Biodata

Feature Information
Name Chen Mo (陈陌)
Alias(es) Second Young Master; Young Master Mo; Golden Light Master; Incense Left Envoy; Steward Chen; Incense Master Chen
Species/Race Transmigrator; later ghost, zombie, Black Shadow Ghost, Black Zombie, Azure Ghost, Flying Zombie, Corpse Ancestor, Ghost Emperor, and Ascended One
Gender Male
Affiliation Chen Family; Black Mountain Stronghold; Fortune and Misfortune Manor; Red Lantern Society; Tang Family Fortress
Occupation/Role Martial artist; exorcist; former Black Mountain Stronghold Steward and Incense Master; Incense Left Envoy of the Twenty-Four Incense Halls
First Appearance 8

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level Chapter Notes
Near Skin Refining Realm 12 Fuyang Saber Technique and Mysterious Yin Hand allow him to contend with a newly advanced Skin Refining martial artist.
Skin Refining Realm 17 Breaks through after taking a Qi and Blood Pill and applying Wei Qi Skin Paste.
Muscle Refining Realm 17 Reaches the second gate within half a month; defeats Muscle Refining guard Ma San after sustaining peak condition through the paired saber and hand techniques.
Internal Martial Master 40 His senses and physical strength improve; learns that further progress requires Internal True Skills.
Fourth-Level Internal Martial Master 85 Reaches the fourth level of Internal True Qi and learns the Spirit Preservation Method.
Sixth-Level Martial Master / Inner Illumination 89 Breaks through to the sixth level and enters the Spirit Preservation Method's Inner Illumination stage.
Eighth-Level Martial Master 109 Opens the Ren meridian and begins tempering Collapsing Thunder Force.
Ninth-Level Martial Master 112 Opens the Governing Vessel, completes an eight-meridian cycle, and reaches the mortal apex; Collapsing Thunder Force reaches the fourth layer.
Peak Ninth-Level Martial Master 116 Masters the peak technique Two-Finger Lightning Stab after returning from Spring Breeze Tower.
Ghost 115 Completes ghost transformation while retaining a human appearance; learns to control Awakening Power under Su Yuqing's guidance.
Six Pillars Ghost Cultivation 132 Awakening Power gains fear-inducing, sensory-numbing, hallucinatory, hardening, and claw-forming effects.
True Fire Ignited 133 Ignites Bloodline True Fire through True Fire Strength, improving strength, speed, senses, and lightness techniques.
Zombie / Red Moon Essence Pattern 142 Devours Goddess Hong Deng and modifies his physique to accommodate the Red Moon Essence zombie pattern.
Nine Incense Sticks and Nine Patterns, Great Perfection 149 Reaches Great Perfection after killing divine masters and seizing their cultivation.
Black Shadow Ghost / Black Zombie 149 150 Fuses with the Four Souls Jade; gains a mutable appearance, bone weapons, and completes his Black Zombie transformation when his hair regrows.
Seven Wicks / Seventh Zombie Pattern 181 Absorbs the Black Shadow Ghost within Master Huiyuan, advancing to seven wicks and gaining a seventh zombie pattern.
Azure Ghost / Flying Zombie 210 Is recognized as having reached the cultivation levels of an Azure Ghost and Flying Zombie.
Ghost Bandit / Drought Demon 215 Enters perfected Ghost Bandit and Drought Demon stages, comparable to human King of Ming Realm experts.
Corpse Ancestor / Ghost Emperor 219 Breaks through both stages before entering the palace to rescue Chen Wu.
Corpse Decomposition Ascension / Ascended One 236 238 Completes Corpse Decomposition Ascension and returns to challenge Empress Dowager Xiao.

Background / History

Chen Mo awakens in the Chen Family ancestral hall after transmigrating into the body of a youth afflicted by the Mad Demon Disease. Terrified of becoming a man-eating demon, he begins pursuing martial arts despite the Chen family's mercantile background and his father Chen Yin Fu's initial objections 8 241.

He discovers the Fuyang Saber Technique and Mysterious Yin Hand in Blood Ridge Black Market. With the Golden Finger's guidance, he learns that practicing the two together offsets the saber technique's strain, enabling unusually rapid advancement 9 17 18.

After surviving abduction by bandits, Chen Mo returns with their heads and kills the treacherous Steward Liu. The experience changes his view of his adopted family: he comes to value their willingness to protect him, while Chen Yin Fu begins fully supporting his martial training 23 24.

