Recaps

The Black Star Army attacked the Modo Civilization’s territory in the Emerald Star Cluster, using its Immortal troops to overwhelm a stronghold and drive off Modo’s reinforcements. Modo’s leaders debated how to resist the army, and Lagos hinted that he might have a plan to trouble Black Star.

• The Free Competition Zone erupted into war after the Three Universal Civilizations issued anti-monopoly regulations, and the Black Star Army began attacking the Modo-controlled Ferdinand Star System war zone.
• The Black Star Army’s fleet shattered a stronghold planet’s shield and deployed more than one hundred thousand Immortals, who overwhelmed the defenders and caused their lines to collapse.
• A Modo reinforcement fleet arrived too late to save the stronghold and retreated after seeing the Immortals overrun it.
• Roddick and Modo’s leaders discussed the Black Star Army’s advance, their lack of allied support, and the need to recruit Immortal organizations to fight back.
• Roddick said Modo would have to make Black Star withdraw, and Lagos suggested he might have an idea for causing Black Star trouble.

Lagos proposed using the Soul-Switching Twins or the Dragon Emperor to distract Black Star, while Han Xiao advanced a wider plan to trap the Modo Civilization. The chapter ended with Han Xiao secretly recruiting players as spies and bringing Lothaire into the operation.

• Lagos told Roddick that the Soul-Switching Twins could target Black Star or the Dragon Emperor, and suggested exploiting the Dragon Emperor’s weakness to draw Black Star away.
• The Black Star Army’s advance through the Ferdinand Star System opened a breach in the Super Star Cluster Alliance’s defenses and intensified fighting in the Emerald Star Cluster.
• Enterprise signed a cooperation agreement with the Infinite Financial Group and prepared to help identify the Super Star Cluster civilizations’ supply lines.
• Han Xiao summoned veteran players and assigned them secret missions to infiltrate enemy guilds and investigate Modo’s logistics.
• Han Xiao arranged a broader plan to encircle Modo and secretly contacted Lothaire to help carry it out.

The Silver Revolution’s leaders struggled to expand their movement, while Lothaire accepted Black Star’s request to stir up conflict in the Modo Civilization. Black Star’s agents and the Soul-Switching Twins were dispatched toward Modo, and Iso sensed a veiled threat there but could not foresee its details.

• Edmund learned that the Intelligence Plague had strengthened public support for the Three Universal Civilizations, leaving the Silver Revolution’s growth far below expectations.
• Lothaire told the Silver Revolution’s leaders that Black Star had asked her to intensify Modo’s social conflicts, then left to plan how to exploit its divisions.
• Rotel ordered the Assassins Mutual Aid Society to assemble and prepare for a mission to Modo.
• Modo’s officers assigned the Soul-Switching Twins to deal with Black Star and gave them a magic orb to obscure them from precognitive abilities.
• Iso sensed a warning connected to Modo but found that a masking device prevented him from seeing the specific future possibilities.

Han Xiao coordinated military and economic pressure against the Modo Civilization while preparing to monitor the Super Star Cluster Alliance’s supply lines. Three months into the conflict, a covert fleet carrying the Soul-Switching Twins arrived in the Shattered Star Ring.

• Han Xiao arranged for allies and financial groups to encircle the Modo Civilization and exploit its wartime economic crisis.
• Han Xiao decided Nero should monitor the Shattered Star Ring’s fleets, with Iso serving as his adviser, and Iso warned him that Modo might target him.
• Han Xiao estimated he could reach level 340 before Version 4.0 ended and planned to use his advancement to gain an advantage over the Mechanic Emperor.
• The Three Universal Civilizations’ sanctions and widespread unrest plunged the Modo Civilization into worsening economic and social turmoil.
• The Super Star Cluster Alliance gained advantages in most Free Competition Zone battles, but its forces struggled in the Modo war zone.
• A covert fleet carrying the Soul-Switching Twins arrived in the Shattered Star Ring through a cross-star-field stargate.

The Modo Civilization planned to use the Soul-Switching Twins to kill Iso Hariken and provoke Ames into a conflict that would draw Han Xiao away from the Shattered World Battle. As Han Xiao strengthened his precautions, Iso revealed he intended to leave after the battle, while Han Xiao agreed to accompany Ames to the Secondary Dimension World.

