Chapter Summaries

Han Xiao discovered that Sorokin was alive and fought to capture him again, while realizing Sorokin might have split his soul to create a separate existence in Gaud. He imprisoned Sorokin in Space-Time Amber after revealing that he knew about the World Tree’s coming, leaving Sorokin willing to risk surrender for a chance to witness it.

• Sorokin emerged from the Space-Time Amber, recognized Han Xiao, and tried to escape the space-time-locked battlefield.
• Han Xiao and the imperial fleet attacked Sorokin, using Apostle Weapons and the Mechanical Deity to prevent him from building up clones or breaking free.
• Han Xiao found that Sorokin suffered permanent Soul Tear and inferred that Sorokin had split his soul, leaving another consciousness in Gaud.
• Han Xiao struck Sorokin with the Soul Breaker Crown and Virtual Soul, then restrained him and began sealing him in Space-Time Amber.
• Han Xiao told Sorokin that he knew about the World Tree’s coming, and Sorokin stopped resisting in hopes of witnessing it before Han Xiao sealed him again.

After Sorokin was recaptured, Han Xiao concluded that the Empire had no usable evidence linking him to Gaud and resolved to eliminate Gaud before his power grew, while planning to conceal his involvement. Meanwhile, Gaud arrived on Planet Fein to join the Beyond Grade A Association, where a question about his ability startled him.

• Han Xiao watched the Empire take Sorokin into custody, then told Urranrell that the inspection had revealed no proof against him.
• Han Xiao decided to target Gaud before he became more powerful and began considering ways to muddy the waters and frame someone else.
• Gaud arrived at the Beyond Grade A Association headquarters on Planet Fein for a welcoming meeting.
• Manison welcomed Gaud to the Association, and Clottey invited him to sit with the Empire's members.
• As Gaud took his seat, someone asked whether his ability was the extremely dangerous esper power Energy Manipulation, making him suddenly uneasy.

Han Xiao planted a black-market rumor that Gaud possessed the theoretical ability Energy Manipulation, prompting suspicion at Gaud’s welcoming meeting. The rumor reached the major civilizations, while Gaud left the Shattered World under the Empire’s protection and the Federation of Light chose to investigate rather than act.

• Han Xiao secretly spread a rumor about Gaud’s ability through the black market and arranged for Lu Qi to raise it at the association meeting.
• Lu Qi pressed Gaud to reveal his ability, but Gaud refused to answer, leaving the other Beyond Grade As suspicious that he had Energy Manipulation.
• Han Xiao defended Gaud and joked that Manison might target him, before the welcoming meeting ended and Gaud returned to the Empire fleet.
• The Empire questioned Gaud about the rumor and advised him to leave the dangerous Shattered World, so he ordered the fleet to depart.
• Bader received the meeting report and ordered the Federation of Light’s Intelligence Department to investigate the rumor, while deciding not to target Gaud.

After Gaud’s emergence drew attention across the universe, several powerful figures considered whether to target him, but held back while weighing the risks. As Gaud traveled through the Shattered World, his ship was seized by an unknown attacker, and he prepared to identify the enemy.

• The Star Arc Civilization leader considered avenging the Traveler by eliminating Gaud, but decided the Alliance’s worsening position in the Shattered World Battle made provoking a Beyond Grade A too risky.
• Manison studied reports about Gaud’s suspected Energy Manipulation ability and chose to wait, while wondering whether the conflict might invite a plot.
• Sorokin considered assassinating Gaud to destabilize the Beyond Grade As and frame Black Star, but recognized the plan would be difficult and risky.
• Rumors that Gaud possessed Energy Manipulation spread widely, while the major factions watched without acting as the Empire fleet carried him toward the Shattered World’s exit.
• Gaud revealed that he had already deciphered about half of Evolution Energy and believed he could eventually produce it himself.
• An unknown attacker seized control of Gaud’s ship, disabling its systems and communications; Gaud suspected the Mechanic Emperor or another major faction and expanded his perception to locate the attacker.

Han Xiao ambushed Gaud, destroyed the Imperial fleet, and captured him after a fierce fight. He brought Gaud to a sealed secondary dimension and revealed that he knew Gaud was really Sorokin.

• Gaud detected a hidden attacker and ordered the Imperial fleet to restore communications and switch to manual control.
• Han Xiao unleashed a mechanical army and devastated the fleet, but Gaud used his Esper ability to shield the surviving ships and activate their thrusters.
• Gaud fled the fleet, but Han Xiao pursued and overwhelmed him with attacks, virtual interference, and mechanical restraints.
• Han Xiao teleported Gaud through a spacetime anchor to a sealed secondary dimension, then erased the battlefield and withdrew his troops.
• Gaud recognized Han Xiao as Black Star, and Han Xiao told him he knew he was really Sorokin.

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.