Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen is about to challenge the Mountain Opening Realm, causing a commotion in Fish-Dragon Prefecture's military camp.
• Over ten thousand disciples gather at the drill ground to witness Mo Chen's breakthrough.
• Mo Chen begins his breakthrough, with 108 mountains appearing in the sky, indicating an unprecedented level of spiritual energy resonance.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen: Shows determination and confidence in his breakthrough attempt.
• Huang Zhaoyin: Recognizes Mo Chen's potential and anticipates him becoming a prized disciple of the National Protector Temple.

Significant Themes

• The importance of spiritual energy resonance in cultivation breakthroughs.
• The pressure and expectations that come with public breakthrough attempts.

Character Interactions

• Huang Zhaoyin and the generals: Discuss Mo Chen's potential and express excitement about his breakthrough.
• Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples: Gather to support Mo Chen and guard against potential ambushes during his breakthrough.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen opens 91 mountains, shocking everyone and drawing comparisons to the legendary Great Mystic Tyrant Jiang Wuhuan.
• Mo Chen continues to open mountains, reaching 108, which is the mark of a supreme genius.
• Unexpectedly, Mo Chen opens the 109th mountain, followed by a series of even larger mountains, totaling 257.
• The Great Qi and Great Wei elders, spying on Mo Chen, are shocked and terrified by his feat, deciding to eliminate him.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen demonstrates extraordinary talent and determination, pushing his limits and opening an unprecedented number of mountains.
• Huang Zhaoyin and the Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples are amazed and excited by Mo Chen's performance.
• The Great Qi and Great Wei elders are initially shocked and then fearful, deciding to eliminate Mo Chen due to the threat he poses.

Significant Themes

• Talent and Potential: Mo Chen's astonishing talent is the central theme, with his opening of 257 mountains setting a new record.
• Fear and Rivalry: The Great Qi and Great Wei elders' fear of Mo Chen's potential leads them to decide to eliminate him, highlighting the theme of rivalry and threat perception.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen's determination and resolve are tested as he faces the overwhelming pressure of the mountains.
• Huang Zhaoyin and the Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples are in awe of Mo Chen's performance, showing admiration and support.
• The Great Qi and Great Wei elders interact with their spies, receiving updates on Mo Chen's progress and deciding to eliminate him, demonstrating their fear and rivalry.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen attempts to open mountains using qi as an axe, starting with the first mountain and continuing until he reaches the three hundred and sixty-fifth mountain.
• The mountains falling from the sky stop after the three hundred and sixty-fifth mountain.
• Mo Chen's feat attracts the attention of over a million citizens in Fish-Dragon Prefecture's Prefectural City, who watch in awe and speculation.
• The eight elders of Great Qi and Great Wei, disguised as Great Mystic cultivators, rush towards Fish-Dragon Prefecture's Prefectural City.
• Mo Chen struggles to break the one hundred and tenth mountain due to qi exhaustion, prompting the system's cultivation progress prompt.
• The system reveals Mo Chen's progress over the years, from the first year to the four hundred and sixteenth year, culminating in reaching the Great Perfection of the Mountain Opening Realm.
• Mo Chen attempts to break through to the Life Spring Realm but fails due to lacking a suitable cultivation technique.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen demonstrates immense strength and determination by opening three hundred and sixty-five mountains, showcasing his prodigious talent.
• The eight elders of Great Qi and Great Wei reveal their greed and murderous intent towards Mo Chen, driven by the desire to obtain a legendary martial art that can transform innate bone into saint-grade.

Significant Themes

• Talent and Hard Work: Mo Chen's extraordinary talent is evident, but he also demonstrates perseverance and dedication, training for over four hundred years to reach the Great Perfection of the Mountain Opening Realm.
• Greed and Ambition: The eight elders' actions highlight the corrupting influence of power and their willingness to betray their own sects for personal gain.
• Speculation and Rumors: The citizens' reactions to Mo Chen's feat showcase the power of rumors and the public's fascination with extraordinary events.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen interacts with the citizens of Fish-Dragon Prefecture's Prefectural City indirectly, inspiring awe and admiration among them.
• The eight elders interact with each other, sharing their thoughts and plans regarding Mo Chen and the legendary martial art.

