Chapter Summaries

Chen Mu and Wei'a infiltrated the Federation Comprehensive Academy's encampment in search of the Golden-Spotted Soft Jelly Fungus, but Chen Mu killed Zu Ning after learning he did not have it and looted the camp's cards. On their way back, Chen Mu rescued the unconscious Su Liu Cherou from two Card Adepts and carried her toward their base.

• Chen Mu and Wei'a slipped into the Federation Comprehensive Academy's encampment and found Zu Ning alone.
• Chen Mu disarmed Zu Ning and demanded the Golden-Spotted Soft Jelly Fungus, but Zu Ning said he did not have it and offered to help recruit Chen Mu or arrange an assassination instead.
• Chen Mu killed Zu Ning, searched his room, and took his valuables and the academy's stored cards.
• Chen Mu and Wei'a left the encampment with two cases of cards, and Chen Mu reflected on how much his confidence had grown.
• Chen Mu heard two Card Adepts discussing their captive, Su Liu Cherou, then killed them and carried her unconscious body back toward their base.

Chen Mu returned from the operation with Su Liu Cherou, the stolen contents of the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s warehouse, and Zu Ning’s belongings. He and his allies discovered their haul was worth billions, but the stolen [Node-Style Link] inheritance put them at odds with the Academy; the chapter ended with the group celebrating their newfound wealth.

• Chen Mu brought the unconscious Su Liu Cherou to the base, and Lu Xiaoru took her away to care for her.
• Chen Mu told Bagnell and Xi Ping that he had killed Zu Ning and looted the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s warehouse.
• Bagnell and Xi Ping counted hundreds of Energy and Illusion Cards worth over a billion Odi, and Chen Mu told Xi Ping to sell them through the Black Market.
• Bagnell recognized a Two-Star Illusion Card among Zu Ning’s belongings as a record of the Academy’s secret [Node-Style Link] inheritance, and Chen Mu decided to study it briefly and then sell it.
• Xi Ping found five billion Odi on bearer Money Cards, which he identified as part of the Academy’s failed payment offer to Ren Wenzhou.
• Chen Mu, Bagnell, and Xi Ping celebrated their immense haul, while Bagnell proposed robbing other factions as well.

Chen Mu studied the [Node-Style Link] legacy while his base dealt with the aftermath of the fighting, and he learned that Tang Hanpei had brought reinforcements to Luoyou City. News of Zu Ning’s death, the stolen legacy, and the escalating battle spread across the Federation, leaving the city’s future uncertain.

• Chen Mu, Bagnell, and Xi Ping agreed to keep their enormous haul secret, and Chen Mu kept the [Node-Style Link] legacy for study.
• Chen Mu studied the legacy’s node structures and tactics, including its ultimate skill, [Node-Style Link Circle Collapse].
• Chen Mu spoke with Su Liu Cherou, who explained that Faya’s first attack had killed her teacher and colleagues before she was captured while helping wounded civilians.
• Xi Ping reported that Faya and Zhongda Academy had suffered heavy casualties, and then revealed that Tang Hanpei had arrived in Luoyou City with reinforcements.
• A news report announced Zu Ning’s death, the theft of his legacy and cards, and the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s unprecedented bounty, while warning that the conflict could determine control of the Central Continent Group.

Tang Hanpei investigated Zu Ning’s assassination while Faya and Zhongda Academy plunged into open conflict, leaving the Federation Comprehensive Academy uninvolved. Meanwhile, Chen Mu’s study of the [Node-Style Link] transformed his approach to combat tactics, and Xi Ping arrived with news of an important development.

• Tang Hanpei concluded that multiple infiltrators, including an assassin card adept, had likely been involved in Zu Ning’s death and weighed Faya and factions within the Federation Comprehensive Academy as suspects.
• Faya launched surprise attacks on Zhongda Academy bases, and Zhongda Academy retaliated as the fighting escalated without the Federation Comprehensive Academy intervening.
• Bagnell drove Chen Mu’s novice card adepts through demanding shooting drills, while Chen Mu tested new tactics against Wei'a and forced him into an awkward position before losing focus and being defeated.
• Chen Mu studied the [Node-Style Link] and used its tactical examples to develop and refine new combat methods with Wei'a.
• Xi Ping knocked on Chen Mu’s door with a solemn expression, signaling that something important had happened.

