Recaps

Darkness Sword Ebony, Limitless Golden Emperor, Destruction Demon God Locke, and other powerful beings plundered the Jade Vine Tree as it resisted and rapidly weakened. Mechanical God Emperor Saine raced to the battlefield to claim what remained as the tree neared its end.

• Darkness Sword Ebony stole a life-rule fragment from the Jade Vine Tree, then was struck by the tree and Limitless Golden Emperor, who also tore off a fragment for himself.
• Destruction Demon God Locke severed a branch and sent it to Paradise Lost Time-Space, where the Moon Guardian planted it; the Jade Vine Tree briefly felt an unexplained sense of hope as its resistance weakened.
• Lords of Dimension and other fighters seized the Jade Vine Tree's fragments and life force, while Super Saiyan Kakarot absorbed its life aura to heal and strengthen himself.
• Mechanical God Emperor Saine ordered the 72nd Grade Pure World White Lotus to gather the defeated Jade Vine Civilization forces, then transformed into the Fusion True Body of the God of Machines and hurried to the battlefield.
• The Jade Vine Tree's Rule True Body continued shrinking and breaking apart as its life aura faded, leaving it close to exhaustion and being divided among its attackers.

Saine joined the plunder of the dying Jade Vine Tree and secured valuable fragments and three Jade Vine Fruits. After fifteen hundred years of fighting, the tree was reduced to ruined roots, while Kakarot continued battling the Destruction Divine Kingdom Faction’s enemies and disrupting their efforts to seize its treasures.

• Saine arrived at the Green Vine Civilization battlefield and found the Jade Vine Tree weakened as Lords of Dimension plundered its Rule True Body.
• Level-12 Strong Practitioners from other dimensional forces gathered at the battlefield’s outskirts, while the Lords of Dimension focused on the Jade Vine Tree rather than fighting one another directly.
• The Jade Vine Tree endured another fifteen hundred years of attacks before its trunk, branches, leaves, and fruits were completely plundered, leaving only ruined roots.
• Saine seized three Jade Vine Fruits, branches, leaves, and trunk fragments, while Locke, Ilena, and Hongjun also obtained many treasures.
• Kakarot ignored the treasures and repeatedly fought the Dark Nether Death God, Duolie, and Ebony, disrupting their attempts to plunder the battlefield.

As the Jade Vine Tree fell, Mechanical God Emperor Saine claimed three Jade Vine Fruits while Bing Xin weighed whether Water Mirror Civilization should seek refuge in Gear Time-Space. She decided to contact Saine after the fighting eased, though she remained uncertain whether he would accept her civilization.

• Mechanical God Emperor Saine obtained three Jade Vine Fruits as Level-12 fighters at the battlefield's outskirts scavenged leaves and fragments from the Jade Vine Tree.
• Bing Xin watched Jade Vine Civilization's destruction and wondered whether Light Universe Time-Space's native civilizations could survive by fleeing elsewhere.
• Bing Xin considered the dangers of relocating to the Primordial Universe or an unfamiliar plane and recalled Sea Mirror Woman and Divine Venerable Miao Bo's reports about Gear Time-Space.
• Bing Xin decided to contact Master Saine after the war calmed down and explore ties with Mechanical Civilization as a possible refuge for Water Mirror Civilization.
• Bing Xin remained troubled by whether Saine would allow her civilization, including herself, to settle in Gear Time-Space.

The Jade Vine Tree’s Rule Tree Heart emerged from its shattered remains, drawing the battlefield’s top experts into a fierce struggle. Ebony seized it first but was immediately attacked by everyone, while Locke considered how Hongjun could use the treasure to refine pills if the Destruction Divine Kingdom obtained it.

• Bing Xin’s Water Mirror Civilization and the Moonlight Civilization stayed neutral as other civilizations chose sides in the war.
• Mechanical God Emperor Saine surveyed the battered Jade Vine Tree as its hidden Rule Tree Heart appeared among its roots.
• Saine and the other top experts charged for the Level-12 Rule Tree Heart, unleashing attacks across the battlefield.
• Ebony of the Darkness Sword Organization grabbed the Rule Tree Heart first and was struck by concentrated attacks from the gathered experts, including Duolie and the Dark Nether Death God.
• Locke considered giving Hongjun the Jade Vine Tree Heart and the Ancestor of Eternal Fire’s remaining Rule Heart Core to refine into pills.

