Chapter Summaries

Wang Yi revealed that Sun Jie and Sun Miao had poisoned Li Yao and warned that his resentful spirit was about to take revenge. He forced Sun Miao to confess publicly, while Li Shun learned the truth about his brother’s death.

• Wang Yi accused Sun Jie and Sun Miao of poisoning Li Yao, then stopped Li Shun from attacking him with a touch.
• Wang Yi warned that Sun Jie and Sun Miao were about to die, and their protective talismans heated up and shattered.
• Sun Jie and Sun Miao begged Wang Yi for help as Li Yao’s resentful spirit appeared before them.
• Wang Yi explained that confessing might ease Li Yao’s resentment, and Sun Miao broke down and agreed to tell the truth.
• Sun Miao confessed in the main hall that he and Sun Jie had poisoned Li Yao and sought talismans after his death; Wang Yi stopped Li Shun from striking him.

At Xie Ji Private Kitchen, Sun Miao exposed Sun Jie’s crimes, and both fled before their car plunged into a river. Sun Jie transformed into a natural spirit and attacked Wang Yi, but Li Yao swallowed her, while the shaken witnesses tried to make peace with Wang Yi.

• Xin Cheng demanded that Sun Jie and Sun Miao leave his restaurant, and Sun Jie taunted Li Shun before threatening the onlookers.
• Sun Jie kicked Sun Miao and left; he followed her into her white BMW Mini, which suddenly smashed through a guardrail and plunged into the river.
• Sun Jie transformed into a natural spirit and charged at Wang Yi, but Li Yao swallowed her to replenish her strength.
• Huang Hongtao gave Wang Yi his business card and offered Liu Xiaoke a role, then learned she was already the third female lead in Director Zhang Ming’s film.
• Huang Hongtao mentioned that his father knew Master Xuan Yangzi, while Manager Li dismissed the supernatural explanation for the crash.

After Sun Miao and her accomplice died in a car accident, Li Shun chose to adopt Li Hu, the child they had planned to target. Wang Yi then considered putting Li Yao, whose vengeance was complete and whose purpose had faded, to work as a spirit core for controlling skeletons.

• The officers reviewed the restaurant surveillance footage and recorded the deaths of Sun Miao and her accomplice as an accident, with suicide not ruled out.
• Manager Li and the other guests ended their gathering, while Jiang Yong introduced himself to Wang Yi before leaving.
• Li Shun decided to adopt Li Hu, and Wang Yi said Li Yao respected his choice.
• Li Shun left to tell his father what had happened, and Huang Hongtao lamented that he would have fewer chances to drink with his friend.
• Liu Xiaoke asked Wang Yi whether Li Yao was the person he had met before, while Li Yao followed Wang Yi in silence.
• Wang Yi planned to assign Li Yao work and considered using a Resentful Spirit as the core of an Artificial Intelligence to control skeletons.

Wang Yi prepared to travel to the University of Pennsylvania for a lecture on the Goldbach Conjecture and assigned Lin Shiqin and Li Yao overseas tasks. At home, Penguin’s offer to buy Minecraft for one billion sparked public pressure, but official support and Wang Yi’s refusal to sell ended the dispute.

• Wang Yi asked Lin Shiqin to help Li Yao set up an overseas server and find targets in Philadelphia, then said he would travel there to lecture on the Goldbach Conjecture.
• Xue Chuan defended Minecraft’s overseas popularity before urging Wang Yi to focus on academia and stop earning money from games.
• Penguin offered one billion to buy Minecraft’s copyrights, prompting online criticism of Wang Yi’s wealth and game development.
• The Science Institute and an official media account backed Wang Yi’s freedom to develop games and announced his University of Pennsylvania visit.
• Wang Yi refused to sell Minecraft, and Penguin withdrew its pressure campaign before beginning work on a competing game.

Wang Yi learned that Penguin was trying to copy his company’s games and poach its employees, then prepared to travel to Philadelphia with Qian Yayan. At the airport, he met Professor Zhang Yuan, who hoped to consult him about algorithms for filter chips.

• Lin Shiqin told Wang Yi that Penguin had offered employees more than ten times their salaries, but none had accepted, and revealed that the company logo was hidden in some block asset packages.
• Wang Yi told Lin Shiqin to launch PUBG with optimized algorithms and a new engine after Penguin released its competing product.
• Wang Yi arranged to stay in Philadelphia for a few days after the meeting and chose Qian Yayan as his assistant and travel companion.
• Wang Yi and Qian Yayan met Professor Zhang Yuan, his wife, and his assistant Lin Lei in the airport’s private lounge.
• Zhang Yuan explained that he specialized in filter chips and began discussing algorithm problems with Wang Yi.