Chen Mu refused to meet a visiting delegation from the Star Academy and Bitter Solitude Temple but agreed to let them establish a medical station at his base. The visitors’ first encounter with the base’s defenses and skilled personnel left them wary of its strength.

• Xi Ping told Chen Mu that a joint medical delegation from the Star Academy and Bitter Solitude Temple had arrived, and Chen Mu agreed to their requests while refusing to meet them.
• Wang Ze, Yin Chenjiu, and Jing met with Bagnell and Jiao Si, and Jing revealed that Jiao Si had once received guidance from her teacher, Ying Chen.
• Xi Ping informed the delegation that Chen Mu would not meet them, prompting resentment until Jiao Si rebuked a visitor who insulted their hosts.
• Bagnell warned the delegation to wait before leaving, but several Card Adepts triggered hidden traps and emerged covered in dust.
• Heta cleared the traps along a path, and Bu Erna’s team quickly built a raised metal bridge across the river, impressing Wang Ze and Yin Chenjiu with the base’s capabilities.

As medical teams from Star Academy and Bitter Solitude Temple treated civilians in Luoyou City, Su Liu Cherou realized Chen Mu had disguised his face and offered to examine it. Chen Mu’s card adepts continued training with his upgraded cards while Bagnell and Xi Ping misinterpreted the private examination as a romantic encounter.

• The Common District feared war would bring the fighting to their home, while the medical contingent’s arrival in Luoyou City earned praise across the Federation.
• Chen Mu asked Su Liu Cherou why she had stopped treating the wounded, and she explained she wanted to avoid the crowds and the academies’ domineering conduct.
• Su Liu Cherou noticed Chen Mu’s unhealthy complexion despite his otherwise healthy body and guessed that he had disguised his face.
• Chen Mu initially threatened Su Liu Cherou, then understood how she had spotted the disguise, apologized for frightening her, and asked her to try removing it.
• Xi Ping told Bagnell that Su Liu Cherou had been with Chen Mu for over two and a half hours, leading Bagnell to assume they were romantically involved.
• Chen Mu’s card adepts trained eagerly with their modified cards, using plentiful Energy Cards and sparring partners to test their new abilities.

The base’s Card Adepts continued improving rapidly, while Jiao Si learned that Ru Qiu could make the [Folded Swallow Wave Card] but had not understood its principles. As two hundred thousand civilians gathered near the base and food ran short, Wang Ze resolved to ask Tang Hanpei and Qiao Yuan to shelter them and provide supplies.

• Lu Xiaoru, One-Brow, Wu Yu, Chu Le, Xi Ruiyi, and the other Card Adepts made rapid progress under their demanding training.
• Jiao Si was astonished by the group’s improvement and learned that Ru Qiu had mastered making the [Folded Swallow Wave Card], though she still did not understand how it worked.
• Wang Ze and Yin Chenjiu struggled to manage the two hundred thousand civilians who had gathered for medical care, especially because the available food was insufficient.
• Wang Ze decided to visit Jing and ask Tang Hanpei and Qiao Yuan to place the civilians in a safe area and supply them with food from the city’s warehouses.

After Su Liu Cherou removed Chen Mu’s disguise, he felt relieved to have his true appearance back and received updates on the group’s preparations. Meanwhile, Wang Ze’s report alerted Tang Hanpei and Qiao Yuan to the mysterious base near Luoyou City, leaving them wondering who controlled it.

