Chapter Summaries

Nalan Yuan tried to kill Zhang Guangmu with a grenade after learning his answer was wrong, but Zhao Zhengrong intercepted it and Nalan Yuan was erased. Tang Lanshan then died from poison left by Liu Xueyu, leaving her Academic Credit items to Zhang Guangmu and urging him to survive.

• The arena announced that A was correct, and Nalan Yuan realized he had answered incorrectly and would be erased.
• With seconds left, Nalan Yuan threw a Sweet Potato Grenade at Zhang Guangmu, but Zhao Zhengrong caught and hurled it back, wounding them both.
• Nalan Yuan was erased when the countdown reached zero, while Zhao Zhengrong explained that a temporary item had boosted his leg strength and said he did not blame Zhang Guangmu.
• Tang Lanshan stood between Zhang Guangmu and Zhao Zhengrong, then revealed that Liu Xueyu had poisoned her with a blade while she tried to protect Zhang Guangmu.
• Tang Lanshan gave Zhang Guangmu her Academic Credit items, told him to stay alive, and died in front of him.

With the final five survivors facing the Martial Combat Phase, Li Shisan tried to turn Zhao Zhengrong against Zhang Guangmu, but Zhang promised to resurrect Zhao’s wife and child, earning his trust. The battle royale began with Li Shisan, Li Fengling, and Xiao Jin Quan attacking Zhao Zhengrong and Zhang Guangmu together.

• Li Shisan urged Zhao Zhengrong to team up against Zhang Guangmu, while privately deciding both men had to die.
• Li Shisan provoked Zhao Zhengrong by blaming the Zhang family for his pregnant wife’s death, but Zhang Guangmu promised to bring Zhao’s wife and child back to life.
• Zhao Zhengrong believed Zhang Guangmu, and Li Shisan concluded that Zhang was a Reincarnator and accused him of controlling the Mysterious Assignment.
• Zhao Zhengrong rejected Li Shisan’s accusations and stood with Zhang Guangmu as the countdown ended and the Unlimited Battle Royale began.
• Li Shisan, Li Fengling, and Xiao Jin Quan agreed to attack before Zhang Guangmu could speak, then launched themselves at him and Zhao Zhengrong.

Li Shisan, Zhang Guangmu, and their companions fought a deadly battle in the Sports Field, with supernatural items and weapons deciding the outcome. Xiao Jin Quan, Li Fengling, and Zhao Zhengrong were eliminated, leaving Li Shisan and Zhang Guangmu as the final two competitors.

• Li Shisan ordered Xiao Jin Quan and Li Fengling to attack Zhao Zhengrong while he fired at him, and Zhang Guangmu advanced under Zhao's protection.
• Li Shisan realized Zhao Zhengrong's chocolate-like defensive item was weakening and urged his companions to keep attacking, while Zhang Guangmu aimed at Li Fengling.
• Xiao Jin Quan's crossbow bolt broke Zhao Zhengrong's defense and wounded him, but Zhao struck Xiao Jin Quan and left him incapacitated.
• Zhang Guangmu shot Li Fengling, who landed a poisoned dart in Zhao Zhengrong's arm and killed him; the exchange eliminated Li Fengling and Xiao Jin Quan as well.
• Li Shisan shot Li Fengling and Xiao Jin Quan to prevent them from surviving, then shot Zhao Zhengrong in the head as Zhang Guangmu hurried to his side.

Director Cao Guan ordered the film crew to prepare False Memories and Script Hints in case Zhang Guangmu won the Mysterious Assignment. At the Outdoor Sports Hall, Zhang Guangmu and Li Shisan began their final fight, and Zhang Guangmu overwhelmed Li Shisan in hand-to-hand combat.

