Chapter Summaries

Dokler and the villagers hid from a swarm of enormous locusts that devoured the village through the night. At dawn, the swarm moved on, leaving the settlement stripped bare and Xino's family dead in their cellar.

• Dokler warned the villagers to barricade themselves indoors as the locusts approached, and he led Muderlin's household into a back room.
• The locusts swarmed over the village, broke into cellars, and devoured food and people while Dokler and the others waited in hiding.
• Qin Xiaoxia's thoughtform sensed the locusts' intense hunger but could not influence them.
• At dawn, Dokler and the villagers emerged to find the surrounding greenery and their food gone, with locusts scattered throughout the village.
• The villagers discovered that Xino's family had been killed in their cellar, where they had stored Tenderheart Greens.

Degoni revealed that his knowledge came from other worlds and warned the Church that the shattered pendant signaled an apocalyptic crisis. After Leit connected it to an ornament found in Qinggelie, Degoni explained that it came from a world where light and darkness coexisted, leaving the Church to reckon with the danger and the possibility that Nolan City had burned a being from that world.

• Degoni suffered a violent fit in the cathedral courtyard, then recovered enough to speak with Leit, his disciples, and the bishop.
• Degoni revealed that countless worlds existed beyond their own and that his knowledge of hidden powers came from them.
• Degoni said that envoys from other worlds, not the God of Light or legendary heroes, had restored peace a thousand years earlier.
• Degoni showed that the Daybreak pendant around his neck had shattered and warned that an apocalyptic crisis was coming.
• Leit told Degoni about a similar ornament in Qinggelie and the Church in Nolan City's claim that it belonged to a heretical criminal who had been burned to death.
• Degoni said the crystal came from a powerful, contradictory world where light and darkness coexisted, and that what it brought forth depended on who wielded it.

After learning that Nolan City's Church had killed an otherworldly visitor and provoked a curse, Sword Saint Degoni warned the leaders of Fanite City-State that their world might face the ancient calamities again. He left them with a call to act despite their fear, and those gathered pledged to stand with him.

• Bishop Neil Luo asked Degoni how serious the consequences might be and what they could do to address them.
• Degoni led the group to the strategic conference room and warned that the world could relive the chaos of a thousand years ago.
• The ruler of Fanite City-State and the other listeners were shaken as Degoni described the threat of demons, monsters, and widespread destruction.
• Degoni urged the group not to surrender to despair, arguing that heroes were ordinary people who chose to act at a crucial moment.
• Degoni drew his sword and asked who would give their blood for their convictions, and people throughout the room answered that they would.

Sword Saint Degoni’s call for a united effort against the approaching crisis gained support, though several neighboring rulers hesitated to commit their forces. Reports of swarms of yellow-gray monsters reached Fanite, where Degoni identified them as Abyssal Calamity-Famine.

• Two knight commanders told the ruler of the Vicot City-State that they would leave to aid Fanite if he refused to commit, despite his council’s anger.
• Several nearby rulers continued limiting their support to intelligence work until reports spread of swarms devastating the border territories of the Lunsogt Kingdom.
• Scouts arrived at Fanite’s council hall with locust shells recovered from the monsters.
• Sword Saint Degoni recognized the shells and named the creatures Abyssal Calamity-Famine, prompting an eerie echo of the word “famine” through the hall.

After hearing reports of the Yellow-Gray Demon, Degoni warned the leaders of the Fanite City-State that the locusts were only the beginning and urged them to obtain a Crystal Ornament to summon light. The surrounding city-states began preparing for disaster, while Leit, the bishop, and Degoni traveled to the Holy Mountain and scouts set out to find a Crystal Ornament.

• The bishop of Fanite City-State and Lord Fanite agreed to warn their allies and seek help from the Church as the Sword Saint remained lost in thought.
• A scout reported that fire and smoke sometimes affected the Yellow-Gray Demon but often attracted or enraged the swarms.
• Degoni declared that the Yellow-Gray Demon was only the beginning and urged the others to find a gemstone token that could summon light.
• Qin Xiaoxia was pleased that the leaders had begun following his plan to bring forces from Earth into both opposing sides.
• Rumors of the Yellow-Gray Demon spread through the United City-States Kingdom, prompting neighboring city-states to prepare their defenses.
• Leit, the bishop, and Degoni traveled to the Church of Light's Holy Mountain, while scouts entered the Qinggelie Empire and nearby lands to seek a Crystal Ornament.

