Chapter Summaries

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi encounters Black Cat, a chatty and unusual familiar.
• Black Cat offers to help Xu Zhi if she takes it out of Midnight.
• Xu Zhi agrees, but only if Black Cat reveals information about Midnight and its change.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi demonstrates her cunning and negotiation skills.
• Black Cat shows its desperation to leave Midnight and reveals it once had a different form.

Significant Themes

• The allure and danger of Midnight's treasures.
• The importance of information and knowledge in survival.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and Black Cat engage in a tense negotiation, with Xu Zhi trying to extract information while Black Cat attempts to hide its true intentions.
• Xu Zhi's calm and firm demeanor contrasts with Black Cat's restless and desperate behavior.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi encounters a talking black cat in a mysterious forest, who claims to know where the remains she seeks are buried.
• The cat reveals that the forest is the 'Land of the Fallen', a graveyard where powerful beings are buried, and that every tree is a tombstone.
• Xu Zhi digs up the cat's remains, causing the forest to shake in fury and branding her with a mark for 'desecrating Midnight'.
• She retrieves a strange, glowing bone from the cat's grave, which cannot be removed from her palm.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi: Shows determination, resourcefulness, and resilience in the face of danger. Her regenerative ability is revealed.
• Black Cat: Reveals more about its nature and the forest, displays malice and manipulation, but also provides useful information.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of disturbing the dead and the power of the past.
• The duality of truth and deception, as the cat both helps and hinders Xu Zhi.
• The theme of alliances of convenience, as both characters have their own goals.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and the Black Cat: Their interaction is tense and wary, with each having their own agenda. Despite this, they form a temporary alliance to achieve their respective goals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi discovers the Black Cat's tree has vanished, and strange howls follow her.
• The Black Cat reveals that something has changed in Midnight, making it dangerous.
• Xu Zhi demands more information, and the Black Cat suffers backlash for revealing too much.
• Xu Zhi changes the Lantern's core to [Cup] and crosses the Rift entrance with the Black Cat's help.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi demonstrates her determination and greed for information, pushing the Black Cat to its limits.
• The Black Cat shows exhaustion and vulnerability, revealing its desperation to leave Midnight.

Significant Themes

• Greed and its consequences (Xu Zhi's relentless pursuit of information, the Black Cat's desperation to leave).
• Sacrifice and its costs (the Black Cat's suffering for revealing information, Xu Zhi's potential sacrifice for knowledge).

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and the Black Cat form a tense alliance, with Xu Zhi threatening to discard the bones if the Black Cat doesn't cooperate.
• The Black Cat helps Xu Zhi conceal her presence at the Rift entrance, despite its resentment.
• Xu Zhi's greed contrasts with the Black Cat's desperation, highlighting their conflicting priorities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi attempts to leave Midnight but finds herself back near the Rift's exit.
• A tall figure guards the Rift, sensing something amiss but unable to locate Xu Zhi.
• Xu Zhi decides to use her [Eye of Secrets] to analyze the Supernatural Ability sealing the Rift.
• She discovers the ability is [Cup]-attribute with an effect of "Reversion," sending anything that touches the Rift back ten seconds.
• Xu Zhi plans to break the Supernatural Ability by adjusting her own energy to match and distort it.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi demonstrates her determination and quick thinking in the face of unexpected challenges.
• The Black Cat shows reluctance but agrees to help Xu Zhi, displaying a level of loyalty.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and mysteries of Midnight, which erode and connect with Xu Zhi.
• The importance of understanding and adapting to overcome obstacles, as seen in Xu Zhi's plan to break the Supernatural Ability.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and the Black Cat work together, with the cat providing cover while Xu Zhi analyzes the Rift's seal.
• Xu Zhi's internal dialogue reveals her thought processes and decisions, showing her resourcefulness and resolve.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi devises a plan to escape the Rift by using her saber as a medium to transform her Supernatural Energy and cut open a gap.
• Black Cat agrees to help by delaying the monster's attack for one strike.
• Xu Zhi successfully cuts open a gap in "Reversion" but is attacked thrice in quick succession. She manages to escape, but the third attack leaves her severely injured.
• Little Aberration catches Xu Zhi's falling body and seals the Rift again.
• Xu Zhi recovers from her injuries and ponders about the strange combination of the monster's "Reversion" and extreme physical attack abilities.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi demonstrates her determination and resourcefulness in planning her escape.
• Black Cat, despite its complaints, shows loyalty and willingness to help Xu Zhi, even at great risk to itself.
• Little Aberration displays its protective nature and quick reflexes in catching Xu Zhi and sealing the Rift.