• Su Liu Cherou explained Chen Mu’s altered appearance as a rare illness, and the group teased her after she began calling him boss.
• Chen Mu asked about events outside, and Bagnell explained how he had prompted Wang Ze and Jing to seek a civilian safe area, putting pressure on Faya to supply food.
• Bagnell reported that the rookies needed another month or two to become combat-ready, while Xi Ping detailed their supplies, energy-card reserves, and card-crafting output.
• Chen Mu, Bagnell, and Xi Ping saw people beginning to move toward Luoyou City.
• Tang Hanpei questioned a Card Adept about a base near the Jungle, then considered Wang Ze’s report that Jiao Si and the base’s mysterious boss were in Luoyou City.
• Qiao Yuan also recalled the mysterious base after Wang Ze’s reminder and wondered who controlled it.

Jiao Si studied the unusual principles of the [Folded Swallow Wave Card] while Chen Mu returned to training. Tang Hanpei visited the base and asked Chen Mu to help capture Zhongda Academy's base, leaving Chen Mu to decide whether to accept.

• Jiao Si concluded that the [Folded Swallow Wave Card] followed an older system and continued exploring its energy structure.
• Chen Mu resumed his demanding routine of perception training, sparring with Wei'a, and studying tactics.
• Tang Hanpei arrived at the base and asked to meet Chen Mu, surprising Bagnell, Xi Ping, and Jiao Si.
• Tang Hanpei asked Chen Mu to help capture Zhongda Academy's base and offered to meet whatever terms Chen Mu named.
• Chen Mu weighed the request while concealing that he had killed Zu Ning and still possessed the [Node-Style Link].

Chen Mu refused Tang Hanpei’s request to fight but accepted his offer to buy the base and arrange passage out of Luoyou City for his people. The convoy reached the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s encampment, where Tang Hanpei noticed Chen Mu’s reaction to the place.

• Chen Mu refused to join Tang Hanpei’s fighting and accepted his offer of one and a half billion Odi, supplies, and Capital passes for his group.
• Xi Ping and Bagnell counted 620 people willing to leave with Chen Mu, including Bu Erna and his people, and Tang Hanpei arranged their passes.
• An alarm announced the approach of fifty Card Adepts, and Tang Hanpei revealed that they were his men coming to handle the handover.
• Chen Mu’s group gathered supplies and boarded transport Shuttlecraft, while Lu Xiaoru, Siyuan Academy experts, Jiao Si, and Tang Hanpei escorted the convoy.
• The convoy reached the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s encampment, and Tang Hanpei noticed Chen Mu’s unease as he recalled a past night there.

Chen Mu and his group left Luoyou City aboard a shuttlecraft train after Tang Hanpei gave them a communication card and offered to buy priority rights to Chen Mu’s Digital Series Cards. The group chose Tiandongli District as their destination and remained alert for trouble along the way.

• Bagnell supervised the loading of supplies, and Chen Mu gave Tang Hanpei the base layout and tactical arrangements while Tang gave Chen Mu a Federation Comprehensive Academy Internal Communication Card.
• Tang Hanpei asked for priority purchasing rights to Chen Mu’s Digital Series Cards, but Chen Mu refused his offer of five hundred million Odi per Four-Star Illusion Card.
• Tang Hanpei gave Ru Qiu an old Illusion Card as a first-meeting gift, then remarked on the strength of Chen Mu’s subordinate Wei'a.
• Chen Mu, Bagnell, and Xi Ping departed with their group and wondered why Tang Hanpei had wanted to buy their base.
• Chen Mu and his companions ruled out the Capital, Shanggan District, Beilian District, and Zuohe District before choosing Tiandongli District.
• Bagnell said he had arranged rotating rest and guard shifts, and Jiao Si approached the group after they settled their plans.

Jiao Si negotiated for Ru Qiu to spend six months with Chen Mu, paying two and a half billion Odi, while hoping she would preserve Siyuan Academy’s ties to his group. When Chen Mu’s party arrived at Viven City, an escort sent to bring them to the Capital met resistance from Bagnell’s wary Card Adepts, leaving the carriage in a tense standoff.

