Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Jingming reveals he has the Discarded Divine Artifact, My Nightmare, Your Dream, which reflects people's darkest desires.
• Zhen Xin, curious, is the first to look into the mirror and sees Wang Weijin's reflection, revealing he was present all along, hidden as "No One in Sight."
• Cheng Shi, furious at Wang Weijin's deception, is about to attack but stops when Wang Weijin offers him the results of his experiment.

Character Developments

• Li Jingming shows his strategic mind by using the mirror to bond the Jesters and reveal secrets.
• Zhen Xin displays curiosity and courage by being the first to look into the mirror.
• Wang Weijin demonstrates his cunning and adaptability by hiding and revealing himself at the right moment.
• Cheng Shi shows his impulsiveness and greed, wanting to attack Wang Weijin but stopping when tempted by the experiment results.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Trust: The Jesters' relationship is built on deception, but they must also trust each other to work together.
• Dark Desires: The mirror reflects everyone's darkest desires, revealing the truth about their inner selves.
• Experiment and Consequences: Wang Weijin's experiment has unintended consequences, highlighting the risks of tinkering with unknown powers.

Character Interactions

• Li Jingming and Zhen Xin share a moment of understanding as she admires his strategy.
• Cheng Shi and Wang Weijin's interaction is tense, with Cheng Shi wanting to attack but Wang Weijin remaining calm and composed.
• The Jesters collectively react to the mirror and Wang Weijin's revelation, showing a mix of surprise, curiosity, and anger.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Weijin (Doctor) arrives, having made copies of his experimental conclusions.
• The Nightmare Shadow, Wang Weijin's mirror image, appears and speaks like 0221, causing concern.
• Zhen Xin looks into the mirror, and her Nightmare Shadow, Zhen Yi, appears, reflecting Zhen Xin's destructive urge.
• Zhang Jizu looks into the mirror, and his Nightmare Shadow wants to bury everyone to increase the utilization rate.

Character Developments

• Wang Weijin shows social skills and human warmth, contrasting with his past rigidness.
• Zhen Xin's Nightmare Shadow reveals her destructive urge, similar to Zhen Yi.
• Zhang Jizu's Nightmare Shadow reflects his desire to bury everyone, emphasizing his ruthless nature.

Significant Themes

• Desire vs. Reality: The Nightmare Shadows reflect each character's hidden desires, contrasting with their real-world personas.
• Consequences of Obsession: Wang Weijin's past obsession with truth led to his current state, while Zhen Xin and Zhang Jizu's Nightmare Shadows reflect destructive urges.

Character Interactions

• Wang Weijin greets the Jesters warmly, showing his social skills.
• Cheng Shi comforts Wang Weijin about the Nightmare Shadow.
• Zhen Xin and her Nightmare Shadow (Zhen Yi) interact, revealing their shared destructive urge.
• Zhang Jizu's Nightmare Shadow threatens everyone, showing his ruthlessness.

Key Plot Points

• Zhang Jizu, the Chosen of Death, gathers jesters in a place filled with gods' tombstones, displaying his piety.
• Cheng Shi and others question Zhang Jizu's nightmare shadow about the Jester's identity and intentions.
• The nightmare shadows of Cheng Shi and Long Jing interact with the group, revealing their desires and secrets.
• Cheng Shi provokes the nightmare shadow of Long Jing, causing it to dissipate after hearing the word "Primal."

Character Developments

• Zhang Jizu: Stands by his extreme piety, willing to exchange personal lifespan for offerings to Death.
• Cheng Shi: Shows cunning and provokes the nightmare shadow of Long Jing to reveal information.
• Long Jing: His nightmare shadow displays greed and fear of "Primal," reflecting his inner fears.

