Recaps

Han Xiao visited Dragon Calm, where he watched its Hunter Squad execute spies targeting Planet Aquamarine and joked with Harrison about pursuing Jenny. He reunited with Ames and offered her Ultimate Knowledge, then heard Iso’s warning that a special, unseen person had arrived on Planet Aquamarine and that Han Xiao had crossed paths with him before.

• Han Xiao arrived at Dragon Calm and was greeted by Jenny and an enthusiastic crowd of Planet Aquamarine residents.
• Han Xiao, Jenny, and Harrison watched the Hunter Squad execute captured spies who had planned to infiltrate Dragon Calm and threaten Planet Aquamarine.
• Han Xiao teased Harrison about his attraction to Jenny and encouraged him to pursue her.
• Han Xiao visited Ames, offered her a choice of Ultimate Knowledge, and recounted his experiences in the Ancient Star Desert.
• Han Xiao returned to the army base and learned from Iso that a special person had arrived on Planet Aquamarine without appearing in surveillance or eyewitness reports.
• Iso told Han Xiao that his prophecy indicated Han Xiao had crossed paths with the mysterious person long ago.

Han Xiao learned from Iso about three prophecies: a mysterious man on Planet Aquamarine, the return of historical figures including The First Ones, and a coming cosmic war that seemed to be the World Tree invasion. After the search failed to find the man, Han Xiao agreed to publish a missing-person notice, while the chapter revealed that the target was Lodi Anke, an invisible man whose future-sensing episodes caused him to pass out.

• Iso told Han Xiao that his visions showed a mysterious man on Planet Aquamarine, dead historical figures returning, and a devastating interstellar war involving enormous wormholes and fleets.
• Iso connected Oathkeeper’s distant mental projection ability to the rare Soul Flame and recalled a premonition that had once warned him away from someone seeking to control him.
• Iso said Harrison had a promising, altered line of fate, then left after delivering the prophecies.
• Han Xiao sent the stranger’s image to Phillip and mobilized Black Star Army personnel to search Planet Aquamarine, but the records, surveillance, and planetary scans found no match.
• Lodi Anke described how he had become invisible and intangible, developed uncontrolled short-term precognition, and posted an unanswered plea for help on a public notice channel.
• Han Xiao accepted Harrison’s suggestion to publish a missing-person notice after the search failed, hoping to discover the stranger’s connection to him.

After the search for the missing man failed, Harrison found Lodi Anke at the Dragon Calm docks, though only he and Iso could perceive him. Han Xiao identified Lodi’s condition as an incomplete high-dimensional information-state mutation, and the mission interface connected them, revealing a link to the Child of Destiny.

• After four days of searching produced no leads, Harrison noticed Jenny at the docks but failed to start a conversation with her.
• Harrison found an unconscious man at the docks whom the other soldiers could not see, then brought him to Han Xiao and identified him as the missing person.
• Iso recognized the invisible man as Lodi Anke, and Han Xiao learned that Lodi’s mutation prevented most people and detection systems from observing him.
• Lodi told Han Xiao through Harrison that he had developed precognition, become unable to communicate normally, and sought help after seeing the missing-person notice.
• Han Xiao tested ways to interact with Lodi and found that Lodi could wear mechanical armor only after its intelligence and virtual connections were removed.
• When Harrison relayed Lodi’s plea for help, Han Xiao received the mission Child of Destiny: Offspring Transformation, and Lodi became visible to him.

Han Xiao discovered that Lodi was undergoing a transformation caused by the Primordial Esper Ability Entity Child of Destiny and agreed to study him. He learned that Child of Destiny was tied to the information state, while Chaos Mysterious Energy revealed a possible clue to Oathkeeper’s identity as the former host of Soul Flame.

• Han Xiao began perceiving Lodi after Lodi’s desire to be seen apparently triggered an information-state connection, and he agreed to help study the mutation.
• Han Xiao pricked Lodi and inspected his status, discovering that Child of Destiny was a Primordial Esper Ability Entity that produced offspring and was transforming Lodi into one.
• Han Xiao asked Chaos Mysterious Energy and Holy Light Particle about Child of Destiny, but they recalled only that it could shift into an information state and affect reality.
• Chaos Mysterious Energy said Soul Flame had once chosen a member of The First Ones called Spirit Emperor as its host, prompting Han Xiao to investigate the name and ask the Sanctum Organization about Child of Destiny.
• Han Xiao told Holy Light Particle that he planned to cut off a piece of him for a trade, and Chaos Mysterious Energy laughed at his dismay.

