Chapter Summaries

Tang Qi and his companions reached the edge of the Calm Belt and discovered that it was a violent convergence of the Elemental Planes, not the empty, peaceful place Halahar had expected. Toto Hal explained that the Source Essence had once stabilized the Wasteland’s damaged Magic Web, then opened the mithril coffin holding the secret of its origin, only for Tang Qi to find it empty.

• Tang Qi agreed to let Butcher join the journey in exchange for his share of the Red Dragon’s spoils, and the group loaded the mithril coffin onto their cart.
• Halahar said the Calm Belt was empty and safe, but Tang Qi found its boundary beset by raging elemental forces and turned the cart away.
• Toto Hal caught up with the group and revealed that the Calm Belt had formed when the Source Essence suppressed chaos in the Wasteland’s damaged Magic Web.
• Toto Hal said the Source Essence’s medium had grown old and began opening the coffin to show the secret guarded by House Hal.
• Tang Qi watched Toto Hal open the coffin and discovered that it was empty.

Tang Qi learned that House Hal had used Merlin Hal’s soulless clones to produce Source Essence and maintain the Wasteland’s failing Magic Web, and that Shalti had refused to become its source. With Merlin’s latest clone missing and the Tide of Chaos looming, Tang Qi realized that Butcher was the clone and watched him flee.

• Toto Hal revealed that the Orichalcum Coffin held Merlin Hal’s soulless body, prepared through the Cloning Spell.
• Toto Hal explained that Source Essence was Merlin’s mental power, used to sustain the Obelisk Tower’s boundaries and the Road to Prison.
• Halahar realized her family’s use of Source Essence had consumed Merlin’s sacrificed mental power, while Toto Hal explained that the secret had been hidden to protect Shalti and prevent others from coveting it.
• Toto Hal said Shalti had refused to sacrifice herself, and the family had kept the truth secret because she was vulnerable to public condemnation.
• Toto Hal warned that Merlin’s missing clone meant the Tide of Chaos would erupt, but Tang Qi suspected he knew where it was.
• Butcher fled toward the canyon entrance, and Tang Qi concluded that the sheep was Merlin’s clone.

Butcher learned it was a newly conscious sheep whose existence would end when Merlin Hal’s soul returned to its body, and it fled rather than accept a forced sacrifice. Tang Qi and House Hal let it choose its own path, and Tang Qi promised to help it pursue its remaining wishes as a friend.

• Butcher remembered awakening inside the sealed container and realized it feared being restored to a mindless lump of flesh.
• After discovering no one was chasing it, Butcher asked why they had not taken it to stabilize the Tide of Chaos.
• Tang Qi picked Butcher up and explained that neither he nor House Hal would demand its sacrifice, even if the world might be destroyed.
• Butcher admitted it had many wishes, including adventures, a home, and friends, despite having little time left.
• Tang Qi offered to help Butcher fulfill its wishes and recorded that Butcher’s first wish was to have friends.

Tang Qi helped Butcher attempt several wishes in the Roaring Tribe’s temporary village in Windless Canyon, but Butcher’s sheep body made each one difficult to fulfill. After the experiments left several wishes only half complete, Tang Qi turned to Butcher’s remaining Great Adventure.

• Tang Qi helped Butcher build a wooden hut, but it collapsed when Butcher jumped inside, so Butcher settled for a tent.
• Butcher tried to eat steak and rejected it, then enjoyed grass made to taste and look like steak with Kuru’s magic and Tang Qi’s illusion.
• Tang Qi took Butcher and Shivana to the tavern, then kicked them out himself when the landlady refused to disrespect the prophet.
• Butcher counted getting kicked out with Tang Qi as only half complete and crossed off the wish after Tang Qi argued that Butcher and Shivana had already shared hardships.
• Tang Qi explained that Butcher should explore the mysteries of life with another sheep and brought him a ewe; Butcher emerged saying he had begun to understand Spitfire’s obsession with butts.
• Tang Qi marked the wish only half complete and suggested that Butcher’s next wish was the Great Adventure.

Tang Qi led Butcher and their companions through a tabletop role-playing adventure, then helped Butcher understand that he was his own person rather than an imitation of Butcher the lizardman. Their conversation ended with Butcher admitting that he had chosen the final wish, to leave a lasting mark in The Guide, as a reason to sacrifice himself.

