Chapter Summaries

After completing his advancement, Han Xiao met with his army members, checked on Nero’s studies, and received the Federation of Light’s delegation. Contact with Mona completed the second phase of the Space-Time Amber mission, while the Federation sought information about the Universal Treasure and its connection to Mona’s ancestor.

• Han Xiao ate with Sylvia and Aroshia, then told Sylvia that a Federation of Light delegation was coming to meet him.
• A player gave Han Xiao a rare ore as a gift, asked for it back, and left after Han Xiao suggested jobs in the Gular Civilization war or Shattered World exploration.
• Han Xiao visited Nero in Reynold’s office, learned that Nero’s studies were progressing, and used Luck Curse on him while he played cards with Fording.
• Mona arrived at Black Star Army headquarters, and Han Xiao’s contact with him raised the Space-Time Amber Soul Connection Level to two and completed the mission’s second phase.
• Mona told Han Xiao that the Federation of Light suspected the Space-Time Amber was connected to a former Beyond Grade A, the Space-Time Freezer, and asked to investigate its origins.

Han Xiao refused the Federation of Light’s request to investigate the Space-Time Amber but negotiated possible business ties and asked them to help hunt Sorokin as an apology for their past conflict. He then met the Mechanic Emperor, Manison, who revealed his own interest in Han Xiao and proposed a spar at the Black Star Army headquarters.

• Han Xiao rejected Mona’s requests to investigate or view the Space-Time Amber, but agreed that the Federation of Light and the Black Star Army could become business partners.
• Han Xiao asked the Federation of Light to help the Crimson Dynasty and him hunt Sorokin, and Mona said she would seek approval from the higher-ups.
• Manison revealed himself as the Mechanic Emperor and used Dominator's Descent to inhabit his mechanical body after Mona left.
• Han Xiao and Manison toured the Black Star Army headquarters while exchanging mechanical knowledge, and Manison admitted he wanted something from Han Xiao.
• Manison proposed a controlled spar in the training area, and Han Xiao agreed.

Han Xiao and Manison sparred to assess each other, then discussed Sorokin and Han Xiao’s refusal to sell Space-Time Amber. Manison revealed that he knew Aroshia and another AI had escaped from his base and demanded their return, leaving Han Xiao alarmed.

• Han Xiao and Manison fought with mechanical avatars in a simulated forest, and Manison discovered that Han Xiao had crossed the first Beyond Grade A life threshold unusually quickly.
• Han Xiao reviewed the battle information and learned about Manison’s Perfect Mechanical Sense and exclusive virtual technology talent, while believing Manison had gained an incomplete picture of his own abilities.
• Manison asked to buy Space-Time Amber byproducts, but Han Xiao refused to sell them.
• Manison said he would follow the Federation of Light’s lead regarding Sorokin and mentioned that Han Xiao had once captured his subordinate Sedim.
• Manison described two AI life forms escaping his base and ending up in Han Xiao’s organization, then asked Han Xiao to return them.

Han Xiao refused Manison’s demands for the Space-Time Amber and Aroshia and Resta, while Manison warned him against helping them liberate their kin. The Crimson Dynasty brought the Arcane Church into the planned operation against Sorokin, who remained confident as his forces came under attack.

• Manison revealed that he had long known Aroshia and Resta’s location and demanded their return, but Han Xiao refused, insisting Aroshia was a longtime Black Star Army veteran.
• Manison warned Han Xiao not to help Aroshia and Resta liberate their kin, then departed after inviting Han Xiao to visit him in the Ancient Star Desert.
• Mona told Manison that the Federation of Light had agreed to help surround Sorokin, and Manison agreed to assist because the operation would take place in his territory.
• Urranrell accepted Han Xiao’s report and decided to bring the Arcane Church into the operation alongside the Crimson Dynasty and the Federation of Light.
• Harkison told Sorokin that the Crimson Dynasty and Arcane Church had attacked his forces, but Sorokin dismissed the danger and said he wanted to test his power after evolution.

