Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Leng Feng battles an advanced Brain Worm, using mechanical rings to restrain it, but is controlled and attacked.
• Leng Feng gambles by removing his equipment and charging, transforming it into an energy cannon, which eliminates both him and the Brain Worm.
• Qian Wang (Old Wang) faces a Mage Brain Worm, using ice-elemental spells to freeze and damage it. He survives its mental shock attack due to his Mind Stone's passive ability.
• The Mage Brain Worm retreats, and Old Wang continues to fight, eventually defeating it.

Character Developments

• Leng Feng shows strategic thinking and adaptability but underestimates the Brain Worm's control skill.
• Qian Wang reveals his powerful ice-elemental magic skills and the immunity provided by his Mind Stone gem.
• The Brain Worm Mage demonstrates its Psionic Energy attacks and struggles against Old Wang's rapid ice-elemental spells.

Significant Themes

• Adaptability and strategy in combat.
• The power of unique abilities and equipment (Mind Stone).
• The challenge of facing unknown or unexpected attacks.

Character Interactions

• Leng Feng and Qian Wang fight the Brain Worm, each using their unique strategies and abilities.
• The Brain Worm Mage and Qian Wang engage in a magical duel, with the Brain Worm struggling against Old Wang's rapid ice-elemental spells.
• The swarm and the players communicate through their champions, showing respect and understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Key Plot Points and Events

• You Ji, a special unit, causes division in the Swarm due to her independence and immense power.
• You Ji confronts Old Wang, attempting to recruit him for the Overlord.
• Old Wang and You Ji engage in a fierce battle, showcasing their unique skills and abilities.
• Old Wang uses the Lord of Elements' skill, 'Let the flames purify all,' transforming into a fire elemental form.
• You Ji reveals her mental energy, freezing and reversing projectiles, shocking the Brain Bugs.

Character Developments

• You Ji: Struggles with her independence from the Swarm, displays immense power and adaptability.
• Old Wang: Demonstrates his skill and versatility, revealing new abilities like the Lord of Elements' skill and mental energy resistance.

Significant Themes

• Independence vs. Unity: You Ji's struggle against the Swarm's collective consciousness.
• Power and Adaptability: Both characters showcase their immense power and ability to adapt to different situations.
• Identity: Old Wang's pride in his Chinese identity is briefly highlighted.

Character Interactions

• You Ji and Old Wang: Their intense battle reveals their strengths and forces them to adapt to each other's tactics.
• Old Wang and the Brain Bugs: The Brain Bugs observe their battle, impressed by You Ji's mental energy and shocked by Old Wang's resistance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The battle between Old Wang and You Ji ends in a draw, with both sides remaining unharmed.
• The Zerg swarm retreats after their defeat, and the players celebrate their victory.
• The players begin preparing for defense and contact the outpost planet.
• The Zerg Overlord assigns You Ji a new mission to steal a special equipment on Earth.
• The Mech World Professional League is announced, with Old Wang as the chief judge and commentator for the opening match.

Character Developments

• Old Wang's strength is acknowledged by the Zerg Overlord, who underestimates his talent.
• You Ji is given a new mission by the Overlord and is to be connected to the swarm.
• The players' levels and equipment improve significantly after a month of rapid growth.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between Old Wang and the Zerg swarm.
• The players' pursuit of strength and improvement.
• The upcoming Mech World Professional League and its implications for the players.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and You Ji's battle ends in a draw, showing mutual respect.
• The Zerg Overlord and You Ji discuss her new mission and the connection to the swarm.
• The players celebrate their victory and prepare for defense together.
• Old Wang is invited as the chief judge and commentator for the Mech World Professional League.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Mech Combat Competition begins, hosted by Tiantian and Nianmi, with special guest 'Thousand King' (Wang Qianduo).
• Thousand King explains his in-game alias and his role as the chief judge.
• The first match is between Star River and Ten Thousand Miles guilds. Star River fields their main team, while Ten Thousand Miles has an unusual lineup, including a sniper in a one-on-one match.
• Wang Xinghe (Star River Guild Leader) defeats Yang Wanli (Ten Thousand Miles Guild Leader) in the first one-on-one match.
• Star River Thorn faces Hua Shao Invincible (Ten Thousand Miles' sniper) in the second one-on-one match. Hua's mecha undergoes a mutated evolution, surprising everyone.