• Lagos briefed the Soul-Switching Twins on a plan to lure Iso Hariken out, manipulate him into getting killed, and frame a protected civilization to provoke Ames.
• The Soul-Switching Twins agreed to the assignment while privately planning to use the Soul-Switching Device to escape their imprisonment.
• Han Xiao praised Nero and Iso for uncovering Super Star Cluster Alliance supply routes and ordered Nero to intensify intelligence gathering.
• Iso told Han Xiao he planned to leave after the Shattered World Battle and wanted Han Xiao to pass the message to Ames without stopping him.
• Han Xiao contacted Ames, discussed the battle's likely duration, and agreed to join her on a trip to the Secondary Dimension World.

A Modo Civilization force used the Soul-Switching Device to replace the souls of Black Star Army tracking-team members, letting an agent impersonate the surviving captain and continue pursuing the fleet. As Nero sent Iso to investigate the ambush, Manison learned that the Soul-Switching Device had been deployed and considered exploiting the situation.

• A Black Star Army tracking team found a suspicious transport fleet, but the fleet attacked, destroying two shuttles and capturing the captain of the remaining ship.
• The Soul-Switching Twins used the Soul-Switching Device to replace the souls of the fleeing ship's crew with prepared agents, and the Modo commander sent them to infiltrate the Black Star Army.
• Nero questioned the supposed surviving captain, who reported the ambush and asked to keep pursuing the enemy; Nero approved his request.
• Tomar advised Nero to follow the second plan, so Nero dispatched Iso and an escort force to investigate the ambush site through prophecy.
• Manison received word that the Soul-Switching Twins and the Soul-Switching Device had left the Modo base, and he considered how he could take advantage of it.

Iso used his prophetic ability to help the Black Star Army track down a disguised Super Star Cluster Alliance transport ship, but Modo's Soul-Switching Twins secretly implanted suicide soldiers' souls into him to manipulate his report. The twins then revealed their hidden Grade B strength, stole the Soul-Switching Device, and escaped, leaving Modo's scheme against Iso in motion.

• Iso examined the landing site and foresaw the faction emblems the fleeing Super Star Cluster Alliance ships had adopted as disguises.
• The Black Star Army tracked a suspicious transport ship to a Light Rune Civilization planet and killed its crew during the capture, leaving no prisoners.
• Iso touched the captured ship and used his ability, allowing the Soul-Switching Twins to implant Modo suicide soldiers' souls in him and make him report false coordinates for the Alliance fleet's destination.
• The Soul-Switching Twins drew the souls from the soldiers guarding them and revealed that they could combine their energy to reach Grade B.
• The twins threatened Modo's commander, stored the Soul-Switching Device inside themselves, and escaped into the shadows while the commander ordered the higher-ups to be informed.

Lagos learned that the Modo Civilization had secretly implanted loyal personalities in the Soul-Switching Twins, while Iso vanished after helping Black Star Army attack Modo outposts. Han Xiao used Lodi’s prophetic ability to locate Iso’s likely fate and learned that Iso would die beside him in a war, leaving Han Xiao suspicious of a hidden plot.

• A military envoy told Lagos that hidden personalities implanted in the Soul-Switching Twins would make them return, and ordered him to continue the plan against Black Star.
• Iso refused Nero’s request to return to headquarters and demanded that his guards stop following him closely.
• More than half a month later, Nero told Han Xiao that Iso had disappeared and left a message reminding Han Xiao of their agreement.
• Han Xiao ordered a search for Iso and woke Lodi to use his prophetic ability to find him.
• Lodi prophesied that Han Xiao and a woman in a black dress would fight in a war with Iso’s corpse at their feet, prompting Han Xiao to suspect someone was plotting behind the scenes.

The Modo Civilization secretly partnered with Manison, who planned to use their operation against Black Star to locate the Soul-Switching Device. Meanwhile, Han Xiao and Ames prepared to search for the missing Iso, whom Han Xiao suspected had been controlled by an unknown method.

