Chapter Summaries

Han Xiao planned to make the Beyond Grade A Association less dependent on the Three Universal Civilizations while advancing his Mechanical and Void powers. Meanwhile, the Super Star Cluster Alliance plotted to widen the conflict, and Pangon’s avengers began preparing for revenge in secret.

• Han Xiao rejected the idea of negotiating with the Three Universal Civilizations and planned to deepen the Association’s ties with financial groups and the surviving clans of historical Beyond Grade As.
• Han Xiao reviewed his progress, gained the [Mechanical Divinity] talent, and decided to raise his Void path’s Divine Transformation before advancing further.
• The Star Arc Civilization leader proposed spreading rumors that the Three Universal Civilizations planned to hunt Supers, drawing the Super class into conflict with them.
• Pangon and his companions agreed to build their strength in secret and use Sorokin’s methods as a model while preparing to take revenge on the Three Universal Civilizations.

The news of Sanctuary Revival stirred interest among reclusive Beyond Grade As, the Arcane Church, and Supers across the universe. As the Arcane Church sent Babroye to guard a joint research institute and Urnos admitted he was not confident he could kill Black Star, many Beyond Grade A Seeds began heading for the Shattered World to seek guidance and eligibility for revival.

• Four reclusive Beyond Grade As in the Kingdom of the Four Gods learned about Sanctuary Revival and decided to wait until events settled before meeting Black Star.
• Urnos created Babroye from a deity statue and sent him to guard the Arcane Church, Empire, and Glory's planned research institute.
• Urnos told the Arcane Church official that he was not confident he could kill Black Star.
• Sanctuary Revival reignited the ambitions of Calamity Grade Supers and unsettled Beyond Grade A Seeds who had previously avoided serving established organizations.
• Many Beyond Grade A Seeds changed their plans and set out for the Shattered World to seek guidance and qualify for Sanctuary Revival.

Gavin, a Beyond Grade A Seed planning to join the Black Star Army, was ambushed by powerful Calamity Grade attackers while traveling through pirate territory. As the attackers nearly killed him, Aurora’s healing light restored his body, leaving the assailants stunned and Fording beside her.

• Gavin rejected the Three Universal Civilizations’ recruitment offers and headed toward the Shattered World to join the Black Star Army.
• Gavin’s fleet was intercepted by apparent space pirates, and he crippled their leader with a surprise saber strike.
• Seven or eight hidden Calamity Grade experts attacked Gavin, destroyed his fleet, and trapped him in a desperate fight.
• Gavin, badly wounded and near death, called for help as Aurora’s shuttle arrived and the attackers chose to press their assault.
• Aurora restored Gavin’s body with sacred golden light, and the attackers turned toward her ship while Fording listened to Aurora remark on their eventful travels.

Aurora and Fording rescued Gavin from a group of attackers, and Aurora recruited him as captain of her Guard Squad. After interrogating the captured assailants, Fording discovered the situation was far more serious than they had expected and ordered an immediate report to the army commander.

• Aurora healed the gravely wounded Gavin and used her spaceship to prevent his attackers from teleporting away.
• Aurora summoned ten Calamity Grade heroic spirits to defeat the attackers, while Fording extracted their souls and captured them.
• Gavin thanked Aurora, explained that he had been heading to the Shattered World to join the Black Star Army, and accepted her offer to become captain of her Guard Squad.
• Fording interrogated the captives and returned with a grave warning that the situation was beyond their ability to handle.
• Fording told Aurora and Gavin to report the matter to the army commander immediately.

Fording uncovered a secret squad hunting Beyond Grade A Seeds, and Han Xiao suspected the Three Universal Civilizations or the Super Star Cluster Alliance while arranging covert protection for the targets. He then decided to recruit Carrot and other future powerhouses before they could be killed or claimed by rival factions.

• Fording told Han Xiao that he had captured Calamity Grade deathsworn who had been ordered to hunt Gavin and other Beyond Grade A Seeds, but the attackers knew neither their masters nor the full scope of the operation.
• Han Xiao suspected the Three Universal Civilizations or the Super Star Cluster Alliance and reasoned that multiple hunting squads might be targeting Seeds traveling toward the Shattered World.
• Han Xiao told Fording to arrange secret escorts, privately warn the Seeds, find nearby applicants for Aurora to protect, and send the captives to the Netherland after interrogation.
• Han Xiao received the mission "Stop the Hunt!" to rescue Beyond Grade A Seeds and noted its rewards, including a Specified Blank Character Card.
• Han Xiao decided to seek out Carrot and recruit future powerhouses, believing that gathering them under his protection would prevent their premature deaths.

Morgan waited for a Black Star Army escort after learning that groups of Calamity Grade killers were targeting Beyond Grade A Seeds, then joined the Army’s fleet and planned to apply to follow Aurora. The Super Star Cluster Alliance’s secret department halted its attacks after the Association protected the targets, while the Three Universal Civilizations abandoned their own elimination plan.