Character Developments

• Thousand King (Wang Qianduo) is introduced as the number one player in the game, now acting as a judge rather than a competitor.
• Wang Xinghe (Star River Guild Leader) demonstrates his prowess by defeating Yang Wanli, showcasing his ability to counter water-type mechas.
• Hua Shao Invincible (Ten Thousand Miles' sniper) reveals a mutated evolved mecha, hinting at potential power-ups or risks.

Significant Themes

• The evolution of mechas and the consequences of using unstable evolutionary paths, such as mutated evolution.
• The strategic choices made by guild leaders, including unusual team compositions and the use of investment players.

Character Interactions

• Tiantian and Nianmi interact with Thousand King, asking him questions about his in-game alias and his role as the chief judge.
• Wang Xinghe and Yang Wanli face off as old rivals in the first one-on-one match.
• Star River Thorn and Hua Shao Invincible prepare to face each other in the second one-on-one match, with Hua's mutated evolved mecha raising questions about Ten Thousand Miles' strategy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Wang discovers Hua Shao Wudi's mecha bears the symbol of the White Lotus cult.
• Old Wang demands Hua Shao Wudi's disqualification and the ban of specially mutated mechas.
• The competition organizers refuse, fearing Old Wang's abuse of power and potential disruption.
• Old Wang threatens to withdraw the Future Guild if his demands aren't met.
• The organizers comply after receiving orders from higher up.
• Hua Shao Wudi is disqualified and banned, and the Wanli team is automatically disqualified due to insufficient personnel.

Character Developments

• Old Wang: Shows his authority and willingness to cause trouble, revealing his disdain for those who look down on him.
• Hua Shao Wudi: Becomes consumed by rage after his disqualification, having sacrificed much for the competition.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and corruption within the competition's organization.
• The consequences of unchecked ambition and obsession with power (Hua Shao Wudi's downfall).
• The struggle between Old Wang's desire for justice and his reputation for causing trouble.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and the competition organizers: Tension and mistrust, with Old Wang using his authority to make demands, and the organizers trying to maintain control and avoid disruption.
• Old Wang and Hua Shao Wudi: Indirect conflict, with Old Wang's actions leading to Hua Shao Wudi's disqualification and subsequent rage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hua Shao Wudi, enraged, attacks Old Wang on the livestream stage.
• Old Wang summons the Lord of Elements, pins Hua Shao Wudi, and casts spells to prevent him from escaping.
• Old Wang interrogates Hua Shao Wudi about the White Lotus Cult, revealing his oath involved his mother and girlfriend.
• Officials find Hua Shao Wudi's mother and girlfriend murdered, and control his real-world self.
• Old Wang declares the White Lotus Cult his mortal enemy, both in-game and in reality.
• Hua Shao Wudi is found dead, and his handler is identified but commits suicide before capture.
• The authorities screen players for the White Lotus Cult's influence.
• The second league match between Future Guild and Mountain Sea Guild begins, with Future winning 7-0.

Character Developments

• Hua Shao Wudi: Revealed to be brainwashed by the White Lotus Cult, goes mad, and attacks Old Wang.
• Old Wang: Shows professionalism and determination in handling the situation, declares the White Lotus Cult his enemy.
• Mao Ziyuan: Leader of the White Lotus Cult, expresses anger at Hua Shao Wudi's failure.

Significant Themes

• The dangers of cult influence and brainwashing.
• The consequences of actions in a virtual world having real-world implications.
• The pursuit of power and fame leading to reckless decisions.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang vs. Hua Shao Wudi: Old Wang interrogates and contains Hua Shao Wudi, revealing his connection to the White Lotus Cult.
• Old Wang and Officials: They work together to investigate and control Hua Shao Wudi's real-world self.
• Mao Ziyuan and his subordinate: Discuss the failure of Hua Shao Wudi's mission and the White Lotus Cult's plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The White Lotus Cult's interest in Thousand Kings' mech is revealed.
• Old Wang learns of the White Lotus Cult's plan to capture him and seize his mech.
• He seeks advice from his master, Old Luo, who devises a plan to capture the White Lotus Cult.
• The Human Alliance issues a mission to players to hunt down and eliminate White Lotus cultists.
• The Alliance council members discuss the situation and decide to have Old Wang lead a team to exterminate the White Lotus Cult.