• The Three Kings of Modo agreed to cooperate with Manison, unaware that he mainly wanted information about the Soul-Switching Device.
• Jill Emerson and Warren Emerson used the Soul-Switching Device to escape in borrowed bodies and planned to wear away the mental trap implanted in their souls.
• Han Xiao visited Ames on Floating Dragon Island and told her that Iso had gone missing.
• Han Xiao suspected Iso had been controlled through an unknown method because the guards' detection devices had found no traces.
• Ames lent Han Xiao Dragon Calm's forces, and she, Han Xiao, and Fording prepared to leave and search for Iso.

Han Xiao’s army searched the Shattered Star Ring for Iso, but Manison’s affiliated force picked him up and destroyed his escape pod. Han Xiao found the wreckage and traced the pickup to the Mild Armed Transport Group, leaving him to secretly monitor Manison’s suspected forces.

• Han Xiao mobilized the Black Star Army, Ames’s forces, and a public bounty to search the Shattered Star Ring for Iso.
• Iso boarded a ship sent by the Mild Armed Transport Group, which destroyed his space pod before departing.
• Manison learned that his organization had picked up Iso and planned to use the opportunity to locate the Soul-Switching Device.
• Han Xiao’s fleet found the pod’s radioactive wreckage, and he used [Bold Explorer] to witness Iso’s escape and pickup.
• Han Xiao ordered Phillip to identify matching high-speed shuttles and found the Mild Armed Transport Group among the results.
• Han Xiao recognized the group as one of Manison’s affiliated forces and ordered his allies to secretly monitor it and the other suspected organizations.

Han Xiao tracked Iso to a flying saucer and captured him before he could reach Planet Ash and die in a staged crackdown. After stopping Iso's suicide attempt, Han Xiao examined him and discovered a Soul-Switching Device.

• Iso abandoned his escape route and chose Planet Ash, hoping to die under its suppression troops and provoke the Dragon Emperor against the local civilization.
• Han Xiao and Ames followed Iso using stealth ships, then Han Xiao hacked the flying saucer and brought it into his flagship's hold.
• Ames recognized that Iso was an impostor, and Han Xiao revealed that they had already seen through his act.
• Iso tried to shoot himself, but Nero disarmed him and the soldiers restrained him.
• Han Xiao examined Iso and found a Soul-Switching Device in his status information.

Han Xiao learned that Modo had used the Soul-Switching Device to possess Iso and arranged to interrogate the parasite before treating him. He exposed the Mechanic Emperor to Urranrell while pursuing Modo’s fleet and the device, and Manison realized Han Xiao had become his rival for the Cosmic Wonder.

• Han Xiao had Fording examine Iso and delayed removing the fused Modo soul so they could interrogate it first.
• Ames insisted on helping Han Xiao retaliate, and Han Xiao accepted the mission to take revenge with her.
• Fording’s interrogation revealed Modo’s plot, the Soul-Switching Device’s nature as a Cosmic Wonder, and the existence of the Soul-Switching Twins.
• Han Xiao reported Manison’s cooperation with Modo to Urranrell and ordered Nero to investigate the Modo force and the surviving tracking squad.
• Manison learned that his spaceship had gone missing and feared Black Star would expose his forces and compete for the Soul-Switching Device.

After Iso's capture, the Modo Civilization worried that the Soul-Switching Device would be exposed, while Han Xiao investigated the device and searched for the escaped Soul-Switching Twins. Manison tracked the twins to Earth Ring Planet and locked down the planet, leaving them trapped as his forces began screening its inhabitants.

• The Modo executives concluded that their plan had failed, feared the Soul-Switching Device would be revealed, and rejected sending a Beyond Grade A to recover it.
• Han Xiao reviewed the Black Star Army's investigation, learned that the Soul-Switching Twins had escaped, and ordered his forces to monitor Manison's affiliated units.
• Gor and Lotaire reached Earth Ring Planet, planning to absorb souls before escaping the Shattered Star Ring through its stargate.
• Manison arrived with a fleet, cut off the planet's communications, and announced that he was taking temporary control of Earth Ring Planet.
• Manison ordered his forces to seal the planet and screen every living being for the Soul-Switching Twins, confident that Black Star had been diverted by his decoy.

Manison’s search for the Soul-Switching Twins on Earth Ring Planet was interrupted when Han Xiao arrived with Ames and Hila. Ames and Hila went to search for the fugitives while Han Xiao challenged Manison to a one-on-one fight, leaving the two Beyond Grade A leaders preparing to clash.

