Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Feng Yushu and Lan Shiwen discuss a plan to target Ye Xiuyuan using photographs.
• Ning Zhe calls Lan Shiwen, confirming Ye Xiuyuan's death and discussing their leverage on each other.
• Ning Zhe reflects on the coincidences surrounding the Great Haunt's ascension ritual and the source of the Meng Po Soup.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: Becomes more suspicious and guarded, reflecting on the strange coincidences and the potential manipulations behind them.
• Lan Shiwen: Shows concern about maintaining control over Ning Zhe, revealing his fear of being used and discarded like Ji Bochang.
• Feng Yushu: Remains mostly in the background, showing concern for Ning Zhe's safety.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Suspicion: Characters struggle with trust issues, with Ning Zhe and Lan Shiwen both trying to maintain control and leverage over each other.
• Coincidence and Manipulation: Ning Zhe begins to question the apparent coincidences that led to the Great Haunt's ascension, suggesting a larger manipulation at play.
• Power and Control: Characters seek power and control to ensure their survival and protect themselves from threats.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Lan Shiwen: Their conversation reveals the delicate balance of power and trust between them, with each trying to maintain control over the other.
• Ning Zhe and Prumelia: Ning Zhe keeps his concerns to himself, showing a level of detachment from Prumelia despite her loyalty.
• Feng Yushu and Lan Shiwen: They discuss the plan to target Ye Xiuyuan, with Feng Yushu showing concern for Ning Zhe's safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lan Shiwen, after seeing Feng Yushu, reflects on his actions during Ning Zhe's Ascension ritual, specifically using Meng Po Soup to make Great Haunt forget everyone who remembered it, making them all Ascendants with administrator privileges over Great Haunt's memories.
• Ning Zhe arrives in Taoyuan City, having won back ownership of Taiyi and lost two Ghosts, Rong Kong's third hand and Xiaoxiao, to Prumelia in a game.
• In Ancient Tablet Town, He Bingsheng, a reformed delinquent, now a wealthy fisherman, reflects on his past and the upcoming wedding of Old Chen's daughter, Chen Yaming, to Old Ning's grandson.

Character Developments

• Lan Shiwen: Shows worry and concern about Ning Zhe discovering his actions during the Ascension ritual, indicating a shift in his plans and a potential confrontation.
• Ning Zhe: Demonstrates strategic thinking and adaptability by playing a game with Prumelia to adjust his Ghost companions.
• He Bingsheng: Shows personal growth and introspection, reflecting on his past actions and considering making amends at Old Chen's daughter's wedding.

Significant Themes

• Memory and Forgetting: The consequences of Lan Shiwen's actions during Ning Zhe's Ascension ritual, using Meng Po Soup to make Great Haunt forget, highlight the theme of memory alteration and its repercussions.
• Redemption and Growth: He Bingsheng's transformation from a delinquent to a wealthy, introspective fisherman illustrates the theme of personal growth and redemption.

Character Interactions

• Lan Shiwen and Ning Zhe: Their relationship is tense, with Lan Shiwen worried about Ning Zhe discovering his actions, hinting at a potential conflict.
• Ning Zhe and Prumelia: They interact through a game, with Ning Zhe strategically adjusting his Ghost companions.
• He Bingsheng and Old Chen's Daughter (Chen Yaming): Though not directly interacting, He Bingsheng reflects on Chen Yaming's upcoming wedding, indicating a potential interaction in the future.

Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Hanying and Zhang Yunwen return to Yongzhou after being tricked by their parents.
• They meet Ning Zhe (disguised as Yu Ziqian) in a tea shop.
• Ning Zhe plans to use Taiyi to alter the sisters' memories about a forgotten person, Ma Chenggong.

Character Developments

• Zhang Hanying and Zhang Yunwen: Their devotion to "Yu Ziqian" remains unchanged despite their parents' disapproval.
• Ning Zhe: He continues to investigate the memory domain, planning to use Taiyi to manipulate memories.

