Chapter Summaries

Xu Shi discovered that Shen Qin’s anger and hunger strike had left her weakened, while Jiang Chengcheng reported that distant seawater contained unusually high concentrations of Rust Fog. The chapter ended with Shen Qin crawling toward Xu Shi’s food cart and begging him to give her food.

• Shen Qin mistook Xu Shi for Shen He because of the aura from Shen He’s transplanted Ability, then snapped out of it and accused Xu Shi of stealing her brother’s Ability.
• Shen Qin refused Xu Shi’s food and vowed not to eat a bite, and Xu Shi left her alone for the next week.
• Xu Shi visited Jiang Chengcheng in her hot work area, and she invited him to bathe with her while discussing her undecided Ability.
• Jiang Chengcheng told Xu Shi that seawater far from shore had Rust Fog concentrations comparable to Rust Fog ore, though refining it for other uses remained difficult.
• Jiang Chengcheng reported that the crew had established relay stations and restored basic communication with Night Sin City.
• Xu Shi brought food for Jiang Chengcheng, then found Shen Qin pale and crawling toward the food cart, begging him to give her food.

Xu Shi forced Shen Qin to eat after her hunger strike and told her their expedition would seek the Heavenly Principle, while Xia Ke'an wrestled with whether to reveal that she could return to her adult form. The ship’s announcement interrupted Xia Ke'an just as she was about to confide in Xia Wuyou.

• Xu Shi made Shen Qin eat from food he dumped on the floor, then warned her against starving herself because it erased more of her memories of Shen He.
• Xu Shi told Shen Qin that the group was exploring the new continent beyond Night Sin City to find the Heavenly Principle, the masterminds behind Tianhe and Refraction’s destruction.
• Xia Ke'an changed from her white-haired loli form into her adult appearance and weighed whether she should tell Xu Shi she could switch forms.
• Xia Wuyou visited Xia Ke'an with newly caught fish specimens and offered to hear what was troubling her.
• A broadcast announced that a ship was visible at six o’clock, interrupting Xia Ke'an as she began to confide in Xia Wuyou.

Xu Shi’s fleet found a wooden ship whose crew asked for help while being attacked by mutated sea creatures. After Xu Shi’s team fought off much of the swarm, a Great White Shark approached, leaving the rescue battle unresolved.

• Xu Shi spotted an unfamiliar wooden ship, sent it a radio message and a letter by drone, and ordered the combat ships to hang back.
• The ship replied with a request for help, and Xu Shi learned that giant fish and a mutated shark were attacking it.
• Xu Shi sent a combat team to assist, bringing Xia Wuyou, Ye Shanshan, and Shen Qin along while Yu Xingchuan stayed aboard.
• Shen Qin attacked the fish from the air as Xu Shi’s fighters used electromagnetic rifles and specialized ammunition to turn the battle around.
• A giant swordfish charged Ye Shanshan, but Xu Shi shielded her and killed it with a Rust Fog bullet.
• A roar announced that the Great White Shark was closing in on the boats.

Xu Shi’s fleet rescued Pan Cheng and the survivors of Silver Pine Island after destroying a giant shark and the Fish Tide, then learned that they came from the Hualan Empire. As the survivors traveled with Xu Shi’s group toward Silver Pine Island, Xia Ke’an pretended to be Xu Shi’s daughter, leaving Xia Wuyou bewildered by the new family arrangement.

• Xu Shi recognized the fish school’s coordinated tactics, ordered Shen Qin to retreat, and had Yu Xingchuan fire the Lieque cannon, killing the giant shark and the other fish.
• The damaged wooden ship broke apart, but Little Cat Xia used her domain to save its passengers, who thanked Xu Shi after boarding his command ship.
• Pan Cheng introduced himself as Silver Pine Island’s island master and explained that the church had called for a crusade against the Sea God; Xu Shi agreed to take the survivors home.
• Xu Shi introduced Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng as his wives, Xie Qingyan as his fiancée, and the others as guards, prompting Pan Cheng to react to the number of women around him.
• After Pan Cheng mistook Xia Ke’an for Xu Shi’s daughter, Xia Ke’an accepted the misunderstanding and called Xu Shi her daddy, while Xia Wuyou privately wondered what that made her.

