Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi warns Liu Xuan that her role in the Phase-State Theory project and the promotion of numerous S-level researchers will attract unwanted attention. He urges her to contact him or Lin Xin immediately if anything happens.
• Liu Xuan enters the Remote Conference Building’s mandatory isolation room before the Super Alliance meeting. Although the building is heavily protected, Lin Qi remains wary that even major political powers could threaten her.
• After confirming through Psychic Vision that no bounty hunters are targeting Liu Xuan, Lin Qi returns with Xu Tianyun and discusses the recent battle in the Highest Level Mercenary Group’s temporary chat.
• Lin Qi explains that the Fourth Rank ninja who protected Arthur and Master Ma was not under his control. He had frightened the ninja by instantly killing five S-level mercenaries, causing the ninja to overestimate Lin Qi’s strength and mistakenly believe he belonged to the Eastern Alliance.
• Guangleng suggests that the ninja acted independently but was indirectly influenced by Lin Qi. Lin Qi suspects Guangleng may be either helping him conceal his true abilities or deliberately creating misunderstandings.
• The mercenary group receives a 2-billion-Credit-Point payment for exceeding the mission requirements and killing the Eighth Seat Knight of the Round Table. The members divide the reward according to group rules.
• Arthur asks Lin Qi to sell her S-level Potions, which she needs for an upcoming breakthrough. Lin Qi offers her his newest potions at a substantial discount, creating another favor between them.
• Lin Qi asks Capitalist to search for Fourth Rank Extraordinary Items, offering Credit Points and S-level Potions in exchange. Capitalist agrees to look, though she warns that prices may rise because of global instability.
• The chapter then shifts to the political pressures surrounding the World Peace Conference. Qiao Xi/Capitalist is burdened by negotiations involving the Large Enterprise Alliance, Eastern Alliance, Intercontinental corporations, and other factions.
• Lin Xin is overwhelmed by her responsibilities as the conference’s Twelfth Seat. When Baili Xueyuan returns, Lin Xin considers resigning, but her teacher reminds her that political maneuvering is essential preparation for leading the Blood Clothes faction and handling the Eastern Alliance’s Asian affairs.
• Lin Xin asks about Lin Qi’s safety and whether she should visit him. Baili Xueyuan explains that Lin Qi has become highly influential in pharmacology and is attracting many visitors and factions. She advises that Lin Xin’s identity as his sister is already known and that Lin Qi is so sought after that even powerful figures must wait to meet him.

2. Character Developments

• Lin Qi demonstrates caution, strategic intelligence, and growing influence. He protects Liu Xuan, carefully manages information about his abilities, and begins using his resources to strengthen himself through high-level items and potion trades.
• Liu Xuan accepts the protection of the Eastern Alliance but remains central to the dangerous Phase-State Theory project.
• Arthur remains straightforward and focused on personal advancement. She urgently seeks Credit Points and S-level Potions, while her gratitude toward Lin Qi deepens into a strong personal debt and loyalty.
• Master Ma is shown to have suffered serious injuries and lost his prosthetic body, emphasizing the cost of the recent missions.
• Guangleng remains mysterious and difficult to read. His comments about the Fourth Rank ninja may protect Lin Qi’s secrets or manipulate the group’s perception of him.
• Qiao Xi/Capitalist is revealed to carry immense political responsibilities behind her calm mercenary identity. Her ability to balance corporate, alliance, and international interests highlights her importance.
• Lin Xin begins to mature politically. Though initially overwhelmed, she accepts that leadership requires negotiation, pressure management, and dealing with powerful factions rather than relying solely on force.
• Baili Xueyuan reinforces her role as a demanding but strategic mentor. She deliberately pushes Lin Xin into political responsibility and continues to monitor Lin Qi’s situation.

3. Significant Themes

• Power and political influence: Strength is not limited to combat ability; information, alliances, votes, economic resources, and diplomatic positions are equally important.
• Strategic deception and misdirection: Lin Qi’s manipulation of the Fourth Rank ninja shows how fear and misunderstanding can control a battlefield without direct confrontation.
• Trust and hidden motives: Guangleng’s ambiguous explanation raises questions about loyalty, manipulation, and how much members of the mercenary group truly understand one another.
• Debt and reciprocal relationships: Arthur’s gratitude toward Lin Qi and the group’s transactions show how favors, potions, and Credit Points build long-term alliances.
• The cost of power: Master Ma’s injuries, Arthur’s dangerous breakthrough, and Lin Xin’s crushing workload reveal that advancement always demands sacrifice.
• Responsibility and leadership: Lin Xin’s political training demonstrates that future leaders must balance competing factions, protect their interests, and make difficult compromises.
• Rising prominence and danger: Lin Qi, Liu Xuan, and Lin Xin are all becoming more influential, but their increased status also makes them targets.

4. Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Liu Xuan: He warns her about potential threats and offers continued protection, showing personal concern and responsibility.
• Lin Qi and Xu Tianyun: Xu reassures Lin Qi that the Alliance will protect Liu Xuan, while Lin Qi expresses his gratitude.
• Lin Qi, Arthur, Master Ma, Capitalist, and Guangleng: Their chat reveals differing personalities—Arthur is direct and trusting, Master Ma is practical, Capitalist is cautious and busy, and Guangleng is enigmatic.
• Lin Qi and Arthur: He offers her discounted S-level Potions, strengthening their bond and creating a significant debt of gratitude.
• Lin Qi and Capitalist: They establish a future trade arrangement for Fourth Rank Extraordinary Items, with potions serving as partial payment.
• Lin Xin and Baili Xueyuan: Their exchange highlights the tension between Lin Xin’s exhaustion and her teacher’s insistence that she accept leadership responsibilities.
• Lin Xin and Lin Qi: Though they do not meet directly, Lin Xin’s concern for her brother reinforces her protective motives, while Baili Xueyuan’s remarks establish Lin Qi’s rapidly growing fame and importance.

