Chapter Summaries

Qin Shi learned that Cheng Yun’s shipment of tagged drugs and Qin Lihao’s private goods had burned at Jiu Song Port, while Qin Lihao hired assassins to find the culprit. Old Shen accepted a separate contract tied to the fire, then Cheng Ze revealed he had started it and urged Old Shen to flee Hengzhou that night.

• Chen Yun explained that the Qin family had kept the fire and kidnapping quiet, and that the burned shipment included drugs seized by the Inspection Department.
• Chen Yun agreed to inspect Jiu Song Port, and Qin Shi and Lin Yunqing persuaded her to take them along.
• Qin Lihao blamed Luo Ji for the destruction of his goods and ordered A He to recruit a hitman and a gunslinger.
• Old Shen accepted an 800,000 reward contract related to the Jiu Song Port fire and agreed to discuss it with his partner after their deal the next day.
• Cheng Ze called Old Shen and admitted that he had set fire to Qin Lihao’s warehouse, urging him to cancel the deal and leave Hengzhou that night.

Qin Shi accompanied Chen Yun and Lin Yunqing to Jiú Sōng Port, where Chen Yun investigated a fire and approved using a mechanical hound to track the suspect. When the hound activated, it triggered a terrifying reaction in the port, and Qin Shi rushed in to kick it as the Monument Panel activated the Electronic Mind achievement.

• Chen Yun drove Qin Shi and Lin Yunqing toward Old Factory Street while Qin Shi sensed an approaching danger but decided not to turn back.
• At Jiú Sōng Port, Chen Yun learned that a male suspect had broken into Qin Lihao's warehouse, taken items, and set the building on fire.
• Chen Yun approved deploying a mechanical hound, and a close-cropped young man from the Mechanical Branch activated it using his Life Force.
• The hound's eyes turned red as the surrounding darkness surged, its metal body corroded, and the young man collapsed after glimpsing something horrifying.
• Qin Shi sprang forward and kicked the hound, and the Monument Panel activated the Basic Achievement Electronic Mind.

Qin Shi destroyed an infected mechanical dog at Jiú Sōng Port, and Chen Yun sealed the port while Lin Yunqing suspected an Esoteric Cult ritual had spread the infection. Lin Yunqing then explained humanity’s ancient expansion across the galaxy and the Star Gods called Abominations, leaving their history unfinished.

• Qin Shi crushed the mechanical dog, breaking its electronic blockade and freeing the convulsing young man.
• Chen Yun sealed Jiú Sōng Port, ordered electronic devices restricted, and took the Yuhai Construction employees into custody.
• Lin Yunqing examined the infected dog and concluded that blood had likely carried an Esoteric Cult ritual infection from a possessed host.
• Qin Shi recalled seeing the darkness cling to the port and suggested blood might be its source.
• Lin Yunqing told Qin Shi that ancient humanity had once ruled across the galaxy before encountering the Star Gods, known as Abominations.

Lin Yunqing explained the history of the Star Gods, the Gear Emperor, and the Electronic Demons, revealing why Hengzhou’s technology was deliberately restricted. As Chen Yun considered imposing martial law and requesting a strike, Qin Shi said he could track the Electronic Demon’s carrier.

• Lin Yunqing recounted how humanity fought the Star Gods and the machines, then explained that the Dongxia Republic contained Star Gods by sealing them in planetary cores.
• Lin Yunqing revealed that Hengzhou’s infant Star God, Taotie, devoured energy and power, so advanced technology and energy use were forbidden there.
• Lin Yunqing explained that Electronic Demons were Star God servants that could infect electronics and make equipment attack living beings.
• Chen Yun said the authorities might impose martial law on Dangyang Eastern Suburbs and request a strike if the situation worsened, while insisting they had to find the source.
• Qin Shi told Chen Yun that he thought he could track the carrier’s route.

Qin Shi used his Predator skill to track Cheng Ze, who was carrying the Electronic Demon and undergoing Rustification. As Qin Shi and Chen Yun raced to reach him, Cheng Ze encountered Qin Lihao and revealed his new power by taking control of the off-road vehicle.

