Chapter Summaries

Feng Ling and Zhou Diao led the team into a deep pit after Huangfu Miaomiao sensed powerful malice beneath it. The two men who had lured them down claimed to have found Xenomorphs in the cave, and Brother Chao guided the group deeper.

• Zhou Diao and Xiao Li pretended to doubt Super Strong Super's claim while Feng Ling checked his photo in the Forum group.
• Huangfu Miaomiao sensed intense malice beneath the pit, and Feng Ling decided the team had to investigate.
• Zhou Diao, Qin Liang, Xiao Li, Cao Hongyi, Feng Ling, and Huangfu Miaomiao climbed down into the dark pit.
• Feng Ling learned that the two men were Brother Chao and Fang Ye, and Huangfu Miaomiao confirmed they were not Xenomorphs.
• Brother Chao led the team toward the cave and said he and Fang Ye had found Xenomorphs while searching for an exit.

Feng Ling and the others followed Brother Chao into a cave, where Huangfu Miaomiao identified the apparently moving Xenomorphs as corpses. As the group investigated, Xiao Li spotted something crawling out of one of them.

• Feng Ling listened as Brother Chao and Fang Ye explained how they had supposedly fallen into the cave, while Zhou Diao questioned why the garage shutter had been closed.
• The group descended into a vast, strangely shaped cave, where Brother Chao showed them several apparently sick Xenomorphs and explained his plan to claim their reward in batches.
• Huangfu Miaomiao said the moving Xenomorphs were all dead and warned that a Contaminant had killed them.
• Zhou Diao threw a Xenomorph corpse onto the ground, exposing its pale-yellow mucus and confirming Huangfu Miaomiao's claim; Qin Liang recorded the scene.
• Feng Ling asked to chop at a corpse, but Zhou Diao ordered her to follow instructions, and Xiao Li shouted that something was crawling out.

Zhou Diao and the Supervision Bureau team cleared the Xenomorph corpses from a cave, while Feng Ling let Huangfu Miaomiao earn Points by killing the worms inside them. The team was then ambushed by blue-black crawlers, and the chapter ended with them on guard after the first wave was wiped out.

• Zhou Diao killed a flesh worm that emerged from a corpse, revealing that it had eaten the body hollow.
• Brother Chao realized Zhou Diao’s team belonged to the Supervision Bureau, while Feng Ling had Huangfu Miaomiao kill worms for Points.
• Feng Ling joked that she and Huangfu Miaomiao had a feeding relationship, and Huangfu Miaomiao called her Mom.
• Qin Liang spotted a hidden crawler in a tunnel, and Zhou Diao killed it before more crawlers burst from the corpses.
• Zhou Diao ordered the team to form a defensive circle, and the Special Forces and Feng Ling killed the attacking bugs with gunfire and Beast Claws.
• After the gunfire stopped, Zhou Diao told the team to stay alert and keep aiming at the tunnel entrances.

Feng Ling and the Special Forces used a Cave Detector to map the bug-filled cave while planning to return for ammunition. A hidden Bug Monster killed Brother Chao, then spoke through him and threatened the group.

• Feng Ling identified the bluish-black bugs as Adult Forms and warned that the Juvenile Forms needed to be killed quickly.
• Zhou Diao activated the Cave Detector, and Qin Liang monitored its scan of the cave.
• Zhou Diao planned to send Xiao Li back for ammunition and take Fang Ye and Brother Chao with him.
• Brother Chao warned that the group would not make it back and pointed toward the cave openings above them.
• A Bug Monster dropped a rotting human head, bit off Brother Chao's head, and withdrew as the Special Forces fired.
• Brother Chao's voice echoed through the cave, accusing the group of killing his children and threatening them.

Feng Ling and Zhou Diao fought through a swarm of Bug Monsters and led the group back into the passage, but they took a wrong turn and Fang Ye and Cao Hongyi fell into a deep pit. As Cao Hongyi fired at Brother Chao, the group faced a new threat in the darkness.

• Huangfu Miaomiao accepted the A-Rank Subjugation Task after Feng Ling urged her to do so.
• Zhou Diao transformed using his Hellhound Card as blue-black Bug Monsters swarmed the group.
• Zhou Diao and Feng Ling fought off the Bug Monsters while the Special Forces retreated, and Zhou Diao rescued Qin Liang as he protected the Detector.
• The group followed a wrong passage, where Fang Ye and Cao Hongyi fell into a deep pit.
• Cao Hongyi raised his gun and shot Brother Chao in the forehead.

Feng Ling and the team regrouped in the tunnels after the Contaminant injured Fang Ye and Cao Hongyi, leaving them short on supplies and light. As Feng Ling reconsidered the Contaminant’s tactics and the mission prompt, she began piecing together what “silence” meant.

