Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng, representing a hyper-dimensional civilization, arrives on Earth, finding its development rapid and lacking substance.
• He learns that Earth's cultivators must stay at the critical point of 9999 lines to avoid attracting high-dimensional beings' attention.
• Earth civilization begins to expand, encountering and subduing nearby civilizations.
• Envoys from seven civilizations arrive, mentioning Earth's previous rise, and Ning Zheng learns about their similar development history and a TV show called "Horrifying game" with a gambling table icon.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng: Reflects on the nature of reality and illusion, decides to explore the surroundings, and shows interest in the "Horrifying game" icon.
• Jiu Cai Rong: Leads Earth's cultivators in subduing nearby civilizations and negotiating with envoys.

Significant Themes

• The nature of reality and illusion from a high-dimensional perspective.
• The rapid development and entertainment activities of civilizations in the river of time.
• The interconnectedness and similarities among civilizations.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng interacts with Jiu Cai Rong and the envoys from seven civilizations.
• Jiu Cai Rong interacts with the envoys, leading them to consult with Ye Kuang Xiu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng decides not to bring the luck betting table to the Celestial Phenomenon Esteemed Immortals, fearing its origin might be revealed.
• He reviews information about Earth and finds it deliberately mediocre, with no useful insights about Changzhen's disappearance.
• Ning Zheng plans to start with the Horrifying game, but first, he sends Jiu Cai Rong and Ye Kuang Xiu to reincarnate in nearby civilizations to gather resources.
• Ning Zheng directly travels to the headquarters of the Horrifying game to capture high-ranking officials for interrogation.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng: He shows caution in handling the luck betting table and decides to explore the Horrifying game directly, demonstrating his confidence and impatience.
• Jiu Cai Rong and Ye Kuang Xiu: They eagerly accept the task of reincarnating into other civilizations to gather resources, showing ambition and eagerness to improve their talent.
• Jiumu Esteemed Immortal: She is worried about the future and the decline of her faction, showing concern for the fate of her people and the preservation of their power.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and resources between different factions in the river of time.
• The tension between the old guard and the newcomers in the celestial hierarchy.
• The importance of talent and opportunity in achieving greatness.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng interacts with Jiu Cai Rong and Ye Kuang Xiu, giving them tasks and showing confidence in their abilities.
• Jiumu Esteemed Immortal interacts with the children she raised, showing concern for their future and the future of her faction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng arrives at the headquarters of the Horrifying World, a popular live broadcast channel connected to thousands of high-dimensional civilizations.
• He kills all the high-dimensional True Immortals present and turns them into Shadow Crocodile ember bubbles, absorbing their souls.
• Ning Zheng takes control of the massive television program force and interrogates the Lord of Horror about the origin of their horrifying game.
• The Lord of Horror reveals that their organization, the Round Table, is a group of defectors who want to escape the control of the Esteemed Immortals and live freely in the future.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng demonstrates his power and ruthlessness by killing all the True Immortals present and absorbing their souls.
• The Lord of Horror shows his loyalty to his cause and reveals the secrets of his organization despite the risk.

Significant Themes

• Resistance against oppression: The Round Table represents a group of rebels fighting against the control of the Esteemed Immortals.
• Freedom vs. Control: The rebels yearn for freedom and independence, while the Esteemed Immortals maintain control and order.
• The power of information and media: The Horrifying World's live broadcast channels highlight the influence of media and information in the high-dimensional universe.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng interacts with the Lord of Horror, interrogating him about the origin of the horrifying game and the Round Table's plans.
• The Lord of Horror reveals his organization's secrets to Ning Zheng, showing trust in his power and potential alliance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Lord of Horror reveals that many civilizations have tried to smuggle themselves into the future, with most failing.
• Ning Zheng learns that Earth successfully crossed the border, but the situation in the present is dire.
• Ning Zheng understands that the Round Table organization operates anonymously and uses time overwriting to hide information.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng discovers his prehistoric origins and the struggles of his parallel selves.
• The Lord of Horror shows fear and despair upon learning the truth about the present.

