Chapter Summaries

Zhang Weijun announced that the base would send volunteer teams into the Erosion Zone to gather intelligence, with rewards for resources and useful reports. After the meeting, Shen Heng hurried away, and someone invited Han Ling to join a team.

• Zhang Weijun explained that the base’s standoff with the Calamity Beasts allowed it to dispatch members on reconnaissance and exploration missions beyond the base.
• Zhang Weijun said participants could keep any resources they found and earn points or Origin Crystals for intelligence, while warning that the missions would be dangerous.
• Li Daoyi recommended teams of four to six, and Zhang Weijun gave everyone ten days to apply before adjourning the meeting.
• After the meeting, Shen Heng noticed something on his wristband, spoke to Han Ling, and hurried away.
• As Han Ling started to leave, a short, sallow-skinned person invited her to join their team.

Wang Hu invited Han Ling to join his team, explaining that they needed her offensive strength, but she refused because she was not ready to leave her original teammate. After she left, Wang Hu wondered whether he had underestimated Shen Heng’s combat ability.

• Wang Hu introduced Shi Ruiyuan’s Rock Fang ability and Huang Jun’s Flowing Wind ability as he asked Han Ling to join their team.
• Han Ling asked whether the offer included Shen Heng, but Wang Hu explained that Huang Jun already covered their reconnaissance needs and that they needed stronger combat ability.
• Han Ling declined the invitation, and Wang Hu told her she could reconsider later.
• Shi Ruiyuan and Huang Jun discussed how to persuade Han Ling, but Wang Hu said she simply did not want to leave her original teammate.
• Wang Hu asked how strong Shen Heng was, and Shi Ruiyuan said he had heard Shen Heng fought during the beast tides despite having a support ability.

Wang Hu’s group discussed recruiting Shen Heng and persuading Han Ling to join their team, while the base’s commanders tasked Shen Heng with scouting the Erosion Zone before the exploration missions began. Shen Heng was asked to choose a small team and report his selections by that evening.

• Shi Ruiyuan suggested asking Shen Heng to persuade Han Ling to join Wang Hu’s team, and Huang Jun considered offering Shen Heng Origin Crystals.
• Shen Heng waited in the command center with Wang Yuanshan, Zhou Zhenguo, and Li Daoyi, and asked Li Daoyi about the Erosion Zone beyond the base.
• Zhang Weijun told Shen Heng to scout the Erosion Zone’s terrain and estimate where Calamity Beasts gathered and how many there were.
• Zhang Weijun said Shen Heng could select four to six people from the base, report his choices by that evening, and receive twenty thousand points for the mission.

Shen Heng reviewed the Supervision Bureau roster and learned how his ability and overall strength were assessed. He decided to leave early with Han Ling and recruit teammates to investigate the Calamity Beasts before the other teams set out.

• Shen Heng noticed that roster ability ratings included plus and minus grades, then found his own entry rated B with an overall strength assessment of A-A+.
• Han Ling told Shen Heng that Wang Hu had invited her to join his team, but she had no intention of going.
• Shen Heng told Han Ling they would explore ahead of the others tomorrow to assess the Calamity Beasts and prevent the other teams from stumbling into a horde.
• Han Ling advised Shen Heng to recruit someone capable of taking attacks head-on and someone with control abilities.
• Shen Heng considered Wang Hu as the strongest frontline candidate and also reviewed Cao Mingyu's physical enhancement ability.

Shen Heng was appointed leader of an expedition into an Erosion Zone, but Wang Hu disputed the decision and challenged him to a fight. Wang Hu offered to follow Shen Heng if he lost, but demanded Han Ling join his future team if he won.

• Shen Heng reviewed the roster and considered potential team members, including Zhou Xuan and Qin Yu.
• Zhang Weijun briefed the expedition team and appointed Shen Heng leader, citing his ability's importance to the mission.
• Wang Hu argued that Shen Heng's reconnaissance should count as a team contribution and that a leader needed strength to handle close combat.
• Wang Hu challenged Shen Heng to force him out of a circle, promising to obey him if he lost and demanding Han Ling join his future team if he won.

Shen Heng challenged Wang Hu to settle doubts about his captaincy and improve the team's coordination before their mission. The two faced off outside the base, and Shen Heng considered how to overcome Wang Hu's formidable defense.

