Chapter Summaries

Shen Shuning and Xiao Bai'er hid from a Near-S-Class Dragon Armor Beast and considered whether to attack it again despite their injuries. Meanwhile, Zhao Yonggang explained the new Great Xia Ruins Defense General Administration and rebuked Lü Mingzhe for viewing the restructuring as a loss of power for the Supervision Bureau.

• Shen Shuning and Xiao Bai'er waited for the Dragon Armor Beast to settle after narrowly escaping its attacks.
• Xiao Bai'er worried about their injuries and asked whether they should retreat or wait for help, but Shen Shuning asked if she dared to try again.
• Zhao Yonggang told Lü Mingzhe that the restructured agency would be called the Great Xia Ruins Defense General Administration.
• Zhao Yonggang explained that local Supervision Bureaus, a new special operations squad, and four military regions would serve as its six subordinate organizations.
• Zhao Yonggang said inspectors stationed in Erosion Zones would join their local military regions, while S-Class members would report directly to the Defense Administration.
• Zhao Yonggang rebuked Lü Mingzhe for treating the restructuring as a way to weaken the Supervision Bureau.

Zhao Yonggang explained to Lü Mingzhe why the Supervision Bureau was being restructured and assigned him to report a crisis in Makua. The chapter ended with Zhao Yonggang asking whether the Plateau Erosion Zone had shown any activity since the Sixth Tier Calamity Beast was captured.

• Zhao Yonggang challenged Lü Mingzhe to consider how the divide between inspectors and military district soldiers would undermine cooperation, and Lü Mingzhe admitted he had focused on his own interests.
• Zhao Yonggang explained that the restructuring would make existing changes explicit, reduce inspectors’ growing arrogance, and remove command obstacles caused by separate systems.
• Lü Mingzhe told Zhao Yonggang that Calamity Beasts in Makua’s Erosion Zone had overwhelmed local forces and that the Joint Management Committee was requesting high-tier martial artists.
• Zhao Yonggang agreed to discuss transferring inspectors to Makua at a General Directorate meeting.
• Zhao Yonggang asked whether the Plateau Erosion Zone had shown any activity since the capture of the Sixth Tier Calamity Beast.

Zhao Yonggang and Lü Mingzhe discussed the stalemate in the Plateau Erosion Zone and worried that the Calamity Beasts might be preparing a dangerous plan. After reflecting on mounting casualties and his reduced authority, Zhao Yonggang remained alone in his office, while Le Gu Nan finished her laboratory work and was stopped by Professor Yan as she prepared to leave.

• Lü Mingzhe reported that the Calamity Beasts were fighting around the two Eyes of Earth Marrow and four Anchor Points while attacking supply convoys, leaving both sides locked in a stalemate.
• Zhao Yonggang asked whether the Calamity Beasts had withdrawn because they could not defeat Great Xia; Lü Mingzhe agreed, though Zhao raised the possibility that they were plotting something more dangerous.
• Lü Mingzhe said Xingwei was slowly gaining strength and that a possible vessel for his seventh-tier breakthrough had been found in the Maritime Frontier Erosion Zone, though he still needed to meet the relevant rules.
• After Lü Mingzhe left, Zhao Yonggang reflected on the restructuring, his diminished authority, and the heavy monthly death tolls across the Erosion Zones.
• Le Gu Nan finished her assigned laboratory tasks and told Professor Yan she was leaving, but Professor Yan called for her to wait.

Le Gu Nan completed her preliminary studies with Yan Yu, who directed her to join the Special Operations Squad and improve her ability before attempting to enter an Erosion Zone. In the Matadi Erosion Zone, Shuofeng ordered an Echo Beast to translate the pleas of a human survivor.

• Le Gu Nan answered Yan Yu's questions, and he told her that her research-lab studies were preliminarily complete.
• Yan Yu advised Le Gu Nan to apply to the Special Operations Squad, but refused her request to go to an Erosion Zone because her ability's delay would make her a burden.
• Yan Yu told Le Gu Nan to seek an evolution of her ability and arranged for her to return to the lab every two weeks; she thanked and said goodbye to the researchers.
• In the Matadi Erosion Zone, Shuofeng stood over a wounded human and called an Echo Beast to translate the man's words.
• The Echo Beast signaled the human to speak, and the man pleaded for his life and offered to guide Shuofeng.

Qu Tong prepared to assess General Shen Heng and learned that Shen Heng had studied psychology because his ability could influence other creatures’ emotions and behavior. The assessment began with Qu Tong asking about Shen Heng’s background and abilities.