Significant Themes

• Piety and its extremes: Zhang Jizu's unwavering devotion contrasts with Cheng Shi's understanding that extreme piety can be blasphemy.
• Fear and overcoming it: Long Jing's fear of "Primal" is reflected in his nightmare shadow, and Cheng Shi helps him overcome it.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Jizu and Cheng Shi: They question each other about their intentions and beliefs.
• Cheng Shi and Long Jing's nightmare shadow: Cheng Shi provokes Long Jing's nightmare shadow, causing it to reveal information and then dissipate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi's plan to use the mirror goes awry as an illusionary figure of Li Jingming emerges.
• Cheng Shi's illusionary figure, unlike others, appears resigned and unwilling to engage.
• Cheng Shi discovers a method to absorb the desires of his illusionary figure, causing his [Filth Fall] container to drip Divinity at a faster rate, but the Divinity is tainted.
• The Jesters discuss the fall of [Prosperity] and suspect that someone has already claimed its divine position.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Reveals more of his secrets and methods, but remains enigmatic and untrustworthy.
• Li Jingming: Shows concern for Cheng Shi's well-being but doesn't press him for information.
• Zhen Xin: Demonstrates understanding and empathy towards Cheng Shi's past.
• The Doctor: Shows analytical prowess by uncovering the potential theft of [Prosperity]'s divine position.

Significant Themes

• The nature of desires and how they can be manipulated or absorbed.
• The consequences of revealing one's true self versus maintaining a facade.
• The struggle for divine positions and the potential dangers of coveting them.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Li Jingming: Li Jingming shows concern for Cheng Shi, but Cheng Shi remains evasive.
• Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin: Zhen Xin shows understanding and empathy towards Cheng Shi.
• The Doctor and the Jesters: The Doctor shares his analysis, sparking discussion among the Jesters.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi leads the Jesters to a graveyard-like place, where Li Jingming reveals a secret entrance through a mirror using the prayer of [Memory].
• The Jesters enter the secret place, which turns out to be the [Memory]'s Archive, a museum-like domain of the Deity [Memory].
• Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin express regret at not being able to access or exploit the memories within.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Shows cunning and resourcefulness in diverting the Jesters' attention from Big Cat's secret. He also demonstrates knowledge of Hong Lin's secret.
• Zhen Xin: Reveals knowledge of Hong Lin's secret and expresses curiosity about obtaining memories from the archive, even suggesting destroying it for an identity like Foolish Play.
• Li Jingming: Shows devotion to [Memory] by leading the group into the archive. Attempts to access the memories but fails.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Truth: The Jesters' gathering revolves around [Deception], yet they are led to the truth of the [Memory]'s Archive.
• Power and Access: The power of [Memory] is required to access the memories in the archive, highlighting the theme of power and its limits.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin: They engage in a conversation where Zhen Xin hints at knowing Hong Lin's secret and expresses curiosity about the memories. Cheng Shi remains cautious and non-committal.
• Cheng Shi and Li Jingming: Cheng Shi teases Li Jingming about his devotion to [Memory] while they are in the archive.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Jesters discover a defaced painting in the repository of Memory, which turns out to be a "Mask" related to the sealing of Memory.
• Cheng Shi, through his Emissary Lips of Foolish Play, reveals that Foolish Play has three Mask fragments, with the eyes and nose still missing.
• The group discusses the possibility of using the Mask fragments to glimpse Memory's sealed secrets, but Cheng Shi refuses to demonstrate the Lips of Foolish Play in front of everyone.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: He struggles with the fusion of Lips of Foolish Play and his own identity, trying to keep it a secret while also attempting to find a way to use the Mask fragments.
• Zhen Xin: She becomes more curious about the connection between Memory and Foolish Play, and the potential implications for the God of Merriment.
• Li Jingming: He shows interest in the Mask's origin and potential use, but also understands the need for caution and discretion.