Chapter Summary: “Lin Qi’s First Visitor: Capitalist”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi continues training young researchers from the four major families in the Circular Experimental Field. Using Phase-State Theory and Liu Xuan’s Extraordinary Materials Phase-State Model Detector, he helps several researchers approach or qualify for the S-level Pharmacology Association assessment.
• News of Lin Qi’s research leaks despite Nanyun Pharmaceuticals’ efforts to contain it. The breakthrough suggests that United Pharmaceutical could potentially monopolize pharmacology and grow into an Intercontinental Giant Enterprise.
• Xu Zhengming informs Lin Qi that several powerful figures insist on meeting him during the World Peace Conference. Elder Xu Tianyun and Baili Xueyuan have carefully limited the visitors to four representatives from relatively cooperative giant enterprises.
• The visitors are:
  1. Qiao Xi, First Director of the Asian Large Enterprise Alliance and spokesperson for the Intercontinental Stabilization Trauma Response Company.
  2. Aishwarya, Seventh Director and spokesperson for the Intercontinental Military Large War Cybernetic Body Company.
  3. Ishigami Jūichirō, Ninth Director and representative of the Intercontinental Communications Network Company.
  4. Beauty Qing, representative of the Eastern Intercontinental Equipment Group.
• Lin Qi realizes that the visit from Qiao Xi may be directly connected to Capitalist, the mysterious figure he suspects may be linked to her. Qiao Xi’s close association with King Kong, whom she appointed to lead the Alliance’s First Security Team, strengthens this suspicion.
• Aishwarya is an old acquaintance of Lin Qi’s, though she does not know his hidden identity. Lin Qi once manipulated and threatened her through an anonymous connection. He now believes she may be seeking allies for the Wizard Alliance and its conflict with the European Witch Hunt.
• Ishigami’s visit offers a possible opportunity to renew cooperation between the Liu family, Liu Heavy Industries, and the Intercontinental Communications Network Company.
• Beauty Qing is the most politically dangerous visitor because she has previously clashed with Baili Xueyuan. However, Xu Zhengming believes she mainly wants access to the Phase-State Model Detector’s authorization and core parameters, which only Lin Qi and Liu Xuan can provide.
• Xu Zhengming reminds Lin Qi that he can invoke the name of his grandfather, Lin Changshou, whose reputation for protecting his descendants commands respect among the Eastern Alliance’s giant enterprises.
• Rather than worrying visibly, Lin Qi continues tutoring the younger researchers and strengthening his relationship with Nanyun Pharmaceuticals.
• At the end of the chapter, Qiao Xi arrives at the S-level Pharmacology Association building with King Kong acting as her bodyguard. Before entering, she considers contacting “Wizard”—Lin Qi’s hidden identity—but decides against it. King Kong announces her arrival outside Lin Qi’s reception room.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi becomes increasingly aware that United Pharmaceutical’s success has placed him at the center of a struggle among Intercontinental Giant Enterprises. He remains calm and politically pragmatic, accepting that he must balance competing factions rather than avoid them.
• Lin Qi also shows greater willingness to use his family connections, including Lin Changshou’s intimidating reputation, if doing so protects himself and those close to him.
• Xu Zhengming acts as an intermediary and advisor, explaining the political motives behind each visitor and reassuring Lin Qi about the protections arranged by Xu Tianyun and Baili Xueyuan.
• Xu Tianyun and Baili Xueyuan demonstrate their influence by filtering the visitors and arranging meetings with the three giant enterprises most likely to support United Pharmaceutical.
• Qiao Xi/Capitalist is positioned as the chapter’s central mystery. Her arrival suggests that Lin Qi’s hidden connection with Capitalist may soon collide with his public identity.
• Aishwarya is shown to be building an independent power base through the Wizard Alliance and resisting the European Witch Hunt, making her a possible ally for Lin Qi and United Pharmaceutical.
• Beauty Qing is established as a potentially hostile or politically complicated figure because of her conflict with Baili Xueyuan.
• King Kong displays absolute loyalty to Qiao Xi, regarding protecting her as his primary duty because she enabled his rise to power.

Significant Themes

• Political and corporate power: Scientific breakthroughs immediately attract the attention of giant enterprises and political leaders. Technological advancement cannot be separated from factional competition.
• The rise of United Pharmaceutical: Lin Qi’s company is no longer merely a promising enterprise; its discoveries threaten to reshape the entire pharmacology industry.
• Alliance-building and balance of power: Lin Qi must cultivate relationships with several major factions to survive the pressure surrounding United Pharmaceutical.
• Hidden identities and double lives: Lin Qi’s secret identity as “Wizard” complicates his upcoming meeting with Aishwarya and especially Qiao Xi, whom he suspects may be connected to Capitalist.
• Family and protection: Lin Qi’s ties to Liu Xuan, the Liu family, Baili Xueyuan, and Lin Changshou provide both political advantages and potential vulnerabilities.
• Control of technology: The Phase-State Model Detector is valuable not only because of its scientific function but because its true operating parameters remain under Lin Qi and Liu Xuan’s control.

Important Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Xu Zhengming discuss the visitors and the political reasoning behind their selection.
• Lin Qi evaluates how his history with Aishwarya might affect their first official meeting.
• Xu Zhengming connects Lin Qi’s marriage into the Liu family with potential cooperation from Aishwarya and the Wizard Alliance.
• The conflict between Beauty Qing and Baili Xueyuan creates tension around Beauty Qing’s upcoming meeting with Lin Qi.
• Xu Zhengming reassures Lin Qi that Lin Changshou’s influence can shield him from pressure exerted by Eastern Alliance factions.
• Qiao Xi and King Kong arrive together, with King Kong publicly announcing her presence while Qiao Xi privately considers whether to contact Lin Qi through his “Wizard” identity.

Chapter Summary: “A Familiar Feeling—So It Really Was You, Capitalist”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Director Qiao Xi, the First Director of the Large Enterprise Alliance’s Asian Political Zone, arrives at United Pharmaceutical with King Kong.
• Lin Qi immediately senses that Qiao Xi is an exceptionally powerful Fourth Rank extraordinary being, comparable to Master Ma.
• While observing King Kong, Lin Qi is astonished by his rapid advancement. King Kong has reached a physical level close to the Third Rank, though this improvement is secretly caused by a special Extraordinary Item and the severe shortening of his lifespan.
• Qiao Xi notices Lin Qi’s interest in King Kong and offers to let them exchange communication IDs. Lin Qi uses the opportunity to reinforce his public persona as someone fascinated by cybernetic technology.
• Through Qiao Xi’s probing conversational style and familiar psychological pressure, Lin Qi confirms that she is actually Capitalist, the mysterious figure he previously encountered through the Cyber Network.
• Qiao Xi invites United Pharmaceutical to contribute at least twenty products to the Intercontinental Stabilization Trauma Response Company’s [Coordination Plan]. Lin Qi realizes this is more than a commercial arrangement: the company intends to provide long-term strategic protection and support to United Pharmaceutical in exchange for a stable supply of high-grade potions.
• Qiao Xi then makes a personal request. She asks Lin Qi to support her during future weight-voting procedures in the main conference, once he obtains a non-fixed seat through the pharmacology sub-conference.
• Lin Qi agrees immediately, recognizing that his influence in pharmacology may be powerful enough to equal several fixed seats. He concludes that many major factions are likely seeking his support and decides it is safest to align himself with the strongest faction.
• Qiao Xi discusses Lin Qi’s connection to the legendary Wizard, Lin Changshou, and repeatedly probes for information about their relationship. Lin Qi maintains his disguise, revealing nothing useful.
• Qiao Xi leaves after an hour-long conversation, but Lin Qi stops her at the door to remind her about the promised exchange of communication IDs with King Kong.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Demonstrates caution, social intelligence, and strong political instincts. He quickly identifies Qiao Xi’s true identity and carefully maintains his fabricated image as a cybernetic enthusiast and Wizard’s indirect heir. He also recognizes the political value of his upcoming pharmacological influence and makes a pragmatic alliance with Qiao Xi.
• Qiao Xi/Capitalist: Reveals herself as powerful, calculating, and naturally inclined to test people through casual conversation. She attempts both to recruit Lin Qi politically and to uncover information about his relationship with Wizard. She becomes impressed by Lin Qi’s intelligence and sees him as someone who has inherited Wizard’s methods.
• King Kong: Remains mostly silent as Qiao Xi’s bodyguard, but his extraordinary physical and mental development is emphasized. His strength is not merely the result of resources; it comes at the hidden cost of drastically reduced lifespan.
• Lin Changshou/Wizard: Though absent, he exerts major influence over the conversation. Qiao Xi regards him as a powerful and important figure, while Lin Qi relies on the mystery surrounding him to protect his own identity.

Significant Themes

• Identity and disguise: Both Lin Qi and Qiao Xi recognize familiar traits in one another, but only Lin Qi successfully identifies the other’s true identity. Lin Qi’s carefully maintained persona protects him from Qiao Xi’s investigation.
• Political influence and power: Lin Qi’s value is no longer limited to his scientific discoveries. His potential voting weight in the main conference makes him a valuable target for competing factions.
• Strategic alliances: The [Coordination Plan] demonstrates how commercial agreements can function as protection treaties and political support structures.
• The cost of advancement: King Kong’s rapid growth highlights the dangers behind extraordinary power, particularly the sacrifice of lifespan for strength.
• Information warfare and manipulation: Both characters use seemingly casual remarks to probe, pressure, recruit, and mislead each other.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Qiao Xi engage in a careful verbal contest, with Qiao Xi testing his interests and background while Lin Qi gives believable but controlled responses.
• Qiao Xi offers King Kong as a possible contact for Lin Qi, allowing Lin Qi to strengthen his cybernetic-expert persona.
• Qiao Xi recruits Lin Qi into her political camp by asking for his support in future voting procedures.
• Their discussion of Wizard and Lin Changshou becomes an indirect interrogation, but Lin Qi successfully avoids exposing his connection to either figure.
• The chapter ends with Lin Qi using the promised contact with King Kong as a natural reason to prolong the interaction, reinforcing his interest in cybernetic technology.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi meets with Aishwarya, the Seventh Director, who invites United Pharmaceutical to join the Wizard Alliance.
• Aishwarya offers United Pharmaceutical significant support and protection if they join, including a free branch office in Alliance City and guaranteed votes in her favor.
• Lin Qi is hesitant due to Aishwarya's unusual behavior and the lack of information about her backing.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Struggles with the decision to accept Aishwarya's offer due to the lack of information and the potential risks involved.
• Aishwarya: Reveals her desperation for United Pharmaceutical's support, hinting at a struggle with her backing intercontinental giant.

