Chapter Summaries

Tao Yu returned to the Abyss after helping the Dicalon Family and other factions gain a foothold in the provincial capital while collecting Boundary Breaker Shadow Soldiers. He reunited with Sun Shiyu, learned that hidden enemies were still troubling the Sun Family, and agreed with her to blame them for earlier deaths.

• Tao Yu reviewed news of Inspector Tes's disappearance, the attack on the Assassin Alliance headquarters, and escalating conflict among the factions, then decided he had done enough in the provincial capital.
• Tao Yu told the Dicalon Family he was returning to the Abyss and took his collected Shadow Soldiers with him.
• Tao Yu returned to Sun Shiyu, who said the hidden enemies had launched coordinated operations but had not involved any Boundary Breakers.
• Tao Yu overpowered Sun Shiyu in their playful scuffle, and they reunited before Talia arrived.
• Sun Shiyu told Tao Yu that her uncle had failed to find a diviner skilled in concealment and interference, while hidden attackers had killed some Floating City's young elites.
• Tao Yu and Sun Shiyu agreed to blame the hidden enemies for earlier deaths.

Tao Yu and Sun Shiyu discussed the growing Alien threat in Rainforest 02 and agreed to help clear it out. Tao Yu left with Ai and Killer B, while Sun Shiyu and Talia prepared to handle other work and await Paul’s mother.

• Sun Shiyu praised Talia for guarding the room, then teased her about Tao Yu before Tao Yu redirected the conversation to their meeting with the Fourth Raikage.
• Sun Shiyu explained that their enemies had increased Alien attacks in Rainforest 02, where anti-divination measures and the vast terrain made them difficult to track and eliminate.
• Tao Yu offered to reduce the Alien numbers and considered turning captured Aliens into shadow creatures, while warning Sun Shiyu not to enter the dangerous world he had just visited.
• Sun Shiyu decided to join the cleanup effort and take Talia with her, while Tao Yu split off with Ai and Killer B for Rainforest 02 and the Cloud Village.
• Tao Yu told Ye Cang and Paul to keep the gathering operation running and have Paul’s mother bring training materials on Witchcraft and Word Spirits if she arrived before his return.

Tao Yu sent Fourth Raikage A and Killer B to help clear xenomorphs while he traveled through marked locations. A pioneer helicopter hunting xenomorphs was ambushed by arrows and crashed into the forest, leaving its crew surrounded by approaching creatures.

• Tao Yu learned that the Hidden Cloud Village had made a business deal with shadowy people who might be allied with Mordor.
• Tao Yu took A and Killer B to the Avatar world and ordered them to hunt xenomorphs and meet him at the Middle-earth boundary in five days.
• A pioneer crew flew into the forest to hunt xenomorphs, tracking them with biological radar.
• Archers hidden in the forest struck the helicopter's engine and rotor, forcing it to crash into the treetops.
• The crew escaped the helicopter, then heard their detector warn that xenomorphs were closing in.

Tao Yu’s Shadow Aliens rescued a human squad from an Alien attack, but he then discovered a forest and Na’vi village frozen by a Catastrophe-level powerhouse. He recognized one of the victims as Bell and began investigating the unexpected threat.

• A human squad was cornered by Aliens and Na’vi until Tao Yu’s Shadow Aliens attacked the creatures and drove them off.
• The squad identified Tao Yu flying overhead on the Alien Dragon, called for help, and set out to find the Na’vi.
• Tao Yu recalled excess Shadow Aliens into his Inherent Domain and reflected on the difficulty of finding the remaining Alien Queens.
• Tao Yu found a forest frozen solid, including a helicopter and its passengers, and recognized one victim as Bell.
• Tao Yu saw that a nearby Na’vi village had also been frozen and turned toward the boundary with Middle-earth before using his communicator.

After discovering an ice-type Catastrophe had frozen Na’vi and others, Tao Yu traveled with Ai and Killer B through the barrier into Middle-earth. He assessed the altered political and divine landscape, then chose not to approach Saruman yet.

• Tao Yu informed the Little Rich Lady about the frozen area, and she identified the Ony Family as a possible ice specialist while noting their alliance with the Sun Family.
• Tao Yu suspected the Na’vi had been deliberately targeted and considered using the conflict in Middle-earth to digest his Hunter Pathway potions.
• Tao Yu found Ai and Killer B, brought them through the world barrier, and heard that blue-skinned natives had attacked them for dealing with Alien Dragons.
• Ai explained the region’s ties to Edoras, Isengard, Rohan, and Gondor, including the Hidden Cloud Village’s alliance with Gondor.
• Tao Yu reasoned that the fall of Aman had disrupted Middle-earth’s timeline and changed the stakes for its Elves and powerful Maiar.
• Tao Yu decided against visiting Saruman immediately because he did not know how much power the White Wizard could unleash.

