Translation review

Paragraph 1

Changed

Before

The narrow alley was deep and dark, as though it had no end.

After

The narrow alley was deep and gloomy, as if it had no end.

Paragraph 2

Changed

Before

Pale gray daylight leaked down from overhead, shining on the stone-paved ground and on the tiny figure curled upon it.

After

Grayish-white daylight leaked down from overhead, illuminating the stone-paved ground and the small figure curled up on it.

Paragraph 3

Changed

Before

A little girl in a drab gray dress sat on the ground, wailing at the top of her lungs, her small body trembling with each sob.

After

The girl in the dusty gray dress lay sprawled on the ground, wailing loudly, her small body trembling with sobs.

Paragraph 4

Changed

Before

Her knees were scraped raw, beads of blood mixed with dust sticking to the wounds. Her voice was already hoarse from crying, but she still shouted desperately.

After

Her knees were scraped raw, beads of blood mixed with dust smeared over them. Her voice was already hoarse from crying, but she still shouted with all her might.

Paragraph 5

Changed

Before

"Mommy... I want Mommy..."

After

"Mommy... I want my mommy..."

Paragraph 6

Changed

Before

Every few meters along the alley stood a guard. Their clothes varied, and the only thing they had in common was the strings of dark red beads around their necks.

After

Every few meters along the alley stood a guard. Their clothes were varied, and their only common trait was the several strings of dark red beads around their necks.

Paragraph 7

Changed

Before

At this moment, all the guards turned a deaf ear to the girl's cries. No one intended to pay the child any attention.

After

At this moment, all the guards turned a deaf ear to the girl's cries. No one intended to pay this child any mind.

Paragraph 8

Changed

Before

They all kept their heads bowed, hands folded before them, lips faintly moving as if silently reciting something.

After

They all kept their heads lowered, hands folded in front of them, lips faintly moving, as if silently reciting something.

Paragraph 10

Changed

Before

Remember this despair. Remember the fragility and inferiority of your own essence.]

After

Remember this despair. Remember the fragility and baseness of your own nature.]

Paragraph 11

Changed

Before

Gradually, the wind in the quiet alley carried a vague, indistinct whispering.

After

Gradually, in the quiet alleyway, a vague murmuring was carried on the wind.

Paragraph 12

Changed

Before

It did not sound human—more like the noise of countless bubbles bursting in thick liquid: fine, drawn-out, yet seemingly everywhere.

After

It didn't sound like a human voice; instead, it was more like the clamor of countless bubbles bursting in a viscous liquid—fine, drawn-out, yet seemingly everywhere.

Paragraph 13

Changed

Before

[Only the gods can grant you a way to live.

After

[Only a god can grant you a way to live.

Paragraph 14

Changed

Before

Offer your loyalty to the gods, beg the gods for mercy. That is the only correct thing you can do.]

After

Offer your loyalty to the god, beg the god for mercy—this is the only correct thing you can do.]

Paragraph 15

Changed

Before

Slowly, the girl's cries quieted a little. Her gaze began to drift.

After

Slowly, the girl's crying quieted a little, and her gaze began to go vacant.

Paragraph 16

Changed

Before

But the next second, an ever clearer "buzzing" sound suddenly poured into the alleyway from above.

After

But the next second, an increasingly clear "buzzing" sound abruptly poured down from above the alley.

Paragraph 17

Changed

Before

The guards frowned, a fierce light flashing in their eyes as they all snapped their heads toward the sky in unison.

After

The guards frowned slightly, a fierce glint flashing in their eyes, and in unison they snapped their heads up.

Paragraph 18

Changed

Before

Yet the moment they saw it clearly, those who had been about to move froze where they stood.

After

But the moment they saw the sky, all of them, who had been about to move, froze in place.

Paragraph 19

Changed

Before

It was an enormous swath of shadow, surging in from the sky above the alley entrance, blotting out the sunlight.

After

It was a huge swath of pitch-black shadow surging in from the sky at the mouth of the alley, blotting out the sunlight.