Significant Themes

• The power struggle between intercontinental giants and their influence on smaller companies.
• The importance of intelligence and information in decision-making.
• The consequences of the Witch Hunt Plan on wizard families and professionals.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Aishwarya: Lin Qi is cautious and reserved, while Aishwarya is open and direct, offering significant support but concealing her true motives.
• Lin Qi and Guangleng/ Lin Changshou: Lin Qi considers seeking help from Guangleng or his grandfather to gather intelligence about Aishwarya.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi considers choosing Lin Changshou over Guangleng due to simpler, more direct interests.
• Lin Qi accesses the Metaverse to contact Lin Changshou, spending 2,999 Credit Points for communication permissions.
• Lin Changshou uses his Super Member privileges to forcefully invite Lin Qi to his Exclusive-VIP999 Sub-Metaverse, making Lin Qi's avatar kneel and assigning him the identity of an Imperial Garden Eunuch.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi shows consideration for his family (Lin Changshou) over his mentor (Guangleng), indicating a shift in his priorities.
• Lin Changshou demonstrates his wealth and power within the Metaverse, using his Super Member privileges to control Lin Qi's avatar.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and privileges within the Cyber World, where wealth can buy control over others' experiences.
• The contrast between Lin Qi's expectations and reality, highlighting the unpredictable nature of his interactions with Lin Changshou.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Lin Changshou's first interaction in the Metaverse is marked by Lin Changshou's dominance and Lin Qi's surprise and discomfort.
• Aishwarya observes Lin Qi's strange behavior while he's accessing the Metaverse, showing her curiosity and confusion about his actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi's past encounter with Lin Changshou, who gave him a fortuitous encounter and passed down the "Wizard profession."
• Lin Qi meets with Aishwarya, the Permanent Director of the Large Enterprise Alliance, who invites United Pharmaceutical to join the Wizard Alliance.
• Lin Qi communicates with Lin Changshou in the Metaverse, seeking his help and advice regarding Aishwarya's invitation.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Shows maturity and decisiveness in handling the situation with Aishwarya and Lin Changshou. He understands the importance of United Pharmaceutical's growth and the need for protection from intercontinental giants.
• Lin Changshou: Reveals his fifth-rank extraordinary power and offers his protection to Lin Qi and United Pharmaceutical. He shows confidence in Lin Qi's abilities and growth potential.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and influence between intercontinental giants and the Large Enterprise Alliance.
• The importance of alliances and protection in the corporate world.
• The growth and development of Lin Qi's character and abilities.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Aishwarya: Lin Qi decides to join the Wizard Alliance, gaining Aishwarya's support and potentially that of the Intercontinental Military Large War Cybernetic Body Company.
• Lin Qi and Lin Changshou: Lin Qi seeks Lin Changshou's advice and help, and Lin Changshou offers his protection and guidance. They establish a more formal relationship, with Lin Qi addressing him as "Grandpa."

Chapter Summary: “The Spouse? Master Ma?”

Aishwarya’s visit and political cooperation

Aishwarya concludes her negotiations with Lin Qi regarding cooperation between their interests and the Liu Family. She promises to visit Red Fruit City after the World City situation is resolved to finalize details. Before leaving, she asks Lin Qi to support her and Liu Xuan in the upcoming weighted vote at the main conference. Lin Qi gives a deliberately noncommittal but favorable response, implying that they will cooperate if circumstances permit.

Arrival of Ishigami Jūichirō

Aishwarya’s departure coincides with the arrival of Ishigami Jūichirō, the newly appointed Ninth Director of the Asian Political Zone’s Large Enterprise Alliance. Unlike the other directors, Ishigami behaves humbly and respectfully, even bowing to Lin Qi and asking to begin their meeting early. He thanks Lin Qi for previously declining an invitation to join the Intercontinental Communications Network Company, explaining that this allowed Ishigami to become a director instead of remaining an ordinary adjudicator.

Ishigami’s goodwill and disturbing gift

Ishigami and Lin Qi have a relaxed conversation focused on mutually beneficial exchanges between the company and United Pharmaceutical. Ishigami presents Lin Qi with a gift: two execution videos involving Si Li and Si Ranan of the Si Clan. The storage device was reportedly made from their ashes, revealing Ishigami’s disturbing psychological state and his attempt to appeal to Lin Qi’s conflict with the Si Clan. Lin Qi refuses to watch the videos but keeps the device, intending to give it to Liu Xingyuan for possible future use.

Growing influence of Lin Qi and the Asian Political Zone

Researchers in the Circular Experimental Field discuss Lin Qi’s growing importance and credit him with enabling the rise of many new S-level pharmacology researchers through his Phase-State Theory and the advent of the pharmacology “3.0 era.” Three Permanent Directors visiting Lin Qi in one day convinces observers that major powers view him as a crucial figure.

International political upheaval

The sudden appearance of numerous new S-level researchers from the Asian Political Zone causes an uproar across the S-level Pharmacology Association and alerts rival political zones. Other powers realize that Asia may gain substantial influence in pharmacology during the World Peace Conference. The Round Table fears that the Asian bloc could seize the field’s political weight and begins discussing emergency measures, including attempts to undermine Asia’s position. A full-scale Corporate War is considered too dangerous because it could devastate Earth and allow off-world political zones to benefit.

Reactions from other political zones and the Black Market

Europe reacts most aggressively because pharmacology has traditionally been within its sphere of influence. America and Africa pursue a more cautious strategy, negotiating with both sides while trying to determine the best alliance. Meanwhile, missions connected to World City flood the Black Market. The Holy Corpse Legion is demoted from T0 to T1 for violating Black Market rules, creating an open T0 position and encouraging mercenary groups to compete for supremacy. The Highest Level Mercenary Group quietly enters the T1 rankings.

Lin Qi’s character development and interactions

Lin Qi demonstrates political awareness, restraint, and growing authority. He carefully avoids exposing his abilities around Aishwarya, recognizes her possible detection powers, and uses ambiguous language to preserve flexibility. He treats Ishigami courteously but remains emotionally detached from the grotesque gift. His willingness to personally escort Ishigami to the elevator shows that he respects genuine goodwill, distinguishing Ishigami from the other directors.

