Chapter Summaries

Fu Qian transformed into a crystalline Mythical Form and considered whether he was losing himself as Annalise might have faced the end of the world. He decided the transformation had revealed that his true self had always been a kind of machine, and wondered whether crystallization’s ultimate form was machinery.

• Fu Qian recalled Annalise’s anticipation of the Long Night and considered whether she had understood the coming storm and crystallization.
• Fu Qian became a one-hundred-percent Mythical Form and found his body resembled a crystalline machine.
• Fu Qian disturbed the crystals, lake, and whale around him, confirming his strange compatibility with the end of the world.
• Fu Qian rejected the idea that his transformation had gone wrong and reasoned that his true self had always been a conceptual whole assembled from parts.
• Fu Qian wondered whether crystallization was a curse whose ultimate form was machinery.

Fu Qian reasoned that the apocalypse had already become irreversible, and that the Warehouse might be preserving an illusion rather than saving the world. He connected Ji Feng’s conflicting memories to the Warehouse’s failed attempts to alter history, then added a line to the title of Act Five.

• Fu Qian considered that the Warehouse might have allowed his crystallization because it had already lost the ability to stop the apocalypse.
• He noted that the Warehouse’s missions never reached before the apocalypse, unlike Ji Feng’s earlier missions, and suspected it could no longer change the outcome.
• Fu Qian linked Ji Feng’s two conflicting perceptions to the apocalyptic Darkest Night and the peaceful Bookstore World.
• He theorized that the Warehouse had tried to revise Ji Feng’s past, but failed and left him inside an illusion that he had survived the apocalypse.
• Fu Qian concluded that the apocalypse was real and added a line to the title of Act Five.

Fu Qian wrote the title and theme for Act Five, interpreting crystallization as the corruption of the supernatural and machinery as its ultimate form. He returned to the crystallized Inverted Lake with an added identity as an ancient Higher Being, and confirmed that the script remained stable as he prepared to test how his complicated nature affected the apocalypse.

• Fu Qian wrote Act Five’s title and described a world ravaged by crystallization, where lies sustained reality and machinery represented crystallization’s final form.
• Fu Qian removed the mask and found the Warehouse, the script, and his apocalyptic nature unchanged.
• Fu Qian picked up the Entwined Umbilical Cord without eating it, then put the mask back on and returned to the crystallized Inverted Lake.
• Fu Qian added the cord’s property of making its holder an ancient Higher Being to his other identities, but Etched Wisdom and the script remained stable.
• Fu Qian confirmed that his complicated identity disturbed the apocalypse before him and continued his inquiry.

The narrator used the umbilical cord to reveal that the Graveyard of Gods appeared within the Crystalline Doomsday, along with the storm above the whale. He then put on the Calamity of the Unworthy Godslayer to investigate the divine path, leaving the result unknown.

• The narrator used the umbilical cord’s force of convergence to bring a blood-red scene into focus and recognized the Graveyard of Gods’ soap bubbles.
• The Graveyard of Gods and more blood-red bubbles appeared in the Crystalline Doomsday, while the Doomsday storm shifted toward them.
• The narrator concluded that the storm originated from the Burial Ground and considered whether the gods’ remains and concepts helped protect them from the Doomsday.
• The narrator noted that the Dragon King still had not appeared and that he could not touch anything as he had with the bloodline.
• The narrator put on the Calamity of the Unworthy Godslayer to examine the divine path, then sensed himself and the world.

Fu Qian reasoned that the Calamity of the Unworthy Godslayer was working by revealing that the crystalline apocalypse was the true world and his road to godhood. Before he could complete the script’s blank third scene, he turned to address Li He.

• Fu Qian put on the Calamity of the Unworthy Godslayer but saw no visible reaction, which made him suspect that the lack of change was itself significant.
• Fu Qian recalled the Gambler's Bone he had given Su Gao and concluded that the mask’s apparent uselessness might be a warning rather than a failure.
• Fu Qian reasoned that the apocalypse was the real world and that the mask was guiding him along his road to godhood as the Messenger of the Apocalypse.
• Fu Qian considered completing the script’s blank third scene as part of his ritual, then looked toward Li He and said the next chapter would have to wait until noon.

