had disappeared, prompting worldwide excitement about Umbrella’s repair technology.

Wang Yi reflected on faith, evolution, and his own path of self-improvement while the Mecha Fighting Tournament and Penglai rewards sparked a global craze. The chapter ended with retired athletes and ordinary workers hoping Umbrella could heal their accumulated injuries.

• Wang Yi sensed life and faith through the microorganisms around him, rejected faith as poisonous, and continued his gradual transformation.
• World Company and Umbrella announced Penglai settlement, treatment, and travel rewards for top Mecha Tournament players, while Umbrella set the tournament's end as Penglai's tourism opening date.
• The announcements drove a worldwide mecha craze, drew athletes and celebrities into the competition, and spawned dubious training courses and scalping.
• Bai Bing finally obtained Umbrella skincare products, tried them, and impressed her coworkers with the results.
• Jordan told reporters he was entering the tournament to test himself and ease his chronic pain, prompting renewed attention to athletes' injuries and Umbrella's medical treatment.

Wang Yi’s Starry Sky Cup opening ceremony transformed Hengwan Plaza into an immersive holographic arena, where Liu Xiaoke dominated the exhibition matches and famous athletes and entertainers began competing. As the tournament’s preliminary rounds unfolded, PDD narrowly beat an obscure provincial track-and-field athlete and realized the competition was far tougher than he had expected.

• Wang Yi spoke with Young Master Qin, Ma Dong, and Lu Zhen backstage as crowds filled Hengwan Plaza for the Starry Sky Cup opening ceremony.
• Ma Dong and Liu Xiaoke opened the ceremony with a sweeping holographic display that made the venue feel like outer space.
• Liu Xiaoke defeated Ma Dong, Lu Zhen, and Young Master Qin in exhibition matches, including a decisive 0-5 victory over Young Master Qin.
• Jordan defeated a fan in a close-combat mecha match, while other sports and entertainment stars competed in the tournament’s preliminary rounds.
• PDD nearly lost his seventh match to an unfamiliar provincial track-and-field athlete before winning with a trick, then worried that he had overestimated his chances.

PDD lost two matches after a hard-fought defeat, while traditional athletes and other specialists dominated the Starry Sky Cup qualifiers. Schumacher, newly awakened with brain-computer equipment, joined the competition and prepared to face reporters as he pursued treatment and recovery.

• PDD lost his eighth match to an NBA player after both men vowed to give everything, then lost his next match to Fei Ke, who was still upset after Kobe defeated him.
• The Starry Sky Cup finalized its 1,024 contestants, with pilots, former special forces soldiers, and veteran action stars advancing while many esports players and young entertainers were eliminated.
• A video blogger compared Liu Xiaoke's exhibition footage with top competitors and concluded that her reaction speed was far faster; Liu Xiaoke attributed it to practicing traditional Chinese martial arts.
• Doctors explained that Schumacher's brain-computer equipment had restored communication, and they hoped Umbrella's medical system could help improve his weakened body.
• After Schumacher joined the Starry Sky Cup and attracted reporters' attention, he told Corinne that he wanted to speak with them.

Schumacher gave a moving interview after waking from his coma, while the Starry Sky Cup group stage drew worldwide attention. As Wang Yi prepared Abyss-based bodies for players, Umbrella detected an unusually fast asteroid entering the Solar System and heading toward Earth.

• Schumacher told a reporter he was grateful to be alive and planned to focus on training for the Starry Sky Cup.
• The Starry Sky Cup group stage began, attracting mainstream broadcasts and Olympic organizers seeking contestants for their games.
• PDD lost several matches, including a one-sided bout against Bolt, but continued competing seriously.
• Wang Yi visited Enzo Territory, inspected its materials, and arranged for resources to be sent to Penglai for player-body production.
• Zabo submitted himself to Wang Yi, who ordered him to follow Enzo's arrangements and considered using Enzo to experiment with faith power.
• Lin Shiqin alerted Wang Yi to an unidentified long, narrow asteroid approaching Earth at about twenty-six kilometers per second.