Chapter Summaries

Xianyu and Cangcheng’s leaders visited the Forest of Utmost Loyalty, where Jingliu and the schoolchildren honored the dead. On the return trip, Hua and Marty compared what Xianyu had given them, leaving Hua stunned by the difference in their fortunes.

• A teacher escorted selected students to the Forest of Utmost Loyalty while a Cloud Knight driver helped the convoy avoid delays and joked about the general’s security measures.
• Cangcheng’s general nervously prepared to receive Xianyu, then escorted him to the memorial as he accepted a child’s flowers and watched Hua, Marty, Lan, and the others pay their respects.
• Xianyu allowed people to return to Cangcheng despite restrictions imposed during the Abundance Emanator Disaster.
• Jingliu saw the medals on the general’s uniform and reflected that becoming a Cloud Knight might be worthwhile after learning what the memorial tablets represented.
• Hua and Marty compared Xianyu’s gifts, and Hua learned that Marty had received enormous sums while her guardian had kept her allowance small.

Xianyu prepared to leave Cangcheng with Akivili, bringing the captured Shuhu along as a potted plant for the Astral Express. After settling aboard, he called Hua and asked whether he had given her enough love, leaving her braced for another difficult conversation.

• Marty told Hua and Xianyu that he and Hua had gotten along wonderfully, and Hua reluctantly confirmed it.
• After receiving a message, Xianyu welcomed Shuhu, slapped him, and wondered aloud whether Shuhu's pain could please him before deciding to take him to the Astral Express.
• Xianyu learned that Akivili had arrived, changed into his white coat, and told his subordinate to put Shuhu in a flowerpot.
• Lan shared some of his divine power with Xianyu, and Akivili joined him on his journey after Xianyu wished to see the sights of the Starsea together.
• Xianyu and Akivili boarded the Astral Express, where Xianyu handed Shuhu over to Pom-Pom and settled into his room.
• Xianyu called Hua and asked whether he had given her enough love over the years, making her suspect that another awkward conversation was beginning.

Hua learned that Xianyu was leaving the Xianzhou Alliance to her, while Xianyu joined the Astral Express and met its new Nameless, Bacchus. The chapter ended with Bacchus repeating a scandalous rumor about the Xianzhou Marshal and several Aeons as Xianyu and Akivili listened in horror.

• Xianyu told Hua that he was leaving the Xianzhou Alliance to her as his final gift, then ended their call and left her stunned and furious.
• Akivili explained to Pom-Pom that their friend Eric Fish struggled with post-traumatic stress and asked Pom-Pom to look after him aboard the Express.
• Akivili and Pom-Pom agreed that Eric, Akivili, and the new Nameless would work together, then Akivili went to invite Eric to meet the crew.
• Xianyu met Bacchus, who tearfully said he had no parents after Xianyu commented on his mythological name.
• Akivili reassured Xianyu that the Express welcomed all Nameless and told him they would share cooking duties with Bacchus.
• Bacchus told the Nameless a rumor that the Xianzhou Marshal had been intimate with several Aeons and had a child with one, leaving Xianyu and Akivili speechless.

Xianyu resisted Aha’s attempts to provoke him aboard the Astral Express, then joined Akivili on a journey with Bacchus. The chapter ended with Bacchus asking for a truce after Xianyu turned his own childish act back on him.

• Xianyu refused to fight Bacchus over his fabricated stories about the Xianzhou Marshal and countered with an invented rumor about Aha.
• Bacchus visited Xianyu’s room, discussed people’s dependence on miraculous systems, and returned Xianyu’s book after Xianyu called him a good boy.
• Xianyu continued helping Hua with Xianzhou affairs and tending his potted plant before choosing to travel with Akivili.
• Bacchus tried to turn the Nameless against Xianyu by mocking his expensive clothes and pressuring him to buy things, but Xianyu ignored his provocations.
• Xianyu volunteered to travel with Bacchus, who eventually stopped and asked for a truce.