Wang Yi and Zhang Yuan discussed signal research on their flight to the United States, but Zhang Yuan was arrested by the FBI after landing in Los Angeles. Wang Yi stayed behind to find out what had happened and help his colleague.

• Zhang Yuan impressed Wang Yi with his knowledge of signal algorithms and agreed to share his research for discussion.
• Wang Yi warned Zhang Yuan that his former company’s invitations might conceal trouble, but Zhang Yuan dismissed the concern.
• After the plane landed in Los Angeles, FBI agents boarded and arrested Zhang Yuan at the request of his former company.
• Zhang Yuan calmly reassured his wife as the FBI handcuffed him and took him away.
• Wang Yi chose not to intervene directly and told Shiqin to postpone his ticket so he could investigate the arrest.

After the FBI arrested Zhang Yuan, Wang Yi hired a powerful Los Angeles law firm to challenge the case. Meanwhile, Li Yao took over a gang member’s body and prepared to rescue a fellow prisoner at Lin Shiqin’s direction.

• Wang Yi reassured Mrs. Zhang and Lin Lei, then took them to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher after learning the consulate could only coordinate.
• Wang Yi hired Lawyer John’s firm, and John began investigating the case despite recognizing its unusual difficulty.
• In Compton, Yalida put on a silver ring left by Wang Yi, lost consciousness, and awoke under Li Yao’s control.
• Li Yao used the ring and silver accessories to enhance his body and absorb Wang Yi’s combat skills.
• Lin Shiqin identified Agu, who was being held with Zhang Yuan, as Li Yao’s rescue target and directed him to recruit several retired Marines as helpers.

Wang Yi hired Lawyer John to pursue bail and a settlement for Zhang Yuan, accepting responsibility for the fallout. Meanwhile, five veterans planned to rescue Zhang Yuan during a transfer until a skilled gunman offered to lead them for twenty million dollars.

• Lawyer John told Wang Yi that Mosi's evidence made it difficult to challenge the accusations, but a guilty plea and settlement could secure Zhang Yuan's release while damaging their reputation.
• Qian Yayan warned Wang Yi that a guilty plea could fuel claims that Easterners stole technology, while Mrs. Zhang pleaded for his help and Lin Lei raised concerns about the university.
• Wang Yi promised to handle the settlement, take responsibility, and ask Lawyer John to coordinate with the parties; he signed an agreement offering the firm a commission for reducing the settlement fee.
• Five veterans discussed their plan to rescue Zhang Yuan during a transfer and escape south to Mexico.
• A dark-skinned gunman entered the veterans' bar, dodged a shot, and disarmed all five with precise gunfire before demanding twenty million dollars to lead them.
• The veterans accepted the gunman's terms.

Yalida and the veterans prepared a raid on the FBI safe house, where Li Yao led a rapid assault to free Agu. They also took Zhang Yuan, then destroyed the safe house as they escaped.

• Yalida outfitted the veterans with weapons and arranged replacement vehicles and support for the raid.
• Zhang Yuan refused to confess during FBI interrogation, insisting he had not stolen his own technology.
• Li Yao and the veterans stormed the safe house and killed the FBI agents defending it.
• Li Yao freed Zhang Yuan and took him and Agu from the safe house, reassuring Zhang Yuan that he could be ransomed.
• Li Yao detonated explosives that engulfed the safe house as the group departed.

After Fobol’s safe house was destroyed, Wang Yi turned Zhang Yuan’s apparent death into a lawsuit that could help secure his release. Meanwhile, Li Yao and Old Panda smuggled Agu and Zhang Yuan across the border into Mexico, where Agu reunited with his armed subordinates.

• Lawyer John told Wang Yi that Zhang Yuan had likely died when Fobol’s safe house was attacked, and Mrs. Zhang fainted from grief.
• Wang Yi blamed Fobol for the disaster and hired Lawyer John’s firm on contingency to pursue compensation.
• Li Yao and Old Panda abandoned their car and used Lin Shiqin’s surveillance and a pre-scouted route to take Agu and Zhang Yuan across the border into Mexico.
• Agu praised his rescuers, offered to recruit Li Yao, and contacted his subordinates after returning to Mexican territory.
• Agu’s armed men arrived in two military Humvees, while Zhang Yuan frowned at the sight of the drug lord’s power and worried about his fate.