Han Xiao traveled to Crimson Ring Star to meet Urranrell about the Dynasty’s plans to unseal an Arcane Church Beyond Grade A and eliminate Sorokin. He learned that the Arcane Church would join the operation, and he left convinced that his influence had helped bring the three great civilizations together against Sorokin.

• Han Xiao told his officers he would travel to the Central Galaxy, leaving Sylvia to manage the army and taking Reynold, Nero, and Fording instead of the Guard Squad.
• Reynold brought Nero along as his teacher, and Nero’s excitement about the trip faded when he learned he would still have to study.
• Han Xiao and his group traveled to Crimson Ring Star, where a Dynasty envoy escorted them to an official guesthouse.
• Han Xiao met Urranrell, who promised him additional resources and special consideration when the Dynasty allocated territory in the Shattered World.
• Urranrell explained that the Dynasty would unseal an Arcane Church Beyond Grade A and that the Arcane Church would join the operation against Sorokin.
• Han Xiao left the meeting believing his influence had helped persuade the Dynasty to organize a joint attack by the three great civilizations.

Han Xiao joined a remote gathering of the Crimson Dynasty’s Beyond Grade A allies to assemble a team for the hunt against Sorokin. Six allies agreed to join him, and the chapter ended with Han Xiao confident that the combined forces of the Dynasty, Federation of Light, and Arcane Church would overwhelm their target.

• Milizaus invited Han Xiao to a remote gathering with the Dynasty’s Beyond Grade A allies to discuss hunting Sorokin.
• Milizaus and Han Xiao offered to take part, while Beoni declined because Sorokin’s abilities countered Espers.
• Han Xiao told the group that the Federation of Light and Arcane Church would join the hunt and offered Evolution Cube benefits to those who helped him.
• Ravenlaude, Milizaus, Maxiler, Viru, Kohler, and Swordsman Fu joined Han Xiao, forming a seven-person team.
• Han Xiao ended the meeting excited by the prospect of more than ten Beyond Grade As joining the operation against Sorokin.

While waiting on Crimson Ring Star for the Arcane Church’s escort, Han Xiao befriended retired officer Karl Fleur Visandy, whose descendant might become a future Crimson Dynasty head of state. After strengthening ties with Karl’s family, Han Xiao departed with the Dynasty fleet to meet the escort and fulfill the agreement to remove a Beyond Grade A’s seal.

• Han Xiao toured the Sacred Palace Museum with Nero, Fording, and Reynold, where he met deputy director Karl Fleur Visandy and recognized the family name from his knowledge of a future Dynasty head of state.
• Han Xiao spent two days exploring the museum with Karl and built a close connection with him.
• Karl invited Han Xiao and his companions to his home, where Han Xiao met Karl’s three children and offered the eldest son his support and contact information.
• Han Xiao gave Karl ten mechanical guards that could alert him and be activated remotely to protect the family.
• The Dynasty told Han Xiao that the Arcane Church’s escort was nearing the meeting place, so he left Nero and the others and set out with the Dynasty fleet.

Han Xiao completed the exchange of Dilun for the Space-Time Amber and used Dilun’s account of his imprisonment to pressure the Arcane Church into freeing its other sealed allies. He then headed with Milizaus toward the Dynasty’s rendezvous point, while Sorokin prepared for the coming operation by creating a vastly expanded force of powerful doppelgangers.

• Han Xiao unsealed Dilun at the border handover site while concealing the process from the Arcane Church escort.
• Han Xiao taunted the Arcane Church envoy and warned Dilun against returning with hostile intentions before the Church fleet departed with him.
• Han Xiao returned to the Dynasty outpost and learned that the Arcane Church would send Beyond Grade A combatants against Sorokin.
• Han Xiao and Milizaus set out for the rendezvous point, where they waited for the other Dynasty allies to arrive.
• Sorokin absorbed energy from a star and used the Evolution Cube’s improvements to create many more Beyond Grade A–level doppelgangers in preparation for the operation.

