Chapter Summaries

Xu Shi and the Hualan Empire’s forces prepared to sail on an expedition against the Sea God, while Jiang Chengcheng sent Xia Wuyou a new Specialized Weapon. At the harbor, Dongfang Xiao and the Saintess publicly asserted their factions’ positions before the ships departed, and Xu Shi clashed with Templar Knight Commander Qin Yiyan.

• Xu Shi received Jiang Chengcheng’s equipment for Xia Wuyou, who tried on the combat suit and blade, and Xu Shi named the Specialized Weapon “Suwei.”
• Xu Shi sent letters back to Jiang Chengcheng and the Feng and Ling sisters’ parents, then reassured Xia Wuyou that Jiang Chengcheng would be protected while the group was away.
• Dongfang Xiao addressed the assembled troops and publicly welcomed Xu Shi’s people as allies, then the Saintess arrived and exchanged pointed remarks with her.
• After the royal and Church processions finished their speeches, the expedition’s ships prepared to depart, with Xu Shi’s two warships drawing attention.
• Templar Knight Commander Qin Yiyan asked Xu Shi whether he believed in the gods, insulted him when he said no, and left; Xu Shi resolved to deal with her later as the women teased him about her attention.

At sea, Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan shared wine and discussed her fear that no one would mourn her if she died, while their relationship remained unresolved. Their conversation ended when they spotted crimson, foul-smelling water and recognized an approaching Fish Tide.

• Xu Shi teased Xie Qingyan about apologizing, and she offered to share wine with him.
• Xie Qingyan admitted she felt she had no one to miss her, and Xu Shi told her that he cared about her.
• Xie Qingyan asked whether Xu Shi would cry if she died, but he brushed off the question.
• Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan noticed the dark crimson water and mangled sea-creature corpses outside.
• Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan realized a Fish Tide was approaching.

Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan held their fleet back as a Fish Tide attacked, using the battle to observe the Hualan Empire’s forces. After the royal family and Church fought the fish schools with growing success, Xu Shi tested Pan Ling’s tactical judgment and praised her answer.

• Xu Shi ordered his fleet to stay in defensive mode while the royal forces and Church prepared to face the approaching Fish Tide.
• Cheng Gujian directed the Royal Knights to divide into smaller units and attack the fish schools from boats, and the soldiers gradually found their rhythm.
• The Church froze the surrounding sea to create a battlefield, while Luo Yu and Qin Yiyan fought the fish schools with their abilities.
• Xu Shi observed Qin Yiyan’s clones and discussed her strength as Xie Qingyan and Xia Wuyou teased him about his interest in her.
• Xu Shi quizzed Pan Ling on how to widen their advantage, and she suggested drawing the enemy fish toward the other forces, earning his praise.

Xu Shi used sonar and decoy bombs to provoke the fish tide into attacking the Church fleet, then ended the tactic before it weakened their allies too much. When Yu Xingchuan detected an unexplained blank area on the radar, Xu Shi ordered the defenses raised, and the Sea God revealed itself in a towering tsunami.

• Pan Ling proposed dealing ruthlessly with their opponents, and Xu Shi approved her plan and ordered Miss Xingchuan to activate sonar and prepare decoy bombs.
• Qin Yiyan helped Luo Yu recover after the first fish attack and warned him not to act rashly against Xu Shi, while Luo Yu vowed to settle his grievance himself.
• A stronger fish swarm attacked the Church fleet, and Qin Yiyan realized Xu Shi's ships were provoking it; Luo Yu joined the fight as both blamed Xu Shi.
• Xu Shi halted the baiting tactic before the fish tide could wear down the Church and royal forces too much, then asked Yu Xingchuan whether she had located the Sea God.
• Yu Xingchuan reported no radar or Rust Fog readings, but Xu Shi noticed a blank area the fish avoided and ordered the defensive barrier to maximum.
• A tsunami rose dozens of meters into the air, revealing the Sea God to the fleets.

Xu Shi and the other groups fought to withstand the sea god’s relentless attacks while Xia Wuyou severed one of its tentacles. As reinforcements were summoned and the battle remained desperate, Cheng Gujian finally launched himself at the monster with his spear.

• The sea god appeared in its enormous true form, and Xie Qingyan gave the Feng and Ling sisters oxygen tanks to help them endure its oppressive aura.
• The sea god attacked the ships and smaller boats, killing combat personnel who fell into the water, while Xu Shi’s group fought to defend itself.
• Xia Wuyou and Shen Qin countered the monster’s water projectiles, and Xia Wuyou cut off one of its tentacles with a powerful strike.
• Xu Shi and Yu Xingchuan coordinated their defenses as Xie Qingyan used Ability Nullification to stop a tentacle from reaching the command ship.
• Xu Shi assessed the church and royal groups’ struggles, then Cheng Gujian drew his spear and charged toward the sea god.

