Chapter Summaries

Zhao Longfei offered Qin Siyang a chance to negotiate with the Military while selling the Zhao Family’s stockpiled drugs, in return for Qin’s continued support of the Zhao Merchants’ Association’s currency plan. The chapter ended with Zhao Longfei and Zhao Longteng seeking access to every Crimson Crystal Qin had stored at the association.

• Zhao Longfei revealed that the Zhao Family had stockpiled drugs for Sequence Ability Users and planned to sell them to the Military.
• Zhao Longfei asked Qin Siyang to help handle the sale, offering him the chance to negotiate terms that could benefit him.
• Zhao Longfei explained that the drug deal could leverage the interests of an entire legion, unlike Qin Siyang’s earlier private deal with Chu Xiaoang.
• Zhao Longfei said the Zhao Merchants’ Association had postponed its plan to control territory so it could prioritize breaking the Three Major Merchants’ Associations’ blockade with its currency plan.
• Zhao Sifang and Qin Siyang realized Zhao Longteng and Zhao Longfei were offering Qin a chance to negotiate with the Military in exchange for all the Crimson Crystals he had stored at the Zhao Merchants’ Association.

Zhao Longfei offered Qin Siyang the chance to represent the Zhao Family in negotiating directly with a Legion commander, backed by a year's stockpile of medicine. Qin Siyang weighed the risks against what might be his only chance to move from a minor player to someone who shaped events.

• Zhao Longfei revealed that the Zhao Family would trade a year's stockpile of medicine to secure military support and let Qin Siyang negotiate benefits with the Military.
• Qin Siyang realized the deal would place him on an unprecedentedly large stage and began considering what he could ask for.
• Zhao Longfei noticed Qin Siyang trembling and reassured him that he trusted him to handle the negotiations.
• Qin Siyang suggested Zhao Sifang or Gu Yunpeng might be better suited, but Zhao Longfei warned that turning down the opportunity could mean never getting another like it.
• Qin Siyang considered his humble background and recognized that this might be his only chance to rise beyond being a chess piece.

Qin Siyang agreed to Zhao Longfei’s proposal to negotiate with Chu Xiaoang and joined a meeting with the Chu Character Legion’s leaders. After Zheng Cong expressed interest in meeting him, Qin Siyang asked about Zheng Mubian’s recovery, surprising everyone at the table.

• Qin Siyang accepted Zhao Longfei’s conditions and agreed to meet Chu Xiaoang, though he had not yet decided what terms to request.
• Zhao Longfei brought Qin Siyang, Zhao Sifang, and Gu Yunpeng to the conference room to meet Chu Xiaoang and his party.
• Chu Xiaoang introduced Chu Baxing and Zheng Cong, while Zhao Longfei introduced his companions and Qin Siyang as vice president of the Zhao Merchants’ Association.
• Zheng Cong told Qin Siyang he had come hoping to meet and get acquainted with him, prompting Qin Siyang to suspect his earlier trade with Chu Xiaoang had helped Zheng Mubian.
• Qin Siyang asked Zheng Cong how Chief of Staff Zheng’s recovery was going, startling Chu Xiaoang, Zheng Cong, and Chu Baxing.

Qin Siyang realized the Titan Reed fragment was intended to treat Zheng Mubian, while the Zhao Family negotiated a large medicine sale with Chu Xiaoang and the Military. After agreeing on payment in gold and God Remains, Zhao Longfei revealed that Qin Siyang would state the Zhao Family’s requests in its place.

• Qin Siyang inferred that Chu Xiaoang had taken the Titan Reed fragment to treat Zheng Mubian, and Zheng Cong tried to conceal his father's illness.
• Zhao Longfei presented one-tenth of the medicines to Chu Xiaoang for inspection, and Chu Xiaoang confirmed the shipment was sound.
• Chu Xiaoang offered one thousand gold coins and a choice of God Remains, and Zhao Longfei chose one thousand tonnes of gray-board material.
• Zhao Longfei said the Zhao Family had further requests beyond the basic payment and declared that Qin Siyang would state them in the family's place.

