Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji discovers that Number 86 has returned to her original form after removing the Dreamscape Terminal.
• He learns that 86 has reached Level 40, with unfamiliar data appearing inside her.
• Liao Ji enters Dreamscape again to investigate Stia's past and finds a crucial clue about images sent to her.
• He decides to enter Stia's dream directly to gather more information.

Character Developments

• Number 86 feels guilty for failing to protect Liao Ji in Dreamscape and becomes more vigilant.
• Liao Ji becomes more determined to uncover the truth about Stia and protect his Contract holders.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust and vigilance is reinforced as Liao Ji and 86 work together to protect each other.
• The exploration of Dreamscape as a tool for gathering information and understanding past events is highlighted.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and 86 work together to understand the source of 86's increased Level and the intrusion into her Dreamscape Terminal.
• Liao Ji and 86 discuss and plan their approach to gathering more information about Stia.
• Liao Ji watches a dream sequence involving Stia and Jiu You, revealing their past interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji enters Stia's Dreamscape to gather information.
• Stia receives a crystal ball from Jiu You containing intimate scenes between Jiu You and Liao Ji.
• Stia struggles with her emotions, feels threatened by Jiu You, and becomes obsessed with the footage.
• Stia emerges from the Confession Room, revealing her true form to the Holy Church, and leaves for the Dragon Kingdom.

Character Developments

• Stia: Struggles with jealousy and possessiveness towards Liao Ji and Jiu You. Her obsession with Liao Ji is revealed to be intense, leading to self-relief activities. She temporarily calms down after relieving herself.
• Liao Ji: Realizes the extent of Stia's obsession and prepares for her arrival in the real world.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and possessiveness in love.
• The consequences of past actions and their impact on present emotions.
• The struggle between reason and emotion.

Character Interactions

• Stia's inner conflict and struggle with her feelings towards Liao Ji and Jiu You.
• Liao Ji's concern and preparation for Stia's arrival, using Irin as a test subject to ensure he's back in reality.
• Liao Ji's decision to face Stia in the dragon girl's room, setting the stage for their final showdown.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Stia senses Liao Ji's location and rushes to City Hall, expecting to find him with Jiu You in a compromising situation.
• Instead, she finds Jiu You critically ill after the ritual, and Liao Ji using holy light to heal her.
• Stia treats Jiu You, and Liao Ji thanks her, leading to a moment of intimacy between them.

Character Developments

• Stia: Realizes her feelings for Liao Ji and becomes more open to her affection for him.
• Liao Ji: Becomes more confident and skilled in his interactions with Stia, using his experience with Jiu You to his advantage.
• Jiu You: Remains unconscious and unaware of the events around her.

Significant Themes

• The power of love and affection in healing and strengthening relationships.
• The consequences of keeping secrets and the importance of open communication.
• The complexities of navigating multiple relationships and maintaining balance.

Character Interactions

• Stia and Liao Ji: Their relationship deepens as they share a kiss, but Stia's suspicions about Liao Ji's past with Jiu You grow.
• Liao Ji and Jiu You: Their bond remains strong, with Jiu You's well-being being Liao Ji's top priority.
• Stia and Jiu You: Stia's concern for Jiu You's health temporarily overrides her jealousy and suspicion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji (Lord Ash) is caught between Stia (Tia) and Jiu You (Jiu You) after Stia discovers their intimate moments.
• Stia sends Liao Ji out of the room to talk to Jiu You alone.
• Stia shows Jiu You a crystal ball sent by Rena, revealing their intimate moments.

Character Developments

• Stia: Realizes the importance of adaptability and tactics, decides to use her knowledge to manipulate Jiu You into her camp.
• Jiu You: Feels guilty for her past actions, becomes protective of Stia, and agrees to be junior to Stia.

Significant Themes

• Adaptability and strategic thinking (Stia).
• Guilt and redemption (Jiu You).
• Power dynamics and status (Stia and Jiu You).

Character Interactions

• Stia and Jiu You: Stia manipulates Jiu You into submitting to her, using guilt and the threat of external enemies.
• Liao Ji and Stia: Liao Ji is caught between the two women and tries to protect Jiu You, but Stia manipulates him into leaving the room.
• Stia and Liao Ji: Stia uses Liao Ji's concern for Jiu You against him, making him leave the room.