Significant Themes

• The struggle and sacrifice of civilizations trying to advance through time.
• The anonymity and secrecy of the Round Table organization.
• The consequences of time manipulation and overwriting.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng interacts with the Lord of Horror, learning about the past and the present.
• The painter approaches Ning Zheng with a plan to mass-produce unofficial histories.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng meets with the painter, who invites him to observe a meal painted with intricate detail and aroma.
• The painter reveals that they are planning to "drain the water from their Prehistoric Era" and "dry up the upstream," which will likely provoke a retaliatory attack from the other powerhouses.
• Ning Zheng agrees to help defend the unofficial histories while the painter opens the floodgates, setting up a pincer attack strategy.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng: Shows unease and confusion due to the chaotic timelines but maintains a direct and straightforward demeanor. He is close to attaining the Auspicious Path but needs a massive amount of luck to do so.
• The Painter: Reveals more about their true nature and intentions. They are not the main body of their alternate personality, and they yearn for an outgoing life. They plan to attain the Dao of the Future and want Ning Zheng to help drain the prehistoric era, even if it means sacrificing him.

Significant Themes

• The manipulation of time and history by higher-dimensional beings.
• The struggle for power and control among the powerhouses in the super-dimensional realm.
• The concept of Fate and the pursuit of the Dao.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and the Painter: They have a close but complex relationship. The Painter sees Ning Zheng as a close friend but is willing to sacrifice him for their grand scheme. Ning Zheng is wary of the Painter's true intentions but agrees to cooperate with them.
• The Painter and other powerhouses: The Painter has a strained relationship with other powerhouses, referring to them as "they" and planning to provoke a retaliatory attack from them. They also mention Xian, who they consider a rival.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The painter initiates a war, and Ning Zheng, due to the painter's dominance, agrees to participate.
• The painter reveals his vast influence, having controlled powerful forces in the past, including Ning Zheng's own Shadow Crocodile Esteemed Immortal and Golden God.
• The war begins, with the painter's forces mobilizing comprehensively, creating an army of painted people, each at the Extreme Dao Esteemed Immortal level.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng accepts his role as a sub-DPS (damage per second) in the war, focusing on increasing his foundation and creating Dharma Aspect clones as needed.
• The painter reveals his strategic planning and manipulation, showing his true power and influence.

Significant Themes

• The theme of humanity's development and confrontation with nature is explored, with the painter depicting humanity's progression from revering nature to mastering it.
• The theme of power and influence is highlighted, with the painter's forces demonstrating their overwhelming might.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng interacts with Xian, the Human Ancestor, discussing the nature of time and reality.
• Ning Zheng observes the lives of Ning Jiaojiao and Su Yu Niang, showing his concern for them.
• The painter addresses the gathered forces, motivating them for the war to come.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng watches three Neutral Esteemed Immortals awaken, assisting them.
• He realizes his power has grown to the point where awakening Ghoul Kings is no longer challenging.
• The painter army sets off, opening the river of time, and pushing history forward.
• The Divine Court worldline surges with golden sparks, foreshadowing a legendary era.
• A painter draws the future, rivaling the three major Esteemed Immortals, causing the past to tremble.
• The painter opens the future, revealing its true potential and illuminating the universe.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng's power and confidence grow, reaching a point where awakening Ghoul Kings is trivial.
• The three Neutral Esteemed Immortals awaken, regaining their youth and vigor.