Paragraph 20

Changed

Before

Countless drones with sleek, high-tech silhouettes and gleaming metallic finishes, like a clamorous swarm of bees, covered the entire sky above their heads in the blink of an eye.

After

Countless drones, sleekly futuristic and gleaming with metallic luster, covered the entire sky above their heads in the blink of an eye, like a clamorous swarm of bees.

Paragraph 21

Changed

Before

The rotor wash ruffled their hair and pressed the girl's cries into silence.

After

The airflow churned up by the propellers mussed their hair and pressed down the girl's cries.

Paragraph 22

Changed

Before

The visual impact of the scene short-circuited the minds of almost everyone present for an instant.

After

The visual impact of this scene nearly made everyone present's brain short-circuit for an instant.

Paragraph 24

Changed

Before

The convoy led by Lin Chong was bringing the last batch of "cargo"—the swarm drones—into the camp.

After

The convoy led by Lin Chong was bringing the last batch of "cargo"—swarm drones—into the camp.

Paragraph 25

Changed

Before

"Brother Chong, is it... is it all right for us to do this?" A team member sidled over, looking at the "dark cloud" that had converged in the distant sky, his heart pounding.

After

"Brother Chong, is it... is it really okay for us to do this?" A team member sidled up, looking at the "dark cloud" that had converged in the distant sky, his heart pounding.

Paragraph 26

Changed

Before

"What's there to be all right about?" Lin Chong spat out the cigarette butt between his lips and ground it out with his toe, but his gaze stayed locked on the direction the drone swarm had gone. "They dare to hold my people? Then I dare to flip their table!"

After

"What could be the problem?" Lin Chong spat out the cigarette butt from his mouth, grinding it out with his toe, but his eyes stayed fixed on the direction the drone swarm had gone. "They dare to keep my people, so I dare to flip their table!"

Paragraph 27

Changed

Before

He paused, then lowered his voice, carrying a ruthless edge.

After

He paused, then lowered his voice further, carrying a fierce edge.

Paragraph 28

Changed

Before

"Listen up. Once we get Niuniu out, we leave immediately. We're not staying in this godforsaken place!"

After

"Listen up. The moment we get Niuniu out, we withdraw immediately! We're not staying in this godforsaken place!"

Paragraph 29

Changed

Before

As an "old fool" who had scraped through most of his life in this garbage world, Lin Chong lived his entire life by just two words.

After

As an "old muddlehead" who had spent most of his life surviving in this garbage world, Lin Chong's entire life could actually be summed up in two words.

Paragraph 30

Changed

Before

One was pride. Even if it meant death, he would not learn so much as a shred from the trash he looked down on.

After

The first was pride—even if it meant death, he would never learn even a shred from the garbage he looked down on.

Paragraph 31

Changed

Before

The other was courage. Whoever dared to provoke him, he would give them something big even if it cost him his life.

After

The second was courage—anyone who dared to mess with him, even if it killed him, he would give them something big.

Paragraph 32

Changed

Before

He knew one truth very well: in a world without rules, what you relied on to get by was a spirit of sharing life and death with your brothers.

After

He understood a simple truth: in a world without rules, to make it on the streets, you had to rely on a spirit of living and dying together.

Paragraph 33

Changed

Before

Otherwise, did anyone really think a gang of soft-shelled shrimp and backstabbing dogs could hold a team together?

After

Otherwise, did anyone really believe a bunch of spineless cowards and backstabbing dogs could hold a crew together?

Paragraph 34

Changed

Before

Besides, the "authorities" behind those drones had made the terms very clear—they would cooperate in rescuing Niuniu, as long as they helped bring the drones in.

After

Besides, the "authority" behind those drones had stated its terms very clearly—it would cooperate in rescuing Niuniu, as long as they helped bring the drones in.

Paragraph 35

Changed

Before

When it was done, Lin Chong's "Liangshan Convoy" could either choose to join the shelter, or take supplies and leave on their own.

After

After this was over, Lin Chong's "Liangshan Convoy" could choose to join the shelter, or take supplies and then go on their own way.

Paragraph 36

Changed

Before

Even in the worst case, they could just head south or north instead. The world was big; there was always hope.