Significant Themes

• Risk and Reward: Xu Zhi's plan to expose herself and cut open a gap is risky but necessary for their escape.
• Loyalty and Sacrifice: Black Cat's willingness to delay the monster's attack to help Xu Zhi, despite its own weakness and the risk involved.
• Power and Vulnerability: The monster's extreme physical attack power and Xu Zhi's subsequent injuries highlight the characters' vulnerabilities despite their strengths.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and Black Cat: Their dynamic shows a growing bond and mutual reliance, with Black Cat supporting Xu Zhi's risky plan despite its reservations.
• Xu Zhi and Little Aberration: Little Aberration's protective actions towards Xu Zhi suggest a growing connection and mutual understanding between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi retrieves the bones and the unconscious Black Cat to perform an advancement ritual.
• She learns from the Narrator that the remains will persist after her advancement and that Nightmare can devour the Black Cat, but there's a risk of the Black Cat taking control.
• Xu Zhi discovers a mark from Midnight on her palm, which the Narrator confirms is necessary for her advancement but warns her not to worry about it yet.
• Xu Zhi performs the ritual and enters a white forest, guided by the remains to its end, where she finds a bottomless cliff.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi becomes more knowledgeable and cautious about her actions in Midnight.
• The Narrator reveals more information but remains cryptic about certain topics, hinting at greater dangers ahead.

Significant Themes

• The necessity of strength and advancement in Midnight's harsh environment.
• The consequences and risks of dealing with unspeakable secrets and dangers.
• The uncertainty and potential dangers hidden behind seemingly simple tasks.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi interacts with the Narrator, discussing her plans, the Black Cat, and the mark from Midnight.
• Xu Zhi and the Little Aberration work together to guard the Black Cat's remains during the ritual.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi encounters a bottomless cliff blocking her path, with no visible way forward or around.
• She realizes she might have taken a wrong road and decides to explore other paths.
• Each wrong road leads to the same cliff, with no end in sight, and her supernatural energy becomes chaotic and uncontrollable.
• Xu Zhi barely escapes death and returns to the real world, injured but alive.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi demonstrates her resilience and willingness to take risks to uncover the truth.
• The Narrator shows concern for Xu Zhi's safety and is genuinely surprised and shocked by her revelation about the forest's roads.

Significant Themes

• The importance of paying attention to details and not taking things for granted (taking the wrong road).
• The consequences of one's actions and the risks involved in making choices (facing danger on wrong roads).
• The power of luck and fortune in survival (Xu Zhi's narrow escapes).

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi interacts with the Narrator, sharing her experiences and revealing the truth about the forest's roads, causing the Narrator to express shock and disbelief.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi discovers that the advancement paths in the forest have been severed, not naturally cut off.
• The Narrator reveals that the world's Supernatural Level is locked, preventing beings from advancing, transcending, or escaping.
• The Narrator suffers damage after revealing this secret and stops responding.
• Xu Zhi's Supernatural Level rises slightly, but she feels a limit preventing further advancement.
• Xu Zhi learns that her [Authority] can potentially access powerful abilities related to Cloud City and the mist.
• Xu Zhi returns to the City Center base, where Zhong Lingfan is experimenting on the girl with the ability to sever supernatural connections.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi: Becomes more determined and proactive after learning about the world's predicament. She decides to focus on her own survival while encouraging others to find solutions together.
• The Narrator: Reveals crucial information about the world's state, suffering damage as a consequence. Its actions suggest it has a deeper understanding of the situation and Xu Zhi's potential.