Han Xiao took Lodi into his care after learning that his mutation might turn him into the Germinal Organization’s Child of Destiny, then promised Iso that he would protect Ames and Dragon Calm. While investigating the Soul Flame’s former host, the Spirit Emperor, Han Xiao realized that Hila’s Netherland Dimension might hold the information he needed.

• Han Xiao arranged to restrain Lodi in a nutrient chamber while he researched how to halt the mutation that could replace Lodi’s personality.
• Iso speculated that Planet Aquamarine had an unusual line of destiny and asked Han Xiao to protect Ames, entrusting her to him.
• Han Xiao promised Iso he would repay Dragon Calm’s support and not let it suffer the fate it had in his previous life.
• Han Xiao reviewed records describing how the Spirit Emperor, Rovel Sisok, was abandoned in battle, declared dead, and later lost along with his civilization.
• Han Xiao suspected that the Spirit Emperor might have faked his death and realized Hila’s Netherland Dimension could contain heroic spirits who knew the Soul Flame’s whereabouts.

Han Xiao returned to the Shattered World and attended the Beyond Grade A Association meeting, where members discussed his conflict with Manison. When Manison arrived, Han Xiao immediately provoked him in front of everyone.

• Han Xiao reflected on the Netherland Dimension's powerhouses and planned to ask Hila about its restoration at the next regular meeting.
• Han Xiao left Dragon Calm after visiting Bennett, and Ames thanked Iso for arranging protection through Han Xiao.
• Han Xiao reached the Shattered World and met allies at the Development Federation headquarters, where Milizaus explained that many members supported Han Xiao over Manison.
• The Secret Master angrily accused Han Xiao of disrupting his black market forces in the Ancient Star Desert, but Han Xiao defended his actions as necessary to contain the Intelligence Plague.
• Manison arrived at the meeting, and Han Xiao greeted him by saying he had thought Manison would be too ashamed to attend.

Han Xiao confronted Manison at a Development Federation meeting, then navigated pressure to choose between the Beyond Grade As’ consensus and the three Universal Civilizations. After the meeting, Hila told him she had something to say about Netherland and asked whether he had heard of the Sanctuary.

• Han Xiao and Manison traded accusations over the Intelligence Plague and their rivalry while the association members watched.
• Kasuyi told Han Xiao that he disapproved of Manison’s actions but warned that the three Universal Civilizations might eventually use Han Xiao the same way.
• Sorokin approached Han Xiao to propose a partnership and explained that Manison remained a shareholder in the Infinite Financial Group, which the three Universal Civilizations used to monitor him.
• At the meeting, Manison proposed that the association stay out of the coming conflict between the three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance, then asked Han Xiao to state his position.
• Han Xiao backed the association’s consensus but said he would personally deal with one super star cluster civilization, satisfying the members present.
• After the meeting, Hila told Han Xiao that Netherland was stable and asked whether he had heard of the Sanctuary, startling him.

Han Xiao learned from Hila that the Sanctuary could revive the dead and connected it to the Sanctum Organization’s pursuit of Primal Esper Abilities. After returning to Black Gate Star for the Black Star Cup finals, he was greeted with an extravagant welcome, while the Golden Team’s Character Summon Card inexplicably recorded Manison’s ability instead of his.

• Hila told Han Xiao that Netherland had revealed the Sanctuary could revive the dead, and that the previous sisters had once been invited to an operation targeting it.
• Han Xiao connected the Sanctuary to the Sanctum Organization’s efforts to collect Primal Esper Abilities, then praised Hila and offered her Esper Class Ultimate Knowledge.
• Han Xiao reflected that Manison had lost support after his risky move, while Han Xiao’s growing Mechanic Faith was drawing believers away from him.
• Han Xiao returned to Black Gate Star, where Sylvia staged an elaborate welcome and asked him to attend the Black Star Cup finals and closing ceremony.
• The Golden Team used a Blank Character Card after spotting Han Xiao, but it recorded the ability Billion Mechanic Emperor · Manison, leading them to suspect that Black Star was a fake.

