Chapter Summaries

Lin Hai proposed a studio that would sell Spider-Man merchandise to resolve Peter’s financial troubles, and Gwen and Harry helped turn the idea into a concrete plan. The friends settled their roles and next steps, leaving Peter relieved and the group ready to launch their first superhero business.

• Lin Hai proposed starting a small studio and testing Spider-Man dolls and figures in New York before expanding to other markets.
• Gwen offered to invest and ask her father, George, to help protect the studio’s stores, while Lin Hai suggested approaching Kingpin as an investor.
• Harry said the Osborn Group would provide funding, manufacturing connections, and distribution resources, and Lin Hai planned to seek support for sales in Huaxia.
• The four friends agreed on their roles, including paying Peter a buyout fee for Spider-Man’s image and giving him ongoing sales royalties.
• Lin Hai and Harry agreed to handle registration, Gwen would speak with her father, and Peter would prepare for image capture and design work.
• Peter thanked his friends, relieved that the plan could resolve his financial problems.

Lin Hai and his friends secured funding and business support for their Spider-Man merchandise venture, then agreed to name their company Starsea Studio. With startup capital in place and Peter paid for the buyout of his image rights, the friends prepared to move forward together.

• Lin Hai secured investment commitments from Kingpin and Pepper, while Harry obtained funding and business resources from the Osborn Group.
• Kingpin and Stark Industries transferred their investments, and funds from the Lin Family, Osborn Group, and Gwen's savings completed the studio's startup capital.
• Lin Hai transferred Peter the full agreed buyout payment for his Spider-Man image rights, and Peter reacted with overwhelming excitement and gratitude.
• Lin Hai, Harry, Gwen, and Peter rejected names based on their surnames and chose Starsea Studio.

Lin Hai, Peter, Gwen, and Harry completed Starsea Studio’s Spider-Man merchandise designs, manufacturing agreements, and initial sales plans. After the products’ first month on the market, Gwen revealed that sales and profits far exceeded expectations, though online sales were weak.

• Lin Hai photographed Peter in his Spider-Man suit from every angle to prepare references for plush toys and figurines, while Peter endured long posing sessions and offered ideas.
• Gwen and Harry reviewed designs and helped Lin Hai and Peter choose models for the merchandise.
• Harry and Gwen selected manufacturers and sales channels, including New York comic shops and toy stores and a limited online preorder website.
• By the middle of their freshman year, Starsea Studio had approved its designs and models, signed factory contracts, and finalized its initial sales channels.
• After the products completed their first month of sales, Gwen opened the Osborn Group report and announced that revenue, net profit, and restocking requests exceeded expectations, despite weak online sales.

As finals ended, Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry discussed their winter-break plans and agreed to travel together to Ta Lo. The chapter left them looking forward to visiting family and returning to the hidden realm, with Lin Hai set to open a Portal when the group was ready.

• Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry studied for finals according to their different goals and abilities.
• The four completed their exams and began planning their winter break while awaiting their results.
• Lin Hai planned to visit his master in New York, recharge in Missouri, see his parents in Huaxia, and visit Azure Dragon in Ta Lo.
• Peter and Gwen planned to return home to visit their families, while Harry planned to go to Osborn headquarters in New York.
• Peter, Gwen, and Harry asked Lin Hai to take them to Ta Lo, and Lin Hai agreed to message them when he was ready to open a Portal.

After finishing the semester in Los Angeles, Lin Hai returned to New York through his Portal, spent time with Chen Bing, and cared for the plants in his shop before heading home to Huaxia. He arrived to find Mother Lin disappointed that Gwen had not come with him, while Father Lin welcomed him calmly and sent him to help with dinner.

• Lin Hai, Gwen, and Peter returned from Los Angeles to New York through Lin Hai's Portal, while Harry stayed behind to finish a project at the Osborn Group branch.
• Lin Hai told Chen Bing about his university life and Starsea Studio, then tended the medicinal plants and infused them with Life Energy.
• Lin Hai called Mother Lin to say he would return to Huaxia, and she asked whether Gwen, Peter, and Harry would visit for the holiday.
• Lin Hai traveled through a Portal from Chen Bing's clinic to the alley near his home and arrived alone with his suitcase.
• Mother Lin lamented that Gwen had not come, while Father Lin welcomed Lin Hai and told him to wash his hands and help serve dinner.

After his parents began nagging him, Lin Hai arranged an excuse to return to Ta Lo with Gwen, Peter, and Harry. They passed through a Portal, entered the bamboo forest, and rode Qilin Horses toward the village.