• Jiao Si asked Chen Mu to guide Ru Qiu, but Chen Mu refused to take students because he would not teach the secret knowledge behind his cards.
• While Chen Mu slept for six hours, Xi Ping negotiated an agreement for Ru Qiu to stay with him for six months in exchange for two and a half billion Odi.
• Chen Mu warned Jiao Si that the group might enter the harsh Tiandongli District, and Jiao Si agreed to arrange Ru Qiu’s entry permit.
• Jiao Si told Chen Mu about the Huahua District during their journey, and the group later received notice that the train was approaching Viven City.
• At Viven City, a Card Adept arrived with orders to escort Chen Mu’s group to the Capital, but Bagnell refused and positioned twenty-two Card Adepts to cover the escort party.

Jiao Si forced the Federation Comprehensive Academy to let Cao Dong’s group leave, prompting Tang Hanpei to reconsider his plans and investigate Cao Dong’s connection to Xize. Tang Hanpei ordered an operation to begin in sixteen hours, but the chapter ended as the academy’s records on Xize arrived.

• Su Liu Cherou steadied herself and prepared to treat anyone injured as Jiao Si confronted the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s card adept.
• Jiao Si knocked the card adept unconscious with a Wave Blade and led his group out of the academy base.
• Tang Hanpei ordered the operation to proceed and directed his forces to monitor Cao Dong’s group.
• Song Chengyan calculated that the operation should launch in sixteen hours, and Tang Hanpei urged him to rest.
• Tang Hanpei suspected Cao Dong practiced the [Physical Refinement Principle] and might be Xize’s student, so he requested the academy’s archived records on Xize.

Tang Hanpei studied the academy’s research on Xize and concluded that Cao Dong probably did not practice the [Physical Refinement Principle], though Pafuchake warned him not to rule out Xize’s ability to change it. Meanwhile, Chen Mu’s group continued toward the Tiandongli District after Jiao Si said farewell to Ru Qiu, and Chen Mu asked Bagnell which route they should take.

• Tang Hanpei read reports on Xize and the [Physical Refinement Principle], comparing its hostile, threadlike Perception and side effects with Cao Dong’s calm demeanor.
• Pafuchake called Tang Hanpei, heard his account of Cao Dong, and assigned someone else to investigate while ordering Tang to seize the Central Continent Group.
• Jiao Si parted ways with Chen Mu’s group and entrusted Ru Qiu to Chen Mu’s care; Ru Qiu tearfully said goodbye to him.
• After Jiao Si left, Chen Mu told Xi Ping to handle local power brokers who approached the group, and Xi Ping quickly cleared the way for their departure.
• Chen Mu asked Bagnell which route the group should take to reach the Tiandongli District.

Chen Mu’s group entered the wilderness to shake off pursuers from the Federation Comprehensive Academy, while Bagnell led them through the jungle using specialized equipment and his extensive experience. After spotting seven followers in poor condition, Bagnell offered to deal with them.

• Bagnell proposed taking the group along a smugglers’ route through the wilderness, where jungle Card Adepts would discourage the Federation Comprehensive Academy’s pursuers.
• Chen Mu agreed, bought jungle supplies with the group, and led the four hundred Card Adepts out of Hammond City.
• The pursuers struggled with insects, leeches, snakes, and other wilderness hazards while awaiting reinforcements who knew the jungle.
• Bagnell guided Chen Mu’s group through the jungle with tools such as Insect Repellent Cards, a Gas Detection Card, and a water condenser.
• A Card Adept reported that seven pursuers had been spotted and were in poor condition, and Bagnell said they would be easy to handle.

A tracking team pursuing Chen Mu's group succumbed to poisonous miasma before a squad of twenty Card Adepts arrived. Meanwhile, Chen Mu's inexperienced Card Adepts faced a huge Bosnian Wolf pack, and Jiang Liang's commands helped them hold formation as the battle began.

• Old Huang and the other trackers collapsed from poisonous miasma, and the lead Card Adept lost consciousness.
• A squad of twenty Card Adepts found the poisoned men dead and hurried on to complete their mission.
• Bagnell roared at the panicking rookies, and Jiang Liang's squad opened fire on the charging Bosnian Wolves.
• The rookies killed dozens of wolves with their first volley, then formed up as the blood scent drove the pack to charge.
• Jiang Liang and the other squad leaders ordered another volley as the wolves collided with the Card Adepts' attack.
• Wei'a restrained the excited fat dog and watched the battle.