After the Golden Team drew a Black Star Character Card showing Manison’s ability, Free Flying convinced the team that the army commander might be an impostor and posted a warning to the forums. Han Xiao discovered that players were planning to expose him during the Black Star Cup finals and launch a rebellion.

• Free Flying and the Golden Team debated whether to reveal the Character Card, then decided to warn the army’s players immediately.
• Free Flying posted the card’s description and claimed that the Mechanic Emperor might be impersonating Black Star to take over the army.
• Han Xiao read the forum posts and watched players argue over theories about Black Star and Manison’s relationship.
• Free Shit Throwing called for players to join a live-streamed rebellion at the Black Star Cup awards ceremony.
• Han Xiao reacted with exasperation and reluctant appreciation as players signed up for the planned confrontation.

Han Xiao let the players’ suspicions about him being replaced by Manison spread, then invited Manison to the Black Star Cup and watched the finals. After the players publicly activated a Manison character card, Han Xiao anticipated how many would take part in the coming ceremony’s planned disruption.

• Han Xiao decided not to correct the players’ replacement rumors and ordered Phillip to monitor the Immortals and invite the Beyond Grade As, including Manison, to the closing ceremony.
• Manison declined Han Xiao’s invitation but asked to watch the closing ceremony’s livestream.
• Hadavy defeated Jotina in the Calamity Grade final after a day-long battle.
• Free Flying’s Golden Team publicly activated a Black Star character card bearing Manison’s name, confirming the players’ suspicions to one another.
• Dynasty won the Immortals’ free-for-all final, while the Golden Team was eliminated first after the other teams targeted them.
• Han Xiao watched the players leave and wondered how many would risk themselves for his sake at the closing ceremony.

Han Xiao watched players organize a plan to expose him as the Mechanic Emperor at the Black Star Cup’s closing ceremony, while foreign guild spies plotted to exploit the chaos. As Free Flying charged Han Xiao onstage and shouted that his life was his, Manison watched the livestream in shock.

• Free Flying rallied Black Star Army players to expose Han Xiao at the award ceremony, while foreign players reported the plan to Han Xiao in hopes of manipulating him.
• Han Xiao saw through the spies’ schemes and secretly ordered mechanical soldiers deployed to protect the guests and audience.
• At the packed closing ceremony, Free Flying and his allies prepared to act while Winter of the Howling Wolf’s group planned to attack amid the confusion.
• Han Xiao presented awards alongside Hila and Lagi as the ceremony progressed, then invited the player-melee winners to speak.
• Free Flying announced that Han Xiao was an impostor posing as Black Star, then charged him and shouted, “Mechanic Emperor! Your life is mine!”
• Manison watched Free Flying’s accusation on a livestream and spilled his popcorn in shock.

Han Xiao stopped Free Flying, Winter of the Howling Wolf, and their fellow players from disrupting the Black Star Cup closing ceremony, then used their failed attack to publicly mock the Mechanic Emperor. The ceremony ended safely, but Manison watched the broadcast and vowed revenge on Han Xiao.

• Free Flying and Winter of the Howling Wolf led players in a sudden attack on Han Xiao and the spectators, but Han Xiao's Restrainer units captured them before anyone was hurt.
• Han Xiao questioned Free Flying, who accused him of being the Mechanic Emperor in disguise and rallied the captured players to proclaim their loyalty to Black Star.
• Kant, Kasuyi, and the other Beyond Grade As discussed the Immortals' strange behavior, while Secret Master claimed Han Xiao had staged the incident to smear the Mechanic Emperor.
• Han Xiao had the players taken away and let the closing ceremony continue, and the incident spread across the universe as the saying “pointing at Black Star while cursing the Mechanic Emperor.”
• Manison watched the broadcast, recognized Han Xiao's scheme, and vowed to turn him into a Convict.

After the closing ceremony, Han Xiao separated the players who had attacked the event and revealed that he had let the incident unfold to expose spies in the Black Star Army. He punished the spies severely, showed leniency to the loyal players, and suspected that an international player war was approaching.

• Han Xiao questioned the detained players as Free Flying's group argued with Winter of the Howling Wolf's spies over who had attacked the audience.
• Han Xiao arrested Winter of the Howling Wolf and hundreds of players after confirming that surveillance footage identified them as the attackers, then sealed them in the Space-Time Amber.
• Han Xiao told the remaining players that he had trusted them and used their actions to expose unstable elements; he assigned them make-up missions and suspended their army discounts for three months.
• Han Xiao explained to Melos and Hila that the punishment was deliberate, while the freed players posted a recording of the encounter on the forums.
• Han Xiao considered the coming international war and how the Black Star Army's strength might change it.