• Morgan stopped his fleet at a busy transportation junction and repeatedly pressed the Black Star Army for an escort until Nero arrived with a mechanical combat squad and life potions.
• Nero told Morgan that some unguarded Beyond Grade A Seeds had been killed, and Morgan said he wanted to apply to follow Aurora for protection.
• Bone Man ordered his secret department to withdraw its death soldiers after reports showed the targets were guarded and the operation had achieved its purpose.
• Mabrus, Louis, and the Arcane Church's leader concluded that the Super Star Cluster Alliance had disrupted their planned ambush and canceled the elimination of the Beyond Grade A Seeds.

Hundreds of Beyond Grade A Seeds joined the Black Star Army after the Three Universal Civilizations tried to stop them, and Han Xiao welcomed them at headquarters. He assessed their abilities and recruited Carrot, leaving the new arrivals to await their assignments as tensions with the civilizations continued.

• The Return of the Scattered Stars drew attention across the universe and spurred Supers to join the Beyond Grade A Association.
• Han Xiao welcomed the gathered Beyond Grade A Seeds, assessed their talents, and explained that they would compete for limited positions in the Army.
• A recruit asked who had sent the hunting squads, and Han Xiao implied that the Three Universal Civilizations were responsible.
• Han Xiao woke Carrot at the Black Star Palace and persuaded him that he could become a Peak Beyond Grade A.
• Carrot agreed to leave the Empire and stay with Han Xiao for guidance.

Han Xiao strengthened the Beyond Grade A Association and expected a temporary peace while the Three Universal Civilizations studied Sanctuary Revival. A year later, version 5.0 began and the players returned to the galaxy.

• Han Xiao arranged to find Carrot a powerful Pugilist teacher and considered Silver Shadow among the best choices.
• Han Xiao reviewed hostile public opinion about the Association and expected the major factions to preserve peace while they prepared for the future.
• The Crimson Dynasty increased research funding, allowing the neglected wormhole positioning group to resume field measurements.
• The Three Universal Civilizations and the Association avoided open conflict while economic pressure and public tensions continued to grow.
• On March 10, Galaxy Calendar year 782, version 5.0 opened and the players logged back in.

Han Xiao waited for Version 5.0 to begin, hoping the returning players would help him advance and shift the standoff between the Beyond Grade A Association and the Three Universal Civilizations. The players returned to find the era named after Black Star and received a new main mission as they considered the dangers facing the Army.

• Han Xiao’s panel announced Version 5.0, titled the Black Star Era, and he realized the name reflected his influence over the universe.
• Players returned to the Black Star Palace after a fifty-year update and learned about major events, including Aurora’s rise to Beyond Grade A and the Association’s conflict with the Three Universal Civilizations.
• Frenzied Saber and other players discovered that the Infinite Financial Group had collapsed, prompting Army players to worry that their own faction could also fall.
• Veteran Army players reaffirmed their loyalty despite fears that the Association might lose its conflict with the Three Universal Civilizations.
• All Army players received the Grade S main mission [Super Calamity · Black Star Army].

The Immortals returned to a universe on the brink of the Super Calamity, and Han Xiao welcomed them while preparing to profit from their renewed activity. Meanwhile, the Three Universal Civilizations worked to undermine the association and approved Mornisa’s plan to invade Manison’s database.

• The Immortals received the Super Calamity faction quest, explored the Black Star Army’s expanded shop, and learned that Han Xiao had gifted Planet Milton to the Yanhuang Alliance.
• Han Xiao watched the players’ activity boost his experience and planned to use new products and discounts to increase their spending and grinding.
• Louis ordered more research into the Immortals’ resurrection and discussed how the Federation of Light was dividing Super-class opinion to weaken the association’s reputation.
• Mornisa asked Louis to help her invade Manison’s database and offered to share the stolen technical data with the Federation of Light.
• Louis approved Mornisa’s plan and said he would seek help from the Empire and Arcane, treating the invasion as a way to test the association’s response.

The Immortals’ return drew factions’ attention and fueled recruitment into the Black Star Army, while Carrot made rapid progress under Silver Shadow’s instruction. Han Xiao received word that a revenge-seeker had tried to betray the Sanctum Organization and that an unknown entity in the Secondary Dimension World had spied on it, so he set out to investigate.