• Lin Hai noticed his parents’ welcome had turned into nagging and persuaded them to let him go to Ta Lo to collect goods and medicinal herbs.
• Lin Hai told Gwen, Peter, and Harry to meet at the clinic so he could bring them to Ta Lo through a Portal.
• Lin Hai left home the next morning and opened a Portal from outside Ta Lo’s bamboo forest to the clinic’s backyard.
• Gwen, Peter, and Harry crossed through the Portal, and Lin Hai closed it after they arrived.
• Lin Hai activated the Divine Dragon Heart, prompting the bamboo forest to open a path as Ta Lo villagers arrived with Qilin Horses.
• Gwen, Peter, Harry, and Lin Hai mounted separate horses and followed the villagers into the bamboo forest toward Ta Lo.

Lin Hai met S.P.E.A.R. director Zheng Xian in Ta Lo and discussed how the Superhero Profit Plan could support heroes. They agreed that S.P.E.A.R. could use the model in Huaxia and pay Lin Hai or Starsea Studio five percent of the project’s annual profits.

• Lin Hai and his friends arrived in Ta Lo and learned that S.P.E.A.R. personnel were meeting with the village chief.
• The village chief introduced Lin Hai to Zheng Xian, who revealed that he had investigated Lin Hai’s background and recognized Peter as Spider-Man.
• Zheng Xian asked Lin Hai about the idea behind Spider-Man merchandise and the Superhero Profit Plan.
• Lin Hai explained that the plan could help heroes earn money while improving public support for them.
• Zheng Xian proposed adapting the plan for Huaxia, and he and Lin Hai agreed on a five-percent share of annual project profits for Lin Hai or Starsea Studio.

After Zheng Xian proposed a sparring demonstration, Lin Hai chose Peter and himself to face Sabre, while Gwen and Harry recognized they were not ready. The group moved to Ta Lo’s training ground, where the sparring was about to begin.

• Zheng Xian introduced Weather Witch and Sabre, then invited Lin Hai’s group to spar with Sabre.
• Lin Hai considered Sabre’s combat skills and decided Harry could benefit from learning from him later.
• Lin Hai ruled out Gwen and Harry as sparring partners and selected Peter and himself to face Sabre.
• Gwen and Harry accepted the decision and felt newly determined to improve their strength.
• The village chief led Zheng Xian, Sabre, Weather Witch, Lin Hai, Peter, and the others to the training ground.

At Ta Lo Village, Sabre tested Peter and Lin Hai in friendly martial arts exchanges, defeating Peter with refined technique before facing Lin Hai. Lin Hai and Sabre ended their bout by mutual agreement, with Sabre acknowledging Lin Hai’s extraordinary stamina and accepting a draw.

• Sabre opened his exchange with Peter by testing his strength, then shifted tactics and used feints and a sweep to defeat him.
• Peter praised Sabre’s skill, and Sabre pulled him up and complimented his abilities.
• After recovering, Sabre faced Lin Hai, who used Taiji, Xingyi Quan, and precise footwork to counter his attacks.
• Sabre’s stamina waned as Lin Hai continued fighting with steady breath and energy, so Sabre called a pause.
• Lin Hai proposed a draw, explaining that his extraordinary endurance gave him an unfair advantage, and Sabre accepted.

After Lin Hai’s draw with Sabre, the Weather Witch challenged him to a spar and demonstrated her overwhelming command of the elements. Lin Hai conceded after his attacks failed to overcome her defenses, and the group’s mutual respect for one another grew.

• Zheng Xian, the village chief, and Gwen praised Lin Hai’s combat skill and explained how his relentless training had built his experience.
• The Weather Witch challenged Lin Hai to a spar, and he accepted eagerly.
• The Weather Witch used air pressure and lightning to keep Lin Hai from closing in, so he switched to ranged Life Energy attacks.
• The Weather Witch countered Lin Hai’s attacks with wind, lightning, and mist until his energy reserves began to run low.
• Lin Hai conceded, and the Weather Witch praised his energy control and combat wisdom.
• The spars brought Lin Hai’s group and the S.P.E.A.R. members closer together.

Lin Hai and his friends spent several days in Ta Lo, where Sabre agreed to train Harry and saw Azure Dragon for the first time. After bidding Sabre farewell, Lin Hai and the others returned to New York, while Lin Hai opened another Portal toward home.