Key Plot Points

• Jiu You and Stia discuss their statuses as wives to Ash.
• Stia explains the importance of status, including privileges and child inheritance.
• Jiu You agrees to Stia's proposal to determine their statuses.
• Jiu You reveals she might be pregnant, causing Stia to panic.
• Jiu You and Stia decide to have a child together with Ash.

Character Developments

• Jiu You: Realizes the importance of status, agrees to Stia's proposal, and considers having a child with Ash and Stia.
• Stia: Becomes more strategic and manipulative, tries to secure her position as the senior wife, and becomes determined to have a child with Ash.

Significant Themes

• Status and power dynamics within a relationship and family.
• The importance of children and their gender in a hierarchical society.
• Manipulation and strategic thinking in relationships.

Character Interactions

• Jiu You and Stia: Discuss their statuses, share their thoughts on having children, and decide to have a child together with Ash.
• Jiu You and Ash: Implied to have had sexual encounters, with Jiu You potentially pregnant.
• Stia and Ash: Stia is determined to have a child with Ash to secure her position and gain favor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Irin is bored and lonely by the pool, studying the fountains.
• She complains to 86 about being excluded from the current event with Xiao You.
• 86 speculates that Xiao You and the old fossil (Luo Bing) are playing cards, with Luo Bing advancing to Holy Dragon Knight.
• Irin imagines herself as a card, leading to an embarrassing moment with 86.
• Suddenly, Irin's character model collapses, and the environment changes to a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with Corrupt Calamity monsters.
• A gunshot from behind 86 kills the monstrous dog attacking her.

Character Developments

• Irin feels lonely and out of place, realizing she has no strong backing like others.
• 86 shows she has knowledge about card games and can analyze situations.
• Irin's character model collapses and transforms into a Corrupt Calamity monster, hinting at a change in her status or environment.

Significant Themes

• Loneliness and feeling out of place (Irin)
• Speculation and analysis (86)
• Transformation and change (Irin's character model and the environment)

Character Interactions

• Irin and 86 interact, with Irin complaining and 86 comforting and analyzing the situation.
• The sudden change in environment and Irin's character model hints at a possible interaction with another character or force.

Key Plot Points and Events

• 86, a maid robot, witnesses a battlefield scene where a maid army, identical to her, fights against grotesque monsters under a blood-red sky.
• The maid army, despite their superior strength and coordination, falls to the monsters due to their numerical disadvantage in close combat.
• The last surviving maid, a sniper, looks at 86 and mouths "It's your turn" before being killed by a Corrupt Calamity flesh worm.
• 86's vision returns to reality, and she's back beside the fountain with Irin and the others. She realizes the battlefield scene was likely a hallucination caused by abnormal data from her master's "Dreamscape."

Character Developments

• 86: Witnesses a potential future or alternate reality, leaving her with unanswered questions and a sense of responsibility.
• The Maid Army: Revealed to be identical to 86, suggesting they are Zero's younger sisters. They display exceptional combat skills and coordination but ultimately fall to the monsters.

Significant Themes

• Identity and Belonging: 86 sees her identical counterparts, raising questions about her own identity and connection to them.
• Responsibility and Duty: The maid army's final words to 86 imply a shared responsibility or destiny.
• The Corrupt Calamity: The monsters and the blood-red sky represent the ongoing threat and destruction caused by the Corrupt Calamity.

Character Interactions

• 86 and the Maid Army: Though they don't interact directly, 86 witnesses their battle and feels a connection to them as identical entities.
• 86 and Irin: Irin expresses concern for 86's well-being when she appears to be in distress after the hallucination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Irin reports the strange incident with 86 to Liao Ji, who investigates with Stia's help.
• Liao Ji enters Dreamscape again, this time targeting Carolyn, Rena's secretary, to understand Rena's intentions.
• Liao Ji successfully enters Carolyn's dream within a dream but finds it different from expected.

Character Developments

• Irin: Shows concern for 86, feels conflicted about Stia after learning about the "card game" incident.
• Stia: Proves to be more cunning than initially thought, deceiving Jiu You for her own good.
• Liao Ji: Struggles to understand Rena's intentions, decides to take the initiative by entering Dreamscape.
• Carolyn: Frozen in time in her Dreamscape, awaiting Liao Ji's intrusion.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Stia deceives Jiu You, Liao Ji struggles to trust Rena.
• Power dynamics: Liao Ji's attempt to gain the upper hand by entering Dreamscape.
• Manipulation: Stia manipulates Jiu You for her recovery, Liao Ji manipulates Dreamscape to gain information.