Character Developments

• Mao Ziyuan, the leader of the White Lotus Cult, is shown to be cunning and strategic, moving up their plans to capture Old Wang.
• Old Wang demonstrates his resourcefulness and determination to deal with the White Lotus Cult threat.
• Old Luo, Old Wang's master, reveals a mysterious knowledge of the White Lotus Cult and devises a plan to capture them.
• The Alliance council members, particularly General Zhang and Xun Min, show political maneuvering and infighting.

Significant Themes

• The threat and danger posed by the White Lotus Cult.
• The political intrigue and power struggles within the Human Alliance.
• The role of players in the game and their potential to influence the game world.

Character Interactions

• Mao Ziyuan and his subordinate discuss the White Lotus Cult's plans and the exposure of their symbol.
• Old Wang and Old Luo discuss the White Lotus Cult's threat and devise a plan to counter them.
• The Alliance council members argue and debate the situation, ultimately deciding to have Old Wang lead a team against the White Lotus Cult.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Players, led by Old Wang, embark on a mission to find and attack the White Lotus Sect headquarters.
• They encounter no insectoid resistance, raising Old Wang's suspicions.
• A White Lotus Sect mole on board their main ship causes an explosion, damaging the starship's main cannons.
• The White Lotus Sect ambushes the player fleet, leading to a fierce space battle.
• Players attempt a "bayonet charge" tactic, sacrificing themselves to absorb enemy fire and allow their fleet to retreat.
• Old Wang is trapped and captured by the White Lotus Sect after destroying several of their starships.
• The Alliance's reinforcements fail to arrive due to internal issues, leaving Old Wang's fate uncertain.

Character Developments

• Old Wang demonstrates his strategic thinking and combat prowess, destroying a Galaxy-class starship with a single punch.
• General Zhang is revealed to be indifferent to Old Wang's capture, hinting at internal Alliance issues.
• A traitor within the Alliance is exposed, leading to a planned purge of White Lotus Sect moles.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust and betrayal is emphasized, with moles within the Alliance and the White Lotus Sect's unexpected interest in Old Wang.
• The value of players' lives is questioned, as they are seen as disposable resources by the NPCs.
• The ruthless nature of the Alliance's leadership is shown, as they use Old Wang and the players as bait to lure out the White Lotus Sect.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang interacts with the players, demonstrating his leadership and concern for their safety.
• General Zhang interacts with his subordinates, revealing his indifference to Old Wang's capture and ordering a purge of Alliance moles.
• A traitor interacts with General Zhang, inadvertently exposing himself and leading to his capture.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Wang is brought to the White Lotus Sect's colossal starship, shaped like a white lotus.
• He is held in a void prison and interrogated by the Unborn Venerable, Mao Ziyuan.
• Mao Ziyuan reveals their objective: to open the gates of the divine realm and welcome true gods using Old Wang's mecha as a medium.
• Old Wang attempts to break the void barrier using his legendary Demon-Breaking Cone but fails.
• Mao Ziyuan reveals he knows about Old Wang's plan to attract reinforcements and shows him a battle involving 18 legendary powerhouses, including Old Luo, who won't arrive in time.

Character Developments

• Old Wang remains calm and collected despite his predicament, using humor to cope with the situation.
• Mao Ziyuan displays a mix of arrogance, knowledge, and instability, hinting at mental instability.

Significant Themes

• The power of elements and the role of an Elemental Lord.
• The desire for divine power and the consequences of obtaining it.
• The manipulation of others for personal gain.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and Mao Ziyuan engage in a tense exchange, with Mao Ziyuan revealing information and taunting Old Wang.
• Old Wang's calm demeanor contrasts with Mao Ziyuan's growing instability.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mao Ziyuan, a White Lotus Sect member, attempts to summon their revered god using ten thousand souls and the Elemental Lord (Old Wang) as sacrifices.
• Old Wang, possessed by the vengeful spirits, transforms into the Hellish Evil Spirit Elemental Lord, breaking Mao Ziyuan's summoning and defeating him.
• The Hellish Evil Spirit Elemental Lord proceeds to annihilate the remaining White Lotus Sect legendary mechs, then departs after the vengeful spirits achieve their revenge.