• Feng Ling jumped into the pit, struck the Contaminant with her Bone Blades, and watched it escape into the tunnels.
• Zhou Diao, Xiao Li, Qin Liang, and Huangfu Miaomiao joined Feng Ling below, where Cao Hongyi revealed his leg was fractured and Xiao Li treated him.
• Qin Liang discovered that he had been bitten and was bleeding, while the team counted the few lighting supplies they had left.
• Xiao Li warned that the team had only two chances to fight using their remaining flare sticks, and Zhou Diao admitted he could not kill the fast-moving Contaminant in the dark.
• Feng Ling reasoned that the insects might have deliberately destroyed the team’s lights and asked why the Contaminant always attacked after the swarm withdrew.
• Feng Ling connected the mission prompt’s references to light and silence, and Zhou Diao asked what silence meant.

Feng Ling and the others deduced that the Contaminant tracked them by sound and used a terrain map to plan their next move. The chapter ended with Feng Ling offering to explore the Womb while Zhou Diao sent the Detector data, prompting him to insist that he was the captain.

• Feng Ling and the group discussed how silence, light, and sound affected the Contaminant's attacks.
• Qin Liang showed Zhou Diao and the others a terrain map revealing two underground Parking Lots connected through a central pit and winding passages.
• Zhou Diao and Qin Liang suspected the deepest part of the Womb held Egg Sacs, larvae, or another special creature.
• Zhou Diao planned to take Qin Liang and Xiao Li to the Womb while Feng Ling sent the map data to Su Yuqing.
• Feng Ling questioned the need for a ten-minute rest and offered to go to the Womb instead, causing Zhou Diao to roar that he was the captain.

Feng Ling’s group recovered from their injuries and split up so she and Huangfu Miaomiao could carry the Detector’s data out while Zhou Diao distracted the Contaminant. As Feng Ling neared the Parking Lot passage, the Contaminant appeared behind them and attacked.

• Feng Ling made Huangfu Miaomiao give Zhou Diao Nutrient Paste and exchange Points for a Recovery Potion for Cao Hongyi, promising that the Supervision Bureau could repay the debt.
• Feng Ling’s Mark-tracking ability failed in the pitch-dark cave, but Cao Hongyi’s leg healed enough for him to walk.
• Zhou Diao had Qin Liang give Feng Ling the Detector’s chip and explained the escape route and their plan to draw the bugs and Contaminant away.
• Feng Ling and Huangfu Miaomiao left to deliver the chip while Zhou Diao led the others into another passage to make noise.
• Feng Ling found the route toward the Parking Lot, but the Contaminant caught up and pounced at her and Huangfu Miaomiao.

Feng Ling killed a Contaminant in the narrow passage at the cost of damaging one Bone Blade, then realized it was not the creature she had marked. She and Huangfu Miaomiao headed out to send the chip and rescue the others, while Feng Ling struggled with a new hunger that made her look at Huangfu Miaomiao as food.

• Feng Ling fought a Contaminant in the cramped passage and discovered that its human face was not the one she recognized.
• Feng Ling pinned the creature’s mandibles with her Bone Blades and sawed through its body, killing it but badly damaging one blade.
• Feng Ling told Huangfu Miaomiao that the Contaminant was not the one she had marked and suspected something had happened on Zhou Diao’s side.
• Feng Ling decided to get out first and send the chip before going to save the others, despite Huangfu Miaomiao’s concern about her injuries.
• Feng Ling felt a powerful urge to eat after killing the Contaminant and considered Huangfu Miaomiao as a possible meal.

Feng Ling escaped the underground nest with the map chip and asked Su Yuqing to seal its entrances, while Zhou Diao was overwhelmed by Contaminants after his team returned to save him. As Zhou Diao despaired of his weakness, Feng Ling’s sudden floodlight and voice reached him.

• Feng Ling gave Su Yuqing the chip and explained that Zhou Diao wanted the connected Parking Lot entrances sealed, then asked for a floodlight and loudspeaker.
• Zhou Diao fought on alone until exhaustion left him vulnerable to the Contaminants.
• Xiao Li, Cao Hongyi, and Qin Liang returned to rescue Zhou Diao despite his orders to retreat.
• Xiao Li was flung into the darkness, and Cao Hongyi carried Zhou Diao toward the exit while Zhou Diao raged at their sacrifice.
• Feng Ling flooded the pit with light and told Zhou Diao that he was not done for yet.