Qin Siyang negotiated with Chu Xiaoang on the Zhao Family’s behalf, rejected Chu Xiaoang’s offer of a Security Company, and let Zhao Longfei reveal Qin Yingguang’s much larger offer. Qin Yingguang’s furious response left Chu Xiaoang facing a tense dispute over the Zhao Family’s medicine and military support.

• Zhao Longfei announced that Qin Siyang was negotiating for the Zhao Family, and Chu Xiaoang offered Qin a Security Company to command until he graduated.
• Qin Siyang rejected the offer as inadequate and potentially dangerous, then tried to let Zhao Longfei negotiate instead.
• Zhao Longfei told Chu Xiaoang that Qin Yingguang had offered the Zhao Family a corps-sized unit and a regiment of Sequence Ability Users for a year.
• Chu Xiaoang called Qin Yingguang to verify the offer, and Zhao Longfei framed Chu’s terms as too low.
• Qin Yingguang angrily accused Chu Xiaoang of considering lending the Zhao Family a Sequence Division.

Chu Xiaoang offered Qin Siyang authorization to establish a Sequence Brigade in exchange for the Crimson Crystal, explaining that the legal military status would let Qin Siyang build his own force. The chapter ended with Chu Xiaoang demanding an immediate answer before he negotiated with Zhao Longfei and the Zhao Family instead.

• Zhao Longfei showed Chu Xiaoang that Qin Yingguang had offered a drug deal, then explained that he wanted an offer that would beat all five Legion commanders’ bids.
• Chu Xiaoang stipulated that his offer could not be negotiated, had to be accepted immediately, and would remain secret.
• Chu Xiaoang offered Qin Siyang authorization for a Sequence Brigade, clarifying that Qin Siyang would still have to recruit, train, and fund its members.
• Zhao Longfei explained that the authorization would make Qin Siyang’s troops a legal military force recognized by the United Government.
• Chu Xiaoang said granting the authorization would reduce the number of Sequence Brigades under his own command and demanded Qin Siyang’s answer.

Qin Siyang negotiated with Chu Xiaoang over control of a new Sequence brigade, rejecting the plan to make Chu Baxing its acting commander. When Chu Xiaoang refused Qin’s proposal to appoint Huo Sancai’s son, Zhao Longfei suggested another candidate from Huo’s family.

• Chu Xiaoang told Qin Siyang that he could not leave or contact anyone until he accepted or rejected the brigade authorization.
• Chu Xiaoang explained that the authorization was for Qin alone and that the Zhao Family could not interfere.
• Chu Xiaoang proposed that Chu Baxing nominally command the 13th Sequence Brigade while Qin handled its internal affairs.
• Qin Siyang demanded that a son of the late Huo Sancai serve as nominal commander, but Chu Xiaoang refused and revealed that he had killed Huo Sancai after a failed mutiny.
• Zhao Longfei recalled that Huo Sancai had a nephew who might be considered for the role.

Qin Siyang negotiated with Chu Xiaoang for military authorization, while Zhao Longfei helped him press his case by proposing Huo Dangkou as commander. Chu Xiaoang grudgingly offered a Sequence Regiment instead of a Sequence Brigade, and Zhao Longfei reassured Qin Siyang that their argument would not prevent the deal.

• Zhao Longfei explained Huo Dangkou’s history and proposed that he command Qin Siyang’s Sequence Brigade.
• Chu Xiaoang offered authorization for a Sequence Regiment with Huo Dangkou as its commander, reducing the unit from the promised brigade.
• Zhao Sifang and Qin Siyang challenged Chu Xiaoang for breaking the original agreement.
• Chu Xiaoang berated Qin Siyang and insisted that the Apocalypse followed the rule that stronger people made the rules.
• Zhao Longfei calmed Qin Siyang and assured him that their argument did not have to affect the deal.