Xu Shi and the others discussed the Hualan Empire’s technology and the need to stay cautious, then prepared to travel with Pan Cheng’s survivors to Silver Pine Island. After learning that the island had God-Chosen people with supernatural abilities, Xu Shi asked Pan Cheng about Luo Yu.

• Xu Shi warned the group not to underestimate the Hualan Empire, and the women teased him about his interest in its Empress and argued over their seniority among his wives.
• Xia Wuyou praised Xu Shi’s quick reflexes, and he agreed to train with her after they rested; Jiang Chengcheng and Xia Wuyou then insisted on sharing his room while Xia Ke'an was sent away.
• The next morning, Pan Cheng showed Xu Shi a compass that projected a Rust Fog map, and Xu Shi changed course toward Silver Pine Island.
• Jiang Chengcheng spoke with Xiao Mei about ships and equipment while Xia Wuyou asked the survivors about the Sea God.
• Pan Cheng revealed that he and A Xin were God-Chosen, described A Xin’s death, and mentioned Luo Yu as Silver Pine Island’s most promising person; Xu Shi asked who Luo Yu was.

Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan speculated that the Sea God might be a creature with a Fusion ability, then shared a quiet moment and joined Silver Pine Island’s welcoming banquet. The next morning, Xu Shi arranged to build a signal base station on the island, and Pan Cheng was interrupted as he began asking Xu Shi for help.

• Xie Qingyan showed Xu Shi a sketch of the Sea God, and they considered whether it had gained a Fusion ability by absorbing other creatures’ traits.
• Xu Shi said she hoped to clear the Rust Fog someday, and Xie Qingyan asked whether they would watch the stars together; before leaving, she kissed Xu Shi on the cheek.
• Xu Shi and her companions attended Silver Pine Island’s lavish banquet, where Pan Cheng confirmed that supplies for their ships would be ready.
• Xia Wuyou told Xu Shi about meeting Pan Cheng’s daughters, and Pan Cheng thanked Xu Shi by offering supplies for her group.
• Xu Shi asked Pan Cheng for space to build a signal base station, and Pan Cheng offered the island’s unused back mountain.
• Pan Cheng began to ask Xu Shi for help, but someone announced that Luo Yu had returned.

Xu Shi met Luo Yu on Silver Pine Island and learned that pressure from the Holy Church and royal family had forced Pan Cheng’s group to go out to sea. When the Bronze Knights tried to detain Xu Shi and his fleet, Yu Xingchuan intervened, and Luo Yu apologized and agreed that Xu Shi could stay on the island.

• Pan Cheng led Xu Shi and his daughters to Luo Yu’s home, where Luo Yu greeted them warmly and met Xu Shi.
• Luo Yu warned Pan Cheng against going out to sea again, and Pan Cheng explained that pressure from the Holy Church and royal family had driven the expedition.
• Xu Shi prepared to inspect the back mountain for a base station, but two Bronze Knights objected and demanded that he and his fleet wait aboard their ships until they could be taken to the Imperial Main City.
• When Xu Shi refused to cooperate, four Bronze Knights surrounded him with a sword formation that trapped him inside an invisible barrier.
• Yu Xingchuan attacked the Bronze Knights through their armor, injuring them and freeing Xu Shi.
• Luo Yu reprimanded the knights, apologized to Xu Shi, and said Xu Shi could stay on the island.

Xu Shi settled the fallout with Luo Yu and judged him an unsuitable ally, while his group continued preparing for their journey to the Hualan Empire. Pan Ling later revealed that she could sense others’ thoughts, and Xu Shi pressed her to consider what Luo Yu felt about him.

• Xu Shi told Pan Cheng he was not hurt, reassured Pan Feng that he did not blame Luo Yu, and promised she could learn swordsmanship from Xia Wuyou.
• Xu Shi and Yu Xingchuan suspected Luo Yu had orchestrated the Bronze Knights’ attack, and Xu Shi decided to pursue the Sea God research subject without relying on Luo Yu as an ally.
• Yu Xingchuan admitted she had followed Xu Shi and offered herself to advance her ambitions, while Xu Shi gave her permission to call him Young Master when Su Lin was absent.
• Xu Shi’s group returned to camp, where his companions worried about the conflict; over the following days, Pan Feng trained with Xia Wuyou, Jiang Chengcheng worked with Xie Qingyan, and Xu Shi explored Silver Pine Island.
• Pan Ling followed Xu Shi at night and revealed she could sense people’s thoughts, including his concealed anger and Pan Cheng’s hidden motives.
• Xu Shi asked Pan Ling whether she had sensed what Luo Yu thought and felt about him.