The major powers held a secret meeting after Dawn confirmed that Earth could reach a Void world, and Germany presented two plans for evaluation. The chapter ended as Kerlorel opened the review of Karl Neumann’s Light Seed Project and Abyss Seed Project before the Dawn Sage’s Thoughtform and the assembled leaders.

• The World Anti-Dark Tide Convention Alliance concluded a meeting where Dawn confirmed it had found a reachable Void world.
• Tang Hong approached Zhou Youcheng and escorted him to a smaller, secret evaluation meeting after Huaguo confirmed the invitation.
• Representatives and leaders from major powers gathered, while Kerlorel worried that Germany’s proposal would fail to gain support.
• Kerlorel took the podium, the Dawn Sage’s Thoughtform appeared, and he began the preliminary evaluation of Karl Neumann’s Light Seed Project and Abyss Seed Project.

Kerlorel presented Karl Neumann’s Light Seed and Abyss Seed projects, proposals to influence an Otherworld through cultural infiltration and controlled pressure. After meeting Karl, Qin Xiaoxia agreed that the Dawn Association would support the projects, leaving the major powers eager to watch Karl.

• Kerlorel introduced Karl Neumann’s two proposals to representatives of the World Anti-Dark Tide Convention Alliance.
• Kerlorel explained that the Light Seed Project would reshape the Otherworld’s culture and values, while the Abyss Seed Project would apply pressure to prepare the way.
• Kerlorel said Dawn’s extraordinary abilities would be crucial to carrying out the projects in the Otherworld.
• Qin Xiaoxia asked to meet Karl, then announced that the Dawn Association would support the projects.
• The major powers marked Karl Neumann as someone to watch closely.

Germany’s Light and Dark Plan won support as the global strategy for the Otherworld, and Karl Neumann’s rapid awakening after receiving an Awakening Sequence Potion made him a priority for observation. In Feng City, a chubby bald man watched Shaolin monks train before accessing a mysterious forum.

• Kerlorel explained Germany’s plan, and officials from other countries questioned its feasibility and details.
• Experts from the alliance evaluated competing proposals and selected Germany’s plan as the unified approach.
• Karl Neumann received an Awakening Sequence Potion and underwent an unusually rapid evolutionary transformation, prompting Kerlorel and German officials to prioritize his development.
• In Feng City, a chubby bald man watched Shaolin monks practice martial arts from his balcony and then logged into a mysterious forum.

Master Se Kong’s forum proposal about cultural infiltration attracted the attention of the Dawn Association and the World Anti-Dark Tide Convention Alliance. After he agreed to join Dawn, the Holy Spirit appeared and described his unusual assignment as the “Strategic Deception Bureau.”

• Master Se Kong browsed the ss forum and commented on proposals for weapons and other projects.
• He found a post detailing the Photon Seed Project and Abyss Seed Project, which built on his earlier ideas.
• The Dawn Association sent Master Se Kong a message inviting him to join and help coordinate plans with the World Anti-Dark Tide Convention Alliance.
• Master Se Kong chose “Yes,” and the Holy Spirit appeared beside him.
• The Holy Spirit told Master Se Kong that the Sage had high hopes for him and explained that his assignment was roughly a “Strategic Deception Bureau.”

The Holy Spirit brought Hong Chengzhi to meet the Dawn Sage and showed him the brutal scale of Dawn’s war against Demons. After learning what joining meant, Hong Chengzhi accepted the Sage’s offer and became the Strategic Deception Bureau’s director.

• The Holy Spirit told Hong Chengzhi that the Strategic Deception Bureau was a new, secret department and took him to meet the Sage.
• The Holy Spirit brought Hong Chengzhi through a mirror connected to the Demon Eye and transported him to a desolate world.
• Hong Chengzhi met Qin Xiaoxia, whom he recognized as the Dawn Sage, and saw mountains of Demon corpses below the peak.
• Qin Xiaoxia explained the danger of Dawn’s struggle and gave Hong Chengzhi one last chance to refuse joining.
• Hong Chengzhi performed the Heart-Clasp Salute and asked Qin Xiaoxia to let him join Dawn.

Hong Chengzhi learned that he would become director of the Strategic Deception Bureau and began one-on-one training with Baru to reach Full Awakening within two months. Meanwhile, the yellow-gray locust swarm devastated the Lunsogt Kingdom as Qinggelie forces invaded, and Brantai’s army advanced toward a fortified city near the disaster zone.

