Chapter Summaries

An Youlu confronted Ander and the Zone 1 leaders, arguing that Qin Siyang was draining them and demanding an all-or-nothing plan to stop him. Later, Royt told Manderson that Zhong Dingming had killed Jerry for revenge, and the two reflected on their own failure to avenge their dead companions.

• An Youlu recalled how Qian Wendao's rebuke and Ma Liangdong's courage made him recognize his own cowardice and resolve to stop holding back.
• An Youlu warned that Qin Siyang was wearing down Zone 1 and urged Ander to approve an all-or-nothing plan.
• Ander agreed to find a way, and the meeting ended in silence.
• Royt told Manderson that Zhong Dingming had killed Jerry to avenge Reincarnation Church followers betrayed by him.
• Manderson asked Royt whether he wanted revenge for Janice, Virgil, and Wang Zhongming, and both agreed they did not need to avenge Jerry.
• Manderson asked Royt whether they were like irredeemable villains in popular novels.

Royt admitted to Manderson that he wanted to kill Zhong Dingming to avenge Jerry, while Manderson warned him not to expose his identity and offered to handle it himself. Manderson also revealed that Ander had offered an alliance if he killed Qin Siyang, setting up a possible joint operation against Qian Wendao and the others.

• Manderson confronted Royt about using the other Guardians as an excuse to avenge Jerry, and Royt admitted he had no way to break through the evolutionary sequence domain.
• Royt insisted he would kill Zhong Dingming, but Manderson warned that doing so himself would expose his identity and offered to kill Zhong Dingming in his place.
• Manderson told Royt that Ander had offered to join forces with them if Manderson killed Qin Siyang.
• Manderson explained that Ander needed their help because Qin Siyang had surpassed Qin Yingguang, while Yu Jianyun and Fan Baoluo had distanced themselves from Ander.

Manderson persuaded Royt to help kill Qin Siyang, arguing that Qin Siyang’s growing influence threatened Ander, the Church, and Zone 1. After they parted, Manderson secretly recorded a message in case he died, while Qin Siyang felt uneasy about the day’s contradictory signs.

• Manderson explained to Royt why Ander wanted Qin Siyang killed before the next New Year’s Day and warned that Qin Siyang was rapidly uniting rival groups.
• Royt agreed that Qin Siyang had become a serious threat but urged Manderson to find another helper and gave him two life-saving Tier Five Artifacts.
• Manderson said he was confident he could defeat Qin Siyang, since he believed Qin Siyang was at most a top-tier sequence level eight and could not have learned the origin sequence path.
• After Manderson and Royt went separate ways, Manderson secretly activated a spherical artifact and recorded a message to Royt in case he died.
• Qin Siyang checked the Earth Calendar for January 26, 2011, noticed its contradictory signs, and felt uneasy as both his eyelids twitched.

Qin Siyang prepared for a possible battle while arranging a political and supply maneuver against the Heavenly Prosperity Research Institute. After discussing Vincent’s success in the Administration Department with Tang Wangong, he traveled in disguise to meet Yu Gu.

• Qin Siyang checked that Dueling Glory’s cooldown was nearly over and chose to save Profane Feast in case danger arose.
• Qin Siyang asked Tang Wangong to cut off the Heavenly Prosperity Research Institute’s resources, while planning to cover the other legions’ tool shortages with supplies from the Qin Character Legion.
• Tang Wangong reported that Vincent had increased State 7’s disc carapace collection by forty percent despite facing five assassination attempts.
• Qin Siyang and Tang Wangong agreed to exchange disc carapace for research materials and arrange for the Administration Department’s Research and Development Department to produce tools.
• Qin Siyang disguised himself, traveled through the Underground City, and identified himself as Yu Gu at another residence.

Qin Siyang recruited Yang Guanglie to help run his shops and build resources against Zone 1, then set out to meet Quan Taibin about mass-produced items. As Qin Siyang traveled underground, a powerful Sequence Skill caught up to his Drill Pod, and he recognized the Rainbow Light as Manderson’s.

• Qin Siyang met Yang Guanglie as [Yu Gu] and explained that he wanted help expanding his shops’ item-selling services.
• Yang Guanglie agreed to serve as a technical consultant after Qin Siyang promised the shops’ revenue would support resistance against Zone 1.
• Qin Siyang finalized the partnership, returned to the Underground City, and left the Safe Zone to meet Quan Taibin about mass-produced items.
• Qin Siyang spotted a red glow gaining on his Drill Pod underground and realized that someone was pursuing him with a Sequence Skill.
• Qin Siyang drove his Drill Pod to the surface and recognized the Rainbow Light behind him as Manderson.

