Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Haibo leads a team of 33 explorers into the Ancient Ruins, including Superhumans from the Martial God Hall and Adjudication Court, and Black Horn Warriors.
• They use Spirit Magnetic Field imaging systems to scan the depths, revealing a series of red afterimages—Lei Zongchao's Spirit Magnetic Field traces.
• The seal on the Ancient Ruins is temporarily released, allowing the team to descend using cables.

Character Developments

• Wu Haibo demonstrates his thoroughness and leadership, ensuring everyone is well-equipped and briefed.
• Meng Chao shows insight and determination, suggesting that Lei Zongchao's Spirit Magnetic Field traces could be a beacon.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and mysteries of the Ancient Ruins.
• The importance of learning from Pioneers like Lei Zongchao.
• The tension between caution and urgency in exploring the Ancient Ruins.

Character Interactions

• Wu Haibo and Meng Chao: Wu Haibo appreciates Meng Chao's insight and determination, showing a level of respect and trust.
• The team members: They work together, sharing information and supporting each other as they prepare to face the unknown dangers ahead.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Haibo leads a team of Black Horn Warriors into the Abyss using cables, descending into the churning Black Mist.
• They discover the underground fissure's walls are marked with claw marks and bullet craters from past battles between Primordial Demons and Human Warriors.
• They reach a relay station, twenty meters down, isolated from the surface by thick Black Mist.
• Wu Haibo activates the Quarantine Zone, where explorers were previously isolated after returning from the Ancient Ruins.
• They prepare to enter the real Relic, with Wu Haibo using a Spirit Magnetic Field imaging system to search for traces of "Martial God" Lei Zongchao.

Character Developments

• Wu Haibo, the director of the Relic Research Institute, shows excitement and nervousness as they delve deeper into the Ancient Ruins.
• Meng Chao, Long Feijun, and Shen Yupeng experience disorientation and isolation due to the thick Black Mist.

Significant Themes

• The Ancient Ruins' chaotic and unpredictable nature, possibly serving as a test for inheriting the Primordial Humans' Legacy.
• The dangers and precautions taken to explore the Ancient Ruins, including the Quarantine Zone and various safety measures.
• The search for "Martial God" Lei Zongchao, a key figure from the past exploration of the Ancient Ruins.

Character Interactions

• Wu Haibo provides information and guidance to the team, displaying his knowledge and leadership.
• The team members rely on each other for support and information as they descend into the Abyss.
• There's no direct interaction among the team members in this chapter, but they share a collective experience of descending into the unknown.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The rescue team, led by Wu Haibo, descends into the Ancient Ruins to find "Martial God" Lei Zongchao.
• Wu Haibo and Shen Yupeng discuss the potential dangers and motivations behind Lei Zongchao's actions.
• The team faces psychological challenges as they descend, with the darkness and silence causing anxiety and claustrophobia.
• Meng Chao experiences Primordial War illusions due to the complex information torrent from the Rock Walls.
• Wu Haibo explains that the area they're in is relatively stable and safe, but further descent will be more challenging.

Character Developments

• Long Feijun shows anxiety about finding Lei Zongchao, which Wu Haibo attributes to the Ancient Ruins' influence.
• Meng Chao struggles with the illusions caused by the information torrent, demonstrating the power of the Ancient Ruins' influence on even strong cultivators.
• Lü Siya, due to her severed Spirit Meridian, is unaffected by the information torrent, showing resilience despite her crippled state.

Significant Themes

• The influence of the Ancient Ruins on the mind and psyche.
• The dangers and rewards of exploration and discovery.
• The importance of understanding the true nature of the Ancient Ruins before proceeding.

Character Interactions

• Wu Haibo and Shen Yupeng discuss the potential reasons behind Lei Zongchao's actions, providing insight into the latter's character and motivations.
• Long Feijun's anxiety is addressed by Wu Haibo, highlighting the latter's leadership and understanding of the Ancient Ruins' influence.
• Meng Chao's struggle with the illusions is not explicitly addressed by others, but his experience serves as a warning to the team about the dangers they face.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group descends to a depth of 70-80 meters, an area rarely explored due to potential mutations.
• A Martial God Hall Disciple experiences an illusion and has a close call, but Meng Chao rescues him.
• Meng Chao observes that the chasm's walls show signs of artificial modification, resembling Primordial Human structures.