• Qin Shi marked the blood sample with Predator and sensed that Cheng Ze was the infected host, then began foraging and followed a crimson trail toward the industrial zone.
• Chen Yun took Qin Shi in her vehicle and explained that Rustification transformed infected flesh into metal and was difficult to cure.
• Qin Shi told Chen Yun that the target was his acquaintance Cheng Ze, and she warned she would kill him if necessary.
• Cheng Ze's body began turning metallic as his eye displayed that his ascension was in progress.
• Qin Lihao cornered Cheng Ze in an alley and demanded to know where Ajie was.
• Cheng Ze commanded Qin Lihao to obey, and the off-road vehicle erupted in black flames as its headlights became crimson eyes.

Cheng Ze unleashed the Electronic Demon in Old Factory Street, turning vehicles and household devices into weapons while the Inspection Department prepared for a possible Red Alert Protocol. Chen Yun and Qin Shi headed to the 402 Military Factory to confront him, while Chen Ruofu mobilized forces and ordered Old Shen and Xu Yang detained.

• Cheng Ze revealed that he had taken the textbook’s circuit-board container, transformed Qin Lihao’s off-road vehicle into a metal monster, and slaughtered Qin Lihao’s guards.
• Cheng Ze sent the metal monster after Qin Lihao and caused electronic devices across Old Factory Street to join his growing steel army.
• Chen Yun learned that the Electronic Demon’s living carrier could breach the electronic blockade within hours, and Qin Shi offered to approach Cheng Ze using his Electronic Mind ability.
• Chen Ruofu identified Cheng Ze as the virus carrier, offered Old Shen and Xu Yang amnesty for helping, then detained them after Old Shen refused to shoot his friend.
• Chen Ruofu ordered the Inspection Department to prioritize local residents over Qin Lihao and Qin Zhijie as the signal spread toward Red Alert levels.
• Chen Yun and Qin Shi reached the 402 Military Factory, where Cheng Ze’s steel army had gathered, and Qin Shi asked Chen Yun to distract him with her headlights.

Cheng Ze embraced Mechanical Ascension and attacked Chen Yun, but Qin Shi slipped past the electronic devices and stopped him before he could kill her. Qin Shi rescued Cheng Ze and recovered the Mechanical Heart, then discovered it had triggered an unprecedented golden-quality hunger.

• Cheng Ze performed an Esoteric Cult ritual, gained a Mechanical Heart, and commanded a metal monster to attack Chen Yun.
• Qin Shi used [Electronic Mind] to sneak into the factory, while Old Shen fired three Purification Bullets that Cheng Ze stopped with electronic signals.
• As Ghostfire Motorcycles surrounded Chen Yun, Qin Shi reached Cheng Ze and pulled the Mechanical Heart from his chest with a palm blade.
• Qin Shi caught Cheng Ze before he fell from the rooftop and urged him to give an honest account of what happened.
• Qin Shi saw a golden light from the Mechanical Heart and received a list of powerful Martial Artist Aura effects.

After Qin Shi stopped Cheng Ze and the Electronic Demon’s Ascension Ceremony, he absorbed energy from the circuit board and discovered that his Advanced achievements could evolve into Legendary talents. The chapter ended with Chen Ruofu confronting Gao Haipeng over his attempt to take the board from Qin Shi.

• Cheng Ze explained that he had been bewitched after stealing the missing Cadre School textbooks, and Qin Shi resisted the Electronic Demon’s whispers while holding its circuit board.
• Chen Ruofu halted the red-alert plan, ordered the Inspection Department to investigate, and decided to travel to the industrial district himself.
• Chen Yun let Qin Shi keep the circuit board after Xiao Ba found normal electronic-wave levels, while the Inspection Department assessed the damage and Cheng Ze’s condition.
• Qin Shi absorbed energy from the board, advanced his Monument Panel’s growth progress, and learned that Deep Sleep and Muscle Memory could evolve into Legendary talents.
• Gao Haipeng challenged Qin Shi’s right to take the circuit board, but Chen Yun defended him and Chen Ruofu arrived, declaring that his rules governed the Inspection Department.

