Ch. 481A fitting destination, an anxious Ruida
Chapter Summary: “Suitable Destination, Ruida’s Anxiety”
Key Plot Points and Events
- During the Imperial Army’s long rest period, Lin Yi trains extensively with his newly acquired Black Mystic Armor and Black Mystic Spear.
- He becomes highly proficient with the equipment and develops coordinated use of four seals:
- Time Seal for acceleration
- Space Seal for armor-piercing spatial cuts
- Gold Seal for greater weapon and armor sharpness and durability
- Life Seal for continuous recovery
- Lin Yi becomes obsessed with accumulating military merits. He has eighty-one million remaining but needs roughly one hundred ten million to safely obtain a Cosmic Source Soul Crystal without arousing suspicion.
- To avoid questions about directly exchanging military merits for the rare soul crystal, he plans to exchange his merits for Eternal Cosmos Crystals, then secretly purchase the soul crystal in Mist Sea City.
- When the Sixteenth Squad returns to battle, its improved evaluation places it farther into the Black Mist Sea, where enemies are stronger and more numerous.
- Li grants Lin Yi freedom to operate independently rather than remain within the squad’s formation.
- Lin Yi and his avatar rapidly kill numerous mid- and late-stage first-order Black Silence Beasts. He works especially well with Li, who distracts enemies while Lin Yi strikes their vital points.
- Lin Yi’s avatar repeatedly assists other Imperial Army squads in danger, including the Seventeenth, Thirteenth, Twenty-Second, Thirty-Fifth, Forty-Seventh, Fifty-Second, Sixty-First, and Eighty-Ninth Squads. His reputation spreads, earning him the nickname “Lin Three Favors.”
- Lainiadun defeats an early-stage second-order Many-Eyed Beast and observes Lin Yi’s avatar rescuing allied soldiers. He realizes that Lin Yi has transformed from someone needing protection into a warrior capable of protecting others.
- Over two eras of repetitive combat, Lin Yi kills countless Black Silence Beasts, gains a large amount of military merit, studies battle records, and steadily improves through a cycle of fighting, recovering, and reviewing his performance.
- During the next rest period, Ruida discovers that a supply fleet from Mist Sea City will arrive at the mothership. His elder cousin Ruiya, a logistics dispatcher, is aboard, giving Ruida his first opportunity to send news about Lin Yi back to the family.
- When Ruiya arrives, Ruida warmly welcomes him but immediately asks when he will be returning, suggesting that Ruida is anxious to share important information or arrange a private conversation before the fleet leaves.
Character Developments
- Lin Yi: His combat strength rises significantly through mastery of the Black Mystic equipment and coordinated seals. He becomes more independent, efficient, and confident, while also growing increasingly determined to obtain the Cosmic Source Soul Crystal. His actions show that he is no longer merely developing for personal survival; he has become a reliable protector of fellow soldiers.
- Li: Recognizes Lin Yi’s strength and trusts him enough to operate independently. He benefits from Lin Yi’s increasing power and works with him through highly efficient, wordless cooperation.
- Lainiadun: Begins viewing Lin Yi as a rising powerhouse rather than a rookie under his protection. Lin Yi’s conduct makes him wonder whether the special place mentioned by the Army Lord may have played a role in Lin Yi’s development.
- Ruida: Remains deeply loyal to Lin Yi and eager to report his achievements to their family. His long wait for the supply fleet reveals his impatience and growing anxiety.
- Ruiya: As a logistics dispatcher and Ruida’s elder cousin, he is pleased and honored that Ruida personally greets him, though he is caught off guard by Ruida’s urgent question.
Significant Themes
- Growth through repetition and discipline: Lin Yi improves not only through talent but through relentless practice, combat review, and adaptation.
- War’s true nature: The chapter emphasizes that war is usually monotonous and exhausting rather than glorious, consisting of repetitive battles, recovery, and renewed fighting.
- Strength and responsibility: Lin Yi’s growing power is reflected in his willingness to protect other squads and shoulder responsibility beyond his own unit.
- Secrecy and survival: His careful plan to obtain the Cosmic Source Soul Crystal highlights the dangers of appearing too unusual within the Imperial Army.
- Danger and opportunity: The deeper frontline brings greater risks but also more military merits, spoils, and chances for advancement.
- Belonging and reputation: Lin Yi’s repeated rescues build a reputation among the soldiers, while Ruida’s desire to report his achievements reflects the importance of family recognition.
Important Character Interactions
- Lin Yi and Li: Li permits Lin Yi to fight freely, and the two combine their abilities to defeat late-stage first-order beasts efficiently.
- Lin Yi and the Seventeenth Squad: Lin Yi’s avatar arrives during a dangerous battle, kills many mid-stage beasts, and helps the squad leader eliminate the stronger enemies. The squad recognizes his extraordinary ability and repeats his nickname, “Lin Three Favors.”
- Lin Yi and Lainiadun: Though they do not directly speak, Lainiadun observes Lin Yi’s transformation and reflects on his possible origins and future.
- Ruida and Ruiya: Their reunion is affectionate but immediately becomes urgent. Ruida’s formal welcome quickly gives way to an anxious question about Ruiya’s departure, setting up the chapter’s unresolved tension.