• Cao Guan accepted responsibility for the film’s setup and told the crew to prepare a coherent story in case Zhang Guangmu won.
• Li Shisan taunted Zhang Guangmu about the dead competitors and revealed his ammunition, defenses, and suspicion that Zhang Guangmu was a Reincarnator.
• Zhang Guangmu shot Li Shisan through his defenses, while Li Shisan deduced that Tang Lanshan had supplied Zhang Guangmu with bullets.
• Li Shisan activated a Crimson Lotus Capsule that prevented weapon use, then challenged Zhang Guangmu to fight hand-to-hand.
• Zhang Guangmu effortlessly deflected Li Shisan’s punch and launched a palm strike that left Li Shisan certain he was about to die.

Zhang Guangmu killed Li Shisan despite the Reincarnator’s powerful Items, leaving Zhang Guangmu as the sole survivor in the Mysterious Assignment world. The golden Mysterious Assignment Book then descended into his hands.

• Li Shisan used a Revival Pill to recover from Zhang Guangmu’s first palm strike and keep fighting for ten minutes at the cost of his life.
• Li Shisan activated a Synchronization Lens to copy Zhang Guangmu’s physical condition, but the resulting pain and weakness left him unable to defend himself.
• Zhang Guangmu killed Li Shisan with a palm strike that snapped his neck, then dismissed him as weaker than expected.
• The White Ball audience celebrated Zhang Guangmu’s victory and debated the strange events in the Mysterious Assignment.
• The golden Mysterious Assignment Book fell from the sky and landed in Zhang Guangmu’s hands.

Zhang Guangmu chose to reopen the Mysterious Assignment rather than leave Crimson Lotus High School, and time reversed to the start of the challenge. As filming reached its final scene, he gained an Ability Point and prepared to perform the past of Honglian Guangmu.

• Zhang Guangmu recognized Cao Guan’s Script Hints as an attempt to portray him as a Reincarnator and considered the two choices in the Mysterious Assignment.
• Zhang Guangmu chose the Second Path, promising to save every tragedy, and activated the time reversal that returned him to Class 2, Grade 3 at Crimson Lotus Academy.
• Zhang Guangmu sensed that the Book of Acting had credited him an Ability Point and discovered it had recreated his encounter with Li Shisan as the Crimson Lotus Insight Diagram.
• Zhang Guangmu received one Usable Ability Point as Mysterious Assignment entered its final scene, and he planned how to perform Honglian Guangmu’s past in his Solo Act.

Zhang Guangmu revealed that he had experienced twenty-five loops and used Acting Skill 3 to deliver a silent performance that convinced most viewers of his skill. Director Cao Guan explained that Zhang Guangmu had chosen a third path: refusing to become the owner of the Mysterious Assignment Book so he could keep looping and search for a way to change the tragic ending; the world then froze as Zhang Guangmu’s inner voice appeared.

• Zhang Guangmu raised his Acting Skill to 3 and discovered he could enter and leave character while controlling his body with greater ease.
• Zhang Guangmu announced that he had gone through twenty-five loops, shocking the audience and provoking a fierce debate over the reveal.
• Zhang Guangmu performed silently in the classroom, shifting public opinion as most viewers praised his presence and acting.
• Zhang Guangmu recited the names of the victims without malice, and Director Cao Guan claimed their past-loop bonds explained his warmth toward them.
• Cao Guan said Zhang Guangmu had refused to become the Mysterious Assignment Book’s owner so he could continue looping and seek a way out of the doomed ending.
• Zhang Guangmu declared that he had found a way to break the deadlock, and the world of Mysterious Assignment froze as his inner voice appeared.

Zhang Guangmu’s 25th loop revealed how he had prepared to escape the Mysterious Assignment’s time cycle, and he awoke in the Real World after the film’s successful subconscious evaluation. Promoted to a two-star Subconscious Actor and paid for his work, he left his Infiltration Pod only to be pinned down by a powerful, familiar person.