Character Developments

• Mao Ziyuan: Initially confident and manipulative, he becomes desperate and ultimately defeated, his soul shattered.
• Old Wang: Transforms into the Hellish Evil Spirit Elemental Lord, gains a significant power boost, and achieves revenge for the souls possessing him.

Significant Themes

• Revenge and its consequences.
• The power of negative emotions and the souls of the dead.
• The struggle between different factions and their beliefs.

Character Interactions

• Mao Ziyuan and Old Wang: Mao Ziyuan attempts to manipulate Old Wang, but Old Wang turns the tables and defeats Mao Ziyuan.
• Old Wang and the vengeful spirits: Old Wang allows the vengeful spirits to possess him, leading to his transformation and their eventual departure after achieving revenge.
• Old Wang and the White Lotus Sect: Old Wang, in his transformed state, defeats the remaining White Lotus Sect legendary mechs.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Wang's unusual state after the battle is noticed by Old Luo, who advises him to meditate and recover.
• The White Lotus Remnant Lair dungeon is opened, with a teleportation array built for players to access it.
• The dungeon's description reveals the Obelisk's history and the White Lotus cult's origins, as well as the legendary hero, Azure-Winged Dragon Carrot.
• Old Wang logs back in to find Old Luo surrounded by players asking to be his disciples, due to the revelation of Old Luo's hero status.

Character Developments

• Old Wang improves his mental state through meditation, thanks to Old Luo's guidance.
• Old Luo's past as a legendary hero and his unit's sacrifice become public knowledge, leading to increased admiration and respect from players.

Significant Themes

• Longevity and immortality: The game's ability to grant extended life spans sparks a global frenzy to achieve legendary status.
• Sacrifice and heroism: Old Luo's past actions highlight the importance of sacrifice for the greater good.

Character Interactions

• Old Luo and Old Wang: Old Luo shows concern for Old Wang's well-being and offers guidance, while Old Wang acknowledges Old Luo as his master.
• Players and Old Luo: Players are drawn to Old Luo's legendary status and seek to become his disciples, but he pays them no mind.

• The Future team attempts to clear the new Lair dungeon but finds it too difficult for their current level, even failing to defeat the boss.
• News breaks that the home planet base was ambushed by the Zerg, leading to significant damage and General Zhang's serious injury.
• A system event is announced, offering an Epic-grade growing equipment as a reward for apprehending the ambushing Zerg forces.
• Old Wang senses a familiar energy fluctuation at the damaged base and realizes that You Ji is commanding the Zerg swarm.
• Old Wang leads the Future team to Andromeda, where they believe the injured You Ji and the Zerg are hiding in an abandoned factory, absorbing the planet's ley line energy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The injured Brainworm team, unable to use spatial teleportation, plans to board a ship to escape Andromeda.
• They learn about a half-price frontier tour by the Molten Gold Merchant Guild, which they believe their targets might use.
• Old Wang and his team stake out the ship but are confined to their rooms after causing disturbances during their search.
• They decide to "rob" the ship to draw out their targets and search for them more efficiently.

Character Developments

• Old Wang shows leadership and strategic thinking in planning the "robbery" to find their targets.
• Xiao Hai demonstrates his impulsiveness and lack of subtlety, nearly blowing their cover.
• The Brainworm team's targets are revealed to be disguised as a family of five, using perfume to mask their scent.

Significant Themes

• The power and influence of the Molten Gold Merchant Guild, which instills fear and respect in ordinary people.
• The team's desperation and resourcefulness in their pursuit of their targets.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and his team work together to search the ship and execute their "robbery" plan.
• The team interacts with NPCs, including a rude family and ship security guards.
• Old Wang and Xiao Hai have a brief moment of tension due to Xiao Hai's impulsiveness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Wang and his team infiltrate a Molten Gold Merchant Guild ship, intending to expose alien insect infiltrators.
• They discover that five alien insects have infiltrated the ship, disguised as humans.
• Old Wang and his team search for and confront the alien insects, ultimately defeating them.