Significant Themes

• Power and growth: Ning Zheng's increasing strength and the painter's grand actions highlight the theme of power and growth.
• The future and the past: The tension between the future and the past, and the painter's actions to reveal the future's true potential, emphasize the theme of change and destiny.
• The role of the creator: The painter's actions, rivaling the three major Esteemed Immortals, explore the theme of creation and the role of the creator.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and the three Neutral Esteemed Immortals: Ning Zheng assists them, showing his power and benevolence.
• The painter and the past: The painter's actions provoke the past, leading to a tense interaction.
• The painter and the future: The painter reveals the future's true potential, interacting with it and shaping its destiny.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The painter, who has been hiding, finally reveals himself and declares war.
• The painter's actions are draining the energy and material from the past, which could lead to the demise of the three top Esteemed Immortals and strengthen the Sacrifice.
• Xin Xichen and Ning Zheng discuss the painter's actions and their potential consequences.
• Ning Zheng decides not to intervene in the battle, as it would be counterproductive, and instead observes from the sidelines.

Character Developments

• Xin Xichen: He is optimistic about the painter reviving them after draining the past. He decides to focus on improving his ranking in the killing game rather than intervening in the battle.
• Ning Zheng: He becomes a spectator, observing the painter's actions and calculating his own moves. He decides not to intervene in the battle, understanding that the painter has predetermined the outcome.

Significant Themes

• Protagonist vs. Supporting Characters: The painter is portrayed as the protagonist of the era, while others are supporting characters. The painter's actions always lead to profits, while others often suffer losses.
• Predetermined Outcomes: The battles between the Sacrifice and the Esteemed Immortals have predetermined outcomes due to the high-dimensional clones fighting simultaneously. The painter's actions also seem to have predetermined outcomes.

Character Interactions

• Xin Xichen and Ning Zheng: They discuss the painter's actions and their potential consequences. Xin Xichen is optimistic, while Ning Zheng is more calculating and decides not to intervene.
• Ning Zheng and his subordinates: Ning Zheng gathers his subordinates to watch the battle and discusses the painter's actions and the predetermined outcomes of the battles. They all agree that the painter has never suffered a loss.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The battle between the past and future begins.
• The painter faces off against Changzhen Esteemed Immortal and other powerful figures from the past.
• The painter creates countless new timelines and powerhouses to resist the invasion from the past.

Character Developments

• The painter reveals his true intentions: he wants to create an unpredictable, chaotic era to witness the unknown and enjoy the struggle.
• Changzhen Esteemed Immortal remains confident in his victory, despite the painter's tactics.

Significant Themes

• The unpredictable nature of the future and the unknown.
• The struggle between order and chaos, represented by the past and future respectively.
• The power of creation and its consequences.

Character Interactions

• The painter and Changzhen Esteemed Immortal engage in a battle of wits and wills.
• The painter creates new timelines and powerhouses, pushing them into the conflict without their knowledge or consent.
• Various powerhouses from different timelines clash, each believing they are defending their own worlds.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A surprise attack wipes out a large portion of historical records, leading to a human purgatory.
• Infinite timelines are sent to the battlefield, each struggling and being wiped out.
• A painter sends a young man, Ye Kuang Xiu, 15 million years back in time to prepare for an impending invasion.
• Ye Kuang Xiu becomes the Night Emperor, turning his world into a hellish war preparation for 15 million years.
• The Night Emperor finally faces the enemy, marking the beginning of the resistance.
• The painter continues to send transmigrators back in time, repeating the Night Emperor's actions.

Character Developments

• Ye Kuang Xiu/Night Emperor: Transmigrates to the past, becomes a tyrant to prepare for war, and eventually leads the resistance against the invasion.
• The Painter: The main antagonist, manipulating timelines and sending transmigrators to prepare for the invasion. He represents the Xi Rong Manor Lord in the parallel world.

Significant Themes

• Despair and Hope: The despair of the initial destruction leads to hope through preparation and resistance.
• Sacrifice: Characters sacrifice their present for a better future, echoing the theme of turning the world into hell to avoid a worse fate.
• Infinite Possibilities: The painter's ability to create and manipulate timelines explores the concept of infinite possibilities.

