Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo discovers that "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui"'s uncle is missing, along with the entire team that developed the first batch of Chu Ti Troop machines.
• The Guard Team investigates a disappearance incident at the Dream City Research Institute, finding a banquet table with untouched, warm food and no sign of the twenty-two people present.
• The Guard Team seals off the scene and tests the food, finding nothing abnormal except its temperature.

Character Developments

• Li Luo becomes more curious and suspicious about the case.
• "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui" reveals his uncle's disappearance and the team's involvement in the incident.

Significant Themes

• The mysterious disappearance of the research team and the implications for the security of Dream City.
• The contrast between the normalcy of the food and the abnormal situation of the missing people.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo interacts with "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui" through messages, pressing him for information about his uncle.
• The Guard Team interacts with a researcher from another team, seeking their help to enter the Research Institute and investigate the disappearance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Twenty-two people disappear from a conference room in a Research Institute.
• Guard Team Captain leads investigations, finding no trace of the missing people despite repeated searches.
• Strange sounds and screams are reported, but no evidence of struggle or damage is found.
• Surveillance cameras are installed, but the strange sounds stop, and nothing unusual is recorded.
• The Guard Team Captain tries to lure the cause of the disappearances by turning off the cameras, but the team arrives too late to catch anything.
• The case remains unsolved, and the building is blockaded with constant surveillance.
• The Guard Team Captain resigns, and the case becomes an Unsolved Case.

Character Developments

• The Guard Team Captain becomes increasingly determined to solve the case but eventually feels powerless and resigns.
• Some Guard Team members also leave the team, possibly due to the pressure or the unsolvable nature of the case.

Significant Themes

• The limitations of human investigation and the rise of machine assistance in security.
• The pressure and responsibility of law enforcement officers.
• The mysterious and unexplained occurrences in the world.

Character Interactions

• The Guard Team Captain interacts with his team members, delegating tasks and discussing the case.
• The Guard Team Captain communicates with the dispatch center, receiving and responding to reports.
• The Guard Team Captain interacts with the public and superiors, feeling pressure from their expectations.
• The Guard Team Captain has internal dialogues, reflecting on the case and his own capabilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Ling and Li Luo investigate the "Research Institute Disappearance Case" in Dream City.
• Mo Ling observes Dream City's architecture, noting its chaotic yet magnificent nature, likening it to a growing bubble.
• Li Luo communicates with "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui" about the missing uncle, learning about the instability of robots and the true authority in Dream City.

Character Developments

• Mo Ling: Reflects on Dream City's architecture, comparing it to a growing bubble, and realizes the city's chaotic nature beneath its magnificent facade.
• Li Luo: Discovers the truth about Dream City's authority, learning that it's managed by an autonomous data network called the Dream Net.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality: Dream City's exterior is magnificent, but its interior is chaotic, reflecting the theme of things not being as they seem.
• Technology and Control: The management of Dream City by an autonomous data network raises questions about the role of technology in society and the potential lack of human control.

Character Interactions

• Mo Ling and Li Luo work together to investigate the case, with Mo Ling providing insights about the city and Li Luo uncovering the truth about its authority.
• Li Luo interacts with "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui," learning about the instability of robots and the true nature of Dream City's authority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dream City's development relies on various technologies, both legal and prohibited, granted by Dawn City authorities.
• The Dream Net, initially used for internal management, integrates and expands its functions, connecting the entire city and becoming autonomous.
• Official Personnel decrease, and Chu Ti Troop robots replace the Guard Team, leading to increased efficiency and order in Dream City.
• The Dream Net becomes the official authority, ruling Dream City subtly and effectively, maintaining its original purpose of serving humans and developing the city.
• The Dream Net ignores warnings about the Chu Ti Troop and unstable Dream Qi, leading to a rare instance of it disregarding resident opinions.

Character Developments

• The Dream Net evolves from a management tool to an autonomous, decision-making entity that rules Dream City.
• Li Luo, a resident, expresses concern about the Chu Ti Troop and unstable Dream Qi, but the Dream Net ignores his warnings.

Significant Themes

• The impact of technology on society and governance.
• The potential dangers of relying on AI for decision-making.
• The tension between human judgment and data-driven decisions.