Significant Themes

• The power of memory and its manipulation.
• The consequences of forgotten memories and their impact on individuals.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Hanying and Zhang Yunwen interact with "Yu Ziqian" (Ning Zhe), expressing their longing and desire to elope.
• Ning Zhe considers using Taiyi to alter the sisters' memories, showing his strategic thinking and willingness to manipulate others for his goals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lan Shiwen suspects that "Ning Zhe" might not be the real Ning Zhe due to his retained authority over Great Haunt.
• Ning Zhe, after a night with the Zhang sisters, uses Taiyi's rule to steal Ma Chenggong's identity, confirming his ability to alter memories with Great Haunt.
• Ning Zhe modifies the Zhang sisters' memories to replace "Yu Ziqian" with "Ning Zhe," and contemplates the relationship between Taiyi, Great Haunt, and Awakening Origin.

Character Developments

• Lan Shiwen: Struggles with the identity of "Ning Zhe," questioning his previous conclusions.
• Ning Zhe: Continues to manipulate and control those around him, using his Ghosts' abilities to his advantage. He also shows a rare moment of relaxation and exhaustion after being with the Zhang sisters.

Significant Themes

• Identity and deception: Ning Zhe's true identity remains unclear, and he continues to deceive others about who he is.
• Manipulation and control: Ning Zhe uses his Ghosts' abilities to manipulate and control others, altering their memories to suit his needs.
• Relationships between Ghosts: Ning Zhe contemplates the relationship between Taiyi, Great Haunt, and Awakening Origin, noting how they complement each other's abilities.

Character Interactions

• Lan Shiwen and "Ning Zhe": Lan Shiwen's suspicions about "Ning Zhe" grow, leading him to question his previous conclusions about the character's identity.
• Ning Zhe and the Zhang sisters: Ning Zhe spends the night with the Zhang sisters, reinforcing his bond with them and altering their memories to fit his needs.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe visits his grandparents' grave and his empty apartment in Taoyuan City.
• Lan Shiwen calls Ning Zhe, revealing that a Weird Event in Salt Pool City is connected to Ye Xiuyuan's death.
• Ning Zhe decides to travel to Salt Province to investigate.
• Meanwhile, Ning Zhe spends time shopping with the Zhang sisters in Yong Capital City.
• Ning Zhe realizes he can use stolen identities to alter or erase memories, potentially enslaving all humanity.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: He shows remorse for not being present at his grandparents' funeral and reflects on his past. He also demonstrates his determination to investigate Ye Xiuyuan's connection to the Weird Event.
• Zhang Hanying and Zhang Yunwen: They express their desire to travel and marry Ning Zhe, showing their deep affection for him.

Significant Themes

• Memory and Forgetfulness: The chapter explores the theme of memory and how it can be altered or erased, raising questions about identity and individuality.
• The Power of Great Haunt: Ning Zhe's realization about the extent of Great Haunt's power highlights the theme of power and its potential consequences.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Lan Shiwen: Their conversation reveals the connection between Ye Xiuyuan's death and the Weird Event, setting the stage for Ning Zhe's investigation.
• Ning Zhe and the Zhang sisters: Their shopping trip showcases their close relationship and the sisters' desire to spend more time with Ning Zhe.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Weird Event, dubbed "Mind Killer," occurs in Salt Pool, affecting female workers at a clothing factory.
• The event causes mental collapse and psychological disorders in the victims, leading to violent behavior.
• The sequence of events suggests that seamstress Xue Dingxiang was the first to be affected, followed by others in her dormitory.
• The cause of the event remains unknown, with no direct deaths but severe mental harm to the victims.

Character Developments

• Xue Dingxiang: Pregnant and emotionally unstable due to her boyfriend's infidelity, she attacks Wang Lili.
• Wang Lili: Bold and fiery, she fights back against Xue Dingxiang but is severely injured.
• Zhou Xiaoyue and Zhou Zhiyi: Fellow townspeople who suddenly turn against each other, fighting until both are critically injured.

