Chapter Summaries

Han Xiao agreed to the Kunde Race leader’s final request and accepted a mission to protect the Kunde Race and take revenge on the force that had used them. He aimed to settle the race in his territory, while Urranrell ordered the Dynasty to investigate the mastermind.

• Han Xiao told the Kunde Race leader he would help fulfill his request, leaving the prisoner deeply grateful while Tarrokov privately condemned Han Xiao’s hypocrisy.
• Han Xiao explained to Tarrokov that he wanted the Kunde Race’s vast population as labor, consumers, and future soldiers, then accepted the Grade S mission and examined its powerful rewards.
• Tarrokov reported Han Xiao’s changed position and reasoning to Urranrell.
• Urranrell said the Dynasty would give Han Xiao’s proposal special consideration and ordered an investigation to identify the force that had supplied the Kunde Race with a spaceship.

Madi revealed that the Modo Civilization had used the Kunde Race to cause trouble for the Dynasty and planned to exploit other native civilizations. The Dynasty settled the Kunde Race in Han Xiao’s territory and asked him to help find the infiltrators, while the captured Kunde Race leader prepared to appear in a live broadcast.

• Madi reported to the three Modo kings that the Dynasty had defeated the Kunde Race with negligible casualties and said he would search for more native civilizations to use against it.
• The Modo leaders approved Madi’s plan, and he assured them that the Dynasty would not discover their involvement.
• Tarrokov told Han Xiao that the Dynasty would settle the Kunde Race in his territory and asked him to help identify the mastermind behind the incident.
• Han Xiao agreed to help investigate and considered asking Iso to find the infiltrators.
• A Dynasty intelligence agent implanted a telekinetic bomb in the Kunde Race leader, who then agreed to join the live broadcast and left his cell.

The Kunde leader admitted responsibility for the war and promised the imprisoned civilians freedom and resettlement, but his attempt to retain power provoked a riot in which the civilians killed him. Han Xiao learned that the Empire had engineered the killing to weaken the Kunde Race before its cultural transformation, and Tarrokov asked him to find the mastermind behind the war.

• The Kunde leader announced the military defeat and confessed that his hostility toward the Crimson Dynasty had caused the war, while a mother learned that her husband’s fleet had fallen.
• The Kunde leader promised the civilians would be freed and resettled under Black Star’s protection, then angered them by announcing that he would remain in power while other officials were executed.
• The leader’s secretary asked the civilians to pretend to be grateful, and a confrontation during the leader’s visit escalated into a riot after an attendant struck a child.
• The mother of the child bit through the leader’s throat, and the civilians beat him to death as imperial soldiers allowed the violence to continue; an intelligence operative later switched off an emotion intensification device.
• Tarrokov explained that the engineered riot would help the Empire’s cultural transformation of the Kunde Race, then asked Han Xiao to find the mastermind, and Han Xiao agreed.

Han Xiao oversaw the Kunde Race’s resettlement in the Odoran Star System and planned to shape their education and recruit them into the Black Star Army and Mechanic Faith. After Nero mentioned a strange enchanted weapon, Han Xiao pursued clues about the stowaways’ crashed ship and traced its manufacturer to Manison’s territory in the Ancient Star Desert.

• Han Xiao settled the Kunde Race across more than a hundred planets, planned their cultural reformation and ideological education, and addressed them through virtual sky screens.
• Han Xiao welcomed Nero and the other academy graduates, appointed Melos as Mia’s Calamity Grade teacher, and learned that Nero had captured an enchanted magic weapon from a Kunde Race officer.
• Han Xiao contacted Iso to ask him to predict the whereabouts of the people who had sent the crashed ship to the Kunde Race.
• Han Xiao used [Bold Explorer] on the damaged ship and saw fragments of its construction at a shipyard and its crash toward a planet.
• Han Xiao identified the shipyard’s trademark as belonging to a company in the Ancient Star Desert and realized the region was Manison’s home turf.

Han Xiao discovered that Nero had recovered Godstabber, a damaged piece of a legendary weapon set, and decided to keep it for Rotel. As the Crimson Dynasty resumed its exploration and searched for the Kunde Race affair’s mastermind, Han Xiao’s mechanical troops reached the Ancient Star Desert to investigate the ship manufacturer.

• Nero showed Han Xiao Godstabber, and Han Xiao learned it was part of the legendary [God Slayer] set made by Thorn Uranium Core for the missing Beyond Grade A martial artist Holy Spear.
• Han Xiao and Phillip found traces of multidimensional energy on the broken weapon, leading Han Xiao to suspect Holy Spear had died in a secondary dimension and the weapon had drifted back into the main universe.
• Han Xiao convinced Nero that Godstabber was too dangerous for him, confiscated it, and decided Rotel would be a better wielder than Hadavy.
• The Crimson Dynasty settled the Kunde refugees and resumed its exploration, using the conquered territory’s stargate routes and planetary data to accelerate its progress.
• The dynasty quietly sent intelligence agents to search for the mastermind, while Han Xiao’s mechanical troops arrived in the Ancient Star Desert and headed toward the ship manufacturer identified by [Bold Explorer].