Chen Ruofu confronted Gao Haipeng, then revealed that the circuit-board inheritance Qin Shi had found was He Lanchán’s SSS-grade Void Meditation Method. After warning Qin Shi that the inheritance carried immense consequences, Chen Ruofu offered him a choice, and Qin Shi decided to pursue the path of a Martial God.

• Chen Ruofu ordered Gao Haipeng to sort the infected electronic devices and praised Qin Shi for helping resolve the crisis.
• Chen Ruofu examined the circuit board, recognized its hidden inheritance, and returned it to Qin Shi as a reward.
• Qin Shi offered the inheritance to Chen Ruofu, but Chen Ruofu explained that the Qin family might have ulterior motives and refused to take responsibility for it.
• Chen Ruofu revealed that the inheritance was He Lanchán’s Void Meditation Method and explained that Martial God inheritances were commoner than people with the talent to become Martial Gods.
• Chen Ruofu offered Qin Shi the choice of surrendering the inheritance or accepting its burdens and pursuing the Martial God path.
• Qin Shi rejected the idea of hiding the inheritance and declared that he would walk the path of a Martial God.

After Chen Ruofu backed Qin Shi and arranged benefits for his family, Qin Shi returned home to reassure his worried sisters. That night, he entered his Mind Palace and realized he had reached a Second Limit beyond the Bone Gate, leaving him to confront the Spirit Gate.

• Chen Ruofu let Qin Shi keep the Void Meditation Method and promised to use his influence to secure him scholarships, residency rights, and cultivation opportunities.
• Qin Xiao returned to find the family home wrecked and worried when she learned Qin Shi had not come home, but Qin Shi arrived in Chen Ruofu’s official car and reunited with his sisters.
• Gao Haipeng lost his temper while handling damaged appliances and paid an Old Factory Street resident for a broken washing machine before the crowd pressed him for more compensation.
• Qin Shi meditated that night, entered his Mind Palace, and recognized that he had reached the Second Limit through the Spirit Gate rather than the Bone Gate.

Qin Shi absorbed He Lanchán’s Void Meditation Method and used the Dao-Nature Incarnation to begin understanding the Martial God inheritance. Chen Ruofu explained why he had let Qin Shi keep it, while the chapter ended with Qin Shi consulting the incarnation about breaking through the Spirit Gate.

• Qin Shi discovered that his Dao-Nature Incarnation resembled He Lanchán and realized the Void Meditation Method’s aura had formed it.
• Qin Shi struggled to memorize the Void Meditation Method, then relied on the incarnation to interpret its profound teachings.
• Chen Ruofu told Chen Yun that Qin Renying had offered the inheritance as a political test and that Qin Shi had recognized its value.
• Chen Ruofu explained that he was protecting the inheritance from the Martial Arts Association and buying Qin Shi time to cultivate it.
• Qin Shi learned from the incarnation that He Lanchán had broken through the Spirit Gate first, then asked how to overcome that limit and received information about the Four Pillars of Eastern Xia.

Qin Shi learned how He Lanzhan had earned the Four Pillars’ attention and considered sacrificing Cheng Ze’s Mechanical Heart to them. Meanwhile, Qin Renying arranged for Gao Haipeng to retrieve the contraband, and Chen Ruofu rushed to investigate the Four Pillars’ descent over Old Factory Street.

• Qin Shi learned that He Lanzhan had attracted the Four Pillars through years of devotion, then considered offering the Mechanical Heart he had taken from Brother Ze as a sacrifice.
• Qin Renying persuaded Gao Haipeng to recover the contraband from Qin Shi by promising the Qin Family’s support and a share of Hengzhou’s resources.
• Gao Haipeng agreed to approach Qin Shi and revealed that Chen Ruofu planned to send Cheng Ze to Central City for a psychological examination.
• The Netherworld Research Institute reported that all Four Pillars had descended at Old Factory Street, leaving Chen Ruofu stunned.
• Chen Ruofu ordered Secretary Huo to prepare a car so he could investigate the event himself.