Ebony and the Limitless Golden Emperor each briefly seized the Level-12 Rule Tree Heart before letting it go under the pressure of the gathered Powerhouses. The Lord of Eternal Day ultimately secured it, while the Destruction Divine Kingdom redirected its attacks toward its true enemies and the battle resumed.

• Ebony released the Rule Tree Heart after attacks and magical barriers made it too dangerous to keep.
• The Limitless Golden Emperor seized the tree heart, then promptly let it go to avoid becoming the target of a combined assault.
• The Bewilderment Behemoth watched the battlefield from the rear, enjoyed seeing others besieged, and devoured the tribute Salamander Gray Guest and the others had brought.
• The Rule Tree Heart landed in the Lord of Eternal Day's hands, and Destruction Demon God Locke sent him a voice transmission.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the other Destruction Divine Kingdom forces stopped pursuing the tree heart and attacked Dark Nether Death God, Ebony, Duolie, and their allies.
• The Limitless Golden Emperor stayed away from the fight, expecting his ties to the Destruction Divine Kingdom to earn him a share later.

The Destruction Divine Kingdom Faction secured the Jade Vine Tree’s Level-12 Rule Tree Heart, while rival Lords of Dimension withdrew with portions of its roots. After the Jade Vine Tree’s remains were divided and its life aura vanished, Bing Xin resolved to approach Mechanical God Emperor Saine for protection.

• The Dark Nether Death God abandoned his attempt to claim the Tree Heart, seized some remaining Rule Tree Roots, and fled the battlefield.
• Darkness Sword Ebony followed his example and withdrew with more roots, while Duolie fled under pressure from Locke, Kakarot, and Hongjun.
• The Destruction Divine Kingdom experts let the three Lords of Dimension escape, then Locke, the Limitless Golden Emperor, Hongjun, and their allies divided the Jade Vine Tree’s remaining roots.
• The Jade Vine Tree’s will and life aura disappeared, marking the end of the Level-12 Being’s life.
• Bing Xin recognized that her isolation made her vulnerable and decided to seek cooperation and protection from Mechanical God Emperor Saine.

After the Jade Vine Tree and the Green Vine Civilization’s remaining defenders fell, the Pure World White Lotus gathered survivors to relocate them to Gear Time-Space. Saine arranged their resettlement through the Mechanical Civilization while keeping its role in the destruction of their homeland from them.

• The Jade Vine Tree died after releasing a final tide of pure Rule energy back into Light Universe Time-Space.
• The two level-11 Sky Lantern Beings of the Green Vine Civilization were killed by the Destruction Divine Kingdom Faction and a Level-12 practitioner from Limitless Time-Space, bringing the campaign against the civilization to an end.
• The 72nd Grade Pure World White Lotus persuaded many surviving Green Vine Civilization Plant Element Beings to gather and seek a peaceful new home in Gear Time-Space.
• Saine arranged for the survivors to travel through a cross-dimensional teleportation formation and receive resources for rebuilding, while keeping the Destruction Divine Kingdom’s role in their homeland’s destruction concealed.
• Saine entrusted the Pure World White Lotus with leading the Green Vine Civilization remnants and helping them integrate into the Mechanical Civilization.

After Green Vine Civilization fell, Saine oversaw the distribution of its remnants and planned further trade and cooperation with allied powers. He remained in the Light Universe Time-Space Battlefield, curious about the Level-13 Bewilderment Behemoth and the unusual materials obtained from it.

• The Light God Race gained greater favor and civilizational fortune from the Dimensional Will after the Jade Vine Tree and Green Vine Civilization fell.
• Saine sought Green Vine Civilization’s surviving remnants for the Mechanical Civilization, while planning compensation for allied factions through future cross-dimensional trade.
• Saine supported Dao Ancestor Hongjun refining the Jade Vine Tree’s Level-12 Rule Tree Heart and planned to provide him with high-end Rule Objects for making Immortal Pills.
• Saine left battlefield cleanup and resettlement mainly to the Pure World White Lotus, while monitoring the process and trusting Alarm Clock Girl and Thomas to defend Gear Time-Space.
• Saine watched the region where the Bewilderment Time-Space Legion was stationed and considered the Bewilderment Behemoth, whose rare fur and fingernails he had acquired through Salamander Grayke and others.
• Saine wondered whether the Bewilderment Behemoth might cross dimensions to pursue him in Gear Time-Space if he used its materials against it.