Summary of Chapter

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen completes a cultivation session, discovering that his body manifests 365 mountains as 365 acupoints—far surpassing the typical 18 or 36 mountains of ordinary martial artists.
• He experiences a vision of a vast spiritual energy river flowing through his meridians, with each acupoint acting as a “pump” to amplify his power, making him realize why Mountain Opening is the boundary between mortal and transcendent.
• After a moment of empowerment, he vows vengeance against Great Qi and Great Wei for trying to kill him.
• Mo Chen tries to leave, but discovers he is still trapped in the system martial arts arena. A second “him” continues hacking at mountains in the sky above the outside world.
• The system explains that the outside world has only passed two hours while he spent 410 years in the arena, and he must remain inside for two more hours so his Mountain Opening speed isn’t detected by the outside world.
• Outside, Huang Zhaoyin and the Fish-Dragon Prefecture military watch Mo Chen’s mountain-breaking in awe, believing him a peerless genius.
• A deputy general warns that spies from Great Qi and Great Wei may have already sent word, and enemy Spirit Infant Realm experts might attack to stop Mo Chen.
• Huang Zhaoyin sends messengers to summon reinforcements from nearby cities and declares he will protect Mo Chen’s Mountain Opening at all costs.

2. Character Developments

• Mo Chen: Experiences a qualitative leap in power and understanding, realizing his 365-acupoint foundation grants extraordinary potential. He becomes more confident and hostile toward the nations that sought to kill him. His initial frustration at being stuck in the arena shifts to patient acceptance.
• Huang Zhaoyin: Transitions from joy to vigilant determination. He shows fierce loyalty to Great Mystic and personal resolve to shield Mo Chen, even at risk of facing Spirit Infant Realm enemies.

3. Significant Themes

• Mortal vs. Transcendent: The chapter emphasizes that spiritual energy elevates martial artists beyond ordinary human limits, with Mountain Opening as the crucial threshold.
• Genius and Potential: Mo Chen’s 365 mountains represent unprecedented potential and hope for Great Mystic, contrasting with the mediocrity of ordinary cultivators.
• Sacrifice and Protection: Huang Zhaoyin’s willingness to defend Mo Chen highlights themes of mentorship, patriotic duty, and the lengths people go to nurture a rare talent.
• Time and Isolation: The system’s time dilation isolates Mo Chen from the world, forcing patience while also protecting his secret.

4. Character Interactions

• Mo Chen and the System: Mo Chen commands the system to exit, but the system refuses with a mechanistic explanation, leaving him to joke that it’s “afraid of this world.” Their exchange underscores the system’s controlling nature.
• Huang Zhaoyin and the Deputy Generals: They share awe and excitement over Mo Chen’s progress, then shift to tactical concern about enemy intervention. Huang Zhaoyin’s final vow shows his commander-like resolve.
• The Watching Disciples: Around Mo Chen’s “other self,” disciples cheer and encourage him, showing collective hope and admiration.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Diwu Zhan, the High Priest of Great Qi, returns to the Prefectural City, planning to vent his resentment against Huang Zhaoyin after his cultivation improves.
• He receives news that Mo Chen has successfully performed the Mountain Opening ritual, opening 365 mountains, which alarms him.
• The Howling Moon Devil Master of Great Wei learns about Mo Chen's feat and decides to invade Great Mystic.

Character Developments

• Diwu Zhan: Shows ambition and ruthlessness, seeking to improve his cultivation to deal with Huang Zhaoyin.
• Howling Moon Devil Master: Reveals his cruelty and greed, ordering the execution of subordinates and expressing interest in a martial art that can alter a Saint-grade innate foundation.
• Ji Qianhai: Demonstrates his cunning and cruelty, supporting the execution of a subordinate and offering infants to the Howling Moon Devil Master.