Xianyu and Bacchus gathered information on a troubled planet before Akivili and the Nameless intervened, and Xianyu’s practical preparations helped the group survive as wanted fugitives. On the rooftop, Akivili urged Xianyu to rest and then asked why he had not become a god, prompting Xianyu to suspect he would become an evil god like Nanook.

• Xianyu teased Bacchus and sent him to gather information from locals, who revealed their rulers’ harmful policies and suffering.
• Bacchus collected local specialties while Xianyu drafted a reconstruction plan, then Xianyu passed the goods off to the Nameless as Bacchus’s contribution.
• Akivili led the Nameless to take action, while Xianyu stayed at the inn and Bacchus spent time with local youths; three days later, they became wanted fugitives.
• Xianyu used a gemstone brooch to obtain a hidden courtyard for the group, helping the Nameless recognize his preparations and let go of their prejudices.
• Akivili took Xianyu aside and insisted he had invited him to rest, not work, then asked why he had not ascended to godhood.
• Xianyu privately blamed his incompatible power system and wondered if becoming a god would make him an evil Aeon like Nanook.

Xianyu helped Akivili and the Nameless resolve a planet’s crisis, then amused himself by coaching Bacchus and evaluating a stranger’s dating profile. The chapter left Xianyu back at the victory feast after contacting Guan Liang about the surveillance and Shuhu aboard the Astral Express.

• Akivili and the Nameless withdrew the wanted notices and overthrew the incompetent ruler, and Akivili proudly reunited with Xianyu.
• Xianyu recorded Bacchus praising Akivili, critiqued his performance, and polished the wording of Akivili’s wanted history into a résumé.
• Xianyu warned a Nameless that his sister’s prospective date might have been a former prisoner, and Bacchus asked Xianyu to teach him in exchange for meals.
• Bacchus cooked for the victory feast despite Xianyu’s extensive list of disliked ingredients, and Xianyu made him eat most of a suspicious shredded-ginger dish.
• Xianyu spotted a sniper and called Guan Liang, who discussed the surveillance, Hua’s attempt to bring Xianyu back, and Xianyu’s time with Shuhu.
• Akivili and Bacchus joined Xianyu at the feast, where Bacchus revealed that the prospective date had been a shut-in, divorced three times, and imprisoned.

Guan Liang learned that Marty had secretly added health-monitoring and recording functions to the Marshal’s Neutron Gun, then negotiated shared access to the data. Meanwhile, Xianyu, Akivili, and Bacchus’s escalating pranks culminated in Pom-Pom ordering them to make up, and the chapter ended with Bacchus lying on the Data Bank floor as Xianyu claimed they had reconciled.

• Guan Liang discovered that Marty had secretly modified the Marshal’s Neutron Gun to record her condition and location, then secured shared access to its data and the Jade Abacus.
• Bacchus asked Xianyu what kind of woman he liked, and Xianyu said he wanted someone who would take him away from a banquet.
• Akivili and Bacchus left Xianyu as collateral at a restaurant, where he ignored their matchmaking scheme and helped the owner’s daughter with a math problem.
• Bacchus tried to desensitize Xianyu to compliments, but Xianyu retaliated by joking that Bacchus was worth less than a hundred Credits, starting their ongoing feud.
• Pom-Pom ordered Xianyu and Bacchus to hold hands and make up; Akivili joined them in the Data Bank, where laughter soon brought Pom-Pom rushing in to find Bacchus sprawled on the floor.
• Xianyu told Pom-Pom that he and Bacchus had made up and invited the Conductor to look more closely.

Akivili and Bacchus caused trouble aboard the Astral Express, while Xianyu helped resolve the resulting Snouter infestation and dealt with Chenzhen’s efforts to prolong the train’s repairs. After the Nameless departed, Bacchus decided to stir up more trouble.

