Atop Yizhi's spirit-metal-coated ship, Zetian and Qin Zheng cling on as Helan pilots them through the Heavenly Court's ring at high speed, dodging drones and projectiles. They reach a colossal pillar connecting the rotating ring to the static central corridor. Working together, Zetian and Qin Zheng use their meteor hammers to rip open one of the locked spiral gates, and Helan flies the ship into the pillar's shaft. As they ascend, gravity diminishes until they are weightless.

Navigating into the central corridor, they confront a vast cylinder of hexagonal cells holding Hundun husks for Melian trade. Yizhi explains the history of jumpgates, how stranded human waves devolved into the legends of their world, and how Melia's Vivasi Minerals has profited off humanity's centuries of war for spirit metal. Zetian, sickened by the realization, searches for Earth-type husks to rebuild the Yellow Dragon, but the Melians have ejected them. She notices unfamiliar blue (Water) and pale green (Air) husks from other regions.

Shimin's spirit signature catches up: he emerges from a pursuing ship, encased in a mechanical body with embedded Fire-type spirit metal, his face mostly masked, firing devastating qì blasts that pierce even Earth-type armor. Zetian launches herself away from Qin Zheng to confront Shimin alone, refusing to let Qin Zheng kill him. She tries to reach him with their shared memories, but Shimin coldly accuses her of abandoning him and serving her "tyrant master," speech that feels wrong for him.

Realizing this version of Shimin is being controlled or scripted, Zetian fights through severe burns from his Fire qì grip. She severs one of his arms, then drives her sword through his back into his heart. As he dies, his voice glitches like a translation, and he pleads, "Make me whole." His heartbeat fades, but Zetian still senses his spirit signature, both here and duplicated somewhere ahead beyond Qin Zheng's path.

Desperate attempts at resuscitation and healing spray fail. Carrying Shimin's body, Zetian flies deeper into the corridor toward a distant pulsating void, chasing the second signature and the meaning of his final words.