Character Interactions

• Irin and Stia: Irin is captivated by Stia's beauty but feels betrayed after learning about the "card game."
• Liao Ji and Stia: Liao Ji is frustrated with Stia's deception but respects her healing abilities.
• Liao Ji and Carolyn: Liao Ji enters Carolyn's dream within a dream to understand Rena's intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji observes Carolyn, Rena's secretary, sending a crystal ball to the Holy Kingdom in the name of Sealed City.
• Carolyn opens the crystal ball and discovers its contents, revealing her temptation and self-control.
• Liao Ji meets Rena in Carolyn's Dreamscape, where she appears in modified versions of Stia's and Jiu You's outfits.
• Rena explains that meeting in reality is no longer possible due to the 'observation units' Zero deployed to find Liao Ji.

Character Developments

• Carolyn shows temptation but ultimately displays self-control and dedication to her task.
• Rena demonstrates her powerful Esper abilities and confidence, but also reveals a playful and seductive side.

Significant Themes

• Temptation and self-control.
• The consequences of Liao Ji's actions and the 'observation units' Zero deployed to find him.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji observes Carolyn and interacts with her in her Dreamscape.
• Liao Ji meets Rena in Carolyn's Dreamscape, where they discuss the impossibility of meeting in reality due to the 'observation units.'

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji learns about the true purpose of the observer bodies and the threat they pose.
• He witnesses a simulation of a nuclear missile strike on the Black Cave Settlement, demonstrating the danger of out-of-control observer bodies.
• Rena reveals that observer bodies have been in hibernation due to their uncontrollable state and that they will awaken when the deviation value reaches a critical threshold.

Character Developments

• Liao Ji gains a deeper understanding of the world's mechanics and the threat posed by the observer bodies.
• Rena demonstrates her knowledge and control over Dreamscape, hinting at her increased power and influence.

Significant Themes

• The danger of unchecked power and technology, as exemplified by the out-of-control observer bodies.
• The concept of deviation value and its role in triggering the awakening of observer bodies.
• The importance of balance and control, as seen in Zero's struggle to maintain her Contract and prevent contamination.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and Rena meet in Dreamscape to discuss the observer bodies and the threat they pose.
• Liao Ji realizes the implications of Rena's presence on the deviation value and the potential consequences for Jiu You and Stia.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji learns about the "observation entities" and their threat from Rena.
• He discovers that Zero, in a comatose state, is trapped in her Dreamscape, unable to wake up.
• Rena provides Liao Ji with a forged identity as a top doctor of ancient studies and an assistant, Carolyn, to help him infiltrate the Mechanical Alliance.
• Liao Ji learns that he needs to obtain a material from Anno to complete the patch that can control the "observation entities."

Character Developments

• Liao Ji remains calm and composed despite the new threats and challenges.
• Rena shows a more playful and manipulative side, enjoying her role in orchestrating events.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of meddling with reality and the butterfly effect.
• The allure and danger of virtual worlds and Dreamscapes.
• The manipulation of identities and appearances for personal gain.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and Rena discuss plans and strategies, with Rena enjoying her role as a mentor and manipulator.
• Liao Ji learns about Carolyn's Dreamscape, which Rena uses to threaten Carolyn's loyalty.
• Liao Ji and Rena's dynamic shifts as they navigate their new roles and relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji uses Irin to confirm he's in reality, not the dreamscape.
• He plans to retrieve Elf's Tear from Anno in the Corrupt Calamity Space.
• Liao Ji equips Stia's "Healing Holy Armor" for its powerful recovery and special skills.

Character Developments

• Liao Ji shows concern for Irin's feelings but continues to use him as a reality check.
• Stia eagerly embraces Liao Ji, showing her eagerness to be used like Jiu You.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Corrupt Calamity Touch and its "objectified" forms.
• The dreamscape's predictive accuracy.
• The necessity of preparation and strategy before facing a powerful enemy.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji interacts with Irin, showing a mix of care and necessity in using him.
• Stia initiates physical contact with Liao Ji, expressing her eagerness to be used.