Fu Qian recognized Tool Person A Fei as Li He and pieced together how the former dean’s encounter with the crystal had once elevated him before he severed his own immortal fate. He greeted the unresponsive Li He and recorded the title of the third act.

• Fu Qian connected A Fei’s swordsmanship and history in the Sea of Ashes to Li He, the Academy’s former dean.
• When Fu Qian called him by name, A Fei turned toward him and let the formless blade in his hand vanish.
• Fu Qian reasoned that Li He had once advanced beyond demigodhood after encountering the crystal, then cut off his own path to immortality and lost the ability to advance.
• Fu Qian greeted Li He, who did not respond, and wrote down the third act’s title: [Those who gaze into the shadows will eventually become part of them].

Fu Qian completed the Fool’s apocalyptic story and returned to the Sea of Ashes, where he discovered that the experience had taken Etched Wisdom but left him a new path revealed by the clown mask. He played a tune on the imitation fish lure as the volume ended.

• Fu Qian decided not to interfere in Old Master Li and Jining’s relationship or pursue the questions about godhood raised by the script.
• Fu Qian completed the script by interpreting its final act, and the play passed review as Etched Wisdom’s five-act experience flashed before him.
• The story shattered, returning Fu Qian to the Sea of Ashes before dawn, where the Fool had removed the apocalypse’s setting and Etched Wisdom from his Insight panel.
• Fu Qian put on the clown mask and saw an unprecedented road leading beyond the deep sea, then took it off to consider ending his expedition.
• Fu Qian played a cheerful tune on the imitation fish lure in honor of the Fool.

After completing the script with the Fool, Fu Qian returned to the Warehouse under the Red Moon’s disapproving gaze. He discovered that his ascended mask revealed a stable path leading out of the Warehouse and set out to follow it.

• Fu Qian finished playing his harmonica, concluded the chance to become a god was likely gone, and noticed the Red Moon watching him.
• The Red Moon confronted Fu Qian in silence, but he showed no remorse and removed the Emissary Mask to return to the Warehouse.
• Fu Qian received a leakage warning and realized the Fool’s script had disrupted the Warehouse’s daily assignments.
• Fu Qian put away the Fool figurine and umbilical cord, then wore his ascended mask and saw a clear path extending beyond the Warehouse.
• Fu Qian removed the Destined mask and put on the Messenger to follow the path.

Fu Qian returned to the Sea of Ashes and used the Chosen mask to evade the Red Moon, then reasoned that the Rainbow of Yao Bian had likely drawn its attention while investigating crystallization. Back in Shangjing, he found a barefoot woman in a red dress standing in his room.

• Fu Qian put on the Chosen mask and deflected the Red Moon's scrutiny with a strange question, after which its light faded.
• Fu Qian concluded that the Rainbow of Yao Bian had likely provoked the Red Moon to observe him and had helped him test that his path to godhood was stable and hidden.
• Fu Qian removed two masks, waited for the Emissary Mask's bloodstains to recover, and used it to return to the bookstore's second floor.
• Fu Qian returned to Shangjing, considered whether the world's geography was shaped by crystallization, and noticed a barefoot woman in a bright red dress in his room.

Fu Qian met Red Moon, who had taken on Yuan Shan’s appearance, and concluded that she had come to check on him rather than punish him. He worried about Red Moon’s unstable state and the risks of her being seen, but their conversation ended on a calmer note.

• Fu Qian recognized Red Moon’s human form as resembling Yuan Shan, then reasoned that she had merely assumed a familiar appearance.
• Red Moon greeted Fu Qian warmly and praised his bare room, strengthening his belief that she was concerned about his safety.
• Fu Qian considered the dangers of Red Moon’s improved ability to take shape and hoped she would avoid encountering the real Yuan Shan.
• Red Moon offered to help Fu Qian drive away his customers, and he thanked her while saying he would ask for help if needed.
• Red Moon relaxed as Fu Qian responded to her offer, easing the tension between them.

