Chapter Summaries

Xu Jintang’s forces destroyed another regular army spring, while Lei Wenche retaliated by repeatedly damaging the trainee army’s city barrier before agreeing to a temporary truce with Xu Jintang. The next morning, the camps set out to collect newly dropped supplies, and their reconnaissance drone was spotted by the approaching regular army.

• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi ambushed the guards at a spring, then had Xue Zhongqi’s team destroy it with a missile.
• Lei Wenche secretly struck the trainee army’s barrier five times, drawing patrols away from the city.
• Xu Jintang tracked Lei Wenche outside the barrier and agreed with him to stop targeting each other for the night.
• The next morning, Xu Jintang briefed the other camp leaders and led the trainee army out to search for new supplies.
• Xue Zhongqi reported the regular army’s location, and Xu Jintang redirected her team to avoid a clash.
• A regular army soldier spotted what might have been one of the trainee army’s reconnaissance drones.

Xu Jintang’s team seized the nearest supply drop before Lei Wenche’s regular soldiers could reach it, then used a stink-filled missile to ambush them. Lei Wenche and his team were left vomiting as the beetle drone recorded the attack.

• Lei Wenche’s group killed a beetle, and its stench forced them to move on while the disguised reconnaissance drone followed.
• Xu Jintang’s team rested in the heat, then hurried to the nearest supply drop after the announcement and took everything inside.
• Xu Jintang told Song Tianqi to close the empty crate before her team left, while Xue Zhongqi prepared the stink weapon.
• Lei Wenche opened the crate and was struck by a missile that burst, covering him and his team in a powerful beetle stench.
• The beetle drone recorded Lei Wenche and the others vomiting as Xue Zhongqi laughed with the control-room team.

Xu Jintang’s group secured two supply points and returned to the city while Lei Wenche’s force took the third. As the assessment neared its end, Lei Wenche launched an all-out attack, but his attempt to infiltrate the Armament Camp was exposed, leaving him surrounded as a battle began.

• Xu Jintang’s group took the first two supply points, then retreated to the city rather than risk a direct contest for the third.
• Outside the simulated battlefield, Jing Hongyi and the other leaders judged that the trainee army had the advantage, praising Xu Jintang’s unconventional tactics and noting her training at Leikedasi.
• Lei Wenche’s team collected the intact supplies at the third point, while Xu Jintang reinforced the city and prepared for a possible nighttime attack.
• As night fell, Lei Wenche broke the defensive barrier with lightning, slipped into the city, knocked out a trainee, and disguised himself in the trainee’s uniform.
• The scanner exposed Lei Wenche when he tried to enter the Armament Camp operations room, and Xue Zhongqi led the trainees in surrounding him.
• Lei Wenche and the trainees opened fire and exchanged attacks, but the trainees’ weapons had no effect on his sixth-tier strength.

Xue Zhongqi used his ability to eliminate Lei Wenche along with himself, leaving the Armament Camp to prepare for battle without its captain. The regular soldiers attacked the city, but Song Tianqi, Xu Jintang, and the camp’s tracking missiles helped hold them off, and the chapter ended with the opposing company captain suspecting Lei Wenche had been eliminated.

• Xue Zhongqi pressed the control room’s attack button and used his Starlight Chain to ensure Lei Wenche was eliminated with him.
• Xue Zhongqi’s deputy took command of the Command Camp and ordered the trainee soldiers to return to their posts and prepare for combat.
• The regular soldiers waited for Lei Wenche to lower the barrier, then attacked when it remained intact and shattered it with their combined skills.
• Song Tianqi led the Armament Camp’s soldiers against the attackers, while Xu Jintang ordered missiles equipped with Tracking Inscriptions to launch.
• The tracking missiles struck the opposing soldiers, and Xu Jintang’s greeting led the company captain to suspect that Lei Wenche had been eliminated.

Xu Jintang defeated the unit commander while Yan Yuting led the trainees against the regular soldiers, securing an early victory in the assessment. After the trainees returned from the simulated battlefield, Lei Wenche revealed that Xue Zhongqi had eliminated him with a strange ability.

• Xu Jintang left Yan Yuting in command and intercepted the fifth-tier unit commander as he tried to reach Captain Lei.
• Xu Jintang fought the unit commander, broke through his defenses, and eliminated him.
• Yan Yuting directed the battle as the regular soldiers continued fighting without Captain Lei or the unit commander.
• The trainees eliminated the last regular soldier, and the assessment ended with the trainees declared winners.
• After waking, the unit commander asked Lei Wenche what had happened, and Lei Wenche said Xue Zhongqi had eliminated him with a strange ability.

The trainee unit won the internship assessment, and Xu Jintang and her classmates prepared to return to school. At a farewell meal, Gu Xiuwen agreed to reveal his ability, shocking everyone with his Star Compass and its power to predict and interfere with the future.

