Recaps

Han Xiao exposed Gaud as Sorokin, defeated him, and sealed him in Space-Time Amber while considering how to handle the Empire’s response. After erasing the battlefield and returning to Black Star Palace, he claimed the rewards for completing [Gaud's Secret].

• Han Xiao revealed that Gaud had used [Esper Ability: Rebirth] to become a new vessel for Sorokin’s consciousness, while Gaud denied the accusation.
• Han Xiao transformed into a Mechanical Deity and overwhelmed Gaud, discovering that Gaud had been secretly analyzing the Evolution Cube’s energy.
• Han Xiao captured Gaud in a mechanical prison and sealed it inside Space-Time Amber, intending to keep him alive and contain the risks of his abilities.
• Han Xiao destroyed the secondary-dimension battlefield, returned to Black Star Palace, and found Fording in the library.
• Han Xiao completed [Gaud's Secret] and received a Character Summon Card for Gaud and a choice of one of five abilities.

Han Xiao gained Gaud’s Perfect Energy Affinity Physique and waited at home as the Crimson Dynasty discovered Gaud’s escort fleet had vanished. The Empire announced a galaxy-wide search for the culprit, while Sorokin learned of Gaud’s disappearance before he could act and was left bewildered.

• Han Xiao chose Gaud’s Perfect Energy Affinity Physique, gained powerful energy bonuses, and tested his new ability to sense and absorb free energy.
• Urranrell learned that Gaud and his escort fleet had lost contact near the Emerald Star Cluster, and Tarrokov reported that investigators found no trace of them.
• Urranrell summoned the Empire’s officials, who discussed possible culprits and demanded an investigation; Bekorodi stayed silent about his secret role in directing Gaud to analyze Evolution Energy.
• Urranrell ordered the Empire to announce Gaud’s disappearance and pledge to track down the culprit at any cost.
• Sorokin, waiting at a stargate station to observe Gaud’s fleet before deciding whether to attack, received the announcement and realized someone had already made Gaud disappear.

After Gaud disappeared, the Crimson Dynasty began investigating everyone connected to him, while civilizations and Beyond Grade As scrambled to identify the culprit. Han Xiao urged the association to launch a joint investigation, concealing that he was the one who had caused Gaud’s disappearance.

• Lu Qi pursued Gaud to test his ability, but the Crimson Dynasty stopped his fleet and detained him for inspection after finding Gaud’s trail in his navigation logs.
• Bader and the chief council elder suspected the Super Star Cluster Alliance, while the Star Arc Civilization leader feared a conspiracy and decided to blame Manison.
• The Crimson Dynasty announced Gaud’s disappearance and destroyed organizations that falsely claimed responsibility, spreading fear across the universe.
• At the association’s emergency meeting, Sun Hunter questioned Manison, and Clottey warned that the Empire would punish whoever had taken Gaud.
• Han Xiao proposed that the association investigate and issue a universe-wide pursuit order; the members supported him, unaware that he was the culprit.

After Gaud disappeared, the Dynasty and Beyond Grade A forces launched a massive search, while the Super Star Cluster Alliance and Manison prepared to shift blame onto each other. Han Xiao joined the Dynasty’s task force as an expert, then discovered that his mission required him to solve the case and catch the culprit—himself.

• The Beyond Grade A forces, the Dynasty, Glory, and Arcane announced searches for Gaud and offered a four-billion-Enas bounty, but no clues emerged.
• The Super Star Cluster Alliance agreed to frame Manison as the culprit to protect itself from becoming the Dynasty’s scapegoat.
• Manison suspected the Super Star Clusters would try to blame him and prepared countermeasures, while the revived First Ones worried the incident would make the Dynasty suspect them.
• Tarrokov invited Han Xiao to join the Dynasty’s task force and search the quantum network for clues, and Han Xiao accepted.
• Han Xiao celebrated gaining a role in the investigation, then received the [Arrest Warrant] mission requiring him to catch the culprit.

Han Xiao used his privileged access to the Shattered World’s quantum network to steer the investigation toward the Super Star Cluster Alliance while protecting Manison and the Beyond Grade A Association. The Empire’s task force submitted a fabricated chain of evidence, and Urranrell summoned Black Star alongside Clottey and Sherlock to discuss the report.