After

After this, at worst, they would head south or north. The world was wide, and there was always hope.

Paragraph 37

Changed

Before

And if the force behind those drones really was reliable, then what he had done today could count as a pledge of allegiance. Either way, it was worth a shot.

After

And if the force behind those drones was truly reliable, then his deeds today could count as a pledge of allegiance. Either way, it was worth a shot.

Paragraph 39

Changed

Before

Ling Yu felt melancholy right now. Truly.

After

Ling Yu felt quite melancholy right now. Really.

Paragraph 41

Changed

Before

He simply couldn't figure it out.

After

Really couldn't figure it out.

Paragraph 42

Changed

Before

Could someone tell him what the hell "because the east side of Yuanjiang City looked too terrifying, survivors coming from the east didn't dare keep running toward Yuanjiang, so they either stayed in Linwu or continued south or north instead" was supposed to mean?

After

Who could tell him what it meant that, because the east side of Yuanjiang City looked too terrifying, survivors from the east didn't dare keep running toward Yuanjiang, and in the end either stayed in Linwu or continued south or north?

Paragraph 43

Changed

Before

He had sent people far and wide scouring for survivors, snatching them one by one from under the zombies' jaws—and yet the daily population growth was still just a tiny trickle, yet to exceed five thousand.

After

His side sent people all over looking for survivors, snatching one after another from under the zombies' jaws, and yet the daily population growth was just that little bit—still not past five thousand.

Paragraph 44

Changed

Before

Meanwhile, this cult den that looked wrong no matter how you looked at it could just sit at home and have people flock to it from all directions, gathering 7,312 people without lifting a finger?

After

And this cult nest, which was wrong in every way you looked at it, could just sit at home and have people come flocking from all directions, effortlessly gathering 7,312 people?

Paragraph 45

Changed

Before

No, seriously—what gives?

After

No, what gave it the right?

Paragraph 46

Changed

Before

What conditions does my Dawn Shelter have? What conditions does your Linwu City have?

After

What does my Dawn Shelter offer? What does Linwu City offer?

Paragraph 47

Changed

Before

Complete rule of law, ample electricity, leading technology, no worries about food or drink, and industrial production lines that were gradually being rebuilt.

After

Complete laws, ample electricity, leading technology, plenty of food and drink, and an industrial production line being gradually rebuilt.

Paragraph 48

Changed

Before

In which single point is it not better than this godforsaken place that snatches little kids to be some goddamn "Holy Son"?

After

In what way is that worse than this godforsaken place that grabs little kids to be its damn "Holy Sons"?

Paragraph 49

Changed

Before

This feeling of having been quietly one-upped made Ling Yu feel ten parts displeased—at the very least, nine.

After

This feeling of having been quietly played made Ling Yu feel ten parts, even nine, annoyed.

Paragraph 50

Changed

Before

So this time, his strategy was just slightly more radical.

After

So this time, his strategy was just a tiny bit more aggressive.

Paragraph 51

Changed

Before

Investigate slowly, play along, finally uncover the secret of this region, learn an appalling truth,

After

Investigate slowly, deal with them insincerely, finally uncover the secret of this area, and learn a shocking truth.

Paragraph 52

Changed

Before

and then, at the end, have a blood-boiling real-life brawl with the boss behind the scenes, full of justice and hope, friendship and bonds?

After

Then, at the end, have a blood-pumping, real-life brawl with the final Boss, full of justice and hope, friendship and bonds?

Paragraph 53

Changed

Before

That was the mindset of a weak, powerless investigator. Not of a nuclear power station.

After

That was the mindset of a weak and powerless investigator, not of a nuclear power station.

Paragraph 54

Changed

Before

For Ling Yu, there were only two steps—

After

For Ling Yu, there were actually only two steps—

Paragraph 55

Changed

Before

First, have the drones do a carpet search to determine what needed to be blown up, and then blow it up.

After

Have the drones do a full sweep first to determine where needed to be bombed, then bomb it.

Paragraph 56

Changed

Before

Seeing that the drone swarm was already in position, having brought several of the city's main heavy-firepower points—including those Type 96 main battle tanks—under monitoring and strike range.