Cheng Gujian injured the Sea God, but the creature entered a second phase and attacked the fleets with its regenerating tentacles. Xu Shi was knocked overboard, and Xie Qingyan shoved him back toward the ship as he fell.

• Cheng Gujian used his spear to wither and sever one of the Sea God's tentacles, drawing cheers from the royal fleet.
• Xu Shi ordered the following fleet to hold position while Xia Wuyou continued fighting the Sea God.
• The Sea God roared, turned blood-red, and began regenerating its severed tentacles with more dangerous fins.
• Xu Shi ordered the fighters and ships to retreat, but the Sea God pierced several vessels and sent Xu Shi flying overboard.
• Xia Wuyou could not reach Xu Shi in time, so Xie Qingyan shoved him toward the ship and cried, "You... can't die!"

Xie Qingyan risked her life to save Xu Shi, and he rescued her from the Sea God’s mouth using Yujing’s protective force field. The two survived inside the Sea God, confessed their feelings through a kiss, and were joined by Shen Qin as they faced the problem of escaping.

• Xie Qingyan pushed Xu Shi out of danger and fell toward the Sea God’s mouth with him.
• Xu Shi used Yujing’s backup energy to shield them from the Sea God’s teeth, and they woke inside its body.
• Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan admitted they did not want each other to die, then kissed as they reconciled.
• Shen Qin arrived inside the Sea God after rushing in to save Xu Shi and interrupted their embrace.
• Xie Qingyan used the remaining medicine to stabilize Xu Shi’s injuries, and the three considered what to do next.

Xu Shi, Xie Qingyan, and Shen Qin explored the Sea God's interior, relying on Shen Qin to protect them from attacks as they advanced. They reached a vast, beautiful chamber filled with sea life and falling fragments rich in Rust Fog energy.

• Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan set out through the Sea God's insides, with Xie Qingyan supporting her injured fiancé and Shen Qin following behind.
• Shen Qin cut down a spike that lunged at Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan, then repeatedly protected them from further attacks as the trio moved slowly onward.
• Xie Qingyan offered to use Prism's neuroactive drugs to make Shen Qin more obedient, but Xu Shi said it might no longer be necessary.
• The trio reached a vast chamber inside the Sea God, where fish, shells, seaweed, and coral formed a small ecosystem.
• Xie Qingyan marveled at the starlike fragments drifting down from above, while Xu Shi noticed that they held enormous amounts of Rust Fog energy.

Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan discovered that the Sea God’s energy sphere sustained its regeneration and decided to destroy it, but Shen Qin refused to help. Xu Shi then revealed that Shen Qin could no longer remember why she hated him, suggesting that their time inside the Sea God had changed her.

• Xu Shi concluded that the energy sphere acted like the Sea God’s heart, nourishing its body and allowing it to recover.
• Xu Shi proposed destroying the sphere, and Xie Qingyan agreed despite the risk that the concentrated energy could kill them.
• Xie Qingyan pointed out that Shen Qin would have to strike the sphere, and Xu Shi asked her to decide whether she would do it.
• Shen Qin refused, choosing to perish alongside Xu Shi rather than help him, since she believed they would otherwise die of starvation together.
• Xu Shi asked Shen Qin why she hated him, but she found that she could no longer remember the reason.

Xu Shi manipulated Shen Qin’s missing memories and weakened hostility until she accepted him as her brother, then prepared to escape the Sea God with Xie Qingyan. Outside, Xia Wuyou fought desperately while Xia Ke'an foresaw that Xu Shi would likely survive; the Sea God suddenly convulsed and cracked as something inside it attacked.

• Xu Shi questioned Shen Qin about the reason for her hatred, and she realized she could not remember whom he had supposedly killed.
• Xu Shi guided Shen Qin into accepting him as her brother, and she took his hand when he helped her stand.
• Xu Shi told Shen Qin and Xie Qingyan to recover using the Sea God’s power before they tried to escape.
• Pan Ling panicked aboard Xu Shi’s ship, so Xia Ke'an used her prophetic power and told her that Dad would likely be fine.
• Xia Wuyou continued attacking the Sea God until Cheng Gujian withdrew, and Xia Ke'an urged her to calm down and conserve her strength.
• The Sea God convulsed as if something inside it were attacking, then cracks spread across its body and strange light burst out.

After the Sea God split apart and died, the factions scrambled to collect the valuable crystals left behind. Xia Wuyou found the unconscious Xu Shi alive and brought him back to the ship, where his companions arranged medical treatment and prepared to withdraw.