• The Immortals returned to the universe, prompting factions to watch their growing strength and offer them better recruitment terms, but many players joined the Black Star Army instead.
• Carrot sparred with Silver Shadow and impressed him with his rapid improvement, which Han Xiao had encouraged through tailored training.
• Han Xiao checked on Carrot’s progress and planned to have Beyond Grade A Pugilists share their insights with him once he advanced.
• Han Xiao reviewed the army’s promising trainees and anticipated a response from the Three Universal Civilizations to the players’ return.
• Oathkeeper told Han Xiao that a revenge-seeker had tried to trade Sanctum information for help and that an unknown entity in the Secondary Dimension World had spied on the Sanctum Organization.
• Han Xiao asked Oathkeeper for the coordinates and prepared to investigate the entity himself.

Pangon’s group caught and killed Kotlin after he tried to trade information about the Sanctum for help avenging his people. Han Xiao pursued a mysterious observer into the Secondary Dimension and discovered that the powerful mage behind the barrier was someone he recognized from his past life.

• Pangon confronted Kotlin on a desolate planet and accused him of betraying the group by approaching the Super Star Cluster civilizations.
• Kotlin rejected Pangon’s arguments and insisted that revenge mattered more to him than Black Star or the Sanctum.
• Pangon and the other Beyond Grade As attacked and killed Kotlin, then Oathkeeper informed Han Xiao that the traitor had been dealt with.
• Han Xiao and Oathkeeper discussed Kotlin’s motives and removed his name from the list of people to revive.
• Han Xiao tracked the observer to a fortified Secondary Dimension, where a white-and-gold-robed mage emerged to greet him.
• Han Xiao recognized the mage as the reclusive Beyond Grade A who had fought the World Tree army in his previous life.

Han Xiao visited Joey Tan Ryan in the Kingdom of the Four Gods, confronted him about spying on the Sanctum Organization, and offered him Sanctuary Revival in exchange for joining the association. When Joey hesitated, Han Xiao challenged him and the other three Beyond Grade As to a fight, leaving negotiations on the brink of combat.

• Han Xiao recognized Joey Tan Ryan and followed him into the Kingdom of the Four Gods to discuss Joey's spying on a friend’s base.
• Joey explained that he had used a mystical spell to observe the Sanctum Organization after one of his messengers had encountered it years earlier, and Han Xiao judged that his account was mostly believable.
• Han Xiao offered Joey a chance at Sanctuary Revival if he left seclusion, joined the association, and helped its front, but Joey asked to postpone his participation until after the association reconciled with the Three Universal Civilizations.
• Han Xiao refused Joey's attempt to negotiate different terms and proposed a spar to address his doubts.
• Han Xiao revealed that Joey's three hidden companions had been eavesdropping and challenged all four Beyond Grade As to fight him at once.

Han Xiao challenged Joy and three other Beyond Grade As in a Secondary Dimension, where he tested his new weapons and overwhelmed them with his mechanical army and combat abilities. After hours of fighting across four dimensions, the group surrendered, and they recognized the scale of Han Xiao’s strength and resources.

• Joy brought Han Xiao and the others to his prototype Secondary Dimension, where they agreed to spar with the four opponents taking turns.
• Joy summoned a vast army of Secondary Dimension creatures, and Han Xiao answered with his mechanical army, which quickly gained the upper hand.
• Joy used spatial banishment spells against Han Xiao’s machines, but Han Xiao attacked him with anti-magic weapons and an energy-absorbing suit.
• After Han Xiao invited the others to join in, Joy’s three companions entered the fight, and all four battled Han Xiao across several Secondary Dimensions.
• After hours of fighting, Joy and the others surrendered, while Han Xiao reflected that even the four of them had posed little threat and they acknowledged his overwhelming resources.

Han Xiao tried to recruit Joy and three other hermits into the Beyond Grade A Association, arguing that they needed to support its struggle for freedom. After returning to Black Star Palace, he gained the [Ancient One] talent and turned his attention to creating more work for the army’s players to accelerate their experience gains.

• Han Xiao demonstrated his strength to Joy and urged the four hermits to join the Association, warning that Sanctuary Revival would not guarantee their freedom under the Three Universal Civilizations.
• Joy asked for more time to decide, and Han Xiao gave the four encrypted communicators before teleporting away.
• Han Xiao returned to Black Star Palace, collected his mission rewards, and chose Joy as the target for an ability draw, gaining the [Ancient One] talent.
• Han Xiao messaged Oathkeeper that the problem had been resolved, then examined the players’ activities and planned to create more jobs and improve the army’s benefits system.

Frenzied Saber and the Jiangcheng Guild received the Black Star Army’s new benefits and advancement policies, then signed up for a lucrative military exercise. Meanwhile, Louis and the chief council elder concluded that the Three Universal Civilizations needed to curb the Beyond Grade A factions’ growth with prepared sanctions.