The mysterious final visitor

After Ishigami leaves, Lin Qi awaits a final scheduled visitor from the Eastern Intercontinental Equipment Group. A woman named Beauty Qing arrives with a man introduced as both her spouse and the leader of her personal security team. Lin Qi is stunned by the man’s identity, apparently recognizing him as Master Ma, setting up the chapter’s cliffhanger and raising questions about their relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi meets Beauty Qing, a representative of Eastern Intercontinental Equipment Group, who is accompanied by Master Ma (Ma Buwen).
• Lin Qi secures the support of Eastern Intercontinental Equipment Group for United Pharmaceutical.
• Beauty Qing publicly humiliates Master Ma, revealing his low status within the Qing family.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Realizes the power dynamics between him and intercontinental giants, feels sympathy for Master Ma.
• Master Ma: Shows no resistance to Beauty Qing's humiliation, hinting at his internal struggles and low self-esteem.
• Beauty Qing: Demonstrates her cruel and manipulative nature, reveling in Master Ma's humiliation.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation: Beauty Qing uses her power to control and humiliate Master Ma, highlighting the imbalance of power between them.
• The consequences of choices: Master Ma's decision to marry into the Qing family has led to his current miserable situation.
• Sympathy and empathy: Lin Qi feels sympathy for Master Ma, understanding the pressure and difficulties he faces.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Beauty Qing: Engage in a business discussion, with Beauty Qing using her power to secure an agreement with United Pharmaceutical.
• Beauty Qing and Master Ma: Beauty Qing publicly humiliates Master Ma, demonstrating her control over him and his low status within the family.
• Lin Qi and Master Ma: Lin Qi feels sympathy for Master Ma but is unable to intervene in their relationship.

Chapter Summary: “Conference Opening”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi reflects on Master Ma’s hidden strength, recognizing that although Master Ma is only a mid–Fourth Rank Martial Artist, his experience and accumulated power allow him to challenge veteran peak Fourth Rank fighters. Lin Qi believes Master Ma, Arthur, and possibly other members of the Highest Level Mercenary Group may eventually reach the Fifth Rank.
• Lin Qi arrives at the S-level Pharmacology Association building and meets Xu Zhengming and Xu Qinghe. The surrounding researchers treat him with respect because of his creation of Phase-State Theory.
• Xu Zhengming reveals that the World Peace Conference’s pharmacology sub-conference will primarily evaluate research papers. This greatly benefits Lin Qi, whose Phase-State Theory may establish the foundation of the new “Pharmacology 3.0” era.
• Xu Zhengming explains that the European Political Zone traditionally dominates pharmacology because it possesses most of the world’s S-level pharmacology talent. The Asian Political Zone has declined due to its smaller pool of elite researchers.
• Lin Qi learns that the conference may determine not only individual rankings but also “weight voting,” which can influence the broader conference and provide political advantages to the winning region.
• Xu Zhengming asks Lin Qi to expand Phase-State Theory into additional applications so that other Asian researchers can cite and build upon it. Their goal is for the Asian Political Zone to dominate the pharmacology rankings.
• Lin Qi agrees to work through the night with the researchers. Xu Qinghe is motivated by both the opportunity to surpass rival regions and the possibility of receiving major financial rewards.
• Xu Tianyun suddenly appears and joins the effort. He is eager to preserve his reputation as one of the founders of Pharmacology 3.0 and avoid being outperformed by younger researchers.
• Lin Qi leads an overnight brainstorming session, refining Phase-State Theory and developing its theoretical framework.
• On April 16, 2089, the World Peace Conference officially begins. The four political zones enforce strict security, preventing mercenary groups or governments from interfering.
• The Asian delegation gathers at the S-level Pharmacology Association building. Xu Zhengming explains that elevator access to the underground conference venue is granted according to previous rankings: Europe enters first, America second, and Asia third.

2. Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Becomes increasingly important within the pharmacology community. He shifts from being a newcomer to acting as a mentor and central intellectual figure for the Asian delegation. He also deliberately strengthens his alliance with Nanyun Pharmaceuticals and the Eastern Alliance.
• Master Ma: Though not present, he is recontextualized as a powerful figure whose apparent weakness hides substantial strength and future potential.
• Xu Zhengming: Moves from cautiously explaining the conference to enthusiastically promoting Lin Qi’s theory. He sees Phase-State Theory as a chance for both personal advancement and a revival of Asian pharmacology.
• Xu Qinghe: Shows admiration and respect toward Lin Qi while becoming excited by the possibility of financial rewards and a major breakthrough for her side.
• Xu Tianyun: Reveals strong ambition and pride. Despite his senior status, he fears being surpassed by younger researchers and wants to secure his historical position in the new Pharmacology 3.0 era.
• The Asian researchers: Their initial uncertainty gives way to collective excitement and hope as they realize Lin Qi’s theory may allow them to challenge Europe’s longstanding dominance.

3. Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and future potential: Master Ma’s concealed power parallels Lin Qi’s own underestimated abilities and the untapped potential of the Asian pharmacology community.
• Knowledge as political power: Scientific papers and theoretical breakthroughs are not merely academic achievements; they determine regional influence, voting weight, prestige, and material rewards.
• Generational competition: Xu Tianyun’s anxiety about younger researchers reflects the tension between established authorities and emerging talents.
• Collaboration versus individual achievement: Lin Qi’s theory becomes valuable not only because of his personal brilliance but because it can empower an entire research community.
• Regional inequality and revival: Europe’s dominance is attributed to its greater concentration of S-level talent, while the Asian Political Zone sees Lin Qi’s breakthrough as an opportunity to reverse decades of decline.
• Ambition and legacy: Xu Tianyun and the other researchers want their names associated with the beginning of Pharmacology 3.0, showing how scientific progress is tied to reputation and historical recognition.

4. Character Interactions

• Lin Qi speaks with Xu Zhengming to understand the conference format and receives reassurance about his chances of winning.
• Xu Qinghe addresses Lin Qi as “Uncle Lin,” displaying familiarity and respect while also joining her father in asking for his guidance.
• Xu Zhengming privately worries about being punished by his father, Xu Tianyun, after praising Lin Qi too highly; Xu Tianyun briefly uses his willpower to reprimand him.
• Xu Zhengming and Xu Qinghe encourage Lin Qi to expand Phase-State Theory so that Nanyun Pharmaceuticals’ researchers can use it in their own papers.
• Lin Qi agrees to guide the researchers, recognizing that mutual cooperation will strengthen his ties to Nanyun Pharmaceuticals and the Eastern Alliance.
• Xu Tianyun enters dramatically and joins Lin Qi’s research session, motivated by both professional ambition and fear of losing his place in history.
• The chapter ends with the Asian delegation preparing to enter the conference, establishing the imminent academic and political contest.

Chapter Summary: “Conference Chair, Lin Xin?”

Plot Points and Events

• The Asian Political Zone arrives at the World Peace Conference’s pharmacology sub-conference, where memories of the previous conference—when younger Asian researchers were sabotaged and performed poorly—remain strong.
• European participants slow the elevators by sequentially unlocking floor access, an established form of petty interference intended to make other delegations arrive late and lose their seats.
• The Asian delegation remains calm. The older researchers recognize the tactic, while eight of them stay behind to guard the elevators and ensure no one else is delayed.
• The Asian researchers reach the underground Intercontinental Pharmacology Council Hall with ample time. The venue contains 501 researchers, with the European Political Zone making up over sixty percent.
• The African Political Zone arrives shortly before the seating deadline, apparently using the stairs after realizing that waiting for the elevators would make them late. Other delegates are disappointed that the Africans avoided falling victim to the same trick that had harmed Asia previously.
• At exactly nine o’clock, the randomly selected temporary chair enters. To everyone’s surprise, she is Lin Xin, an Asian woman and a holder of one of the Eastern Alliance’s influential fixed seats.
• Lin Qi is shocked by her appearance. He knows Lin Xin is Baili Xueyuan’s student and a future leader of the Blood Clothes Lineage, making her appointment highly significant for both Lin Xin and the Eastern Alliance.
• Lin Xin searches the audience until she finds Lin Qi, suggesting that she intends to use her authority to help him.
• When a European researcher urges her to begin the conference, Lin Xin interprets the remark as a challenge to her authority and the legitimacy of her seat. She immediately confronts him, creating tension before the proceedings have even begun.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Demonstrates caution and political awareness. He refrains from using Psychic Vision because powerful figures in World City might detect it. He remains observant throughout the conference preparations and is stunned when Lin Xin becomes chair.
• Lin Xin: Her unexpected appointment places her in a position of immense authority. Encouraged by Baili Xueyuan’s explanation of the power held by fixed-seat members, she behaves confidently and aggressively, immediately confronting a European delegate.
• Xu Zhengming: Acts as a guide for the younger researchers, explaining the conference’s seating, communication, and procedural rules. He remains composed because of his previous experience with political maneuvering.
• Xu Tianyun: Understands the importance of Lin Xin’s identity and position. He realizes that her chairmanship could help Lin Qi rise to the top of the pharmacology field and privately reflects on Lin Xin and Lin Qi’s extraordinary family background.
• The older Asian researchers: Show experience and resilience. Rather than panicking over the elevator sabotage, they prepare for it and take practical measures to protect the delegation.
• European researchers: Continue their tradition of subtle political sabotage and assume that the Asian and African delegations may be vulnerable. Their confidence is shaken when Lin Xin responds forcefully.