After

Seeing that the drone swarm was already in position, bringing the city's main heavy firepower points—including those Type 96 main battle tanks—under monitoring and strike range.

Paragraph 57

Changed

Before

And once the main roads connecting the inner and outer city had been completely placed under control, Ling Yu hesitated no longer.

After

And after the main routes between the inner and outer city were placed under complete control, Ling Yu no longer hesitated.

Paragraph 58

Changed

Before

The next second, the loudspeakers on drones deployed throughout the city issued a single cold announcement in unison.

After

The next second, the loudspeakers on drones deployed throughout the city simultaneously issued a cold announcement.

Paragraph 59

Changed

Before

[This is the Core Operations Department of "Dawn Shelter," the official reconstruction organization of Zhongping Province!]

After

[This is the Core Operations Department of "Dawn Shelter," the official reconstruction body of Zhongping Province!]

Paragraph 60

Changed

Before

[The entire territory of Linwu City is now under our armed coverage. All survivors who are not core members of the "Spiritual Heart Cult," lay down your weapons immediately and evacuate along the main roads toward the city's outskirts.]

After

[All of Linwu City is now under our military coverage. Survivors who are not core members of the "Spiritual Heart Cult" should immediately put down their weapons and evacuate along the main roads to the city's outskirts.]

Paragraph 61

Changed

Before

[Time limit: one hour.]

After

[Deadline: one hour.]

Paragraph 62

Changed

Before

[Anyone who fails to evacuate within the time limit will be dealt with as an accomplice to a terrorist organization.]

After

[Anyone who has not evacuated by then will be treated as an accomplice to a terrorist organization.]

Paragraph 63

Changed

Before

As the announcement rang out, every corner of the city where survivors sheltered boiled over.

After

As the announcement rang out, every corner of the city where survivors were sheltering erupted.

Paragraph 64

Changed

Before

Thousands of ordinary survivors poured out from the buildings—some dazed, some terrified.

After

Thousands of ordinary survivors poured out of the buildings, some bewildered, some terrified.

Paragraph 65

Changed

Before

And after confirming that the sky-blotting swarm of drones overhead was real, even more people unhesitatingly tore the red bead strings from their necks and surged toward the outer gates.

After

And after confirming that the sky-obscuring drone swarm above them was real, many more unhesitatingly tossed away the red bead strings around their necks and surged toward the outer gates.

Paragraph 66

Changed

Before

They didn't know whether the force behind those drones really was the authorities, but they figured the people in the inner city couldn't possibly cope with drones of this scale.

After

They didn't know whether the ones behind those drones really were the authorities, but they figured the crowd in the inner city couldn't possibly handle drones of this magnitude.

Paragraph 67

Changed

Before

Once he confirmed that those on the outside had begun to scatter, Ling Yu's attention shifted entirely to the center of the inner city.

After

After confirming that the outer area had begun to scatter and flee, Ling Yu's attention focused entirely on the center of the inner city.

Paragraph 68

Changed

Before

A drone's camera cut through the thick fog and finally fixed on an open square.

After

The drone's camera pierced through the thick fog and finally fixed on an open plaza.

Paragraph 69

Changed

Before

In the center of the square, a dozen or so people stood in a ring, led by a white-haired old man.

After

In the middle of the plaza, a dozen or so people stood in a circle. At their head was a white-haired old man.

Paragraph 70

Changed

Before

He wore an impeccably tailored dark gray suit, his hair combed with meticulous neatness, his face lean and refined, carrying even a hint of scholarly bearing.

After

He wore a meticulously tailored dark gray suit, his hair combed with meticulous neatness, his face gaunt and refined, even carrying a scholarly air.

Paragraph 71

Changed

Before

If he were not standing in a place like this, he would look exactly like a venerable retired professor from some university.

After

If he weren't standing in a place like this, he could easily pass for a respected retired professor at a university.

Paragraph 73

Changed

Before

And at the very center of the ring—Ling Yu's "gaze" moved upward.