Chen Mo enters Black Mountain Stronghold after passing Li Yuanlong's test and receiving Goddess Hong Deng's approval. There he encounters ghostly threats, develops his exorcism knowledge, and is drawn into factional struggles involving Yuanzhu, Fortune and Misfortune Manor, and the Red Lantern Society 55 56 58 62.

His continued exposure to ghost curses and supernatural entities reveals his potential as a Symbiote. He acquires the Bright Jade Skill, advances through Internal Martial Master levels, and becomes a Black Mountain Stronghold Steward before being appointed Incense Master of Shoulu Manor 62 67 89 92.

After becoming a ghost at Spring Breeze Tower, Chen Mo retains his human form and gains Awakening Power. He later accepts the Young Commander's offer to become the Incense Left Envoy of the Twenty-Four Incense Halls, establishing himself as an equal among noble-family cultivators 115 117.

His pursuit of strength drives increasingly dangerous modifications: he absorbs Goddess Hong Deng, fuses with the Four Souls Jade, becomes a Black Zombie and Black Shadow Ghost, and eventually abandons his human body to inherit the Azure Ghost King's cultivation 142 149 197 198.

Chen Mo ultimately reaches Corpse Ancestor and Ghost Emperor stages, enters the imperial palace to save Chen Wu, and wages a prolonged conflict against Empress Dowager Xiao. After completing Corpse Decomposition Ascension, he returns to defeat her and helps install Su Yuqing as Great Gan's ruler 219 236 238 239.

Appearance

At fifteen, Chen Mo is already around 1.70 meters tall, handsome, and spirited. As his cultivation grows, his body becomes stronger and his presence increasingly intimidating 10 112.

  • Often described as handsome, masculine, and composed, with a refined or scholarly bearing 10 54.
  • His martial cultivation gives him a robust physique and a fierce aura that others find difficult to face directly 112 162.
  • His Black Zombie transformation initially leaves him bald; his hair later regrows, confirming the transformation's completion 139 150.
  • His Black Zombie body can alter its appearance at will 149.
  • He can retract the fangs, claws, and altered features of his ghost-zombie form to appear normal 181.

Personality

Chen Mo is pragmatic, ambitious, and intensely protective of the people he considers family. His early experiences with the Mad Demon Disease and supernatural threats make him wary of relying on outsiders, while his family's support gives him a lasting sense of responsibility toward them 24 241.

He prefers preparation, deception, and decisive violence over fair confrontation. He ambushes stronger enemies, conceals his true techniques, manipulates opponents when useful, and kills threats he believes endanger his family or future 33 80 221.

Despite his ruthlessness, Chen Mo repeatedly shows compassion toward vulnerable people. He supports Chen Wu's training, cares for Chen Yu'er, chooses to room with poor disciples at Black Mountain Stronghold, and ensures the dead of Hundred Corpse Pool receive proper burial 37 43 58 67.

His public manner can be polite and magnanimous even when he privately intends revenge. Li Yuanlong recognizes that Chen Mo can speak with a smile while harboring murderous intent 89.

Abilities & Skills

Golden Finger

Chen Mo possesses a panel-like ability that identifies techniques, flaws, entities, and absorbable Original Understanding Essence.

  • Reveals key points and flaws in martial techniques, enabling exceptionally rapid learning 18.
  • Absorbs Original Understanding Essence from defeated supernatural entities 50.
  • Evolves from identification into modification, deduction, and chimera functions 50 165 237.
  • Allows him to modify bloodlines, physique, spirit, and other aspects of himself 121 142 149.
  • Its Chimera Demon Body can absorb another being's vital blood, profound meanings, and memories 237.

Fuyang Saber Technique

Chen Mo's foundational saber art, acquired from the Blood Ridge Black Market.

  • Its first move, Unrusting Cold, is fully mastered within half a month 17.
  • Delivers fierce, imposing saber strikes powered by surging qi and blood 12 17.
  • Its exertion is neutralized by the Mysterious Yin Hand, allowing Chen Mo to maintain peak combat condition 17.

Mysterious Yin Hand

A complementary hand technique practiced secretly alongside the Fuyang Saber Technique.

  • Neutralizes the Fuyang Saber Technique's drawbacks and exhaustion 17.
  • Lets Chen Mo outlast opponents whose physical performance declines over extended exchanges 17.
  • Its combination with Fuyang Saber Technique accelerates martial progress 9 56.

Internal Martial Arts

Chen Mo rapidly develops Internal True Qi through the Bright Jade Skill and other Internal True Skills.

  • Awakens the Yang Six Roots and heightens his senses 40 55.
  • Learns the Bright Jade Skill under Guo Ziyu, mastering its first two layers in just over a week 71.
  • Completes the Ren and Governing Vessel breakthroughs on his path to the ninth-level Martial Master realm 109 112.
  • Can transfer true qi to treat others, as when he examines Zhang Ru 117.