Tao Yu reviewed Middle-earth’s history and wondered whether the dead spirits could become a useful army before flying toward Gondor. He reached the White City, where its wary soldiers had prepared bows and ballistae against a possible Ringwraith attack.

• With Ai’s guidance, Tao Yu learned that Edoras lay near important regions but was surrounded by desolate land and scattered settlements.
• Tao Yu considered the origins of Elves, Men, and the dead spirits, and wondered whether he could command an army like the one King Elessar had summoned.
• As he flew toward Gondor, Tao Yu recalled Sauron’s Rings of Power, Númenor’s fall, and the history of the One Ring.
• Tao Yu reached Miras Tiris, Gondor’s White City, and noticed its soldiers standing on alert with bows and ballistae.
• Tao Yu suspected the soldiers were wary because Ringwraiths rode Fell Beasts and had once killed Gondor’s king.

Tao Yu brought A and Killer B to Cloud Village to secure an alliance and a fallback, but the Third Raikage attacked before negotiations began. After Medici stopped him and Tao Yu captured three hidden Senior Partners, the Third Raikage recognized the threat and began discussing Cloud Village’s terms.

• Tao Yu brought A and Killer B to Cloud Village and noted its defensible position and dependence on outside supplies.
• The Third Raikage charged at Tao Yu, but Medici caught his fist without moving.
• Tao Yu’s shadows captured three Senior Partners who had been following A and turned them into identical shadow figures.
• The Third Raikage realized Tao Yu could inflict devastating losses on Cloud Village and began explaining that the village was new to the Abyss and unfamiliar with alliance terms.

Tao Yu absorbed the Two-Tails, tested the destructive power of his fused Tailed Beast energy, and formalized an alliance between the Hidden Cloud Village and his Spice Collection Department. After learning that Elrond had summoned Gondor’s representative, Tao Yu decided the Hidden Cloud should attend the meeting, which might concern the Abyss upheaval or the One Ring.

• Tao Yu examined a faith-powered communication device and sensed that the Priest was hiding in a nearby world, but chose not to pursue him.
• The Third Raikage told Tao Yu that Miras Tiris had concerns about his arrival on a dragon, and Tao Yu asked him to clear up the misunderstanding before claiming the Two-Tails; the Third Raikage agreed, asking him to spare Yugito.
• Tao Yu absorbed the Two-Tails and fired a modified Tailed Beast Bomb into a rain cloud, impressing and alarming the Third Raikage, Fourth Ay, and Killer B.
• Tao Yu revised the alliance agreement so that the Spice Collection Department was named as his party to the deal.
• The Third Raikage reported that Elrond had summoned Gondor’s representative, and Tao Yu decided the Hidden Cloud Village should attend the meeting.

Boromir departed Gondor for Elrond’s council with the Third Raikage A, the Fourth Raikage A, Tao Yu, and the Alien Dragon. As they flew toward Rivendell, Tao Yu’s divination was disrupted, and he sensed a formidable presence in the Golden Wood.

• Denethor II saw Boromir off at Miras Tiris and agreed that the Third Raikage A could accompany him to Elrond’s council.
• The Third Raikage A introduced Tao Yu as a traveling wizard and explained that the Fourth Raikage A would join the journey.
• Boromir and Tao Yu rode the Alien Dragon across the Misty Mountains, and Boromir told Tao Yu that Gandalf had been researching Gondor’s royal records.
• Tao Yu tried divination but sensed interference that he suspected came from the One Ring or the Priest.
• Tao Yu sensed a powerful presence in the Golden Wood and identified it as the bearer of the Ring of Water.

Galadriel sensed a powerful presence heading toward Rivendell and decided to join the gathering there, while Celeborn secretly resolved to obtain the One Ring for himself. Tao Yu and Boromir arrived in Rivendell on the Alien Dragon, where Tao Yu recognized Saruman, Gandalf, and Elrond among those assembled.

• Galadriel sensed a powerful presence flying toward Rivendell and connected its arrival to the One Ring and the loss of contact with Aman.
• Galadriel set out for Rivendell, while Celeborn crushed a crystal and secretly vowed to claim the One Ring with Sauron's help.
• Tao Yu sensed hostility from the gathering below Rivendell, and Boromir blew the Horn of Gondor to reassure them.
• Tao Yu landed the Alien Dragon near the gathering and recognized Saruman, Gandalf, and Elrond.
• Tao Yu decided not to challenge Saruman and planned to attend the meeting while waiting for another chance to pursue the One Ring.