• Wang Hu apologized for suggesting teammates could be wagered but maintained that he questioned Shen Heng's appointment as captain.
• Zhang Weijun reprimanded Wang Hu and ordered him to follow the base's decision about the mission's captain.
• Shen Heng asked Zhang Weijun to let him fight Wang Hu, and Wang Hu agreed to test him outside the base.
• Zhou Xuan warned Shen Heng that Wang Hu was likely to win, while Shen Heng said they would find out by fighting.
• Han Ling urged Shen Heng to be careful, and he jumped down from the wall to meet Wang Hu about a kilometer outside the base.
• Shen Heng reviewed Wang Hu's Beast Transformation ability and focused on its exceptional defense.

Shen Heng challenged Wang Hu and used a mental attack and saber strike to catch him off guard, but Wang Hu recovered and fully transformed. The two then fought at high speed across the snowfield as Zhou Xuan watched in shock.

• At the opening gunshot, Wang Hu began transforming while Shen Heng rushed him with a mental attack and a saber strike.
• Wang Hu's Spirit Platform Unity Art cleared his confusion, and he blocked the attack with his arm before being knocked backward through the snow.
• Wang Hu completed his beast transformation and asked about Shen Heng's ability, but Shen Heng withheld its details.
• Wang Hu charged, and Shen Heng met him; they exchanged rapid blows across the snowy ground.
• Zhou Xuan watched from the city wall and was stunned by Shen Heng's change from his former assassin-like fighting style.

Shen Heng and Wang Hu fought outside the base, each assessing the other's abilities and combat style. As their battle continued, Li Daoyi arrived on the city wall and asked Zhang Weijun why the two had started fighting.

• Shen Heng clashed with Wang Hu, judged the strength and limits of Wang Hu's Beast Transformation, and retreated to consider how to overcome his defense.
• Shen Heng dodged Wang Hu's Rend the Sky attack and passed him, while Wang Hu recognized Shen Heng's combat instincts and resolved not to drag out the fight.
• Wang Hu launched himself at Shen Heng again, sending snow and fragments of ground flying as the battle raged outside the base.
• Zhang Weijun watched the two figures clash from the city wall, then greeted Li Daoyi as he arrived.
• Li Daoyi asked why Shen Heng and Wang Hu were fighting, and Zhang Weijun briefly explained what had happened.

Shen Heng and Wang Hu traded attacks during their spar, while Li Daoyi predicted the fight would likely end in a draw unless they were forced to fight to the death. As Wang Hu’s flurry drove Shen Heng back, Shen Heng quietly gave a signal, and a massive beast claw swung toward his right side.

• Zhang Weijun asked Li Daoyi to compare Wang Hu and Shen Heng, and Li Daoyi said Wang Hu had the better chance based on their abilities.
• Li Daoyi predicted the spar would most likely end in a draw because both fighters were holding back moves, but said either could kill the other in a fight to the death.
• Wang Hu hurled stones at Shen Heng, then rushed in with a flurry of claw strikes.
• Shen Heng blocked Wang Hu’s successive blows, enduring numb arms and tearing pain as he deliberately stayed engaged.
• Shen Heng quietly said, “Right,” and an enormous beast claw swung toward his right side.

Shen Heng changed tactics against Wang Hu, using their fierce exchanges to create an opening despite Wang Hu’s formidable defense. He unleashed a brief fourfold Vibrating Blade strike with the flat of his sword, aiming to hit Wang Hu without using its lethal edge.

• Shen Heng judged that his threefold Vibrating Blade could wound Wang Hu but would not quickly overcome his defense, and decided against dragging out the fight.
• Shen Heng shifted from retreating and defending to proactively trading attacks with Wang Hu, landing cuts at vulnerable spots like his joints and armpits.
• Wang Hu noticed Shen Heng’s change in fighting style but welcomed the fiercer exchanges and continued attacking.
• Shen Heng planted a suggestion that led Wang Hu to strike toward the front left while Shen Heng stayed in place.
• Shen Heng activated fourfold Vibrating Blade and swung the flat of his sword at Wang Hu’s chest.

Shen Heng used amplified sound waves through his Vibrating Blade to paralyze Wang Hu and then struck him unconscious, sending him flying into the snow. The battle’s decisive turn left Zhou Xuan and the others stunned on the city wall.