• Zhang Guangmu endured repeated loops, accumulated knowledge and strength, and refused to become master of the Mysterious Assignment Book because doing so would erase the dead and his debts to them.
• By the 24th loop, Zhang Guangmu had prepared items and chosen Li as a false Reincarnator to help him challenge the Mysterious Assignment’s underlying rules.
• In the 25th loop, Zhang Guangmu found a way to break free, and the Mysterious Assignment film ended with his subconscious evaluations rated Excellent overall.
• Zhang Guangmu awakened in the Real World, read viewers’ enthusiastic reactions, and welcomed the nickname Crimson Lotus Lord.
• The Empire promoted Zhang Guangmu to a two-star Subconscious Actor and transferred 200 Dragon Shields into his account.
• As Zhang Guangmu left the Infiltration Pod, a powerful person pressed a scorching hand onto his head and told him his performance had been pretty good.

After the filming of “Mysterious Assignment” ended, Zhang Guangmu received praise and attention from the cast while reflecting on the film’s success and his own performance. Li Fengling approached him at the end and asked to join his team.

• Zhang Guangmu praised Zhao Zhengrong’s performance, and Zhao Zhengrong advised him to make more friends before leaving.
• Cao Guan celebrated the success of “Mysterious Assignment” and promised to speak with Zhang Guangmu after handling the aftermath.
• Nalan Yuan apologized for wanting Zhang Guangmu buried with him and left when Xiao Jin Quan and Li Fengling arrived.
• Xiao Jin Quan gave Zhang Guangmu his contact information and said he planned to rest and see a therapist.
• Li Fengling warned Zhang Guangmu about Xiao Jin Quan, then asked to join his team.

Zhang Guangmu refused Li Fengling's attempt to join the Endless Food Bucket Group, then watched Director Cao Guan get arrested shortly after joining it. Liu Xueyu assessed Zhang Guangmu's growing team and warned that it was too inexperienced to prepare for The Path of the Great Emperor.

• Li Fengling tried to persuade Zhang Guangmu to recruit her, but she left after he refused and gave Li Shisan her business card.
• Cao Guan celebrated the success of "Mysterious Assignment," encouraged Zhang Guangmu to pursue the Seven Stars Club, and joined the Endless Food Bucket Group.
• Empire Order Maintainers arrested Cao Guan, who promised to write Zhang Guangmu a role after prison and changed his group signature to "Longchang Enlightenment, Unity of Knowledge and Action."
• Liu Xueyu teased Zhang Guangmu about shooting her and Li Fengling, then said he was building an elite team with Zhao Zhengrong, Tang Lanshan, and Luo Zhuan.
• Liu Xueyu warned Zhang Guangmu that his team was too inexperienced to prepare for The Path of the Great Emperor.

Zhang Guangmu recruited Tang Lanshan and Luo Zhuan to his group, then met Li Shisan, who revealed that he was the Thirteenth Prince of the Xuanlong Empire. Li Shisan urged Zhang Guangmu to join him as his First Mate, but Zhang Guangmu remained unconvinced as the chapter ended.

• Liu Xueyu praised Zhang Guangmu's potential and compared him with the leading newcomers, while Zhang Guangmu ignored her advances.
• Zhang Guangmu invited Tang Lanshan and Luo Zhuan to join the Endless Food Bucket Group, then hurried to meet Li Shisan.
• Li Shisan discussed his role in Mysterious Assignment and tried to give Zhang Guangmu his evaluation, but Zhang Guangmu rejected it.
• Li Shisan revealed that he was the Thirteenth Prince of the Xuanlong Empire and explained that The Path of the Great Emperor tested the imperial family's children.
• Li Shisan offered Zhang Guangmu the position of First Mate and promised him enormous future returns.

Zhang Guangmu rejected Li Shisan’s recruitment offer and defended Li Xiaoxiao, while Li Shisan later returned humbled after being disciplined by his uncle. Zhang Guangmu went home with a free housing upgrade for two-star Subconscious Actors and called for Mooncake to move with him.