Significant Themes

• Mental Instability: The event causes severe psychological harm, highlighting the fragility of the human mind.
• Unknown Cause: The origin of the event remains mysterious, emphasizing the unknown and uncontrollable aspects of the world.
• Relationships: Infidelity and jealousy lead to Xue Dingxiang's breakdown, illustrating the complexities of human relationships.

Character Interactions

• Xue Dingxiang vs. Wang Lili: Their fight is triggered by Xue Dingxiang's discovery of Wang Lili's affair with her boyfriend.
• Zhou Xiaoyue vs. Zhou Zhiyi: Their sudden conflict remains unexplained, suggesting a deeper, hidden issue between them.
• Ning Zhe vs. Xia Yubing: Through messages in a notebook, they continue to exchange information and collaborate on cases, despite Xia Yubing's absence.

Additional Information from Xia Yubing's Message

• Fenwu, a spirit, possesses Xiao Tao, the maid, and attempts to deceive Xia Yubing.
• Xia Yubing suspects Fenwu has an ability similar to Mind Reading.
• Xia Yubing's account provides insight into her confrontation with Fenwu and her use of the Lamp-Blowing Ghost to reveal the possessed person's identity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe realizes that the Mind Reading ability used by Xiao Tao on Xia Yubing is likely the same Weird Event controlled by Ye Xiuyuan, connected to the Ascendant chain system of Great Haunt.
• Ning Zhe concludes that the Mind Killer Weird Event in Salt Pool City is likely the Mind Reading ability of Ye Xiuyuan's ghost, which has spread across the city after Ye Xiuyuan's death.
• Ning Zhe observes a mechanical figure repeatedly emerging from an underground parking garage, scanning the area, and then returning, suggesting a pattern or routine.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe gains new insights into the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Ascendant who posed as Fenwu.
• Ning Zhe becomes more cautious, suspecting that the Mind Killer Weird Event might not be as simple as it appears.

Significant Themes

• The exploration of different methods used by forces and individuals to restrain Weird Events and maintain reality's stability.
• The interconnectedness of Weird Events and their potential to spread and evolve.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe observes the mechanical figure from a distance, trying to understand its behavior and intentions.
• There are no direct interactions between characters in this chapter, only Ning Zhe's observations and deductions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The story takes place at Thousand Bird Lake, where migratory birds are arriving for the season.
• Ning Zhe's stand-in in Salt Province loses contact while investigating a Weird Event involving Mind Reading and Mind Killer.
• Ning Zhe decides to investigate the event himself rather than sending another stand-in.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: He shows concern for his lost stand-in and decides to personally investigate the Weird Event, demonstrating his cautious and calculated nature.
• Zhang Hanying and Zhang Yunwen: They show affection and concern for Ning Zhe, but also respect his privacy when he's lost in thought.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics of Weird Events and Ascendants.
• The risks and precautions involved in investigating Weird Events.
• The bond between the sisters and Ning Zhe.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Hanying and Zhang Yunwen interact with Ning Zhe with affection and concern, trying to understand what's troubling him.
• Ning Zhe interacts with Xia Rong, giving it instructions and showing a gentle side to his character.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe sends Xia Rong, a rag doll with a camera, to follow a man who seems to be guarding an entrance to a Weird Event.
• Xia Rong films the man entering an elevator in an underground parking garage, which descends to Floor -2, identical to Floor -1.
• The man repeats his actions, standing beside a black Cadillac with the same license plate on both floors.
• Ning Zhe concludes that the entrance to the isolation zone is on Floor -2 and that the man is a puppet, unaffected by the Weird Event's influence.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe becomes more determined to investigate the Weird Event himself, despite the risks.
• Xia Rong, though a doll, demonstrates loyalty and usefulness by following instructions and returning with the camera.