• Tang Qi organized a tabletop role-playing session that gave Butcher the guild quest, goblins, dungeon conspiracy, and adventure he had wanted.
• Butcher, Anbi, Dawn, and Shivana played misfit adventurers, defeated the Black Spider, and enjoyed the story despite Shivana's character dying.
• Tang Qi recorded that the great-adventure wish was half fulfilled, leaving one wish on the list.
• Butcher told Tang Qi that copying Butcher the lizardman's life had not made him feel like a real person, and Tang Qi said his own experiences had made him himself.
• Butcher admitted that he had chosen the wish to leave a lasting mark in The Guide to give himself a reason to sacrifice himself.

Butcher chose to sacrifice himself so Merlin Hal could be reborn, and Shivana carried him through the elemental storm toward its eye. As Butcher’s consciousness faded after killing Merlin, Tang Qi set off a firework that brought back his memories and his wish to keep adventuring with his companions.

• Butcher admitted he could not abandon the people threatened by the Tide of Chaos, and Tang Qi encouraged him by promising his story would be preserved in the Journal and Stone of Oblivion.
• Butcher decided to act before he could change his mind, while Shivana volunteered to carry the Orichalcum Coffin through the elemental storm and Toto Hal prepared protective spells.
• Shivana endured the storm’s fire, water, ice, and wind, then hurled the coffin into its calm eye as her protections failed.
• Butcher left the coffin, reached Merlin Hal inside the spherical sponge, and killed him with a dagger, triggering a painful transformation as the storm quieted.
• As Butcher’s consciousness and memories faded, Tang Qi’s firework lit the sky, restoring his memories and revealing his wish to keep adventuring with his companions.

Geya wrote a satirical guide to Tyron, then disguised it under Tang Qi’s name and hid it. On her way to the New Year celebration, Korrhahelon questioned her about the evening’s play and asked whether she knew Tang Qi Weinberg.

• Geya wrote a satirical piece about Tyron’s festivals and nobles, changed its byline from Geya to Tang Qi, and locked it in her safe.
• Geya dressed for the New Year celebration, rejected Su Wen’s milk tea and advances, and left for the palace district.
• Korrhahelon stopped Geya outside the academy and brought her into his carriage with his family.
• Korrhahelon questioned Geya about the experimental vampire play, and she explained that its new narrative approach was meant to make the production feel fresh.
• Korrhahelon mentioned Tang Qi Weinberg and asked Geya whether she had heard of him.

Geya faced Kohlhaeron Versace’s questions about Tang Qi Weinberg and the politically sensitive book he had written. Versace ordered her to accompany him to the southern front after the celebration and record what she witnessed, leaving Geya trapped in a test of loyalty she had hoped to avoid.

• Geya told Kohlhaeron that Tang Qi had been her junior at the academy and described his notorious failure to avoid offending nobles.
• Kohlhaeron showed Geya a newspaper about the Lionheart Lord and Tang Qi’s Dragon Gold City Guide, then asked why Tang Qi had not returned home.
• Geya distanced the academy from Tang Qi, but Kohlhaeron warned that her smoothness could look like a lack of allegiance.
• Kohlhaeron pointed out that Tang Qi was named on the year’s playwright list, undermining Geya’s explanation of the academy’s position.
• Kohlhaeron ordered Geya to accompany him to the southern front and record what she saw, saying her actions would determine his judgment of her and the academy.
• Geya asked whether she could resign and go home to farm, and Kohlhaeron dismissed the idea.

Geya escorted Yena into the Royal Theater, where she met Molten Gold III and learned that the new production inspired by Tang Qi had drawn political attention. After Geya warned Yena to distance her family from Tang Qi, Yena chose to prepare for the coming struggle, and Tang Qi received her message that the empire had its eye on him.

• Yena used [Magic Trick] to discreetly help Geya, and Geya invited her into the theater to wait somewhere warm.
• Geya brought Yena to the banquet hall, where Yena tried a macaron and spoke with Geya about her family's poverty.
• Ulasang introduced Geya to Molten Gold III, who praised her previous play and welcomed her experimental new production.
• Geya told Yena that Tang Qi had inspired the production and warned her that it might antagonize other nobles.
• Yena left the theater, spent her savings on a [Message Spell], and sent Tang Qi a warning that the empire had its eye on him.

After a mysterious stranger warned Tang Qi that the Tyron Empire was watching him, he reviewed the rewards he had earned in the Wasteland. He discovered a powerful dragon-bloodline gift and several spells, while the chapter ended as he questioned how the Spore Replicator could be enhanced.