• Li Shisan proposed recruiting Zhang Guangmu and evaluated which members of the Endless Food Bucket Group should be kept or removed, but Zhang Guangmu refused to join his faction.
• Zhang Guangmu told Li Shisan that Li Xiaoxiao was stronger than him with a sword, prompting Li Shisan to leave in anger.
• After Luo Zhuan approached and then fled from Zhang Guangmu, Zhang Guangmu bought cat food and encountered Li Shisan again with a fresh palm print on his face.
• Li Shisan apologized for his arrogance, accepted that Li Xiaoxiao was a Sword Dao genius, and vowed to prove himself in The Path of the Great Emperor.
• Zhang Guangmu returned home and announced that his two-star status entitled him to a free pine cabin with an attached bathroom, calling Mooncake to prepare for the move.

Zhang Guangmu moved into his new pinewood home with Mooncake, enjoyed the neighbors’ help and praise for his acting, and welcomed two newcomers to the group chat. He teased Li Xiaoxiao about Li Shisan claiming to be the Imperial Prince, ending with a boast that he could become a Buddha or immortal and conquer the heavens.

• Zhang Guangmu followed his bracelet’s navigation to the Empire’s new home while carrying Mooncake, and the neighbors recognized him as a two-star Subconscious Actor.
• Zhang Guangmu and Mooncake verified their household identities, and the neighbors helped move his belongings into the pinewood house.
• Zhang Guangmu ate takeout while reading praise for Mysterious Assignment, then Mooncake helped him recover after he choked on spicy food.
• Zhang Guangmu welcomed Tang and Luo Zhuan to the group chat and joked with Li Xiaoxiao about the group’s unhappy members.
• Zhang Guangmu told Li Xiaoxiao that Li Shisan had claimed to be the Imperial Prince, then joked that he could become a Buddha or immortal and conquer the heavens.

Li Xiaoxiao wrestled with whether to reveal his identity while Zhang Guangmu welcomed new group members and reacted to the Seven Stars evaluation list. After Wang Shangqing took the final position ahead of him, Zhang Guangmu’s friends rallied behind him, and Wang Shangqing publicly challenged him.

• Li Xiaoxiao decided to keep his identity as an Imperial Prince secret so the Endless Food Bucket Group’s atmosphere would not change.
• Tang Lanshan introduced herself, and Luo Zhuan joined the group conversation and shared a link to the Seven Stars evaluation list.
• Zhang Guangmu saw that he had briefly ranked seventh, then watched Wang Shangqing replace him in the final position.
• Zhang Guangmu posted a complaint about Wang Shangqing using an alternate account, but the Artificial Intelligence deleted it, and Li Xiaoxiao teased him in private.
• Zhang Guangmu appealed for votes from his main account as Zhao Zhengrong, Li Xiaoxiao, Chu Fan, Tang Lanshan, and Luo Zhuan promoted him.
• Wang Shangqing challenged Zhang Guangmu, asking whether he even qualified to compete with him.

Zhang Guangmu and Wang Shangqing battled for the final place on the Seven Stars list as their allies and fans rallied support. At New Year, the Empire’s judges chose Zhang Guangmu, who secured seventh place.

• Wang Shangqing dismissed Zhang Guangmu and rallied supporters, while Zhao Zhengrong and Li Xiaoxiao publicly backed Zhang Guangmu.
• Chu Fan, Luo Zhuan, and Tang Lanshan supported Zhang Guangmu, and Tang Lanshan’s meme of him spread widely among voters.
• Zhang Guangmu overtook Wang Shangqing in popularity, despite Wang Shangqing’s attempts to counter the surge and his warning that popularity did not determine the final result.
• The Empire’s decision-makers chose Zhang Guangmu for the final Seven Stars place, and the New Year list confirmed him in seventh position.

After Zhang Guangmu broke the Seven Stars record with only three productions, he discovered that Mysterious Assignment had been added to Imperial Duel as a Crimson Territory mode. The Book of Acting then created a new iconic scene based on his Crimson Lotus Overlord role and granted him a usable ability point.