As Saine oversaw plans to relocate Green Vine Civilization’s survivors to Gear Time-Space, Water Mirror Civilization signaled its interest in seeking his protection and cooperation. Saine agreed to meet Bing Xin later, then flew to meet the Mountain Giant King and begin courting the Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster.

• Saine planned to send Duan Ning to observe Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s alchemy after Green Vine Civilization’s relocation was arranged.
• Divine Venerable Miao Bo and Sea Mirror Woman approached Saine, and Sea Mirror Woman said Bing Xin wanted to meet him about Water Mirror Civilization’s possible cooperation and migration.
• Saine considered accepting only some of Water Mirror Civilization’s elite forces, since taking in the intact civilization wholesale could endanger Mechanical Civilization.
• The Mountain Giant King’s legion continued fighting the remaining Bewilderment Time-Space forces, whom Saine had deliberately left to engage the Earth Elemental Creatures.
• Saine told Sea Mirror Woman to inform Bing Xin he would meet her later, then flew toward the Mountain Giant King to begin winning over the Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster.

Saine arrived on the starry battlefield in his Mechanical God Rule True Body and helped the Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster defeat the Bewilderment Time-Space Legion. Afterward, he met the grieving Mountain Giant King and used Mechanical Healing Light to treat its wounds.

• Saine descended onto the battlefield in his Mechanical God Rule True Body and unleashed a barrage against the Bewilderment Time-Space Legion.
• The three Level-11 Beings of Bewilderment Time-Space withdrew under Salamander Grayke’s orders as Saine’s attack shattered their forces.
• The Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster’s Elemental Creatures rallied alongside Saine and routed the remaining Bewilderment Time-Space legions.
• Saine left the pursuit to the Elemental Creatures and approached the Mountain Giant King, whose grief over the Jade Vine Tree’s death was evident.
• Saine enveloped the Mountain Giant King in Mechanical Healing Light and began repairing its wounds.

Saine treated the wounded Mountain Giant King and offered support to the besieged Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster, while gradually encouraging closer ties with Mechanical Civilization. The Mountain Giant King remained devoted to its homeland but was deeply moved by Saine’s help and called him a good person.

• Saine met the grieving Mountain Giant King and comforted it as he treated its wounds.
• The Mountain Giant King explained that it had fought Dark Universe invaders for twenty thousand years to protect its people and homeland.
• Saine reinforced the Mountain Giant King’s damaged body with Mechanical Element, giving it stronger defenses and new combat abilities.
• Saine sent Mechanical Civilization legions to help defend the Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster and described the trade and resource support he could offer.
• The Mountain Giant King thanked Saine sincerely and told him he was a good person.

Saine escorted the Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster’s legions home and accepted their gratitude, while the Mountain Giant King resolved to pursue Level-12 strength. After returning to the occupied territory of the Light God Race, Saine met Bing Xin, who offered the Water Mirror Civilization’s support to the Mechanical Civilization.

• Saine offered to escort the Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster’s legions home after they drove off the Bewilderment Time-Space Legion.
• The Mountain Giant King grew determined to advance to Level-12 so it could protect its civilization, then thanked Saine with rare resources and a twenty percent discount on future transactions.
• Saine accepted the Earth Element Golden Wall World Cluster’s goodwill and discussed converting future cooperation profits into resources they needed before departing.
• Saine returned to the occupied territory of the Light God Race and invited Bing Xin to meet him after the Sea Mirror Woman approached him on the Water Mirror Civilization’s behalf.
• Bing Xin arrived a week later, pledged the Water Mirror Civilization’s support for the Mechanical Civilization, and offered Saine a Dimensional Ring.

Saine and Bing Xin reached an understanding that the Water Mirror Civilization would cooperate with his Mechanical Civilization and send some of its people to Gear Time-Space. Bing Xin hinted that she wanted to visit Saine's laboratory, and he invited her to see his Rule Whales from Turbulent Time-Space.