Significant Themes

• Political manipulation beneath formal diplomacy: Although the conference is presented as a prestigious event for global cooperation, participants use petty tactics, institutional loopholes, and procedural advantages to weaken rivals.
• Power and legitimacy: A fixed seat in the main conference grants extraordinary authority. Lin Xin’s position allows her to challenge even elite researchers from powerful political zones.
• Experience versus youth: The older Asian researchers’ previous failures have made them more cautious and prepared, while the younger participants learn how deeply political the conference is.
• Fate and opportunity: Lin Xin’s random selection as temporary chair appears extraordinarily fortunate for Lin Qi and the Eastern Alliance, potentially giving him access to advantages no one expected.
• Family legacy and exceptional bloodlines: Xu Tianyun reflects on the power and accomplishments emerging from Lin Qi’s family, connecting personal success with inherited potential and strategic family planning.
• Natural humans versus cybernetic society: Lin Xin’s lack of a Brain distinguishes her from most attendees, limiting her ability to understand untranslated speech but also emphasizing her unusual, traditional identity.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhengming and Lin Qi: Xu Zhengming briefs Lin Qi on the conference rules, seating arrangements, communication restrictions, and the special authority of the temporary chair.
• Lin Qi and the Asian delegation: Lin Qi quietly observes the group and follows the older researchers’ lead, gaining insight into the political customs of the pharmacology world.
• Lin Xin and Lin Qi: Their connection is not openly acknowledged, but Lin Xin deliberately searches for him after taking the podium, implying that she intends to favor or assist him.
• Xu Tianyun and Lin Qi/Lin Xin: Xu Tianyun recognizes the personal and political significance of their relationship and anticipates that Lin Xin’s position could help Lin Qi secure a major advantage.
• Lin Xin and the European researcher: Their first public interaction is confrontational. When he asks whether the proceedings may begin, Lin Xin treats the request as a challenge to her authority and demands to know whether he is questioning her legitimacy.

Chapter Summary: “Lin Xin: Bro, Want Some Extra Tutoring?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The pharmacology subconference of the 14th World Peace Conference begins under Lin Xin’s temporary chairmanship.
• A European researcher attempts to hurry the proceedings but is silenced, reflecting the European Political Zone’s anxiety about the Asians’ mysterious new technology.
• Lin Xin and her brother Lin Qi exchange a knowing look, publicly revealing their close relationship. Other researchers interpret this as evidence that Lin Qi has special influence within the conference.
• Lin Xin deliberately provokes the European delegation, privately blaming them for the attempted assassination of her sister-in-law and intending to damage their standing.
• She announces that the conference will last eighty hours and be judged primarily through papers written during the event. Participants may consult their political zones’ literature databases and use equipment in the association’s underground laboratory.
• The total pharmacology weight points are revealed to be 41,232—far higher than in previous conferences. This increase is attributed to the major technological breakthrough brought by the Asian Political Zone.
• Because the points are distributed according to ranking, the first- and second-place participants could collectively secure more than thirty thousand points and potentially create two additional temporary seats in the main conference.
• The Asian researchers become optimistic, while the Europeans fear losing both top positions and suffering a major political setback.
• Lin Xin explains the formal and informal rules to Lin Qi in a deliberately conspicuous conversation, making it appear that he is receiving preferential treatment.
• She reveals that she controls the order in which researchers’ requests to access literature databases are approved and threatens to delay applicants from political zones connected to the assassination attempt.
• Through a concealed mental-power transmission, Lin Xin privately informs Lin Qi that the final “prophetic non-reading evaluation” can be deceived using techniques developed by the Europeans.

Character Developments

• Lin Xin is established as a confident, politically aggressive chairperson. She uses her authority to support Lin Qi, humiliate the Europeans, and retaliate for the attack on her sister-in-law.
• Lin Qi remains calm and observant. He understands Lin Xin’s public performance and cooperates by asking questions that make their apparent favoritism obvious. He also learns about weaknesses in the final evaluation system.
• The European researchers become increasingly nervous and resentful. They recognize that the Asian Political Zone may dominate the pharmacology rankings and possibly reshape the main conference.
• The American researchers take pleasure in Europe’s difficulties, hoping a new era of pharmacology might weaken European dominance and create opportunities for them.
• The African researchers are discouraged because the new points distribution appears likely to leave them in last place again.

Significant Themes

• Political power within science: The conference is presented as both an academic competition and a struggle over political influence, corporate power, and representation.
• Retaliation and factional conflict: Lin Xin’s actions are motivated not only by fairness but also by revenge against the European forces linked to the assassination attempt.
• Hidden rules and manipulation: Although the conference has formal procedures, success depends heavily on informal knowledge, preferential access, political connections, and exploiting weaknesses in evaluation methods.
• Technological change and shifting power: The Asian breakthrough raises pharmacology’s global impact factor and threatens Europe’s long-standing dominance.
• Appearance versus reality: Lin Xin openly creates the impression that Lin Qi is receiving special treatment, while secretly communicating information through mental power.

Character Interactions

• Lin Xin and Lin Qi communicate through subtle gestures before the conference begins, reassuring one another of their alliance.
• Lin Xin publicly addresses Lin Qi as “bro,” shocking the other researchers and making their familial relationship unmistakable.
• Their conversation about the rules becomes a deliberate provocation aimed at the Europeans.
• Lin Xin uses her authority to threaten delays for European researchers seeking database access.
• She later sends Lin Qi private information through a concealed mental-power connection, warning him that the prophetic evaluation system can be deceived.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist decides to take a day off from their usual routine due to fatigue and stress.
• They plan to spend the day relaxing and rejuvenating.

Character Developments

• The protagonist shows signs of burnout, indicating they've been pushing themselves too hard.
• They demonstrate self-awareness by recognizing the need for a break.

Significant Themes

• Self-Care: The importance of taking time for oneself to recharge and prevent burnout.
• Balance: The need for balance between work and personal life to maintain overall well-being.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with their environment (e.g., their home, nature) rather than other characters in this chapter, emphasizing their need for solitude and rest.