• Tarrokov formed the Empire task force, with Clottey as leader and Sherlock Dilman coordinating the investigation, and assigned Han Xiao, Kant, and Judith to search the quantum network.
• Han Xiao used his network access to discover the Super Star Clusters and Manison framing each other, then secretly chose to help Manison and make the alliance look guilty.
• Manison noticed that evidence against him was disappearing and speculated that the Three Universal Civilizations were intervening against the Super Star Clusters.
• After seven or eight days, the task force presented Urranrell with a seemingly complete chain of evidence implicating the Super Star Cluster Alliance, despite knowing it was fabricated.
• Urranrell questioned the need to settle for a false result and called Clottey, Sherlock, and Black Star to hear their opinions.

Han Xiao persuaded Urranrell to blame the Super Star Cluster Alliance for Gaud’s disappearance while protecting neutral Beyond Grade As, and he cast suspicion on Sorokin. After Han Xiao left, Urranrell asked Clottey whether he would become the next Mechanic Emperor, and Clottey said he was far more dangerous.

• Urranrell questioned Han Xiao, Clottey, and Sherlock about the task force’s lack of genuine leads, then signed an order targeting the Super Star Cluster Alliance as a temporary scapegoat.
• Han Xiao suggested Gaud might have faked his death, then implicated Sorokin by claiming he was a powerful historical Beyond Grade A hiding under an assumed identity.
• Han Xiao asked Urranrell to keep neutral Beyond Grade As and suspected Alliance members outside the Empire’s retaliation until the culprit was identified, and she agreed to limit the targets to Alliance forces.
• Han Xiao persuaded Urranrell to publicize his defense of the Beyond Grade A Association, then ended the call, relieved that he had steered the Empire toward the wrong path.
• Urranrell asked Clottey whether Han Xiao would become the next Mechanic Emperor, and Clottey replied that Han Xiao was a hundred times more dangerous.

The Three Universal Civilizations used the Gaud Incident to escalate the Shattered World Battle, and Black Star protected the Beyond Grade A Association from an Empire search while the Super Star Cluster Alliance kept its hidden agents concealed. The alliance was defeated, the war ended, and the Crimson Dynasty later saw Urranrell step down as head of state.

• The Empire accused three Super Star Cluster civilizations of plotting the attack on Gaud, and the Super Star Cluster Alliance denied the charges and refused to cooperate.
• The Three Universal Civilizations sent their direct Beyond Grade A subordinates into the Shattered World Battle, while the Super Star Cluster Alliance kept its own hidden subordinates out of the fighting.
• Black Star persuaded the Empire not to search the Beyond Grade A Association, and the Super Star Cluster Alliance leaders decided to keep their agents hidden within it.
• At the association headquarters, members thanked Black Star for protecting them, and Manison realized Black Star had likely helped him as well.
• The Three Universal Civilizations defeated the Super Star Cluster Alliance in eleven months, and Han Xiao purchased Planet Milton and stationed his army there.
• More than half a year after the war, Urranrell stepped down and the Crimson Dynasty changed its head of state.

Urranrell stepped down as Crimson Dynasty head of state, and Mabrus took office with a hard-line program that promised tighter control and expanded military power. Mabrus assured Han Xiao he would honor their existing agreements, but privately viewed Black Star as a dangerous, difficult-to-control ally and decided to wait.

• Urranrell gave her farewell speech, credited the Empire’s achievements to its people, and urged them to preserve the Dynasty’s spirit.
• Mabrus became the Crimson Dynasty’s new head of state and outlined policies focused on strengthening central authority, tightening regional control, and expanding military power.
• Han Xiao, Kant, and Milizaus discussed Mabrus’s hard-line approach and the likely end of Han Xiao’s easy relationship with the Empire.
• The Federation of Light also changed leaders, with Louis Roach replacing Bader, and Mabrus invited Han Xiao to meet him two days later.
• Mabrus promised Han Xiao he would honor Urranrell’s agreements and support, then raised the ongoing discussion about the Beyond Grade A Association.
• Han Xiao asked Clottey about Urranrell and Gaud; afterward, Mabrus privately admitted he distrusted Black Star and would maintain the status quo for now.

Han Xiao visited the restored Netherland as Hila awakened its heroic spirits, including seven powerful Heroic Spirit Kings and billions of other souls. With Hila declaring the spirits Han Xiao’s subordinates, the chapter ended with his [Netherland’s Successor] mission completed and [Netherland Brand] unlocked.