• Bing Xin offered Saine a Dimensional Ring and considered cooperating with his Truth Experiments to secure protection and benefits for the Water Mirror Civilization.
• Saine accepted the Water Mirror Civilization's tribute and agreed that the Sea Mirror Woman, Divine Venerable Miao Bo, and others could migrate to Gear Time-Space.
• Bing Xin hinted that she wanted to visit Saine's laboratory, and Saine invited her to come that month to see his Rule Whales.

Saine conducted a four-month Truth Exploration Experiment on Bing Xin before returning with the God of Machines to Gear Time-Space, where two new Level-12 Temple Lords from Evil Swamp Time-Space had invaded. Heavenly Wing Demon Lord urgently contacted Saine to seek Mechanical Civilization’s help against the new threat.

• Bing Xin agreed to cooperate with Saine’s experiment and arranged for Water Mirror Civilization members to prepare for migration to Gear Time-Space.
• Saine examined Bing Xin inside the God of Machines for four months, then ended the experiment and returned to Gear Time-Space with part of Mechanical Civilization’s Main Legion.
• Bing Xin watched Saine depart and wondered whether her decision to defect to Mechanical Civilization had been right.
• Saine learned that two Level-12 Temple Lords from Evil Swamp Time-Space had launched an invasion to seize resources and disrupt the battlefield’s existing balance.
• Heavenly Wing Demon Lord urgently contacted Saine, whose support he needed to carry out his plans against the two new invaders.

Saine coordinated with the Heavenly Wing Demon Lord to launch a broad offensive against Evil Swamp Time-Space while secretly targeting the bases supporting two incoming Level-12 Temple Lords. As Saine joined the frontline battle, he revealed a new technique that left Jiang Qi stunned.

• Saine agreed to coordinate with the Heavenly Wing Demon Lord and considered whether the Mountain Giant King or Bing Xin could help counter the incoming Level-12 Temple Lords.
• Saine sent elite Mechanical Civilization legions to infiltrate Evil Swamp Time-Space's rear bases while launching a full offensive on the main battlefield.
• The Qihuang Castle Civilization, the Gear Clockwork Civilization, the Green Vine Civilization, and forces from the Water Mirror Civilization joined the defense of Gear Time-Space.
• Saine appeared on the frontline in his God of Machines True Body and demonstrated new applications of rules and combat methods.
• Saine manifested a one-hundred-and-eight-petaled Ashes Lotus Platform beneath the God of Machines, leaving Jiang Qi shocked.

Saine revealed a 108-tier Ashes Lotus Platform whose Immortal Domain Dao Rhymes reminded Jiang Qi of the powerful being who had entrusted him with a mission in the Material Star Realm. Jiang Qi reconsidered his allegiance in the Gear Time-Space war but remained unsure of Saine’s true identity and connection to that being.

• Saine’s God of Machines appeared on the battlefield atop a 108-tier Ashes Lotus Platform, whose hidden Immortal Domain rules shocked Jiang Qi.
• Jiang Qi recalled a powerful being from the Material Star Realm who had stood on a 36-tier Chaos Green Lotus and given him an unfinished mission.
• Jiang Qi suppressed his urge to approach Saine because he represented the Evil Swamp Time-Space in its war against the Mechanical Civilization.
• As Evil Swamp forces suffered under the lotus platform’s rule pressure, Jiang Qi reconsidered his position amid the impending intervention of two more Level-12 Temple Lords.
• Jiang Qi wondered whether Saine was chosen by Great God Pan Gu, but doubted that Saine’s known Level-11 strength or identity explained the Immortal Domain connection.

Heavenly Wing Demon Lord watched Mechanical God Emperor Saine rally Gear Time-Space’s forces while secretly anticipating a hidden Mechanical Civilization attack. A devastating explosion erupted behind him, shaking Gear Time-Space, and he realized it could be a specialized weapon rather than a newly arrived Level-12 Being.

• Heavenly Wing Demon Lord watched Saine’s strengthened Mechanical God Rule True Body as Gear Time-Space’s factions launched a fierce counterattack.
• Heavenly Wing Demon Lord, Agulos, Jiang Qi, and Star Mark held back while the battle unfolded.
• Heavenly Wing Demon Lord secretly watched a rear area where he believed Saine had hidden an elite Mechanical Civilization Legion.
• A tremendous explosion erupted at one of the rear coordinates, halting combatants and causing turbulence in Gear Time-Space’s Spatial Barrier.
• Heavenly Wing Demon Lord judged that the blast likely came from a Mechanical Civilization bomb or rule-based weapon, since it bore no Level-12 Being’s aura.