Qin Siyang and Zhao Longfei negotiated with Chu Xiaoang over medicine, securing an independent sequence regiment for Huo Dangkou before the remaining medicine would be handed over. After Chu Xiaoang arranged for Chu Baxing to stay at the Guesthouse, Qin Siyang tricked him into agreeing to a room at six silver coins a day, and the Chu family left.

• Qin Siyang agreed to let Chu Xiaoang trade materials and money for a tenth of the medicine first, with the rest due after Huo Dangkou became regimental commander and the regiment gained independent status.
• Zhao Longfei explained that independent status gave a unit command authority and was difficult to revoke, and Chu Xiaoang said he would apply for it and expected the transaction to finish by the following Sunday.
• Chu Xiaoang asked Zhao Longfei to put Chu Baxing in Qin Siyang's Guesthouse room and said money was no issue.
• Qin Siyang quoted Chu Baxing twenty silver coins a day for the room, and Chu Baxing tried to bargain it down to six.
• Qin Siyang immediately accepted Chu Baxing's offer and confirmed that Zhao Longfei had recorded the deal, while Chu Xiaoang left with Zheng Cong in frustration.

Qin Siyang reserved rooms at the Guesthouse, learned about his upcoming Combat Arena match with Rong Xin, and questioned Hu Chan about how he escaped Yamamoto Taro. Hu Chan admitted he had disguised himself as a golden retriever, leaving Qin Siyang with a possible tactic against enemies with the same Sequence.

• Qin Siyang reserved rooms on the Tenth Floor for himself and his companions, then arranged a room for Chu Baxing the next day.
• Qin Siyang returned to his room, where Hu Chan explained that examining Zhang Yingrui's memories would take a few more days.
• Qin Siyang saw the School Forum post announcing that Rong Xin would fight him in the Combat Arena in three days.
• Qin Siyang questioned Hu Chan after learning that Hu Chan recognized Yamamoto Taro and had once been targeted by him.
• Hu Chan finally told Qin Siyang that he had escaped Yamamoto Taro by disguising himself as a golden retriever.

Qin Siyang arranged to have Zhang Yingrui and Yamamoto Taro’s memories read and prepared for a school hearing and another fight. Li Tianming warned him not to kill his second-year opponent, and Qin Siyang agreed to try to hold back.

• Qin Siyang explained to Hu Chan why he planned to demonstrate his strength by fighting someone the students knew, then ate the congee someone had ordered for him.
• Qin Siyang visited the Miracle Building, accepted potions from Hao Liang, and reluctantly promised to help find a Multi-Headed Weasel.
• Qin Siyang asked Li Tianming to arrange memory readings for Zhang Yingrui and Yamamoto Taro, and agreed to ask Principal Zhao for help when Li Tianming’s usual contact proved unreachable.
• Qin Siyang told Li Tianming he would attend the paper hearing and respond to whatever was thrown at him, while Li Tianming promised the professors would support him.
• Li Tianming warned Qin Siyang not to kill his second-year opponent, and Qin Siyang said he would try to hold back.

Qin Siyang brought Chu Baxing to the Guesthouse and tried to charge him six silver coins a day for a room, claiming his rising fame would make the rooms valuable. His pitch fell apart as other residents revealed they had received discounts or free rooms, leaving Chu Baxing increasingly skeptical.

• Qin Siyang left Li Tianming's laboratory, then learned that Zhao Longfei was away handling a drug deal and returned to the Guesthouse to meet Chu Baxing.
• Qin Siyang showed Chu Baxing a room and insisted that, as the owner of the floor, he could charge six silver coins a day.
• Yu Ziying revealed that he had paid only three silver coins a day for ninety days, forcing Qin Siyang to claim he had given Yu a discount for helping him.
• Zhao Sifang said he had moved into a room for free through his Second Uncle, and Qin Siyang explained that he had to respect the Zhao Family.
• Edward arrived with gifts to thank Qin Siyang for paying his rent, prompting Qin Siyang to cover his face and say that he was the one who should be thanking Edward.