• Akivili teamed up with Bacchus against Xianyu, then helped Bacchus buy 250 baby Snouters that multiplied and flooded the Astral Express.
• Xianyu gave Akivili coordinates for a nearby planet where the crew could replace the train’s fittings, and Akivili arranged homes for the Snouters.
• Chenzhen arrived with Artisanship Commission workers and Cloud Knights, then extended the repairs while urging Xianyu to let the Xianzhou rule more of the universe.
• Xianyu checked on Hua, got her to send him one billion Strales, returned the money, and added four hours to his work schedule.
• Chenzhen’s team finished the Astral Express modifications after another half month, and the Nameless resumed their journey.
• Bacchus decided to look for more fun and wondered which of two opposing forces would prevail.

Bacchus tricked the Astral Express into crashing through one of Qlipoth’s creations, causing minor injuries but leaving the train intact. As the Nameless gathered for a group photo beside the breach, Qlipoth appeared beside the Express.

• Bacchus secretly entered the driver’s cab and set the Astral Express on a collision course despite Akivili’s warning.
• The Express struck Qlipoth’s creation, and Xianyu found fragments of it and the Imaginary Tree on the System Map before asking Hua to send people.
• Akivili treated the injured Nameless and confronted Bacchus, while Xianyu prepared to punish him as well.
• The Nameless celebrated surviving the crash and posed for a group photo with Akivili, Bacchus, and Pom-Pom.
• As Xianyu took the photo, Qlipoth appeared beside the Astral Express.

The Nameless took photos with Qlipoth after the Aeon repaired the Subspace Crystal Wall, while Xianyu and Akivili celebrated the encounter aboard the Astral Express. Three days later, Pom-Pom learned that Xianyu’s idea of a rich person’s gift was giving them shares in the Interastral Peace Corporation, along with a glimpse of his powerful connections.

• Xianyu helped the Nameless photograph themselves with Qlipoth, who had paused after Akivili apologized for the Astral Express damaging his creation.
• Akivili scolded Bacchus for his prank and then thanked Qlipoth, who left without speaking to him.
• Xianyu posted a photo with Akivili and Qlipoth, and Zandar invited him to visit and see interesting things.
• After Akivili led most of the Nameless away on their journey, a visitor offered Xianyu an enormous sum in credits, but Xianyu turned him away.
• A second guest offered Xianyu shares in the Interastral Peace Corporation and had Pom-Pom sign a share transfer agreement benefiting the Nameless and the Galaxy Rangers.
• The guest declared his family’s loyalty to Xianyu and asked why he fell short of Hua, leaving Pom-Pom stunned.

Xianyu persuaded Pom-Pom to accept one percent of the Interastral Peace Corporation’s shares for the Nameless and secretly planned to leave the rest to Akivili. As Akivili returned carrying golden Fruit from the Aeon of abundance, they worried about Xianyu’s isolation and sought advice from the Aeon of Erudition.

• Xianyu rejected a family’s attempt to bind themselves to him, then explained to Pom-Pom that the Astral Express deserved a share of the Corporation’s wealth.
• Pom-Pom agreed to accept one percent of the Corporation’s shares for the Nameless, while Xianyu decided to leave the remaining shares to Akivili.
• Xianyu tried to make amends for his secret plan by preparing food for Pom-Pom, who told him Akivili’s birthday was approaching.
• Akivili returned to the Express carrying golden Fruit from the Aeon of abundance, and Xianyu told them to store it safely away from children.
• Akivili asked Pom-Pom whether Xianyu had been socializing, then contacted the Aeon of Erudition for advice about his loneliness.

Akivili consulted Zandar about Eric’s emotional detachment and arranged calming herbs while celebrating their birthday with the Nameless and Eric’s gift. The chapter ended with Bacchus realizing that Eric’s promised destination was a place he could not take him.

• Akivili contacted Zandar, who profiled Eric as emotionally guarded and recommended space, calming herbs, and a sedative if needed.
• Akivili received herbs through Guan Liang and celebrated their birthday with the Nameless, opening Eric’s captain-themed gift and making a wish.
• Xianyu gave Bacchus an IOU for ten billion strales as his birthday gift, then spoke with Hua about her future coming-of-age ceremony and promised to try to attend.
• Xianyu told Bacchus he wanted to take him and Akivili to a place where they could explore the essence of the world, and Bacchus replied that he could not take him there.