Saine’s two newly developed Level-12 law bombs devastated Evil Swamp Time-Space outposts and disrupted the battlefield as two Temple Lords prepared to intervene. The Mechanical Civilization raiding units escaped with minimal losses, while Agulos and Heavenly Wing Demon Lord each allowed the force retreating through their territory to pass.

• Saine’s two assault units detonated the law bombs Big Boy and Skinny One in Evil Swamp Time-Space, causing widespread destruction, though the second blast was weaker.
• Agulos learned that the destroyed bases belonged to two Temple Lords rather than his own forces and anticipated their response.
• Heavenly Wing Demon Lord let one Mechanical Civilization unit retreat through his guarded starfield without interference.
• Agulos’s legion likewise did not intercept the other retreating unit, and both forces returned toward Mechanical Civilization’s front with only one Level-10 Being seriously injured.

Saine’s forces drove back Evil Swamp Time-Space invaders in Gear Time-Space while the two Level-12 Temple Lords preparing to intervene were revealed to have withdrawn from their stalled invasion of Demon Cave Time-Space. The chapter ends with the Temple Lords turning their attention toward conquest and resources in Gear Time-Space.

• Saine led Gear Time-Space legions in a counteroffensive, targeting the positions of troops committed by two Evil Swamp Time-Space Level-12 Temple Lords.
• Heavenly Wing Demon Lord and Agulos offered limited aid to the collapsing Evil Swamp legions while maintaining their restrained stance.
• The chapter revealed that the two Temple Lords had delayed their arrival because they were settling affairs after their campaign in Demon Cave Time-Space.
• Evil Swamp Time-Space had destroyed three of Demon Cave Time-Space’s five superpower civilizations, but the remaining two continued to resist from defensible territory.
• The two Temple Lords withdrew from Demon Cave Time-Space because further conquest promised little profit and demanded costs none of the five invaders wanted to bear.
• They shifted their preparations toward the Gear Time-Space battlefield to seek new resources and targets for conquest.

Two Level-12 Temple Lords of Evil Swamp Time-Space arrived on the Gear Time-Space battlefield, where Saine assessed their powers and found that allies from the Destruction Divine Kingdom could not yet help. He unleashed another Level-12 Peak attack against Evil Swamp’s occupied territory, leaving the battle line in his hands as he waited for a future turning point.

• After learning that their outpost had been destroyed, the two Temple Lords abandoned preparations and teleported directly to the Gear Time-Space front lines.
• Saine identified the Level-12 Late-Stage Deep Blue Octopus as a master of fear and mental rules, whose aura disrupted even his intelligent robots.
• Saine determined that the tiny winged gecko was a Level-12 Early-Stage fighter with extreme passive evolution, defense, healing, and rule resistance.
• Saine considered Locke and Kakarot natural counters to the Temple Lords but recognized that Locke’s attempt to become a Level-13 Lord of Dimension prevented the Destruction Divine Kingdom from sending help soon.
• Saine powered up the God of Machines with the Star Ring Rail, Magic Cube, and Skynet, then fired a Level-12 Peak energy beam into Evil Swamp’s occupied region.

Mechanical God Emperor Saine struck the Blue-eyed Octopus and Gnome Lizard with his “Endless Light” energy torrent, then led Gear Time-Space’s forces into battle against the Evil Swamp invasion. The Blue-eyed Octopus countered with its Fear God Domain, but a Gear Time-Space strong practitioner attacked before Saine could respond.

• Saine used his “Endless Light” energy torrent to injure the Blue-eyed Octopus and Gnome Lizard as they arrived on the battlefield.
• Saine and the Gear Time-Space legions launched a full-scale assault while Heavenly Wing Demon Lord, Agulos, and their forces held position.
• The Blue-eyed Octopus and Gnome Lizard recovered from the blast and prepared a counterattack rather than retreating.
• The Blue-eyed Octopus unleashed soul-piercing Mental Shrieks and expanded its Fear God Domain, strengthening its own forces while amplifying fear among its enemies.
• A strong practitioner from the Gear Time-Space camp stepped forward and attacked the Fear God Domain before Saine could act.