After Free Flying posted a recording of Han Xiao handling the loyalists’ revolt, players praised Black Star and rallied behind the army. Han Xiao then publicized an embellished account of the incident across the Galaxy, leaving other Beyond Grade As impressed by his shamelessness.

• Free Flying and the loyalists posted their private meeting recording, and the forum’s reaction shifted from condemnation to praise for Han Xiao.
• Players concluded that Black Star could copy other people’s abilities, while Free Flying announced plans to turn the Black Star Support Association into an official force and form an Immortals Guard.
• Army players mocked Winter of the Howling Wolf and his allies, until the Northern Front claimed responsibility and sparked a forum flame war.
• Han Xiao issued a public statement that embellished Free Flying’s remarks and urged the Mechanic Emperor not to hold the loyalists’ comments against the army.
• Interstellar citizens enjoyed the gossip, while the Beyond Grade As who had attended the event recognized Han Xiao’s shameless strategy.

Han Xiao received new mechanical blueprints and learned that the Empire had narrowed down Sorokin’s wormhole coordinates to a region of the Unexplored Universe, raising his concern that the World Tree might be discovered. As the Sanctum prepared to trade for Holy Light Particle, Oathkeeper planned to begin the Third Sanctum’s awakening preparations and cut off contact with the outside world.

• After studying Lodi’s transformation, Han Xiao decided not to risk having Evans absorb the Child of Destiny’s power and planned to consult the Sanctum Organization.
• Han Xiao reviewed two Universal Treasure-grade blueprints from Glory: the Titan Spinal Center and Mechanical Territory, which would provide him two Divine Transformation points once built.
• Tarrokov told Han Xiao that the Imperial Academy of Sciences had identified the region indicated by Sorokin’s wormhole coordinates and intended to keep investigating.
• Han Xiao urged Tarrokov to suspend the research, then sent Holy Light Particle’s escort ahead to the Sanctum’s trade location in the Shattered World.
• Oathkeeper confirmed that the Sanctum’s envoy would use an information-state stealth coating to evade Black Star’s tracking after receiving Holy Light Particle.
• Oathkeeper planned to attune the key to the Third Sanctum and prepare the awakening ritual, after which the Sanctum would enter the Darkest Hour and cease outside contact.

Han Xiao completed his trade with Oathkeeper, receiving two Primordial Esper Ability Entities and two golden blueprints in exchange for Holy Light Particle. Their conversation revealed clues about the Child of Destiny and the Spirit Emperor, then Han Xiao shocked Oathkeeper by mentioning Sanctum’s secret plan to revive The First Ones.

• Fording exchanged the goods with the Sanctum envoy, and Han Xiao confirmed the entities and blueprints were genuine.
• Han Xiao questioned Oathkeeper about the Child of Destiny, learning how its information-state particles created progeny and enabled it to foresee the future.
• Oathkeeper admitted he hosted Soul Flame and said the Spirit Emperor had survived his final battle as a disembodied mind that later disappeared.
• Han Xiao told Oathkeeper to give his regards to The First Ones after their revival, and Oathkeeper realized he had never checked himself as a possible mole.

Han Xiao learned why the Sanctum Organization sought to revive historical Beyond Grade As and negotiated an alliance with Oathkeeper, agreeing to help the Awakening Plan in exchange for the Sanctuary’s revival method and other benefits. He accepted a hidden mission tied to the plan, while Oathkeeper returned to his base and told Luo and Fei that Black Star was their ally for now.

• Oathkeeper realized Han Xiao had known Sanctum’s intentions and asked why he had exposed them.
• Han Xiao explained that he wanted to increase the number of Beyond Grade As and demanded that the revived historical powerhouses stand with him.
• Oathkeeper revealed that Sanctum was founded by some of The First Ones to revive those who died in the Exploration Era, and confirmed that their method involved the Sanctuary.
• Han Xiao and Oathkeeper agreed to cooperate, with Han Xiao promising to protect Sanctum’s secret in exchange for its revival method, technology, intelligence, and ties to the revived individuals.
• Han Xiao accepted the hidden mission “Return to the Historical Stage,” which required helping Sanctum complete the Awakening Plan.
• Oathkeeper returned to the Sanctum Organization’s base and told Luo and Fei that Black Star was their ally for the time being.