Character Developments

• Wu Haibo becomes quieter as they descend deeper into the unknown.
• A Martial God Hall Disciple's mental state is tested, and Meng Chao demonstrates his quick thinking and action in saving him.

Significant Themes

• Exploration vs. Fear of the Unknown: The group faces the unknown depths of the chasm, with Wu Haibo's silence and the Martial God Hall Disciple's illusion highlighting the fear and tension.
• Humanity's Past: The discovery of Primordial Human structures raises questions about humanity's origins and the purpose of the Ancient Ruins.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao and the Martial God Hall Disciple: Meng Chao's quick action saves the Disciple, showing his responsibility and care for the group's well-being.
• Wu Haibo and the group: Wu Haibo's silence contrasts with his previous chattiness, highlighting the group's collective unease as they descend deeper.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao envisions the "Ancient Ruins" as a giant, crystal "Primordial Human" sleeping underground.
• He speculates about the source of power summoning Teacher Lei, whether it's from the "Primordial Human civilization" or the "Chaos beast."
• A rumbling sound from below reveals a rising black tide with intense Five-Colored Ripples.
• Everyone else present disappears into the Five-Colored Ripples, leaving Meng Chao alone.
• The Rock Walls transform, showing a crystal clear, orderly pattern, and illusions of "Crystal Humans" walking through tunnels.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao's perception and understanding of the Ancient Ruins and the Primordial Human civilization deepen.
• He realizes that the Ancient Ruins were not a relic but a laboratory or research institute of the Primordial Human civilization.
• Meng Chao discovers that he can perceive information exchanged by the Primordial Humans and merge with the space, gaining an "omniscient perspective."

Significant Themes

• The power struggle between the Primordial Human civilization and the Chaos beast.
• The legacy of the Primordial Human civilization and its potential inheritance by their bloodline descendants.
• The blurring of reality and illusion, with Meng Chao's perception changing after being penetrated by an illusion.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao interacts with the illusions of the Primordial Humans, learning from their actions and communications.
• He is left alone after everyone else disappears into the Five-Colored Ripples, emphasizing his isolation and unique perspective.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao discovers intricate symbols on a Rock Wall containing vast information about the Primordial Human civilization's research on "Spirit Meridian".
• He temporarily gains the ability to read and understand this information, which could potentially elevate him to an "Existence Beyond God Realm".
• Meng Chao immerses himself in the information, causing his brain to overload and his body to act unconsciously, attempting to widen a collapsed Crevice to enter a deeper lab.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao's character is revealed to be deeply curious and driven by the pursuit of knowledge, even to the point of endangering himself.
• His body and mind show signs of evolution, allowing him to temporarily understand and interact with ancient information and even manipulate his body in ways reminiscent of the Primordial Humans.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of knowledge and its potential costs.
• The power of ancient civilizations and the allure of their secrets.
• The struggle between human limitations and the desire for more.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao interacts with the ancient Primordial Human civilization through their information, feeling a connection as a descendant of their genes.
• His actions are driven by his internal dialogue and the warnings from his body, reflecting his internal struggle and self-awareness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao and the search and rescue team encounter a powerful "Primordial Summoning" in the Ancient Ruins, causing them to lose control and attempt to burrow into rock crevices.
• Meng Chao wakes up and realizes the team has descended deeper into the ruins, with everyone except Lü Siya under the summoning's influence.
• Meng Chao uses his Spirit Magnetic Material to create axe blades and emits a powerful sound wave to snap the team out of their trance.
• The team realizes one member is missing.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao demonstrates his ability to control his Spirit Magnetic Material, saving the team from the summoning's influence.
• Wu Haibo shows concern for the team's safety and scolds a Black Horn veteran for his greed, displaying his leadership and wisdom.
• Lü Siya, despite being affected by the summoning, is able to maintain some control due to her lack of Spirit Energy.