Alarm Clock Girl and Thomas attacked Blue-eyed Octopus and Gnome Lizard as Gear Time-Space’s forces launched a broad counteroffensive. Saine watched the surrounding Level-12 invaders warily and sought reinforcements while preparing for the possibility that several of them would turn against him.

• Alarm Clock Girl’s ringing rules shattered much of Blue-eyed Octopus’s emotion-rule assault and weakened its attack.
• Thomas charged Gnome Lizard, while Alarm Clock Girl joined the fight against Blue-eyed Octopus, setting off a large-scale battle across several starfields.
• Saine held back after the Endless Light energy torrent, tracking Heavenly Wing Demon Lord, Agulos, Jiang Qi, and Star Mark as he assessed whether they would attack.
• Saine’s Star Ring Rail and Magic Cube gathered power as he prepared for a possible fight against multiple Level-12 opponents.
• Saine contacted Madam Befu through Skynet to seek help from the Destruction Divine Kingdom and the Eternal Day Time-Space Expeditionary Army.

Saine held the Gear Time-Space battlefield while waiting for allies, as the Evil Swamp Time-Space Level-12 practitioners unexpectedly refused to join the fight. With the war raging across several star regions, Saine chose to wait before summoning reinforcements.

• Saine considered asking the Heavenly Dragon Emperor and other allies for help, but they needed time to prepare for cross-dimensional reinforcement.
• The Heavenly Wing Demon Lord, Agulos, Jiang Qi, and Star Mark all stood by while Thomas attacked the Gnome Lizard and Blue-eyed Octopus.
• Madam Befu, the Light God Race, and the Heavenly Dragon Emperor told Saine they could provide support at any time.
• Saine weighed whether to summon the Sword Demon or Heavenly Dragon Emperor, then told his allies to wait a little longer.
• Mechanical Civilization and Gear Time-Space forces fought Evil Swamp invaders across four or five star regions.

The Darkness Demon Ancestor fought through the Evil Swamp Time-Space forces on the Gear Time-Space Battlefield, using the Burial Sky Blade and mobile tactics to overpower stronger enemies. His attacks helped the Evil Tide Civilization seize strategic ground, while its demonization of captured foes strengthened its forces.

• The Darkness Demon Ancestor cut through enemy lines and repeatedly clashed with Level-11 Strong Practitioners, empowered by his growing bond with the modified Burial Sky Blade.
• He shattered much of a ladybug-like Level-11 Being’s shell armor and fought the surrounding enemies with hit-and-run tactics rather than trading blows head-on.
• The Darkness Demon Ancestor’s assaults lifted the Evil Tide Civilization Legion’s morale, helping it capture advantageous positions across the battlefield.
• Evil Swamp Time-Space fighters wondered why Gear Time-Space’s defenders resembled Devil Race beings, while Alarm Clock Girl and Thomas kept the Blue-eyed Octopus and the Miniature Lizard occupied.
• The Evil Tide Civilization demonized captured Evil Swamp Time-Space beings, including Level-8 Dominator-level practitioners, and added them to its forces.

Saine held back from summoning outside reinforcements while the Gear Time-Space battlefield remained in a tense stalemate. After Star Mark finally attacked the Alarm Clock Girl, Saine intercepted her strike with the God of Machines and unleashed the power of his refined Sky Burning Staff.

• The Green Vine Civilization and Saine’s other subordinate civilizations supported the Mechanical Civilization’s forces with their respective strengths.
• Saine chose not to summon reinforcements, wary of provoking Evil Swamp Time-Space or destabilizing other dimensions, and considered drawing more powerful beings into his alliance.
• For several centuries, Agulos, Jiang Qi, and the other Evil Swamp Time-Space practitioners ignored pleas for aid and watched the battlefield.
• Star Mark broke the stalemate by sending a Star Ring Light Blade toward the Alarm Clock Girl.
• Saine blocked the attack with the God of Machines and manifested a giant Rule Phantom of the Sky Burning Staff.
• Saine unleashed a vast torrent of Flame Element power, and Star Mark’s expression changed at the strength he displayed.