Fu Qian tried to reassure Red Moon and persuade them to return to Half-step Moon, but Yuan Shan's unexpected arrival changed the situation. Red Moon's influence affected Yuan Shan, and Fu Qian invited her inside as the two became entangled.

• Fu Qian explained that his mind was not working properly and reassured Red Moon that Half-step Moon would always be his home.
• Fu Qian spotted Yuan Shan approaching the bookstore, and Red Moon's expression changed as they noticed her.
• Yuan Shan sensed Red Moon's gaze, briefly lost focus, then continued toward the bookstore without acknowledging Red Moon or Fu Qian.
• Yuan Shan spoke to Fu Qian in Red Moon's tone, revealing that Red Moon's thoughts had affected her.
• Fu Qian invited Yuan Shan inside, hoping to manage the situation carefully.

Fu Qian welcomed Yuan Shan back to the bookstore and carefully questioned her while trying to help her sense of self stabilize and stop Red Moon’s descent. As they shared tea, Yuan Shan admitted she had written the blank letter, then bit and ate part of her teacup.

• Fu Qian asked Yuan Shan how she knew he had returned, and she said she had seen him arrive.
• Yuan Shan remarked that Fu Qian had been away for a while, and he invited her to sit and choose a drink.
• Fu Qian prepared Wen Li’s tea and brought up the blank letter he had received at the bookstore.
• Yuan Shan admitted that she had written the blank letter and said there had been something in it despite it being blank.
• Yuan Shan recognized Wen Li’s tea, then bit off and chewed a piece of the porcelain teacup.

Fu Qian tried to reconnect Yuan Shan with memories of her teacher, Henry, to resist Red Moon reshaping her identity. Just as Yuan Shan began to respond, Red Moon came downstairs.

• Fu Qian recognized similarities between Yuan Shan’s tea ceremony and a scene from his earlier mission, then joked about the cost of tea and raising children.
• Fu Qian realized Yuan Shan was being reconstructed from scattered information by Red Moon, and feared she might be permanently changed.
• Fu Qian brought up ill-tempered black-and-white cats to guide Yuan Shan toward memories of her teacher, Henry.
• Yuan Shan recalled knowing a cat like that, and Fu Qian sensed the counterfeit aura around her weaken slightly.
• Red Moon descended the stairs barefoot and stopped in front of Fu Qian and Yuan Shan.

Fu Qian tried to help Yuan Shan resist Red Moon as their faces, thoughts, and movements converged, but Red Moon kept absorbing Yuan Shan’s memories. Yuan Shan failed to remember Old Man Henry and seemed to avoid involving him because she sensed danger.

• Yuan Shan and Red Moon met, and their appearances and thoughts began converging as Red Moon absorbed the original body.
• Red Moon and Yuan Shan both struggled to remember Old Man Henry, while Fu Qian concluded that Red Moon was speaking through them.
• Fu Qian served tea and gave clues about Old Man Henry, prompting Yuan Shan to briefly recall his gambling before she forgot him again.
• Fu Qian suspected Yuan Shan was holding back because she sensed danger and did not want to drag Old Man Henry into the conflict.

Fu Qian tried to keep Yuan Shan from giving up on treatment by keeping Red Moon occupied and easing its worries about the “child.” As two customers arrived and competed for a scarce book, Fu Qian left the outcome unresolved.

• Yuan Shan silently drank tea while Fu Qian noticed that Red Moon's cup had somehow refilled, suggesting the strange thoughts around them were manifesting in reality.
• Two young women entered Fu Qian's bookstore, and Red Moon watched them as they browsed the shelves.
• The women found the single copy of the book they wanted and asked Fu Qian whether he had another.
• Fu Qian said there was no other copy, then proposed that the women bid against each other or pay one another for the book.

Fu Qian tested two young women's friendship by offering them a free book, then gave them the book and sent them away. Red Moon healed his injuries before disappearing, while Fu Qian was left still recovering.