• Lei Wenche realized Xue Zhongqi had used Life Sharing to eliminate him, and Wang Yile announced that the trainee unit had passed the assessment.
• Jing Hongyi praised the trainees and warned the regular soldiers that their training would become more intense; Xu Jintang and Xue Zhongqi gained fame for their performance.
• Yan Yuting told the group they would serve as a reserve team when Leikedasi challenged other military academies, with Yu Wanyao's team as the main lineup.
• Xu Jintang persuaded Gu Xiuwen to treat the group to a farewell meal, where Feng Ruihan hinted that he recognized her as Foodie from the Mask Squad.
• Gu Xiuwen demonstrated his Star Compass ability at the training grounds, and Xue Zhongqi explained that it could predict and interfere with the future with up to ninety percent success.

After leaving the military camp, Xu Jintang and her classmates returned to the Federation Star Region, where Zhuang Silin immediately sent them onward to challenge military academies in a medium star region. Leikedasi had to beat more than ten academies while maintaining a 100% win rate, and Xu Jintang’s experimental class was assigned as the substitute team.

• Gu Xiuwen demonstrated Star Compass, and Xue Zhongqi warned Feng Ruihan that predicting and interfering with the future could be dangerous.
• Xu Jintang and the others departed the camp, and Xu Jintang vomited from airsickness before the medical team cleared her dizziness.
• At the central space hub, Zhuang Silin told Xu Jintang’s group they would immediately head to a medium star region for the challenge circuit.
• Zhuang Silin explained that Leikedasi had to challenge more academies than Clifford had the previous year and maintain a 100% win rate; Yu Wanyao’s team would compete, with Xu Jintang’s experimental class as substitutes.
• Xu Jintang and the others arrived at Medium Star Region K006, where Xu Jintang hurried off the spacecraft and breathed in the fresh air.

Xu Jintang and her teammates traveled with Zhuang Silin to Aierteng Military Academy for a challenge, while Yu Wanyao prepared seriously and the others remained relaxed. They arrived at the crowded training ground shortly before the match, where Aierteng's principal greeted them as the spectators watched.

• Zhuang Silin briefed the teams on Aierteng's main team and warned them about captain Xie Gaoyi's peak third-tier mental power and wide-area mechanical-gun ability.
• Yu Wanyao and her teammates practiced tactics while Xu Jintang and her teammates rested, and Jiang Shiyi arrived at the hotel.
• Aierteng's principal urged students and staff to attend the challenge, then reassured Xie Gaoyi and his teammates that they should simply do their best.
• Yu Wanyao insisted that Xu Jintang and her teammates stop snacking and get ready to leave for the match.
• Zhuang Silin led the group into Aierteng Military Academy, where the crowded spectators fell silent as they arrived.

Leikdasi and Aierteng began their best-of-five challenge match, with Yu Wanyao's main team facing Aierteng in the opening round. Leikdasi unleashed its abilities immediately, and Wei Zixuan summoned a peak third-tier Flying-Winged Jiaolong as the battle began.

• Xu Jintang and the other Leikdasi substitutes relaxed with drinks and snacks before Zhuang Silin led them to the private lounge.
• Xie Gaoyi warned his Aierteng teammates not to underestimate Leikdasi, then gathered with them to review their tactics.
• The host announced the best-of-five rules, and both teams introduced themselves and revealed their mental power levels.
• The referee started the first round, and Mu Guang charged forward while Yu Wanyao spread ice across the arena.
• Wei Zixuan summoned a Flying-Winged Jiaolong, whose peak third-tier power alarmed the spectators.

Leikdasi Military Academy defeated Aierteng Military Academy in the first match after Yu Wanyao eliminated four opponents with her new ice skill and Wei Zixuan’s Twin-Winged Jiaolong pressured Xie Gaoyi. The teams prepared for the second match, with Xie Gaoyi hoping Wei Zixuan would summon a weaker beast next time.

• Xie Gaoyi faced Wei Zixuan’s peak third-tier Twin-Winged Jiaolong while his teammates engaged Yu Wanyao, Yan Zitao, and Qin Shuxue.
• Xu Jintang and Jiang Shiyi predicted the match would end within five minutes because Yu Wanyao had grown stronger.
• Yu Wanyao used Frenzied Dance of Ice to freeze two Aierteng Military Academy fighters and kick them out of the arena.
• Yu Wanyao joined Yan Zitao and Qin Shuxue to eliminate two more opponents, leaving Xie Gaoyi alone against Leikdasi Military Academy.
• Xie Gaoyi surrendered under pressure from the Jiaolong and Yu Wanyao’s ice attack, giving Leikdasi Military Academy the first match in four minutes.
• Xie Gaoyi encouraged his teammates by betting that Wei Zixuan would summon a weaker demonic beast in the next match, while Yu Wanyao warned her team that Xie Gaoyi might target them.