Feng Ling rescued Zhou Diao and Xiao Li by slaughtering the Contaminants in the pit, then had Huangfu Miaomiao kill the helpless creatures for Points. After the Special Forces team left the cave, Feng Ling continued using the Slime mass to hatch more Contaminants for Huangfu Miaomiao to kill.

• Feng Ling entered the pit with a floodlight and loud music, then cut down the Contaminants with her Bone Blade and axe.
• Feng Ling killed a newly hatched Contaminant and stuffed its body back into the Slime mass instead of attacking the giant creature.
• Feng Ling ordered Huangfu Miaomiao to kill the incapacitated Contaminants for Points, then told her to exchange the Points for Recovery Potions.
• Huangfu Miaomiao injected Zhou Diao and Xiao Li with Recovery Potions while Feng Ling packed the dead Contaminants into the Slime mass.
• Zhou Diao ordered the Special Forces team to wrap up and report back, and the team left the cave.
• Feng Ling chopped the mandibles off newly hatched Contaminants and told Huangfu Miaomiao to keep killing them.

Huangfu Miaomiao and Feng Ling killed the enormous A-rank Contaminant and discovered it yielded seventeen Cards. Feng Ling absorbed and digested a Crimson Ghost Centipede Card, gaining a new skill while her Corruption Value rose by only 1%.

• Huangfu Miaomiao killed the smaller pseudo-Contaminants for diminishing Points while Feng Ling urged her to keep going.
• Feng Ling forced Huangfu Miaomiao to strike the weakened A-rank Contaminant, and Huangfu Miaomiao finished it for 850 Points.
• Seventeen Cards emerged from the Contaminant, including several Centipede Cards and a Twin Lizards Card.
• Feng Ling chose a Centipede Card over the potentially high-rank Twin Lizards Card and obtained the Crimson Ghost Centipede.
• Feng Ling digested the Card with only a 1% increase in Corruption Value and named her new skill Mother's Embrace.

Feng Ling digested more Cards, gaining new abilities while her Corruption Value climbed. After the Mirror Newt Card raised it to 29%, she realized the high-tier Card had cost far more than the previous one-percent increases.

• Feng Ling digested the remaining Centipede Cards, raising her Corruption Value to 14% and gaining a fourth pair of arms along with improved toughness and speed.
• Huangfu Miaomiao refused to choose a Card, then suggested the Spider for Feng Ling based on its compatibility with a Hive.
• Feng Ling chose and digested the Bat Card instead, gaining enhanced night vision, hearing, and spatial memory as her Corruption Value rose to 15%.
• Feng Ling grabbed the high-tier Mirror Newt Card, whose ability let it create Copies that shared the original body's Card abilities.
• Feng Ling digested the Mirror Newt Card and was shocked when her Corruption Value jumped to 29%.

After Feng Ling’s Corruption Value exceeded 20%, she unlocked Nest Building and turned two Cards into eye-marked Silver Rings, triggering an announcement that the Hidden Boss Hive had advanced to Sub-adult Form. Exhausted and ravenous, she ate in Su Yuqing’s car and fell asleep, leaving Su Yuqing and Huangfu Miaomiao wondering what was happening.

• Feng Ling admitted that her Corruption Value had gone over the limit, alarming Huangfu Miaomiao, but she reported no unusual symptoms.
• Feng Ling recognized a new ability, Nest Building, and transformed two Cards into eye-marked Silver Rings.
• Huangfu Miaomiao received a system announcement that the Hidden Boss Hive had advanced to Sub-adult Form and was told to locate and eliminate it.
• Feng Ling left the cave with Huangfu Miaomiao and told Su Yuqing she needed food before answering his questions.
• Su Yuqing brought food to the car, where Feng Ling ate, fell asleep, and left him and Huangfu Miaomiao discussing the situation.

Fang Ye recounted the cave incident to Su Yuqing, who ordered key details omitted from the report and said Feng Ling would not join the Supervision Bureau. Fang Ye left the bureau feeling his life had returned to normal, carrying a wet-wipe packet as his only proof of the upheaval.

• Su Yuqing arranged for Huangfu Miaomiao and the sleeping Feng Ling to be driven back to Qingjiang City, while warning Huangfu Miaomiao he would have to report her to Headquarters if they met again.
• Su Yuqing questioned Fang Ye about how he found the cave and learned about his background and the incident.
• Su Yuqing ordered his secretary to remove references to the Xenomorph beside Feng Ling and to Zhou Diao and Xiao Li using Recovery Potions.
• Su Yuqing told his secretary that Feng Ling would not join the Supervision Bureau and could not replace Ye Zheng.
• Fang Ye left the bureau feeling like an obscure nobody again and wondered how he could reconnect with the people he had met.