Character Developments

• Old Wang demonstrates his speed, strength, and strategic thinking in handling the situation.
• Chen Hong, the former manager of the Molten Gold Merchant Guild, reappears and assists Old Wang.
• The alien insects reveal their true forms and abilities, showcasing their cruelty and cunning.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against alien infiltration and the need for vigilance.
• The importance of strategic planning and teamwork in overcoming adversity.
• The cruelty and cunning of the alien insects, contrasting with the human team's determination.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang interacts with Chen Hong, revealing his plan and seeking Chen Hong's assistance.
• The team works together to search for and confront the alien insects, demonstrating their unity and coordination.
• Old Wang faces off against the alien insects, showcasing his leadership and combat abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group faces an undying alien insect that reassembles after being dismembered.
• Old Wang uses a powerful spell, "Absolute Zero Ice Crystal Shatter," to freeze and shatter the insect, along with the space around it, killing everyone present, including Old Wang himself.
• You Ji, the Queen of Blades in disguise, gets lost in the void due to space turbulence.
• The Molten Gold Merchant Guild accuses the group of hijacking a ship, leading to their arrest.

Character Developments

• Old Wang demonstrates his strategic thinking and ruthlessness in prioritizing the greater good over individual lives.
• You Ji's true identity as the Queen of Blades is revealed, highlighting her importance to the Zerg.
• The representative from the Molten Gold Merchant Guild shows cowardice and indecision under pressure.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice for the greater good: Old Wang chooses to use a powerful, indiscriminate skill to prevent the alien insect from escaping, knowing it will also kill his teammates and himself.
• The consequences of one's actions: The group's actions against the alien insect have far-reaching effects, including the loss of You Ji and the Molten Gold Merchant Guild's retaliation.
• The power of fear: The representative from the Molten Gold Merchant Guild is paralyzed by fear when Old Wang implies he might seek revenge.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and his teammates work together to try to defeat the alien insect, each using their unique skills and abilities.
• Old Wang and the representative from the Molten Gold Merchant Guild have a tense exchange, with Old Wang subtly threatening the representative.
• The Guild Master of the Molten Gold Merchant Guild intervenes to clear the guild's name and express gratitude to Old Wang and his companions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Melting Gold Merchant Guild releases Old Wang and his group due to the lack of a plaintiff.
• Old Wang and his group meet with Xun Min, Zhang Ping'an, Li Yulong, and General Zhang to discuss the situation.
• Old Luo arrives and changes the reward from a [Platinum Heart] engine to a [Platinum Star] engine for Lin Qimeng.
• General Zhang leaves the meeting, expressing his disinterest in further competition.

Character Developments

• Old Wang demonstrates his loyalty and responsibility by ensuring the safety of the ship's crew and reporting the situation accurately.
• General Zhang shows his determination and influence by attending the meeting despite his injuries and age.
• Old Luo displays his wisdom and experience by changing the reward and showing concern for Huang Rui's situation.

Significant Themes

• Gratitude and loyalty: Guild Leader Jin expresses genuine gratitude towards Old Wang and his group for saving the ship's crew.
• Power and influence: General Zhang's presence and influence are acknowledged by all parties.
• Hidden talents and secrets: Huang Rui's hidden talent and her conversion into a bug creature are revealed.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and Guild Leader Jin: A relationship of mutual respect and gratitude is established between them.
• Old Wang and Old Luo: Master and apprentice relationship, with Old Wang seeking guidance and Old Luo providing wisdom and support.
• General Zhang and the other parties: General Zhang's influence and disinterest in further competition are acknowledged by Xun Min, Zhang Ping'an, and Li Yulong.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Luo tasks Old Wang with investigating corruption in the interstellar frontier expansion.
• Old Wang is promoted to Major General and arrives at the outpost star to find inflated material purchase prices.
• He confronts the base's manager, Mr. Park Il-seung, and discovers the corruption's extent.
• Pu Yisheng, the mastermind behind the corruption, is captured but later assassinated by unknown attackers while in Old Wang's custody.

Character Developments

• Old Wang: Promoted to Major General, demonstrating his growing power and influence within the Alliance.
• Pu Yisheng: Initially confident and defiant, he becomes nervous and cooperative once captured, revealing his fear of his family's reaction to his death.