Xianyu’s time aboard the Astral Express continued as Akivili secretly helped manage his health and the Nameless dealt with a disastrous romance. After Xianyu agreed to return to the Luofu for the annual meeting and birthday celebrations, Bacchus hinted that he had left a present in Xianyu’s room.

• Bacchus indirectly revealed his identity to Xianyu by calling him his best friend, then fled when Xianyu said nothing.
• Akivili secretly gave Xianyu medicated tea and coordinated with Zandar and Guan Liang, while Xianyu’s condition gradually improved.
• Xianyu persuaded a Nameless to block her unfaithful lover by warning that the relationship would ruin her finances.
• Akivili agreed to travel with Xianyu to the Luofu for Hua’s birthday and the annual meeting, while Bacchus searched the carriage for something.
• Xianyu told Guan Liang he could take a few more months of leave, and Guan Liang said his formalwear was ready for the Luofu.
• Bacchus told Xianyu he had left a birthday present in his room and invited him to see it.

Xianyu survived Aha’s bombing attempt and used Mirror Flower, Water Moon to try to learn the secret of the tree from Bacchus, but Bacchus resisted and Akivili intervened. After Akivili reprimanded them both, Xianyu waited for treatment, badly injured.

• Xianyu saw through Bacchus’s planned surprise and followed him to his room, while a bomb and fires triggered alarms across the Astral Express.
• Akivili organized the Nameless and went to confront Bacchus as Xianyu watched him recover from the blast.
• Xianyu used Mirror Flower, Water Moon to hypnotize Bacchus and asked him about the tree’s secret, but Bacchus broke free after touching Xianyu’s blood.
• Akivili entered, seized Bacchus, and scolded him and Xianyu for endangering the planet and themselves.
• Akivili and Pom-Pom arrived later to treat Xianyu, who could not lift his arms, and Akivili began tending to him alone.

Akivili left the Express for Yaoqing, worried that Eric’s blood could be exploited and determined to keep him from learning the truth. Meanwhile, Guan Liang discovered evidence of the Marshal’s encounter with Shuhu and tried to summon the Cloud Knights, only to find that the Marshal had suspended him.

• Akivili asked Pom-Pom to watch over the injured Eric, then went to Yaoqing to speak with Hua and decided to seek Guan Liang’s help instead.
• Eric asked to use Akivili’s room while Pom-Pom cleaned his damaged quarters, and Pom-Pom later realized the potted plant was missing.
• Akivili suggested using Fenghuang Down to erase Eric’s memories, but Hua said she did not have it.
• Marty showed Guan Liang two recordings from the Marshal’s Neutron Gun, including one of Shuhu kneeling as the Marshal fed him fruit.
• Guan Liang tried to send Cloud Knights to retrieve the Marshal, but his Jade Abacus showed that the Marshal had suspended him from the Xianzhou Alliance.

Guan Liang was suspended for helping protect the Marshal’s departure, while Akivili learned that Guan Liang had taken the Marshal’s clothes. Xianyu uncovered the truth behind his system and broke down over his failures and the cost of his choices, leaving Akivili to comfort him.

• A Ten Judge took Guan Liang’s Jade Abacus and suspended him for three weeks, forbidding him from contacting Hua or Mountain Breeze.
• Guan Liang asked Marty to reassure the former Cauldron Master that he was fine and had only taken the Marshal’s clothes.
• Marty told Akivili what Guan Liang had done, and Akivili returned to the Express questioning whether he should seek help from Lan instead.
• Akivili found that Xianyu had broken his door and repaired the lock while Xianyu called Hua about Guan Liang’s punishment.
• Xianyu realized that his system’s debuffs and rewards had concealed the extraordinary properties of his blood and that he had failed to protect his subordinates.
• Xianyu broke down under Akivili’s hat as he grieved his choices and prepared to leave the Xianzhou, until Akivili awkwardly tried to comfort him by bringing up Guan Liang’s stolen clothes.