Li Yao killed Agu and his men after accepting the money, then left Agu’s associates to decide whether to follow him. Wang Yi entrusted the legal case to Lawyer John and traveled to the University of Pennsylvania, where he planned a salon with visiting mathematicians.

• Li Yao accepted Agu’s assets, then shot Agu and killed his armed men and guards.
• Old Panda and the others offered to follow Li Yao, who told them to think carefully before deciding.
• Wang Yi asked Lawyer John to pursue justice and compensation, then left Lin Lei to oversee the case.
• Wang Yi and Qian Yayan arrived in Philadelphia, where Manni welcomed them on behalf of the University of Pennsylvania.
• Wang Yi asked Manni to arrange a small salon that afternoon so he could meet the visiting mathematicians.

Wang Yi attended a mathematics salon at the University of Pennsylvania, where he presented a new mathematical system connected to his research on magic. The mathematicians eagerly explored his ideas, and the gathering ended with them astonished by his calculations.

• On the way to the hotel, Manni and Qian Yayan chatted while Wang Yi checked on Li Yao’s work and considered establishing a base in Mexico.
• After arriving at the hotel, Wang Yi went with Manni and Qian Yayan to the salon at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Manni introduced Wang Yi to the gathered mathematicians, who began discussing his work and asking questions.
• Wang Yi presented problems and formulas from his mathematical system, explaining that it could make some number theory proofs easier and might have other applications.
• The mathematicians enthusiastically developed his ideas, while Wang Yi used overclocking to calculate and write out further formulas.
• The mathematicians were overwhelmed by Wang Yi’s work, and Wang Yi focused on drawing out their ideas to advance his plans.

After exhausting the mathematicians at an overnight brainstorming session, Wang Yi attended a symposium and then explored business opportunities at a University of Pennsylvania alumni gala. He rejected Microsoft’s offer to buy Minecraft, choosing to avoid the attention an acquisition would bring.

• Wang Yi finally dismissed the exhausted mathematicians after keeping them brainstorming for most of the night, then teased Qian Yayan when she woke up.
• Wang Yi found that the symposium audience had few knowledgeable questioners, and a University of Pennsylvania mathematics professor helped bring the event to a close.
• Wang Yi asked Manni for Philadelphia sightseeing advice and learned about the university anniversary gala, where Fate would give a speech.
• Wang Yi attended the alumni dinner with Qian Yayan and was approached by game companies and other businesses seeking Minecraft partnerships or an acquisition.
• A Microsoft Corporation vice president offered Wang Yi four hundred million US Dollar for Minecraft, but Wang Yi refused to avoid attracting publicity.

At a University of Pennsylvania alumni gathering, Wang Yi rejected Ball’s $400 million offer and spoke with Masra, who was seeking investment for his troubled companies. When Masra introduced Liu Te, Lin Shiqin warned Wang Yi that Liu’s wealth and liquid assets far exceeded what his background could explain.

• Qian Yayan clung to Wang Yi after he rejected Ball’s offer of $400 million, while Ball joked about Wang Yi’s composure.
• Masra approached Wang Yi, praised his seminar, and tried to interest him in investing in SX Space Exploration Company or SX Auto Company.
• Wang Yi declined Masra’s implied investment pitch and decided he would not invest in companies that might later compete with his own plans.
• Masra introduced Liu Te, a wealthy Chinese investor who had backed SX Auto Company.
• Lin Shiqin told Wang Yi that Liu Te’s billions in wealth and abundant cash were inconsistent with his father’s modest position as a Chamber of Commerce President in Johor.

After the banquet, Wang Yi learned that Liu Te’s wealth might have suspicious origins, then used magic and Lin Shiqin’s preparations to leave his hotel unnoticed and pursue a new target. He also told Lin Shiqin to research Mexican silver mines and arrange ransom demands so Zhang Yuan could be released.

• Wang Yi left the banquet with Qian Yayan and heard Lin Shiqin explain her suspicions about Liu Te’s money and his legal protections.
• After Qian Yayan fell asleep, Wang Yi considered buying an island in Johor and decided to select someone from Lin Shiqin’s list for his own plans.
• Wang Yi met Manni and joked with her before returning to the hotel room, where he cast Sanctuary over two unconscious women and used Distortion to slip away.
• Lin Shiqin told Wang Yi about a disgraced doctor suspected of multiple murders, and she explained how she would cover his bills while he disappeared.
• Wang Yi learned that five people still wanted to follow Li Yao, then instructed Lin Shiqin to investigate Mexican silver mines and demand ransom to secure Zhang Yuan’s release.