Significant Themes

• The allure and danger of advanced technology (represented by the "Primordial Summoning" and the "Infinite Libraries").
• The struggle between greed and self-control, as seen in the Black Horn veteran's reaction.
• The importance of teamwork and leadership, as exemplified by Meng Chao and Wu Haibo's actions.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao and Wu Haibo work together to assess the situation and ensure the team's safety.
• The Black Horn veteran and Wu Haibo have a tense exchange regarding the potential benefits and dangers of the "Primordial Summoning".
• The team members rely on each other to maintain their composure and count their numbers, ultimately realizing one person is missing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A rescue team discovers a missing rescuer, Zhao Liwei, trapped in a narrow crevice.
• Zhao Liwei's body has been drastically altered, appearing flat, thin, and elongated, with features of both arthropods and mollusks.
• He resists rescue attempts, using his mutated body to squeeze deeper into the crevice.
• Meng Chao, a God Realm Superhuman, attempts to pull Zhao Liwei back using his Chain Blades, but Zhao Liwei's left foot detaches and is left behind.
• The detached foot is found to be a living, independent entity, with no blood or bones, and turns into foam and vanishes.

Character Developments

• Zhao Liwei: His body and consciousness have been drastically altered by the "Primordial Summoning," turning him into a bizarre, otherworldly entity.
• Meng Chao: He demonstrates his God Realm strength but is unable to prevent Zhao Liwei's transformation and disappearance.

Significant Themes

• The power of the "Primordial Summoning" to alter reality and consciousness.
• The struggle between rescue and transformation, with Zhao Liwei choosing the latter.
• The limits of Superhuman abilities and the unknown dangers they face.

Character Interactions

• The rescue team members, including Meng Chao and Wu Haibo, attempt to save Zhao Liwei but are ultimately unsuccessful.
• Zhao Liwei's familiar companion tries to grab him but is injured by the crevice's rocks.
• Zhao Liwei seems to acknowledge the rescue team before disappearing, suggesting some level of consciousness and awareness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao examines the remains of the rescue team member, finding crystalline, translucent powders similar to the "Primordial Human's" body.
• He and others are drawn into deep thought, contemplating the possibility of transformation and rebirth within the Crevices.
• Long Feijun reminds everyone of their mission to find Martial God Lei Zongchao and save Dragon City.
• The group encounters unpredictable geological changes and broken ropes, raising doubts about their ability to return to the surface.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao becomes introspective, questioning the nature of the Crevices and the fate of the missing explorers.
• Long Feijun struggles with temptation but maintains focus on their mission.
• Wu Haibo demonstrates leadership by ordering another self-check and allowing those with issues to retreat.

Significant Themes

• Temptation and Resistance: Characters grapple with the allure of the Ancient Ruins and their personal desires, trying to maintain focus on their mission.
• Transformation and Rebirth: The idea that the Crevices might facilitate a transformation or rebirth is introduced, challenging perceptions of life and death.
• Unpredictability: The ever-changing environment highlights the dangers and uncertainties they face.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao's introspection contrasts with Long Feijun's single-minded focus on the mission.
• Wu Haibo's decision to allow those with issues to retreat shows consideration for his team's well-being.
• The group's shared experience of broken ropes and unpredictable terrain fosters a sense of collective unease.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The rescue team follows "Martial God" Lei Zongchao's Scarlet Marks into a deep crevice.
• After about half an hour, they reach a depth of 450 meters, with cool air and no suffocating pressure.
• Lei Zongchao's trail ends at a narrow rock crevice, which he entered.
• The team is uncertain if Lei Zongchao was bewitched or had a purpose.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao analyzes Lei Zongchao's actions and concludes he was clear-headed when entering the crevice.
• Shen Yupeng expresses caution about proceeding further.
• Lü Siya suggests that the Ancient Ruins might be guiding them due to their low casualty rate.