Significant Themes

• Despair and hope: The Narrator's revelation brings despair, but Xu Zhi remains hopeful, emphasizing the human spirit's resilience.
• The burden of knowledge: Learning powerful secrets has consequences, as seen with the Narrator's damage and Xu Zhi's newfound responsibility.
• Cooperation: Xu Zhi decides to involve others in finding solutions, reflecting the importance of collective effort in overcoming adversity.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and the Narrator: Their conversation reveals crucial information, with the Narrator taking a risk to help Xu Zhi understand their situation better.
• Xu Zhi and Zhong Lingfan: Xu Zhi observes Zhong Lingfan's experiments, showing interest in potential weapons against supernatural threats. Their interaction is brief but hints at possible future collaboration.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi discusses the Apocalypse with Zhong Lingfan, hinting at an impending catastrophe worse than Cloud City's.
• She asks Zhong Lingfan to keep an eye on the formation diagrams created by the Federation's believers and send new fragments to her.
• Xu Zhi leaves behind Lamp Attribute Cores and warns Zhong Lingfan about the danger lurking ahead.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi: She becomes more secretive and cryptic in her conversations, mirroring the Riddler's style. She also shows concern for humanity's preparation against the Apocalypse.
• Zhong Lingfan: She demonstrates sharp intuition and understanding, picking up on Xu Zhi's hints and showing concern for humanity's fate.

Significant Themes

• Secrecy and Riddles: Xu Zhi's inability to directly communicate important information due to protection mechanisms forces her to speak in riddles.
• Preparation vs. Imminent Danger: The theme of preparing for an impending disaster while trying to maintain normalcy is emphasized.
• The Unknown and Unseen: The true purpose and nature of the Apocalypse and the ritual formation remain unclear, adding an element of mystery and dread.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and Zhong Lingfan's conversation is marked by subtlety and indirect communication, with Zhong Lingfan often needing to decipher Xu Zhi's hints.
• Xu Zhi's interaction with Little Aberration's cats shows her concern for their well-being and her desire to protect them, reflecting her growing attachment to her creations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi uses the [Eye of Secrets] to confirm her cat's victory over Midnight's cat.
• The Game Console is lagging, preventing Xu Zhi from checking her cat's status.
• Xu Zhi tosses a relic bone to her cat, which absorbs it, becoming transparent and smoke-like.
• Xu Zhi rests and reflects on her busy life since gaining power.
• After half a month, the Game Console's screen clears up, and Xu Zhi communicates with the Narrator.
• Xu Zhi shares her progress with [Authority] and her Transcendent level, expressing her desire to know who created the barrier.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi: Shows concern for her Familiar and the Narrator, reflects on her busy life, and expresses determination to uncover the truth.
• The Narrator: Recovers and shows anticipation for the Federation's help, displays a fair, rigorous, and warm personality, and warns Xu Zhi about revealing the secret.

Significant Themes

• Power and responsibility: Xu Zhi feels the weight of her power and the responsibilities it brings.
• Secrets and their consequences: The Narrator hints at a world-altering secret and warns of the backlash from revealing it.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and her Familiar: Xu Zhi shows care for her cat, tossing it a relic bone to help it absorb energy.
• Xu Zhi and the Narrator: They communicate about their progress and the secret behind the barrier.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi learns of an extreme secret that could bring death if spoken aloud, related to her Supernatural Level progression.
• The Narrator hints that Xu Zhi's purpose will become clear when she succeeds, and she should bring the cloak made from special Human Skin to shield from thunder.
• Xu Zhi discovers that the Cup-aligned believers' formation has another purpose, which the Narrator knows about but cannot reveal.
• Xu Zhi learns that stopping the formation may not be easy, and she's willing to see through the truth even if it means facing danger.
• Zhong Lingfan delivers more formation Fragments, increasing the complexity and scale of the formation. The Federation becomes aware of the impending danger and supports Zhong Lingfan's research.
• A Precognitive of the Lamp alignment in the Federation's capital also predicts the world's end, but with less detail than Zhong Lingfan.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi remains determined to understand the truth, even if it means facing danger.
• The Narrator shows reluctance to reveal certain secrets but provides hints to guide Xu Zhi.
• Zhong Lingfan gains the Federation's support for her research due to her detailed prophecy.