Significant Themes

• Power and Ambition: Characters like Diwu Zhan and the Howling Moon Devil Master exhibit strong ambition, seeking to improve their power and influence.
• Cruelty and Ruthlessness: The Howling Moon Devil Master and Ji Qianhai display a lack of empathy and remorse, ordering executions and offering infants as food without hesitation.

Character Interactions

• Diwu Zhan and his concubines: Diwu Zhan enjoys the company of his concubines before receiving the news about Mo Chen.
• Diwu Zhan and his guard: The guard delivers the news about Mo Chen's feat to Diwu Zhan.
• Howling Moon Devil Master and Ji Qianhai: They discuss the news about Mo Chen and decide to invade Great Mystic.
• Howling Moon Devil Master and the scout: The scout delivers the news about Mo Chen to the Howling Moon Devil Master.

Summary: "Feint to the East, Attack in the West"

Key Plot Points

• Great Qi and Great Wei each send 50,000 troops to Great Mystic's borders simultaneously, causing panic and full military mobilization in Fish-Dragon Prefecture.
• The enemy armies do not attack—they simply stand in formation, shouting slogans and provoking the Great Mystic soldiers, leaving the generals confused about their intentions.
• A secret military dispatch arrives revealing that Mo Chen, a peerless genius of Great Mystic, has opened 365 mountains at the Fish-Dragon Prefecture training grounds and broken through to 192 mountains.
• The generals initially rejoice, believing Great Qi and Great Wei are afraid of Mo Chen's potential.
• A strategist realizes the truth: the border pressure is a feint. The real target is Mo Chen, who is mid-breakthrough to the Mountain Opening Realm. The enemy intends to kill him while the army is distracted.

Character Developments

• Great General Zhang Qingyun: Transitions from cautious confusion to overwhelming joy upon hearing of Mo Chen's achievement, then to alarm when the feint is exposed. His morale shifts reflect the army's emotional arc.
• The Strategist Deputy General: Demonstrates sharp tactical insight by quickly deducing the enemy's true intentions, proving himself the most perceptive of the officers.
• The Deputy Generals and Soldiers: Their morale transforms from despair ("kill one, break even") to fervent hope and determination upon learning of Mo Chen, showing how a single prodigy can galvanize an entire nation.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Misdirection in Warfare: The chapter title itself encapsulates the central theme—using a visible threat to mask a deeper, more dangerous objective.
• The Power of a Prodigy: One individual's talent (365 mountains) is portrayed as a national turning point, capable of inspiring armies and terrifying rival nations.
• Sacrifice and Defiance: Soldiers express willingness to die defending Mo Chen's breakthrough, framing his growth as worth dying for.
• Misjudging the Enemy: The generals' initial assumption (that enemies fear Mo Chen) blinds them to the more sinister reality until the strategist corrects them.

Character Interactions

• Scouts and Officers: Multiple urgent reports create escalating tension as the officers converge to deliver bad news.
• Zhang Qingyun and Deputy Generals: They debate the enemy's strange behavior, showing collective uncertainty and mutual reliance on intelligence.
• The Strategist and Generals: The pivotal interaction—his warning at the height of their celebration flips the tone from triumph to dread, highlighting how quickly fortunes can turn in war.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points / Events