Significant Themes

• Secrecy and Deception: The chapter revolves around the secret of the Mask and the hidden memories of Memory, as well as the deceptive nature of the Jesters' interactions.
• Power and Control: The Mask fragments represent a potential source of power, and the characters grapple with who should control this power and to what end.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Lips of Foolish Play: Cheng Shi struggles with the Emissary's influence and its revelations, trying to maintain control over the situation.
• Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin: Their dynamic shifts as Zhen Xin becomes more suspicious of Cheng Shi's involvement with the Mask.
• The Jesters: The group works together to gather information and discuss potential plans, but also engage in subtle manipulations and deceptions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Jesters conclude their meeting after sharing truths, assigning tasks, and praying collectively.
• Cheng Shi is not assigned a task but is expected to share any new information about the God of Merriment.
• The Doctor asks Cheng Shi about Zainjil's whereabouts, expressing interest in reverse-engineering 0221's experiments.
• Cheng Shi returns to the Memory archive but is caught by [Memory] and encounters Zhen Xin and another mysterious figure.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Realizes the Doctor might have a second personality and plans to bring Hu Xuan along to meet Dolgo D. Gets caught sneaking into the Memory archive.
• The Doctor: Shows interest in Zainjil and expresses willingness to help Cheng Shi in exchange for access to Zainjil.
• Zhen Xin: Reappears in the Memory archive, surprised to see Cheng Shi, and encounters another mysterious figure.
• [Memory]: Catches Cheng Shi sneaking into the archive and is surprised to find Zhen Xin and another figure there.

Significant Themes

• Secrets and Truth: The Jesters understand the truth of the universe but keep it secret. The Doctor seeks truth through experimentation.
• Trust and Vigilance: Cheng Shi is vigilant about the Doctor's true intentions, while the Doctor trusts Cheng Shi to help him access Zainjil.
• Consequences of Actions: Cheng Shi's actions have consequences, as he gets caught by [Memory] after sneaking into the archive.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and the Doctor: The Doctor asks Cheng Shi about Zainjil, and Cheng Shi agrees to help but plans to bring Hu Xuan along.
• Cheng Shi, Zhen Xin, and [Memory]: Cheng Shi gets caught by [Memory] and encounters Zhen Xin in the archive, leading to a tense situation.
• Zhen Xin and the Mysterious Figure: Zhen Xin encounters another mysterious figure in the archive, leading to an unexpected interaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Long Jing, a Jester, convulses and collapses after being terrified by [Memory].
• Cheng Shi, another Jester, blames the God of Merriment for the situation to avoid [Memory]'s judgment.
• Cheng Shi fabricates a story to stall [Memory], revealing that [Deception] wants [Memory] to remember a forgotten memory.
• Zhen Xin and Cheng Shi escape together, meeting before the sealed painting of [Deception].
• [Existence] appears, warning [Deception] not to interfere in [Memory]'s archive.
• [Deception] retrieves a tiny skull from the void, which converses with it about the impending doom.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates his quick thinking and cunning, using his wit to try and save the situation.
• Zhen Xin shows intelligence and trust in Cheng Shi, understanding his plan and following his lead.
• [Deception] is revealed to be manipulating events, with a hidden agenda involving the destruction of the world.
• The tiny skull, a follower of [Death], shows loyalty and concern for its benefactor's actions.

Significant Themes

• Deception and truth: Cheng Shi uses deception to try and save the Jesters, while [Deception] manipulates events for its own purposes.
• The power of memory: [Memory] is shown to be forgetful, and memories can be hidden or revealed, influencing the course of events.
• The nature of reality: [Deception] suggests that the world is dull and that the true Predetermined would be more exciting.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin work together to escape from [Memory], demonstrating trust and understanding between them.
• [Deception] and [Existence] have a tense interaction, with [Existence] warning [Deception] not to interfere in [Memory]'s archive.
• [Deception] and the tiny skull have a conversation, revealing [Deception]'s hidden agenda and the tiny skull's concerns about its benefactor's actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi, Zhen Xin, and Long Jing discover a sealed memory painting in the archive, which reacts to Cheng Shi's Tongue of Lies.
• They realize that the painting might hold the key to Mouth Brother's purpose and the meaning of their existence.
• They decide to part ways to find the remaining Mask fragments, knowing that [Memory] won't be far behind once they gather the Mask.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Realizes that Mouth Brother doesn't know the meaning of its own existence and that the memory painting might hold the answer.
• Long Jing: Reflects on the Acrobat's gift, a ring that can take him to another world, but decides not to use it, choosing to face the world's despair directly.