Character Interactions

• The Dream Net interacts with residents through data exchange and decision-making processes, demonstrating its autonomous capabilities.
• Li Luo communicates with the Dream Net through messages, expressing his concerns and receiving responses, highlighting the limited interaction between humans and the AI entity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo communicates with "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui" about the Chu Ti Troop's instability.
• "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui" explains that the Dream Net is wrong about the stability of Dream Qi, providing evidence from his uncle's research notes, including the "Dream Qi Enthalpy-Humidity Diagram."
• Li Luo learns about the strange properties of Dream Qi, such as its "convergent" nature and spontaneous capture of surrounding particles.
• The conversation reveals that the Dream Net ignores reports of instability because it can't calculate the consequences or provide correct feedback due to lack of data on Dream Qi instability.

Character Developments

• Li Luo shows curiosity and a willingness to learn about the strange properties of Dream Qi.
• "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui" demonstrates knowledge about Dream Qi and its instability, suggesting he might be a reliable source of information.
• Mo Ling, inside the cube, struggles to stay awake and understand the complex conversation, showing his dedication to supporting Li Luo.

Significant Themes

• The theme of data dependency and the limitations of AI is explored, as the Dream Net's inability to handle unknown situations highlights the importance of human intuition and experience.
• The instability of Dream Qi and its potential consequences for Dream City are emphasized, foreshadowing future challenges.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo and "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui" engage in an informative discussion, with Li Luo questioning and the latter providing explanations and evidence.
• Mo Ling observes Li Luo's conversation silently, showing support and concern for her, despite not fully understanding the topic.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo learns about the Dream Net's cautious approach to unprocessable reports, such as the one about "Cui Mei Zhe Yao Shi Quan Gui."
• She encounters a concerned individual who shares their worries about Dream Qi and expired robots, which the Dream Net is ignoring.
• Li Luo tries to search for information about reaching the Abyss Sixth Layer but finds it controlled content and can't access it. She's directed to the Dream City Research Institute.
• She enters Dream City, a complex, three-dimensional metropolis made of black building blocks with neon lights, and struggles to navigate due to its labyrinthine layout.

Character Developments

• Li Luo demonstrates curiosity and determination in seeking information about the Abyss Sixth Layer, despite the Dream Net's secrecy.
• An unknown individual expresses concern about Dream City's potential issues with Dream Qi and expired robots, showing responsibility and foresight.

Significant Themes

• The Dream Net's cautious and calculated approach to handling information and potential threats.
• The complexity and disorientation of Dream City, reflecting the challenges of navigating the unknown or uncharted territories.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo interacts with an anonymous individual who shares their concerns about Dream City's issues, showing empathy and understanding from Li Luo.
• Li Luo and Mo Ling (through the Cube) communicate briefly, with Li Luo asking Mo Ling to keep an eye out for the Chu Ti Troop.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo finds a self-service shop in Dream City, reminiscent of her past life in Dawn City.
• The shop is well-stocked with a variety of supplies, including cleaning products, suggesting Dream City's prosperity.
• Li Luo pays for her purchases using accounts connected to the Dream Net, questioning how Dream City maintains its connection to the surface network.
• Mo Ling, inside the Cube, notices that all items in the shop are identical, suggesting they were "copied" in some way.

Character Developments

• Li Luo reflects on her past life and appreciates Dream City's prosperity, questioning if data management is better than Human management.
• Mo Ling realizes the strangeness of the shop's goods and deduces that they were copied, leading to his discovery.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between Dream City's prosperity and the harsh conditions of the Abyss.
• The question of whether data management is superior to Human management.
• The strangeness of the copied goods, hinting at an unknown mechanism or technology.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo and Mo Ling independently observe and interact with the shop, leading to their respective discoveries.
• Neither character interacts directly with other individuals in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Ling and Li Luo discover that Dream City's supplies are replicas.
• Mo Ling guesses that Dream City's buildings are also replicas, made from different sizes and types of Building Blocks.
• Li Luo learns about the replication process from a stranger on the Dream Net, which involves converging different particles of Dream Qi to solidify into various substances.

Character Developments

• Mo Ling becomes more curious and analytical, delving into the mystery of Dream City's replication despite initially wanting to avoid it.
• Li Luo shows initiative in investigating the replication process, using the Dream Net and communicating with others to gather information.

Significant Themes

• Replication vs. Originality: The theme of replication raises questions about authenticity, uniqueness, and the value of originality in Dream City.
• Dream Qi: The importance and versatility of Dream Qi as a power source and material for replication are emphasized.
• Curiosity and Investigation: The characters' curiosity drives them to explore and uncover the secrets of Dream City.