• Liao Ji chooses the "Equipment Slots +1" optimization, allowing him to equip the Red Lotus Wings and A-Xue as a cleaver, enhancing his combat abilities.
• Irin feels envious and left out as she hasn't been "equipped" on Liao Ji yet.
• Liao Ji connects to the Dreamscape and finds the black-skinned Elf, Polika, asleep in the Corrupt Calamity space.
• Liao Ji attempts a sneak attack on Polika but fails, waking her up.
• Polika is furious about Liao Ji's ambush and expresses her disappointment.
• Liao Ji asks Polika if she had been waiting for him in the Corrupt Calamity space the entire time since their last encounter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Polika waits for Ash in the Corrupt Calamity space but falls asleep and wakes up in a new scene.
• Liao Ji (disguised as Ash) appears, and Polika, despite her discomfort, engages in a verbal sparring match.
• Liao Ji reveals his true identity and prepares for battle by equipping powerful Corrupt Calamity Touch equipment.
• Polika also assumes her strongest stance, and they engage in a fierce battle, which ends abruptly with Polika's defeat in less than a second.

Character Developments

• Polika: She becomes more determined and confident, even enjoying the prospect of battling Liao Ji (whom she believes is Ash). Her resilience and pride are highlighted.
• Liao Ji: He shows his strategic thinking and preparation, using powerful equipment to subdue Polika. He also demonstrates respect for Polika as a formidable opponent.

Significant Themes

• The theme of pride and resilience is evident in both characters, as they refuse to back down despite their circumstances.
• The theme of preparation and strategy is shown through Liao Ji's use of equipment and Polika's anticipation of the battle.

Character Interactions

• Polika and Liao Ji's interaction is filled with tension and mutual respect, despite their opposing positions. Their verbal exchange showcases their determination and pride.
• Polika's interaction with Ash (Liao Ji) reveals her eagerness for a battle she believes is long overdue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji discovers that Polika, the dark-skinned elf, still retains Anno's attributes, making her vulnerable to pain.
• Liao Ji tests this by attacking Polika, who initially resists but eventually succumbs to pleasure from the pain.
• Liao Ji uses his Holy Light Optimization to remove Polika's Corrupt Calamity tentacles and purify her, growing her elf wings back.
• Liao Ji extracts magical essence from Polika's wings, obtaining 'Elf's Tear.'

Character Developments

• Liao Ji: Realizes Polika's weakness and uses it to extract information and magical essence. He remains calm and focused on his goals.
• Polika: Struggles with her attraction to pain and humiliation, ultimately succumbing to Liao Ji's actions. She reveals the Succubus' role in the nun's corruption.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and control: Liao Ji uses Polika's weakness to gain control over her and extract what he needs.
• Pleasure and pain: Polika's enjoyment of pain and humiliation is a significant aspect of her character.
• Purification vs corruption: Liao Ji's Holy Light Optimization purifies Polika, removing her Corrupt Calamity traits.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and Polika: Their interaction is one of power and manipulation, with Liao Ji using Polika's weakness to his advantage. Polika struggles against Liao Ji's actions but ultimately succumbs.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji obtains the completed 'Zero's Patch (Enhanced Version)' from Rena in Dreamscape.
• Liao Ji plans to repair Zero before her 'observation bodies' awaken.
• Liao Ji and Irin receive new identities and outfits for their trip to the Mechanical Alliance.

Character Developments

• Liao Ji shows consideration for Irin's dreams and aspirations by bringing her along as his assistant.
• Irin eagerly embraces her new role as a researcher, immersing herself in the character.

Significant Themes

• Identity and transformation, both literal (new outfits, IDs) and metaphorical (Irin's new role).
• The extraordinary nature of Dreamscape, blurring the line between virtual and reality.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji interacts with Carolyn, Rena's secretary, to prepare for their trip.
• Liao Ji and Irin bond over their new identities and outfits.
• Liao Ji includes 86 in their plans, highlighting their close relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji learns he's one of many academics from Demon City sent to Sealed City for research, now heading to Mechanical Alliance as a group.
• They meet at Demon City's embassy, then board a private aircraft (a large, disc-shaped steel vehicle) to Mechanical Alliance.
• Carolyn, the Succubus secretary, hands over her duties in Sealed City to another Succubus and joins the group as their leader.