Significant Themes

• Despair and Hope: The characters grapple with the despair of their world and the hope of finding a way to change it.
• Identity and Purpose: The Mouth Brothers' fragments search for the meaning of their existence, reflecting the characters' quest for identity and purpose.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi, Zhen Xin, and Long Jing: They work together to uncover the secrets of the memory painting, bickering and bantering along the way, but ultimately parting ways to continue their individual quests.
• Long Jing and the Acrobat: Long Jing reflects on the Acrobat's gift, understanding it as a way to escape despair, but ultimately choosing to face it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhen Xin, back from a meeting, finds An Mingyu waiting for her. Mingyu mistakes Zhen Xin for her sister, Zhen Yi, due to Zhen Xin's emotional state.
• Zhen Xin tasks Mingyu with cleaning up the conference room, revealing her manipulative nature.
• Zhen Xin later expresses frustration about being swindled during a deal.
• In the workshop, the remaining Doctor (Wang Weijin) interacts with another version of himself, discussing their shared past and future plans.
• Another character, likely the Jester, agrees to exchange memories with an unknown entity.

Character Developments

• Zhen Xin: Shows manipulative and competitive traits, hiding her true emotions. Struggles with her identity and the weight of her sister's memories.
• An Mingyu: Struggles with accepting Zhen Xin's true nature and finding her own identity.
• Wang Weijin (Doctor): Reveals his true motives and power, showing interest in fusing with other versions of himself to reach "Truth".
• The Jester: Shows curiosity and willingness to exchange memories, hinting at a deeper understanding of the situation.

Significant Themes

• Identity and self-discovery (Zhen Xin, An Mingyu, Wang Weijin)
• Manipulation and power dynamics (Zhen Xin, Wang Weijin)
• The pursuit of "Truth" (Wang Weijin, the Jester)
• The consequences of one's actions and the struggle to accept them (Wang Weijin, the Doctor in the cage)

Character Interactions

• Zhen Xin and An Mingyu: Their interaction highlights Zhen Xin's manipulation and Mingyu's struggle to accept Zhen Xin's true nature.
• Wang Weijin and the Doctor in the cage: Their conversation reveals their shared history and differing views on the pursuit of "Truth".
• The Jester and the unknown entity: Their exchange hints at a potential alliance or mutual understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Yang returns, having undergone significant personal growth and found his purpose.
• He thanks Cheng Shi for saving him and shares his newfound goal of "mending the world."
• Xie Yang gives Cheng Shi a manuscript from the 0221 experimental site as a token of gratitude.
• Xie Yang invites Cheng Shi to join an organization working to "mend the world," but Cheng Shi declines.

Character Developments

• Xie Yang: He has matured and found a new purpose, driven by his experiences and a desire to make amends for his past actions. He is determined to "mend the world" and pursue his new love interest, A Mian.
• Cheng Shi: He remains pragmatic and cautious, declining Xie Yang's invitation to join the organization. He is curious about the 0221 manuscript Xie Yang gave him.