Han Xiao investigated the shipyard where the planted spaceship had been produced and found that its records had been destroyed in a staged accident. He narrowed the suspects to the ruling civilizations of Ancient Star Desert and decided to seek Manison’s confidential files to continue the investigation.

• Madi assured his superior that he had erased the evidence connecting the Modo Civilization to the spaceship planted among the Kunde Race.
• Han Xiao breached the shipyard’s database and discovered that a deliberate explosion had destroyed its records three years earlier.
• Han Xiao identified the four ruling civilizations of Ancient Star Desert as the likeliest suspects and considered the Modo Civilization the strongest candidate.
• Han Xiao checked planetary surveillance and shipyard records, then reasoned that the saboteur might have faked their death and hidden behind a false identity.
• Han Xiao planned to compare surveillance footage with the civilizations’ confidential personnel files and decided to seek those files from Manison.

Han Xiao visited Manison to obtain classified personnel files from the Ancient Star Desert and traded a limited supply of Evolutionary Totems for them. The files identified the Modo Civilization as responsible for falsifying records in the Kunde Race incident, and Han Xiao called Rotel to join him as he prepared to take revenge.

• Han Xiao met Manison on a Machine Race planet and asked to consult classified personnel files from the Ancient Star Desert’s civilizations.
• Manison refused to trade the files for the Space-Time Amber or Han Xiao’s promises, but accepted a deal for about a hundred Evolutionary Totems.
• Han Xiao received the files and matched them against his data, identifying a Modo Civilization intelligence operative as the person who falsified the records.
• Han Xiao called Rotel and told him to come to the Ancient Star Desert for a mission.
• Han Xiao decided to target every notable figure in the Modo Civilization as revenge for the Kunde Race incident.

Han Xiao assigned Rotel to assassinate Modo Civilization officials, and Godstabber bonded with Rotel when he touched it. After the killings spread across the Star Field, the Empire confirmed Modo’s role in the Kunde Race incident and planned to settle accounts when Modo entered the Shattered World.

• Han Xiao selected Modo’s secret-department cadres as targets and asked Rotel to carry out the assassinations with intelligence support.
• Rotel bonded with Godstabber, gaining the ability to control and store the weapon, and accepted Han Xiao’s mission.
• Two months later, news reported that Rotel had killed five senior Modo cadres, including Madi, and the assassinations caused public alarm.
• Tarrokov told Han Xiao that the Empire had confirmed Modo’s responsibility for the Kunde Race incident and approved the assassinations while warning Han Xiao not to go too far.
• Tarrokov said the Empire would impose limited sanctions now and settle the matter during the fourth phase of Shattered World exploration, and Han Xiao promised Modo a hostile welcome there.

Han Xiao reviewed the Black Star Army’s plans and threats while considering how to prepare for the coming fourth exploration phase. Meanwhile, Gaud acquired intelligence about Chaos Mysterious Energy, the same power Han Xiao hoped to capture for one of his officers.

• Tarrokov told Han Xiao that the Dynasty was studying Spacetime Shearing Technology and raised the possibility of Han Xiao marrying into the Dynasty.
• Tarrokov and Han Xiao suspected that Ninja had disappeared before returning the Scepter of All Gods to the Arcane Church, and Han Xiao considered trading for it.
• Han Xiao assessed the Black Star Army’s growth, its enemies, and plans to strengthen its forces before the fourth exploration phase.
• Han Xiao considered finding a host for Chaos Mysterious Energy, which was expected to appear in version 4.0.
• Gaud obtained a storage chip containing intelligence on Chaos Mysterious Energy and confirmed its contents.

The Modo Civilization debated how to retaliate against the Crimson Dynasty’s assassinations while avoiding a wider conflict, and Sorokin planned to challenge the Black Star Army through business in the Shattered World. After years of relative calm and exploration, the Dynasty announced that the Shattered World would open to outsiders during the fourth phase, sending the Galaxy into an uproar.

• The Modo Civilization’s ministers blamed the Crimson Dynasty for assassinating their officials and chose to target Beoni’s organization without killing any Beyond Grade As.
• Manison, Kasuyi, and Gorutan pressed Sorokin to intensify his campaign against the Black Star Army, and he demanded that their organizations first provide promised support.
• Sorokin revealed that he planned to enter the Shattered World and use the Infinite Financial Group to compete with the Black Star Army for its markets.
• The Crimson Dynasty completed the third phase of exploration while the Galaxy remained broadly peaceful and civilizations prepared for the Shattered World to open.
• On July 15, Galaxy Calendar Year 729, the Crimson Dynasty announced that outsiders would be allowed into the Shattered World during the fourth phase of exploration, provoking an uproar across the universe.