• Tang Qi received a warning through Message Spell that the Tyron Empire had its eye on him, but he could not identify the sender.
• Tang Qi reasoned that his influence in Dragon Gold City had drawn the attention of the empire’s nobles and decided he could protect himself with his growing circle of allies.
• Tang Qi reviewed his rewards and obtained Magic Trick, Silence Spell, Cyclops Horn, and Leomon's Hut.
• Tang Qi gained the Three Dragon Gift, which let him infuse weapons with fire, acid, and force while granting resistance to those elements, and he wondered whether his Weinberg bloodline might awaken.
• Tang Qi received the Dragon Slayer bearing and noticed more rewards, including Nasar's Prank, Dispel Magic, Spirit Story: Wild Song, and an enhanced Spore Replicator.

Tang Qi received several Journal rewards, including new spells and a reinforced Spore Replicator, then tested how the clone copied equipment and endured damage. After Halahar returned his repaired cloak, the two lingered awkwardly together, and Tang Qi asked her to share the first drink of the new year.

• Tang Qi received Nasar's Prank, Dispel Magic, Wild Song, and a reinforced Spore Replicator from the Journal.
• Tang Qi left camp to test the Replicator and ordered Dawn to keep watch beside Anbi.
• Tang Qi discovered that his clone could copy magical items' forms and absorb elemental effects, but its copies did not retain inherent magic.
• Tang Qi tested the clone's durability and found that basic cuts did little, but severing a limb or cutting it in half made it disperse.
• Halahar brought Tang Qi his repaired Manta Ray Cloak, and they exchanged awkward New Year greetings on the way back to the village.
• Tang Qi asked Halahar to join him for the first drink of the new year.

Tang Qi took Halahar to a sheltered cave to share wine and used music to create a warm magical hut, easing her guilt over using Source Essence. As Halahar asked about Tang Qi’s past, her feelings for him surfaced when she admitted she preferred butterbeer, and he offered to make some.

• Tang Qi led Halahar away from the crowded orc tavern and used her Stabilizing Disc and a song to conjure Leomon's Hut.
• Tang Qi reassured Halahar that using Source Essence for comfort did not dishonor Merlin’s sacrifice and that her family’s research had ultimately helped protect House Hal.
• Halahar told Tang Qi that his reputation in Dragon Gold City had made her curious about what he had done there, and asked him to tell her his story.
• Halahar refused another cup of plum wine because it reminded her of Tang Qi’s lover, then blurted out that she preferred butterbeer.
• Tang Qi offered to make butterbeer for Halahar.

Tang Qi made Butterbeer for Halahar and told her stories, but their drinking led to an intimate moment between them. The next morning, Kuru called Tang Qi out of Leomon's Cabin and asked him to visit the Wizard Tower.

• Tang Qi prepared Butterbeer from Bitter Bud Wine, then used Magic Trick to improve its flavor for Halahar.
• As Halahar drank and listened to Tang Qi's stories, she became drunk and questioned him about his closeness with Hope and whether Catherine would tolerate her.
• Halahar tried to wipe cream from Tang Qi's mouth, and they kissed as she followed her feelings.
• The next morning, Tang Qi woke to find Halahar gone and saw Kuru waiting outside the cabin.
• Kuru asked Tang Qi to go with it to the Wizard Tower.

Tang Qi returned to Wilderness Village with the dragon corpses and arranged for House Hal to guard the red dragon while artisans worked on gear for his companions. He said goodbye to Halahar, received her Locator Ring, and then disappointed Kuru by saying they might not visit the Wizard Tower.

• Tang Qi and Toto Hal discussed the difficulty of crafting items from the red dragon and agreed to leave its corpse in House Hal’s care while seeking a great axe for Shivana.
• Toto Hal gave Tang Qi the Woodcutter’s Axe for Shivana, a communication necklace, and an offer to have Halahar make a Prismatic Robe from the flail snail shell.
• Tang Qi used Misty Step to enter Halahar’s room, discovered she had been preparing the robe, and shared a farewell embrace and a drink with her.
• Halahar gave Tang Qi a Locator Ring and promised to deliver the finished Prismatic Robe later.
• Kuru found Tang Qi and asked to go to the Wizard Tower, but Tang Qi said they might not be able to go.

Kuru reflected on how Tang Qi had become family and a guide to a wider world, then received an invitation to study at the Wizard Tower. After weighing his chance to learn against his bond with Tang Qi, Kuru chose to stay with him for now, and they promised to meet again after his studies.

• Kuru recalled leaving his underground tribe, resenting Tang Qi at first, and gradually discovering the vast world of books with Tang Qi's help.
• Kuru told Tang Qi that the Wizard Tower had invited him to study there, but Tang Qi explained that their southbound journey made turning back impractical.
• Kailan urged Kuru to return with him to the Wizard Tower, arguing that Kuru's talent and the approaching examinations made the opportunity valuable.
• Tang Qi gave Kuru the freedom to choose between studying and continuing their adventures together.
• Kuru chose to travel with Tang Qi, and Tang Qi promised they would reunite after Kuru graduated.