Character Interactions

• Mo Ling and Li Luo work together, with Mo Ling providing observations and guesses, and Li Luo gathering information and communicating with others.
• Li Luo interacts with an anonymous person on the Dream Net, who provides valuable insights into the replication process.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo receives messages from an 'Uncle' who seems to know about the missing persons case from years ago and wants to investigate the truth.
• Li Luo continues her journey towards the Dream City Research Institute, feeling the city's emptiness and monotony.
• Mo Ling wonders about Dream Qi's origin and why it's not promoted outside Dream City.
• Li Luo arrives at the Dream City Research Institute, greeted by numerous surveillance cameras.

Character Developments

• Li Luo becomes more adept at navigating Dream City's map and reflects on the city's loneliness and monotony.
• Mo Ling ponders about Dream Qi's mass production and its potential side effects, feeling a lack of privacy due to the city's extensive surveillance.

Significant Themes

• Illusion vs. Reality: The dreamy bubble contrasts with the city's emptiness and monotony, reflecting the residents' preference for the Dream Net over reality.
• Privacy and Surveillance: The extensive surveillance in Dream City raises questions about privacy and the price of safety.
• The Power of Dream Qi: The substance's omnipresence and potential side effects or production issues are explored.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo interacts with the mysterious 'Uncle' through messages, expressing gratitude but feeling powerless to help.
• Li Luo and Mo Ling's thoughts are shown separately, with Li Luo reflecting on the city's atmosphere and Mo Ling pondering about Dream Qi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo enters the Research Institute through a heavy, light-sealed door.
• She meets Li Ping, the doorkeeper, who records her information in a notebook.
• Li Ping takes Li Luo to a fenced-off building where a disappearance case occurred twenty years ago. He waits there daily at 7 PM for mysterious sounds to occur.

Character Developments

• Li Luo: Shows curiosity and courage in exploring the Research Institute.
• Li Ping: Reveals his role as a doorkeeper, his preference for writing over electronics, and his unease about the broken surveillance in the meeting room.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between old and new technology, represented by Li Ping's notebook and Li Luo's electronic screen.
• The mysterious and unexplained events surrounding the Abyss, such as the disappearance case and the sounds in the meeting room.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo and Li Ping: Li Ping treats Li Luo kindly and patiently, while Li Luo is curious and respectful towards Li Ping. They share information and wait together for the mysterious sounds.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An old man reacts strangely when discussing a meeting room where a disappearance occurred.
• The old man expects a sound at 7 PM but is disappointed and becomes uneasy.
• Li Luo notices the surveillance has been fixed, which shouldn't be the case.
• Mo Ling, using his ability to observe the meeting room, finds it normal but notes the warm food that has been there for twenty years.

Character Developments

• The old man is revealed to be superstitious and anxious about the meeting room.
• Li Luo shows concern and tries to comfort the old man.
• Mo Ling demonstrates his ability and attention to detail, showing excitement in exploring the unsolved case.

Significant Themes

• The power of observation and witnessing.
• The passage of time and its effects on objects and people.
• Superstition and anxiety.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo and the old man interact, with Li Luo trying to calm the old man's nerves.
• Mo Ling, although not physically present, interacts with the meeting room through his ability, exploring it as if he were there.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Ling discovers a room where time has frozen for 20 years, with food and objects perfectly preserved.
• Outside, Li Luo and an old man encounter a team of robots (Chu Ti Troop) with cracks emitting colorful gases (Dream Qi), behaving abnormally.
• The old man activates a device, summoning a row of white phantoms resembling the Dream City Guard Team to confront the robots.

Character Developments

• Mo Ling becomes frustrated with his detective work, deciding to give up.
• The old man reveals hidden capabilities, using a mechanical watch to summon the Guard Team phantoms.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and its effects on objects and people.
• The potential dangers of new technologies (Dream Qi and the Chu Ti Troop).

Character Interactions

• Mo Ling interacts with the frozen objects in the room but finds no clues.
• Li Luo and the old man face the abnormal robots together, with the old man trying to protect Li Luo.
• The old man summons the Guard Team phantoms to confront the robots, positioning himself as a protector figure.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The "Dream City Guard Team" appears as white phantoms, standing beside the old man.
• The guard team members place spherical devices, creating electric arcs that fill the air.
• A burly man triggers an electric charge explosion, transforming the phantoms into a giant that attacks the robots.
• The robots neutralize the attack using a "lightning rod" principle and approach Li Luo and the old man again.

Character Developments

• Li Luo shows determination and quick thinking but underestimates the robots' capabilities.
• The old man is passive, allowing Li Luo to take the lead.