• At Fish-Dragon Prefecture, Mo Chen publicly performs devastating axe strikes, shattering the last of a set of phantom mountains. Onlookers count up to 270+ and realize he is on the verge of opening 365 mountains—an unprecedented feat.
• Huang Zhaoyin senses hidden enemies, flies up, and confronts an invading force from Great Qi and Great Wei: white-robed High Priest Diwu Zhan, the wolf-headed Howling Moon Devil Lord, and Deputy Eunuch Inspector Ji Qianhai, leading fifty Life Spring/Mountain Opening Realm warriors.
• The invaders confirm Mo Chen’s 365 mountains as proof of saint-grade innate bones and suspect he obtained a legendary Nebula Sect art that can alter such bones.
• A third Spirit Infant Realm expert arrives: Fearless, an old enemy of Huang Zhaoyin, wielding a black flying sword.
• Fearless attacks Huang Zhaoyin, who parries with two fingers and counters with a flaming tiger fist; Fearless responds with a corrosive black vortex. The chapter ends mid-battle.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen: Showcases extraordinary cultivation talent, reaching a legendary level (365 mountains) and putting a target on his back.
• Huang Zhaoyin: Acts as fierce protector of Mo Chen and Fish-Dragon Prefecture; reveals a personal grudge with Fearless, whom he maimed years ago.
• Fearless: Bitter, vengeful, and eager to kill Huang Zhaoyin, though already mutilated by him.
• Howling Moon Devil Lord: Shows cold pragmatism—grudgingly admires Mo Chen’s talent but decides he must be killed because he was born in an enemy nation.
• Ji Qianhai: Consumed by greed, desperate to seize Mo Chen’s supposedly supreme martial art for himself.

Significant Themes

• Genius as a double-edged sword: Mo Chen’s unprecedented ability draws admiration and lethal envy from rival nations.
• Political/dynastic rivalry: Six kingdoms, humans and demons, all competing for power and legendary inheritances.
• Old wounds and revenge: Huang Zhaoyin’s past cruelty to Fearless returns as immediate threat.
• Protection vs. predation: A defender stands against overwhelming odds to shield his people and rising talent.

Character Interactions

• Diwu Zhan and Howling Moon Devil Lord try to pressure Huang Zhaoyin into surrendering Mo Chen, threatening to raze Fish-Dragon Prefecture.
• Huang Zhaoyin scoffs at their combined strength, but his confidence wavers when Fearless reveals himself.
• Huang Zhaoyin and Fearless trade vicious taunts, exposing a violent history between them before clashing directly.

Key Plot Points

• Huang Zhaoyin faces off against old dog Fearless, breaking his technique with a single punch.
• Fearless summons a black phantom and Diwu Zhan creates a blue formation to attack Huang Zhaoyin.
• The Howling Moon Devil Lord transforms into a giant wolf.
• Great Qi and Great Wei forces attempt to capture Mo Chen, but are blocked by Great Mystic's generals and disciples.
• Mo Chen watches the battle, feeling a new sense of responsibility and ambition to protect Great Mystic and destroy Great Qi and Great Wei.

Character Developments

• Huang Zhaoyin demonstrates immense power, breaking Fearless's technique with ease.
• Mo Chen experiences a shift in his perspective, feeling a deep sense of responsibility and ambition to protect Great Mystic and its people.
• Zhao Qingcheng and other disciples show unwavering determination to protect Mo Chen, even in the face of great danger.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility and duty to protect one's homeland and people.
• The determination to fight against oppression and injustice.
• The power of unity and camaraderie in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Huang Zhaoyin protects Mo Chen from the attacks of three Spirit Infant Realm experts.
• Great Mystic's disciples and generals fight together to defend Mo Chen, showing unity and resolve.
• Mo Chen observes the battle, feeling a new connection with his companions and a desire to protect them and their country.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Qingcheng protects Mo Chen from an assassin, taking a dagger wound to her back.
• Zhang Qingyun, a Life Spring Realm expert, arrives to defend Mo Chen.
• Great Qi and Great Wei forces, led by Ji Qianhai, break through and attack Mo Chen.
• Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples fight back, sacrificing themselves to buy time for Mo Chen.
• Mo Chen completes the Mountain Opening, scattering the dark clouds and allowing him to leave the arena.