Character Interactions

• The painter interacts with various transmigrators, sending them back in time to prepare for the invasion.
• The Night Emperor interacts with the enemy, finally facing them after 15 million years of preparation.
• The members of Xi Rong Manor discuss their roles in the parallel world, realizing they are part of the painter's plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Painter initiates a war across infinite timelines, causing destruction and suffering.
• Both 'Past' and 'Future' sides engage in a deadly struggle, each trying to deduce and slaughter the other.
• The Painter reveals their intention to prevent anyone else from achieving the Dao and claims the remaining two Esteemed Positions for themselves and Ning Zheng.

Character Developments

• The Painter shows their ruthlessness and determination to maintain their power, even willing to cause immense suffering.
• Ning Zheng, initially a spectator, becomes involved when he learns that others might achieve the Dao before him.

Significant Themes

• Power and its corrupting influence.
• The consequences of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of ultimate power.
• The cyclical nature of history and conflict.

Character Interactions

• The Painter and Ning Zheng are set on a collision course, each determined to achieve the Dao and maintain their power.
• The 'Past' and 'Future' sides clash, each trying to outmaneuver and destroy the other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A protagonist painter single-handedly battles against the forces of the three major Esteemed Immortals from the Prehistoric Era.
• The painter attempts to draw Ning Zheng into the conflict, proposing a plan where only the two of them can Attain the Dao.
• The painter reveals his intention to block the path to becoming an immortal for the future Esteemed Immortals, preventing others from breaking through.
• The painter's mysterious veil is lifted, and a group of people want to contend for his path to Attaining the Dao.
• Ning Zheng explains that the painter wants to Attain the Dao of Creation or Painting, complementing Sacrifice from the Prehistoric Era.
• The forces from the Prehistoric Era discuss their next move, finding it difficult to Attain the Dao of Auspiciousness or Creation due to the painter's advantage.

Character Developments

• The painter demonstrates his dominance and power, revealing his long-term plan to Attain the Dao of Painting.
• Ning Zheng remains calm and detached, providing explanations about the painter's path to Attaining the Dao.
• The blacksmiths are impressed by the painter's dominance and power, becoming his fans.
• The forces from the Prehistoric Era grow anxious and frustrated, struggling to find a way to Attain the Dao.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between the past and the future, with the painter representing the future and the forces from the Prehistoric Era representing the past.
• The power dynamics between the protagonist painter and the forces from the Prehistoric Era, with the painter holding a significant advantage.
• The concept of Attaining the Dao, with different paths leading to different Esteemed Immortal positions.

Character Interactions

• The painter attempts to involve Ning Zheng in his plan, but Ning Zheng remains indifferent.
• The blacksmiths discuss and marvel at the painter's dominance and power.
• The forces from the Prehistoric Era discuss their next move, expressing their frustration and anxiety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A massive battle ensues between powerful beings, with new unofficial histories emerging rapidly.
• The Prehistoric Esteemed Immortal summons all Celestial Phenomenon Esteemed Immortals for a meeting.
• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen, playing games on Earth, receive the summons and attend the meeting.
• The Esteemed Immortals discuss the monopolization of the Creation and Auspiciousness seats by future beings.
• Xin Xichen predicts a grim future where the past is reduced to a fist-sized crystal ball for exhibition, with Esteemed Immortals forced to dance.