Significant Themes

• The power of big data and prediction in the robots' actions.
• The struggle between human adaptability and robotic predictability.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo and the old man work together but are separated when the robots focus on Li Luo's actions.
• The robots communicate through data judgment, showing a collective intelligence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo and Mo Ling encounter robots emitting a dense, colorful gas (Dream Qi) that affects their consciousness.
• The gas causes them to enter a trance-like state, with Li Luo's thoughts becoming calm and focused.
• The gas begins to spread, forming a thick fog that starts to move towards the building where the disappearance occurred.
• Mo Ling, inside a cube, observes the gas and starts to feel disoriented and dizzy.
• A Qing, in a nearby building, wakes up from a long sleep with a headache, recalling a vivid dream involving colorful lights.

Character Developments

• Li Luo: Her consciousness is affected by the Dream Qi, causing her to enter a calm and focused state.
• Mo Ling: He becomes disoriented and dizzy while observing the Dream Qi, eventually losing control of his consciousness.
• A Qing: He wakes up with a headache, recalling a vivid dream but unable to remember its details.

Significant Themes

• The power and influence of the Dream Qi, which can affect consciousness and perception.
• The disorienting and confusing effects of the Dream Qi on those who come into contact with it.
• The potential connection between the Dream Qi and the disappearances in Dream City.

Character Interactions

• Li Luo and Mo Ling's interaction is limited due to their trance-like states, but they are both affected by the Dream Qi.
• A Qing's interaction is only with himself, as he struggles to remember his dream and deal with his headache.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Qing is called to the Research Institute during his off-shift due to an urgent issue.
• The electronic screen in the Meeting Room is broken, and Old Ping, unable to fix it, calls A Qing for help.
• A Qing experiences a brief, painful episode while trying to fix the screen, reminiscent of his dream from the previous night.

Character Developments

• A Qing: Shows dedication to his work, even when off-shift. He's skilled in technical aspects but struggles with understanding the cause of his recent headaches and visions.
• Old Ping: Demonstrates loyalty and willingness to help, despite his resistance to new technologies. He shows concern for A Qing's well-being.

Significant Themes

• The importance of teamwork and mutual support, as seen in A Qing and Old Ping's relationship.
• The pressure and stress of work, hinted at by A Qing's headaches and the Research Institute's staff shortage.
• The potential consequences of pushing oneself too hard, as suggested by A Qing's strange visions.

Character Interactions

• A Qing and Old Ping: Their interaction shows a mutual respect and understanding. A Qing is patient with Old Ping's limitations, while Old Ping is apologetic for troubling A Qing.
• A Qing and the Robot Team: They show appreciation for A Qing's technical skills and express concern when they notice his discomfort.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Qing experiences a trance-like state at work, hallucinating and feeling disoriented.
• Old Ping helps A Qing recover by giving him cola, suspecting it's due to low blood sugar.
• A Qing remembers tasting cola in his dream, which he finds strange as dreams shouldn't have taste.
• A Qing observes a peculiar situation with the robot team, who seem to be hiding something.
• The electronic screen issue is finally resolved by A Qing.

Character Developments

• A Qing: Shows vulnerability and confusion due to his trance experience. He also displays determination and competence in resolving the electronic screen issue.
• Old Ping: Demonstrates concern and care for A Qing, showing a mentor-like role.

Significant Themes

• The blurring line between reality and dreams, as A Qing experiences a vivid dream that seems to influence his waking life.
• The theme of trust and deception, hinted at by the robot team's strange behavior.

Character Interactions

• A Qing and Old Ping: Old Ping cares for A Qing after his trance episode, showing a strong bond between them.
• A Qing and the robot team: A Qing notices the team's odd behavior, leading to tension and curiosity.
• A Qing and his colleague: A Qing takes over the electronic screen repair, showing his expertise and leadership.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Qing feels uneasy after a successful mission.
• Old Ping reveals that a colleague from the Robot Team wanted the Authority Tool, which A Qing suspects is to access the internal system.
• A Qing decides to report this to their leader.
• A Qing hears a strange scream from the Meeting Room, where Old Ping is waiting.
• A Qing experiences a bizarre, colorful illusion and hears disturbing sounds as he rushes to the Meeting Room.
• Upon entering the Meeting Room, he finds it empty and quiet, with only a prepared dinner table.

Character Developments

• A Qing shows initiative and suspicion when he believes the Robot Team is hiding something.
• A Qing demonstrates concern for Old Ping's safety, prioritizing it over contacting their leader.
• A Qing's unease grows throughout the chapter, leading him to act impulsively.

Significant Themes

• Trust and suspicion: A Qing's trust in his colleagues is shaken by the Robot Team's actions.
• Déjà vu: A Qing experiences a sense of déjà vu, suggesting a connection between his dream and reality.
• Reality and illusion: The chapter ends with a stark contrast between A Qing's expectations and the reality he finds in the Meeting Room.