• The Sea God exploded into blue crystals, and Cheng Gujian ordered his fleet to collect as many as possible.
• Qin Yiyan ordered the Holy Church to gather crystals while reflecting on its poor performance and Luo Yu’s delight at Xu Shi’s apparent death.
• Xia Wuyou searched the battlefield, caught Xu Shi, Xie Qingyan, and Shen Qin as they fell, and discovered Xu Shi was alive but unconscious.
• Xia Wuyou brought them back to the ship, where Pan Ling and Xia Ke'an reacted to Xu Shi’s condition.
• Xia Wuyou ordered the injured treated and the ship prepared to leave, while Adjutant Miss arranged to collect more crystals.

While unconscious, Xu Shi forced “Malice Entropy” and “United Will” to merge, then woke after three or four days to find Xia Ke'an, Xia Wuyou, and Jiang Chengcheng at his bedside. He explained how he had survived the Sea God and tested his newly activated ability, then discovered that “Malice Entropy” had also reached S-rank and gained a new effect called “Liminal Space.”

• Xu Shi merged “Malice Entropy” with “United Will” in his consciousness and woke after three or four days unconscious.
• Xia Ke'an, Xia Wuyou, and Jiang Chengcheng welcomed Xu Shi back, worried over his recklessness, and cared for him as he recovered.
• Xu Shi told the others that Shen Qin had shattered the Heart of the Sea God and that he had been blasted out when the sphere solidified.
• Xu Shi activated “United Will,” making everyone feel warmth and smile, and explained that the ability’s believer feedback had improved his attributes.
• Xu Shi confirmed that “Malice Entropy” had reached S-rank and learned that its new effect was called “Liminal Space.”

After recovering from the Sea God battle, Xu Shi learned that his new Liminal Space ability could trap spirits in a mental dimension and planned to deal with the factions that had abandoned him. Xie Qingyan revealed that she had copied the Sea God’s abilities, and the reunited couple made plans to marry before turning their attention to each other.

• Xu Shi learned that Liminal Space pulled a target’s spirit into a mental dimension he controlled, but he decided not to test it on Xia Wuyou yet.
• Xia Ke'an told Xu Shi that Cheng Gujian and the church had stood aside while he was in danger, and Xu Shi resolved to prepare a retaliatory gift for them.
• Jiang Chengcheng reported that the communications base stations were nearly ready and that she was repairing and upgrading Yujing.
• Xu Shi visited Xie Qingyan, who revealed she had copied the Sea God’s tentacles and could copy other people’s abilities through contact.
• Xie Qingyan explained that she had also copied a weakened version of Xu Shi’s Malice Entropy, then the two celebrated their reconciliation and planned to marry in Night Sin City.

Pan Ling and Pan Feng were teased by Xia Wuyou, Jiang Chengcheng, and Xia Ke'an while Pan Cheng decided to stand firmly with Xu Shi. Xu Shi and Xie Qingyan grew closer, and Xie Qingyan went to talk with the other women, leaving a Shura field looming over him.

• Pan Ling rushed to see Xu Shi after hearing he had awakened, but Xia Wuyou stopped her because Xie Qingyan was keeping him company.
• Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng teased Pan Ling over which of them was the best mistress, while Xia Ke'an tricked Pan Feng into losing at chess and covered her face with paper strips.
• Pan Cheng told his First Wife that he would prepare Silver Pine Island and stand with Xu Shi, while abandoning Luo Yu.
• Xie Qingyan told Xu Shi that she wanted to speak properly with the other women, then left his cabin after calling him “Husband.”
• Xu Shi sensed a Shura field forming, and the chapter noted that Xia Ke'an's character card would be ready in the next few days.

Xu Shi learned that Xia Ke'an was as powerful as Cheng Gujian and asked Pan Ling to find Hualan Empire history books. Meanwhile, Xie Qingyan reconciled with Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng, and the three women agreed on a plan to put pressure on Xu Shi.

• Xu Shi teased Pan Ling into giving him a shoulder massage, then told her and Pan Feng that Xia Ke'an was on the same level as Cheng Gujian.
• Xu Shi asked Pan Ling to check on the master-mothers and find him history books about the Hualan Empire.
• Xie Qingyan admitted to Xia Wuyou that she disliked her because she had once intended to harm Xu Shi, and asked them to stay out of each other's way.
• Xia Wuyou softened toward Xie Qingyan, called her Sister Qingyan, and Jiang Chengcheng welcomed her as well.
• Xie Qingyan proposed that the women put pressure on Xu Shi instead of constantly arguing among themselves, and Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng agreed.

Xu Shi’s partners pretended to unite against him, but he turned Xie Qingyan’s attempt to establish authority into a candlelit night with her and the others. The next morning, he remembered that the signal base station was due to begin operating and that they were supposed to contact Night Sin City.