Character Developments

• Zhao Qingcheng demonstrates her loyalty and bravery by repeatedly putting herself in harm's way to protect Mo Chen.
• Zhang Qingyun shows his dedication to protecting Mo Chen, fighting off multiple Life Spring Realm experts.
• Ji Qianhai reveals his ruthlessness and greed, leading the attack on Mo Chen and slaughtering Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples.
• Mo Chen's anxiety and impatience grow as he nears completion of the Mountain Opening, highlighting his determination to leave the arena.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and sacrifice: Zhao Qingcheng and the Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples exhibit unwavering loyalty to Mo Chen and are willing to sacrifice themselves for him.
• Ruthlessness and greed: Ji Qianhai and the Great Qi and Great Wei forces display their willingness to do whatever it takes to capture Mo Chen and obtain the martial arts manual.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Qingcheng and Mo Chen: Zhao Qingcheng's protective actions towards Mo Chen deepen their bond.
• Zhang Qingyun and Mo Chen: Zhang Qingyun's fierce defense of Mo Chen shows his commitment to protecting him.
• Ji Qianhai and Mo Chen: Ji Qianhai's relentless pursuit of Mo Chen highlights the conflict between them and the danger Mo Chen faces.
• Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples and Mo Chen: The disciples' willingness to sacrifice themselves for Mo Chen emphasizes their loyalty and the importance of Mo Chen's mission.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen breaks through to the Mountain Opening Realm, opening all 365 mountains.
• He kills a Great Wei assassin and begins a massacre of Great Qi and Great Wei invaders, killing 13 Mountain Opening Realm experts and 5 Life Spring Realm elders in quick succession.
• Mo Chen's actions cause the remaining Great Qi and Great Wei forces to retreat, fearing his strength.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen: Breaks through to the Mountain Opening Realm, demonstrating immense power and speed, surpassing expectations.
• Zhao Qingcheng: Overjoyed at Mo Chen's breakthrough and growth.
• Diwu Zhan, Howling Moon Devil Lord, Venerable Fearless, and Huang Zhaoyin: Shocked and alarmed by Mo Chen's strength, leading to their retreat.

Significant Themes

• The power of breaking through cultivation realms, with Mo Chen's breakthrough leading to a significant increase in strength.
• The impact of fear on the battlefield, as seen in the retreat of Great Qi and Great Wei forces.
• The sixth-child mentality, referenced by Mo Chen, implying his underdog status and determination to prove himself.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen and Zhao Qingcheng: They share a moment of understanding and joy at Mo Chen's breakthrough.
• Mo Chen and the Spirit Infant Realm cultivators: Mo Chen's strength and speed cause fear and retreat among the Spirit Infant Realm cultivators of Great Qi and Great Wei.
• The Great Qi and Great Wei forces: They interact with fear and desperation as they face Mo Chen's onslaught and ultimately retreat.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Great Qi and Great Wei suffer heavy losses, with only a few high-level cultivators escaping.
• Fish-Dragon Prefecture celebrates their victory, chanting Mo Chen's name.
• Mo Chen thanks the generals and promises to help them if needed.
• Huang Zhaoyin warns Mo Chen about potential retaliation from Great Qi and Great Wei.
• Mo Chen decides to return to the Martial Suppression Office before going to the National Protector Temple.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen gains immense popularity and admiration among Fish-Dragon Prefecture disciples.
• Huang Zhaoyin shows concern for Mo Chen's safety and advises him on his next steps.
• Mo Chen demonstrates humility and gratitude towards the generals.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of underestimating one's enemy (Great Qi and Great Wei's defeat).
• The power of unity and camaraderie (Fish-Dragon Prefecture's victory).
• The importance of repaying kindness (Mo Chen's gratitude towards the generals).