• Qu Tong explained to a young physician how to interpret the gap between a soldier’s normal subjective scores and abnormal behavioral data.
• Qu Tong left to conduct a personal assessment and was surprised to find Shen Heng, a young general wearing a rising-sun armband, already waiting.
• Qu Tong introduced himself and explained that the assessment would be recorded, and Shen Heng agreed to proceed.
• Qu Tong asked about Shen Heng’s psychology studies, and Shen Heng said he had learned from materials obtained through Martial World Easy Exchange.
• Shen Heng explained that his ability could slightly influence other creatures’ emotions and behavior.

Shen Heng underwent a psychological assessment with Qu Tong, who used the Projection Technique to evaluate him through casual conversation. Qu Tong submitted a preliminary report for confirmation, and Shen Heng continued to an enormous building, where an old Taoist waited on the top floor.

• Qu Tong explained social desirability bias and asked Shen Heng whether he would lie during the assessment, and Shen Heng answered no.
• Qu Tong and Shen Heng talked for hours about the front lines, Calamity Beasts, comrades, and life outside the Erosion Zone while Qu Tong used the Projection Technique.
• Qu Tong reviewed the assessment report, felt uneasy about Shen Heng's unusual candor, then signed and submitted the report for confirmation.
• Shen Heng received a notification that his preliminary assessment had found no issues but required confirmation, and he continued on his way.
• Shen Heng took an elevator to the top floor of an enormous building, where an old Taoist looked over at him.

Shen Heng visited Li Daoyi before returning to Shuofang City, and they talked over tea about his preparations and psychological assessment. Li Daoyi then asked whether the person at Northern Martial Arts was Shen Heng’s older sister.

• Shen Heng told Li Daoyi that he had finished speaking with the chief, completing his psychological assessment, and collecting supplies, and planned to leave the next morning for Shuofang City.
• Shen Heng used his mental power to pour away the first brew and prepare tea after Li Daoyi told him to strain it.
• Shen Heng said his assessment showed normal results with somewhat high stress, while Li Daoyi said he had not taken an assessment because his mental realm let him see through everything.
• Li Daoyi asked Shen Heng whether the person at Northern Martial Arts was his older sister.

Shen Heng learned that his sister and the other first graduates of Southern and Northern Martial Arts would be sent to the Erosion Zones, and asked Li Daoyi to keep her away from the Plateau Erosion Zone. He also discovered that sixth-tier Origin Crystals were scarce and that he might have to wait for one to attempt ability evolution, but Li Daoyi promised to find him a late sixth-tier crystal if he advanced.

• Li Daoyi told Shen Heng that the first graduating class of Southern and Northern Martial Arts would be assigned to the Erosion Zones, and Shen Heng accepted that he could not simply keep his sister off the front lines.
• Shen Heng asked Li Daoyi to request that Shen Shuning not be assigned to the Plateau Erosion Zone, explaining that he had a faint bad feeling; Li Daoyi agreed it was possible.
• Li Daoyi explained that ability evolution required synchronization and enough Origin Power to stimulate the brain, and that late-stage crystals could suffice for martial artists at earlier stages.
• Shen Heng learned that Great Xia had fewer sixth-tier Origin Crystals than applicants and had reserved three for A-Class ability users, leaving others to wait in line.
• Shen Heng wondered whether to delay a future breakthrough, and Li Daoyi urged him to advance if he could, promising to find him a late sixth-tier Origin Crystal.

Shen Heng ate with his squad in Shuofang City and discussed the city's scarce, costly vegetables and the soldiers' routine missions. Han Ling reported that Liang Yanhao and dozens of other teams had gone out, then Qin Yu revealed she had developed a new inscription.

• Shen Heng reflected on the extreme scarcity and high cost of vegetables in Shuofang City while sharing a meal with his squad.
• Zhou Xuan and Lü Wenrui argued over the spinach before Zhou Xuan asked Shen Heng whether anything had changed during his return.
• Shen Heng said there had been no changes, and Han Ling confirmed that nothing unusual had happened in the past two days.
• Han Ling told Shen Heng that Liang Yanhao had taken his squad farther ahead to scout for Calamity Beast movements and that forty-two other teams had applied to go out.
• Han Ling directed Shen Heng's attention to Qin Yu, who told him she had developed another new inscription.

Qin Yu introduced Barrier, a defensive inscription that could block or weaken attacks, while Zhou Xuan and Lü Wenrui argued over redeeming it and Zhou revealed someone had bought his Profitable Golden Spear. After learning that Shen Heng had studied the new inscription, Qin Yu and Han Ling questioned why he kept learning inscriptions, leaving Shen Heng to reflect on Qin Yu’s unusual talent.