• Wang Hu expected to withstand Shen Heng’s blade and counterattack, but the impact sent powerful vibrations through his body and disrupted his movements and Origin Power.
• Shen Heng kept his blade against Wang Hu and explained that Vibrating Blade could amplify sound waves to attack the body directly.
• Shen Heng leaped onto Wang Hu’s shoulder and struck his head with concentrated sound waves, causing Wang Hu to lose consciousness.
• Shen Heng hit Wang Hu with the back of his blade, launching him dozens of meters into the snow.
• Zhou Xuan looked to Han Ling, the girl, the Daoist priest, and the chief as the city wall fell silent.

Shen Heng defeated Wang Hu, who acknowledged his strength and asked to join his team with Han Ling. As Shen Heng explained how the base formed exploration squads, he made clear that Wang Hu and Han Ling could not be teamed together under the base’s rules.

• Wang Hu ended his fight with Shen Heng, admitted Shen Heng was strong enough to be captain, and asked him to take Wang Hu and Han Ling onto his team.
• Shen Heng and Han Ling met Zhou Xuan on the way to the dormitories, and Zhou Xuan said he was going outside to call his mother.
• Shen Heng told Zhou Xuan that he had selected the squad members based on their abilities, fighting styles, and compatibility, and explained that he had chosen Wang Hu for his strength and ability.
• After Zhou Xuan left, Han Ling asked what roles Zhou Xuan and Wang Hu had, and Shen Heng identified Zhou Xuan as control and Wang Hu as a meat shield.
• Shen Heng explained that the base required exploration squads to cover one another’s weaknesses and said Wang Hu would not approach them again because he and Han Ling could not be on the same team.

Shen Heng and Han Ling prepared to explore outside the base, while Wang Hu told Shi Ruiyuan and Huang Jun that Shen Heng was too strong to join their team. At Linhai, Wei Leyang entered a Light Gate to scout its far side, leaving his team waiting for his return.

• Shen Heng told Han Ling to rest and pack lightly for their wilderness trip, and said they could recruit suitable teammates after returning.
• Wang Hu explained the base's rule against concentrating too many strong people in one exploration team and revealed that Shen Heng could match him in a fight to the death.
• Wang Hu asked Shi Ruiyuan and Huang Jun to find other teammates while he went out for several days, prompting them to ask whether he was returning to Blue Star.
• At the Light Gate on Changhong Road in Linhai, Wang Hao nearly touched the vortex before Dahuang warned him that it would teleport him inside.
• Wei Leyang arrived, put on black armor, and entered the Light Gate to check for danger, telling the others to contact headquarters if he did not return within half an hour.

Before Shen Heng set out on a dangerous exploration mission, Zhang Weijun briefed him on the recommended route and Li Daoyi lent him an Azure Talisman Jade containing three powerful attacks. Shen Heng learned the jade was a rare headquarters asset that he had to return, but also heard its exchange and recharging prices.

• Zhang Weijun showed Shen Heng the recommended exploration route and told him to choose his own timing and path in the field.
• Zhou Zhenguo warned Shen Heng not to explore too far or return late, and Zhang Weijun sent him to see Li Daoyi before he left.
• Li Daoyi gave Shen Heng an Azure Talisman Jade containing three Heavenly Firmament Astral Wind attacks, each roughly equivalent to the middle fifth tier.
• Li Daoyi explained that the jade was made from a fifth-tier Cloud Mirage Beast's Mirage Jade Core and had to be returned after the mission.
• Shen Heng asked whether Azure Talisman Jade could be exchanged for points, and Li Daoyi quoted one hundred thousand points for the jade and five thousand points per recharge attack.

Shen Heng set out with Han Ling, Zhou Xuan, Wang Hu, and Qin Yu to explore the wilderness, then learned that Zhou Xuan’s offerings helped him use his ability quickly. As the group introduced their abilities to improve coordination, Zhou Xuan began explaining God Invocation.

• Shen Heng thanked Li Daoyi for the Azure Talisman Jade, then met Han Ling, Zhou Xuan, Wang Hu, and Qin Yu at the designated location.
• The group traveled over a hundred kilometers without finding anything and stopped for the night in an earthen house.
• Zhou Xuan made offerings to several deities, explaining that the ritual helped him use his ability quickly.
• Shen Heng proposed that everyone introduce their abilities and explain how they fought so they could coordinate better.
• Shen Heng described his B-Class ability, Listening to the Cries of All Living Beings, and said his combat technique enhanced his physical attributes.
• Han Ling introduced her A-Class Explosion ability, and Zhou Xuan began explaining his A-Class God Invocation ability.