• Han Xiao checked Rotel’s progress and advised him to keep training, while Rotel reaffirmed his loyalty to Han Xiao.
• Han Xiao assessed Aurora’s growing strength, then learned that Hila wanted him to visit the Netherland.
• Onicelu brought Han Xiao to the Netherland’s origin energy core, where Hila awakened the heroic spirits after the dimension had been restored.
• Onicelu introduced the seven Heroic Spirit Kings and revealed that the Netherland held thousands of Calamity Grade spirits and billions of others.
• Hila declared that the heroic spirits would serve Han Xiao, and she threatened to put the Heroic Spirit Kings back to sleep when one challenged her decision.
• The heroic spirits began rebuilding the Netherland, and Han Xiao completed [Netherland’s Successor], gaining [Netherland Brand] and an Onicelu Character Summon Card.

Han Xiao secured Netherland’s power and learned that the Heroic Spirit Kings had heard of the Sanctum, while he weighed the political consequences of two routes to revival. Sylvia then reported that the Crimson Dynasty would assess the Kunde Race’s cultural transformation early, bringing Han Xiao closer to completing his mission.

• Onicelu gave Han Xiao the Netherland Brand and a character card, while Hila recruited the seven Heroic Spirit Kings as unofficial members of the Black Star Army.
• Rega and the other Heroic Spirit Kings recalled that a group called the Sanctum had once sought Sanctuary revival, and Han Xiao concealed that their plan had succeeded.
• Han Xiao judged Netherland a powerful force for Hila and Aurora, then returned to the Black Star Palace and added its details to his confidential plans.
• Han Xiao considered whether the Beyond Grade A Association might unite with other Beyond Grade A forces, but postponed action until after the World Tree threat was handled.
• Sylvia told Han Xiao that the Crimson Dynasty would send an envoy to assess the Kunde Race’s cultural transformation and might soon admit some of them into interstellar society.

Han Xiao provoked Sorokin over unpaid debts to expose their growing conflict, while Sorokin secretly prepared an escape plan and considered how to defeat him. As the Empire's inspection of the Kunde Race approached, Barton urged the young generation to prevent anyone's hatred from ruining their chance to end the lockdown.

• Han Xiao welcomed the Empire's inspection team and learned that the Infinite Financial Group owed the Germinal Financial Group 48.2 billion Enas.
• Han Xiao confronted Sorokin about the unpaid debt and suggested that their disagreement concerned Sorokin's identity; Sorokin refused to pay and ended the call.
• Sorokin suspected Han Xiao had exposed him to the Empire, then began preparing to flee with the Infinite Financial Group's assets and planned how to incapacitate Han Xiao.
• The Empire and the Black Star Army scheduled the inspection, and Han Xiao's troops announced its arrival across the Kunde Race's inhabited planets.
• Barton told the young Kunde gathered on a rooftop that they could leave the lockdown if they behaved well, and urged them to confront those whose hatred might sabotage the inspection.

Han Xiao oversaw the Empire’s inspection of the Kunde Race, and seventeen planets were approved to have their restrictions lifted. As the first Kunde entered interstellar society and Barton joined the Black Star Army, Han Xiao completed the first requirement of Kunde Leader’s Last Wish and claimed its rewards.

• Han Xiao learned that the inspection’s arrival had reduced anti-Empire sentiment but led some Kunde to kill hardliners, and the Empire’s team began visiting the planets.
• On planet No. 77, Barton explained to the inspectors that he had committed murders to eliminate hardliners and said the Kunde should join the Black Star Army if restrictions were lifted.
• The inspection team approved seventeen planets, including planet No. 77, and Han Xiao ordered their restrictions lifted, directed the army to help their residents, and arranged for Barton’s release and recruitment.
• Over a hundred billion Kunde were freed, celebrated the Black Star Army, and reached a Revered relationship with it; Barton resolved to become an army officer worthy of Han Xiao’s confidence.
• Han Xiao completed the first requirement of Kunde Leader’s Last Wish and received EXP, Kunde Race favorability, political assets, two talents, a skill, and other rewards.