Significant Themes

• Personal Growth: Xie Yang's transformation highlights the theme of personal growth and finding one's purpose.
• Redemption: Xie Yang seeks to make amends for his past actions, driving his desire to "mend the world."
• Pursuit of Love: Xie Yang's feelings for A Mian demonstrate the theme of love and its influence on one's actions.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Xie Yang: Their interaction reveals their differing perspectives and goals. While Xie Yang is driven by his newfound purpose, Cheng Shi remains cautious and pragmatic. Despite their differences, they share a bond of mutual respect and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Book of Stars, a manifestation of Truth, attracts a thief, later revealed to be [Deception].
• [Truth] seeks [Deception] to confirm if the Universe still possesses Truth.
• [Deception] avoids answering, instead challenging [Truth] to a trial.
• A Special Trial titled "Seek [Truth]" begins, involving Cheng Shi and other players.

Character Developments

• [Truth]: Seeks confirmation about the Universe's Truth, showing a willingness to undergo a trial to find answers.
• [Deception]: Taunts [Truth], avoids giving a direct answer, and challenges [Truth] to a trial.
• Cheng Shi: Encounters [Destiny] before entering the Special Trial, showing surprise and uncertainty.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of Truth and its nature.
• The relationship between [Truth] and [Deception], and their roles in the Universe.
• The concept of trials and experiments as a means to understand Truth.

Character Interactions

• [Truth] and [Deception]: Engage in a tense exchange, with [Truth] seeking confirmation and [Deception] avoiding direct answers, leading to a challenge.
• Cheng Shi and [Destiny]: Cheng Shi encounters [Destiny] before the trial, showing surprise and uncertainty about the encounter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi wakes up in a conference room filled with corpses, belonging to the Scholarly Council, during a [Truth] experiment.
• He finds himself facing Hu Xuan, an old friend, in a game round.
• They witness Galiusha, a madman, dropping a Scholar from a tower outside.
• The Players realize they're in the Tower of Reason, and the corpses are the Scholarly Council members who were supposed to die at Galiusha's hands.
• A burly Player, Wei Zhi, reveals he's the head of the Rationality Association and expresses interest in trading with Cheng Shi.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi shows caution and awareness of his situation upon waking up.
• Hu Xuan demonstrates her strategic thinking by climbing onto the table to draw attention to Cheng Shi.
• Wei Zhi exhibits his eccentricity, madness, and desire for [Truth], revealing his interest in trading with Cheng Shi for Zainjil.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of [Truth] and its consequences, as seen in Wei Zhi's obsession and the destruction of the Tower of Reason.
• The power dynamics and alliances among Players, as shown in Hu Xuan's support for Cheng Shi and Wei Zhi's interest in trading.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Hu Xuan share a tacit understanding and work together to improve Cheng Shi's standing.
• Wei Zhi interacts with Cheng Shi, expressing his admiration and desire to trade for Zainjil.
• The long-haired Player applauds Cheng Shi's response to Wei Zhi, showing approval of his character.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi meets Meng Youfang, a bard and the leader of the Worship God Society, who is also a Chosen of the Gods for Time.
• Meng Youfang is eccentric and believes he is a god, causing discomfort among the other trial participants.
• Cheng Shi subtly hints at his role in Meng Youfang's rise, but cannot reveal his identity as the Hour Hand.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates diplomacy and adaptability in handling Meng Youfang's eccentricity.
• Meng Youfang's obsession with his godly identity is further emphasized.
• Hu Xuan shows concern for Cheng Shi's well-being and tries to warn him about Meng Youfang.

Significant Themes

• The power struggle between Destiny and Time is hinted at, with Meng Youfang representing Time's influence.
• The importance of caution and careful speech in dealing with potentially dangerous individuals is shown through Cheng Shi's interactions with Meng Youfang.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Meng Youfang's initial interaction is tense but ends with an uneasy alliance due to Cheng Shi's careful words.
• Hu Xuan tries to subtly warn Cheng Shi about Meng Youfang's unpredictability.
• The other trial participants, Fang Yuan and the pale-skinned man, are introduced but not yet interacted with extensively.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A teammate, glowing white and slightly pale, accuses Meng Youfang of being delusional.
• Fang Yuan, the leader, tries to mediate and focuses on the impending threat of Galiusha and the Bellringer Knights.
• Cheng Shi suggests splitting up to improve investigation efficiency, and they agree to meet later at the ruins of Truth.
• A pale-skinned teammate reveals hostility towards Cheng Shi, accusing him of being associated with [Deception] and attacks him.