Chapter Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Lin Xin reveals that the conference’s final judgment relies on a Fifth Rank Extraordinary Item whose prophecy is fragmented and incomplete. Because its predictions can potentially be manipulated, Lin Qi considers exploiting the system by influencing future citations of his paper through Nanyun Pharmaceuticals’ researchers.
• Lin Qi becomes more interested in the Fifth Rank item itself than in the judging method. He identifies the corporation behind it as a future target once he reaches the Fourth Rank Limit, though he says he likely will not need to manipulate the evaluation.
• The conference participants begin preparing their papers. Most researchers simply replicate prior experiments and reorganize existing work, since three days is insufficient for genuinely new research. Lin Qi restructures and fragments his complete paper on Phase-State Theory, requiring little additional experimentation.
• Xu Zhengming explains that the conference is also a political struggle. He encourages Lin Qi to reserve laboratories, equipment, and materials—even if unnecessary—to occupy resources and delay rival political zones.
• Lin Qi reserves a Particle Collision Extraordinary Materials Laboratory. Lin Xin secretly uses her authority as acting chair to move him from nineteenth in line to first place.
• A confrontation breaks out between Xu Tianyun and European researcher Felix. Felix’s cybernetic toe is damaged after the two deliberately collide and stomp at each other. Xu Zhengming explains that such petty harassment is a recurring tactic between political zones.
• Lin Xin rules against Felix, accusing him of deliberately provoking the incident and issuing him a Level Two warning. Felix protests that the ruling is biased, but Xu Tianyun theatrically pretends to be injured, claiming his collectible Exoskeleton was damaged.
• Lin Xin openly supports Xu Tianyun, issues Felix another warning for disrespecting the chair, and forces him to accept mediation. Xu demands 160 million Credit Points for the allegedly damaged limited-edition Exoskeleton. Felix realizes he has been trapped in an insurance scam but reluctantly agrees to pay.
• Lin Qi leaves for the laboratory, while European researchers observe him cautiously because of his visible A-level Cybernetic Body and Lin Xin’s obvious favoritism. They decide not to provoke him.
• Lin Qi completes his paper quickly and spends the remainder of the conference thinking about the political situation and United Pharmaceutical. He continues visiting the Doomsday World every night.
• On April 19, 2089, Lin Qi’s Mental Power reaches the Third Rank Limit. He prepares to break through to the Fourth Rank, believing this will allow him to protect himself against powerful Fourth Rank figures such as Baili Xueyuan and McLeod.
• The chapter ends with Lin Qi examining the numerous Extraordinary Items he has accumulated, including at least three Fourth Rank items.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi demonstrates strategic awareness and increasing confidence. He recognizes the conference as a political battlefield, adapts to its competitive tactics, and completes his paper efficiently. His approaching Fourth Rank breakthrough marks a major advancement in power and security.
• Lin Xin shows that she is highly willing to abuse her temporary authority for the benefit of the Asian Political Zone. She manipulates laboratory queues, openly favors Xu Tianyun, and uses procedural rules to punish Felix while maintaining a superficially defensible position.
• Xu Zhengming acts as Lin Qi’s guide to the conference’s hidden rules and political maneuvering. He encourages resource hoarding as a form of competition.
• Xu Tianyun is revealed to be both ruthless and theatrical. He counters Felix’s attempted harassment, then deliberately stages an injury and exploits his valuable Exoskeleton to extort compensation.
• Felix becomes a victim of both the toe-stomping confrontation and Lin Xin’s biased mediation. Although he recognizes the injustice, his two warnings leave him unable to resist without risking expulsion and disgrace.

Significant Themes

• Academic competition as political warfare: The conference is presented not as a purely intellectual gathering but as a struggle between political zones using sabotage, delays, intimidation, and procedural manipulation.
• The return to primitive conflict: Despite the participants being elite scientists, their tactics are petty and physical—pressing elevator buttons, claiming laboratories, stomping toes, and staging accidents.
• Power and institutional bias: Authority matters as much as merit. Lin Xin’s position allows her to influence queues, punish rivals, and shape the conference’s results while technically staying within the rules.
• Deception and exploitation: The prophecy item may be manipulated, Xu Tianyun commits an insurance scam, and participants use appearances and hidden abilities to mislead opponents.
• Lin Qi’s rise in power: His progress toward the Fourth Rank reflects his growing independence and ability to survive among the world’s strongest Extraordinary individuals.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Lin Xin discuss manipulating the prophecy-based judging system, revealing mutual trust and shared strategic thinking.
• Xu Zhengming teaches Lin Qi how to weaponize laboratory reservations against rival political zones.
• Xu Tianyun and Felix engage in a deliberate physical clash, turning a minor incident into a political confrontation.
• Lin Xin sides with Xu Tianyun during the dispute, using her authority to penalize Felix and impose a biased mediation.
• European researchers observe Lin Qi but refrain from confronting him because of his visible strength, his connection to Lin Xin, and uncertainty about what abilities he may be concealing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi decides to break through to the Fourth Rank despite Liu Xingyuan's warning.
• He analyzes a Fourth Rank Extraordinary Item, gaining a new spatial ability called "Spatial Anchor" and naturally acquiring Willpower.
• No unexpected mutations or dangers occur during his breakthrough.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi advances to the Fourth Rank, gaining new abilities and Willpower.
• Wang Qiang, though not present, is mentioned to have successfully subjugated monsters and will return soon.

Significant Themes

• The ease and naturalness of Wizard Professionals' advancement, contrasting with the struggles of other Extraordinary Professionals.
• The potential dangers and unknown prices of Wizard Professionals' advancements, hinted at but not yet experienced by Lin Qi.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi reflects on Liu Xingyuan's warning about advancing to the Fourth Rank.
• Lin Qi thinks about Wang Qiang's past battles and his upcoming return.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi discovers changes in his cognition after reaching the fourth tier of the Wizard profession.
• He realizes these changes could worsen and potentially alter his species.
• Lin Qi remembers Lin Changshou, a fifth-tier Wizard, and ponders his methods to maintain humanity.
• Lin Qi focuses on his Spiritual Sea and observes the 'Gate,' which he believes can suppress cognitive changes.
• He successfully uses the Gate to purify his willpower, restoring his original perception.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Realizes the dangers of his profession's advancement, seeks solutions, and successfully maintains his humanity.
• Lin Changshou: Implied to have maintained his humanity through intense desires, adding depth to his character.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of power and advancement: Lin Qi faces cognitive changes due to his increased power, raising questions about the cost of progression.
• The struggle between humanity and otherness: Lin Qi grapples with the possibility of becoming a Blood Moon, highlighting the tension between his identity and his new abilities.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Lin Changshou: Though they don't interact directly, Lin Qi's thoughts about his nominal grandfather add depth to their relationship.
• Lin Qi and Wei Yue: Lin Qi plans to help Wei Yue remove her hidden danger, showing their alliance and mutual respect.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi visits Wei Yue, who is now close to the second stage of the Third Rank.
• Wei Yue and the two Blood Moon Worshipers under her command produce most of the Extraordinary Materials Lin Qi uses for S-level Potions.
• Lin Qi has advanced to the Fourth Rank, which the Blood Moon Worshipers perceive as the presence of the Blood Moon itself, causing them to kneel and worship.
• Lin Qi and Wei Yue discuss her advancement to a complete Blood Moon Envoy. Wei Yue chooses to proceed with the first option, despite the risks.
• Lin Qi and Wei Yue prepare for the ritual to infuse Lin Qi's willpower into Wei Yue. They set up the ritual site at the eastern open-air field of Magic University.
• Wang Ziru, Magic University Camp's second-in-command, assists in the preparations and ensures the confidentiality of the ritual.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Advances to the Fourth Rank, gaining the power of will. He becomes more aware of the potential risks and consequences of his actions.
• Wei Yue: Advances to the second stage of the Third Rank. She regains her self-awareness and is determined not to become a slave to the Blood Moon. She chooses to proceed with the risky option to become a complete Blood Moon Envoy under Lin Qi's guidance.
• Wang Ziru: Demonstrates his loyalty and cleverness by assisting Lin Qi with the preparations and ensuring the confidentiality of the ritual. He shows that he is fully devoted to serving Lin Qi and Magic University Camp.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Lin Qi's advancement to the Fourth Rank allows him to control the Blood Moon Worshipers, but it also brings new challenges and risks.
• Choice and Consequence: Wei Yue chooses to proceed with the risky option to become a complete Blood Moon Envoy, knowing the potential consequences.
• Loyalty and Service: Wang Ziru demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to Lin Qi and Magic University Camp, highlighting the theme of service and devotion.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Wei Yue: They discuss Wei Yue's advancement and Lin Qi's role in it. Their interaction shows a growing trust and understanding between them.
• Lin Qi and Wang Ziru: They work together to prepare for the ritual, with Wang Ziru showing his loyalty and competence. Their interaction highlights their strong working relationship.
• Wei Yue and the Blood Moon Worshipers: The Blood Moon Worshipers' reaction to Lin Qi's presence emphasizes the power dynamic between them and their complete devotion to the Blood Moon.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi and Wei Yue conduct a ritual on the sports field using Extraordinary Materials and a Zombie's flesh, aiming to create a Blood Moon projection without the actual descent of the Blood Moon Will.
• Lin Qi sends a portion of his willpower into Wei Yue's Spiritual Sea to replace the Blood Moon Will.
• A sentient trace of Blood Moon power, hidden within Wei Yue's soul, attacks Lin Qi's willpower. Lin Qi's [Gate] artifact easily defeats it, and he gains a portion of its pure willpower.
• Wei Yue successfully completes the ritual and feels no reverence for the Blood Moon, indicating that the plan was successful.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi demonstrates his cautious and strategic nature, always prepared for the worst and ready to act when necessary.
• Wei Yue shows determination and courage in her plan to resist the Blood Moon's influence.
• The Blood Moon Will is revealed to be sentient and aggressive, but ultimately no match for the power of the [Gate].