Han Xiao reviewed two Primal Esper Abilities and four golden blueprints, then began preparing to build the devices before the public commendation ceremony. Meanwhile, Gaud trained toward Beyond Grade A, Carrot was assigned to a harsh training class, and Black Star’s warning led the Dynasty to suspend wormhole traversal tests.

• Han Xiao examined Natural Spiritual Energy and Frost Authority, considered possible hosts, and decided to look for compatible legion officers before giving either ability to Evans.
• Han Xiao studied the Psionic Obelisk and Getter Wave Fist blueprints, planned to build them alongside two other devices, and set to work during the two months before the ceremony.
• The Crimson Dynasty base director and chief instructor praised Gaud’s rapid progress, then assigned Carrot to an elite class with difficult opponents despite the chief instructor’s doubts about him.
• The Dynasty rejected a research group’s application to test wormholes after Black Star warned that conflict with the Super Star Cluster Alliance could leave the civilizations unable to manage unexpected risks.
• The research group leader canceled the traversal tests and ordered a researcher to calculate additional wormhole data instead.

The Sanctum Organization synthesized the final key and opened the Third Sanctum, but Manison’s last act destabilized the gateway before Oathkeeper entered and vanished. More than a month later, Han Xiao sparred with Hila, discussed growing tensions in the Free Competition Zone, and arrived at a commendation ceremony where the leaders of all three Universal Civilizations planned to honor him in person.

• Oathkeeper ordered the Sanctum Organization to synthesize the final key before the appointed day, and the fleet transformed the pitch-black planet into a white ring.
• The Sanctum Organization inserted its gathered keys and opened the Third Sanctum, but Manison’s remaining consciousness disrupted the gateway before Oathkeeper destroyed him and entered.
• Oathkeeper left Luo and Fei in charge, and the passage collapsed as the keys disintegrated and his locators stopped working.
• Han Xiao sparred with Hila, discussed his new weapons and the Super Star Cluster Alliance’s expansion, then traveled to the commendation ceremony.
• Tarrokov told Han Xiao that the leaders of all three Universal Civilizations would attend and present his medal in person.

Han Xiao attended the Intelligence Plague awards ceremony, where the three Universal Civilizations honored him with the Galaxy Medal. The celebration turned tense when a reporter challenged him over Manison's lack of recognition.

• Han Xiao speculated that the three Universal Civilizations might stage an assassination attempt, then joined Kasuyi, Kant, and other Beyond Grade As at the ceremony.
• Urranrell, Bader, and the Arcane pope arrived with their guards, and Urranrell praised the civilizations' unity while criticizing those who threatened interstellar order.
• The leaders awarded Han Xiao the Galaxy Medal for containing and ending the Intelligence Plague, and he gave a brief speech before inviting questions.
• A reporter accused Han Xiao of accepting honors for contributions Manison had helped make, and the hall fell silent as everyone looked toward Manison.

At the Galaxy Medal ceremony, Han Xiao rebuffed a reporter planted by the Super Star Cluster Alliance and later arranged to expose and donate the reporter’s payment. After receiving the medal, he was summoned by the Three Universal Civilizations’ leaders, while the Super Star Cluster Alliance prepared proxy forces to seize territory in the Free Competition Zone.

• Botas challenged Han Xiao over Manison’s contribution, and Han Xiao explained why Manison did not deserve the Galaxy Medal before ordering Botas to sit down.
• After the ceremony, Han Xiao told Sylvia not to kill Botas and instead to monitor his accounts and donate the money deposited by the Super Star Cluster Alliance.
• Han Xiao inspected the Galaxy Medal and discovered it granted a Universe Legend Point and improved his standing with the Three Universal Civilizations and their subordinate factions.
• Two Empire officers told Han Xiao that the three leaders wanted to meet with him, and he agreed to follow them.
• In a secret meeting, the Super Star Cluster Alliance envoys planned to use proxy forces and infiltrators to occupy territory in the Free Competition Zone before the Three Universal Civilizations intervened.