• Lin Hai asked Sabre to stay in Ta Lo and teach Harry, and Sabre agreed after Zheng Xian left with Weather Witch and the S.P.E.A.R. agents.
• Lin Hai took Sabre and the villagers to see Azure Dragon, and the dragon carried Lin Hai above Ta Lo while Sabre watched in awe.
• Sabre sparred with Lin Hai and Peter, practiced contests with Gwen, and taught Harry how to use the Nova Armor effectively.
• Sabre said goodbye to Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry at the village entrance, and Weather Witch was set to pick him up.
• Lin Hai and the others rode Qilin Horses out of Ta Lo and used his Portal to return to the backyard of Chen Clinic in New York.
• Gwen, Peter, and Harry crossed back to New York, and Lin Hai opened another Portal toward an alley near his home.

Lin Hai returned to New York and reunited with Gwen, Peter, and Harry over a medicinal hot pot before they discussed Starsea Studio’s successful Spider-Man merchandise. Peter then asked whether the United States had an organization like S.P.E.A.R., and Lin Hai explained its history and speculated why it had not approached Peter; he expected they would encounter it eventually.

• Lin Hai returned to the Chen-Style Chinese Medicine Clinic with local specialties and helped Chen Bing prepare a medicinal hot pot for Gwen, Peter, and Harry.
• The group enjoyed the meal, then Harry reported that Starsea Studio’s Spider-Man merchandise had sold well despite limited profits from maintaining high quality.
• Lin Hai, Gwen, and Harry reassured Peter that the rights buyout had already helped him greatly and that he should not worry about receiving a smaller share of profits.
• Peter asked whether the United States had an organization like S.P.E.A.R., and Lin Hai described the agency’s origins in the Strategic Scientific Reserve and its later reorganizations.
• Lin Hai speculated that the agency had not approached Peter because his friendly neighborhood activities did not yet seem threatening enough to warrant intervention or recruitment.
• Lin Hai privately warned himself to avoid Nick Fury, then told the others that they would eventually encounter the agency because trouble was inevitable.

Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry returned to their Los Angeles home and cleaned it before the new semester began. Over breakfast, they made plans to improve their magic, combat skills, and Nova Armor through training together.

• Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry used Lin Hai's Portal to return to their Los Angeles home and cleaned it together.
• The four rested overnight, and Lin Hai watered and trimmed the plants the next morning before making breakfast.
• Gwen planned to learn Portals and improve her close-combat skills with Lin Hai's help.
• Lin Hai proposed designing new Spider-Man figures with Peter, and Peter asked to join their combat training.
• Harry planned to optimize his Nova Armor and join the training after completing its first stage of modifications.

Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry balanced demanding studies at the California Institute of Technology with evening practice and weekend combat training. Harry joined the sparring despite his unfinished armor, while Lin Hai supported the group as trainer and healer.

• Lin Hai taught Gwen to shape and stabilize Portals while she practiced on the balcony.
• Lin Hai trained Peter in Spider-Suit poses and combat, and Harry asked Gwen to test his Sonic Positioning System.
• Harry joined the group’s weekend sparring, and Lin Hai challenged Peter while Gwen and Harry trained nearby.
• Gwen steadily combined Kamar-Taj magic with her fighting style, while Harry trained hard to match Sabre’s combat ability.
• Lin Hai used Life Force every other week to treat the group’s training injuries, and Gwen’s embarrassment after her first treatment fueled a fierce run of sparring sessions.

After Starsea Studio faced legal threats and a hostile Daily Bugle article over its Spider-Man merchandise, Lin Hai proposed hiring Daredevil, lawyer Matt Murdock, as the studio’s legal adviser. The group agreed to ask Kingpin to help them contact him.

• Peter celebrated Starsea Studio’s strong sales, while Gwen and Harry warned that production costs and growing competition could temper the success.
• Competitors accused Starsea Studio of plagiarism and unfair competition, and a small company sent a legal letter alleging that the Spider-Man dolls infringed on its design patent.
• Jameson published a Daily Bugle article questioning Spider-Man’s right to sell merchandise and suggesting that Starsea Studio had obtained his image rights improperly.
• Harry offered to use the Osborn Group’s legal and intelligence resources, but warned that an official intervention could attract more attention.
• Lin Hai suggested hiring Daredevil, Matt Murdock, as a legal adviser and said Kingpin could help arrange an introduction.
• Gwen, Peter, and Harry agreed to Lin Hai’s plan, and Harry left him to contact Kingpin.

