Luo Ji wakes up 185 years later on a technologically advanced Earth. He finds that humanity has built an advanced space fleet that is bigger and better than that of Trisolaris. Humanity’s view of the coming crisis has greatly improved, with their fleet over 1,000 ships larger than the Trisolar fleet. Only 300 Trisolar ships are expected to arrive for the invasion. Humans hope to discuss peace with the Trisolarans soon.

In this new world, Luo Ji is shocked to hear that few people now live on the surface and that most major cities are now underground, where food is engineered and microwaves are sent out to power all electric devices, eliminating the need for wires. His doctors know little of the Wallfacer program, other than that it is treated like a joke. They want him to take his assimilation slowly as so much has changed. When he is released, Luo Ji sees that underground Beijing is like a forest, with tree-like structures housing buildings like leaves holding the ceiling up. The Beijing he knew is still above ground, but this new city is 1,000 meters underground, with a sky projected onto the ceiling. He learns that this move is a preparation for the coming war.