Significant Themes

• Seeking the truth vs. survival: Xu Zhi is willing to risk her life to understand the truth, but the Narrator emphasizes the importance of survival.
• The power of prophecy: Zhong Lingfan's detailed prophecy gains her more credibility than the vague prediction from the Lamp-aligned Precognitive.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and the Narrator: Xu Zhi asks questions, and the Narrator provides hints and warnings.
• Zhong Lingfan and the Federation: Zhong Lingfan's detailed prophecy gains her the Federation's support for her research.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi remains secluded in the city center, preparing for impending danger.
• Zhong Lingfan, with Xu Zhi's authorization, prepares Cloud City residents for potential threats.
• Cloud City residents, having experienced an "apocalypse," remain calm and focused on improving their abilities.
• Cloud City becomes a sought-after destination for Federation Transcendents seeking to enhance their strength.
• A secret experiment in Cloud City's laboratory produces results, and Xu Zhi's Little Cat awakens.
• A group of believers emerges from an ancient tomb in the Federation, preparing to communicate with their "Lord" and commence a ritual.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi is seen as a reliable figure by Cloud City residents, though she has not actively engaged with them.
• Zhong Lingfan proves to be an effective administrator, managing both Cloud City and Federation affairs.
• Shen Jinwen remains steadfast in her decision to stay in Cloud City.
• The leader of the believers shows fanatical devotion and cunning in communicating with their "Lord" and preparing for the ritual.

Significant Themes

• Preparation and Readiness: Both Xu Zhi and Cloud City residents focus on preparing for potential threats, contrasting with the Federation's Transcendents who cling to vague hopes.
• Power and Worship: The residents of Cloud City worship Xu Zhi as a hero, highlighting the power of absolute authority and the human tendency to place unrealistic expectations on figures of power.
• Fanaticism and Devotion: The believers show extreme devotion to their "Lord," demonstrating the dangerous potential of unchecked fanaticism.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and Zhong Lingfan work together, with Zhong Lingfan acting as Xu Zhi's representative in managing Cloud City affairs.
• Cloud City residents and Federation Transcendents form an unexpected alliance, with the former providing guidance and protection, and the latter paying cores in exchange.
• The leader of the believers interacts with his companions, communicating their shared fanaticism and eagerness for the upcoming ritual.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The ritual to activate the massive array is initiated, but due to the Federation's blockade and purges, it must be done secretly and in altered form.
• Thirteen activation points are planned, with the first one being set up in a tomb under the capital.
• Over a thousand Transcendent hearts are gathered as sacrifices, along with the lives of a hundred high-ranking believers who perform the ritual.
• The activation of the array causes widespread panic among animals and is detected by the Federation, but they cannot stop it.
• Anomalies begin to spread across the Federation, including temperature drops, strange dreams, and increased irritability among citizens.

Character Developments

• The believers show unwavering devotion and fanaticism, willingly sacrificing themselves for their Lord's plan.
• The Federation's Transcendents and leaders are alert and respond quickly to the threat, but they are unable to stop the ritual's activation.

Significant Themes

• Fanaticism and devotion to a cause, even at the cost of one's own life.
• The inability of human intervention to stop an impending disaster once it has begun.
• The interconnectedness of life and the consequences of disrupting the natural order.

Character Interactions

• The believers interact with each other in a collective, fanatical manner, united in their purpose and willing to sacrifice themselves for their Lord.
• The Federation's leaders and Transcendents interact with each other to respond to the threat, but their efforts are ultimately futile.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A red light beam appears, affecting the Federation but not Cloud City due to an unknown barrier.
• Xu Zhi senses the change and uses her abilities to observe the Federation and the black cat's status.
• She discovers the black cat is stuck at level 49 and its ability [Nightmare] has evolved.
• Xu Zhi receives formation fragments and realizes the formation is offensive in nature.
• The sealed rift in Midnight suddenly stops its attacks.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi gains a deeper understanding of her ability [Authority] and feels she's on the brink of a breakthrough.
• She fully digests the knowledge crammed into her mind, leading to a state of "clarity and rationality."
• The black cat's ability [Nightmare] evolves, allowing it to make dream events reality within certain limits.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge as power: Xu Zhi's understanding of her abilities and the world around her grows, emphasizing the importance of knowledge.
• The power of intuition: Xu Zhi trusts her intuition about the fragment and her abilities.
• The cost of secrets: The formation in Midnight suggests a high cost, possibly involving sacrifices.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi interacts with the black cat, learning about its status and ability evolution.
• The narrator shares insights with Xu Zhi about the situation in Midnight and the formation's purpose.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An anomaly occurs in the Federation, but Xu Zhi chooses to stay in Cloud City.
• Xu Zhi suspects the anomaly's source is within Cloud City.
• She decides to hinder the anomaly's cause without attempting to stop it completely.
• The Narrator believes Xu Zhi retains some human emotions, while Xu Zhi thinks she's merely protecting her "property" (Cloud City's residents).
• The Narrator decides to reveal the truth about itself and its purpose to Xu Zhi.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi: Struggles with understanding her emotions and motivations. She acknowledges her indifference but also feels a sense of responsibility towards Cloud City's residents.
• Narrator: Develops its own consciousness, thoughts, and personality. It decides to reveal its true nature to Xu Zhi.