Han Xiao gained three powerful abilities, including a major boost from leading the Black Star Army, then drew the Kunde Race into the army through a work-and-contribution program. Sorokin prepared escape routes and unsealed a soul seed to locate the Soul Flame in the Ancient Star Desert, while Oathkeeper briefly sensed someone watching him.

• Han Xiao obtained Oath of Vengeance, Kunde's Wrath, and Proof of Leadership, which greatly increased his energy level through his leadership of the Black Star Army and the Beyond Grade A Association.
• Han Xiao decided to guide talented Kunde people into the army, and the Black Star Army announced work opportunities that let the Kunde Race earn contribution points toward rebuilding their civilization.
• Kunde workers joined the Black Star Army in large numbers and were assigned to branches across different Star Fields, while the Crimson Dynasty recruited fewer workers of its own.
• Sorokin finished preparing secret resource caches and financial traps, then unsealed his soul seed and sensed that the Soul Flame was in the Ancient Star Desert.
• Oathkeeper suddenly felt watched while playing Veyne Cards at the Sanctum Organization, but he returned his attention to the game.

Sorokin secretly led a mercenary fleet to a desolate planet, hoping to claim the Soul Flame, but discovered that a hidden organization had occupied the world. His attempt to infiltrate it revealed the revived First Ones, and the Soul Flame restriction exposed his host body to Oathkeeper.

• Sorokin sent a reconnaissance ship to the planet, where a portal trapped its crew and the hidden organization took them prisoner.
• Sorokin possessed the interrogator and suppressed the Soul Flame seal in his mind, then explored the underground base without learning its secrets.
• Sorokin ordered most of his mercenary fleet to attack, but the planet's defenders destroyed the force and forced the survivors to retreat.
• As the organization evacuated its base, Sorokin spotted King of War Pangon, God of Magic Baigel, and Purple Emperor Mysterious Lady among the revived First Ones.
• Sorokin's psychic control faltered when he recognized them, the Soul Flame seal burned out his host body, and Oathkeeper realized the legendary mole had appeared.

Sorokin infiltrated the Sanctum to reclaim the Soul Flame, but The First Ones trapped him and discovered he was the Spirit Emperor. After Sorokin recognized Sanctum’s Sanctuary Revival secret and threatened to expose it, Oathkeeper ordered everyone to stop attacking.

• Sorokin ordered his mercenary fleet to scatter and flee after he sensed dozens of Beyond Grade As approaching.
• Baigel and The First Ones trapped Sorokin’s ship, destroyed it, and attacked him in space.
• The First Ones unmasked Sorokin and recognized his Esper Ability as that of the Spirit Emperor, Rovel Sisok.
• Sorokin explained that he had sought only the Soul Flame and had not known about the organization, but Oathkeeper refused to let him leave.
• Sorokin recalled Sanctum and Sanctuary Revival, then threatened to reveal the secret using his possession ability.
• Oathkeeper ordered the others to cease fire, while they kept Sorokin surrounded.

Sorokin negotiated with Oathkeeper to remain under the Sanctum Organization’s control and potentially join, after revealing that he wanted the Soul Flame to strengthen himself against Black Star. Oathkeeper informed Han Xiao, who saw Sorokin’s confinement as a chance to secretly eliminate him.

• Sorokin offered to join the Sanctum Organization in exchange for keeping its secret and providing financial support, but Oathkeeper questioned his trustworthiness and motives.
• Sorokin explained that Black Star had exposed his identity and threatened his interests, and Oathkeeper insisted he resolve the risk before the Sanctum considered accepting him.
• Oathkeeper required Sorokin to remain under surveillance without being attacked, and Sorokin accepted on the condition that the Sanctum did not interfere with his possessed bodies or block his mental fluctuations.
• Oathkeeper contacted Han Xiao and recounted Sorokin’s arrival, negotiations, and conflict with Black Star.
• Han Xiao told Oathkeeper that Sorokin’s confinement created an opportunity to kill him secretly, then said Sorokin was finished.

Oathkeeper let Sorokin join Sanctum after confirming that Black Star was hunting him, then arranged a plan to use Sorokin as bait in a staged ambush. When Sorokin and three Sanctum members lured Han Xiao into a fight, Sorokin believed they were working together, while the hidden Sanctum forces prepared to turn against him.