Xu Shi helped Pan Ling face the dark thoughts she sensed in others, then prepared to leave Silver Pine Island with Pan Feng and Pan Ling. Pan Cheng arranged for his daughters to study in Night Sin City, and the chapter ended with Xu Shi setting out with them and Xia Wuyou.

• Xu Shi used Malice Entropy to make Pan Ling reveal that Luo Yu had intended to harm him, then comforted her and advised her to manage her Mind Reading ability.
• Pan Ling thanked Xu Shi for helping her and asked to visit him again; Xu Shi agreed and gave her medical spray for her swollen cheeks.
• Pan Cheng gave Xu Shi travel documents and a Sound Stone, arranged for Xiao Mei to guide him, and asked him to take Pan Feng and Pan Ling to Night Sin City to study.
• Xu Shi agreed to an exchange between Silver Pine Island and Night Sin City, and Pan Cheng gave him a chest of coins to support his daughters.
• Pan Feng bowed to Xia Wuyou as her apprentice, while Pan Ling bowed to Xu Shi; Xu Shi then prepared to leave with them.

As the ship sailed toward the Hualan Empire, Xu Shi welcomed the Pan sisters as apprentices and gave them powerful gifts while his companions teased him about his intentions. He began training Pan Ling to confront difficult choices and revealed that he intended to cultivate her mind-reading ability, before declaring he was ready to cause trouble.

• Xie Qingyan teased Xu Shi about taking the Pan sisters as apprentices, while Pan Ling secretly grew anxious about his intentions.
• Xu Shi gave Pan Ling a Beacon and taught her how to use it, while Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng gave the sisters weapons and offered instruction.
• Xu Shi assigned Pan Ling a trolley problem, and she could not decide whether to sacrifice one person or let five die.
• Xu Shi told Xia Ke'an that he was training Pan Ling because her mind-reading ability could help her understand and influence others.
• Xu Shi said he would choose his response to the trolley problem based on his mood, then decided it was time to cause trouble.

Xu Shi and his family traveled by ship from Silver Pine Island to the Imperial Main City, where he taught Pan Ling to act according to her own judgment and arranged an audience with the royal family. The chapter ended with the young blonde, blue-eyed Imperial Empress appearing before them, prompting Xu Shi’s companions to wonder if he had secretly visited before.

• Xu Shi and his family endured seasickness during the two-day voyage, while Jiang Chengcheng reported promising results from her Silver Pine wood research.
• Xu Shi took Shen Qin aside and used the voyage to break down her resistance, leaving her more vulnerable to his influence.
• Xu Shi discussed a moral dilemma with Pan Ling and told her to focus on what she wanted to do, provided she could handle the consequences.
• Mei arranged an audience with the royal family, and Xu Shi chose to visit them before the Church.
• Xu Shi’s group entered the Imperial Palace carrying candied apples, and the ministers announced the arrival of the young Imperial Empress.
• The Imperial Empress appeared, and Xia Wuyou, Jiang Chengcheng, and Xia Ke'an wondered aloud whether Xu Shi had secretly visited her before.

Xu Shi presented Night Sin City’s trade goods to the Hualan Empire, then challenged the Empire’s dismissive officials to judge them through combat. Pan Feng defeated and killed the stronger Fan Shigui with her speed, sword, and firearm, leaving the court stunned.

• Xu Shi greeted Empress Dongfang Xiao and explained that Night Sin City sought diplomatic relations and trade.
• An Imperial minister accused Xu Shi’s group of attacking Templar Knights, but Xu Shi defended their actions and Cheng Gujian stopped the argument.
• Xu Shi displayed Night Sin City’s weapons and medicine, and the Imperial court questioned their unfamiliar technology and lack of Divine Breath.
• Xu Shi proposed a combat test, and Pan Feng agreed to fight Fan Shigui after Xia Wuyou encouraged her.
• Pan Feng evaded Fan Shigui’s flaming sword attacks, then shot through his flame barrier and armor, killing him.
• Xu Shi praised Pan Feng and stomped on Fan Shigui’s corpse, asking whether he could still talk.

