Chapter Summaries

Ian developed Xiahui Territory after the mountainfolk rebellion, discovering that its farmland already belonged to the lord and that its mines held valuable deposits. As the territory’s first civil-service examination began, former manager Morda allowed his son Roland to take it and asked him to see what Ian would make of their hometown.

• Ian learned that Xiahui Territory’s farmers only held usage rights to land owned by the lord, so he abandoned his planned land reform and spent five thousand Taler on surveys and mining equipment.
• Survey teams found rich iron, copper, and tin deposits, along with Patterned Iron in the Gorge Mouth Mining District that indicated a rarer metal vein deeper inside.
• On December 1, the first Xiahui Territory tax officer examination began, and Roland prepared to take it despite his father Morda’s doubts.
• Morda, who feared seeing the old city transformed, asked Roland to observe what Ian would make of their home and report its future to him.

The author reviewed the Steel Lord volume, recapping Ian’s rise and the mysteries resolved while introducing the next volume, Beyond the Sea of Stars. The author announced a short break to recover before updates resumed next Monday.

• The author summarized Ian’s expansion from Xiahui Territory to control of the Southern Ridge and his emergence as the Dragon God's emissary and Steel Lord.
• Ian explored the Xenobiology Research Institute, completed Star God's Gift, and learned that the Cradle protected life while Terminus remained a threat.
• Ian defeated the Blazing Flame Lands’ demon army with a steel legion and orbital weapons, while Axel’s plans and the floating city stirred suspicion.
• Ian and Isengard traveled to the City of Knowledge, where the truth of Ian’s Guiding Star was revealed.
• The author announced that the next volume, Beyond the Sea of Stars, would begin updating next Monday after a recovery break.

Ian visited Marquis Barton before boarding the Siren, where he learned that the Spirit Cognition Institute planned to destroy Master Gravi’s research data and received the Second Prince’s findings on the Awak Domain inheritance. Once aboard, Ian found the ship already crowded with competing factions and dangers, leaving him unsure whether it would safely reach Canaanmore.

• Ian reported his plans to Marquis Barton, who warned him that the Spirit Cognition Institute intended to target Master Gravi and urged him to choose one political side.
• Marquis Barton told Ian that the First Prince and Second Prince were both interested in Gravi’s research data, while Ian agreed that serving the Empire would keep him from losing.
• Ian accepted the results of the Second Prince’s investigation into the Awak Domain, which revealed an Inyaga psychic inheritance related to Spirit Sparks and their derivative technologies.
• Marquis Barton explained that the Dragon-Worshiping Cult identity could help Ian avoid the infighting among Canaanmore’s official exploration team.
• Ian boarded the Siren and discovered assassins, an Imperial spy, a Magic Beast trap, Master Gravi’s secret, and a strange golden-glimmering package aboard the ship.

Redemptive Light and Radiant Sword led a personal aid team through the Avak Region, but an unnatural downpour interrupted their advance as a Fourth Energy Level presence descended. Ian and his companions witnessed Skyflood King Kaldo’s Aether True Form appear over the region.

• Redemptive Light and Radiant Sword led their team toward Hillwood City, fighting aberrant beasts, phantoms, and fungal corpses along the way.
• An unnatural living rain spread across the Awak Domain, and Radiant Sword urged his team onward to save survivors while Fourth Energy Level forces clashed.
• Ian sensed the rainclouds’ power as he left Azure City with Teres and the others, while Radiant Sword watched his group from afar and wondered what he would choose.
• The rain stopped and flowed upward into waterspouts, which gathered around a colossal serpent as Teres accused Grand Duke Solin of treason.
• Skyflood King Kaldo’s Aether True Form manifested above the region as the Rain Serpent God.

Hilliard confronted his former student Weges over the supposed treasure, and Weges admitted he intended to destroy the Empire and everyone he hated. Their battle began, with Hilliard holding off Weges as he declared that Weges’s dream could not change the world.

• Weges told Hilliard he wanted to become powerful, uncover the truth, overthrow the Empire, and destroy its schemes.
• Hilliard asked whether Weges would leave peacefully if given the treasure, then pointed out that Weges would instead kill him and those connected to him.
• Weges confessed that he hated Hilliard, the Emperor, the Empire, and the hidden forces behind it, and said he would destroy them all.
• Weges attacked Hilliard with the Bone-Rock Greatsword, but Hilliard repeatedly blocked and countered his strikes with Edgeless.
• As rain and thunder swept over Lake Forest, Hilliard told Weges that his dream was a tedious cycle that could not change the world.