Qin Siyang used Chu Baxing’s own strength-based logic to defend his choice to pay Edward, then Hu Chan asked him to arrange a trip to Nine Dragons College for a World Salvation Church Blessing Ceremony. The chapter ended with Hu Chan frustrated after Qin Siyang refused to bet on whether Principal Zhao would agree.

• Qin Siyang told Chu Baxing that the Guesthouse’s rules were his to make, and Chu Baxing vowed to prove Qin Siyang’s weakness another way.
• Hu Chan asked Qin Siyang what he would have done if Chu Baxing had checked out, and Qin Siyang said he would have exposed a recording of their deal.
• Hu Chan offered to make Qin Siyang a Holy Son if he supported the World Salvation Church, but Qin Siyang refused and demanded that Hu Chan first prove he could leave Nanrong University safely.
• Hu Chan explained that he needed to attend the Church’s Thursday Blessing Ceremony but feared leaving campus because Chris and Jin Shengyu might attack him.
• Hu Chan asked Qin Siyang to arrange for Zhao Longfei to take him to Nine Dragons College for the ceremony, but Qin Siyang refused to bet on whether Zhao Longfei would agree.

Qin Siyang arranged for Hu Chan to discuss holding a World Salvation Church prayer gathering at Nine Dragons College with Zhao Longfei. Zhao Longfei began assessing the proposal’s feasibility, but Qin Siyang interrupted when Hu Chan described the college’s ties to another church.

• Hu Chan told Qin Siyang that his prayer gathering was scheduled for Thursday, and Qin Siyang called Zhao Longfei to ask about holding it at Nine Dragons College.
• Zhao Longfei first rejected the idea of involving the university in Church business, then agreed to discuss Hu Chan’s plans after returning to Southern Glory.
• Qin Siyang spent the day waiting, messaging Wen Shu, and resting before Zhao Longfei summoned him and Hu Chan to his office.
• Hu Chan explained that Nine Dragons College had strong Church ties and that more than half its faculty and students had joined the Three Harmonies Church.
• Qin Siyang interrupted Hu Chan with a frown.

Qin Siyang learned how the Three Harmonies Church gained influence at Nine Dragons College and why its privileges threatened the balance in the Safe Zone. Hu Chan planned to use a Blessing Ceremony to establish a World Salvation Church foothold there, but he left Qin Siyang wondering how he would win over the students.

• Qin Siyang asked Zhao Longfei how the Three Harmonies Church had gained influence at Nine Dragons College, and Zhao explained that Principal Shao Xiaoju had encouraged the church to expand.
• Zhao Longfei recounted how he had once beaten and reported awakened Sequence Ability Users at Nine Dragons College after they caused trouble at Nanrong University.
• Hu Chan explained that church members had special legal privileges, including freedom to raise their sequence levels and face church-negotiated punishment for crimes.
• Hu Chan proposed holding a Blessing Ceremony at Nine Dragons College to open a World Salvation Church foothold and ease pressure on Zhao Longfei.
• Qin Siyang questioned how Hu Chan could win students over, and Hu Chan answered that a church relied on the human heart rather than material benefits.

Hu Chan explained to Qin Siyang that people valued many things besides self-interest, then defended the Church’s role in helping believers. After Qin Siyang and Zhao Longfei approved his Blessing Ceremony proposal, Hu Chan presented a detailed plan, impressing them both.

• Hu Chan told Qin Siyang that ordinary people could put justice, family, reputation, love, or others’ approval above self-interest.
• Hu Chan said the Church gave believers support and assistance, but Qin Siyang challenged him to consider what the people around him wanted.
• Qin Siyang approved Hu Chan’s approach to the Blessing Ceremony, and Zhao Longfei agreed.
• Hu Chan outlined his detailed ceremony plan to Qin Siyang and Zhao Longfei, answering their questions and preparing for contingencies.
• Qin Siyang and Zhao Longfei admired Hu Chan’s organizing ability, and Zhao Longfei remarked that orphans had always made heroes.