Lin Hai arranged for Matt Murdock to meet with Starsea Studio about becoming its legal counsel, and brought Gwen, Peter, and Harry to Chen Bing’s clinic in New York. The group prepared documents and waited nervously for Daredevil to arrive.

• Lin Hai asked Kingpin to help him contact Matt Murdock and arranged to meet at Chen Bing’s clinic.
• Chen Bing agreed to host the meeting, and Kingpin later reported that Matt had accepted the invitation after hearing it was a legitimate business proposal.
• Lin Hai told Gwen, Peter, and Harry about the meeting, and they prepared documents explaining the studio’s finances, partnerships, and goals.
• Lin Hai opened a Portal to New York, and the four arrived at the clinic courtyard where Chen Bing had prepared tea.
• The group reviewed how to present their proposal honestly while waiting for Matt to arrive.

Lin Hai and the Starsea Studio members met Matt Murdock to seek legal help with their business disputes and invite him into their Superhero Profit Plan. Matt agreed to take their case after reviewing their documents, but left his decision about a long-term partnership open.

• Chen Bing welcomed Matt Murdock to the clinic and led him to meet Lin Hai, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, and Peter Parker.
• Lin Hai explained Starsea Studio’s legal troubles and invited Matt to become its legal counsel and join the Superhero Profit Plan.
• Matt questioned the group about their documents and legal arrangements, and Lin Hai, Gwen, Harry, and Peter answered him.
• Matt agreed to take the case and investigate, but asked for time to decide whether to join the studio long-term.
• Matt spoke with the group about their work and life as heroes, exchanged contact information, and left the clinic.

Lin Hai and his allies prepared to sue Starsea Studio and the Daily Bugle over false information and Spider-Man’s unauthorized image use. At the New York State Supreme Court hearing, representatives from Fisk Group, Osborn Group, and Stark Industries arrived to support Lin Hai, leaving the defendants rattled as the trial was about to begin.

• Matt completed the evidence and lawsuit preparations, and Lin Hai approved formally filing the case.
• Lin Hai chose to attend with Harry and Matt, while Gwen and Peter stayed behind; Peter agreed to record a video confirming his identity as Spider-Man and the terms of his authorization to Starsea Studio.
• Lin Hai invited representatives from Fisk Group and Stark Industries to attend, and Kingpin and Pepper agreed to send them.
• The court scheduled the hearing at the New York State Supreme Court, and Matt explained that it was a routine trial court in New York State.
• Lin Hai and Harry arrived at the courthouse and found the defendants, including Jameson, acting confident.
• Fisk Group, Osborn Group, and Stark Industries representatives took seats in the gallery, and the defendants panicked while Jameson fell silent.

Starsea Studio won its lawsuit against several companies and the Daily Bugle, and Matt accepted the studio’s invitation to become its legal counsel. The chapter ended with Lin Hai and Harry returning to Los Angeles through a Portal.

• Matt presented evidence that Peter had authorized Starsea Studio to use Spider-Man’s image and refuted the defendants’ claims.
• The judge ruled for Starsea Studio, ordering several companies to stop their conduct, apologize, and pay compensation, while the Daily Bugle had to publish a correction and stop slandering Spider-Man.
• Lin Hai thanked the representatives from Fisk Group, Stark Industries, and Osborn Group for supporting the case, then called Gwen to share the news.
• Matt offered to reconsider his fee, but Lin Hai and Harry insisted his work deserved the agreed payment.
• Matt joined Starsea Studio as legal counsel on the condition that it uphold its principles and prioritize his work at his law firm.
• Lin Hai and Harry accepted Matt’s conditions, then opened a Portal to Los Angeles and left together.

Lin Hai and his friends celebrated their victory over the Daily Bugle, and Matt agreed to join Starsea Studio as legal counsel and consider a Daredevil figure. With sales rebounding and a new project planned, Lin Hai told everyone to return their attention to classes at the California Institute of Technology.

• Lin Hai and Harry recounted how Matt won the court case, securing damages and an apology order against the Daily Bugle and the other companies.
• Lin Hai announced that Matt had agreed to join Starsea Studio as its legal counsel, delighting Gwen and Peter.
• The companies published court-ordered apologies, and Spider-Man merchandise sales recovered and surpassed their previous level.
• Lin Hai proposed making a Daredevil figure, and Matt agreed to test the idea with one basic design.
• Lin Hai told the group to focus on their classes again, and Peter followed Harry to the basement to tutor him.