Chapter Summaries

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.

Han Xiao returned from killing the Modo Expeditionary Army’s commander, and Ames decided her revenge was complete and went back to the Shattered Star Ring. He withdrew his forces to let Modo regroup while advancing his campaign through Kunde propaganda and spies inside the expeditionary army.

• Ames told Han Xiao she was leaving after killing the chief culprit, took Iso with her, and gave Han Xiao her handwritten Dragon Emperor Stellar Energy Absorption Method.
• Han Xiao reviewed his mission rewards and ordered Phillip to broadcast a recording of him destroying Modo headquarters across every Kunde settlement.
• Han Xiao learned that Fording had used the Soul-Switching Device to turn 15,420 Modo soldiers and mid-level officers into spies.
• Han Xiao ordered the Black Star Army to withdraw so Modo could regroup, intending to break its morale through repeated attacks rather than press the current advantage.
• The Modo defense-line commander learned that Black Star had destroyed the expeditionary army’s headquarters and killed its leadership.
• Kunde across the settlement planets watched Han Xiao’s recording, took pride in their technology, and grew more grateful and reverent toward him.

Modo officials began plotting to impeach the Three Kings as opposition to the Shattered World campaign grew, while Rotel considered assassinating one of them to deepen racial conflict. Han Xiao returned to sparring with Hila and research at Black Star Palace, where he noticed a pinned battle invitation on the forums.

• Maruko and other influential Modo officials agreed that continuing the Shattered World campaign would ruin Modo and began discussing impeaching the Three Kings.
• Rotel proposed assassinating one of the Three Kings and framing the killing to inflame racial divisions, though he acknowledged the plan would be difficult.
• Han Xiao sparred with Hila for eleven hours, then discussed her progress and their remaining sessions.
• Han Xiao reflected on Aurora's potential to create bodies for Netherland's reborn heroic spirits and Morning Star's future body.
• Han Xiao opened the Shattered World forum and noticed a pinned post titled "World Server Battle Invitation".

Han Xiao weighed the coming player war and prepared for the next version while Gaud arranged for Carrot to remain at the Dynasty training base. A month and a half later, Modo’s Three Races General Assembly began impeachment proceedings against the Three Kings, leaving their leadership in disarray.

• Han Xiao read the guild alliances’ challenge to a massive battle on Marisen and decided not to stop the Legion’s players from joining.
• Han Xiao considered how the battle could boost the Legion’s recruitment and experience gains, then returned to Black Star Palace to finish his sparring matches.
• Gaud learned that the Dynasty had indefinitely suspended its plan to study the Evolution Cube’s core energy using his Esper Ability.
• Gaud watched Carrot lose another sparring match and told the instructor to let him stay at the training base regardless of his assessment results.
• After a month and a half, Modo’s General Assembly of the Three Races passed an impeachment proposal against the Three Kings, as opposition to their war policy gained support.

The Three Kings of Modo defeated Maruko’s impeachment effort, then gave a public speech to restore their reputation. During the speech, an unknown assailant used Rotel’s Godstabber to kill one of the kings, plunging the square into chaos.

• The opposition led by Maruko accused the Three Kings of Modo of incompetence, but the General Assembly of the Three Races rejected the impeachment.
• The Three Kings of Modo invited officials and opposition members to a speech at Hundred Nid Square, where Maruko recognized their effort to present themselves as victors.
• The Three Kings of Modo defended their decisions and blamed the unrest on an enemy plot as the crowd listened.
• A Federation of Light intelligence agent spotted a hooded man’s glowing mark just before Godstabber pierced the defensive enchantment and killed one of the Three Kings of Modo.
• Security personnel evacuated the surviving kings as panic spread, while Maruko fled and the intelligence agent searched for the vanished assassin.

After one of the Three Kings of Modo was assassinated, the Modo Civilization launched a lockdown and struggled to control rumors and public anger. Han Xiao learned that his subordinate Rotel was the assassin and began planning to help him escape, while the Modo investigation also targeted opposition figure Maruko.

• The Modo Civilization locked down its home planet after one of the Three Kings was assassinated and arrested suspected spies.
• Foreign organizations and terrorist groups spread competing rumors about the killer, while Modo officials tried to suppress speculation.
• Han Xiao learned that Rotel had assassinated the king and escaped the home planet using routes he had prepared in advance.
• Han Xiao suspended Rotel's assassination missions and promised to try to bring him back before Modo caught him.
• Modo soldiers ordered Maruko to accompany them for questioning as the opposition became a focus of the investigation.