• Fu Qian offered the two young women money or a free book and had Yuan Shan confirm the offer, but they refused to risk their friendship over it.
• Fu Qian revealed that he had been testing their friendship, praised them for passing, and told them to leave without a reward.
• Fu Qian stopped the young women and gave the book to the shorter girl, asking them to put it back where it belonged.
• The young women returned the book upside down as a small act of revenge before leaving, and Yuan Shan and Red Moon commented on their energy and the cost of every choice.
• Red Moon embraced Fu Qian from behind, healed his injuries from the Sea of Ashes, and then vanished.

Fu Qian told Yuan Shan that a moon-connected entity had affected her mind and that he had gotten it to leave by offering it tea. Yuan Shan revealed that she had come to discuss something related to the sun.

• Fu Qian closed the shop after the threat to Yuan Shan had departed.
• Yuan Shan recovered and realized she could not remember what had happened, then asked Fu Qian to explain.
• Fu Qian told Yuan Shan that she had bitten and swallowed part of a teacup while under the entity’s influence.
• Fu Qian explained that he had offered tea to the entity, which Yuan Shan suspected was connected to Red Moon.
• Yuan Shan thanked Fu Qian for helping her and said she had come to talk about the sun.

Yuan Shan told Fu Qian that her organization had discovered a place called Heaven on Earth, which he recognized as the White-Headed Holy See he had investigated with Aiko. She then revealed that she had come because she had suddenly lost contact with her teacher, Henry, and was considering going to the Night Holy Capital to find him.

• Yuan Shan explained that the sun and moon might be connected and described the recent unusual events around her.
• Yuan Shan told Fu Qian that her sources had reported the discovery of Heaven on Earth, a pure-white place with a distinctive feel.
• Fu Qian recognized the description as the White-Headed Holy See and told Yuan Shan about the project he had investigated with Aiko and Liu Shuang.
• Yuan Shan clarified that the news about Heaven on Earth was not why she had come, then said her teacher Henry had become unreachable.
• Yuan Shan explained that an item she used to sense Henry's condition had suddenly lost its connection, and she had planned to go to the Night Holy Capital.

Fu Qian investigated why Yuan Shan’s Meria Flower Ball had stopped responding and suspected that Rainbow of Yao Bian’s connection to Old Man Henry had been affected when Fu Qian opened the door to the world’s truth. He reasoned that the Higher Beings might only understand the apocalypse by becoming crystallized, raising the possibility that his own unusual constitution made him an anchor of the apocalypse.

• Yuan Shan asked Fu Qian whether anything might explain why Old Man Henry had stopped responding through the Meria Flower Ball.
• Fu Qian mentioned signs linking Meria to the Academy and asked when the flower ball had stopped working; Yuan Shan said it had happened an hour and a half earlier.
• Fu Qian connected the timing to when he had opened the door in the Sea of Ashes and considered whether Rainbow of Yao Bian’s reaction had affected Old Man Henry.
• Fu Qian reasoned that Rainbow of Yao Bian might have kept distance from crystal and therefore failed to grasp the apocalypse’s truth.
• Fu Qian concluded that becoming completely crystallized might be necessary to perceive the truth, and that his own constitution might make him an anchor of the apocalypse.

Fu Qian told Yuan Shan that he had encountered Rainbow of Yao Bian around the time her teacher went silent, though he could not say whether the meeting had affected Old Man Henry. After Yuan Shan confirmed her teacher seemed fine, Fu Qian accepted Sir Stos's invitation and prepared to attend despite her warnings.

• Fu Qian told Yuan Shan he had encountered Rainbow of Yao Bian and advised her to try contacting her teacher again.
• Yuan Shan checked on Old Man Henry and returned with news that he seemed fine, while Fu Qian urged her to keep monitoring him.
• Yuan Shan asked Fu Qian about Sir Stos's invitation, and Fu Qian confirmed he planned to attend and discuss the project with Sir Aiko.
• Yuan Shan warned Fu Qian that the people at the gathering were less forgiving than her teacher, but Fu Qian acknowledged his checkered past and remained intent on going.
• Yuan Shan offered to take Fu Qian to the gathering, but he asked her to give him directions instead, and she explained the way.