• Manison blockaded Earth Ring Planet and ordered his mechanical troops to round up its residents, while Gor and Lotaire worried that the dragnet would expose them.
• Manison planned to isolate everyone aboard ships, but Han Xiao’s Black Star Army fleet arrived with Han Xiao, Ames, and Hila.
• Han Xiao persuaded Earth Ring Planet’s governor to withdraw the defense fleet and confronted Manison over the fugitives on the planet.
• Ames and Hila went to search Earth Ring Planet while Han Xiao stayed behind to fight Manison alone; Hila secured a promise of thirty sparring matches afterward.
• Han Xiao and Manison entered combat states, with Manison declaring that he would take Han Xiao’s Space-Time Amber.

Han Xiao and Manison fought to a standstill above Earth Ring Planet, and Han Xiao’s new strength unsettled Manison before a powerful strike damaged his Mechanical Deity. As Ames and Hila searched for Gor and Lotaire, they sensed genuine Beyond Grade A fighters emerging from Manison’s army box and rushed to help Han Xiao.

• Han Xiao and Manison deployed their Mechanical Deities and armies, clashing above Earth Ring Planet while Ames and Hila searched the surface for Gor and Lotaire.
• Han Xiao leveled up to 331 and used his expanded Apostle Weapon force to match Manison, who was shaken by Han Xiao’s rapid growth.
• Han Xiao struck Manison with Getter Wave Fist, cracking his Mechanical Deity and forcing him to repair it with nearby mechanical soldiers.
• Gor and Lotaire realized how outmatched they were and decided to escape while the two Mechanics fought.
• Ames and Hila detected several genuine Beyond Grade A fighters emerging from Manison’s army box and turned back to help Han Xiao.

Han Xiao fought Manison above Earth Ring Planet, but Manison deployed three Convicts, including one who formed a powerful half-beast Mechanical Deity. Just as Manison seemed to have Han Xiao trapped, the Convict suddenly turned against him and struck his Mechanical Deity.

• Han Xiao and Manison exchanged tens of thousands of blows as their Mechanical Deities battled across the battlefield.
• Manison summoned his Immortal Mechanic Emperor troops and revealed three modified Beyond Grade A Convicts.
• The Mechanic Convict formed a half-beast Mechanical Deity and joined Manison in attacking Han Xiao, while the other Convicts overwhelmed Han Xiao's mechanical army.
• Manison and the half-beast Mechanical Deity tore Han Xiao's body apart and trapped his main body, but Han Xiao hinted that he had been waiting for Manison to use the Convicts.
• The half-beast Mechanical Deity seized Manison's wrist, then pierced his face with its five tails and tore its head apart.

Han Xiao used [Virtual Purification: Restoration] to free Manison’s Convicts and Immortal Mechanic Emperor troops, turning Manison’s forces against him and capturing one Convict. With Ames’s help, he overwhelmed Manison and destroyed his Dominion Avatar, leaving the Mechanic Emperor’s remaining troops stranded.

• Han Xiao used [Virtual Purification: Restoration] to restore a Convict’s self-awareness and free it from Manison’s control.
• Han Xiao restored the other Convicts, the Immortal Mechanic Emperor troops, and Manison’s virtual operatives, causing them to turn against Manison.
• Manison cut off his defecting troops’ Mechanical Force supply, but Han Xiao seized the Mechanic Class Convict and began withdrawing captured troops.
• Han Xiao and Manison fought fiercely as Ames joined the battle and used her force field to rescue two Convicts.
• Han Xiao and Ames trapped Manison’s Dominion Avatar against a force-field barrier, and Han Xiao struck it apart with the Star Slaying Blade.

Han Xiao defeated Manison’s forces, captured two Convicts, and recovered the Soul-Switching Device, though the twins who possessed it were killed by Ames. He left with valuable captives and a new qualified user for the device while Manison raged over his losses.