Significant Themes

• The mysterious power of the Ancient Ruins and its potential influence on the team.
• The team's determination to continue their mission despite risks.
• The possible sentience or will of the Ancient Ruins.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao and Lü Siya discuss their interpretations of Lei Zongchao's actions.
• Shen Yupeng voices his concerns about proceeding.
• The team grapples with the decision to continue or turn back, considering the potential consequences of either choice.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The team decides to enter a crevice one by one, maintaining sight of the person behind to ensure safety.
• Meng Chao, Lü Siya, and Wu Haibo form the first echelon, with Meng Chao leading due to his ability to sense Spirit Energy ripples.
• The crevice is smooth and delicate but narrows significantly, causing Meng Chao to struggle mentally.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao: Struggles with claustrophobia and self-doubt, nearing a mental breakdown.
• Lü Siya: Remains calm and reassuring, confirming Meng Chao's normality despite the challenging circumstances.
• Wu Haibo: Volunteers to take the lead but is outvoted by Meng Chao and Lü Siya.

Significant Themes

• Mental fortitude and resilience in the face of extreme conditions.
• Trust and communication among team members.
• The struggle against self-doubt and the preservation of sanity.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao and Lü Siya: Maintain communication to reassure each other and confirm their normality.
• Meng Chao and Wu Haibo: Briefly discuss the plan, with Wu Haibo volunteering to lead but ultimately not taking the lead.
• The team: Works together to form a plan and enter the crevice, showing unity and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao, driven by determination and Teacher Lei's guidance, breaks through the challenging crevice in the Ancient Ruins.
• He emerges into a vast underground space, ten times larger than the surface, filled with the ruins of a colossal city from the Primordial Era.
• Meng Chao finds the path left by Lei Zongchao, guiding him towards the city. He discovers that the city's ruins are filled with an overwhelming aura, and the streets are wider than any human-made structures.
• Upon turning back to meet his team, Meng Chao finds that the crevice and the entire rock formation have vanished silently.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao overcomes his fears and doubts, pushing his physical limits to break through the crevice, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
• He experiences a profound change, feeling like a fish surfacing from the deep sea or an embryo leaving its mother's body, hinting at a potential transformation in his mind and body.
• Meng Chao is awestruck by the magnitude of the Primordial City's ruins, feeling insignificant and overwhelmed.

Significant Themes

• Determination and Persistence: Meng Chao's unwavering resolve helps him overcome physical challenges and break through barriers.
• The Primordial and the Human: The contrast between the vast, ancient Primordial City and Meng Chao's human perspective highlights the vast difference between the Primordial Era and human civilization.
• Transformation and Change: Meng Chao's physical and mental changes hint at the potential for personal growth and evolution.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao interacts with the memory of Lei Zongchao, who guides him through the crevice and towards the city.
• Meng Chao's separation from Lü Siya and the search and rescue team raises questions about their fate and the challenges they might face.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao is teleported into a boundless, three-dimensional "City Graveyard" filled with ancient ruins, defying gravity.
• He discovers that he's connected to Lü Siya through a rope, which is stuck in an invisible, viscous substance.
• Meng Chao decides to explore the "Ancient City Core Area" where the ruins are densest, following the footsteps of "Martial God" Lei Zongchao.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao demonstrates adaptability and courage, accepting his situation and deciding to make the most of it.
• He shows analytical skills by deducing the origin of the stone mountain blocking his path.