• Hong Chengzhi learned from Qin Xiaoxia that his new post would attract scrutiny and met Baru, who promised to transform his basic abilities through intensive one-on-one training.
• Baru told Hong Chengzhi he had two months to reach Full Awakening so he could withstand an X11 potion, then began their training.
• The yellow-gray demons multiplied into a vast swarm that stripped the land of greenery and drove people across the region to flee.
• The Qinggelie Empire invaded the weakened Lunsogt Kingdom under the pretense of helping fight the demons, and its forces quickly captured border cities.
• Brantai and Heno led their army from Ize toward a key fortified city, with a guide showing them a route around the disaster zone as they prepared to encounter the locusts.

Heno’s army attacked Dite Rock Pass City while refugees overwhelmed its gates, but the battle stopped when the Yellow-Gray Demon blotted out the sky. Brantai’s glowing Crystal Ornament drew the attention of hidden agents, who resolved to seize it at any cost.

• Heno released guide Mr. Dingman with food and a pack horse, then led his army onward while warning Brantai that they could not make a mistake.
• Heno’s army charged Dite Rock Pass City and fought the defenders amid the desperate refugees crowding the gates.
• As the Yellow-Gray Demon darkened the pass and mountains, Brantai’s Crystal Ornament began glowing and warmed him.
• Several disguised refugees recognized the Crystal Ornament as the treasure described by the Sword Saint and decided to take it at any cost.

Five Night Hawks attacked Brantai in the darkness and stole his Crystal Ornament, but Heno wounded three of them with arrows. Brantai regrouped with Heno, who vowed to pursue the attackers.

• Five Night Hawks from the Fanite City-State approached Brantai under cover of the darkness and attacked his guards.
• The Night Hawk leader disarmed Brantai, knocked him from his horse, and threatened him until he surrendered the Crystal Ornament.
• The Night Hawks escaped with the ornament, but Heno shot three of them with arrows.
• The remaining Night Hawks seized camel horses and fled in separate directions while Heno returned to Brantai.
• Brantai mounted another horse, and Heno declared he would not let the attackers escape.

After the Qinggelie Empire captured Dite Rock Pass City, Heno questioned the Night Hawks about the Crystal Ornament and learned their belief that the empire’s National Sacrifice had unleashed the yellow-gray demons. As the ornament began glowing again, the Night Hawk leader was brought back to explain what it could do and hinted that he had met a living legend.

• Heno’s forces captured Dite Rock Pass City during the locust swarm and later caught several Night Hawks who had stolen the Crystal Ornament.
• Heno questioned the captives, but the Night Hawk leader claimed they were thieves and accused the Qinggelie Empire’s National Sacrifice of bringing the demons into the world.
• Brantai asked Heno whether the ceremony had truly been an offering to a god, but Heno could not answer.
• As the demons stirred outside, the Crystal Ornament began to glow and grow warm in Brantai’s hand.
• Heno had the Night Hawk leader brought back, and the captive praised Heno before offering to explain what was happening and saying he had met a living legend.

The Night Hawk leader told Heno and Brantai that Sword Saint Degoni had lived since the ancient days of the Jinxite Kingdom and explained that becoming Awakened was only the beginning. He used the Crystal Ornament to manifest a blazing light, leaving it hovering in the room as Heno, Brantai, and the scout recoiled.

• The Night Hawk leader described Sword Saint Degoni and the Qinggelie Empire's National Sacrifice, prompting a chilling spiritual response in the room.
• Heno and Brantai questioned whether Degoni could truly have lived for centuries, and the Night Hawk leader asked whether they had seen Emperor Wogevde regain his youth.
• The Night Hawk leader explained that Awakened was only the beginning and claimed Degoni had been active over a thousand years earlier in the Blackgold Kingdom.
• Brantai lent the Night Hawk leader the Crystal Ornament so he could prove his claims.
• The Night Hawk leader cut his finger, invoked "Dawn Manifestation," and caused the bloodied crystal to become a blazing, hovering flame.
• Heno, Brantai, and the Night Hawk leader shielded their eyes and backed against the wall as the flame grew brighter and hotter.

Heno and Brantai witnessed the Crystal Ornament manifest a burning Daybreak symbol, then decided Brantai would take it and two Night Hawks toward Fanite City-State to preserve the Nolan Family’s options. As they rode past the consequences of the Qinggelie Empire’s sacrificial ceremonies, a two-headed beast escaped into Yaxiaze and began slaughtering civilians.