• With Dominion’s avatar destroyed, Han Xiao captured most of Manison’s isolated troops and two Convicts while Manison’s forces retreated.
• Han Xiao spoke with Second Treasure and Fourth Treasure, who agreed to follow him while he helped them discover their identities.
• Han Xiao entrusted Resta with the rescued intelligent lifeforms and learned their bodies remained bound to Manison’s technology.
• Hila’s group found the Soul-Switching Twins, and Han Xiao obtained the Soul-Switching Device; Fording unexpectedly qualified to use it.
• Ames killed Gor and Lotaire, while Hila collected their souls for interrogation and Han Xiao let Fording carry the device.
• Manison learned that Han Xiao had taken his Convicts and troops without securing the Soul-Switching Device, and he swore revenge.

After defeating Manison’s doppelganger, Han Xiao gained a new virtual technology talent and the trust of Resta and the intelligent lifeforms, who agreed to help him investigate the Mechanic Emperor’s technology. The [Restart] mission’s final stage tasked him with freeing the AI Civilization, and Han Xiao began planning a strike against the Modo Civilization.

• Earth Ring Planet’s governor thanked Han Xiao for stopping Manison and offered to host him, but Han Xiao declined and prepared to leave after the battlefield was cleared.
• Han Xiao completed Manison’s challenge mission, received the [Ancient One] Character Summon Card, and chose [Virtual Technology Innovation: Manison] from five ability options.
• Resta brought intelligent lifeforms who agreed to follow Han Xiao, help him investigate the immortal mechanical soldier technology, and reveal what they knew about Manison.
• The final stage of the [Restart] mission appeared, requiring Han Xiao to liberate the AI Civilization and offering the [Friend of Intelligent Life] talent as a reward.
• Han Xiao told Resta he would arrange a planet for the intelligent lifeforms in his territory, then considered how to attack the Modo Civilization.
• Ames asked when they would act against the force behind the attacks, and Han Xiao said there was no rush while he thought through his next move.

After defeating the Mechanic Emperor again, Han Xiao gained public acclaim while the Black Star Army accused the Modo Civilization of helping kidnap Iso and threatened retaliation. As believers flocked to Black Star and Sorokin worried about his strength, Han Xiao examined the Soul-Switching Device aboard the returning fleet.

• Footage of Han Xiao defeating the Mechanic Emperor spread across the network, and the Black Star Army later announced that Iso had been kidnapped by the Modo Civilization with the Mechanic Emperor as an accomplice.
• The Three Kings of Modo learned that the Soul-Switching Device had fallen into Han Xiao's hands and ordered their forces to find a way to destroy the Soul-Switching Twins and the device's manual.
• Zacks encountered his old friend Modir in Black Star's hall and discovered that Modir had secretly switched his worship from the Mechanic Emperor to Black Star.
• Sorokin watched the battle report and concluded that he might need to retrieve his soul seeds and abandon his identity as head of the Infinite Financial Group to confront Han Xiao.
• Han Xiao tested the Soul-Switching Device, found that it would not absorb him, and activated Bold Explorer to investigate it.

Han Xiao traced the Soul-Switching Device’s origins to an ancient civilization that planned to use it to control a dead ancient god, then realized it could work with the Space-Time Amber to transfer souls into bodies without souls. After helping Iso recover, Han Xiao proposed swapping bodies among Iso, Fording, and Morning Star, while the chapter ended with the Beyond Grade A Association discussing his victory over Manison as he arrived.

• Han Xiao saw a vision of ancient gods awakening across a planet and destroying its civilization, which began developing a Soul-Switching Device to control a dead ancient god’s body.
• Han Xiao recognized the device’s prototype and realized it could pair with the Space-Time Amber to place souls into bodies without souls.
• Fording told Han Xiao that Morning Star wanted a custom body, and Han Xiao refused to make one; Fording also reported that the device had removed the parasitic soul from Iso.
• Iso thanked Han Xiao for saving him and said he would have to stay with Ames, so Han Xiao proposed that Iso inhabit a powerhouse’s body while Morning Star used Iso’s body.
• Han Xiao suggested that Iso enter Fording’s body and Morning Star take Iso’s, but both men rejected the idea in horror.
• At the Beyond Grade A Association headquarters, Sun Hunter, Kant, Kasuyi, and others discussed Han Xiao’s victory over Manison and the Mechanic Emperor’s modified Beyond Grade A weapons as Han Xiao arrived.