Significant Themes

• The power of will and the soul is explored, with Lin Qi's willpower proving stronger than the Blood Moon's influence.
• The [Gate] artifact is shown to be incredibly powerful, easily defeating the Blood Moon Will.
• Trust and cooperation between Lin Qi and Wei Yue are essential for the successful completion of their plan.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi and Wei Yue work together to complete the ritual, with Lin Qi providing the necessary willpower and Wei Yue conducting the ritual itself.
• Lin Qi's willpower interacts with the Blood Moon Will within Wei Yue's Spiritual Sea, leading to a confrontation between the two powers.
• After the ritual, Wei Yue looks to Lin Qi, expressing her gratitude and relief at their successful cooperation.

Chapter Summary: “Three Uses for the New Ability—Had the Third Rank Ability Grown Stronger?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi successfully uses his new ability to alter Wei Yue’s soul and establish control over her. Although she remains physically unharmed, Wei Yue now reacts to him with extreme obedience and reverence, similar to a Blood Moon Envoy serving the Blood Moon.
• Concerned about the psychological effects of the soul contamination, Lin Qi decides to create a systematic questionnaire to assess Wei Yue’s cognitive state.
• Lin Qi begins testing his new spatial ability:
  1. Spatial Anchoring and Teleportation: He creates invisible anchors at distant locations and instantly teleports to them. Anchors can be formed within roughly three kilometers, while prepared anchors can remain active at distances of up to about ten kilometers. The ability allows him to teleport approximately once every ten seconds, making it an extremely effective escape technique.
  2. Spatial Tearing: Lin Qi anchors onto a Second Rank Zombie and shatters the anchor, causing violent spatial vibrations that rip apart the matter within the affected area. The ability kills the Zombie instantly.
  3. Spatial Explosion: By forming two anchors at the same location, Lin Qi causes them to collide, producing a singularity-like effect followed by a massive explosion. The resulting blast resembles a small nuclear weapon and demonstrates destructive power capable of threatening powerful Fourth Rank opponents.
• During the spatial-tearing test, Lin Qi discovers that his older Third Rank ability, Spatial Tug, has unexpectedly become much stronger. It can now suppress and neutralize the spatial vibrations produced by his new ability, suggesting that acquiring a higher-ranked ability from the same system may enhance an existing lower-ranked one.
• Lin Qi considers whether abilities can be deliberately combined to increase one another’s potential, possibly allowing him to improve abilities such as Psychic Vision.
• After the explosion, Wang Ziru reports that an unknown attack resembling a small nuclear blast has occurred near Magic University Camp, unaware that Lin Qi caused it.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi: Demonstrates growing mastery and confidence in his abilities. He evaluates both their practical limitations—especially Mental Power consumption—and their tactical value. He also becomes increasingly interested in the underlying rules of the Wizard profession and the possibility that abilities sharing similar principles can evolve together.
• Wei Yue: Becomes completely submissive to Lin Qi after he alters her soul. She avoids eye contact, kneels instinctively, and treats his instructions as divine commands. Her condition raises questions about whether Lin Qi has truly improved her situation or merely replaced one master with another.
• Wang Ziru: Witnesses Lin Qi’s teleportation and immediately recognizes its strategic importance. He protects Lin Qi’s secret by reminding the squad that his abilities must not be disclosed, reinforcing his loyalty and the importance of camp security.
• Lin Changshou: Though absent, he remains a source of suspicion for Lin Qi. Lin Qi wonders whether his grandfather deliberately guided his development as a Wizard and whether his apparent death concealed a larger plan.
• Wang Qiang and other powerful figures: Their earlier encounters with similar destructive spatial techniques provide Lin Qi with a benchmark for judging the explosion’s strength.

Significant Themes

• Power, control, and moral ambiguity: Wei Yue’s transformation mirrors her former service to the Blood Moon. Although Lin Qi considers himself a better master, the chapter questions whether control is acceptable simply because the controller is less evil.
• Growth through combination: Lin Qi discovers that abilities may not improve only through increased Mental Power. Related abilities may reinforce one another, opening a new method of advancement based on strategic ability selection.
• Secrecy and responsibility: Lin Qi’s powers are dangerous enough to resemble nuclear weapons, making concealment essential. The Magic University Camp’s survival depends not only on strength but also on controlling information.
• Uncertainty about inherited plans: Lin Qi continues to question Lin Changshou’s intentions and whether his current path was deliberately arranged.
• Power versus cost: The new ability offers extraordinary mobility and destructive force, but its strongest applications rapidly consume Mental Power, limiting how often Lin Qi can use them.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi exercises direct authority over Wei Yue, helping her stand with Mental Power and ordering her to rest. Her fearful, worshipful responses reveal the extent of his control.
• Lin Qi demonstrates teleportation to Wang Ziru, startling him and prompting Wang to reinforce the camp’s secrecy regulations.
• Lin Qi interacts with the surrounding environment and a Second Rank Zombie as test subjects, using spatial tearing and explosion to measure the offensive capabilities of his new power.
• The chapter ends with Wang Ziru urgently knocking on the conference-room door to report the “enemy” nuclear-like attack, unaware that Lin Qi is responsible for it.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Qi reveals to Wang Ziru that the unusual activity in the camp is merely an “experiment,” allowing him to conceal the truth about his recent breakthrough.
• Having advanced to the Fourth-Tier Wizard level, Lin Qi continues meditating and strengthening his Mental Power. Despite his advancement, he remains focused on reaching the Fifth Rank and using the Doomsday World as a source of resources.
• After returning to the pharmacology conference, Lin Qi’s sister, Lin Xin, notices that he seems unusually cheerful and energetic, though she cannot determine why.
• Lin Xin continues antagonizing the European researchers. She catches Felix apparently rolling his eyes, interprets his excuse as disrespectful and dishonest, and gives him multiple warnings before stripping him of his conference qualifications.
• Felix considers challenging the decision, but his colleagues persuade him not to risk lowering the entire European Political Zone’s score. He accepts that he may lose his job and plans to establish his own studio.
• Lin Xin continues favoring Asian researchers by advancing their laboratory reservations while delaying European applications. She gives the American and African zones limited preferential treatment so that she does not antagonize everyone.
• As the submission deadline approaches, European researchers struggle to finish because of Lin Xin’s interference and the deliberate obstruction caused by Xu Tianyun and Nanyun Pharmaceuticals.
• When challenged about repeatedly occupying laboratories despite already completing their work, Xu Tianyun argues that he has violated no rules. Lin Xin supports him, allowing the obstruction to continue.
• Once all results are submitted, the conference’s assessment systems begin calculating the rankings.