Han Xiao discussed the reporter incident with the Dynasty secretary-general before meeting the three leaders, who demanded that the Black Star Army and the Beyond Grade A Development Federation assist in the coming conflict with the Super Star Cluster Alliance. Han Xiao rejected their proposed justifications and the leaders’ pressure, leaving the dispute unresolved.

• Han Xiao and the secretary-general discussed why the reporter had cooperated with the plot and agreed to play down the incident without threatening his life.
• The secretary-general told Han Xiao that Urranrell’s term was nearing its end and that he expected to be transferred to govern a region afterward.
• Han Xiao met Urranrell, Bader, Dark Emperor Clottey, Oulu, and Urnos, and traded remarks with the leaders before Bader raised the coming dispute with the Super Star Cluster Alliance.
• Bader and Urranrell asked Han Xiao to use his influence over the Beyond Grade A Development Federation to help the Three Universal Civilizations, but Han Xiao refused to compromise the association’s neutrality.
• The leaders proposed using Han Xiao’s personal grudge against Modo Civilization as a pretext, then narrowed their request to having the Federation respond if Super Star Cluster Alliance Beyond Grade A experts intervened.
• Han Xiao challenged Bader’s demand as favoritism and told him to revoke every Beyond Grade A alliance agreement if he dared, leaving Bader silent.

Han Xiao refused the Three Universal Civilizations’ request to let the Development Federation favor them, and their negotiations ended without agreement. Days later, the Super Star Cluster Alliance launched coordinated invasions across the Shattered World, beginning the conflict known as the Eve Incident.

• Han Xiao rejected the Three Universal Civilizations’ request for the Development Federation to oppose the Super Star Cluster Alliance and explained the association’s demands for greater equality.
• The Three Universal Civilizations refused to remove Beyond Grade As’ restrictions without conditions, and the meeting ended without a consensus.
• The Three Universal Civilizations broadcast Han Xiao’s Galaxy Medal ceremony, prompting debate across the galaxy.
• The Northern Front attacked a resource planet in the Free Competition Zone on behalf of the Super Star Cluster Alliance, routing its defenders.
• Player guild alliances and other armed groups joined coordinated attacks on about 2,400 strategic planets, expanding the Super Star Cluster Alliance’s territory and triggering the Eve Incident.

Thunder Horn’s commanders waited for the Three Universal Civilizations to respond to the Super Star Cluster Alliance’s expansion, then received an order encouraging forces to attack the alliance. Han Xiao gave Black Star Army players a counterfeit main-storyline mission targeting Modo, while considering the Development Federation’s standoff with the Three Universal Civilizations and preparing to contact Sorokin.

• Thunder Horn’s commander-in-chief chose to wait for the Three Universal Civilizations’ response before committing the exploration army to the conflict.
• The Three Universal Civilizations announced sanctions against the Super Star Cluster Alliance and promised support and territory to forces that attacked it, prompting Thunder Horn to mobilize for the middle ring.
• Black Star Army players received Han Xiao’s war order and a faction-war mission targeting the Modo Civilization, which they mistook for the main storyline mission.
• Han Xiao reflected that the counterfeit mission would keep players in the army and focus their efforts against Modo, while the Development Federation’s demand to end the knowledge monopoly remained unlikely to succeed.
• Han Xiao considered secretly cooperating with Sorokin against Modo and decided the conflict offered a chance to test his suspicions about Sorokin’s identity.

Han Xiao pressured Sorokin into funding the war against Modo and opening the Infinite Financial Group’s channels to the Germinal Financial Group by hinting that he had uncovered Sorokin’s past as Spirit Emperor. After the call, Sorokin realized Han Xiao might discover his other identities and considered killing him to eliminate the threat.

• Han Xiao asked Sorokin to fund military supplies for the campaign against Modo, and Sorokin agreed despite his reluctance.
• Han Xiao explained the business opportunity created by economic sanctions against the super star cluster civilizations and asked to use Sorokin’s channels for the Germinal Financial Group.
• Han Xiao brought up Rovel Sisok, Spirit Emperor, and suggested that the historical figure might have survived as Soul Flame’s former host.
• Sorokin agreed to cooperate after realizing Han Xiao was probing his identity, then crushed his communicator once the call ended.
• Sorokin feared that an investigation could expose his involvement in the Tragedy of the Pinnacle and concluded that killing Han Xiao might be the only way to end the danger.