Ian flew through the City of Knowledge, collecting technology and discovering Ice-Prison Floating Dust, a material tied to Frost Prison Calamity Ash and Spark technology. After Ian and Isengard continued their tour, a silver-mist figure appeared at the shop and reflected on how Frost Prison Calamity Ash had been used.

• Ian and Isengard rapidly visited the City of Knowledge's floating islands as Ian studied their structures and bought useful alchemical products.
• The Spire Lords discussed Ian's conspicuous tour and decided to let him continue because they believed he meant no harm.
• On the eightieth island, Ian found a silver-gold bottle of Ice-Prison Floating Dust in Imagination Shop and learned it was the foundation of Ice-Prison Spark technology and a prototype Cradle.
• Ian connected the material to Frost Prison Calamity Ash and wondered why Mist-Dust Tower possessed it, then left with Isengard to continue gathering technology.
• A silver-mist humanoid appeared in Imagination Shop and surmised that Ian was searching for clues to Frost Prison Calamity Ash, recalling that Inyaga had used its conversion method.

Hilliard discovered that Sighing Cliff’s growing labyrinth and surging numbers of Thunderhunter Jellyfish were tied to the increasing danger around Harrison Port. After Ian warned him that the city faced destruction, Hilliard began explaining the threat’s connection to the city’s founding and the former emperor Inaga II, known as the Black Tyrant.

• Hilliard inspected the lightning-struck metal framework at Sighing Cliff and concluded that a labyrinth was nearing completion.
• A vast swarm of Thunderhunter Jellyfish rose from the sea, and Hilliard retreated before it.
• Hilliard returned home and found Ian waiting, exhausted after sensing that Harrison Port faced a catastrophic danger.
• Hilliard explained that Ian’s precognitive spiritual energy might mean he already possessed a soul and could be suited to a prophetic inheritance.
• Hilliard began tracing the danger to Harrison Port’s founding and the secret support of former emperor Inaga II, whom Ian recognized as the Black Tyrant.

Viscount Grant announced that the Flying Flame Nations had opened a passage into the Central Empire, bringing war closer to Harrison Port. Ian suffered a terrifying vision of worldwide ruin and darkness, while Hilliard comforted him; the chapter ended with nations preparing for conflict and a star going dark unnoticed.

• Viscount Grant told Harrison Port that Imperial aid had arrived but would cease because the Flying Flame Nations had opened a route into the Empire’s western heartland.
• Ian discussed the coming war with Hilliard, who mourned the lives that would be lost.
• Ian’s Precognitive Vision overwhelmed him with images of a world consumed by war, black mist, and darkness.
• Hilliard took Ian home and comforted him, urging him not to accept the vision as an inevitable destiny.
• Across Terra, nations mobilized, built fortifications, and prepared for conflict as old borders and alliances changed.
• A star went dark above the High Heavens, unnoticed by everyone.

Ian discovered a powerful psychic imprint on Elan that appeared to eavesdrop when Elan made sounds, and decided to conceal his awareness and tell Hilliard. The chapter ended with the Black Armor knight listening from a deserted shore near Harrison Port.

• Ian used Precognitive Vision and saw dangerous scarlet mist and a violet handprint-shaped imprint above Elan.
• Ian concluded that a powerful stranger’s psychic ability was remotely eavesdropping on Elan and might be aimed at him or Hilliard.
• Ian decided to act like a normal family and tell Hilliard about the spying when he returned.
• Ian asked Elan what he wanted to eat, and Elan eagerly chose berry stew.
• The Black Armor knight sat on a coastal reef near Harrison Port and listened to sounds from all directions.

Ian and Viscount Grant finalized a broad cooperation agreement between Xiahui Territory and Harrison Port, while Xiahui’s recruitment drew workers and fighters toward the new territory. Ian reunited with his younger brother Elan and discovered that Elan’s rapidly awakening psychic talent was tied to a powerful crystalline lifeform.

• Residents of Harrison Port discussed Xiahui Territory’s recruitment, weighing its generous offers against the dangers of moving there.
• Ian and Viscount Grant agreed to share agricultural and armament technologies, establish workshops, train craftsmen, and expand trade between their territories.
• Viscount Grant left Ian to reunite with Elan, who had grown taller, spoken more smoothly, and reached the Tranquility stage of meditation.
• Ian examined Elan’s status and found that his psychic potential was awakening and connected to a powerful crystalline lifeform.