Zhou Xuan explained the abilities granted by the gods he had invoked, then Qin Yu demonstrated how her Environmental Assimilation ability made people overlook her. She reappeared when Shen Heng called her out and began explaining the ability’s limitations.

• Wang Hu questioned Zhou Xuan about his ability, and Zhou explained the gods he had invoked and the powers each one granted him.
• At Shen Heng’s request, Zhou Xuan described his fighting style and the strength of his abilities.
• Qin Yu introduced her B-Class Environmental Assimilation ability and demonstrated it by blending into the surroundings.
• Zhou Xuan and Wang Hu failed to notice Qin Yu, while Shen Heng and Han Ling realized she was still sitting in her original spot.
• Shen Heng called to Qin Yu, and she reappeared, explaining that movement, speech, or a large tier gap could make her easier to spot.

Qin Yu explained the limits of her camouflage ability as Shen Heng laid out the team's exploration plan. After seven days of mapping Calamity Beast gatherings, Shen Heng called the mission to an end, but Zhou Xuan urged the team to investigate their latest discovery.

• Qin Yu explained that attacking while concealed would expose her, and Shen Heng considered how her ability could help the team avoid Calamity Beasts or work with Han Ling.
• Shen Heng projected a map and told the squad to explore along a set route for seven days, mark Calamity Beasts, and retreat if they encountered a threat they could not fight.
• Qin Yu offered to use her ability to camouflage the campsite, and Shen Heng agreed to let her help keep watch.
• Seven days later, Shen Heng detected a gathering of about thirteen hundred Calamity Beasts forty-two kilometers ahead and recorded its location on the map.
• Shen Heng ordered the team to end the mission and return, but Zhou Xuan asked to investigate what the Calamity Beasts were gathering for.

Zhou Xuan persuaded Shen Heng’s squad to investigate why the Calamity Beasts were gathering, and Han Ling explained why the team was suited to the task. They found a basin with dozens of beasts aboveground, and Shen Heng revealed that over a thousand more were underground as he searched for the entrance.

• Zhou Xuan proposed investigating the Calamity Beasts’ gathering, and Wang Hu agreed that the mission had been too easy.
• Han Ling recommended exploring with the temporary squad while keeping track of time, and Qin Yu agreed to go.
• Shen Heng decided the squad would investigate, and they traveled over thirty kilometers to a mountaintop overlooking a basin.
• The group spotted dozens of Calamity Beasts in the basin, but Shen Heng explained that over a thousand were underground.
• Shen Heng listened for clues and suspected the entrance was in the hilly area near the basin’s center.

Shen Heng used Sound Wave Imaging to map an underground Calamity Beast settlement and discovered that its inhabitants were gathering resources. As the group considered their next move, the fifth-tier Calamity Beast overseeing the work stood up after something appeared to finish smelting.

• Wang Hu suggested that the underground Calamity Beasts might be organized into a kingdom, and the group debated how to investigate it safely.
• Shen Heng used Sound Wave Imaging to probe the underground passages and map the settlement.
• Shen Heng found one fifth-tier Calamity Beast, thirteen fourth-tier Calamity Beasts, and many lower-tier ones moving through an area about three kilometers wide and more than a thousand meters underground.
• Shen Heng concluded that the Calamity Beasts were gathering resources, though he could not identify what they were collecting.
• The fifth-tier Calamity Beast overseeing the work stood up as something appeared to finish smelting.

Shen Heng and the others considered intercepting a crystal the Calamity Beasts were transporting, but realized its route and the distance might make a chase too dangerous. Their discussion about the beasts’ gathering sites raised the possibility that some were meant to stabilize the Erosion Zone, as a fourth-tier beast emerged from underground carrying the crystal.

• Shen Heng sensed that a large crystal had finished smelting, and Zhou Xuan proposed stealing it from the Calamity Beasts.
• Shen Heng saw the crystal being handed to a winged fourth-tier Calamity Beast, which began flying toward the surface, and agreed that they could try to intercept it.
• Han Ling reasoned that the beast might fly toward a distant Light Gate, making it difficult and dangerous for the group to catch up.
• Wang Hu questioned why they had not found the Light Gate connected to the Ruins Realm, and Shen Heng described possible resource-gathering and temporary stopping sites.
• Shen Heng suggested the Calamity Beasts might have another kind of gathering site related to stabilizing the Erosion Zone as the fourth-tier beast flew out of the basin.