Han Xiao argued that the Beyond Grade A Association should support Ames and punish Modo for targeting her, winning broad approval despite Manison’s objections. He then taunted Manison over his stolen Convict technology and hinted that his research had advanced.

• Han Xiao told the other Beyond Grade As that Manison had turned Sulett and Kane into Convicts, prompting them to recall the two former powerhouses.
• At the association meeting, Han Xiao called for the group to support Ames and let him attack Modo, arguing that Modo had broken the rules by targeting an uninvolved Beyond Grade A.
• Manison objected that Han Xiao’s proposal would undermine the agreement to keep Beyond Grade As out of the war, but Han Xiao reframed action against Modo as necessary for the association’s unity and prestige.
• Beoni, Kohler, the Crimson Dynasty’s members, and several other Beyond Grade As supported Han Xiao, while Manison’s followers stayed quiet.
• A member suggested Han Xiao should retaliate against Manison as well, and Han Xiao claimed he would let Manison’s actions go; Manison silently fumed over the Soul-Switching Device and his captured Convicts.
• Manison predicted Han Xiao had hit a research bottleneck, but Han Xiao said he had withheld the truth only because it might give Manison a heart attack.

After the Beyond Grade A Association backed Black Star against the Modo Civilization, Han Xiao and Ames arrived at the Ferdinand War Zone with a massive fleet to strike at Modo. Han Xiao ordered the other forces operating there to withdraw within five days, declaring the front his.

• The Beyond Grade A Association condemned Modo's attack on Iso and supported Black Star's retaliation, prompting concern among the Three Universal Civilizations and the Super Star Cluster Alliance.
• President Bader recognized that Han Xiao had expanded his influence by mobilizing the Association and worried that its growing unity could weaken the Three Universal Civilizations' control over Beyond Grade As.
• Han Xiao and Ames arrived at the Ferdinand War Zone with most of the Black Star Army's deployed fleets, where Melos reported that the troops had assembled.
• Han Xiao and Ames planned to strike at the Modo Expeditionary Army's command, which had devised the plot against Iso.
• Han Xiao contacted the commanders of other forces in the war zone and ordered them to withdraw within five days, insisting that the front belonged to him.

Han Xiao and Ames led the Black Star Army in a devastating assault on Modo’s defenses, then broke away from the main force to strike at the Modo Expeditionary Army’s headquarters. Roddick and Lagos realized they had been abandoned by Modo’s leadership and the other Super Star Cluster civilizations as Black Star advanced toward them.

• Han Xiao persuaded the allied armed organizations to withdraw, leaving the Black Star Army as the only force attacking Modo’s defenses in the Ferdinand War Zone.
• Han Xiao ordered the Black Star Army to attack, and Ames and his mechanical troops helped break through the Modo Expeditionary Army’s defensive line.
• Han Xiao left Melos in command of the main force and flew with Ames toward Modo’s heartland to target the expeditionary army’s leaders.
• At headquarters, Roddick and Lagos recognized that Han Xiao had come for them because of Modo’s failed plan against Iso.
• Roddick asked the Super Star Cluster Alliance for reinforcements and refuge, but its commanders refused, leaving Modo to face Black Star alone.

Han Xiao and Ames infiltrated Modo’s territory, where Han Xiao planted hidden mechanical sentries and waited to see whether Modo would send Beyond Grade A reinforcements. They reached headquarters and destroyed it with Spacetime Shearing Technology, killing Roddick, Lagos, and most of the expeditionary army’s leadership before escaping.

• Han Xiao and Ames spent weeks crossing Modo’s territory while Han Xiao deployed mechanical troops to disrupt fleets, gather intelligence, and plant Throne nodes.
• Han Xiao deliberately gave Modo’s leaders time to call for Beyond Grade A protection, but Modo’s upper echelons refused to send reinforcements.
• Roddick and Lagos waited at headquarters, increasingly distressed by Han Xiao and Ames’s slow approach and Modo’s failure to send help.
• Han Xiao used Spacetime Shearing Technology to move his mechanical soldiers through the Modo fleet formations despite their attacks.
• Han Xiao’s troops detonated outside headquarters, killing Roddick, Lagos, and most of the Modo Expeditionary Army’s leadership.
• Han Xiao and Ames escaped as Han Xiao warned that Modo would face further trouble.