• Frenzied Saber ordered the Jiangcheng Guild members to practice dungeon tactics while they traveled to a mission location.
• Thousand River Moon told Frenzied Saber that the Federation of Light had tried to recruit the guild, but Frenzied Saber refused to leave the Black Star Army.
• Frenzied Saber and the other players read the Army’s reforms, which added officer roles, insurance benefits, new missions, and access to the Evolution Cube.
• Frenzied Saber and the other players paid experience to sign up for the Army’s military exercise, and more than a million places filled within five minutes.
• Louis learned that recruiting the Black Star Army’s Immortals had largely failed, then agreed with the chief council elder to issue sanctions against Beyond Grade A factions.

The Three Universal Civilizations imposed sweeping political, economic, and military sanctions on the Beyond Grade A Association, forcing Han Xiao to prepare for an open confrontation. Han Xiao arranged retaliatory measures and considered contacting the Super Star Cluster Alliance as the Association faced growing isolation.

• The Three Universal Civilizations issued a joint decree placing the Beyond Grade A Association on two untrustworthy organizations lists and imposing broad sanctions.
• Han Xiao read the decree and recognized that its restrictions targeted the Association’s factions and members while offering neutral Beyond Grade As and defectors normal treatment.
• Bennett told Han Xiao that Planet Aquamarine would withdraw from the Shattered Star Ring Civilization Council and reject the sanctions, and Han Xiao warned that its development would suffer but promised protection.
• Han Xiao told Kasuyi to convene an emergency meeting and announced that the Association would refuse assistance to the Three Universal Civilizations and suspend subsidies and meeting privileges for their direct-line Beyond Grade As.
• Han Xiao said the Association might need to rely more on the Interstellar Black Market and make contact with the Super Star Cluster Alliance.

After the Three Universal Civilizations imposed sanctions, Han Xiao rallied the Beyond Grade A Association to retaliate while avoiding a direct war. He arranged for the association to seek new resources and partners, including the Super Star Cluster Alliance, which welcomed the prospect of cooperation.

• Han Xiao suspended the membership privileges of the Three Universal Civilizations' direct subordinates and ended the association's support for the civilizations, with the members agreeing to the measures.
• Han Xiao assigned Secret Master to help make the Interstellar Black Market a logistical core and proposed seeking partners among factions that would not enforce the sanctions.
• Han Xiao told the association to contact the Super Star Cluster Alliance and warned members to retaliate without harming innocents or escalating into armed conflict.
• Kasuyi asked when Han Xiao would reveal the truth about Sanctuary Revival, and Han Xiao said he would wait for the right moment.
• The Super Star Cluster Alliance leaders learned that Han Xiao wanted to contact them and welcomed a chance to cooperate against the Three Universal Civilizations.

Planet Aquamarine withdrew from the Shattered Star Ring Civilization Council in protest of the Three Universal Civilizations' sanctions, while Sisko prepared to resign to protect the Star Pupil Civilization. Han Xiao met with the Super Star Cluster Alliance to discuss cooperation, but he said their offer was not enough for him to revive their deceased Beyond Grade As.

• Bennett denounced the sanctions at the council and announced Planet Aquamarine's withdrawal, then told officials to inform the civilization.
• Sisko explained that he would resign so the Star Pupil Civilization could avoid sanctions while he joined the struggle as a free agent.
• Han Xiao met with the Super Star Cluster Alliance and agreed in principle to cooperate in exchange for supplies, support, and shared channels.
• The alliance asked Han Xiao to use Sanctuary Revival to resurrect its deceased direct-line Beyond Grade As, especially the victims of the Tragedy of the Pinnacle.
• Han Xiao said resurrection was possible now, but the alliance's offer was not enough.

Han Xiao negotiated with the Super Star Cluster Alliance to trade Sanctuary Revival slots for valuable technology and resources, while the Three Universal Civilizations used their sanctions to test whether he could revive Beyond Grade As at will. The chapter ended with the Three Universal Civilizations preparing an operation against Manison and returning the Scepter of All Gods to the Arcane Church.

• Han Xiao offered the Super Star Cluster Alliance revival slots in limited batches in exchange for valuable blueprints, technologies, Universal Treasures, or rare resources, and its leaders accepted.
• Han Xiao decided to revive a small number of the Alliance’s direct descendants to strengthen their partnership and pressure the Three Universal Civilizations, while refusing to make the same deal with the Three Universal Civilizations.
• Han Xiao received apologies from Amethyst Civilization and other Shattered Star Ring civilizations for complying with the sanctions, then ordered their cooperation with the Black Star Army wound down and planned to send players to seize black markets.
• Han Xiao considered recruiting hidden Beyond Grade As from the Sanctum and presenting them as newly revived to increase pressure on the Three Universal Civilizations.
• The Arcane Church, Louis, and Mabrus discussed using sanctions to probe Han Xiao’s limits on Sanctuary Revival and considered whether the purge plan might soon be possible.
• Louis told the Arcane Church leader that Glory’s operation against Manison was nearly ready, and Glory agreed to return the Scepter of All Gods to the Arcane Church in exchange for its assistance.