Ian considered why Inaga II had hurried to reshape the Empire and suspected the disappearing stars were an omen and a deadline. As the group prepared to leave the Ice Abyss, a tiny white fairy appeared in the blizzard and perched on Ian’s finger.

• Ian reflected on the challenges of governing a world where Sublimators held immense power and concluded that Terra needed its own political path.
• Ian realized that the stars were disappearing and suspected the abnormality had driven Inaga II’s urgency, prompting him to seek Pre-Epoch star charts.
• Ian left Master Gose’s cabin and joined the group as they salvaged supplies and selected which Alchemical Cannons to take.
• The wind and snow intensified, and Isengard came to the cabin to discuss the coming battle with Ian.
• Ian stared into the blizzard and reached out as a tiny white fairy appeared and settled on his finger.

Ian and Elder Manyan rallied the mountainfolk to build a lightning weapon atop the Holy Rust-Steel Mountain while the Blazing Flame Lands prepared to strike. The Construct Knights arrived as Ian’s tower stood nearly complete, setting the stage for its first battle.

• Ian rejected Elder Manyan’s plan to silence dissent and said he would answer the mountainfolk’s doubts with proof.
• Sheo offered to fight the Construct Knights, and Ian assigned her to scout their approach and help defend the line.
• Pala Xia learned that the Blazing Flame Lands’ operation in Southern Ridge had failed and ordered his minister to recover their losses or hurt the Empire in return.
• The King of the Desolate Sea concluded that newer True Dragons were choosing sides, and that the Mountain King had chosen the Empire.
• Ian used a prophecy and the victory over Kede to persuade the mountainfolk to build a Thunder-Calling Tower atop the Holy Rust-Steel Mountain.
• As clouds covered the sky, the magnetic storm coil tower neared completion and the Construct Knights approached through the mountains.

Ian and his companions escaped the giant eel while keeping the captured pirate Andor under control. After Isengard demonstrated the effects of his strange blood, Ian questioned him about the Ellen Family’s Light-Eater Dragon inheritance.

• Ian accelerated the armor and raced west toward the Thunder Vortex with the Ironclad Shark, while a giant eel pursued them.
• Andor awoke in the crowded cockpit and chose not to resist after Ian warned him to stay silent and answer questions.
• Isengard used his blood to inflict intense pain on Andor, proving that the blood could control an ascendant who had consumed it.
• Ian learned that Isengard had wanted to use a high-pressure water cannon to spray his blood at the living wooden ship and slow it down, but that the blood would make Isengard easy to track outside the armor.
• Ian asked Isengard to explain the abilities of the Ellen Family’s Light-Eater Dragon inheritance.

Ian explored Steel Dragon Nest, confirmed that True Dragons were Sparks, and pieced together their connection to the Creators, the Sky-Fall Starships, and Star-Prison. He returned to Xiahui Territory as the legitimate heir of Thorstner, while its people anticipated a new era for the domain.

• Ian entered Steel Dragon Nest, examined the Stenner Civilization Spark, and realized that True Dragons were themselves Sparks.
• Ian reasoned that the Creators and True Dragons had gathered more than a thousand civilization Sparks on Terra, and connected their history to Star-Prison and the Calamity of Falling Skies.
• Ian left the Spark in Steel Dragon Nest, then departed with Sheo and the Mountain King after the Mountain King invited him to complete his heirship procedures on Dragon Island.
• Roland watched the dragons fly toward Xiahui Territory and continued planning the Gorge Mouth Lands with the Dwarf senior apprentices.
• Scott and old Fal saw Ian return to Xiahui Territory, where old Fal hoped Ian might help uncover the truth behind the stars' disappearance.
• On Terra, Year 774, January 1st, Ian returned to his domain as its people looked toward a new chapter.

Ian gave Sha Sha the Thunder Caller Magic Potion, and the Ironclad Shark underwent a transformation that advanced it to the Second Energy Level. As Sha Sha became a Steel-Armored Shark, Ian also studied Crystal Island’s cultivation environment and considered the future of its Aether Crystal Dragon egg.

• Ian gave Sha Sha the Thunder Caller Magic Potion, and Sha Sha swallowed it before beginning its Origin Matter modification.
• Ian observed Sha Sha’s transformation and examined Crystal Lake’s varied psionic fields, which made the area an excellent place for cultivation.
• Ian inspected the dragon egg and concluded that the healthy egg could develop into an Aether Crystal Dragon, while Master Gose’s taking the two weaker eggs was for the best.
• Sha Sha’s dorsal fin developed a translucent crystal shell that released brilliant light, while electrical currents enhanced its movement and could paralyze enemies.
• Sha Sha advanced to the Second Energy Level and transformed from an Ironclad Shark into a Steel-Armored Shark.