As the Shattered World prepared to open to outsiders, Evans was released from prison and reunited with the childhood friend he had once saved. He decided to travel to the Shattered World for work, while Sisko also watched for an opportunity to expand the Star Pupil Protoss’s influence there.

• News of the Shattered World’s upcoming opening triggered a wave of recruitment and migration across the universe.
• Evans left prison and reunited with his childhood friend, who welcomed him and offered him money and a place to stay.
• Evans’s friend explained that Evans had gone to prison after killing a Grade E Esper who threatened them, while Evans’s friend later awakened as an Esper.
• Evans browsed recruitment listings and decided to go to the Shattered World.
• Sisko anticipated the opening as a chance to secure a new base for the Star Pupil Protoss and reflected that Han Xiao seemed to have stopped progressing.

At Black Star's Gathering, Han Xiao prepared the Black Star Army for the Shattered World's opening and the start of version 4.0. He agreed to meet a newly joined Beyond Grade A, while Ames welcomed Hila into the Beyond Grade A realm.

• Representatives from across the universe attended Black Star's Gathering, where Han Xiao greeted guests and strengthened the army's connections ahead of the Shattered World's opening.
• Han Xiao and his officers reviewed the army's preparations for version 4.0, and Nero asked to visit Planet Aquamarine with Mia and Tu Shu to see Bennett.
• Tarrokov invited Han Xiao to meet a new Beyond Grade A who had joined the Empire, and Han Xiao accepted.
• In a Desolate Universe Belt, Hila unleashed a wave of red energy that devastated a planet, and Ames welcomed her to the realm of Beyond Grade A.

Hila completed her transformation into a Beyond Grade A and decided to return home to surprise Black Star. Meanwhile, newly ascended Silver Shadow challenged Black Star to a wagered spar, while Urranrell authorized a secret project to study the Evolution Cube if Black Star refused another trade offer.

• Hila became a Beyond Grade A, declined to call Black Star, and chose to return in person.
• Silver Shadow arrived at Crimson Ring Star and explained that he had joined the dynasty mainly because of the Evolution Cube and Black Star.
• At the welcoming gathering, Silver Shadow challenged Black Star to spar and wagered that he would borrow the Evolution Cube if he gained the upper hand; Black Star accepted after the challenge triggered a mission.
• Clottey directed them to fight beyond the Psionic Energy Restriction Belt, away from the home planet.
• Bekorodi and Ludwell urged Urranrell to let Gaud study the Evolution Cube's evolution energy, and Urranrell approved one final trade offer before making the research project official if Black Star refused.

Han Xiao defeated Silver Shadow with ease and gained his favor before meeting Dynasty hardliner Bekorodi, who proposed trading three Universal Treasures for the Evolution Cube. Han Xiao heard the offer but had not yet accepted or named his terms.

• Han Xiao faced Silver Shadow in a sparring match, neutralized his divided-body assault with Supreme Virtual, and secured his surrender.
• Han Xiao released Silver Shadow, who agreed that he owed Han Xiao a favor, and the two exchanged friendly offers of help.
• The Beyond Grade As returned to Crimson Ring Star, where Han Xiao saw that Silver Shadow’s challenge mission was complete but postponed claiming its reward.
• A Dynasty representative led Han Xiao to a private meeting with Bekorodi, who explained that the Evolution Cube’s strategic importance had grown.
• Bekorodi offered three Universal Treasures in exchange for Han Xiao’s Evolution Cube.

Han Xiao considered the dynasty’s offer of three Universal Treasures for the Evolution Cube and weighed the costs of surrendering the Black Star Army’s strategic and financial advantage. Bekorodi later discussed the negotiations with Gaud, whose Esper ability and interest in the Chaos Mysterious Energy could help the dynasty study the Cube.

• Bekorodi showed Han Xiao the dynasty’s exchange list and offered three Universal Treasures for the Evolution Cube, while excluding strategic treasures and requiring approval for custom requests.
• Han Xiao reviewed the list, including the Shadow Lantern and Key of Destruction, but postponed his decision until before the Shattered World opened.
• Han Xiao weighed the offer against the Evolution Cube’s role in the Black Star Army’s income, influence, and growth, and worried that refusing might provoke the dynasty.
• Han Xiao decided to contact Urranrell in a few days to gauge her position on the offer.
• Gaud met Bekorodi, who said the dynasty hoped Black Star would agree and that Gaud’s Esper ability would be needed to analyze the Evolution Cube’s Evolution Energy.
• Gaud said he could analyze the Cube with seventy to eighty percent confidence after reaching Beyond Grade A, and confirmed he could control the Chaos Mysterious Energy; Bekorodi said Gaud’s request to use it was under review.