Significant Themes

• Corruption: The primary focus of the chapter, highlighting the greed and abuse of power by those exploiting the interstellar expansion for personal gain.
• Power Dynamics: The shift in Old Wang's status and authority upon his promotion, affecting how NPCs interact with him.
• Loyalty and Betrayal: The NPC soldiers' loyalty to Pu Yisheng over Old Wang, and the attackers' willingness to sacrifice themselves rather than be captured.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and Old Luo: Old Luo tasks Old Wang with the investigation, showing trust in his abilities and assigning him a significant mission.
• Old Wang and Park Il-seung: Their interaction reveals the extent of the corruption and Park's initial defiance before cooperating.
• Old Wang and Pu Yisheng: Their confrontation exposes Pu Yisheng's involvement and fear of his family's reaction.
• Old Wang and the unknown attackers: Their clash demonstrates the ruthlessness of the forces behind the corruption and their willingness to eliminate threats.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lao Wang (Qian Wang) realizes he needs help to complete his mission and decides to involve players.
• He sends a message to a group chat, inviting prominent forces in the game to a meeting at the Future Guild's base.
• At the meeting, Lao Wang reveals his mission and offers high-ranking positions in the Alliance to those who help.
• Lao Wang and the assembled team return to the Forward Outpost Star to investigate the ambush site.
• They confront the military leader of the outpost, Colonel Carle, and are subsequently surrounded by his troops.

Character Developments

• Lao Wang shows initiative and strategic thinking by involving players and offering them high-ranking positions.
• Colonel Carle displays arrogance and corruption, immediately suspecting Lao Wang and ordering his troops to surround them.

Significant Themes

• The importance of teamwork and alliances in achieving goals.
• The contrast between the NPCs' corruption and the players' ambition for power and change.
• The blurring of lines between the game and real-world politics.

Character Interactions

• Lao Wang interacts with various prominent forces in the game, seeking their help and offering them positions in the Alliance.
• Lao Wang and Colonel Carle have a tense interaction, leading to a standoff between their respective groups.
• Qu Zhihua, the Deputy Inspector, works with Lao Wang, showing understanding and support for his plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fatty Carlen's mechs are overwhelmed and apprehended by Qu Zhihua's team.
• Fatty reveals that Wang Dalong's assistant, Xijilong, ordered the ambush.
• Old Wang and his team interrogate Fatty and the captured fanatics, but Fatty knows little, and the fanatics commit suicide.
• Old Wang visits Wang Dalong, who reveals that Xijilong is dead, seemingly murdered.
• The team discovers discrepancies in Xijilong's supposed suicide scene, suggesting murder.
• Qu Zhihua's team finds the Park family, responsible for the suicide soldiers, wiped out.
• Both leads (Xijilong and the Park family) are now dead ends.

Character Developments

• Fatty Carlen is captured and interrogated, revealing his lack of importance in the scheme.
• Wang Dalong shows remorse and determination to avenge Xijilong.
• Old Wang and his team demonstrate professionalism in investigation and deduction.

Significant Themes

• The ruthlessness of those involved in the scheme, as seen in the Park family's annihilation.
• The difficulty in uncovering the truth due to the high stakes and powerful figures involved.
• The struggle between justice and the law, as the team must now involve local police to avoid further complications.

Character Interactions

• Fatty Carlen's capture and interrogation by Qu Zhihua's team.
• Old Wang's visit to Wang Dalong, leading to the discovery of Xijilong's death.
• The team's discussion and decision to involve local police in the Park family's annihilation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group discovers that spies from behind-the-scenes forces were among the captured NPC soldiers and Park Yisheng's captors.
• They decide to investigate Xingyu Building Materials, the company with the most significant issues.
• Upon investigating, they find that Xingyu Company has been illegally mining and selling stones from the outpost planet at inflated prices.
• Zhang Yicai, the manager of Xingyu Company, is arrested and reveals the full extent of the corruption involving the Zhang and Xun families.

Character Developments

• Old Wang demonstrates his investigative skills and deductive reasoning.
• Zhang Yicai shows cowardice and a willingness to betray his accomplices to save himself.

Significant Themes

• Corruption and greed among powerful families in the Alliance.
• The struggle between the neutral faction and the corrupt forces behind the scenes.

Character Interactions

• Old Wang and Qu Zhihua work together to lead the investigation.
• Zhang Yicai interacts with Old Wang and the group, ultimately revealing the truth to save himself.
• The group interacts with the Zhang family, showing respect for their power but determination to expose the truth.