Chapter Summaries

Qian Wendao revealed that Large Gods administered [Succession Trials] and explained how to pass the Sturgeon Crocodile’s trial to reach the Domain Sequence. After the meeting, Old Johnny and Qin Siyang questioned his decision to share the dangerous information so widely, but Qian Wendao insisted the threat of another invasion made it urgent.

• Qian Wendao explained that [Succession Trials] were tests administered by Large Gods and said the Sandworm's reward had seemed worthless until he learned the trials could lead beyond the Origin Sequence.
• Qian Wendao told the meeting that the nearby Sturgeon Crocodile offered a trial: participants had to enter its open mouth, endure its attacks without resisting, and let it kill them.
• Qian Wendao urged everyone to obtain [primordial starshine] and pass the trial so they could reach the Domain Sequence and fight back against their enemies.
• After the meeting, Old Johnny challenged Qian Wendao for announcing the trial to more than twenty people, while Qin Siyang warned that someone might murder their own people to advance.
• Qian Wendao said the invaders who had taken dozens of bodies might return at any time, and that he could not delay revealing the Domain Sequence.

Qian Wendao revealed that Old Johnny was Zhang Yang and argued that his desire to be a respected hero made him trustworthy, while Qin Siyang wondered why he was being told this now. Later, Qin Siyang found the Green-Haired Great-Horned Bison Herd with unusual ease and suspected the Large Gods were guiding him toward a plan, though he believed Sturgeon Crocodile meant to help him.

• Old Johnny complained that Qian Wendao’s plans could get him killed, but Qian Wendao said Old Johnny would not betray him because he still wanted to be a hero.
• Qian Wendao revealed Old Johnny’s identity as Zhang Yang to Qin Siyang, prompting Old Johnny to accuse him of deliberately embarrassing him.
• Qin Siyang reflected on the former enemies’ bond and suspected Qian Wendao was suggesting Old Johnny could be trusted as a companion.
• After his meetings, Qin Siyang piloted the Capsule Pod out of the Safe Zone to search the Giant Ridge for the bison herd.
• Qin Siyang quickly found the Green-Haired Great-Horned Bison Herd and wondered whether the Large Gods had coordinated events to steer him toward Sturgeon Crocodile’s doubled Domain Master reward.

Qin Siyang fought the giant cattle with repeated spear thrusts, driving them back until their defense changed and the herd fused into a colossal bovine. The large god revealed itself and struck Qin Siyang down with its gaze.

• Qin Siyang activated [Origin Rampage Banquet Field] and used a powerful spear thrust to drive the charging cattle back.
• Qin Siyang landed five more full-force thrusts, forcing the herd nearly a thousand meters down the ridge.
• Qin Siyang's sixth and seventh thrusts failed to move the cattle, so he leapt into the air to inspect them.
• Qin Siyang watched the giant cattle merge into a single enormous bovine, revealing the large god.
• The giant bovine fixed its fiery eyes on Qin Siyang and hurled him toward the ground.

Qin Siyang passed the first stage of the Sacred Giant Bull’s [Succession Trial] and learned he could risk continuing for a greater reward. Despite the danger and the loss of the first-stage reward if he failed, he chose the second stage and was immediately crushed into the ground by immense force.

• Qin Siyang recovered from the Blue-Haired Bull’s attack and confirmed that his Crimson Armor remained intact.
• The Sacred Giant Bull told Qin Siyang he had passed the first stage of its [Succession Trial] and could claim its reward or continue.
• Qin Siyang learned that the trial could only be attempted once and that failure in the second stage would forfeit the first-stage reward.
• Qin Siyang weighed the danger against the chance of receiving the Power Bull’s useful reward and chose to continue to the second stage.
• The Sacred Giant Bull’s eyes turned golden, and a tremendous force slammed Qin Siyang into the ground.

Qin Siyang survived Power Bull’s second Succession Trial stage, which tested whether he could withstand a crushing blow, and learned that a third stage offered a reward a hundred times greater than the first. He left the choice unresolved, knowing the next trial was intended for the strongest Domain Sequence ability users and could prove fatal.

• Power Bull’s attack crushed Qin Siyang beneath compacted rock, breaking his bones and mangling his body, but his Crimson Armor repaired him after he escaped.
• Qin Siyang recovered with medicine and confirmed that surviving Power Bull’s attack meant he had passed the second stage and earned its advanced reward.
• Qin Siyang realized Power Bull had not changed forms and pressed him about whether a third trial stage existed.
• Power Bull revealed that the third stage was meant for the strongest Domain Sequence ability users and had a very low pass rate.
• Power Bull explained that each stage’s reward was ten times the previous one, leaving Qin Siyang tempted by the hundredfold reward but uncertain he could survive the third stage.