Xu Shi used Pan Feng’s victory over Fan Shigui and his ability to pressure the Hualan Empire into taking trade with Night Sin City seriously. He planned to secure an agreement through Grand Duke Cheng Gujian, while his companions and disciples celebrated back at their accommodations.

• Xu Shi defended Pan Feng after she killed Fan Shigui, and Cheng Gujian ordered the body removed and the death treated as a line-of-duty casualty.
• Xu Shi amplified the court’s fear, prompting ministers to support trade talks; Dongfang Xiao agreed to host the delegation while she consulted with them.
• Back at their accommodations, Pan Feng learned that Xu Shi’s ability had intensified her pride, and Xu Shi reassured Pan Ling that Xia Wuyou had been ready to intervene.
• Xu Shi said he intended to approach Cheng Gujian before pursuing influence over Dongfang Xiao, then showed the group gold, silver, and Magic Crystal Cards prepared for trade.
• Xu Shi sent Pan Feng, Pan Ling, Xia Ke'an, and Shen Qin out to celebrate, then stayed behind with Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng while Xie Qingyan felt excluded.
• Pan Feng, Pan Ling, and Xia Ke'an shopped and ate in the city, and Pan Ling reflected on Xu Shi’s influence while Xia Ke'an pretended not to know what he was doing back at the inn.

Xu Shi visited Cheng Gujian to negotiate a private trade partnership between Night Sin City and the Hualan Empire, offering weapons and medicine in exchange for exclusive Trade Stations and supplies. After they agreed to the deal and called each other brothers, Xu Shi asked Cheng Gujian to tell him about the Sea God.

• Jiang Chengcheng clashed with Xie Qingyan, who lamented that her relationship with Xu Shi had not improved despite her efforts to stand with him.
• Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou visited Cheng Gujian at his residence and discussed the trade links between Night Sin City and the Hualan Empire.
• Xu Shi offered Cheng Gujian superior weapons and medicine samples in exchange for support, exclusive Trade Stations, and an eighty-twenty share of profits.
• Cheng Gujian accepted Xu Shi's proposal and agreed to trade for materials rich in Divine Breath, including Silver Pine wood.
• Xu Shi and Cheng Gujian called each other brothers, and Xu Shi asked Cheng Gujian about the Sea God.

Xu Shi and Cheng Gujian agreed to cooperate on training for the campaign against the Sea God, while Xu Shi negotiated for credit and permission to build base stations. As Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou returned to the inn, they found church knights confronting their companions and trying to take Little Feng and Little Ling away.

• Cheng Gujian explained that the Sea God's recent attacks had prompted the Hualan Empire to prepare an expedition, with the royal family and church gathering their forces.
• Xu Shi agreed to train Cheng Gujian's chosen soldiers and offered to join the campaign, while asking how his contribution would be rewarded.
• Cheng Gujian agreed to discuss Xu Shi's reward with the emperor and authorized him to build base stations; he also warned Xu Shi against getting involved with the church.
• Xu Shi and Xia Wuyou discussed keeping the royal family as their main partner while treating their relationship with Cheng Gujian as mutual cooperation.
• At the inn, Xu Shi found church knights confronting Little Feng, Little Ling, Xia Ke'an, and the others, while Shen Qin guarded them; a familiar knight urged the children to return to the church.

Luo Yu confronted Pan Feng and Ling Feng, tried to take them away, and clashed with Shen Qin before Xu Shi intervened. Lu Baiyan stopped Luo Yu and apologized, while Steward Chen delivered materials from Cheng Gujian and revealed how Luo Yu had earned his Silver Knight title.

• Luo Yu demanded to know why Pan Feng and Ling Feng had not told him they were in the main city, then tried to take them to the Church.
• Shen Qin blocked Luo Yu with her short blade, and Xu Shi arrived to challenge his intentions and reveal that the sisters had become his and his wife's disciples.
• Luo Yu grew furious when Xu Shi said Pan Cheng had entrusted the sisters to him and that Pan Feng had defeated a Royal Knight.
• Lu Baiyan restrained Luo Yu, apologized to Xu Shi, and ordered Luo Yu to accept lashes in the confession room.
• Lu Baiyan introduced himself as the Temple's fourth Silver Knight, while Steward Chen arrived with materials from Cheng Gujian for Xu Shi.
• Steward Chen explained that the empress and the Church's Saintess had jointly granted Luo Yu his title after he ranked among the top candidates in the knight selection assessment.