• Oathkeeper tested whether Black Star was pursuing Sorokin by spreading false word that Sorokin had visited Planet Deer, and the Black Star Army sent a fleet to investigate.
• Sorokin refused to fake his death, so Oathkeeper agreed to join forces against Black Star and made Sorokin serve as bait in a trap.
• Oathkeeper outlined an ambush involving Sorokin, Baigel, and two other Beyond Grade As, while dozens of Sanctum members waited out of sight.
• Half a month later, Sorokin and the three others met Han Xiao in a remote universe belt, and Sorokin attacked him believing the plan was genuine.
• Han Xiao and the others fought while secretly coordinating with the hidden Sanctum members, who mocked Sorokin in their directors' group chat and waited to betray him.

Han Xiao and the Sanctum staged an ambush that destroyed Sorokin’s body, then used the Netherland mark to pull his soul into the Netherland. With Onicelu and Hila restraining him there, Han Xiao revealed that Sorokin could no longer contact his possessed bodies and that the Netherland was built as a prison.

• Han Xiao and Sorokin exchanged blows while both sides concealed their true plans and strength.
• Baigel and the other Beyond Grade As pretended to immobilize Han Xiao, then joined him in a coordinated barrage that annihilated Sorokin’s body.
• Sorokin emerged as a soul, but Han Xiao used the Netherland mark to draw him into the Netherland and teleported there with Oathkeeper and other allies.
• Onicelu suppressed and restrained Sorokin while Hila attacked him, and Han Xiao’s group arrived to confront him.
• Sorokin tried to contact his possessed bodies, but Han Xiao explained that the Netherland blocked his signals and had originally served as a prison.

Han Xiao brought the Sanctum members to Netherland, where they met the seven Heroic Spirit Kings and forced Sorokin to choose between death and becoming a Heroic Spirit. Sorokin joined Netherland and retained his combat strength, while Hila began questioning him; Han Xiao also arranged to conceal Sorokin’s disappearance and pressed Oathkeeper to find the Third Sanctum key.

• Han Xiao revealed that Hila had become Netherland’s new master, and the Sanctum members reunited with the seven Heroic Spirit Kings.
• Han Xiao offered Sorokin a choice between being destroyed and joining Netherland, and Sorokin agreed to become a Heroic Spirit.
• Onicelu transformed Sorokin, who retained his Beyond Grade A combat strength but became subject to Netherland’s control.
• Han Xiao sent Hila to question Sorokin and discussed the search for the Third Sanctum key and a cover story for Sorokin’s disappearance with Oathkeeper.
• Han Xiao returned to Hila and learned that Sorokin had just revealed something extraordinary.

Sorokin confessed to his past conspiracies and hidden wealth after Han Xiao brought him to Netherland, while the Crimson Dynasty exposed his crimes and the Infinite Financial Group collapsed. The Beyond Grade A Association revoked Sorokin’s membership, but Mabrus suspected that Black Star or another hidden force had orchestrated the events.

• Sorokin confessed that he had used numerous aliases, helped instigate the Tragedy of the Pinnacle, and accumulated secret resources, including eight Universal Treasures.
• Han Xiao left Sorokin in Hila’s care, and the Heroic Spirit Kings crowded around him while he angrily rejected their nickname for him.
• The Crimson Dynasty issued a universe-wide wanted notice for Sorokin, exposing his aliases and crimes as the Infinite Financial Group lost creditors, partners, businesses, and employees.
• The Germinal Financial Group and other stockholders seized parts of the failing Infinite Financial Group, while the Beyond Grade A Association voted to revoke Sorokin’s membership.
• Mabrus told Bekorodi that he doubted Sorokin had attacked Gaud and wondered whether Black Star or an undiscovered force had manipulated events.

After the Infinite Financial Group collapsed, the Germinal Financial Group absorbed its businesses and expanded, while Han Xiao assigned Sorokin’s children to be evaluated for management roles. Sylvia asked Han Xiao to train her to become a Beyond Grade A, and he agreed before Ames invited him over for wine and a private visit.

• The Germinal Financial Group absorbed much of the Infinite Financial Group’s legacy, and the Crimson Dynasty’s warrant for Sorokin brought calm after the Gaud incident.
• Han Xiao praised Sylvia and Enterprise for the acquisition, and Enterprise explained that Sorokin’s children would be evaluated and assigned limited management roles.
• Sylvia flirted with Han Xiao, then admitted she wanted a new position and asked him to teach her how to become a Beyond Grade A.
• Han Xiao agreed to train Sylvia after she handed over her work, and she left after kissing his cheek and repeating that she was serious about her earlier suggestion.
• Ames called Han Xiao and invited him to visit for Iso’s new wine, adding that she missed him, and Han Xiao immediately agreed to go.