After

And at the center of the circle these people surrounded—Ling Yu's "gaze" moved upward.

Paragraph 74

Changed

Before

A colossal heart hung suspended there.

After

There, suspended in midair, was a giant heart.

Paragraph 75

Changed

Before

Not a metaphor—a deformed heart literally magnified a thousand times over. Its surface was covered in twisted blood vessels and throbbing fascia.

After

That wasn't a metaphor; it was literally a malformed heart, magnified a thousand times over. Its surface was covered in twisted blood vessels and pulsating fascia.

Paragraph 76

Changed

Before

Countless finger-thick blood vessels stretched out from its surface, stabbing into the cracks between the stone slabs, spreading in every direction like tree roots.

After

Countless blood vessels as thick as fingers extended from its surface, plunging into the gaps between the stone slabs in the ground, spreading outward in all directions like tree roots.

Paragraph 77

Changed

Before

At both the top and bottom of the heart was an opening the size of a bowl. Dark red mist poured out endlessly from one, and was sucked back into the heart from the other.

After

At both the top and bottom of the heart was an opening the size of a bowl mouth. Dark red mist continuously poured out from one side, then was sucked back into the heart from the other.

Paragraph 78

Changed

Before

With every contraction, the faint mist lingering in the surrounding air was drawn inside; with every dilation, newer, denser mist surged out.

After

With every contraction, the faint wisps of mist in the surrounding air were drawn in; with every expansion, new, denser mist surged out.

Paragraph 79

Changed

Before

The bizarre red fog that shrouded the entire city was being circulated, just like blood, by the pumping of this heart.

After

The eerie red fog that shrouded the entire city seemed to be circulating like blood, pumped by this heart.

Paragraph 80

Changed

Before

The moment the drones appeared, the old man seemed about to do something.

After

At the moment the drones appeared, the old man seemed about to do something.

Paragraph 81

Changed

Before

The next second, the laser emitters of hundreds of Soldier Bee drones lit up with red lock-on dots at the same time, densely scattered across his body and across the surface of the giant heart.

After

The next second, the laser emitters of hundreds of Soldier Bee drones lit up with red lock-on dots simultaneously, densely cast upon his body and the surface of the giant heart.

Paragraph 83

Changed

Before

The next second, a Lightning-Chasing Shadow tore through the sky, diving down from high altitude. A high-energy laser beam plowed a scorched crimson furrow across the ground, a mere three meters from where the old man stood.

After

The next second, a "Lightning-Chasing Shadow" tore through the sky, diving from high altitude. A high-energy laser beam carved a fiery red scorch mark across the ground, no more than three meters from where the old man stood.

Paragraph 84

Changed

Before

[Don't move now.]

After

[Don't move, now!]

Paragraph 85

Changed

Before

Ling Yu's voice came from the nearest drone, his tone flat. [These are all suicide drones here. If you make a move, I'm guessing this big heart of yours is pretty precious, right?]

After

Ling Yu's voice came from the nearest drone, his tone flat. [These are all suicide drones around here. If you move recklessly, I'd guess this big heart of yours is quite precious, isn't it?]

Paragraph 86

Changed

Before

Facing this sudden show of thunderous force, the old man's hand stopped in midair, his gentle smile still in place.

After

Facing this sudden thunderbolt-like show of force, the old man's hand stopped in midair, still wearing a gentle smile.

Paragraph 87

Changed

Before

The cultists beside him had long since turned pale; some had even knelt down.

After

The cult members beside him, meanwhile, had long gone pale. Some had even knelt down.

Paragraph 88

Changed

Before

A few seconds later, he slowly lowered his hand, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked up at the black aerial fleet filling the sky, speaking as if reminiscing with an old friend.

After

A few seconds later, he slowly lowered his hand, clasped both hands behind his back, raised his head to gaze at the black swarm of machines filling the sky, and spoke as if catching up with an old acquaintance.

Paragraph 89

Changed

Before

"Hello, wayward one," he said, his voice clear and calm. "I think we might be able to talk."

After

"Hello, wayward one," his voice was clear and calm. "I think we might be able to talk."