Leikedasi took a two-match lead over Aierteng, and the third match began with Wei Zixuan summoning a peak third-tier mammoth. As the teams clashed and Xie Gaoyi prepared to stake everything on the round, Aierteng’s principal visited Leikedasi’s lounge and questioned Xu Jintang about the reserve team.

• Xu Jintang explained that Yu Wanyao was stronger than an ordinary third-tier ability user and had held back during her earlier fight.
• Wei Zixuan summoned only a peak second-tier beast in the second match, but Yu Wanyao and her teammates defeated Aierteng again, putting Leikedasi two wins ahead.
• Aierteng’s supervising teacher urged Xie Gaoyi and his teammates to recover their confidence and fight to win the match-point round.
• Wei Zixuan summoned a peak third-tier mammoth in the third match, prompting Xie Gaoyi to gather his teammates and call for an attack on the beast.
• Yu Wanyao’s team gathered to face Aierteng, and Mu Guang attacked first with the Xiaoshan Cauldron after they decided to target Xie Gaoyi’s teammates.
• Aierteng’s principal visited Leikedasi’s lounge, questioned why the academy had prepared a reserve team, and heard Xu Jintang and the others describe their strength as average.

Leikedasi defeated Aierteng Military Academy 3–0, and the team prepared for its next challenge against the stronger Suofei'er Military Academy. While the main team trained, Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi went to the Heaven Ascension Platform to try its arena challenges.

• Xie Gaoyi and Yu Wanyao unleashed their ultimate moves, and the clash forced most contestants out of the arena while Wei Zixuan stayed on the mammoth's tusk.
• The referee declared Leikedasi the winner of the match and the school challenge, and Xie Gaoyi and Yu Wanyao exchanged respectful words afterward.
• Videos of Leikedasi's sweep spread across the Star Network, and Principal Alice prepared Suofei'er Military Academy for its upcoming challenge.
• Zhuang Silin warned Yu Wanyao's team that Suofei'er was stronger and advised them to prepare, while Xu Jintang and the other reserves were left to their own devices.
• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi traveled to the Heaven Ascension Platform, where they decided to try its challenges.

Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi challenged the Heaven Ascension Platform and cleared its first four floors with surprising speed. They kept their battles private from the fifth floor onward, leaving spectators and staff unable to see how far they would climb.

• Song Tianqi bought tickets for Xu Jintang and himself, and the pair entered the Heaven Ascension Platform together.
• Xu Jintang defeated her first-floor opponent in seconds, and Song Tianqi also cleared the floor quickly, drawing attention from spectators and staff.
• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi cleared the second and third floors in quick succession as more spectators gathered.
• Xu Jintang cleared the fourth floor and chose to keep her battles private from the fifth floor onward.
• Song Tianqi cleared the fourth floor and also made his subsequent battles private, preventing spectators and staff from watching.

Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi advanced rapidly through the Heaven Ascension Platform, drawing accusations that its staff were staging a publicity stunt. Xie Gaoyi joined the challenge, and Xu Jintang reached the eighth floor as a new record appeared under the name [Mask Squad Foodie].

• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi cleared the fifth floor quickly, prompting spectators to accuse the Heaven Ascension Platform of using insiders to fake results.
• The staff denied the accusations, but the crowd grew as Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi advanced to the seventh floor.
• Xie Gaoyi and his four teammates arrived, heard the rumors, and Xie Gaoyi decided to challenge the platform.
• Xie Gaoyi bought a ticket and began clearing floors while Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi continued their challenges.
• Xu Jintang cleared the seventh floor and advanced to the eighth, where the record appeared under the name [Mask Squad Foodie].

Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi ended their Heaven Ascension Platform challenges after Zhuang Silin called them back for Principal Alice’s banquet, though their Mask Squad identities were revealed to spectators. They returned to the hotel and joined Zhuang Silin’s group at Alice’s residence, where Alice welcomed them.

• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi chose random teleportation destinations ten kilometers away and hurried back to the city after Zhuang Silin summoned them.
• Spectators learned that the challengers who used the names Mask Squad Hot Air Balloon and Foodie were members of the Mask Squad, and fans rushed to the Heaven Ascension Platform.
• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi met at the hotel, where they told Yan Yuting, Xue Zhongqi, and Jiang Shiyi that they had visited a nearby attraction.
• Zhuang Silin led the group to Principal Alice’s estate, where a butler showed them Alice’s lavish mirrored palace.
• Alice welcomed Zhuang Silin and the students from Leikdasi Military Academy and invited them to sit for tea and desserts.

Alice hosted Xu Jintang, Song Tianqi, and Leikedasi’s group for afternoon tea, then later sought Zhuang Silin’s help in secret. The chapter left Alice revealing that inspections had found a large batch of substandard medicine at her family’s pharmaceutical factories.