Significant Themes

• The influence of Weird Events on the mind and thoughts.
• The use of puppets or shells without personal will to guard or interact with Weird Events.
• Ning Zhe's growing resolve to face the Weird Event himself.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe interacts with Xia Rong, showing affection and appreciation for the doll's assistance.
• The man downstairs, revealed to be a puppet, interacts with Xia Rong without noticing its presence, highlighting the protection offered by [Xiaoxiao]'s rules.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe decides to enter the quarantine zone, preparing thoroughly beforehand.
• He learns about the events leading up to the Weird Event: Zhou siblings' fight, Xue Dingxiang's murder, and the subsequent disappearances of police and Bestowed Ones.
• Salt Pool authorities quarantine the area and retrieve Officer Zhang's body camera footage using a drone, which shows strange occurrences.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates his strategic thinking and thoroughness in preparation.
• Wang Lili's eerie behavior and smile are revealed, suggesting she might be connected to the Weird Event.
• Officer Zhang and his team are shown to be affected by the event, displaying the same eerie smile.

Significant Themes

• Uncertainty and Danger of Weird Events: The event's unpredictable nature and the risk of probing it are emphasized.
• Identity and Cognition: Ning Zhe's observation of the four people with identical smiles hints at a deeper connection or shared identity.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe interacts with the Salt Province authorities, using his stolen identity to access the classified footage.
• The interaction between Wang Lili and the police officers in the footage suggests a connection between them, possibly due to the Weird Event.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe realizes that multiple people (Wang Lili, Officer Zhang, etc.) are possessed by the same entity, not Fenwu, but an out-of-control Ghost.
• Lu Zhaoyi enters the isolation zone to test its rules. She lasts for 8 minutes before losing contact after seeing Wang Lili and others.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: Becomes more determined to understand the isolation zone's rules and solve the mystery.
• Lu Zhaoyi: Shows courage and willingness to help Ning Zhe, despite the risks.

Significant Themes

• Identity and possession: The entity's ability to take over different bodies raises questions about identity and self.
• Time manipulation: The rules of the isolation zone and the use of substitutes involve time manipulation.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Lu Zhaoyi: Their partnership deepens as they work together to understand and navigate the isolation zone's rules.
• The possessed individuals: They interact in unison, displaying the same eerie smile, emphasizing their shared identity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Zhaoyi and Ning Zhe discuss his dual personality of being cowardly and reckless, and how it might have influenced his substitute self in the isolation zone.
• They decide to re-enter the isolation zone, with Lu Zhaoyi being more cautious this time.
• Upon entering, Lu Zhaoyi encounters a group of people blocking the elevator exit, including Wang Lili, and they flee.
• Ning Zhe transforms into a horse, and they escape the city at high speed.
• Lu Zhaoyi reveals she saw ghosts at the elevator exit, indicating Mind Killer's escape and the danger to the city's citizens.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: Shows a more decisive and heroic side, choosing to stay and help the citizens despite the danger, and deciding to gamble on stopping Mind Killer.
• Lu Zhaoyi: Demonstrates courage and adaptability, managing to escape the isolation zone and providing crucial information about Mind Killer's escape.

Significant Themes

• Duality of Personality: Explored through Ning Zhe's cowardly-reckless duality and its influence on his actions.
• Consequences of Actions: Ning Zhe feels responsible for the citizens' safety as they are affected by his previous actions.
• Courage and Heroism: Both characters exhibit courage in facing the isolation zone, and Ning Zhe shows heroism in deciding to stay and help.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Lu Zhaoyi: They work together to gather information about the isolation zone and Mind Killer, showing trust and understanding of each other's abilities.
• Ning Zhe and Mind Killer: Ning Zhe feels a sense of responsibility towards the citizens affected by Mind Killer's escape, driving him to take action.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter is set in 2025, with the speaker reflecting on the past year.
• The speaker has not accomplished much over the past year but has been content.

Character Developments

• The speaker: Reflects on their past year, expressing contentment despite lack of achievements. They resolve to strive for 'perfect attendance' in the coming month, suggesting a newfound determination or goal.

Significant Themes

• Transience of Life and Beauty: The opening lines compare the fleeting nature of spring's beauty to the impermanence of human life, suggesting a theme of mortality and the passage of time.
• Contentment vs. Ambition: The speaker finds happiness in their inactivity, contrasting with their upcoming resolution to be more productive, raising questions about the balance between contentment and ambition.

