Both traumatized and inspired by that experience, he makes the investigation of ball lightning his life's work, first getting his PhD in the subject, then exploring the phenomenon through both applied and theoretical research.

Ding Yi explains to Chen that those killed by macro-electrons, including his parents, exist in a quantum state that can occasionally influence the world when not observed.

The Chinese military, fearing the consequences of such technology, shut down the research, but Lin Yun disobeys orders and starts the planned macro-fusion trial, at the cost of her and her followers' lives.

The reaction destroyed microprocessors across a vast swathe of China, and as the world recognizes the power of any future macro-fusion events to wipe out advanced weaponry across a theater of war, an armistice is signed.

A photograph in Ding Yi's apartment indicates that Lin Yun's quantum state can even lend temporary visibility to the child victims of the nuclear plant.

[3] Ball Lightning has been regarded as the book with the most complete story line and closest to real life in Liu's science fiction universe.