Han Xiao joined the Imperial strike team’s mission to eliminate Sorokin and received a new mission with rewards for damaging or capturing him. The Imperial fleet reached the Ancient Star Desert, where the Federation of Light and Arcane Church teams joined them, bringing the operation’s total to eleven Beyond Grade As.

• The Imperial allies assembled aboard the fleet flagship, where Han Xiao met Swordsman Fu and learned she would target Sorokin’s soul with her telekinesis.
• The fleet commander began the operation, and Han Xiao received missions rewarding damage to Sorokin and a successful capture or kill.
• Han Xiao recognized that defeating Sorokin could affect the fate of the Explored Universe and resolved to proceed despite uncertainty about the enemy’s strength.
• The Imperial fleet reached the Ancient Star Desert, a vast star field with many ruins and natural hiding places.
• The Federation of Light and Arcane Church teams joined the fleet, bringing the combined force to eleven Beyond Grade As.

The three universal civilizations' Beyond Grade As planned how to trap Sorokin and prevent him from escaping, with Han Xiao proposing a way to turn the failed pursuit into a success. More than ten days later, a dynasty fleet intercepted Sorokin's forces, and Sorokin eagerly prepared to fight.

• The dynasty commander revealed Sorokin's tracked location, and the gathered Beyond Grade As discussed how to intercept him.
• Han Xiao proposed drawing Sorokin into a fight with five Beyond Grade As while the others secretly restricted his ability to teleport.
• The group planned to use spatial magic and Manison's stabilization devices to trap Sorokin, while Han Xiao kept his Space-Time Amber and Superpower Silence as decisive options.
• More than ten days later, a stealthy dynasty fleet appeared ahead of Sorokin's forces, and both fleets stopped to face each other.
• Sorokin awoke aboard his flagship and welcomed the prospect of a challenging fight.

Sorokin confronted five Beyond Grade As after the Dynasty and Arcane Church fleets surrounded his forces, then revealed that the Evolution Cube had greatly strengthened his cloning ability. His clones overwhelmed the battlefield, leaving Han Xiao and the others under heavy pressure while six hidden allies struggled to finish a spacetime trap.

• Sorokin ordered his fleet to fight and faced Han Xiao, Viru, Swordsman Fu, Sun Hunter, and an Arcane Church psychic in space.
• The fleets opened fire as the five Beyond Grade As attacked Sorokin, and their battle initially reached a stalemate.
• Sorokin announced that the warm-up was over and unleashed dozens of powerful clones, dividing them between the five opponents and the fleet battle.
• Han Xiao activated Perfect Mechanical Sense, and his mechanical army destroyed many clones, but Sorokin used Black Hole to absorb energy and replenish them.
• Milizaus, Manison, Ravenlaude, and the other hidden Beyond Grade As realized the clones could thwart their spacetime trap, but continued setting it up as Han Xiao's group fought to hold out.

Han Xiao and his four allies struggled to hold off Sorokin’s endless clones while the fleets suffered heavy losses. Just as Sorokin believed he had won, Han Xiao’s trap locked down space and Milizaus and five other Beyond Grade As arrived to surround him.

• Viru, Sun Hunter, Swordsman Fu, and the other psychic battled Sorokin’s clones while Han Xiao’s mechanical army fought to protect them.
• Sorokin’s clones disrupted the Dynasty and Church fleets, while Harkison left command after deciding to abandon Sorokin.
• Sorokin demonstrated his rapid recovery and new strength, then urged Han Xiao’s group to retreat rather than face certain defeat.
• Han Xiao hinted that he understood Sorokin’s threat, while Sorokin remained unaware that far more than five Beyond Grade As had come to hunt him.
• Han Xiao activated the space-stabilization device as the trap locked down the area and prevented Sorokin from teleporting.
• Milizaus and five other Beyond Grade As arrived and surrounded Sorokin, shocking him.