• The Crystal Ornament produced a lifelike vision of flames and a Daybreak symbol, after which the Night Hawk leader collapsed unconscious.
• Heno and Brantai suspected the emperor’s new power would bring disaster and decided against supporting his ambitions if they would destroy everyone.
• Brantai set out with two Night Hawks toward Fanite City-State, carrying the Crystal Ornament while disguised as a Red Leaf Army scout.
• The group saw barren mountains and swelling black clouds as they traveled past the aftermath of repeated sacrificial ceremonies.
• Alarm bells rang in Yaxiaze as a two-headed beast rampaged through the city, killing Ridge-Crowned People and celebrating its escape from a death trap.

A Two-Headed Ground Bat ravaged Asiya Ze City, killing guards as they struggled to stop it. Qin Xiaoxia, known as Sword Saint Degoni, killed the monster with one strike, leaving the soldiers and Church party stunned.

• The Two-Headed Ground Bat emerged from the ruins, devoured civilians, and terrorized hundreds of city guards.
• The Holy Knights’ party, including Bishop of the Fanite City-State, Leit, and Sword Saint Degoni, arrived in Asiya Ze City and learned that a monster was attacking.
• Leit confronted the monster’s hooked tail to protect an officer, but the blow injured his hands and sent him sliding backward.
• Degoni identified the creature as a Two-Headed Ground Bat and approached it with his party.
• Qin Xiaoxia stunned the monster with his gaze, then pierced its heart and shattered its mind with a single sword strike.
• The Two-Headed Ground Bat collapsed, leaving Leit, the Church members, and the soldiers in stunned silence.

After Qin Xiaoxia, posing as Sword Saint Degoni, killed the Two-Headed Ground Bat, he warned Asiya Ze City's leaders that a rift had opened above the mortal realm. The City Lord ordered the entire city evacuated, leaving its people to flee despite believing the danger had passed.

• Qin Xiaoxia killed the Two-Headed Ground Bat and told the officer that he would patrol the area before meeting Leit and the others at the City Lord's residence.
• The City Lord learned that the monster was dead and welcomed Leit's party, while privately resenting the local Bishop and Divine Officials for fleeing.
• Bishop Neil Luo questioned the City Lord and officials, who confirmed that no similar monster had appeared in their records or local stories.
• Qin Xiaoxia entered the Council Hall, said the Two-Headed Ground Bat had come from beyond the mortal realm, and dismissed the Asiya Ze Bishop's claim that the God of Light would protect them.
• Qin Xiaoxia warned the City Lord that a rift had formed and ordered him to evacuate Asiya Ze City; the City Lord issued the evacuation order.

Asiya Ze City’s residents evacuated after the City Lord warned that monsters might return, while Qin Xiaoxia and the others watched a strange fall of gray fragments over the abandoned city. Qin Xiaoxia left for the Holy Mountain, warning the City Lord that the danger extended beyond Yaxiaze and that the world needed to prepare.

• Cavalrymen spread the City Lord’s order for everyone in Asiya Ze City to evacuate, but many residents initially refused to leave.
• A resident reported that Knight Dunan and other nobles had fled with their families, prompting a mass evacuation that soldiers helped manage.
• After most willing residents had left, hoodlums looted an abandoned noble’s mansion and planned to rob more buildings.
• Civilians and soldiers outside the city watched gray fragments fall over Asiya Ze as night approached, while Qin Xiaoxia admitted he did not know what was happening.
• Qin Xiaoxia told the City Lord to stop hoping to reclaim Yaxiaze and urged him to warn the emperor and prepare for a threat facing the entire world.
• Qin Xiaoxia, Leit, and Neil Luo set out for the Holy Mountain.

Baru tried to wake the unconscious Hong Chengzhi in Antarctica, then hurled him into the sea to prove he was faking. Hong Chengzhi shouted curses as he flew, while Baru laughed and the White Crystal continued playing Für Elise.

• Degoni's party grew to seventy-six people as they hurried toward the Holy Mountain, worried about the Yellow-Gray Demons and other threats.
• Baru found Hong Chengzhi unconscious on the Antarctic ice beside a White Crystal playing Für Elise.
• Baru moved Hong Chengzhi to a glacier by the sea and cut shallow wounds into his legs to provoke him.
• Baru threw Hong Chengzhi toward the sea, and Hong Chengzhi woke mid-flight and cursed at him.
• Baru laughed as Hong Chengzhi crashed into the sea, while the White Crystal kept playing Für Elise.