Han Xiao visited Ames, gave her a Universal Treasure, and shared his unease about the nature of their reality before she comforted him. After years of peaceful development and Han Xiao’s retreat from public attention, the Beyond Grade A Association’s fiftieth anniversary arrived, bringing the end of his presidential term and a new election.

• Han Xiao visited Ames at Floating Dragon Island and gave her the Esper Ability Enhancement Sphere, explaining how it could gradually improve an Esper’s abilities.
• Ames noticed Han Xiao’s growing worries, and he wondered aloud whether their world was an illusion; she reassured him by telling him that their shared warmth and touch were real.
• Carrot was eliminated from the Crimson Dynasty’s training base after Gaud disappeared, and he boarded the transport ship while remaining optimistic about what he had learned.
• The Shattered World was fully incorporated into the Explored Universe, and the Black Star Army expanded as Han Xiao enjoyed a long period of peace and focused on research.
• In Galaxy Calendar Year 780, the Beyond Grade A Association reached its fiftieth anniversary, and Han Xiao’s fifty-year term as president ended as the association prepared to elect a successor.

Forty years after the Black Star Army’s expansion, Aurora became a Beyond Grade A and prepared to travel independently. As Han Xiao approached the Beyond Grade A Association’s presidential election, the Three Universal Civilizations worried about the association’s growing influence, while the First Ones prepared to emerge from seclusion.

• Aurora completed her transformation into a Beyond Grade A, gained new abilities, and demonstrated that she could combine her life energy with Hila’s death energy to create the power of resurrection.
• Aurora chose to travel alone and join the Beyond Grade A Association, while Han Xiao agreed and said he was highly likely to become its next president.
• Han Xiao reflected that the First Ones planned to reveal themselves after his election and that the upcoming change could bring the Super Calamity back to the center of galactic attention.
• Louis Roach and the Federation of Light’s council elders discussed the association’s growing power and the difficulty of limiting its members’ private exchanges of knowledge.
• The First Ones watched news of the coming presidential election and anticipated emerging from seclusion, while Oathkeeper hoped Han Xiao’s predictions were correct.

Han Xiao welcomed Aurora as the newest Beyond Grade A and announced the association’s presidential election, while Aurora’s life-restoring ability drew eager interest from its members. At the election, Manison stepped down without running, but Roles unexpectedly challenged Han Xiao for the presidency.

• Han Xiao introduced Aurora, Hila’s sister and a Black Star Army officer, to the Beyond Grade A Association, where members eagerly welcomed her and sought her life-extending ability.
• Aurora explained that Black Star had saved her during the Germinal days, while Han Xiao made clear that requests for her help would go through him.
• Han Xiao announced that the association’s presidential election would take place in two months, prompting Roles to decide he would run against him.
• At the election, Manison stepped down and declined to run, leaving Han Xiao as the expected winner.
• Roles announced his candidacy, surprising the gathered members, and Aurora whispered to Hila that he was a Pugilist.

Han Xiao won the Beyond Grade A Association presidency and took charge as its new leader, while Manison privately accepted the transition and prepared for a looming conflict with the Three Universal Civilizations. As news celebrated Black Star’s era, Han Xiao traveled to the Sanctum Organization with the keys to the Third Sanctum assembled.

• Roles ran against Han Xiao for president but received no votes, and he accepted the defeat after learning that members who had promised support had not taken him seriously.
• Han Xiao was elected president; Kasuyi and Seraon became vice presidents, and Hila joined the board of directors.
• Han Xiao delivered an inaugural speech promising to unite and protect Beyond Grade As, then warned that a major change might soon arrive.
• Manison told Kasuyi he had already planned to withdraw, believing Han Xiao was best placed to lead through a coming crisis and hoping to avoid blame while seeking a future opportunity.
• Interstellar society celebrated Han Xiao’s election as the beginning of Black Star’s era, while Han Xiao teleported to the Ancient Star Desert to meet the Sanctum Organization with the keys to the Third Sanctum assembled.