Han Xiao returned from his Dominion avatar, checked on his friends, and learned a powerful charging skill after claiming Silver Shadow’s challenge rewards. He left pleased with his new attack and planned to look out for Silver Shadow in the future.

• Han Xiao inspected the Evolution Cube and considered what might happen if the Empire demanded that he give it up.
• Han Xiao visited Fording, Aurora, and Hadavy, who discussed Hadavy’s slow progress toward Beyond Grade A and Aurora’s approaching Calamity Grade breakthrough.
• Aurora asked when Hila would return, and Han Xiao said she had not answered his messages; Hadavy revealed he wanted to challenge Hila for the captain of the guards position.
• Han Xiao promised Hadavy the captaincy if he could defeat Hila when she returned.
• Han Xiao claimed the rewards for Silver Shadow’s completed challenge and chose Charge: Endless Accumulation from the five abilities offered.
• Han Xiao decided the charge skill suited his durability and Dominion avatar, and resolved to look out for Silver Shadow.

Han Xiao accepted the Empire’s request to keep order in the Shattered Star Ring before the Shattered World opened, while leaving the Evolution Cube dispute unresolved. As he sent Apostle Weapons to reinforce his headquarters, Arcane Church newcomer Tolain arrived and chose Ames as his target for a first Beyond Grade A victory.

• Han Xiao discussed the Evolution Cube with Urranrell, who urged him to hand it over because Glory and Arcane could use the influx of Beyond Grade As to launch a surprise attack.
• Urranrell asked Han Xiao to keep outside factions and Beyond Grade As in check across the Shattered Star Ring, and he agreed to protect his territory.
• Han Xiao traveled to Planet Apostle and ordered Dark Emperor and several other Apostle Weapons to take troops back to the Shattered Star Ring headquarters.
• Tolain arrived in the Shattered Star Ring with an Arcane Church fleet and dismissed warnings from Kasuyi not to cause trouble in Black Star’s territory.
• Tolain decided to challenge Ames, whom he considered an easy target and a chance to earn his first notable victory.

Ames returned to Dragon Calm to face Tolain, a newly ascended Beyond Grade A from the Arcane Church who had challenged her. She accepted the challenge but put Hila forward first, and Hila revealed that she too had reached Beyond Grade A.

• Iso foresaw Tolain's challenge and warned Ames, who agreed to return to Dragon Calm; Hila changed plans to accompany her and test her strength.
• Verna assembled Dragon Calm's fleet after Iso ordered a defensive formation, and the Arcane Church fleet arrived above Planet Aquamarine.
• Tolain landed on Dragon Calm and demanded that Ames accept his challenge; Iso confirmed she had agreed, while Tolain refused to fight Han Xiao.
• Ames and Hila arrived with Austin's help, and Ames nominated Hila to face Tolain before he could challenge her.
• Hila unleashed powerful death energy, revealing herself as a new Beyond Grade A and shocking everyone present.

Hila revealed herself as a new Beyond Grade A and fought Tolain away from Planet Aquamarine. She overwhelmed him with her death ability and detonated his accumulated Death Erosion, making his body explode into blood mist.

• Tolain was shocked to learn Hila had become a Beyond Grade A, and Nero celebrated her achievement.
• Han Xiao warned Tolain to keep the fight away from Planet Aquamarine, and Hila and Tolain began battling in space.
• Tolain transformed into his demon true body and charged Hila, while Han Xiao explained that Tolain was a melee Mage.
• Hila and Tolain exchanged fierce attacks, but her Death Erosion weakened his defenses, recovery, and enhancements as Han Xiao explained her abilities to Nero.
• Tolain prepared the forbidden spell Deteriorating Tainted Blood to contaminate Hila, but she struck him with concentrated death energy and removed his buffs.
• Hila activated Death God's Harvest, detonating all fifteen Death Erosion stacks and causing Tolain to explode into blood mist.

Hila defeated Tolain in her first battle as a Beyond Grade A, forcing him to surrender and flee. Afterward, Han Xiao and Ames discussed Hila’s future, while Bennett celebrated Planet Aquamarine gaining a second Beyond Grade A.

• Hila grievously injured Tolain with [Death Harvest], then pursued him as he retreated behind layers of magic shields.
• Hila used [Abyss of the Dead] to seize control of Tolain’s mind and expose his body to her attacks, prompting him to surrender.
• Hila ended the mental control and ordered Tolain to leave; he retreated to the Arcane Church fleet, which jumped away.
• Han Xiao and Ames discussed how Hila’s new status might affect her future and her relationship with Han Xiao.
• Austin congratulated Han Xiao, then departed; Hila told Han Xiao she wanted to speak with him properly at headquarters.
• Bennett received news that Hila had driven off Tolain and celebrated Planet Aquamarine having two Beyond Grade As.