Qin Siyang faced Manderson, the World-Destroying Church's First Envoy, who had been sent by Ander to kill him. After narrowly evading Manderson's deadly laser attacks, Qin Siyang charged straight at him, leaving Manderson wondering whether the apparent suicide attack concealed another purpose.

• Qin Siyang emerged from underground and discovered Manderson approaching, cutting off his route back to the Safe Zone.
• Qin Siyang questioned Manderson about how he had tracked him and who had ordered the attack, and Manderson admitted Ander had sent him.
• Manderson confessed he was not certain he could win, which convinced Qin Siyang that his opponent would fight cautiously and without fear of death.
• Qin Siyang used Flash Step and Feast Kingdom to evade Manderson's powerful laser attacks.
• Qin Siyang abruptly teleported through Manderson's Rainbow Light and threw a punch at close range.

Qin Siyang used the Nightmare Lantern Tree to incapacitate Manderson and struck him with a killing blow, but a Tier Five clay doll revived Manderson and strengthened his halo. Manderson blinded Qin Siyang with a wave of light, then attacked him as Qin Siyang tried to defend himself while sightless.

• Qin Siyang trapped Manderson with the Nightmare Lantern Tree’s skill and shattered the orange prison of light.
• Qin Siyang punched Manderson through the halo behind him, apparently killing him, but a clay doll took the fatal wound and shattered as Manderson revived.
• Manderson recovered with an even stronger halo, while Qin Siyang realized the clay doll was a life-saving Tier Five Artifact Royt had given him.
• Qin Siyang charged again and activated [Feast Kingdom], but Manderson created dozens of images and blinded him with intense yellow light.
• Qin Siyang raised a transformed silver needle to defend himself, then felt something blast through his chest and abdomen.

Qin Siyang blinded and gravely wounded Manderson, but Manderson survived using several protective relics and vanished from his perception. As Qin Siyang weakened, Manderson declared him beaten and asked for his last words.

• Qin Siyang swept his Long Spear through Manderson's duplicates, destroying their upper bodies, but lost his right leg and his sight in the clash.
• Qin Siyang sensed Manderson beginning to revive and attacked the sound, but Manderson evaded his spear and disappeared without leaving a trace in the wind.
• Manderson revealed that Qin Siyang had forced him to use two Tier Five [Nirvana Clay Idols] and shattered another protective tool, then praised Qin Siyang's combat strength.
• Qin Siyang challenged Manderson's decision to talk, and Manderson said Qin Siyang was blind, gravely wounded, and too weak to recover before an attack.
• Manderson asked Qin Siyang to leave his last words.

Qin Siyang fought Manderson despite his blindness and devastating injuries, but Manderson’s ranged attacks gradually wore him down. Manderson grew suspicious that Qin Siyang was stalling for another skill and decided to risk taking a hit to finish the fight.

• Qin Siyang sensed Manderson’s attack and lunged at him, but Manderson evaded and struck him with three purple beams, badly wounding his shoulder.
• Manderson revealed himself and repeatedly repositioned with Rainbow Light, cutting Qin Siyang down with low-cost beam attacks while Qin Siyang charged blindly and missed.
• Qin Siyang collapsed from his wounds but kept protecting his vital areas and using life-saving medicine, while Manderson continued attacking and grew exhausted.
• Manderson realized Qin Siyang might be stalling for the Nightmare Lantern Tree’s skill and decided that next time he would stop dodging, trade injuries, and end the fight.

Qin Siyang used a carefully concealed burst of strength to defeat Manderson with a devastating spear thrust. After Manderson briefly regenerated and asked to leave final words, Qin Siyang saw through the request and attacked again.

• Manderson launched attacks from dozens of Light-Shadow Clones, but Qin Siyang sensed the real attack and raised his spear.
• Qin Siyang combined [Origin Violence], [Vines Giant Strength], and [Dueling Glory] to deliver a strike that destroyed Manderson's body and armor.
• Manderson regenerated a translucent body with Rainbow Light and asked Qin Siyang to let him use a tool to leave his last words.
• Qin Siyang refused, explaining that Manderson's request was likely an attempt to expose his trump cards.
• Qin Siyang Flash Stepped toward Manderson and thrust again as Manderson murmured, "Royter, take care..."

Qin Siyang killed Manderson but collapsed after preparing his Drill Pod to reach Quan Taibin for help. At the Han Character Legion, Qin Yingguang told Han Huizhi that Qin Siyang had been killed by Manderson, and Han Huizhi verified the claim with a Lie Detector.