Paragraph 90

Changed

Before

"About what?" Ling Yu sneered.

After

"Talk about what?" Ling Yu sneered.

Paragraph 92

Changed

Before

"Take a look at this world," he said, spreading his arms, his tone carrying a profound compassion. "What do you think this disaster is?"

After

"Look at this world," he spread his arms, his tone carrying a deep compassion. "What do you think this disaster is?"

Paragraph 93

Changed

Before

[A disaster is just a disaster. That's all.]

After

[A disaster is just a disaster, nothing more.]

Paragraph 94

Changed

Before

"Wrong. The disaster is the gods' correction—a guidance and enlightenment for all the beings who went astray in the past."

After

"Wrong! Disaster is the god's correction—a guide and an enlightenment for all the beings who have gone astray."

Paragraph 95

Changed

Before

"We all lived in the world before the disaster. What were humans doing back then?

After

"We all lived in the world before the disaster. What were humans doing then?

Paragraph 96

Changed

Before

Civil war. Attrition. Self-destruction.

After

"Civil war, depletion, self-destruction.

Paragraph 97

Changed

Before

We were obsessed with creating ever more dangerous weapons, and then turned them on our own kin with our own hands.

After

"We were obsessed with creating ever more dangerous weapons, then pointing them at our own kind with our own hands.

Paragraph 98

Changed

Before

The splendor of civilization is nothing but a thin coat of sugar. Wrapped inside is an ignorance that has not changed for hundreds of millions of years.

After

"The brilliance of civilization is nothing more than a thin layer of sugar coating. Wrapped within is hundreds of millions of years of unchanging ignorance and stupidity.

Paragraph 99

Changed

Before

Because we are nothing but mindless husks. Without the gods' guidance, we are destined to lose everything on the wrong path."

After

"Because we are merely soulless shells. Without a god's guidance, we are destined only to lose everything on a path of error."

Paragraph 100

Changed

Before

The old man reached out a hand, pointing at the giant heart that was still pulsing.

After

The old man extended a hand, pointing at the giant heart that was pulsating.

Paragraph 101

Changed

Before

"I have seen a mind that truly transcends reality. That serenity, that... clarity, is a realm that humanity could never reach on its own, no matter what it did.

After

"I have seen a mind that truly transcends reality. That kind of serenity, that kind of... clarity—it is a realm that humans can never hope to reach on their own.

Paragraph 102

Changed

Before

Only after seeing Him did I understand how absurd my past life had been.

After

"It was only after seeing Him that I realized how absurd my past life had been.

Paragraph 103

Changed

Before

Now, the age of darkness is about to descend. I sow the mind of the divine throughout the world, so that all beings may come to know their own ignorance—this is precisely the first step of salvation."

After

"Now, a dark age is about to descend. I am sowing the god's mind into the world, letting all beings know their own ignorance. This is the first step toward saving the world."

Paragraph 104

Changed

Before

"And you, my friend, though you command formidable power," he looked toward the drone swarm in the sky, his gaze holding no fear, only something like regret,

After

"And you, my friend—though you wield formidable power," he looked at the drone swarm in the sky, his gaze holding no fear, only something like regret, "this is nothing but a savage's club. Brute force can win for a moment, but it cannot win forever.

Paragraph 105

Changed

Before

"this is nothing but a savage's club. Brute force can win for a time, but it can never win forever.

After

"If you cannot learn to abandon brute force and embrace a higher wisdom, then when the true darkness descends—"

Paragraph 106

Changed

Before

If you cannot learn to abandon brute force and embrace a higher wisdom, then when the true darkness descends—"

After

[Well said.]

Paragraph 107

Changed

Before

[Well said.]

After

Ling Yu cut him off.

Paragraph 108

Changed

Before

Ling Yu cut him off.

After

[But I'm not listening.]

Paragraph 109

Changed

Before

[But I'm not listening.]

After

[Also, isn't it a bit too jarring for some old coot who's lived who knows how long to be putting on airs as a human, carrying on about the nation and the people?

Paragraph 110

Changed

Before

[Besides, isn't it a bit too incongruous for an old fossil who's lived who knows how long to be playing the human, worrying about the nation and its people?