Qin Siyang agreed to help Hu Chan hold the World Salvation Church's Blessing Ceremony and arranged to have Zhao Longfei examine Zhang Yingrui and Yamamoto Taro's memories. Zhao Longfei then tasked him with housing Huo Dangkou, and Qin Siyang found a way to shift the costs onto Chu Baxing while advancing the Sequence Regiment takeover.

• Qin Siyang agreed to appear as the World Salvation Church's Good Fortune Ambassador at its Blessing Ceremony in exchange for two trips outside the Safe Zone with Hu Chan.
• Qin Siyang asked Hu Chan to hand Zhang Yingrui's body to Zhao Longfei after the memory examination, then gave Zhao Longfei Yamamoto Taro's body and requested copies of both men's memories.
• Zhao Longfei told Qin Siyang to settle Huo Dangkou into the Guesthouse next week and cover his expenses and daily care.
• Qin Siyang proposed putting Huo Dangkou in Chu Baxing's room and having him look after Huo Dangkou, then persuaded Commander Chu to agree.
• Commander Chu began submitting the independent designation application, and Qin Siyang left pleased that he had saved a room and sped up the takeover.

Qin Siyang spoke with Wen Shu about her plans to visit Nine Dragons College and wondered whether her gentle words hinted at affection for him. Their conversation was interrupted when Chu Baxing arrived and demanded a duel to the death.

• Qin Siyang met Wen Shu on her way back from the Library and discussed his irregular meals and her reading habits.
• Wen Shu told Qin Siyang she would visit Nine Dragons College with Gu Yunxuan, and he warned her to be cautious about the Han Character Legion.
• Qin Siyang returned to his room, replayed his conversation with Wen Shu, and felt pleased by her apparent affection.
• Chu Baxing came to Qin Siyang's door and ordered him to the Combat Arena for a duel in which one of them had to die.
• Qin Siyang tried to reason with Chu Baxing, who said he had wanted to kill Qin Siyang because Qin Siyang was always humiliating him.

Qin Siyang avoided Chu Baxing’s deadly duel challenge by calling Commander Chu, who ordered his son to stand down and reaffirmed his support for Qin Siyang’s arrangements for Huo Dangkou. Chu Baxing returned to his room in a rage, while Qin Siyang went to bed after spending two hours browsing the forum.

• Chu Baxing challenged Qin Siyang to a fight to the death at the Combat Arena, but Qin Siyang called Commander Chu instead.
• Qin Siyang complained that Chu Baxing had challenged him despite his efforts to help the Chu Character Legion and arrange for Huo Dangkou.
• Commander Chu realized Chu Baxing was angry about sharing a room with Huo Dangkou and ordered him to take the phone.
• Chu Baxing repeatedly agreed with his father, then left for room 1006 after Qin Siyang asked whether he still wanted to fight.
• Commander Chu assured Qin Siyang that the duel would not happen and said he supported the arrangements for Huo Dangkou.
• Qin Siyang ordered dinner, washed up, and spent two hours browsing the forum before putting down his phone.

Qin Siyang spent a quiet day at Nanrong University before preparing to fight Rong Xin in the Combat Arena. As he arrived early, he questioned two students about the crowd and learned that beating Rong Xin might earn him some respect, though stronger students could still cause trouble.

• Qin Siyang found Li Tianming and the other professors too busy with research to spend time with him, then left a meeting about the Crystal Coin issuance plan because he was uninterested.
• Qin Siyang rested through the day before the scheduled Combat Arena fight with Rong Xin.
• Qin Siyang checked the calendar, joked that it was a good day to cut down Rong Xin but a bad day to kill him, and went to the arena early.
• Qin Siyang questioned two students at the edge of the crowd and learned that students had returned to watch his debut fight because of his special admission terms.
• The students told Qin Siyang that beating Rong Xin could deter weaker challengers, while some stronger students might still stir up trouble; Qin Siyang asked whether juniors and seniors would challenge him.