Character Developments

• Meng Youfang shows sharp wit and a mysterious connection to time.
• Cheng Shi takes the lead in managing the situation, demonstrating diplomatic skills.
• The pale-skinned teammate is revealed to be an assassin of [Memory] and acts impulsively.

Significant Themes

• Delusion vs. Reality: The title of the chapter and the pale-skinned teammate's accusations highlight the theme of distinguishing delusion from reality.
• Trust and Hostility: The tense interactions between teammates emphasize the importance of trust and the consequences of hostility.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and the Pale-Skinned Teammate: Their interaction reveals the pale-skinned teammate's hostility towards Cheng Shi, likely due to his association with [Deception].
• Cheng Shi and Hu Xuan: They work together and seem to have a good understanding, with Hu Xuan deferring to Cheng Shi's decisions.
• Meng Youfang's Intervention: Meng Youfang unexpectedly defends Cheng Shi, showing a hidden protective side.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Youfang, a Bard, summons Zhen Yi during a battle, shocking Cheng Shi and enraging an opponent.
• Cheng Shi and Hu Xuan leave the battle, planning to find the Scholarly Council for guidance in the chaos.
• Cheng Shi learns about Chen Yi's unusual infatuation with the deity Memory.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Shows curiosity and adaptability in chaotic situations, maintains a calm demeanor despite surprises.
• Meng Youfang: Demonstrates formidable combat skills through summoning, remains composed under pressure.
• Chen Yi: Revealed to be deeply infatuated with the deity Memory, leading to his aggressive behavior towards Deception believers.

Significant Themes

• Delusion and Reality: Characters like Meng Youfang and Chen Yi grapple with their delusions, affecting their actions and relationships.
• Power and Control: The struggle for power and control is evident in the city's chaos and the characters' interactions.
• Identity and Belonging: Characters question and explore their identities, both personal and in relation to their deities.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Hu Xuan: They work together, with Hu Xuan providing valuable information and Cheng Shi showing adaptability.
• Meng Youfang and Chen Yi: Their battle highlights their delusions and the intensity of their emotions.
• Cheng Shi and Chen Yi: Cheng Shi's curiosity about Chen Yi's past leads to a revealing conversation with Hu Xuan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Twilight Church, led by the Bellicose Knights, attacks the Tower of Reason, taking over Tusnat's defenses.
• Cheng Shi, impersonating Katarro, arrives at the battle scene and scolds a Bellringer Knight for causing unnecessary chaos, which could lead to the escape of the Scholarly Council.
• Cheng Shi reveals he has multiple containers (including Chaos) and can manifest them, shocking Hu Xuan.
• Hu Xuan realizes containers can be traded, and Cheng Shi hints that he's manipulating divine seats with this power.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi: Shows his strategic thinking and manipulation skills, using the chaos to his advantage and revealing his possession of multiple containers.
• Hu Xuan: Realizes the implications of containers being tradeable and Cheng Shi's involvement in divine seat manipulation.
• Bellringer Knight: Demonstrates piety but also ignorance, initially questioning Cheng Shi's authority but ultimately recognizing him as a high-ranking figure.