Significant Themes

• The theme of exploration and discovery is prominent as Meng Chao ventures into the unknown ancient city.
• The scale and destruction of the Primordial War are emphasized through the ruined landscape.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao interacts with the environment and his past memories, but there's no direct interaction with other characters in this chapter.
• He attempts to communicate with Lü Siya by making sounds, but the black mist absorbs all sound waves.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao explores the ruins of an ancient city, once grand but now in disarray.
• He discovers the remains of a massive Aerial Fortress and "Primordial Human" corpses, entangled with strange, indescribable "Primordial Ferocious Beasts."
• Meng Chao finds evidence suggesting that the city was not destroyed by mere destruction but was targeted for infiltration and transformation by a "Primordial Monster Mastermind" named "Chaos."
• He activates "Searchlight" to track "Martial God" Lei Zongchao and is overwhelmed by remnants of ancient battles, but manages to keep focus on Lei Zongchao's trail.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao demonstrates bravery and determination in exploring the dangerous ruins, showing a strong desire to uncover the city's secrets and find Lei Zongchao.
• He also displays caution and awareness of the risks posed by the "remnants" of ancient beings.

Significant Themes

• The theme of ancient civilizations and their remnants is prominent, with the city's ruins and the "Primordial Human" corpses serving as physical representations of a lost era.
• The idea of infiltration and transformation versus pure destruction is explored through the actions of the "Primordial Monster Mastermind."
• The risks and potential rewards of exploration and discovery are highlighted through Meng Chao's experiences.

Character Interactions

• Although no direct interactions occur in this chapter, Meng Chao's mental connection with "Searchlight" and his pursuit of Lei Zongchao's trail can be considered a form of interaction, with Meng Chao relying on the tool to follow Lei Zongchao's path.
• Meng Chao's internal monologue also serves as a form of interaction, as he converses with himself, processing his thoughts and observations about the city and its history.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao faces a fork in the road within the Tombstone Jungle-like ruins of the Primordial City, with both paths shrouded in mystery and danger.
• Lei Zongchao's scarlet afterimage splits into two, each path representing a 50% probability.
• Meng Chao struggles to decide which path to take, as Lei Zongchao has left no clear indication.
• Meng Chao flips a coin to make a decision, choosing the left path.
• After stepping onto the left fork, the Primordial City graveyard trembles, and the right fork disappears, leaving a straight road ahead.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao faces a significant challenge in making a decision without clear guidance from Lei Zongchao, forcing him to rely on his own instincts and courage.
• Meng Chao's determination and resolve are strengthened as he chooses a path and commits to it.

Significant Themes

• The theme of choice and its consequences is prominent, with Meng Chao's decision at the fork in the road symbolizing the uncertainty and risk inherent in life's major decisions.
• The idea of fate and free will is explored, with Meng Chao ultimately deciding that his fate is in his own hands.

Character Interactions

• Although Lei Zongchao is not physically present, his influence is felt throughout the chapter, guiding Meng Chao's decisions and serving as a symbol of hope and reliance.
• Meng Chao's internal dialogue with himself reveals his thought processes and struggles in making a decision, highlighting his character development.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao uses the "Searchlight" to reveal a complex network of scarlet afterimages on the myriad roads, which he realizes are footprints left by "Martial God" Lei Zongchao.
• Meng Chao discovers Lü Siya on a road below, but she can't hear his shouts due to the Black Mist absorbing his sound waves.
• Meng Chao throws a building fragment towards Lü Siya's road, but it disappears due to Space Fissures covering the roads.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao: Realizes the extent of the Martial God's abilities and the dangers of the Ancient Ruins. Shows determination and caution in trying to reach Lü Siya.
• Lü Siya: Shows confusion and caution as she navigates the ruins, trying to discern truth from falsehood.

Significant Themes

• The vast and dangerous nature of the Ancient Ruins, with its Space Fissures and other oddities.
• The extraordinary abilities of the Martial God, Lei Zongchao.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao attempts to interact with Lü Siya, but fails due to the environment. He shows concern and determination to reach her.
• Meng Chao's interaction with the environment, particularly the Space Fissures, highlights the dangers he faces.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist's wrist is inflamed again, this time due to wrist arthritis, not tenosynovitis.
• A large lump has formed on the back of their left hand, causing swelling and pain when moving fingers.
• Acupuncture and moxibustion provide temporary relief, but the doctor advises rest and patience for full effect.
• The protagonist needs to take another day off work.