• Qin Siyang killed Manderson with a final spear thrust, collected Manderson's head and the clay doll fragments, and set the Drill Pod toward Quan Taibin's coordinates.
• Qin Siyang secured himself in the Drill Pod and passed out as his vital signs rapidly weakened.
• Yu Ziying discussed opening a United Merchants' Association branch with Han Huizhi, who left to take Qin Yingguang's call.
• Qin Yingguang ordered Han Huizhi to kill Yu Ziying and join him in attacking Area No. 4444, claiming Qin Siyang was dead.
• Han Huizhi doubted Qin Yingguang until he activated the Lie Detector and heard that Manderson had killed Qin Siyang outside the Safe Zone.

Han Huizhi learned that Manderson had gone after Qin Siyang and, believing Qin Siyang was near death, agreed to Qin Yingguang’s plan to attack Area No. 4444. To prove his allegiance, Han trapped Yu Ziying in a Tier Five Artifact and killed her, then hoped Qin Siyang would die before he could return.

• Han Huizhi examined Qin Siyang’s Crystal Coin and Vine Heart, which had lost their luster, but concluded Qin Siyang might still be alive.
• Qin Yingguang urged Han Huizhi to kill Yu Ziying and join an attack on Area No. 4444 before their enemies could prepare.
• Han Huizhi agreed to kill Yu Ziying as proof of his allegiance to Qin Yingguang.
• Han Huizhi transformed the Conference Room into a Tier Five spatial trap and imprisoned Yu Ziying inside.
• Han Huizhi twisted the room and severed Yu Ziying’s head, then wished for Qin Siyang to die.

With Qin Siyang unreachable, Edward and the Qin Character Special Army prepared for an attack by the Qin and Han Character Legions. Chu Baxing and the Zhao Family sent forces to defend Area No. 4444, and the Yan Character Legion was also reportedly on its way.

• Wang Deyou, She Haqiang, Wang Defa, and Wang Dezhong debated how to protect their troops while Qin Siyang was absent and the Qin Character Legion approached.
• Edward learned that the Han Character Legion's Ace Division was also marching toward Area No. 4444.
• Edward called Chu Baxing for help, and Chu Baxing sent an army, an Ace Division, and fortification units to defend the area.
• Zhao Sifang told Edward that the Zhao Family was already sending troops and promised supplies through the United Merchants' Association.
• Zhao Sifang reported that the Yan Character Legion was likely heading to help as well, leaving the Special Army expecting support from three forces.

Zhao Sifang faced defections from the United Merchants' Association as rumors spread that Qin Siyang had died, while unrest erupted at the Safe Zone exit in Area No. 7. He and Gu Yunpeng recognized that Qin Siyang's absence had emboldened enemies, and Zhao remained prepared for the possibility that Qin might not return.

• Zhao Sifang confronted association representatives and vice presidents who wanted to sell their shares and join Zoff and Kyle, but he insisted that Qin Siyang was still alive.
• Zhao Sifang agreed to buy back the defectors' shares himself and suspected that the rumors of Qin Siyang's death were part of a deliberate campaign.
• Gu Yunpeng told Zhao Sifang that wanted criminals and local thugs were attacking the Safe Zone exit in Area No. 7 to seize supplies and force their way into Sigma District.
• Gu Yunpeng said Zhao's relatives and other forces had gone to reinforce Qin's Military Camp, leaving him to suppress the attackers with Lister and Harrison.
• Zhao Sifang and Gu Yunpeng agreed that Qin Siyang's protection had kept dangerous people in check, and Zhao said he had already considered what would happen if Qin never returned.

Zhao Sifang and Gu Yunpeng discussed how much they owed Qin and worried about Hu Chan after Yu Ziying’s death. At the United Church headquarters, Hu Chan dismissed unrest among the followers and set out to confront Qin Yingguang.

• Zhao Sifang told Gu Yunpeng he did not regret joining Qin, though he wanted to marry Xuanxuan before fighting in Zone 1.
• Gu Yunpeng and Zhao Sifang said they could not reach Hu Chan and agreed to hold things together until Qin returned.
• Chris reported that the Chu Character Legion and Zhao Character Legion had sent troops to help the Qin Character Special Army, while branch churches demanded Zone 1 take control.
• Hu Chan refused to reinforce Area No. 4444, saying too few followers would risk their lives and that he would settle the traitors’ scores when Qin returned.
• Hu Chan ordered Chris to give half the United Church’s reserves to Zhao Sifang if he did not return, then left to stop Qin Yingguang.