Character Developments

• Xin Xichen displays his wit and ability to foresee dire consequences, living up to his troublemaker reputation.
• Esteemed Immortal Ping Cun, initially mocked, considers a malicious plan for revenge if the past is reduced.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the struggle for control between past and future beings.
• The consequences of actions and the potential loss of freedom and dignity.
• The theme of revenge and the consequences of malice.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen continue their friendly banter and cooperation, even in the face of serious matters.
• Esteemed Immortals express their concerns and fears about the future, leading to a tense atmosphere.
• Esteemed Immortal Ping Cun's internal monologue reveals their resentment and desire for revenge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng reflects on the death of Esteemed Immortal Ping Cun, understanding that the strong survive in this world.
• The Esteemed Immortals decide to lock down 30% of the universe's matter in the past to prevent it from flowing into the future, effectively killing all life in the process.
• They plan to continue conquering the future until their rear is pushed to 30%, at which point they will join forces to lock down the remaining matter.
• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen consider trying to win over the secondary Esteemed Immortals to their side, using the Ring and the Pledge Master as tools to establish a new alliance.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng: Becomes more wary and strategic, considering the possibility of winning over the secondary Esteemed Immortals to their side.
• Xin Xichen: Shows eagerness and anticipation at the prospect of gaining more allies.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the fittest: The strong prey on the weak, and only the strongest survive in this world.
• Trust and betrayal: The Esteemed Immortals, despite their shared goal, are filled with mistrust and self-interest.
• Power dynamics: The three major Esteemed Immortals hold authority, but the secondary Esteemed Immortals still resist, highlighting the power struggle within their group.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen: They communicate silently, sharing their thoughts and plans, showing a strong bond and mutual understanding.
• The Esteemed Immortals: They interact with a mix of tension and mistrust, each looking out for their own interests, despite their shared goal.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiumu Esteemed Immortal is invited by Xin Xichen and Ning Zheng to join their alliance.
• She agrees, understanding that not joining would implicate her.
• They sign a Heavenly Dao Contract, binding her to their alliance.
• Jiumu Esteemed Immortal is given a position just below the core founding members if they win.

Character Developments

• Jiumu Esteemed Immortal: Initially hesitant, she decides to join the alliance to protect herself and her principles.
• Xin Xichen: Shows arrogance and a lack of trust in Jiumu Esteemed Immortal, viewing her as a decadent monopolist.
• Ning Zheng: Acts as a mediator, understanding Jiumu Esteemed Immortal's perspective but ultimately supporting Xin Xichen's stance.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and Trust: The characters grapple with the consequences of betrayal and the importance of trust in their alliances.
• Power Dynamics: The characters discuss the power shifts that occur during civilizations and dynasties.
• Historical Inevitability: The characters reflect on the inevitable fall of rulers and the cyclical nature of history.

Character Interactions

• Xin Xichen and Jiumu Esteemed Immortal: Xin Xichen's arrogance and lack of trust in Jiumu Esteemed Immortal cause tension between them.
• Ning Zheng and Jiumu Esteemed Immortal: Ning Zheng understands Jiumu Esteemed Immortal's perspective but ultimately supports Xin Xichen's actions.
• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen: They work together to recruit Jiumu Esteemed Immortal, with Ning Zheng acting as a mediator and Xin Xichen showing his power as the Oath Lord Esteemed Immortal.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen return to Earth, observe the impending doom of Earth's civilization, and collect data.
• The battle between the Past and Future intensifies, with the Future expanding and the Past shrinking.
• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen recruit Esteemed Immortals to their cause.
• The painter's unofficial histories, led by the Nine Continents army, overwhelm and conquer the Past.
• The Past collapses, and its remaining Esteemed Immortals surrender and sign contracts.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng remains calm and collected, viewing the blacksmiths as tools for intelligence gathering.
• Xin Xichen reflects on the similarities between the current situation and the fall of his Xin Dynasty.
• The blacksmiths from Xi Rong Manor merge with their painted counterparts, growing stronger.

Significant Themes

• The cyclical nature of history and the decline of dynasties.
• The power of belief and imagination, as seen in the painter's unofficial histories.
• The consequences of war and the struggle for survival.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and Xin Xichen work together to recruit Esteemed Immortals.
• The blacksmiths from Xi Rong Manor interact with their painted counterparts.
• The painter leads his unofficial histories in battle against the Past's Esteemed Immortals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The river of time dries up, symbolizing the end of the old era.
• The Time, Spatial, and Life Esteemed Immortals wait for the inevitable battle against the future, feeling wronged and abandoned by heaven and earth.
• The painter, now in his thirties, reveals himself to Ning Zheng, hinting at the true nature of the battle and the past.