Wang Yi killed Dr. Jayce and took his appearance before confronting Liu Te, the embezzler of the Johor National Fund. Using the Deification Technique, Wang Yi persuaded Liu Te to pay a private settlement fee and help with future instructions.

• Jayce lamented losing his medical license after using his position to retaliate against suspected gang members, and Wang Yi killed him with Extraction, taking his appearance.
• Wang Yi changed into Jayce's clothes and left the apartment with a suitcase to make his departure look ordinary.
• Wang Yi entered Liu Te's room on the forty-eighth floor and put Liu Te's companion to sleep with three needles.
• Wang Yi recited Liu Te's background and suspected embezzlement of the Johor National Fund, then posed as a Fobol special operative.
• Wang Yi used Charm Person, which he called the Deification Technique, to convince Liu Te to consider a private settlement.
• Wang Yi asked Liu Te for a private settlement fee and access to his broad network in exchange for helping Fobol with future instructions.

After securing overseas funds and setting up a cloud company and new shells for Li Yao, Wang Yi returned home and confronted Penguin over its rushed release of Competitor World. Lin Shiqin uncovered the copied code and Wang Yi’s company logo in the game, forcing Penguin to remove it, apologize, and begin settlement talks.

• Wang Yi used his overseas funds to plan future business ventures, acquire a failing cloud service company, and prepare new servers and shells for Li Yao.
• Wang Yi returned from his trip with Qian Yayan, while Lin Shiqin told him that Penguin had released Competitor World.
• Wang Yi’s company sued Penguin, and he announced that the court had accepted the case.
• Lin Shiqin helped uncover copied code and World Culture Entertainment Game Company’s logo inside Competitor World.
• Penguin removed Competitor World, issued an apology, and began negotiating an out-of-court settlement.

Wang Yi’s mathematical acclaim and refusal of Microsoft’s $400 million offer for Minecraft drew a wave of online attention. Back at his company, he arranged Penguin’s promotional support for the upcoming PUBG, whose trailer launched to widespread anticipation.

• Big Shipper reposted foreign mathematicians’ praise of Wang Yi and highlighted their impressive credentials.
• Big Shipper revealed that Microsoft Vice President Ball had offered $400 million for Minecraft’s rights and Wang Yi had rejected it.
• Wang Yi returned to the Shudian company, where employees celebrated Minecraft’s sales and he assigned Zhang Xiang to negotiate promotional support from Penguin.
• Wang Yi prepared PUBG for release with improved anti-cheat measures, attachment mechanics, visuals, and optimization.
• Penguin promoted PUBG with pop-up ads, and Wang Yi invited developers and netizens to judge its performance as the trailer attracted attention.

Wang Yi agreed to let Wen Yu introduce suitable film projects that could use his beauty-filtering and post-production technology. Zhang Ming then contacted Wang Yi to ask about using the technology for film post-production, and Wang Yi began explaining how it could work for him.

• Wen Yu told Wang Yi that entertainment-industry figures had tracked the beauty-filtered videos back to his models, but he had kept Wang Yi's company out of it despite pressure.
• Wang Yi agreed that Wen Yu could reveal some information about his company and refer up to two suitable projects, while rejecting mediocre and exploitative films.
• Zhang Ming called Wang Yi after hearing that Yuzhong Media's videos had received advanced post-production, and asked whether the process was costly or difficult.
• Wang Yi told Zhang Ming that the post-production would not be troublesome for him.

Wang Yi arranged for Zhang Ming to help promote PUBG with a celebrity-filled launch ceremony and reunited with Ma Dong and Liu Xiaoke over dinner. As Liu Xiaoke reacted to Master Yi’s notorious game, Wang Yi learned that Zhang Yuan had returned to the country after his ransom was paid with compensation from Beautiful Country.

• Zhang Ming agreed to handle post-production for one of Wang Yi’s projects, continue helping Ma Dong and Liu Xiaoke find roles, and invite celebrities to promote PUBG.
• Wang Yi and Zhang Ming settled on holding a game launch ceremony for PUBG.
• Wang Yi met Ma Dong and Liu Xiaoke for dinner, where Liu Xiaoke complained about Master Yi and Yang Le Le Yang.
• Lin Shiqin told Wang Yi that Zhang Yuan had returned to the country after his wife used compensation from Beautiful Country to pay his ransom.