• Alice showed Zhuang Silin and the students her Divine Bodhi Tree ability, which could heal and extend lifespans, before hosting them for afternoon tea.
• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi were reprimanded by Zhuang Silin for appearing at the Heaven Ascension Platform, and she assigned them extra training and written self-criticisms.
• Leikedasi defeated Suofei'er Military Academy 4:1, and Zhuang Silin began reviewing the challenge match with Yu Wanyao and the other students.
• Alice secretly met Zhuang Silin at the hotel and asked her to bring Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi along to a private teahouse room.
• Alice asked the group for help and revealed that inspections had uncovered a large batch of substandard medicine at her family’s pharmaceutical factories.

Alice recruited Xu Jintang and the other members of the substitute team to investigate how substandard medicine appeared in the Alice Family’s pharmaceutical factory. After learning that Alice had recognized them as the Mask Squad, Zhuang Silin warned Miao Mingzhi about their exposed identities, and the team prepared to go undercover at the factory.

• Alice explained that a spot check found a large batch of substandard medicine in the factory warehouse, though production inspections and surveillance had revealed no clues.
• Zhuang Silin agreed to let Xu Jintang and the other substitute-team members investigate, with Alice’s shadow guards protecting them and the mission limited to investigation.
• Alice revealed that she had recognized the five as the Mask Squad because she was a devoted fan, and promised to keep their identities secret.
• Zhuang Silin told Miao Mingzhi that the Mask Squad had been recognized, and he advised her to let events take their course.
• Yan Yuting, Xue Zhongqi, Song Tianqi, and Jiang Shiyi joined the investigation; Alice offered a list of possible culprits and arranged for the team to enter the factory as new interns.
• That evening, the five prepared to enter the brightly lit pharmaceutical factory alongside the interns undergoing facial recognition scans.

Xu Jintang and her companions began investigating Alice Pharmaceutical Factory for the source of its substandard drugs, splitting up to question employees about supervisors. After their first day yielded no leads, Xu Jintang and Jiang Shiyi tried to investigate Superintendent Wang Xiaohong at night but found his lounge inaccessible and planned to look into him further.

• Xu Jintang and her four companions entered Alice Pharmaceutical Factory, where Wang Hongxiao gave them universal access cards and warned them to keep their investigation discreet.
• Xu Jintang split the group into two teams to count and investigate supervisors and above for involvement in replacing the drugs.
• Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi questioned employees in several processing areas but found that the supervisors they checked had been absent too often to commit the crime.
• The teams reunited without finding any leads and agreed to continue investigating the next day.
• Xu Jintang and Jiang Shiyi decided to investigate Wang Xiaohong, but their universal access card failed to open his private lounge that night.
• Jiang Shiyi cautioned that Wang Xiaohong was not necessarily the one replacing the drugs, though they still needed to investigate him.

Xu Jintang and her companions investigated the Alice Pharmaceutical Factory’s medicine substitution, eventually suspecting Wang Xiaohong, but a security alarm and reports of Reform Society intruders disrupted their inquiry. Xu Jintang fled the guards to search the warehouses and found Song Yueyue there, questioning how she had reached the area.

• Yu Wanyao’s five-person team continued winning school challenges, drawing widespread attention online.
• Xu Jintang’s group investigated the factory for three days but found no likely culprit among the supervisors except Wang Xiaohong, whose private break room they could not access.
• An alarm announced unidentified personnel in the core workshop, and security guards arrested Xu Jintang and more than a hundred others for questioning.
• After overhearing guards mention the Reform Society, Xu Jintang escaped her pursuers and searched the warehouse zones, suspecting the intruders were connected to the inferior medicine.
• Xu Jintang encountered Song Yueyue hiding in the warehouse area and questioned how she had gotten there from her workshop assignment.

Xu Jintang fought Song Yueyue, a Reform Society member, then escaped the factory chaos with a clue pointing toward the Quality Inspection Bureau. After Alice’s team concluded that someone had substituted substandard medicine, Xu Jintang suggested the Bureau might be involved, and Alice left the investigation open while rewarding the group.

• Song Yueyue attacked Xu Jintang, and the security team surrounded them as Song Yueyue offered information in exchange for help escaping.
• Xu Jintang froze Song Yueyue and slipped her a Teleportation Inscription, while Song Yueyue passed Xu Jintang a note reading “Quality Inspection Bureau” before teleporting away.
• Xu Jintang escaped the warehouse district, and the security team’s arrests and investigation continued until Alice secured the group’s release.
• Song Tianqi identified Chief Manager Wang Xiaohong as the suspected source of the substandard medicine, but Alice rejected the accusation, and Xu Jintang proposed investigating the Quality Inspection Bureau.
• Alice asked the group to keep the suspicion confidential and paid them with treasure chests containing valuable items and ten million Star Bank Cards.