• Xie Qingyan, Xia Wuyou, and Jiang Chengcheng ignored Xu Shi and sent him away, while Xia Ke'an and Pan Ling laughed at his predicament.
• Xu Shi took Xia Ke'an and Pan Ling to relax, while Xie Qingyan waited for him to come and make peace.
• Xu Shi agreed to take Xie Qingyan to dinner and watch the stars, then caught her in a cabin with Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng, who had switched sides.
• Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng joined Xu Shi in teasing Xie Qingyan, and the group spent the night together.
• Xu Shi promised to watch the stars with Xie Qingyan that evening, then remembered they had to activate the signal base station and contact Night Sin City.

Xu Shi activated Silver Pine Island’s new communications base station and reconnected with Su Lin, Gu Yi, Tang Shuang, and Lin Yue, while discussing the danger he had faced and plans to improve the island. After their long call, Gu Yi contacted him privately and revealed that Ascension had made her an A-rank or possibly A+-rank Ascendant.

• Xu Shi activated the communications base station on Silver Pine Island and spoke with Su Lin, Gu Yi, Tang Shuang, and Lin Yue by video call.
• Su Lin questioned Xia Wuyou about Xu Shi’s near-fatal encounter, then listened as Xu Shi explained what had happened.
• Su Lin, Gu Yi, Tang Shuang, and Lin Yue said they wanted to visit Xu Shi on Silver Pine Island.
• Xu Shi showed Pan Cheng the progress in Night Sin City and promised to help upgrade Silver Pine Island’s power grid, water supply, and roads.
• After the call ended, Gu Yi contacted Xu Shi and revealed that she had become an A-rank or possibly A+-rank Ascendant through Ascension.

Xu Shi discovered that Gu Yi’s evolved ability let her project her consciousness through the internet, then used his own Liminal Space to catch her and meet her in person. They discussed her new powers and the others’ progress, while Xu Shi considered how to plan their next overseas voyage.

• Gu Yi used Consciousness Datafication to hit Xu Shi through their video call, but he connected with her through Liminal Space and stopped her.
• Xu Shi punished Gu Yi for boasting, then praised her ability and asked how she had been using it to explore Night Sin City.
• Gu Yi explained that she could travel through the city’s networks, spot vulnerabilities, and spy on people, though Old Master Wen had nearly forced her from her machine.
• Xu Shi and Gu Yi synchronized their thoughts and appeared together in her room, where she urged him to plan a visit for their friends.
• Xu Shi said the others could come overseas once he had planned for their arrival to create the greatest value, and he and Gu Yi grew intimate through their mental projections.

Gu Yi told Su Lin that Xu Shi had given instructions for preparing Night Sin City’s overseas base on Silver Pine Island, while concealing their intimate encounter. Xu Shi coordinated plans for the island and prepared to return to the Imperial Main City, where he intended to challenge the church and royal family.

• Gu Yi told Su Lin that Xu Shi wanted them to gather weapons, combat personnel, technical specialists, engineers, and academy candidates for Silver Pine Island, and Su Lin ordered Gu Yi to sleep properly that night.
• Xu Shi discussed waterworks, electricity, and an academy with Pan Cheng, who agreed that educating the islanders would help them become self-sufficient.
• Xu Shi reassured Pan Cheng that he trusted him, then reviewed reports showing that the royal family had gained prestige while the church retained much of its support.
• Pan Cheng said he had spread the word that Xu Shi deserved credit for defeating the Sea God, and he gave Xu Shi his support as Xu Shi prepared to contend openly with the royal family and the church.
• Xu Shi decided to leave for the Imperial Main City within days, and Xie Qingyan told him that Shen Qin had awakened.

After waking with her memories altered, Shen Qin embraced Xu Shi as her beloved big brother and became openly devoted to him. The chapter ended with Xie Qingyan, Xia Ke'an, Xia Wuyou, and Jiang Chengcheng secretly watching the pair, while Xie Qingyan’s brief, strange change in her eyes went unexplained.

• Xie Qingyan examined Shen Qin, who remembered several people but struggled to recall more without pain.
• When Xu Shi entered, Shen Qin ran to him, called him big brother, and said she remembered their past without feeling resentment.
• Xu Shi realized Malice Entropy had completed its loop, and a thorn-and-star mark appeared on Shen Qin’s neck as her memories and feelings settled around him.
• Shen Qin defended Xu Shi against Xie Qingyan and showed jealousy toward the other women, while Xu Shi agreed to let her sleep in his arms.
• Xie Qingyan stumbled and briefly showed eyes resembling Xia Ke'an’s ability, but dismissed the incident as fatigue.
• Xie Qingyan and Xia Ke'an joined Xia Wuyou and Jiang Chengcheng outside the room to watch Xu Shi and Shen Qin, and the four wondered whether Shen Qin’s apparent happiness was crueler than her former hatred.