After Luo Yu’s clash with Xu Shi’s group, the Feng and Ling sisters rejected Luo Yu, and Xu Shi learned that Luo Yu’s ability was Devour when Shen Qin collapsed from wounds that drained her life force. Xie Qingyan treated Shen Qin, while Xu Shi stayed to watch over her and she called out to him in her sleep.

• Lu Baiyan apologized to Xu Shi and used Time Rewind to restore the damaged residence before inviting him to visit the Church.
• Pan Feng returned to the inn and Pan Ling told Luo Yu that she and her sister would stay with Xu Shi, leaving Luo Yu humiliated.
• Xu Shi advised Pan Ling to comfort her sister, then joked with Xia Wuyou and praised Shen Qin for protecting the others.
• Shen Qin fainted after her clash with Luo Yu, and Xie Qingyan found that energy in her wounds was draining her life force and suppressing her healing.
• Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan identified Luo Yu’s ability as Devour, and Xie Qingyan sealed Shen Qin’s ability and treated her.
• Xu Shi discussed the Church and Grand Duke Gu Jian with Xie Qingyan, then stayed beside Shen Qin as she called out that she was cold.

Xu Shi cared for Shen Qin while she recovered, then showed her a recording of her clinging to him in a feverish dream and confronted her about her fading memories of Shen He. As Shen Qin’s resentment and memories continued to weaken, Xu Shi outlined their plan to gather strength against the Heavenly Principle before returning to torment her.

• While Shen Qin slept, Xu Shi stayed beside her as she mistook him for Shen He and begged him not to leave.
• The next morning, Shen Qin woke healthy and naked beside Xu Shi, accused him of taking advantage of her, and saw a recording of herself clinging to him.
• Xu Shi asked how much Shen Qin remembered about Shen He, and she realized her memories and hatred were fading as the effects of her modification and Xu Shi’s abilities took hold.
• Shen Qin asked about Xu Shi’s plans against the Heavenly Principle, and he explained that trading with the Hualan Empire and training its soldiers would help unite forces and build strength.
• After Xu Shi left, Shen Qin picked up the recording device and tried to resist her growing attachment to him, but Xu Shi returned and increased her sensitivity twentyfold as punishment.

Xu Shi helped Pan Ling gain control of her mind-reading ability and guided her to make choices according to her own values rather than suppressing her feelings. As the expedition against the Sea God approached, he continued coordinating training and trade preparations with Cheng Gujian.

• Xia Ke'an questioned Xu Shi about Shen Qin and heard how his parents, Xu Cheng and A Jin, had fallen in love after Xu Cheng staged a rescue at a banquet.
• Xu Shi said he would help Pan Ling develop her ability with Heng Wo medicine, and Xia Ke'an told him to seek detailed mind-reading training methods from Feather Pen.
• Xu Shi arranged for Yu Xingchuan to train Cheng Gujian's Royal Knights with new weapons while Jiang Chengcheng returned to Silver Pine Island to oversee the communications base station.
• At the drill grounds, Xu Shi teased Shen Qin and Pan Ling, learned that Pan Feng had begun training, and praised Pan Ling's improved control after her injection.
• Xu Shi advised Pan Ling to judge difficult questions by her own values and feelings, including whether she wanted to remain in contact with Luo Yu.
• Cheng Gujian discussed the Royal Knights' training methods, the upcoming Sea God expedition, and the use of medicines and other methods to improve abilities with Xu Shi.

Xia Wuyou received a Sublimation II injection to strengthen herself before the expedition to subjugate the Sea God. As the allies prepared to set out, Xu Shi met with Empress Dongfang Xiao while the Church blessed its Silver Knights and Luo Yu arrived after completing another baptism.

• Xia Wuyou asked Xie Qingyan for a Sublimation II injection so she could break through her A+-rank bottleneck and better protect Xu Shi during the dangerous expedition.
• Xie Qingyan administered the injection, and Xia Wuyou recovered in just over ten minutes before receiving stabilizer pills.
• Xu Shi and his companions went to the training grounds on their final day and met Empress Dongfang Xiao, who thanked them and promised to grant a request if they defeated the Sea God.
• At the Grand Cathedral, the Pope and Saintess blessed Qin Yiyan and the other Silver Knights before their mission.
• Luo Yu arrived late after passing six Church baptisms in half a month, received the Saintess's blessing, and declared that he would do everything for the Church.