At a meeting in Rivendell, Tao Yu introduced himself as an envoy for the Pioneers and explained that other worlds were falling into the Abyss. Elrond then revealed that The One Ring had appeared again, leaving the gathered representatives focused on the ring.

• Elrond questioned Tao Yu about the Alien Dragon, and Saruman recognized it as a creature made through an ability involving the dead.
• Tao Yu learned that Saruman and other representatives had already encountered Pioneers, whose conduct had damaged their reputation.
• Tao Yu claimed he could speak for the Pioneers and distinguished himself from those with poor morals.
• Tao Yu explained that the Abyss could send other worlds into their world, citing Ai and Killer B as people from a fallen village.
• Elrond confirmed that their world had fallen into the Abyss and announced that The One Ring had appeared again.
• A Hobbit placed a smooth golden ring on the table, drawing the attention of everyone at the meeting.

At Rivendell, the gathered representatives argued over how to destroy the One Ring, and Galadriel briefly succumbed to its power before overcoming it. Tao Yu secretly appraised the Ring, put it on without losing control, and began considering how he might claim its power from Sauron.

• Tao Yu considered taking the One Ring and asked to touch it so he could appraise it, but Elrond warned that it corrupted the mind.
• Gimli struck the Ring with his axe, which shattered, and Elrond explained that it could only be destroyed in Mount Doom.
• The representatives argued over who should carry the Ring to Mount Doom until Galadriel arrived and quieted them.
• Galadriel took the Ring and transformed into a terrifying would-be queen, but resisted its influence and returned it to the table.
• While everyone watched Galadriel, Tao Yu put on the Ring, removed it without apparent difficulty, and learned that it contained the full power of a Maia.
• Tao Yu considered killing or sealing Sauron so he could assimilate him as a Shadow Soldier and gain access to the Ring's power.

After the Council agreed that the One Ring had to be destroyed, Frodo volunteered to carry it, and a Fellowship formed to escort him. Galadriel arranged to guide the group through the Misty Mountains while Saruman would take over afterward, as both wizards pursued their own plans for Sauron and the Ring.

• Elrond, Gandalf, and Saruman recognized that the Ring had influenced their earlier argument, and Frodo volunteered to carry it despite not knowing the way.
• Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Boromir offered to join Frodo, while Tao Yu proposed using his flying mount and bringing Ay and Killer Bee.
• Elrond warned that Tao Yu's mount might be corrupted by the Ring, and the group discussed the dangers of Orc armies as well as the Nazgûl.
• Tao Yu agreed to travel with the Fellowship and considered seeking a chance to fight the Balrog in the Misty Mountains.
• Saruman offered to join the Fellowship, hoping to stay near the Ring, and Galadriel also volunteered, making him wary.
• Galadriel arranged to escort the Fellowship through the Misty Mountains to Lothlórien, where Saruman would take over for the rest of the journey.

Tao Yu persuaded the Fellowship to cross the Misty Mountains through Moria, where Galadriel sensed danger but foresaw that they could overcome it. As they approached the passage, Tao Yu concluded that Galadriel—and Gandalf—were chosen by Middle-earth’s World Will to help resist the Abyss.

• Tao Yu proposed avoiding the mountain crossing, and Gimli suggested passing through Moria, where his uncle Balin might be.
• Galadriel agreed that the company could overcome the danger ahead, and Tao Yu invited her to discuss prophecy and Word Spirits.
• Tao Yu suspected that the world’s will had chosen Galadriel to resist the Abyss and explained how Chosen Ones could absorb wishes’ power.
• The Fellowship left Rivendell and traveled along the Misty Mountains, while Gandalf greeted Saruman’s spying crows.
• Tao Yu told Galadriel that she might be able to improve her abilities as a pioneer, and she sensed that something had changed since the Abyss appeared.
• Gandalf announced that Moria was just ahead, and Tao Yu concluded that Gandalf was also a Chosen One.

Tao Yu opened Moria’s gates and found the halls filled with the remains of Dwarves and Orcs, then defended the Fellowship from an Orc horde with grotesque, monstrous vines. The Orcs and trolls were slaughtered, leaving the group wary of Tao Yu’s power as they continued into Moria.

• Tao Yu blasted open Moria’s sealed gates, revealing the skeletons of Dwarves and Orcs scattered through the entrance hall.
• Gimli searched for his uncle Balin and drew an Orc horde out of the darkness, while Frodo’s glowing sword warned the group of their approach.
• Legolas shot down charging Orcs, but Tao Yu stepped forward and used Tree World Descent to unleash enormous, grotesque vines against the horde.
• Tao Yu’s vines crushed and tore apart the Orcs and trolls, horrifying most of the Fellowship as Ai and Killer B watched in shock.
• Galadriel defended Tao Yu’s actions, while Gandalf acknowledged his help but asked him to make less of a mess.