Catherine received letters from Tang Qi and learned that he was traveling toward the Southern Great Wall, while Wendy set out to find him with a commission from the Golden Oak. The chapter ended with Tang Qi discovering that flowers had appeared on the sleeping Shivana.

• Catherine opened the Golden Oak and put Merlin and Melard to work while they waited for news from Tang Qi.
• Wendy announced that she was running away from home to begin an adventure, and Catherine offered to buy her drink.
• Hubble Hall delivered Tang Qi’s letters and Guide manuscript; Catherine celebrated his dragon-slaying achievement, and Wendy blushed over her letter.
• After hearing rumors that the Southern Great Wall was in danger, Catherine commissioned Wendy to deliver supplies and a Message Stone to Tang Qi.
• Tang Qi followed Houke to the clinic, where he found Shivana asleep with flowers planted on her.

Tang Qi calmed Shivana after a Wild Magic transformation and left Jilago in command while he went to Plague Outpost to seek a route into the Ebony Forest. There, he learned that old acquaintances had helped end the plague that gave the outpost its name, and he headed to find information at a tavern.

• Tang Qi identified Shivana's transformation as the start of the Wild Magic path and used his blade to calm her, easing the magic and ending her Rage.
• Tang Qi appointed Jilago to command the tribe with the Hag's Eye while he, Dawn, and Anbi traveled toward Plague Outpost to find directions to the Ebony Forest.
• A merchant told Tang Qi that refugees had settled at Plague Outpost after a plague and that the Minions of the Ebony Forest had helped contain it.
• Tang Qi passed the outpost's strict checkpoint using House Hal's crest and decided to gather information at a tavern.

Tang Qi sought a way into the Ebony Forest and learned that Rumi, a gnome courier from there, had been arrested after a client accused him of plague infection. Tang Qi headed for the prison, where a masked lord from House Hal intervened and altered Rumi’s memories.

• Tang Qi questioned Rod about the Ebony Forest, and Rod told him that Rumi had been seeking companions to return home with.
• Tang Qi waited at the tavern for Rumi, but Art reported that guards had arrested him after a client accused him of being infected.
• Tang Qi used House Hal’s emblem and [Art of Making Friends] to ask an officer for directions to the prison.
• Rumi told an interrogating guard that he had discovered and killed a monster inside a client’s home, but the guard dismissed his story and demanded he sign a [Fair Contract].
• A masked lord ordered the guard to release Rumi, then cast [Memory Alteration] on him.

Tang Qi recruited Chatty Rumi to guide him toward the Ebony Forest and tried to reassure him by ordering the orcs to stop damaging the forest. That night, plant creatures attacked the Sky Turtle and overwhelmed the area in vines and fog, leaving Tang Qi facing a growing horde of tree monsters.

• Tang Qi reunited with Chatty Rumi, learned why he had been imprisoned, and offered to travel with him to the Ebony Forest using his ranger leaf as proof.
• Rumi recoiled at the orc army, but Tang Qi demonstrated his control over them by ordering Jilago to take the tribe to Madam Tracy's tailor shop for needlework.
• Tang Qi traded Rumi the manuscript of Guide for his promise to lead the group toward the Ebony Forest, though Rumi could not guarantee they would be allowed inside.
• That night, vines invaded Tang Qi's room and attacked him as Dawn and Anbi woke to the danger.
• Dawn used Searing Smite to burn through the vine-blocked exit, while thick fog and cries of alarm spread through the Sky Turtle.
• Tang Qi used the Hag's Eye to see Jilago fighting a Needle Blight among what appeared to be more than a thousand plant creatures.

Shivana woke to a magical attack on the Sky Turtle and led the orcs through illusions and mutated beasts toward the hidden attackers. After a mysterious figure rescued her, a fire spell struck the robed assailants, and an unseen speaker addressed them as druids of the Circle.

• Shivana freed Houke and the goblins from living vines with an unfamiliar Great Axe, then left to find the Prophet.
• Shivana sensed traces of magic, recognized most Withered Branch Monsters as illusions, and helped Jilago start a fire that the attackers extinguished with rain.
• Shivana led the orcs toward the Spellcaster and found mutated Dread Wolves and a robed caster in the forest.
• A familiar roar heralded the little dragon, whose repulsive force toppled trees as someone rescued Shivana; the orcs then charged into the forest.
• Three robed attackers cast [Earth and Stone Eruption], but a sudden [Fireball Spell] ignited the forest, and a voice challenged the druids of the Circle to talk.