Qin Siyang chose to attempt the third stage of the Succession Trial, despite the giant bull’s fears that it would kill him. After loading himself with powerful drugs, he attacked the air overhead before the trial began, but the bull’s strike distorted the world and stopped his spear.

• The giant bull urged Qin Siyang to take his second-stage reward and leave, but Qin Siyang insisted on attempting the third stage.
• Qin Siyang confirmed he was fully recovered and asked for time to prepare before the giant bull began the trial.
• Qin Siyang swallowed a collection of powerful drugs and asked the giant bull to count down from three.
• As the countdown began, Qin Siyang unleashed a rapid series of spear thrusts overhead, tearing up the surrounding plants with the resulting winds.
• The giant bull resumed the countdown, and when it reached one, the world flattened around Qin Siyang and his spear thrusts abruptly stopped.

Qin Siyang tried to survive the giant bull’s third-stage assessment by repeatedly thrusting his spear to counter the crushing force. The giant bull believed Qin Siyang had died, but a faint crack from the abyss left his fate uncertain.

• Qin Siyang endured the third-stage force by continuously thrusting his spear, relying on potions and support from Hao Liang, Chen Fenghe, Zhao Fengjun, Zuo You, and the others to keep moving.
• The assessment’s force destroyed the mountaintop and drove Qin Siyang deep underground as his body failed and his senses disappeared.
• The giant bull assumed Qin Siyang had been crushed and regretted that he had attempted an assessment no human could pass.
• The giant bull reflected on Qin Siyang’s talent and his own misfortune, then heard a faint crack from the abyss.
• The giant bull rushed to the abyss and stared tensely into its depths.

Qin Siyang survived the third-stage trial and recovered from his catastrophic injuries, then met Power Bull after passing the Succession Trial. Power Bull praised Qin Siyang’s decision to continue, revealing that he was the first person to pass the third-stage trial.

• Qin Siyang’s injuries began healing as the medicines he had taken restored his body and Crimson Armor.
• Qin Siyang woke in the abyss, met Power Bull in his smaller form, and realized he had passed the Succession Trial.
• Qin Siyang thanked Power Bull and admitted he had nearly died by continuing the trial.
• Qin Siyang explained that people should act before fear of failure stops them and reflect afterward to learn from mistakes.
• Power Bull told Qin Siyang that his choice was brilliant because he was the first person to pass the third-stage trial.

After passing the third stage of the Sacred Power Bull’s Succession Trial, Qin Siyang learned that he was the first to do so and that his Domain Master identity was extremely important. He discovered his reward would boost his physical attributes a thousandfold in other evolutionary sequence domains, but realized their suppression of outsiders might still prevent him from attacking effectively.

• The Sacred Power Bull warned Qin Siyang that nobody else was likely to pass even the second stage of its trial, and refused to help defend against invaders because Large Gods could not attack humans first.
• Qin Siyang asked about his Domain Master identity and inferred from the Sacred Power Bull’s answer that he had to stay alive for the sake of the Safe Zone and those close to him.
• The Sacred Power Bull revealed that Qin Siyang’s reward would increase all his physical attributes a thousandfold when he fought inhabitants of another evolutionary sequence domain.
• Qin Siyang realized that the Power Bull’s subtle gestures confirmed his suspicion that outsiders were weakened in foreign domains despite receiving the combat boost.
• Qin Siyang concluded that a domain’s constant suppression of outsiders might overwhelm his thousandfold boost, leaving him unsure whether he could fight effectively on enemy territory.

Qin Siyang realized the Power Bull’s Hundredfold Reward could not overcome the suppression of hostile Evolutionary Sequence Domains, so he abandoned plans to raid their strongholds. After learning that several Large Gods had left Earth, the Power Bull warned Qin Siyang not to attack him if they met again, and Qin Siyang rested in the abyss.

• Qin Siyang concluded that the Power Bull’s reward multiplied his own strength but did not cancel environmental suppression, and he gave up on attacking other Evolutionary Sequence Domains.
• Qin Siyang told the Power Bull that the Feather Eagle, Sacred Green Vine, Sacred Sandworm, Sacred Rock Core Being, and Sacred Begonia Salamander had left Earth, prompting the Power Bull to suspect Qin Siyang was involved.
• The Power Bull told Qin Siyang he would not react if they met again unless Qin Siyang attacked first, in which case he would fight to kill him.
• The Power Bull sent Qin Siyang back to the abyss, where Qin Siyang rested with his injuries and reflected that he could only see the sky from the bottom of a well.

The Sturgeon Crocodiles and Red Carp confronted the Power Bull after four people passed the Sturgeon Crocodiles’ Succession Trial using the method Qin Siyang had revealed. The Power Bull offered to compensate them double for their losses and hinted that Qin Siyang had achieved something extraordinary in his own trial.