Significant Themes

• Emotions and understanding them: Xu Zhi's struggle to understand her emotions and the Narrator's attempt to help her grasp them.
• Responsibility: Xu Zhi's evolving sense of responsibility towards Cloud City's residents.
• Truth and revelation: The Narrator's decision to reveal its true nature to Xu Zhi.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and the Narrator: Their relationship evolves from strictly business to a form of friendship. The Narrator decides to help Xu Zhi understand her emotions better and reveals its true nature to her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi learns that she chose to abandon her positive emotions and moral principles to survive in the apocalypse, and now must reclaim them to unite the [Authority] with the fragment.
• The Narrator instructs Xu Zhi to consume high-tier Lamp-attribute cores daily to prepare for this task.
• Zhong Lingfan modifies Xu Zhi's blade, and a girl (with a Fanatic brother) volunteers for a dangerous task related to the Fanatic threat.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi: Realizes she made a choice to abandon her positive emotions and moral principles in the past. She is determined to reclaim them but doesn't understand the complexity of the task.
• The Girl (with a Fanatic brother): Shows determination and willingness to make a significant sacrifice to protect her brother and others.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of past choices and the difficulty of changing them.
• The struggle between negative and positive emotions, and the importance of both in survival and personal growth.
• Sacrifice and determination in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi and The Narrator: Xu Zhi learns about her past choice and the task ahead from The Narrator, who expresses frustration with Xu Zhi's lack of understanding.
• Xu Zhi and Zhong Lingfan: They discuss the modifications to Xu Zhi's blade, and Zhong Lingfan's work with the girl to counter the Fanatic threat.
• Zhong Lingfan and The Girl: Zhong Lingfan warns the girl about the dangers of her decision, and the girl reaffirms her determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A girl agrees to sacrifice herself to grant Xu Zhi's blade a new ability, [Severing], which can sever the connection between objects and the supernatural.
• Zhong Lingfan reveals she can form Contracts with supernatural creatures or items to obtain or grant them abilities, acting as a relay station for the girl and Xu Zhi's blade.
• The Federation's second pillar of light rises, triggering natural disasters, and rifts from Midnight appear in Cloud City.

Character Developments

• Zhong Lingfan demonstrates her resolve and ruthlessness in making decisions for the greater good, even at the cost of innocent lives.
• Xu Zhi shows concern for Zhong Lingfan's well-being and offers her help, displaying a growing bond between them.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice for the greater good: Zhong Lingfan's decision to use the girl's ability to strengthen Xu Zhi's blade highlights the theme of sacrifice for the greater good, as the girl's life is exchanged for potentially saving more lives in the future.
• The consequences of power: Zhong Lingfan's ability to form Contracts raises questions about the consequences of power and the responsibility that comes with it, as she bears the burden of her decisions while others follow her orders.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Lingfan and the girl: Zhong Lingfan reassures the girl about protecting her family, showing a softer side despite her ruthless decisions. The girl accepts her fate, demonstrating resilience and understanding of the greater good.
• Zhong Lingfan and Xu Zhi: Zhong Lingfan shares her plans and new abilities with Xu Zhi, showing trust in her. Xu Zhi, in turn, offers her help, indicating a growing bond and mutual respect between them.
• Xu Zhi and the rifts: Xu Zhi's discovery of the rifts from Midnight sets the stage for her to test her new blade ability and confront the incoming threat.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Zhi uses Zhong Lingfan's transcendent ability, [Eye of Secrets], to reveal and destroy the blood-colored eyes infiltrating Cloud City.
• After eliminating all the eyes, Xu Zhi feels the gaze of a supreme being (It) fall upon her, exerting immense pressure.
• It marks Xu Zhi with a trace of [Cup]-attribute aura and expresses approval of her actions.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi demonstrates her resilience and defiance under pressure, refusing to kneel despite the intense mental contamination and physical strain.
• Xu Zhi realizes the extent of It's power and the futility of her current strength against It.