The novice Card Adepts defeated a Bosnian Wolf pack at heavy cost, while Bagnell’s training pushed them to gain control of the battle. A nearby tracking team found the slaughter and mistook Chen Mu’s force for a powerful military unit, and the chapter ended with Tang Hanpei entering a crisis in Luoyou City.

• Jiang Liang rallied the frightened novices after a Card Adept died, and their coordinated firepower overcame the wolves while Su Liu Cherou treated the wounded.
• The battle ended with three Card Adepts dead on the spot, six dying despite treatment, and fifty-seven wounded; Bagnell ordered the squads to review their performance.
• A tracking team found the wolf corpses and its captain concluded that the target force was a large military unit with powerful shuttle cards.
• The captain sent one member back with a report and ordered the rest to follow the targets from a distance while awaiting instructions.
• Tang Hanpei thrust himself into the storm in Luoyou City as Chen Mu remained unaware of the unfolding event.

Tang Hanpei triggered a devastating earthquake with multiple [Geomagnetic Storm] attacks, isolating Luoyou City and shocking the Federation. Unaware of the disaster, Chen Mu’s party continued through the Jungle, addressed problems with their combat tactics, and contacted Alfonso and the others in the [Undercity].

• Tang Hanpei asked his Card Adepts if they were afraid, then ordered them to fight as he watched Zhongda Academy’s encampment.
• Tang Hanpei’s premeditated use of at least five [Geomagnetic Storm] attacks devastated Luoyou City, buried the personnel opening its passages, and isolated the city behind damaged terrain and a belt of fleeing beasts.
• Zhongda Academy and Faya dispatched forces to rescue their people, while Pafuchake and the Federation Comprehensive Academy faced demands for an explanation.
• Chen Mu and Bagnell discussed the weaknesses exposed in Deck Tactics and decided that each unit’s secondary gunner would also train in energy output as a substitute.
• Chen Mu and Wei’a contacted Alfonso and Liduhong in the [Undercity], reassured them, shared useful knowledge, and set out further training for them.

Chen Mu spent half a month training with the Mysterious Card while Bagnell’s party grew into a more disciplined fighting force through constant battles. After hearing that a supposedly abandoned base was occupied, Chen Mu ordered the party to approach it, and Bagnell reacted with surprise when they arrived.

• The party fought through the wilderness, suffering casualties as the novice Card Adepts gained combat experience and discipline.
• Chen Mu entered the Mysterious Card and focused on training with the fourth energy model, remaining in the Shuttlecraft for half a month.
• Over a month of battles, the five squads and Elite Group developed distinct fighting styles, and their casualty rate fell as the beasts grew stronger.
• A scout reported an inhabited base ahead, and Chen Mu emerged from the Shuttlecraft after completing his training.
• After learning that Bagnell had known the base as abandoned, Chen Mu ordered the party to approach and replenish supplies.
• The party reached the base, and Bagnell exclaimed in surprise at what he saw.

Chen Mu’s group arrived at Riegel Base, where local Card Adepts harassed the women in their party. Chen Mu ordered Lu Xiaoru, Wu Yu, and Xi Ruiyi to silence the offenders, leaving the hall stunned by the group’s strength.

• Bagnell led Chen Mu’s group into the modern Riegel Base and hired a young broker for three hundred thousand Odi a day.
• The broker warned Chen Mu’s group that Riegel Base was dangerous, while local Card Adepts leered at Su Liu Cherou, Lu Xiaoru, and Ru Qiu.
• The Card Adepts jeered crudely at the women, and Chen Mu ordered Lu Xiaoru to shut them up.
• Lu Xiaoru used [Soundbind] to incapacitate the loudest offenders, then Wu Yu and Xi Ruiyi attacked on Chen Mu’s orders.
• Wu Yu blasted through the group while Xi Ruiyi struck the airborne Card Adepts with electrified threads, shocking the onlookers.