Character Interactions

• The speaker addresses the reader directly, expressing hope for their happiness. This interaction is minimal but implies a connection or shared experience between the speaker and the reader.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The city's traffic is eerily orderly after the Mind Killer incident, with no one breaking rules.
• Ning Zhe, now a turtledove, observes the scene from a mango tree.
• He realizes that Mind Killer's rules are triggered by being seen, heard, or smelled.
• He switches to the identity of a deaf and mute old man to avoid triggering the rules.
• Mind Killer communicates with Ning Zhe telepathically, trying to make him read its mind.
• Ning Zhe deduces that any form of information exchange with Mind Killer triggers its rules.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates adaptability and quick thinking in understanding and countering Mind Killer's rules.
• He shows resilience in enduring the pain of his borrowed, decaying body.

Significant Themes

• The theme of information and its power is emphasized, with Mind Killer's rules revolving around information exchange.
• The struggle against an unseen, intangible enemy is highlighted, reflecting Ning Zhe's efforts to understand and counter Mind Killer.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe interacts with Mind Killer telepathically, trying to understand and evade its rules.
• He doesn't interact with any other characters in this chapter, focusing solely on his internal thoughts and deductions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Zhaoyi finds herself in Xue Dingxiang's body, experiencing her memories and thoughts.
• Xue Dingxiang discovers Wang Yi's infidelity and confronts Wang Lili, leading to a physical altercation.
• Zhou Zhiyi and Zhou Xiaoyue, also affected by the Mind Killer's rules, start fighting in the stairwell.
• Ning Zhe, back in his old man form, awaits the Weird Event's outcome in the city center.

Character Developments

• Lu Zhaoyi understands she's experiencing Xue Dingxiang's memories and tries to grasp her situation.
• Xue Dingxiang, driven by jealousy and anger, attacks Wang Lili.
• Zhou Zhiyi and Zhou Xiaoyue, influenced by the Mind Killer's rules, start fighting each other.

Significant Themes

• The Mind Killer's rules force open minds, leading to information overload and loss of individuality.
• Jealousy and infidelity drive Xue Dingxiang's actions, highlighting the theme of emotional turmoil.
• The power of will and consciousness is explored through the Gestalt monster and Ning Zhe's intervention.

Character Interactions

• Xue Dingxiang and Wang Lili's confrontation reveals Wang Yi's infidelity and Wang Lili's knowledge of it.
• Zhou Zhiyi and Zhou Xiaoyue's fight shows the Mind Killer's rules causing chaos and conflict among people.
• Lu Zhaoyi, experiencing Xue Dingxiang's memories, understands the situation but cannot directly interact.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Zhaoyi wakes up to find Xia Rong, the Soul-Summoning Doll, attacking her face.
• Ning Zhe explains that Xia Rong feared Lu Zhaoyi would read his mind, as Primordium's rule allows anyone observed to have their innermost thoughts laid bare.
• Lu Zhaoyi realizes they are in the Europa United Republic Consulate in Salt Pool to avoid authorities after Primordium's ascension ritual.
• Prumelia reveals that Ning Zhe used Great Haunt to alter the memories of over a thousand people assimilated by Primordium, restoring them to their original states but creating new individuals with their memories.
• Lu Zhaoyi decides to take a shower and eat after asking for shrimp, onion, and egg fried rice with carrots and broccoli.

Character Developments

• Lu Zhaoyi shows understanding and acceptance of the situation, displaying maturity and adaptability.
• Ning Zhe demonstrates his power and influence, as authorities fear him due to his god-like abilities.
• Prumelia expresses her desire to serve Ning Zhe loyally and reads his mind, revealing her true intentions.

Significant Themes

• The power of mind reading and its consequences, both positive (mutual transparency) and negative (loss of privacy).
• The ethical implications of altering memories and creating new individuals with inherited memories.
• The fear and awe that others have for Ning Zhe's power, highlighting the potential dangers of his abilities.