Character Developments

• Liao Ji adapts to his new identity as a doctor from Demon City.
• Irin, Liao Ji's assistant, shows curiosity and excitement about their journey and the aircraft.

Significant Themes

• Planning and Manipulation: Rena's careful planning and manipulation are evident in sending academics to Sealed City and now using them as a cover for Liao Ji's journey.
• Identity and Disguise: Liao Ji continues to navigate his new identity, with Irin accidentally addressing him by his real name.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and Irin interact, with Liao Ji allowing Irin to explore the aircraft.
• Carolyn hands over her duties to another Succubus, showing a professional and efficient side.
• Scholars from Demon City remain quiet and solitary, waiting patiently for their flight.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji, an AI specialist, is on a flight to Dream City, a thriving metropolis, for a conference.
• The virtual flight attendant, Little V, provides a historical overview of Dream City, presenting it as a utopia.
• Liao Ji is offered VIP membership packages, but he's interrupted by another passenger.

Character Developments

• Liao Ji: Maintains his calm and composed demeanor, showing interest in the city and the VIP offers.
• Luo Xiaoji: Introduces himself as a casual acquaintance, reveals he got into the conference through connections, and tries to befriend Liao Ji.

Significant Themes

• The allure and reality of Dream City: While presented as a utopia, the VIP membership offers hint at potential commercialization and exploitation.
• Connections and networking: Luo Xiaoji's emphasis on their shared connection (one character in their names) suggests the importance of networking in their field.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and Luo Xiaoji: Luo Xiaoji initiates a conversation with Liao Ji, trying to befriend him by implying they both got into the conference through connections. Liao Ji remains polite but reserved.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji meets Luo Xiaoji on the aircraft to the Mechanical Alliance.
• Luo Xiaoji assumes Liao Ji got his position through connections, not academic merit.
• Luo Xiaoji reveals the true nature of the academic exchange: it's a showcase for the host city's latest research, with the visiting scholars serving as passive observers.

Character Developments

• Liao Ji: Initially guarded, he becomes more open and curious as Luo Xiaoji reveals the truth.
• Luo Xiaoji: Confident, outspoken, and pragmatic, he sees the exchange as an opportunity for a free vacation.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality: Luo Xiaoji judges Liao Ji based on his youth and fashion sense, assuming he got his position through connections rather than academic prowess.
• Pride and Face: Both Demon City and the Mechanical Alliance use these exchanges to save face and assert their technological superiority.

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and Luo Xiaoji: Despite their initial assumptions about each other, they form a bond over their shared experience and decide to team up during the exchange.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liao Ji declines Luo Xiaoji's invitation to join the academic exchange, revealing he has an "old friend" in Dream City.
• Luo Xiaoji shares his troubles: he invested in Kaier Technology stocks based on the impending war between the Dragon Kingdom and Holy Kingdom, but the war never happened, leading to a stock crash.
• Liao Ji and Irin board the Kaier Technology aircraft; Luo Xiaoji gives Liao Ji a V10 membership, which provides an Isolation Shield for privacy.
• Liao Ji learns about Kaier Technology's true business—selling advanced weapons—and discovers the company is facing a "crash crisis" due to the Dragon Kingdom's turmoil.

Character Developments

• Liao Ji: Shows resourcefulness by connecting with Luo Xiaoji, a potential useful contact and client. He also demonstrates his understanding of business and market dynamics.
• Luo Xiaoji: Reveals his background as a rich second-generation heir, his impulsive decision-making, and his tendency to complain about his misfortunes.
• Irin: Expresses resentment toward rich second-generation heirs and displays indignation at Kaier Technology's business practices.

Significant Themes

• The influence of wealth and power dynamics (Liao Ji's interaction with Luo Xiaoji, Irin's resentment toward the rich).
• The consequences of impulsive decision-making (Luo Xiaoji's stock investment).
• The hidden nature of businesses and their true operations (Kaier Technology's weapons sales).

Character Interactions

• Liao Ji and Luo Xiaoji: They bond over their shared experiences and Liao Ji's willingness to listen to Luo Xiaoji's complaints. Luo Xiaoji gifts Liao Ji a V10 membership.
• Liao Ji and Irin: They discuss their impressions of the Kaier Technology aircraft and the company's true business. Irin expresses her indignation at Kaier Technology's practices, while Liao Ji remains pragmatic.