• Zhang Guangmu celebrated entering the Seven Stars with the Endless Food Bucket Group, whose members congratulated him for breaking the record.
• Wang Shangqing messaged Zhang Guangmu about their future duel and revealed that Mysterious Assignment had been adapted into a game.
• Zhang Guangmu opened Imperial Duel and found the new Crimson Territory mode featuring characters and scenes from Mysterious Assignment.
• Zhang Guangmu inspected his Book of Acting and saw a Crimson Territory Map depicting him above Crimson Lotus Academy as the Crimson Lotus Overlord.
• The Book of Acting added the iconic scene to its pages and produced a new usable ability point.

Zhang Guangmu improved his Imperial Body Forging Technique and declined a poorly written script before accepting a role in Armored Age: Cold Light. He secured permission to bring the Endless Food Bucket Group into the film and invited them to join him.

• Zhang Guangmu raised Imperial Body Forging Technique to level 4, gaining strength and a dramatically improved ability to detoxify his body.
• Zhang Guangmu rejected an invitation to act in The God of the 21st Century after judging its script and plot dangerously flawed.
• Zhang Guangmu received payment for Mysterious Assignment and turned down most of the other scripts sent by inexperienced or unsuccessful directors.
• Zhang Guangmu accepted an important supporting role in Director Zhou's Armored Age: Cold Light despite its tragic ending.
• Zhang Guangmu asked Director Zhou to let his companions join the film, and Director Zhou agreed.
• Zhang Guangmu messaged the Endless Food Bucket Group to announce the film and invite them to join him.

Zhang Guangmu gathered Luo Zhuan as his partner for the filming of Armored Age: Cold Light after several group members declined, and the two arrived at the set. Zhang Guangmu entered the Film World and found himself undergoing the final stage of training to become a Cold Light Armored Master.

• Chu Fan, Li Xiaoxiao, Zhao Zhengrong, and Tang Lanshan each told Zhang Guangmu they could not join him for the film.
• Luo Zhuan accepted Zhang Guangmu's invitation and trained to improve his reconnaissance skills before they traveled to the filming site together.
• Director Zhou warmly welcomed Zhang Guangmu and Luo Zhuan, while Luo Zhuan sensed something unsettling about the director.
• Zhang Guangmu and Luo Zhuan had morning tea with other actors, then entered their Infiltration Pods ahead of schedule.
• Zhang Guangmu awoke submerged in a tank, where others urged him to endure the final step toward becoming a Cold Light Armored Master.

Zhang Guangmu endured the agonizing Cold Light fusion trial while Wang Shangqing tried to provoke him into quitting. As the two rivals resolved to settle their competition by killing monsters, an explosion interrupted the trial.

• Zhang Guangmu endured the irritating red liquid and then the molten substance flowing into his spine during the final armorer trial.
• Zhang Guangmu saw many reserve armorers give up and be carried away, while he maintained his composure through the pain.
• Wang Shangqing, suffering nearly as much as Zhang Guangmu, taunted him and urged him to quit.
• Zhang Guangmu dismissed Wang Shangqing's competitive streak and said he should focus on killing monsters.
• Wang Shangqing challenged Zhang Guangmu not to become a coward and decided they would settle their rivalry on the battlefield.
• An explosive sound rang out, followed by someone shouting, "Die! All of you, just die!"

Nalan Yuan rampaged through the training camp, killing a reserve armored master before targeting Wang Shangqing and Zhang Guangmu. Zhang Guangmu completed his fusion, killed Nalan Yuan instantly, and named his newly awakened symbiotic core armor White Moon.

• Nalan Yuan killed a young man emerging from a synthesis chamber and advanced toward Wang Shangqing, who was still weakened by the fusion process.
• Wang Shangqing regained his strength and challenged Nalan Yuan, but Nalan Yuan ignored him and charged at Zhang Guangmu instead.
• Zhang Guangmu escaped Nalan Yuan's axe as his synthesis chamber broke, then killed him with a single strike from his newly formed armor.
• Zhang Guangmu discovered that the living life-metal glove shared a powerful Tacit Understanding with him and named it White Moon.