• Qin Yu explained that Barrier formed an Origin Power barrier and was about as strong as a C-Class combat skill.
• Zhou Xuan challenged Lü Wenrui to redeem Barrier, and Lü Wenrui accepted the challenge.
• Zhou Xuan revealed that someone had bought his Profitable Golden Spear on Martial World Easy Exchange, though the others pointed out its high requirements limited its appeal.
• Lü Wenrui asked Shen Heng whether he had learned Barrier, and Shen Heng confirmed that he had.
• Qin Yu and Han Ling urged Shen Heng not to learn every inscription, but Shen Heng said that learning more could help with whatever they faced later.
• Shen Heng considered Qin Yu’s role in developing inscriptions and his rapid rise to late fifth tier.

Qin Yu showed Shen Heng the barrier inscription she had developed using his Vibrating Blade method, explaining its design, effects, and possible improvements. Shen Heng approved her research and watched as she began teaching him how to draw the inscription.

• Qin Yu drew the barrier inscription’s concentric-circle pattern on an earthen slab and explained how it used layered Origin Power.
• Han Ling pointed out that Qin Yu’s design resembled Shen Heng’s Vibrating Blade method, and Qin Yu apologized for using it in her research.
• Qin Yu activated the inscription, forming a hemispherical barrier that Shen Heng tested and judged to meet the C-Class standard.
• Qin Yu described plans to strengthen the barrier or adjust its coverage, while Shen Heng suggested improving how it redirected Origin Power toward attacks.
• Shen Heng told Qin Yu to continue researching without neglecting cultivation, then agreed to learn the inscription as Qin Yu began explaining how to draw its lines.

Shen Heng taught Han Ling to practice Life Simulation with Origin Power, then continued training her in Inscription and praised her talent. As they discussed their abilities and whether to return to Linhai, Han Ling said she was more concerned about Little Bell and their failure to visit regularly.

• Shen Heng showed Han Ling how to use Origin Power to simulate a living creature, and she struggled to make her little tiger move.
• Shen Heng suggested Han Ling begin Life Simulation with the ancient tree she already knew, and she managed to sway its branches and leaves briefly.
• Han Ling pointed out that Shen Heng had made an Inscription line two millimeters too shallow, and he continued practicing.
• Shen Heng praised Han Ling for developing two Inscriptions on her own, and Han Ling praised his achievements despite having a B-Class support-type ability.
• Shen Heng asked whether Han Ling wanted to return to Linhai, and she said she was more concerned about Little Bell and their missed visits.

Shen Heng and Han Ling discussed the war against the Calamity Beasts, the possibility of strategic shifts, and the danger of a future Ruins Realm invasion. After practicing under Han Ling's guidance, Shen Heng successfully learned to create a Barrier Inscription.

• Shen Heng asked Han Ling about her contact with Little Bell, and Han Ling shared Little Bell's promise to study and care for her grandparents.
• Han Ling explained that either humanity or the Calamity Beasts might change strategy, and that other Erosion Zones could face seventh-tier Calamity Beasts within a year or two.
• Shen Heng warned that the Ruins Realm might use other Erosion Zones to launch a large-scale invasion and that nuclear bombs might not stop seventh-tier Calamity Beasts.
• Han Ling asked whether humanity could resist the Ruins Realm, and Shen Heng said they could only do their best and leave the rest to Heaven.
• Shen Heng completed a Barrier Inscription on an earthen slab and realized he had learned it.

Kuang Jie fought the Iron Bull Beast that had killed his friend Zhao Ming while the battle against the Calamity Beasts raged. When a human standing atop the fallen Lord Ink Jiaolong prompted the beasts to flee, Captain Shen halted the chaotic pursuit and ordered post-battle operations.

• Kuang Jie killed a Crimson Mane Horse and saw that human casualties had risen as firearms proved less effective against the beasts.
• Kuang Jie recognized Zhao Ming’s corpse and charged the Iron Bull Beast beside it, but their fight was interrupted when Lord Ink Jiaolong fell from the sky.
• A human rose atop Lord Ink Jiaolong’s corpse, and the Calamity Beasts fled after one cried that the human had killed their lord.
• Soldiers pursued the fleeing beasts, but others tried to stop them; Kuang Jie resisted until Captain Shen’s calm order brought the fighting to a halt.
• Captain Shen ordered everyone to treat the wounded, handle the dead, and then deal with the Calamity Beast corpses.

Xu Ruiyu reported on the battle against the Calamity Beasts, and the officers reviewed the casualties and results. Zhou Zhenguo challenged their satisfaction with the casualty ratio, while the officers turned to Shen Heng to check their judgment.