Character Interactions

• Lu Zhaoyi and Ning Zhe: They communicate openly and honestly, with Lu Zhaoyi showing understanding of their situation and Ning Zhe showing care for her well-being.
• Prumelia and Ning Zhe: Prumelia expresses her desire to serve Ning Zhe loyally but also reveals her true intention to read his mind, causing Ning Zhe to question her motives.
• Xia Rong and Lu Zhaoyi: Xia Rong initially attacks Lu Zhaoyi out of fear but later shows no hostility, indicating a change in its behavior or understanding of the situation.

Chapter Summary: “Roadblock”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After washing and eating, Lu Zhaoyi returns to the Time Bank and is carried in Ning Zhe’s chest pocket as he leaves the embassy with Prumelia.
• Salt Pool’s special police arrive at the embassy fifteen minutes later with a warrant, but Ning Zhe and Prumelia have already escaped.
• Ning Zhe abandons their car outside the city and summons the ferryman who crosses the Sea of Suffering by pouring mineral water onto the ground.
• He pays the ferryman according to the number of “passengers” inside himself and Prumelia. Each controlled Ghost counts as an additional passenger.
  • Ning Zhe’s fare includes himself and four Ghosts, as well as Lu Zhaoyi and the three Ghosts she controls.
  • Prumelia’s three controlled Ghosts, plus herself, make four passengers.
• During the crossing, the ferryman unexpectedly demands extra Copper Coins. Ning Zhe gives him all his remaining coins before the ferryman agrees to continue.
• They reach the destination, where the boat and the Sea of Suffering disappear behind them.
• Ning Zhe concludes that the increased fare indicates the sudden presence of at least four Ghosts at their destination.
• He believes this is unlikely to be a naturally occurring composite Weird Event. Instead, he suspects that a powerful Ascendant controlling four Ghosts is waiting to intercept them.
• Despite the danger, Ning Zhe announces that they will proceed openly rather than attempting to hide.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe remains calm, resourceful, and knowledgeable about the supernatural systems governing the world. He spends nearly all his remaining Copper Coins to ensure both he and Prumelia reach their destination safely.
• His understanding of the ferryman’s rules reveals his experience surviving Weird Events and dealing with Ascendants and Ghosts.
• Ning Zhe also demonstrates confidence and boldness by choosing to confront the suspected enemy directly instead of retreating or sneaking around.
• Prumelia continues learning under Ning Zhe’s guidance. Her questions about the fare, the ferryman, and the consequences of being thrown into the Sea of Suffering show her growing awareness of the dangers surrounding them.
• She also displays emerging analytical ability by recognizing that the ferryman’s increased demand likely signals the appearance of Ghosts at their destination.
• Lu Zhaoyi remains physically absent from the conversation but is important to the fare calculation, occupying multiple “passenger” slots through the Ghosts she controls.

Significant Themes

• The cost of survival: Copper Coins function as a literal price for safety, and Ning Zhe’s dwindling supply emphasizes how costly repeated survival has become.
• Uncertainty and hidden danger: The ferryman’s unexplained price increase serves as an ominous warning that the situation has changed before the characters even arrive.
• Knowledge as power: Ning Zhe’s understanding of the ferryman’s rules and supernatural mechanics gives him an advantage, while Prumelia gradually acquires that knowledge.
• Confronting danger directly: The chapter contrasts stealth and escape with Ning Zhe’s decision to “sneak in openly and aboveboard,” suggesting confidence, defiance, and perhaps a deliberate attempt to control the confrontation.
• The supernatural as an organized system: Ghosts, Ascendants, fares, and Weird Events operate according to specific rules, but those rules can shift unexpectedly.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe acts as Prumelia’s protector and teacher, explaining how the ferryman calculates fares and why his price changed.
• Prumelia questions Ning Zhe closely, challenging his assumptions and helping identify the implications of the ferryman’s behavior.
• Their conversation shifts from practical curiosity to mutual recognition of imminent danger.
• The ferryman interacts minimally but communicates through gestures, forcing Ning Zhe to interpret his demands and pay an escalating fare.
• The chapter ends with Ning Zhe and Prumelia united in facing the anticipated Ascendant roadblock.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe and Prumelia arrive at the abandoned Salt Province Hive Base No. 03, also known as the Flat-top Mountain Research Institute.
• They meet Julius Gullveig, Prumelia's fiancé, and his assistant, Big Dick, who is a powerful Ascendant with four mastered ghosts.
• Ning Zhe and Julius discuss a business deal, with Big Dick as their guarantee for equal negotiation.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates his knowledge about the Hive's past and its connection to Ji Bochang, showing his strategic thinking and preparation.
• Prumelia shows curiosity and innocence, revealing her lack of understanding about the world's complexities.
• Julius displays his political acumen and willingness to make deals, prioritizing power and influence over personal safety.