Character Developments

• Lin Qi becomes more confident and composed after reaching the Fourth Tier. He is determined not to become complacent and remains focused on achieving greater power.
• Wang Ziru demonstrates trust and obedience, immediately accepting Lin Qi’s explanation and helping him maintain secrecy.
• Lin Xin is portrayed as vindictive, manipulative, and highly protective of those close to her, especially Liu Xuan and Lin Qi. She uses her authority aggressively to punish the Europeans and aid the Asian Political Zone.
• Xu Tianyun continues using underhanded tactics to hinder the European researchers, showing his stubbornness and willingness to exploit every gap in the rules.
• Felix becomes a victim of political and institutional self-interest. His colleagues prioritize the European Political Zone’s score over defending him, leaving him isolated despite offering superficial reassurance and future cooperation.

Significant Themes

• Power and secrecy: Lin Qi conceals his extraordinary advancement while quietly preparing for even greater strength.
• Political rivalry and favoritism: The conference is presented less as a purely academic competition and more as a struggle between political zones.
• Institutional self-interest: Felix’s colleagues abandon meaningful solidarity once his actions threaten the larger group’s score.
• Manipulation of rules: Lin Xin and Xu Tianyun exploit procedural loopholes to suppress their opponents without technically violating conference regulations.
• Retribution and loyalty: Lin Xin’s harassment of the Europeans is motivated by personal revenge and loyalty toward Liu Xuan and the Asian side.

Character Interactions

• Lin Qi instructs Wang Ziru to calm the camp and maintain the cover story about the experiment.
• Lin Xin questions Lin Qi about his improved mood, but he successfully conceals his breakthrough from her.
• Lin Xin humiliates and disqualifies Felix after accusing him of disrespecting her and the conference.
• Felix’s fellow researchers pressure him not to challenge the ruling, emphasizing that his personal loss is preferable to damaging the entire European Political Zone.
• European researchers confront Xu Tianyun over his obstruction, but Lin Xin backs Xu’s interpretation of the rules.
• At the end of the chapter, the rankings reveal a stunning Asian victory: Lin Qi takes first place, followed by Xu Qinghe, Lin Qinghong, and Xu Tianyun. In fact, the entire top fifty is occupied by Asian Political Zone researchers, allowing them to claim nearly all of the conference’s pharmacology points and placing the Asian zone in a strong position to win overall.

Chapter Summary: “Queen”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The pharmacology rankings produce a shocking result: researchers from the Asian Political Zone occupy every position in the top fifty, signaling the beginning of “Pharmacology 3.0” and a major shift in global scientific power.
• The European Political Zone suffers a dramatic decline, while American and African researchers rank surprisingly close behind. Nanyun Pharmaceuticals openly mocks the Europeans, intensifying the political tension.
• Lin Qi learns that he has secured a non-fixed seat at the World Security Conference and is expected to rank fourth among the temporary pharmacology seats. Xu Qinghe also secures a seat, ranking second in pharmacology behind Lin Qi.
• Lin Xin warns Lin Qi that the three-day gap before the main conference is extremely dangerous. Non-fixed-seat members are likely to face coercion, assassination, brainwashing, or other attempts to transfer or eliminate their weighted points.
• Xu Tianyun quickly escorts Lin Qi and Xu Qinghe out of the conference venue. He explains that fixed-seat members are protected by an international understanding, while non-fixed-seat members are deliberately left vulnerable as political variables.
• Xu Tianyun advises them not to surrender their weighted points easily, even to members of the Eastern Alliance. They must maintain balance among the major Eastern Alliance enterprises and avoid contacting outside political zones, while seeking the support of at least one-third of the alliance’s major powers if necessary.
• Baili Xueyuan appears at the building’s rooftop disguised as “Queen,” the leader of the T1-level Assassin Alliance mercenary group. She takes responsibility for protecting Lin Qi and Xu Qinghe during the dangerous transition to the World City core district.
• Baili reveals that Lin Xin ended the pharmacology meeting early to give them a time advantage. Other mercenary groups may also be hired to strengthen security in the core district.
• Lin Qi realizes that the newly promoted T1-level mercenary group Baili mentions may be the Highest Level Mercenary Group, implying that he might receive a mission to protect himself.

2. Character Developments

• Lin Qi demonstrates composure and political awareness. He accepts his prestigious ranking without arrogance and quickly understands that securing a seat is only the beginning of a more dangerous struggle.
• Xu Qinghe proves herself as the Xu Family’s successor by earning a non-fixed seat. She is still inexperienced in the larger political game, but Xu Tianyun’s instructions are clearly intended to prepare her for it.
• Xu Tianyun shifts from congratulating the younger generation to acting as a cautious protector and strategist. His concern for Xu Qinghe reveals his affection, while his warnings show his understanding of the ruthless power struggle surrounding the conference.
• Lin Xin acts decisively to protect Lin Qi, both by helping him secure a seat and by ending the pharmacology proceedings early to give him a head start.
• Baili Xueyuan embraces her mercenary persona as “Queen,” treating the disguise almost playfully while remaining a terrifyingly capable protector. Her hidden identity and unofficial connection to the Eastern Alliance underline her importance and versatility.
• Lin Qi’s bodyguard, Green Hair, becomes comically overwhelmed by the confidential political information he hears, realizing that he may be involved in matters far beyond an ordinary protection assignment.
• Liu Xuan is not present, but Lin Qi’s confidence in her abilities establishes his strong faith in her prospects and hints that she may become an even more valuable target than himself.

3. Significant Themes

• The redistribution of global power: Asia’s total domination of the pharmacology rankings symbolizes the decline of European influence and the emergence of a new international order.
• Science as political power: Academic rankings are not merely measures of achievement; they determine access to the World Security Conference and influence the balance among global political zones.
• Trust and factionalism: Even allies within the Eastern Alliance cannot be trusted completely. Major enterprises pursue their own interests, forcing Lin Qi and Xu Qinghe to balance competing powers rather than rely on a single patron.
• The danger of non-fixed status: Temporary seats offer enormous influence but little protection. Their holders become targets for manipulation, assassination, and coercion before the conference officially begins.
• Hidden identities and indirect conflict: The major powers avoid openly violating their agreements, instead relying on mercenary organizations and unofficial agents such as the Assassin Alliance.
• Generational succession: Xu Qinghe’s success suggests the rise of younger heirs, while Xu Tianyun’s comments acknowledge that established leaders must begin relying on the next generation.
• Political performance and deception: Baili Xueyuan’s “Queen” persona highlights how disguises, false affiliations, and carefully constructed identities are essential tools in the global power struggle.

4. Character Interactions

• Nanyun Pharmaceuticals researchers deliberately provoke the European delegation, celebrating their decline and creating an atmosphere of humiliation and rivalry.
• Lin Qi and Xu Tianyun exchange polite congratulations before Xu Tianyun becomes serious and urges him to leave immediately.
• Xu Tianyun gives Lin Qi and Xu Qinghe extensive strategic advice, emphasizing independence, caution, and the need to balance the Eastern Alliance’s competing giants.
• Xu Tianyun’s protective treatment of Xu Qinghe contrasts with his more politically focused guidance to Lin Qi.
• Baili Xueyuan’s arrival creates an awkward but humorous exchange with Xu Tianyun, who is forced to address her as “Queen” despite knowing her true identity.
• Baili and Lin Qi discuss Liu Xuan’s chances of gaining a seat, revealing Lin Qi’s confidence in Liu Xuan and Baili’s awareness of the wider security crisis.
• Lin Qi silently recognizes the irony that the newly promoted mercenary group may be assigned to protect him, potentially allowing him to “protect himself” through a covert mission.