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen and the generals of Fish-Dragon Prefecture share a warm and joyous atmosphere after the battle.
• Mo Chen and Huang Zhaoyin discuss Mo Chen's next course of action.
• Mo Chen and Zhao Qingcheng bid each other farewell, expressing their hope to meet again.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lord Feng Wuyou of Great Mystic reads a secret report about Mo Chen's achievements in the secret realm and is overjoyed.
• The report details Mo Chen's victories over six perfected Five Elements Realm experts, seizing medicinal herbs from hundreds of Great Qi and Great Wei disciples, opening 365 mountains, and wiping out border experts of Great Qi and Great Wei.
• The court erupts in excitement and cheers for Mo Chen's accomplishments.
• Feng Wuyou announces his intention to invest Mo Chen as Great Mystic's Holy Son.
• The Grand Elder of the National Protector Temple requests to bring Mo Chen into the temple and dispatch four elders to protect him, as Great Qi and Great Wei may attempt to assassinate him.
• The court is dismissed, and the National Protector Temple elders depart to protect Mo Chen.
• In Great Qi, the National Guardian Divine Hall discusses Mo Chen's threat and decides to eliminate him.
• In Great Wei, Lord Du Buhui learns about Mo Chen's saint-grade root bones and decides to target him for his mother's life-prolonging ritual.

Character Developments

• Feng Wuyou: Shows pride and excitement in Mo Chen's achievements, sees Mo Chen as a future successor, and wants to invest him as Holy Son.
• Mo Chen: Emerges as a top-tier genius, opening 365 mountains, and becomes a target of other nations due to his saint-grade root bones.
• Grand Elder of the National Protector Temple: Recognizes Mo Chen's potential and wants to bring him into the temple for cultivation.
• Lord Chu Xuanji of Great Qi: Sees Mo Chen as a threat and wants him eliminated.
• Lord Du Buhui of Great Wei: Seeks to obtain Mo Chen's marrow to prolong his mother's life.

Significant Themes

• Genius recognition and cultivation: Mo Chen's exceptional talents lead to recognition and support from the Great Mystic court.
• Nation's future: Mo Chen's achievements bring hope and excitement to the people of Great Mystic, who see him as a potential savior of their nation.
• Threat and elimination: Other nations view Mo Chen as a threat and plan to eliminate him due to his potential and saint-grade root bones.

Character Interactions

• Feng Wuyou and the ministers: The lord and his ministers interact, with the latter expressing their approval and excitement over Mo Chen's achievements and his potential investment as Holy Son.
• Grand Elder and Feng Wuyou: The Grand Elder requests to bring Mo Chen into the National Protector Temple, and Feng Wuyou approves, showing trust in the temple's abilities.
• Lords of Great Qi and Great Wei: The lords of these nations discuss Mo Chen's threat and decide to eliminate him, showing their determination to maintain their power and influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen attempts to comprehend the Transcendent Supreme Grade sword art, 'Sorrow of Eternally Suppressing Rivers and Mountains,' but fails due to insufficient swordsmanship comprehension.
• He discovers the Yin-Yang Void Mirror (Fragment), which can collect souls, create illusion realms, and summon powerful souls as protectors.
• Mo Chen returns to Martial Suppression Academy after a month and a half, surprising the academy's master and elders.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen: He becomes more determined to improve his swordsmanship comprehension to learn the Transcendent Supreme Grade sword art. He also discovers the potential of the Yin-Yang Void Mirror (Fragment) and its possible use in the future.
• Qin Cangying: The master of Martial Suppression Academy is proud of Mo Chen's accomplishments and welcomes him back enthusiastically.

Significant Themes

• The theme of personal growth and improvement is emphasized as Mo Chen faces a setback in comprehending the sword art but remains undeterred.
• The power of artifacts is highlighted through the Yin-Yang Void Mirror (Fragment) and its potential uses.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen interacts with Meng Huai, the manager of the fast-food restaurant, who is proud to be associated with Mo Chen's success.
• Mo Chen greets Qin Cangying and the elders of Martial Suppression Academy upon his return, showing respect and humility.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen returns to Martial Suppression Academy, shocking the elders with his rapid progress.
• Qin Cangying rewards Mo Chen with a token to enter the Ancestor Armory and choose an earth-grade weapon.
• Mo Chen chooses the 'Vast Sea Sword' from the Ancestor Armory.
• Mo Chen meets an old man outside the Scripture Repository who offers to teach him a method to 'pierce through this world'.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen's cultivation has reached the Great Perfection of the Mountain Opening Realm, demonstrating his exceptional growth.
• Qin Cangying and the elders show pride and support for Mo Chen's achievements.
• The old man outside the Scripture Repository shows interest in Mo Chen's progress and offers to teach him.