Character Developments

• The protagonist shows increasing concern for their health, acknowledging the need for rest and adopting a more health-conscious writing approach.
• They reflect on their past writing habits, indicating a sense of nostalgia or regret for their previous pace.

Significant Themes

• The impact of work and writing habits on physical health.
• The passage of time and the accumulation of health issues.
• The concept of "paying back debts," suggesting a sense of guilt or karmic retribution.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with their doctor, who provides medical advice and reassurance.
• There's an implied interaction with their workplace (Old Cow), as they need to request another day off.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao walks on a road that leads to a hole revealing the chaotic Space Fissures, understanding the roads as safe passages (Sea Lanes) across the fissures.
• He encounters multiple forks in the road, each time choosing the left path, with the Scarlet afterimage of Lei Zongchao splitting accordingly.
• Meng Chao meets seven "Fellow Travelers" (Wu Haibo, Long Feijun, Shen Yupeng, etc.) who are deaf and unaware of his presence.
• He briefly sees a "Monsterification" of himself, suggesting potential alternate versions of himself and others due to different choices at forks.
• Meng Chao's surroundings become increasingly monumental and dense, indicating he's nearing the heart of the Ancient Ruins.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao demonstrates resilience and determination, persistently walking forward despite the challenges and uncertainties.
• He shows curiosity and introspection when encountering his "Monsterified" self, questioning the nature of reality and the consequences of his choices.

Significant Themes

• Choice and Consequence: The forks in the road represent choices, and the "Monsterification" of Meng Chao hints at the potential consequences of those choices.
• Reality and Illusion: The Ancient Ruins blur the line between reality and illusion, with Meng Chao questioning the authenticity of his experiences and encounters.
• Isolation and Connection: Despite encountering others, Meng Chao feels isolated due to their inability to interact, emphasizing the theme of disconnection despite proximity.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao interacts with seven "Fellow Travelers," but they are unaware of his presence, creating a sense of isolation and disconnect.
• Meng Chao's encounter with his "Monsterified" self sparks introspection but no direct interaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao enters an ancient, vast palace surrounded by floating mountains of corpses, including Primordial Humans, Ferocious Beasts, and Slaughter Angels.
• He follows the trail of "Martial God" Lei Zongchao, who had explored the palace recently.
• Meng Chao finds a fresh human corpse in the palace, dressed in an Earth-style camouflage uniform and equipped with Blood Alliance gear, suggesting the person was an explorer forced into the Ancient Ruins.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao demonstrates his determination and courage by venturing into the dangerous palace.
• "Martial God" Lei Zongchao is revealed to have explored the palace recently, indicating his desperation to find answers for Dragon City.

Significant Themes

• The tragic history of the palace, with countless powerful beings having died around it.
• The harsh reality of the Blood Alliance, forcing explorers into the Ancient Ruins.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao's interaction with the mysterious corpse, trying to understand its connection to Lei Zongchao and the Blood Alliance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Meng Chao discovers a mummified corpse in the Ancient Ruins, which he intuitively feels a strong connection to.
• He uses his Spirit Energy to scan and restore the face of the mummy, revealing it to be "Martial God" Lei Zongchao, who died decades ago.
• Meng Chao finds a barcode and number ("26525819") tattooed on the back of the mummy's neck, confirming its identity as Lei Zongchao.

Character Developments

• Meng Chao: Experiences shock and bewilderment upon realizing the identity of the mummy. He becomes determined to uncover the truth about Lei Zongchao's past and the mysterious figure currently known as Lei Zongchao.

Significant Themes

• Identity: The chapter explores the theme of identity, questioning who or what the current "Martial God" Lei Zongchao truly is.
• Past and Present: The story delves into the consequences of past actions on the present, as Meng Chao grapples with the revelation of Lei Zongchao's past.

Character Interactions

• Meng Chao and the Mummy (Lei Zongchao): Meng Chao interacts with the mummy, using his Spirit Energy to scan and restore its face, ultimately leading to the shocking revelation of its identity.