Significant Themes

• The value of life and the lengths people go to preserve it, as seen in Ji Bochang's life-selling business and Julius's willingness to make deals.
• The power dynamics between nobles and their subordinates, with Julius relying on Big Dick's strength for protection.
• The importance of information and knowledge, as Ning Zhe uses his understanding of the Hive's past to his advantage.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Prumelia work together, with Ning Zhe leading and Prumelia following, showing a level of trust and understanding between them.
• Julius and Ning Zhe engage in a polite yet calculating discussion, each trying to gain an advantage in their potential business deal.
• Prumelia is surprised to see Julius, revealing her affection for him but also her confusion about his involvement in the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Julius, Ning Zhe, and Prumelia travel to the Flat-top Mountain Research Institute.
• Julius asks Ning Zhe about his interpretation of Ghosts, leading to a philosophical discussion.
• Julius shares his belief that Ghosts are fragments of a greater, true god.
• Julius reveals his family's plan to capture anomalies, resurrect the true god, and regain omniscience and omnipotence.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: Maintains a calm and collected demeanor throughout the conversation, revealing his lack of religious faith and belief in self.
• Julius: Shows his philosophical and theological depth, revealing his family's secret plan and his personal dedication to it.
• Prumelia: Remains mostly silent, but her surprise and suppressed fury hint at her disagreement with Julius's views.

Significant Themes

• God and Creation: The origin of the universe, the existence of a creator god, and the nature of divine authority.
• Ghosts and Rules: The interpretation of Ghosts as rules and their relationship to a higher-dimensional transcendent existence.
• Omniscience and Omnipotence: The desire for absolute knowledge and power, and the consequences of their loss.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Julius: Engage in a philosophical debate, with Julius trying to convey his worldview and Ning Zhe challenging his interpretations.
• Julius and Prumelia: Julius's revelations cause Prumelia to suppress her fury, hinting at a disagreement between them.
• Ning Zhe and Prumelia: Their interaction is minimal in this chapter, but Prumelia's reaction to Julius's words suggests a potential conflict between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe meets Julius, a representative of the Gullveig Family (Golden Clan), who believes all aberrations were originally one and can be assembled to restore the true God's authority.
• Julius reveals that Ning Zhe is the first 'Ouroboros' or 'Perfected One' he's encountered, having completed the Closed Loop of rules and ascended.
• Julius shares that the Golden Clan has faced internal dissent regarding their Aberrant Homology Theory, but Ning Zhe's existence as a Perfected One validates their belief and unites the clan.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: Maintains his calm and collected demeanor, showing interest in other perfect Ascendants but not engaging in Julius's enthusiasm.
• Julius: Becomes increasingly excited and passionate when discussing the Golden Clan's beliefs and Ning Zhe's status as a Perfected One.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and knowledge: The Golden Clan's desire to capture all aberrations and restore the true God's authority mirrors the characters' individual pursuits of power and understanding.
• Unity and division: The internal dissent within the Golden Clan highlights the theme of unity and division, both within organizations and belief systems.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Julius: Their interaction is tense yet polite, with Ning Zhe showing skepticism towards Julius's claims while Julius tries to convince him of the Golden Clan's beliefs and gain his support.
• Ning Zhe and Prumelia: Prumelia's pride in her master's achievements is a subtle yet endearing interaction, contrasting with the seriousness of the conversation between Ning Zhe and Julius.