• The Sturgeon Crocodile told the Power Bull that four people from the Eighth Domain had passed the brothers’ Succession Trial, costing them five rewards in one day.
• The Red Carp and Sturgeon Crocodiles complained that Qin Siyang had exposed their trial methods and questioned whether they should keep helping him.
• The Power Bull said he would continue helping Qin Siyang and promised to repay the other clans double for their lost rewards when they returned to the Star Sea.
• The Power Bull revealed that Qin Siyang had passed his Succession Trial, which had three increasingly difficult stages.
• The Sturgeon Crocodile realized from the Power Bull’s smug expression that Qin Siyang might have passed the second stage, and the Power Bull burst into laughter.

Power Bull revealed that Qin Siyang had passed all three stages of his [Succession Trial], prompting Sturgeon Crocodile and Red Carp to reconsider their support for the Eighth Domain. The two remained unconvinced when Power Bull claimed Qin Siyang had passed the third stage.

• Red Carp and Sturgeon Crocodile questioned Power Bull about how Qin Siyang survived the second stage, and Power Bull said Qin’s Domain-level physique, Junior Growth Artifact armor, and potent medicine had helped him endure it.
• Power Bull explained that the Eighth Domain’s large population and rapid development had produced advanced artifacts, and Sturgeon Crocodile and Red Carp agreed to keep supporting Qin Siyang.
• Power Bull boasted that Sturgeon Crocodile and Red Carp would gain a life-changing opportunity by backing Qin Siyang, while Sturgeon Crocodile warned that he might leave if the investment failed.
• Sturgeon Crocodile said he would consider a major gamble if Qin Siyang had passed the third stage, and Power Bull confirmed that he had.
• Sturgeon Crocodile and Red Carp reacted with bewilderment, and one Sturgeon Crocodile accused Power Bull of taking them for gullible calves.

Power Bull convinced the Red Carp and Sturgeon Crocodile families that the Eighth Domain's Domain Master had passed his third-stage trial and was worth backing. After they agreed to join his gamble, Power Bull left to erase the trial's traces before the Succession Envoy noticed.

• Power Bull explained that Qin Siyang had survived his lethal third-stage trial by using an Intermediate Growth Artifact and relentless attacks, but Red Carp and Sturgeon Crocodile accused him of making it up.
• Power Bull argued that Qin Siyang must have obtained the artifact through legitimate channels, and told the others to ask the Succession Envoy if they wanted more details.
• A Red Carp inspected the damaged trial site and reported that the destruction supported Power Bull's account, persuading the two families to believe him and join his bet.
• Power Bull left to erase the trial traces, warning that the Succession Envoy might punish him if anyone found them.
• After Power Bull departed, the Red Carp and Sturgeon Crocodile discussed how decent he had been to share the opportunity with them.

On New Year's Day, Qin Siyang oversaw a tense but controlled Sigma District, where crime had surged after the Outsiders' invasion undermined residents' hopes. He joined Gu Yunpeng for a parade through the district, beginning with a visit to the Execution Grounds.

• Qin Siyang grumbled over the day's calendar, dressed for the New Year's celebrations, and traveled to the United Government Building in the Sigma District.
• The chapter described how criminals in the Sigma District had resumed their crimes after losing hope in the face of the Outsiders, but stabilization forces quickly crushed their uprising.
• The United Government built an imposing headquarters and an execution site to demonstrate its authority and deter further crime.
• Rumors of the Execution Squad's brutal methods frightened would-be criminals, while the government publicly maintained that executions used a single fatal shot.
• Qin Siyang prepared to ride through the Sigma District with Gu Yunpeng, and their first stop was the Execution Grounds.

On New Year's Day, Qin Siyang and Gu Yunpeng brought Huan Kai to the Execution Grounds to be executed for spreading the Life-Substitution Lamp technique and causing countless deaths. They had chosen the date to honor Gu Weiyang on the anniversary of his death, since their duties kept them from visiting his grave.

• Liu Dao Wu told the Woman that Qin Siyang had hired him to kill an unnamed prisoner, and she encouraged him to take the job and seek a tip.
• The United Government announced that Huan Kai, a World-Destroying Church guardian responsible for spreading the Life-Substitution Lamp, had been captured and would be executed.
• Qin Siyang and Duan Chongfang captured Huan Kai after Huo Dangkou reported his World-Destroying Church activities.
• Qin Siyang and Gu Yunpeng escorted Huan Kai to the Execution Grounds as crowds gathered outside.
• Qin Siyang and Gu Yunpeng watched the Execution Squad take Huan Kai inside, having chosen Gu Weiyang's death anniversary for the execution.