Qin Shi performed an Esoteric Cult ritual in his Mind Palace and unexpectedly drew the attention of all Four Pillars, who imprinted four symbols on his soul before departing. Afterward, Chen Ruofu learned that Qin Shi had mastered He Lanchán’s Void Meditation Method and attracted all four Pillars overnight.

• Qin Shi offered Brother Ze’s spark and several Monument achievements in a ritual meant to attract the Four Pillars.
• All four Pillars descended, startling Super Little He and triggering dangerous Netherworld fluctuations monitored by Section Chief Ma’s institute.
• The Four Pillars seemed to compete over Qin Shi’s wishes, then left four symbolic emblems imprinted on his soul and activated four Basic Achievements.
• Qin Shi returned to Old Factory Street, where Chen Ruofu questioned him and struggled to believe he had mastered the Void Meditation Method and attracted all four Pillars.

Chen Ruofu recognized Qin Shi as the successor to He Lanchán’s Void Meditation Method and explained how Qin’s talent could make him a valuable figure in the Old Martial Arts faction’s struggle for influence. He offered to secure Qin resources, leaving Qin ready to ask for what he needed as Chen wondered whether he had a girlfriend.

• Chen Ruofu confirmed that Qin Shi had mastered the basics of He Lanchán’s Void Meditation Method and decided to announce the inheritance’s new successor.
• Chen Ruofu explained that Yan Haishan and Ning Yuanhai had followed exceptional methods that could not be replicated, while Eastern Xia needed a Martial God path others could follow.
• Chen Ruofu told Qin Shi that martial arts success depended on pooling resources and building support, then offered to provide whatever Qin needed.
• Qin Shi said he had one small request, and Chen Ruofu offered to arrange funding through the Tai'an Education Commission.
• Chen Ruofu praised the significance of Qin Shi’s inheritance and the Four Pillars’ emblems, then asked whether Qin Shi had a girlfriend.

After receiving Chen Ruofu’s support, Qin Shi helped his sisters prepare their home and discussed their education and work before examining the Four Pillars’ symbolic emblems. He discovered four achievement paths and ended the chapter deciding which of his two Advanced Achievements to upgrade.

• Qin Shi rejected Chen Ruofu’s attempt to match him with Chen Yun, then requested supplies and medical help for Old Liang; Chen Ruofu promised additional resources and arranged support for Qin’s development.
• Chen Ruofu left to meet local leaders and retrieve the Void Meditation Method textbook, while Qin Shi looked forward to returning to school and realized he had lost the breakfast he bought for Qin Lan.
• Qin Shi helped Qin Xiao and Qin Lan clean the house, encouraged Qin Lan to develop mechanical skills, and considered ways to support Qin Xiao’s transport business.
• Qin Shi inspected the emblems of Order, Annihilation, Master Craftsmanship, and Dragon’s Breath, learning their characteristics and advancement paths.
• Qin Shi considered upgrading either [Heart of Steel] or [Perfect Physique] but had not yet chosen.

Qin Shi chose the Legendary Talent [Heart of Steel] over [Perfect Physique], gaining a stronger, tangible mind and the ability to perceive the Netherworld. He discovered that the Electronic Demon he had driven from Cheng Ze had reappeared in his Mind Palace as a strange orange puppy.

• Qin Shi followed Super Little He's advice and upgraded [Deep Sleep] into the Legendary Talent [Heart of Steel].
• Qin Shi found his Mind Palace had expanded and his mental strength had taken the form of mist, allowing him to see fissures leading to the Netherworld.
• Super Little He warned Qin Shi not to enter the Netherworld before learning Psionic techniques, so Qin Shi decided to seek training materials from Lin Yunqing.
• Qin Shi spotted an orange puppy in the Mind Palace, and Super Little He explained that it was the Electronic Demon expelled from Cheng Ze's body.
• The puppy used its phone-like abilities to open the "Kill or Be Killed" app, apparently trying to convince Qin Shi not to eat it.