Ye Zheng tried to transfer back to Qingjiang City but withdrew her application after Mei Junyu revealed the spreading Maze contamination and said Ye Zheng was shortlisted for a dangerous operation. In Qingjiang City, Feng Ling learned that Players were discussing how to kill her and that someone had exposed her location, leading her to suspect the woman who controlled Blood Worms.

• Ye Zheng urged Mei Junyu to approve her transfer back to Qingjiang City, arguing that Zhou Diao needed help with rising Xenomorph cases.
• Mei Junyu showed Ye Zheng information about the spreading Maze contamination and told her she was shortlisted for the main assault team.
• Ye Zheng withdrew her transfer application and received permission to take a day off to return to Qingjiang City before the operation.
• Feng Ling woke up hungry, and Huangfu Miaomiao warned her that Forum users were analyzing the Hive and discussing how to kill her.
• Feng Ling ordered a large amount of food to replenish the energy her nests had absorbed.
• Huangfu Miaomiao told Feng Ling that someone had exposed her location in Qingjiang City, and Feng Ling suspected the woman who controlled Blood Worms.

Feng Ling relaxed in the bath while Huangfu Miaomiao organized Player Forum replies about the Hidden Boss and its Hive Card. As Feng Ling read the translated posts, a description of the card’s unusual healing and survival abilities caught her attention.

• Feng Ling asked Huangfu Miaomiao to organize and translate the Player Forum replies while she showered.
• Feng Ling considered buying Su Yuqing’s apartment but changed her mind after seeing its price.
• Huangfu Miaomiao explained that Players received random bodies and Cards, and that changing them cost Points.
• Feng Ling read Players’ speculation about the Hidden Boss and the System’s announcements.
• Feng Ling noticed a Forum post describing the Hive Card as a highly survivable support Card that could heal teammates.

Feng Ling learned that Players were discussing ways to hunt her for Points and asked Huangfu Miaomiao why they needed them. She decided that becoming stronger was the best way to deter them and set out to find a Maze.

• Feng Ling read Forum threads where Xenomorphs discussed the Hive's weaknesses and shared intel that the Hidden Boss was in Qingjiang City.
• Feng Ling worried that Players would come to Qingjiang while she was focused on Nest Building and finding a Maze.
• Feng Ling asked Huangfu Miaomiao why Players killed Bosses and learned that Points were necessary to maintain their logged-in state and buy supplies.
• Feng Ling concluded that a more valuable target might distract Players, but Huangfu Miaomiao warned that the system's announcement would draw many hunters to Qingjiang.
• Feng Ling decided to become strong enough to drive away the Players and told Huangfu Miaomiao they would go find a Maze.

Feng Ling and Huangfu Miaomiao discussed how Mazes worked and examined the riddle to locate one containing an Idol. Their attempt to buy Hidden Boss information from a cautious Player named Moon Shadow failed when she deleted Huangfu Miaomiao.

• Huangfu Miaomiao explained that Players could earn double Points in Mazes and that killing a Labyrinth Master yielded a rare Card.
• Feng Ling reasoned that the system placed Idols in Mazes to encourage Players to pursue the Labyrinth Master’s reward.
• Huangfu Miaomiao shared the three-line Maze riddle and explained that she had linked its first clue to a Ferris Wheel cabin at the Amusement Park.
• Feng Ling decided they would go to the Amusement Park after eating, despite the risk that Players might recognize her from the Forum.
• Feng Ling told Huangfu Miaomiao to contact Moon Shadow about Hidden Boss information, but Moon Shadow refused to reveal her location and deleted Huangfu Miaomiao after demanding 2,000 Points.

Feng Ling suspected Moon Shadow was the Xenomorph she had killed and worried that the Corruption Value was making her unstable as a group of Xenomorphs might come after her. She sought advice by posting anonymously on the Exo-Star Forum, where Weasel01 warned her not to share photos and then privately messaged her.

• Feng Ling sprayed Huangfu Miaomiao with air freshener to keep herself calm and gave her a credit card to buy perfume, warning that she had placed a Mark on her.
• Feng Ling reasoned that Moon Shadow might be the Xenomorph she had burned in the villa and could be trading information about a Hidden Boss for Points.
• Feng Ling struggled to think clearly under the Corruption Value and decided to ask the human Forum for advice without revealing her identity.
• Feng Ling posted that her friend had become a Hidden Boss and was being hunted by Xenomorphs, but commenters initially mocked her and demanded photos.
• Weasel01 warned Feng Ling that photos could reveal her location, making the post popular and drawing questions from other users.
• Feng Ling opened her messages and found that Weasel01 had sent her a private message.