Qin Siyang oversaw Huan Kai’s agonizing execution and led New Year’s celebrations across Sigma District, distributing copper coins, Sequence Potions, and discounted goods. Afterward, he and Gu Yunpeng uncovered signs that people were leaving the Safe Zone to wait for invaders and guide them inside.

• After the public execution announcement, Liu Dao Wu used Qin Siyang’s Tier Three blade to begin torturing the immobilized Huan Kai to death.
• Qin Siyang and Gu Yunpeng handed out copper coins to poor residents during their parade through the civilian quarter.
• At the garrison camp, Qin Siyang gave soldiers Sequence Potions as New Year’s gifts, earning their salute.
• Qin Siyang offered one discounted item per person at his Underground City shop and warned against scalpers.
• Back at the United Government’s office, Gu Yunpeng told Qin Siyang that some people had left the Safe Zone and were staying outside rather than returning.
• Gu Yunpeng concluded that the people outside were waiting to guide invading outsiders into the Safe Zone.

Qin Siyang and Gu Yunpeng arranged to arrest Sigma District residents suspected of helping the invaders, then used interrogations to uncover their crimes. The executions curbed the remaining would-be traitors and left Qin Siyang’s reputation more fearsome than Yu Gu’s.

• Qin Siyang and Gu Yunpeng agreed to arrest people who had spent more than five days outside the Safe Zone without gathering much disc carapace, and Qin Siyang assigned Minister Sun’s subordinates to interrogate them.
• Duan Chongfang led the newly formed Arrest Team out of the Safe Zone and brought 352 suspects to the Sigma District Justice Department.
• Department of Justice interrogators found that most suspects planned to guide the invaders or defect to them, and uncovered extensive criminal records among all 352.
• Qin Siyang’s forces paraded the death-row criminals through the streets and executed them, listing attempted betrayal of the Safe Zone among their charges.
• The executions made other would-be traitors in Sigma District hesitate, while residents saw Qin Siyang as more ruthless than Yu Gu.

The chapter described how the expanded Exile Act drove imprisoned Sequence Ability Users into the deadly Giant Ridge, where criminals fought for a chance to hunt gods and return to the Safe Zone. Chen Gongrang reflected on his past failures and began working toward redemption by killing Medium Gods, but a stranger’s question about his family’s influence hinted at new trouble.

• The United Government expanded the Exile Act, allowing imprisoned Sequence Ability Users to shorten their sentences by returning with a required quota of god remains.
• Exiled criminals fought one another for opportunities to hunt Medium Gods, turning Giant Ridge into a deadly battleground.
• Chen Gongrang reconsidered his arrogance and recognized how his father’s support had shaped his past success.
• Chen Gongrang stored the corpse of a Vegetable-Feather Frog and estimated that he could return to the Safe Zone by midyear after killing six Medium Gods.
• A nearby voice asked whether Chen Gongrang was the only son of a high-ranking Safe Zone official.

Chen Gongrang was confronted by invaders from other Safe Zones, who offered to make him Secretary-General if he led them to Qian Wendao. He questioned their promises as they waited for his answer.

• Chen Gongrang spotted Hua Yongsheng among a group of more than twenty unfamiliar people and tried to flee.
• The group surrounded Chen Gongrang and identified him as Governor Chen’s son.
• A young woman offered Chen Gongrang leadership of the Safe Zone if he cooperated with them.
• The young woman told Chen Gongrang to take them to Secretary-General Qian Wendao so they could kill him and his allies.
• Chen Gongrang asked how he could trust their offer, and a burly man insisted they had no need to lie to him.

Chen Gongrang negotiated with a group of powerful outsiders who wanted him to lead them to Qian Wendao so they could kill the Safe Zone’s Secretary-General and put Chen in his place. The group killed Hua Yongsheng to search his memories, but the United Government’s safeguard destroyed his brain, leaving the outsiders angry at Chen’s warning that came too late.

• The young woman told Chen Gongrang that killing Qian Wendao was essential to their plan and that they wanted Chen to guide them to his location.
• Chen Gongrang proposed first checking a place where Qian might be, then contacting a friend if they did not find him there.
• Chen Gongrang suggested Hua Yongsheng could obtain working phones, and Hua pleaded with the outsiders to spare him and offered to help.
• The burly man killed Hua Yongsheng and ordered Old Liu to search his memories with a Metal Glove.
• Hua Yongsheng’s head exploded when Old Liu approached, and Chen Gongrang explained that the United Government had implanted safeguards in exiles’ brains.
• The burly man blamed Chen Gongrang for not warning them, and Chen angrily retorted that the group had killed Hua before he could finish speaking.