Collapsing Thunder Force

A powerful internal combat art developed during Chen Mo's stay at Qingfu Residence.

  • Reaches the fourth layer by the time he becomes a ninth-level Martial Master 112.
  • Produces lightning-like force through his fists 112.
  • Its peak technique, Two-Finger Lightning Stab, can blast through a thick rosewood table and the bluestone beneath it 116.
  • Combined with Ghost Bone enhancement, it can kill a Yellow Page Ghost 116.

Ghost Curse Blood and Awakening Power

Chen Mo's ghostly abilities develop from his curse, ghost blood, and eventual transformation into a ghost.

  • Can absorb Resentful Ghost Qi to strengthen his Ghost Curse Blood 54.
  • Senses and suppresses Ghost Curse aura in others 80.
  • Conceals his ghost blood, Ghost Bone, Ghost Qi, and aura from ordinary detection 115 200.
  • Causes panic, numbness, sensory distortion, and hallucinations at the Six Pillars stage 132.
  • Can harden his body and extend his nails into sharp weapons 132.
  • Risks mental erosion, including violent hallucinations and loss of control 121.

Ghost Shadow

A scouting ability discovered after Chen Mo becomes a Steward.

  • Can scout and gather intelligence at a distance 92.
  • Has limited range and may be lost if sent too far 92.

Blood Curse

A coercive curse technique.

  • Allows Chen Mo to take control of targets such as Liu Momo 221.
  • Used alongside his broader strategy of infiltration and manipulation in the palace 221.

Zombie Physique and True Fire

Chen Mo's zombie cultivation grants regenerative and transformative physical abilities.

  • Bloodline True Fire boosts strength, speed, and sensory ability 133.
  • True Fire can alter his body weight, enabling feats such as walking on water 133.
  • His Zombie Undying Body can regenerate damaged flesh, though sufficiently corrosive attacks remain dangerous 148.
  • As a Black Zombie, he can change his appearance and pull out bones for use as weapons 149.
  • Must gather sufficient spirit to control his powerful zombie body and avoid losing control 149.

Formations and Talismans

Chen Mo learns formations from Tang Xiaoyu and later improves his talisman arts through the Talisman Treasure.

  • Learns the Reversal Formation within three days despite formations being considered exceptionally difficult 112.
  • Uses his Golden Finger to identify hidden formation eyes 112.
  • The Talisman Treasure's modification function substantially improves his Talisman Arts 168.

Righteous Qi

A stabilizing force awakened through Grand Tutor Pang's knowledge.

  • Dilutes malevolence within Chen Mo's spirit 201.
  • Forces the Azure Ghost's vengeful spirit in his Sea of Consciousness to retreat 201.
  • Gives him greater mental clarity against the corruptive effects of ghostly power 201.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

  • Broadsword / saber — Chen Mo's primary early weapon, used with Fuyang Saber Technique 17 59.
  • Dagger — Carried alongside his broadsword during the Hundred Corpse Pool patrol 59.
  • Blood Peach Wood Sword — Given by Guo Ziyu; repels the ghost Li Binghui when pointed at her 59.
  • Clarity Talisman — A talisman Chen Mo draws and carries while confronting Granny Li's threat 77.
  • Ghost Bone — Enhances his techniques and can be activated at a four-percent fusion rate 112.
  • Natal Incense Burner — Modified after Chen Mo absorbs the Azure Ghost King's vengeful soul 198.
  • Red Moon Palace and Yellow Springs Road — Used to send Empress Dowager Xiao's soul to the Underworld 239.