After learning that the Mara-Struck debuff had suppressed his intelligence and concealed the truth, Xianyu weighed reversing the cycle against ending his life and planned how to handle the Xianzhou, Hua, and Zandar. He tortured Shuhu for his deathlessness, then agreed to travel with Akivili in exchange for a visit to Xuling.

• Akivili told Xianyu that Guan Liang had taken his clothes, and Xianyu messaged Hua that Guan Liang's pay was gone before deciding to leave his punishment as it was.
• Xianyu compared IQ tests with and without the Mara-Struck debuff and concluded that his first-loop self had created it to conceal the truth and keep him in a player's mindset.
• Xianyu considered restarting the cycle or ending it, then planned how to settle matters involving the Xianzhou, Hua, Zandar, and his final arrangements.
• Xianyu confronted Shuhu, threatened to make him die repeatedly, and dragged him away to torture him.
• Akivili invited Xianyu to join his journey, and Xianyu agreed on the condition that Akivili accompany him to Xuling.

Akivili watched over Xianyu on a planet ruled by clergy and slavery, while Xianyu secretly questioned Zandar about sacrificing himself to save the world. After the Nameless helped the people defeat the clergy, Xianyu traveled with Akivili to Xuling and challenged Lan to kill him, prompting a bystander to call the Cloud Knights.

• Akivili joined Xianyu to investigate the planet and worried when he learned about its slavery and Xianyu's lack of sleep.
• Xianyu called Zandar, who warned him against becoming a self-sacrificing hero, and Xianyu resolved to give Zandar access to powerful Xianzhou weapons.
• The Nameless and the people opposed the clergy, became wanted fugitives, and eventually celebrated victory; Akivili confronted Xianyu over his questions about how much blood could sustain a person.
• Xianyu persuaded Pom-Pom to sign an equity transfer agreement and secretly traveled with Akivili to Xuling, where Akivili met Lan at a teahouse.
• After Xianyu returned from a secret delvescape, Lan reminded him of their contract, and Xianyu asked Lan to kill him.
• A customer mistook Lan's words for disrespect toward the Reignbow Arbiter and called for the Cloud Knights.

After leaving the teahouse, Xianyu joined Akivili and Lan for drinks, where the two Aeons tried to smooth over their rift. As they discussed their travels and homelands, Xianyu reflected on the life he had lost and concluded that his homeland did not need someone like him.

• Xianyu and Akivili left the teahouse after the Cloud Knights checked their identification documents and let them go.
• Xianyu told Akivili that Xianzhou residents had criticized his decree on StarNet, and that the textbook-writing team had made visitors address Lan as the Reignbow Arbiter.
• Akivili brought Xianyu to a tavern and returned with Lan, prompting Xianyu to ask whether they had planned the meeting together.
• Lan said he had not waited long after sensing through their contract that Xianyu was gravely injured, and the three talked over drinks.
• Akivili praised the Yaoqing as undefeated in a hundred battles, while Xianyu recalled his peaceful homeland and said it did not need someone like him.

Xianyu brought the drunken Akivili to a hotel and shared memories with Lan, then urged him to take back the divine power he had given and begin working with Hua. As Xianyu told Lan he was proud of him, Lan realized something was wrong when Xianyu pressed a thumb to his carotid artery.

• Akivili passed out at the tavern, and Xianyu took him to a hotel with Lan.
• Xianyu and Lan sat together and reminisced about their past, including Lan's mother and her love for her son.
• Xianyu told Lan that his pact had been with the Xianzhou, and that he would now work with Hua.
• Xianyu asked Lan to take back the divine power he had given him, but Lan refused.
• Xianyu told Lan he was proud of him, then pressed his thumb against Lan's carotid artery.