• Xu Ruiyu reported that human forces had divided into groups and killed 11,376 Calamity Beasts.
• Xu Ruiyu reported 4,762 soldiers killed and 3,215 seriously wounded, including 351 who had to leave the Erosion Zone.
• Zhou Zhenguo rebuked the officers for being satisfied with a casualty ratio barely above one to two.
• The officers looked to Shen Heng for reassurance, prompting Zhou Zhenguo to compare them to students checking their answers with the best problem-solver.

Zhou Zhenguo argued that Great Xia needed to reduce its heavy losses by luring Calamity Beasts into ambushes, but Li Boyuan and most of the officers opposed the risky plan. The meeting ended in a heated debate, with Zhou Zhenguo frustrated that the others would not accept the need to take risks.

• Zhou Zhenguo challenged the officers to consider the national burden of more than five thousand casualties in one battle and the enormous losses Great Xia suffered each month.
• Zhou Zhenguo proposed using the battles at Eagle-Sorrow Ravine and Frontier-Pacifying City as models, scouting Calamity Beast movements and luring them into ambushes.
• Li Boyuan objected that the plan depended on uncertain timing and routes and could leave the bait unit trapped or the ambush ineffective.
• Other officers debated the proposed ambushes, with some supporting them as a way to reduce casualties and others warning that a failed operation could cause even greater losses.
• Most officers opposed Zhou Zhenguo's plan, and he grew irritated as the discussion became heated.

At a military seminar, Zhou Zhenguo presented a valley ambush plan for luring the Calamity Beasts away from Shuofang City. The proposal had four votes in favor and three opposed before Shen Heng declared that he opposed it, leaving the decision unsettled.

• Zhou Zhenguo called on Cheng Lixuan, who voiced reservations and redirected the discussion to Shen Heng.
• Shen Heng asked Zhou Zhenguo whether he had a concrete plan, prompting Zhou to reveal a map and photographs of a valley northeast of Shuofang City.
• Zhou Zhenguo explained how a small reconnaissance force could lure the Calamity Beasts into the valley, where forces on the ridges could attack them.
• Li Boyuan questioned whether the beasts would enter the valley, while Shen Heng studied the terrain and judged it might be the best available location.
• The officers voted, with four in favor, three opposed, and Liang Yanhao abstaining; Shen Heng then said he opposed the plan.

Shen Heng explained why he wanted to delay Elder Zhou’s plan to ambush the Calamity Beast, despite its better-than-even chance of success. He and Han Ling were interrupted by the Stone-Armored Beast, which greeted Han Ling and then recognized Shen Heng.

• Han Ling told Shen Heng she thought Elder Zhou’s prepared ambush plan was worth trying, and Shen Heng said she should speak her mind rather than follow his preferences.
• Shen Heng asked Han Ling to trust her own judgment if he ever privately urged her to oppose a plan supported by most people, and Han Ling said she trusted his instincts.
• Shen Heng explained that even a successful ambush would offer little beyond temporary relief, while leaving them with few chances to ambush the Calamity Beast again and many ways for the plan to fail.
• Shen Heng decided they should postpone Elder Zhou’s plan, though he said it might still be used later, and reassured Han Ling that Elder Zhou would not take his opposition personally.
• The Stone-Armored Beast ran up to Shen Heng and Han Ling, greeted Han Ling, and then recognized Shen Heng.

Shen Heng trained the Stone-Armored Beast, criticizing its slow progress in combat techniques before sparring with it. Knocked flat, the beast reflected on its former life in the Ruins Realm and realized it no longer wanted to return.

• The Stone-Armored Beast showed its trust in humans by staying close to Han Ling, and Shen Heng noted that it could now join the war without constant supervision.
• Shen Heng took the Stone-Armored Beast to the training ground and questioned its progress on three B-Class combat techniques and Threefold Force.
• The Stone-Armored Beast admitted it had not mastered Armor-Shattering Claw or the third layer of Threefold Force, and Shen Heng challenged it to spar.
• The Stone-Armored Beast charged Shen Heng, who quickly knocked it down.
• Staring at the sky, the Stone-Armored Beast remembered life in the Ruins Realm and concluded that it no longer wanted to go back.

Zhou Xuan watched a military-managed martial arena match and teased Lü Wenrui about losing a large bet. He then invited Lü Wenrui to join him on a hunt for Calamity Beasts, leaving Lü Wenrui to consider the proposal.

• Zhou Xuan watched soldiers spar in the martial arena, where the military district regulated fights and betting.
• Lü Wenrui lost his bet, and Zhou Xuan teased him about it and his luck-based ability.
• Lü Wenrui said he had lost eight Fourth Tier Origin Crystals so far.
• Zhou Xuan invited Lü Wenrui to gather people and hunt Calamity Beasts for more Origin Crystals.