After

You parasites' acting is just too shabby.]

Paragraph 111

Changed

Before

You parasites really are terrible actors.]

After

Hearing this, the old man's smile froze for a moment.

Paragraph 112

Changed

Before

At this, the old man's smile faltered for a moment.

After

Then, he shook his head.

Paragraph 113

Changed

Before

Then he shook his head.

After

"Oh, you misunderstand."

Paragraph 114

Changed

Before

"Oh, you misunderstand."

After

His smile carried a hint of undisguised, profound disgust.

Paragraph 115

Changed

Before

There was even a trace of undisguised, profound disgust in his smile.

After

"I am not one of those disgusting parasites that cling to the god's flesh and try to turn away from divinity."

Paragraph 116

Changed

Before

"I am not one of those repulsive parasites that cling to the god's flesh and attempt to betray its divinity."

After

[Oh?]

Paragraph 117

Changed

Before

[Oh?]

After

"I am merely an ordinary person who was fortunate enough to receive the god's favor during an incidental archaeological study." The old man adjusted his tie, his posture elegant, his expression open and candid.

Paragraph 118

Changed

Before

"I am merely an ordinary man who was fortunate enough to receive the god's favor during a chance archaeological study." The old man straightened his tie, his posture elegant, his expression frank and open.

After

"My name is Tang Hai. If you truly do represent the authorities, then you should be able to find some records of me 'before I died.'"

Paragraph 119

Changed

Before

"My name is Tang Hai. If you really do represent the authorities, you should be able to find some records about me 'before I died.'"

After

"As for now..."

Paragraph 120

Changed

Before

"As for now..."

After

He smiled, giving a slight bow toward the drones filling the sky, his gaze carrying a regret that bordered on kindliness.

Paragraph 121

Changed

Before

He smiled, bowing slightly toward the drones filling the sky, his gaze holding a regret that bordered on kindly compassion.

After

"I am merely a Spiritual Heart that has attained perfection."

Paragraph 122

Changed

Before

"I am merely a spiritual heart that has attained perfection."

After

The instant the words fell, Tang Hai's entire body suddenly burst apart into a dense cloud of blood mist, which was abruptly absorbed by the giant heart behind him!

Paragraph 123

Changed

Before

The instant the words fell, Tang Hai's entire body suddenly burst apart into a dense cloud of blood mist—and was violently absorbed by the giant heart behind him!

After

The next second, the giant heart gave a violent contraction, then began to swell rapidly.

Paragraph 124

Changed

Before

The next second, the colossal heart gave a violent contraction, then began to swell rapidly.

After

The muscle tissue on its surface squirmed madly. Blood vessels thickened and stretched at a visible rate, and new vessels split off from them, plunging into deeper ground.

Paragraph 125

Changed

Before

The muscle tissue on its surface writhed madly. Blood vessels thickened and extended at a visible pace, and new vessels split off from them, plunging into even deeper ground.

After

The entire heart began to twist and deform, swelling an entire size larger in just a few seconds.

Paragraph 126

Changed

Before

The entire heart began to twist and deform, its volume expanding a full size in just a few seconds.

After

At the same time—

Paragraph 127

Changed

Before

At the same time—

After

Lin Yue's voice came through the identity card, his tone urgent:

Paragraph 128

Changed

Before

Lin Yue's voice came through the identity card, urgent:

After

"Zhuangsheng! The fog is suddenly starting to spread outside the city!

Paragraph 129

Changed

Before

"Zhuangsheng! The fog has suddenly started spreading beyond the city!

After

"And the shield monitor's reading has suddenly spiked to Level 2-90—and it's still climbing!"

Paragraph 130

Changed

Before

And the shield monitor's readings suddenly spiked to Level 2-90—they're still rising!"

After

Outside the city, at the staging point where Operation Squad Two was receiving survivors, the red tide of fog came surging head-on.

Paragraph 131

Removed

Before

Outside the city, at the staging point where Operation Squad Two was receiving the survivors, the red tide of fog came rolling in head-on.

After

—