Qin Yingguang failed to persuade Wei Rulai to join his attack on Qin Siyang’s forces, while Hu Chan gained Wei Rulai’s support for a plan targeting the leader. Wei Rulai’s troops then moved toward Qin Yingguang’s camp, and Qi Tian told Lin Yaman he would invade Zone 1 if Qin Siyang was dead.

• Qin Yingguang offered Wei Rulai a larger army in exchange for helping destroy Qin Siyang’s troops, but Wei Rulai rejected him.
• Hu Chan told Wei Rulai that the Chu and Zhao legions were already at Qin Siyang’s camp and proposed taking down the leader first.
• A scout reported that Wei Rulai’s vanguard was approaching the Qin Character Legion’s camp, disrupting Qin Yingguang’s plan to march out in full force.
• Lin Yaman asked the ailing Qi Tian to help guard Qin Siyang’s camp, but Qi Tian said he would invade Zone 1 if Qin Siyang was dead.

As the Safe Zone prepared for conflict while Qin Siyang remained missing, his consciousness entered a mysterious void where a giant crow and a white dove appeared. After they vanished, a surge of vitality pulled him back toward wakefulness, ending with his heart beating strongly.

• Yan Ran led her reorganized division into the Han Character Legion's flank to support the Qin Character Special Army with artillery fire.
• Qian Wendao handed Fan Baoluo the keys and authority over District 2 and the united Safe Zone as he, Olof, and Chu Zhongxiong moved their offices to the Hall of Hope to watch Zone 1.
• Qian Wendao asked Fan Baoluo to keep Minister Tang under watch after an assassin frightened him into hiding.
• Qin Siyang floated through a chaotic void above a golden road and saw a gigantic black crow and a white dove appear beside him.
• The crow and the dove exchanged words, then disappeared, and a surge of vitality carried Qin Siyang's consciousness away from the void as his heart began beating.

Qin Siyang woke in Quan Taibin’s laboratory after five or six days, but his curse had left him without legs and parts of his body still unrecovered. He shared major revelations and resources with Quan Taibin, then departed for the Safe Zone in a Drill Pod, leaving Quan Taibin stunned.

• Qin Siyang woke up in Quan Taibin’s room and discovered that his legs and other cursed body parts had not regrown.
• Qin Siyang learned he had been unconscious for five or six days and decided to return to the Safe Zone despite his condition.
• Qin Siyang explained the [Apocalypse Fragment], the Path of Self-Verification, and the dangers of the Path of the Believer to Quan Taibin.
• Qin Siyang gave Quan Taibin a Storage Box containing materials and the remains of a Tier Five Artifact, and revealed that Zhong Dingming had killed Guan Fuhai.
• Quan Taibin helped Qin Siyang into the Drill Pod, and Qin Siyang drove away toward the Safe Zone.

After returning to the Safe Zone, Qin Siyang discovered that rival factions had exploited his absence to threaten his allies and seize influence. He had Tang Wangong publish proof that he had killed Manderson, announcing his return to the Safe Zone’s power struggles.

• Qin Siyang returned to the Safe Zone and found messages reporting that Qin Chunchang and Han Huizhi were mobilizing against his forces in Area No. 4444, while merchants’ associations and the United Church faced pressure to defect.
• Qin Siyang learned that An Youlu was demanding mines and shares from Joint Mining in Zone 5, and that Zone 1’s Deputy Minister had tried to assassinate Tang Wangong.
• Qin Siyang realized Qian Wendao was occupied guarding Zone 1 and decided to act against the disorder that had spread during his absence.
• Qin Siyang called Tang Wangong and asked him to publish a post from the Administration Department.
• The post showed Qin Siyang holding Manderson’s severed head on the Heaven-Splitting Halberd and declared, “I’m back.”

Qin Siyang returned alive after killing Manderson, ending the Safe Zone’s upheaval and restoring his standing as its linchpin. After recovering, he went to collect the enormous bounty for Snake Cards Joker, Chen Xiao'en, from Zone 1.

• News and a photograph of Qin Siyang’s survival and Manderson’s death spread throughout the Safe Zone, shocking allies and enemies alike.
• An Youlu abandoned his attempt to seize Joint Mining’s mines, Qin Yingguang and Han Huizhi recalled the Qin-Han Army, and other factions retreated to their strongholds.
• Qin Siyang’s return reversed the Safe Zone’s unrest, prompting defectors to return to their former factions and wavering leaders to stand down.
• A team of elite physicians treated Qin Siyang, and he recovered enough to leave the ward after one day.
• Qin Siyang went to the United Government’s Administration Department to claim the bounty for Snake Cards Joker, Chen Xiao'en, from Zone 1.