Han Xiao and the three Universal Civilizations trapped Sorokin in a space-time lockdown and fought to stop his escape. After Han Xiao used Superpower Silence to break Sorokin’s clone tactics, the group restrained him and sealed him inside the Space-Time Amber.

• Sorokin discovered the ambush by eleven Beyond Grade As and fled, but Han Xiao pursued him while Sun Hunter and Han Xiao’s gravity device slowed him down.
• Han Xiao used Virtual Soul to disrupt Sorokin, then caught up and fought him until the other Beyond Grade As arrived and surrounded him.
• The group attacked Sorokin together, while Han Xiao waited for an opening to use the Superpower Silence Character Summon Card.
• Superpower Silence froze Sorokin’s abilities and clones, allowing the group to restrain him with spells, psychic interference, energy suppression, and a cell suppressant.
• Han Xiao used the Space-Time Amber to seal Sorokin, who warned that they would meet again before his body froze inside the amber.

Han Xiao and the Beyond Grade As captured Sorokin, then the three Universal Civilizations defeated the remaining Fallen Ark fleet. Han Xiao took Sorokin back to the Empire with new rewards and recognition ahead of him, while the threat of the World Tree Civilization remained a concern.

• Han Xiao sealed Sorokin in the Space-Time Amber, and Swordsman Fu reported that Sorokin had made a last, failed attempt to resist with psychic energy.
• The Arcane Church and Manison agreed to let the Empire take custody of Sorokin, and Han Xiao led the captured criminal back to the Empire.
• The three Universal Civilizations routed the scattered Fallen Ark fleet, while Han Xiao checked his experience, Empire Contribution Points, and new Sorokin rewards.
• Han Xiao declined Manison's invitation, exchanged contact information with Sun Hunter, and returned to the Empire's flagship with Milizaus and their companions.
• Reports of the operation reached the upper echelons of the three Universal Civilizations as their fleets departed for home.

After the Crimson Dynasty celebrated Sorokin’s capture and arranged to imprison him for five hundred years, Han Xiao fulfilled his deal by modifying the other Beyond Grade As with the Evolution Cube. He then completed his mission and gained several of Sorokin’s talents, upgrading his healing and energy-absorption abilities.

• Urranrell praised Han Xiao and the fleet for capturing Sorokin, then ordered that Sorokin be studied only after his soul perished during a five-hundred-year sentence.
• Urranrell announced that Han Xiao would receive the main share of the credit, and Han Xiao gave the other Beyond Grade As their promised Evolution Cube modifications.
• The fleet returned safely, handed Sorokin over to the dynasty, and Han Xiao took Fording, Nero, and Reynold back toward the Shattered Star Ring.
• Han Xiao completed the Mortal Enemy of the Three Civilizations mission and drew Sorokin’s talents, combining Cell Division Control with his existing healing talent to create Advanced Cell Proliferation Control.
• Han Xiao selected Soul Hot Spring to improve his mental resistance and combined a damage-absorbing talent with Medium Energy Absorption to create High-Efficiency Energy Absorption.

After Sorokin was captured, Han Xiao considered the consequences of his defeat while Reynold began Nero’s practical Mechanic training. The three Universal Civilizations publicly credited Han Xiao with the operation, and Shazik decided to join the Black Star Army and raid the collapsing Fallen Ark for a gift.

• Han Xiao reviewed his improved self-healing, anticipated changes to the World Tree conflict, and expected the Fallen Ark to collapse after Sorokin’s removal.
• Reynold taught Nero to assemble a basic exoskeleton, and Nero’s Mechanical Sense began progressing toward the high level.
• The Crimson Dynasty imprisoned Sorokin in a fortified facility built to hold a single Beyond Grade A prisoner.
• The three Universal Civilizations announced Sorokin’s capture and named Han Xiao as the operation’s initiator and central figure.
• Shazik learned of Sorokin’s capture and resolved to take his people to the Shattered Star Ring to join the Black Star Army.
• Shazik planned to use his Fallen Ark agents to steal the faction’s assets and present them to the Black Star Army.