Ian left town for Nauman City, reflecting on a prophecy that pushed him to keep moving despite his wish for a quieter life. As he entered the city, the Oak Master spotted him and approached, addressing him as a young fairy with possible shark ancestry.

• Mr. Silverfang told Ian that fear had kept him safe under Marquis Barton and agreed to escort him toward Nauman City the next afternoon.
• Ian declined an early departure, saying Marquis Barton was looking after him, then left town with Mr. Silverfang and a merchant caravan the following afternoon.
• On the journey, Ian considered the peaceful life he might have chosen but remembered his prophecy of a world swallowed by black death and a starless sky.
• Ian approached Nauman City and recognized the Oak Master, a Third Energy Level figure from Canaanmore, among a delegation leaving through the south gate.
• Ian tried to avoid the Oak Master by turning toward the west gate, but the Oak Master separated from his group and walked directly toward him.

Mahdi absorbed the Deep Abyss Iron Sword and other donated metals to rebuild his body, then used the Silver Chip to invade the Dark Gold Dragon’s neural network and confront the Final Echo. As the test space collapsed, the dragon killed Golan and everyone fell into other labyrinths in the Void Realm abyss.

• Mahdi drove the Deep Abyss Iron Sword into his chest and absorbed it, while Anfa, Ian, and the young elites gave him metal weapons, materials, and potions to help him recover.
• Mahdi formed his Deep Abyss Iron Core, reached Steel Pioneer 85%, and charged the Dark Gold Dragon at Fourth Energy Level speed.
• Mahdi attacked the dragon’s reverse scale and used the Silver Chip to connect to its neural network, confronting the Final Echo within it.
• Campani sent Golan to attack the Dark Gold Dragon, but Ian fired his modified charged rifle and interrupted her strike.
• The Dark Gold Dragon regained control, struck Golan with its tail, and shattered the Subspace Labyrinth with a roar.
• Mahdi, the Dark Gold Dragon, and the young elites fell into other labyrinths within the Void Realm abyss.

Ian and his companions arrived at the Half-Moon Lake ruins exploration camp and surveyed its powerful international expedition teams. When a young Demi-human fled after seeing Ian, the group realized they had underestimated how notorious his achievements had made him.

• Ian used his precognitive power to assess the camp and found most workers appeared safe from serious danger.
• Ian identified the expedition’s eight Fourth Energy Level powerhouses, including Yafda Silver Gate, Carlos Setar, Amoknosdir, and Afiboya, whose partner was a Silver Fairy.
• Ian reflected on the Empire’s strength and how the Dark Moon Turmoil had disrupted its chance to establish another stable Fifth Energy Level inheritance.
• A powerful Luper Demi-human named Sotuolun Su Yue stared at Ian, then backed away and fled without explaining himself.
• Anfa and Isengard suggested that Sotuolun knew about Ian’s feats, and the group realized they had treated Ian’s rare accomplishments as ordinary.

While gathering seafood, Ian realized his training had strengthened him enough to attempt the Breath Guidance Technique and perfect his Origin Seed. As he prepared to leave the shore, Precognitive Vision revealed Brin and three natives closing in, and Ian warned Brin just as one attacker lunged at him.

• Ian collected seafood and spotted a Tidal Fish King, learning that its brain marrow and bones could help someone advance to Wavebreaker.
• Ian sensed that his intense training had improved his physique enough to attempt the full Breath Guidance Technique and shape his Origin Seed.
• Ian climbed a coastal palm tree, then used Precognitive Vision to spot Brin hiding in the woods.
• Ian's vision revealed three natives approaching, so he shouted a warning to Brin.
• Brin turned toward the danger, and a native with a bloodstained blade lunged at him.

After four days of intensive lessons with Hilliard, Ian had learned much about Ascendants and the wider world while continuing his physical training along the coast. He used Precognitive Vision to spot a razor clam in the mudflats.

• Hilliard taught Ian lessons on Ascendants, history, geography, customs, etiquette, Magic Beasts, and cultivation.
• Ian eagerly absorbed Hilliard’s lessons and recognized how the knowledge could help him close the gap with nobles.
• Ian jogged along the coast for three hours while practicing the Breath Guidance Technique during exercise.
• Ian used Precognitive Vision to search the mudflats and spotted a razor clam.