Significant Themes

• The theme of defiance and resilience in the face of overwhelming power is further emphasized.
• The narrative hints at the true intentions behind It's actions, revealing the manipulation of Cloud City's fog to facilitate Midnight's appearance.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi's interaction with It is one-sided, with It exerting pressure and marking her, while Xu Zhi remains defiant.
• The narrator provides insight and reassurance to Xu Zhi, revealing It's plans and offering a potential solution.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Narrator reveals that Midnight's phantom appeared in Cloud City because supernatural creatures from the real world can enter Midnight through it, while Midnight's entities are restricted from exiting.
• The Narrator warns that if the transformation continues, Midnight and Cloud City will merge.
• The Narrator explains that Xu Zhi's actions have disrupted the supreme being's plans, causing three of its schemes to fail.
• The Narrator predicts that the supreme being will tear open the rift sealing Little Aberration, allowing Midnight's aura to invade the real world.
• The Narrator advises Xu Zhi to avoid the supreme being's peak and seize the opportunity when it attacks the sky.
• The Narrator disappears after giving Xu Zhi crucial information.
• The second pillar of light appears in the Federation, marking the beginning of rapid changes.
• The Federation faces numerous issues due to the [Cup]-attribute contamination, and people either move to Cloud City or live in despair.
• The thirteenth and final pillar of light rises, signaling the imminent arrival of the apocalypse.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi becomes more determined and proactive in her actions, trying to prepare for the impending apocalypse.
• The Narrator becomes more open with Xu Zhi, revealing crucial information despite the risk of backlash.
• The people in the Federation and Cloud City face their own struggles and anxieties as the apocalypse approaches.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against fate and the inevitable apocalypse.
• The consequences of defying the rules and the backlash that follows.
• The desperation to find opportunities and make the most of them.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi interacts with the Narrator, receiving crucial information and guidance.
• The people in the Federation and Cloud City interact with each other, showing their differing reactions to the impending apocalypse.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The thirteenth pillar of light rises, and the Federation's sun turns into a black sun, pouring out black liquid.
• The black sun causes Federation citizens to develop bruise-like patches, bleed from skin and mucous membranes, and have blood drift upward instead of falling due to gravity.
• Symptoms worsen over time, with blood spots spreading and skin peeling, causing fresh blood to flow into the sky towards the black sun.
• Transcendentals' Supernatural Energy is drained, and they struggle to resist the formation array's erosion.
• The Rift in Cloud City opens, revealing a monstrous claw and other bizarre creatures trying to emerge.

Character Developments

• Xu Zhi feels manipulated by a lofty figure orchestrating events and wants to understand the purpose of the game and find a way to counter it.
• Xu Zhi senses danger from the Rift and quickly shrinks Little Aberration to release it, demonstrating her quick thinking and protective instincts.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and free will: Xu Zhi feels like a pawn in a grand game, raising questions about her agency and the true purpose behind the events.
• Despair and helplessness: The Federation citizens face a horrifying situation with no immediate help or solution, leading to widespread fear and despair.
• The cost of power: Transcendentals' reliance on Supernatural Energy is highlighted, showing the high cost of their abilities and the vulnerability of their position.

Character Interactions

• Xu Zhi communicates with Zhong Lingfan via message, warning her about the Rift's opening.
• Xu Zhi interacts with Little Aberration, shrinking it and carrying it away from the Rift, showing her care and responsibility towards the creature.