Qin Shi unlocked the Sha Le Ma app’s restricted services after the orange puppy transformed it, then discovered Devirtuous Maps. Meanwhile, Qin Yixiong met Qin Renying and offered to use the Dark Web app to eliminate Qin, a poor student who had obtained the Martial God Inheritance.

• Qin Shi explored Sha Le Ma’s hitman and murder-crowdfunding listings, but his limited permissions blocked several services.
• The orange puppy cracked Sha Le Ma, unlocking Didi Hitmen, Weapon Delivery, and Interplanetary Errand Service for Qin Shi.
• Qin Shi spared the orange puppy for the moment, and it produced Devirtuous Maps, which began navigating him toward the Netherworld.
• Qin Yixiong met Qin Renying, who explained that he was pursuing the stolen Void Meditation Method and trying to expand the Qin family’s influence into the Tai'an Metropolitan Area.
• Qin Renying said Gao Haipeng might struggle to act against Qin because Chen Ruofu appeared to support him.
• Qin Yixiong showed Qin Renying the Dark Web’s Sha Le Ma app and offered to place an order to eliminate Qin.

Qin Shi discovered that the Qin family had hired a killer to assassinate him and decided to turn the order against its client. He sent Qin Yixiong a disguised navigation app, setting up a test of his plan to kill a powerful enemy through the Netherworld.

• Qin Renying warned Qin Yixiong to keep the assassination discreet and arranged for Gao Haipeng to take the blame if anything went wrong.
• Qin Shi received an order on Kill 'Em Off to assassinate himself and traced the anonymous client’s general location to Smoke City.
• After considering whether to seek help, Qin Shi resolved to fight back and asked Little He how a novice psionicist could kill a rich man.
• Little He explained that an enemy could be killed by drawing him into the Netherworld, and Qin Shi began messaging the client as a five-star killer.
• Qin Shi sent Qin Yixiong a disguised app called Right to Your Door, and Qin Yixiong installed it without detecting the deception.

Qin Shi realized he had entered the Spirit Gate limit and sought Old Liang’s guidance, while Gao Haipeng came to the dormitory intending to confront him. The chapter ended with Old Liang blocking Gao Haipeng in the dark stairwell and threatening to kill him.

• Qin Shi checked his improved stats, decided to visit Old Liang, and left home with gifts.
• Chen Ruofu ordered Secretary Huo to track Gao Haipeng and authorized lethal force if Gao resisted, while Secretary Huo mobilized inspectors.
• Old Liang recognized that Qin Shi had one foot inside the Spirit Gate limit and explained the Mind Obstacle, Shackles, and Jail Gate.
• Old Liang sensed Gao Haipeng outside, left Qin Shi in the room, and confronted the armed inspector in the stairwell.
• Old Liang offered Gao Haipeng a choice: give him a light and leave, or lose his life.

Liang Zhengxiong confronted Gao Haipeng when the inspector came looking for Qin Shi, and killed him after overpowering him in the stairwell. As others arrived, Liang Zhengxiong sensed a familiar pure aura and realized that Hour had broken the Spirit Gate.

• Gao Haipeng threatened Liang Zhengxiong and attacked him with an electric baton, using his Professional Level Life Force to lock onto him.
• Liang Zhengxiong unleashed a restrained but terrifying aura, overwhelmed Gao Haipeng's attack, and beat him until he could no longer fight back.
• Liang Zhengxiong used his Life Force to burn Gao Haipeng to death, then noticed several people approaching the dormitory.
• Liang Zhengxiong considered killing the newcomers but calmed down after sensing a clear, bright aura.
• Liang Zhengxiong recognized the aura and said that Hour had broken the Spirit Gate.