Relationships

  • Chen Yin Fu — Father; initially opposes martial training but later funds and supports Chen Mo after recognizing his ability and the world's dangers 17 24.
  • Lin Yu Lan — Mother; deeply worries for Chen Mo and consistently supports him 23 56 240.
  • Chen Wu — Younger half-brother; Chen Mo acts as his protector and martial mentor, later entering the palace to save him 37 43 219.
  • Chen Yu'er / Xiaoyu — Younger sister; Chen Mo is affectionate and protective toward her 24 43 240.
  • Zhou Liang — Family martial instructor and advocate; helps persuade Chen Yin Fu to permit Chen Mo's training 17 18.
  • Qiulan — Loyal maidservant and investigator; assists Chen Mo from his earliest days and remains concerned for his wellbeing 10 37 121.
  • Ma Tie — Trusted attendant; advises Chen Mo on cultivation resources and carries out sensitive orders 9 37.
  • Li Yuanlong — Black Mountain Stronghold leader who accepts Chen Mo as a disciple; later becomes deferential to him 54 56 89.
  • Guo Ziyu — Teacher and ally; gives Chen Mo the Blood Peach Wood Sword, teaches Bright Jade Skill, and later works alongside him 59 71 116.
  • Li Qingniu — Companion from Black Mountain Stronghold; accompanies Chen Mo on the dangerous Hundred Corpse Pool patrol and later joins Fortune and Misfortune Manor with him 58 59 71.
  • Yuanzhu — Rival from Black Mountain Stronghold who attempts to endanger Chen Mo; later apologizes after Chen Mo becomes a Steward 59 89.
  • Su Yuqing — Ghost woman who teaches Chen Mo to control Awakening Power; later becomes the ruler of Great Gan with Chen Mo's support 115 181 239.
  • Juan'er — Loyal companion and assistant whose growth in cultivation and array-making strengthens Chen Mo's position 132 149.
  • Xiao Xiao — Azure Ghost King's former pet ghost; becomes loyal to Chen Mo after drinking his blood 198.
  • Xiao Ye / Bai Yujing — Initially travels with Chen Mo as Xiao Ye; later revealed as Bai Yujing, who rescues him in the palace and becomes his wife 130 224 227 239.
  • Jiang Hongyue — Chen Mo's godmother; her inheritance enables major breakthroughs, though her influence also drains his vital blood and soul force 184 214 215.
  • Empress Dowager Xiao / Xiao Nanfeng — Chen Mo's principal enemy in the imperial arc; he ultimately defeats her after returning as an Ascended One 222 238 239.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Chen Family and Early Martial Training

  • Begins martial training to survive the Mad Demon Disease and protect himself from supernatural dangers 8 18.
  • Survives bandit abduction, kills Steward Liu, and gains his family's trust and financial support 23 24.
  • Advocates for a medicine workshop, library, and martial education for the Chen household 36 37.

Black Mountain Stronghold

  • Passes Li Yuanlong's test and becomes a Black Mountain Stronghold disciple 54 56.
  • Faces Yuanzhu's hostility during the Hundred Corpse Pool patrol and begins working with Li Qingniu and Guo Ziyu 58 62.
  • Obtains Bright Jade Skill and joins Fortune and Misfortune Manor 67 71.

Red Lantern Society

  • Becomes a Steward and reaches sixth-level Martial Master cultivation 89.
  • Wins the position of Incense Master of Shoulu Manor by defeating Liu Wu 92.
  • Becomes Incense Left Envoy after fighting the Young Commander and defeating He Miao 116 117.

Ghost and Zombie Transformation

  • Becomes a ghost after ten years in the red room with Su Yuqing, mastering Awakening Power while retaining his human appearance 115.
  • Modifies his bloodline, absorbs Goddess Hong Deng, and takes increasingly extreme risks to strengthen his ghost-zombie cultivation 121 142.
  • Fuses with the Four Souls Jade and becomes a Black Shadow Ghost and Black Zombie 149 150.

Nanzhou Conflicts

  • Builds influence as the Golden Light Master while confronting the Shen Family, Black Mountain Tower, and other Nanzhou powers 132 149 155.
  • Uses the Talisman Treasure, Shamanic Dance, and growing alliances to contend with threats surrounding Dragon Transformation and Rakshasa Mother 168 181.
  • Abandons his human body to merge with Azure Ghost cultivation, gaining Xiao Xiao and the Azure Ghost King's power 197 198.

Imperial Palace and Great Gan

  • Breaks through to Corpse Ancestor and Ghost Emperor, then enters the palace in an attempt to save Chen Wu 219.
  • Manipulates Emperor Tianbao and Liu Momo while infiltrating Shoukang Palace 221.
  • Survives the palace conflict, completes Corpse Decomposition Ascension, and returns to kill Empress Dowager Xiao 225 236 239.
  • Marries Bai Yujing and departs with her to investigate the Ghost Ship and the Twin Demon 239 240.

Trivia

  • Chen Mo was a college student in his past life, which he credits for his scholarly air 10.
  • He is fifteen years old during his early martial-training period and sixteen by the time he becomes Incense Left Envoy 10 92 118.
  • He considers the ninth-level Martial Master realm insufficient despite it being described as the mortal limit 112.
  • Chen Mo's dependence on incense offerings causes restlessness and addiction-like symptoms when the offerings stop 130.
  • He values the Chen Family's kindness despite being a transmigrator and hopes they can live their later years in comfort 241.