Significant Themes

• Chaos vs. Order: The Twilight Church's chaotic methods contrast with the Scholarly Council's order, reflecting the conflict between these two philosophies.
• Power and Manipulation: Cheng Shi's actions highlight his ability to manipulate situations and people to his advantage.
• Divine Intervention: The tradeability of containers and Cheng Shi's manipulation of divine seats suggest a higher power at play.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Hu Xuan: Their interaction reveals Hu Xuan's shock at Cheng Shi's possession of multiple containers and his manipulation of divine seats.
• Cheng Shi and the Bellringer Knight: Their interaction shows Cheng Shi's authority and the knight's piety, as well as the knight's eventual recognition of Cheng Shi's status.
• Cheng Shi and Katarro (implied): Cheng Shi's impersonation of Katarro suggests a potential conflict or lack thereof between the two, with Cheng Shi seemingly unconcerned about Katarro's reaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi leaves the alley, having contacted the Twilight Church but not wanting to wait for his "subordinates."
• He decides to find Pelaya's laboratory, where he believes there's a clue related to the trial.
• Cheng Shi and Hu Xuan encounter two scholars who direct them to Pelaya's laboratory.
• Upon arrival, they find the laboratory in disarray, with signs of intense conflict. Fang Yuan, who had just emerged from the Void, is also present.
• Fang Yuan reveals that the Desolate Walker and some scholars from the School of Existential Origins are missing.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates analytical skills and strategic thinking, growing as a Fate Weaver.
• Fang Yuan shows honesty and straightforwardness, revealing his findings without hesitation.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of Truth and its value in a chaotic world.
• The desperation of the Scholarly Council and their attempts to save Tusnat.
• The influence of Pelaya and the School of Existential Origins.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi and Hu Xuan work together, with Hu Xuan growing more admiring of Cheng Shi's abilities.
• Cheng Shi and Fang Yuan meet, with Cheng Shi offering a potential information exchange in the future.
• Cheng Shi and Fang Yuan share their findings, with Cheng Shi planning to ask the people in the laboratory for more information.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Shi interrogates the dead scholars using the Finger Bone Brooch, revealing that the Grand Scholars' plan was unknown to the attackers and that the leaders' identities are two unknown Grand Scholars.
• Cheng Shi, Square and Round, and Hu Xuan deduce that the Grand Scholars' fake deaths at the Truth Tower are a deliberate ploy to stall time and lure the enemy deeper.
• Meng Youfang returns, believing he has faced and held back the Desolate Walker, and shares his delusions about his divine nature with Cheng Shi.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates his intelligence and strategic thinking in analyzing the situation and deducing the Grand Scholars' plan.
• Meng Youfang's delusions about his divine identity and past become more pronounced, indicating a further detachment from reality.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Truth: The Grand Scholars' plan revolves around deception, while Cheng Shi uses deception to handle Meng Youfang's delusions. The theme of truth versus falsehood is prevalent.
• Intelligence and Cunning: The characters' intelligence and cunning are highlighted, with Cheng Shi, Square and Round, and even Meng Youfang (in his delusions) showcasing their strategic thinking.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi, Square and Round, and Hu Xuan work together to deduce the Grand Scholars' plan, displaying a productive team dynamic.
• Cheng Shi interacts with Meng Youfang, humoring his delusions and gaining his trust, showcasing Cheng Shi's patience and manipulation skills.
• The dynamic between Cheng Shi and Meng Youfang highlights the theme of deception, as Cheng Shi manipulates Meng Youfang's delusions for his own purposes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Youfang suggests summoning a Grand Scholar from the Scholarly Council to gain information about the [Truth] experiment.
• Cheng Shi chooses to summon Pelaya, a traitorous Grand Scholar who sided with Galiusha.
• Meng Youfang summons Pelaya, who agrees to help if it benefits her current self.

Character Developments

• Cheng Shi demonstrates strategic thinking and understanding of the Bard's talent.
• Meng Youfang shows pragmatism and willingness to admit ignorance.
• Pelaya reveals her disillusionment with the Tower of Reason and its leadership.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of truth and the consequences of its indifference.
• The power dynamics within the Scholarly Council and the kingdom.
• The potential of the [Truth Ritual] and its importance.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Shi, Meng Youfang, Square and Round, and Pelaya interact to gain information about the [Truth] experiment.
• Pelaya expresses her grievances about the Tower of Reason and its leadership to the players.