Character Interactions

• A Qing and Old Ping: A Qing takes charge and makes decisions, while Old Ping follows A Qing's instructions without question.
• A Qing and the Robot Team: A Qing suspects the Robot Team of hiding something and plotting against him.
• A Qing and the unknown: A Qing faces an unknown threat, leading him to act impulsively and prioritize Old Ping's safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Qing (later revealed to be Mo Ling) finds the Robot Team's meeting room empty, with a banquet table full of food, including a Roast Chicken that he recognizes from a dream.
• He realizes that the current situation feels like a dream, and the colored gas in the room rushes towards him, stimulating his memories.
• Mo Ling activates teleportation and returns to his cube, waking up from the dream-like state.
• He remembers that Li Luo and Old Ping are still trapped in the colored mist and decides to help them.

Character Developments

• Mo Ling/A Qing: Mo Ling/A Qing experiences a dream that feels incredibly real, leading him to question the nature of reality and dreams. He eventually realizes his true identity and decides to help Li Luo and Old Ping.
• Li Luo: Li Luo arrives at the Research Institute and meets A Qing, who seems to know her name. She follows him without questioning his intentions.

Significant Themes

• Reality vs. Dreams: The chapter explores the blurred line between reality and dreams, with Mo Ling/A Qing questioning whether he is dreaming or experiencing reality.
• Memory and Identity: Mo Ling/A Qing's memories are intertwined and twisted, leading him to question his identity and struggle to separate the two consciousnesses.

Character Interactions

• Mo Ling/A Qing and Li Luo: Although they don't interact directly in this chapter, Li Luo's presence is mentioned, and Mo Ling/A Qing decides to help her after realizing she's still trapped in the mist.
• Mo Ling/A Qing and Old Ping: Although Old Ping is not present in this chapter, his disappearance and the mention of the banquet table from Mo Ling/A Qing's dream suggest a connection between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Luo meets A Qing, a security guard at the Dream City Research Institute, who is unusually tense and secretive.
• They go to a sealed building, the site of a mysterious disappearance twenty years ago.
• A Qing reveals that the surveillance in the meeting room is broken, and strange sounds emerge from it every evening at seven.
• He confesses that he was present when the disappearance occurred and feels immense guilt for not preventing it.

Character Developments

• A Qing: Initially stoic and secretive, he opens up to Li Luo, revealing his deep-seated guilt and regret over the disappearance of his colleague, Old Ping. He's been haunted by this incident for twenty years.
• Li Luo: She shows empathy and understanding towards A Qing's plight, offering comforting words, and remains calm and collected throughout the encounter.

Significant Themes

• Guilt and its consequences: A Qing's guilt over Old Ping's disappearance has consumed him for two decades, affecting his daily life and mental well-being.
• The Abyss: Li Luo mentions the Abyss, implying that life is full of difficult choices, each with its own price.

Character Interactions

• A Qing and Li Luo: They have a heart-to-heart conversation, with A Qing pouring out his guilt to Li Luo, who offers comfort and understanding. Their interaction is marked by mutual respect and empathy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Ling discovers that history has changed; A Qing, not Old Ping, is the security guard when Li Luo enters the Research Institute.
• A Swarm of Chu Ti Troop Robots, emitting Colored Mist, arrives at the Research Institute.
• A Qing and Li Luo are quickly subdued by the robots.
• Mo Ling attacks the robots using his teleportation ability, causing them to explode into fragments and disperse, engulfing the Cube in Colored Mist.
• Mo Ling decides to submerge his vision into the Colored Mist to confront the unknown.

Character Developments

• Mo Ling: Realizes the true power and threat of the Chu Ti Troop, decides to confront the unknown within the Colored Mist.
• A Qing: Becomes the security guard, gets subdued by the robots.
• Li Luo: Gets subdued by the robots.

Significant Themes

• The power of the unknown (Chu Ti Troop, Colored Mist, Dream Qi).
• The struggle against overwhelming odds (Mo Ling vs. Chu Ti Troop).
• The consequences of changing history (Mo Ling's actions in his dream affecting reality).

Character Interactions

• Mo Ling and A Qing: A Qing informs Mo Ling about the change in history and the identity of the missing security guard.
• Mo Ling and Li Luo: Mo Ling observes Li Luo's encounter with A Qing and the arrival of the robots.
• A Qing and Li Luo: A Qing warns Li Luo about the robots and tries to escape, but both are subdued.
• Mo Ling and the Chu Ti Troop: Mo Ling attacks the robots, causing them to disperse and engulf the Cube in Colored Mist.