After Sorokin’s capture, the Fallen Ark collapsed as criminals, victims, and rival organizations reacted to the news. Han Xiao received a Universe-Level Legend Point for helping bring down Sorokin, while Ames reflected on his growing strength and resolved to challenge him.

• With Sorokin gone, the Fallen Ark splintered, and Shazik’s gang joined other criminal groups in looting one of his research bases.
• Rotel killed another group of Fallen Ark fugitives and learned that Sorokin had been captured by the three civilizations, with Black Star involved.
• Survivors of Sorokin’s attacks celebrated his capture, while other criminal organizations planned to seize the Fallen Ark’s assets.
• Iso told Ames that Sorokin had been captured, and Ames acknowledged Han Xiao’s rise before deciding she should fight him.
• Han Xiao received a Universe-Level Legend Point for his role in Sorokin’s fall and checked the players’ discussions about the news.

After Sorokin’s capture earned Han Xiao widespread public gratitude, he realized that the event had brought him recognition beyond the upper echelons. Back at the Black Star Army headquarters, he used Sorokin’s ability-enhancement power on Hila, who woke with her potential increased but noticed that Han Xiao had turned their photo face down.

• Army players discussed Sorokin’s capture, and a mercenary posted about grateful passengers giving him gifts for Han Xiao and praising the Black Star Army.
• Han Xiao realized that Sorokin’s fall had earned him public support across the universe and could attract talented people to his faction.
• Han Xiao returned to headquarters, where Hila met him, and he offered her an ability enhancement taken from Sorokin.
• Han Xiao used the enhancement on Hila, who fainted, so he carried her to her room and left her resting under a blanket.
• Hila woke, sensed her improved esper ability, then found that Han Xiao had turned face down the photo of the two of them and became annoyed.

Han Xiao exchanged Imperial contribution points for [Eternal Energy], expanded the Black Star Army, and welcomed Shazik and Rotel after Sorokin’s fall. Shazik’s stolen research data gave Han Xiao a way to contain and better use the Evolution Cube, and he discovered a clue to an extremely high-risk Esper ability.

• Han Xiao learned [Eternal Energy], gained [Advanced Energy Master] and [Energy Innovation], and planned to raise all four of his Ultimate Knowledges.
• Han Xiao used [Ability Enhancement] on Hila and Aurora, helped establish a Black Star Army branch in the Star Cluster Abyss, and followed the fallout from Sorokin’s Fall.
• Shazik and Rotel joined the Black Star Army, and Han Xiao considered cultivating Rotel and forming a secret operative squad.
• Shazik gave Han Xiao data stolen from Sorokin’s research bases, including instructions that would let him make a containment device for the Evolution Cube.
• Han Xiao searched the data and found a clue to an extremely high-risk Esper ability.

Han Xiao reviewed Sorokin’s data on Chaos Mysterious Energy and the Evolution Cube, identifying opportunities to recruit a future host and develop new devices. He left the chapter planning to mass-produce Evolution Cube equipment and form a soul connection with it.

• Han Xiao studied the records on Chaos Mysterious Energy, learned that it would reappear in decades, and decided to pursue it later despite future competition.
• Han Xiao assigned Shazik to develop his career in the army’s Intelligence Department and kept Rotel with him for observation.
• Han Xiao examined Sorokin’s Evolutionary Civilization data and learned how to use the Evolution Cube to power planet-wide totems that gradually improve talent and potential.
• Han Xiao found records for Ovitan Badges that turn users into powerful aberrations at the cost of their lives, and considered using them for players and as weapons.
• Han Xiao discovered the Evolution Cube’s soul-resonance techniques and decided to form a connection with it and mass-produce the devices.