Character Developments

• The three Esteemed Immortals accept their fate and prepare for the final battle, feeling distressed and angry.
• The painter shows a hint of vulnerability, revealing that he doesn't believe victory is assured.

Significant Themes

• The cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change.
• The struggle against unseen forces controlling and manipulating the past.
• The theme of betrayal and abandonment by one's own kind.

Character Interactions

• The three Esteemed Immortals support each other in their final moments, accepting their fate together.
• Ning Zheng and the painter discuss the true nature of the battle, with Ning Zheng finally understanding the full extent of the painter's plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The painter reveals that the Legend of the Human Ancestor is a warning about a False Human Calamity that swept through the Prehistoric Era, turning beings into False Humans.
• Ning Zheng and his advisory team discuss the possibility of this calamity affecting their era.
• They conclude that the calamity might involve body snatching through spiritual roots at the moment of attaining the Dao.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng is initially shocked but becomes more serious and involved in the discussion.
• Ye Kuang Xiu shows analytical skills, leading the discussion and presenting a plausible theory about the False Human Calamity.
• Jiu Cai Rong questions Xian's madness, leading to the revelation that Xian is indeed mad, possibly due to interference during his Dao Attainment.

Significant Themes

• The theme of hidden truths and manipulation is reinforced, with the revelation that the Prehistoric Era was affected by a hidden calamity.
• The power of analysis and strategy is emphasized, as the characters discuss and theorize about the calamity.
• The consequences of interference in one's mind and consciousness are explored through Xian's madness.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng seeks the advice of his advisory team, leading to a collaborative discussion.
• Ye Kuang Xiu takes the lead in analyzing the False Human Calamity, with others contributing and agreeing with his theories.
• Jiu Cai Rong questions Xian's madness, leading to a deeper understanding of the calamity's effects.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zheng realizes the severity of the False Human Calamity and the existence of a potential mastermind behind it.
• Night Emperor analyzes the situation and concludes that they can't trust anyone from the prehistoric era.
• They discuss the possibility of a "Creation God" who controls other Esteemed Immortals by bestowing their positions.
• Night Emperor suggests that the current Celestial Phenomenon Esteemed Immortals might be impersonators, with their true nature being True Immortals.

Character Developments

• Ning Zheng becomes increasingly aware of the danger and desperation of their situation.
• Night Emperor demonstrates his strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• The characters grapple with the terrifying implications of a powerful, hidden enemy.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: The characters struggle with the idea that those they thought they could trust might be enemies in disguise.
• Power and control: The potential "Creation God" wields immense power, manipulating others for their own purposes.
• Despair and hope: The characters face a seemingly insurmountable enemy, yet they continue to seek answers and solutions.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zheng and Night Emperor collaborate to analyze the situation and strategize.
• The group discusses and speculates about the identity and methods of the potential mastermind behind the False Human Calamity.
• The characters share their thoughts and ideas, leading to a deeper understanding of the enemy they face.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The blacksmiths deduce the existence of a "Creation God" who controls eras and living beings, and manipulates the Esteemed Immortals.
• They suspect this figure is behind the failed body snatching of Xian and the advancement of eras.
• Night Emperor identifies the Holy Spirit Esteemed Immortal as a potential future identity of this figure.
• The Holy Spirit Esteemed Immortal is summoned and accused, with blacksmiths attempting to provoke him to expose his true identity.

Character Developments

• Night Emperor shows analytical skills, guessing the Creation God's identities.
• The Holy Spirit Esteemed Immortal remains calm and composed despite the accusations.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control of eras and living beings.
• The true nature of the Esteemed Immortals and their control.
• The search for the hidden figure behind historical events.

Character Interactions

• Night Emperor and Ning Zheng collaborate on guessing the Creation God's identities.
• Blacksmiths collectively attempt to provoke the Holy Spirit Esteemed Immortal.
• The Holy Spirit Esteemed Immortal remains stoic amidst the accusations.