Tao Yu and the Fellowship crossed into Moria after he cleared the plaza, while the Ring tried to stir conflict among them. As a Balrog rushed toward them from the abyss, Tao Yu insisted on confronting it himself to claim its drops.

• Tao Yu absorbed the vines, corpses, and blood in the plaza, replenishing his energy and leaving the area unnervingly clean.
• Gimli thanked Tao Yu, and Gandalf reassured the group about Tao Yu's dark power before warning him to use it sparingly.
• Tao Yu noticed the Ring influencing the Fellowship and warned everyone to keep their distance from Frodo, helping Boromir resist its temptation.
• Gandalf illuminated Moria as the Fellowship crossed the vast underground city, and he warned them about a monster awakened by the miners' digging.
• A Balrog roared from the abyss and charged toward the Fellowship, so Tao Yu told the others to stand back and claimed the fight for himself.

Tao Yu confronted the Balrog alone after sensing interference with his divination and sending the Fellowship away. He used Language of Foulness to slow and weaken the Balrog, but as they fell into the mine, a hidden attacker launched a mental assault on him.

• Tao Yu sensed divination interference near the approaching Balrog, halted his plan to use Mirrored Space, and sent a shadow away with instructions.
• Tao Yu told Gandalf, Galadriel, and the others to leave, and Galadriel agreed after noticing something unusual.
• The Balrog attacked across the bridge, but Tao Yu used Language of Foulness to slow it, weaken it, and grab its flaming whip.
• Tao Yu and the Balrog fell into the mine as Tao Yu dodged its blows and cut into it with his Light Shadow Sword.
• The wounded Balrog broke free of Tao Yu's effects and swung its sword at him just as an unseen enemy launched a mental attack.

Tao Yu confronted Tinavis, a Terror Demon King allied with the Luck Stealer Alliance, after Tinavis attacked him and the Balrog in Moria. Tao Yu unleashed a devastating spear strike that pierced the mountain, while Gandalf and Galadriel watched from nearby.

• Tinavis emerged from the shadows after the Balrog appeared to kill Tao Yu, but Tao Yu returned and trapped Tinavis and the Balrog in his Inherent Domain.
• Tao Yu questioned Tinavis and learned that he was the Luck Stealer Alliance leader’s adjutant and that the Burning Legion had sent only a small force to invade nearby worlds.
• Tinavis and the Balrog broke free of Tao Yu’s questioning and fought back, but Tao Yu warned them that Gandalf and the Elven Lady were waiting outside the domain.
• Tao Yu weakened Tinavis with curses and attacks, then formed a spear and unleashed it as eight tails surged from the black mud to immobilize the demon.
• The spear’s black light pierced the Inherent Domain and blasted through the mountain above Moria as Gandalf and Galadriel watched the strike from beside the broken bridge.

Tao Yu tamed the Balrog and Terror Demon King, gaining a Balrog Heart and Fel Seed while drawing the World Will’s attention with a powerful strike. Elsewhere, Aceide headed toward an icebound forest, while Saruman sought Celeborn’s assistance in pursuing The One Ring.

• Tao Yu finished taming the Balrog and Terror Demon King, whose drops were the Balrog Heart and Fel Seed.
• Tao Yu released his Inherent Domain and worried that his strike through the mountainside had attracted the World Will’s attention.
• An elven lady warned Tao Yu against making such a commotion again, and he agreed to be more careful.
• Aceide dismissed Tinavis as dead, warned her collaborators not to deceive her, and led her followers toward an icebound forest filled with Giant Treant ice sculptures.
• Celeborn agreed to assist Saruman without sending his people into direct action, while Saruman resolved to pursue The One Ring and rule Middle-earth.

The Fellowship of the Ring reached Lothlórien, where Tao Yu sensed a trace of The One Ring’s aura around Celeborn and warned Saruman about the Burning Legion. After they set out again, Tao Yu used Dream Divination on Tinavis and learned more about the Legion’s invasion of another world.

• Celeborn welcomed the Fellowship of the Ring to Lothlórien, and Tao Yu sensed something about him that resembled Saruman and The One Ring.
• Tao Yu told Saruman that a Terror Demon King from the Burning Legion had fought the Balrog and warned that the Legion might threaten Middle-earth.
• Saruman urged the Fellowship to leave at once, and Celeborn joined them as an escort after Galadriel warned him of danger and a coming trial.
• The Fellowship briefly resupplied in Lothlórien and continued their journey, while Saruman and Celeborn kept their distance from Frodo.
• Tao Yu used Dream Divination on Tinavis and learned that General Zakka commanded the demon, whose forces were invading a technologically advanced neighboring world.