Significant Themes

• The importance of hard work and dedication in cultivation, as seen in Mo Chen's rapid progress.
• The value of guidance and mentorship, highlighted by the elders' support and the old man's offer to teach Mo Chen.
• The allure of powerful weapons and the consequences of choosing one, as seen in Mo Chen's decision to choose the 'Vast Sea Sword'.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen interacts with Qin Cangying and the elders, displaying respect and gratitude for their guidance.
• Mo Chen's first interaction with the old man outside the Scripture Repository shows curiosity and eagerness to learn from him.
• The green-robed elder in the Ancestor Armory guides Mo Chen and shares his wisdom about focusing on one weapon.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen discovers a world-altering secret and becomes curious about it.
• An old man gives Mo Chen a book, "Detailed Explanation of Six Paths Academy Basic Formations," hinting it's the key to understanding the world's secret.
• Mo Chen exchanges 20 years of cultivation to study and master the book's contents in the Martial Arts Arena.
• Mo Chen returns and confidently offers to demonstrate his understanding of the formations to the old man.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen: Becomes interested in formations and their potential to uncover the world's secret. He demonstrates remarkable aptitude and confidence in his newfound knowledge.
• Old Man: Initially skeptical of Mo Chen's claim to have mastered the basic formations, he decides to test Mo Chen's understanding.

Significant Themes

• The power of knowledge and understanding (Mo Chen's mastery of formations).
• The veil of mystery surrounding the world's true nature.
• The potential of formations in various aspects, such as cultivation assistance, weapon forging, and sealing powerful creatures.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen and the Old Man: Mo Chen's eagerness to learn and demonstrate his knowledge contrasts with the old man's initial skepticism, leading to a test of Mo Chen's abilities.
• Mo Chen and the Ancient Tree: The tree, though not directly interacting, shows curiosity and doubt about Mo Chen's claims, reflecting the reader's potential thoughts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen demonstrates exceptional talent in formations, memorizing and explaining a formation book perfectly in minutes.
• The old man tests Mo Chen further by giving him Zhuge Changtian's Way of Formations, which takes even him two hundred years to comprehend.
• Mo Chen begins studying the book and, after three hours, decides to explore Black Dragon Pool to find the flood dragon.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen: Shows prodigious talent in formations, impressing the old man. He begins studying Zhuge Changtian's Way of Formations and decides to find the flood dragon.
• The Old Man: Recognizes Mo Chen's talent and gives him a challenging formation book to test him further.

Significant Themes

• Talent and Genius: Mo Chen's exceptional talent in formations is a central theme, impressing the old man and setting him on a path to become a formation grandmaster.
• Learning and Growth: Mo Chen's dedication to studying Zhuge Changtian's Way of Formations shows his commitment to improving his skills and knowledge.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen and the Old Man: The old man tests Mo Chen's talent and gives him a challenging book to study, while Mo Chen impresses the old man with his abilities and decides to seek his guidance later.
• Mo Chen and Lan Zhu/Dingxiang: The two women greet Mo Chen upon his return, but he is too absorbed in his studies to interact with them significantly.

Summary of Chapter: “Spirit Fish, Fish Demons, Mermaids?”

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Mo Chen arrives at Black Dragon Pool, sees many disciples fishing and couples secretly canoodling on boats.
• Seeking privacy, he walks a few li to a deserted spot and leaps into the water.
• His Demon-Suppressing Dragon Scale Armor repels water, allowing him to breathe and dive freely.
• He dives over a thousand zhang with ease, aiming for depths beyond the known three-thousand-zhang record.
• He encounters and kills several giant aggressive fish with his Vast Sea Sword.
• He then spots a school of colorful, intelligent “spirit fish,” but they sense danger and flee before he can catch any.
• At two thousand zhang, he is surrounded by armed fish-headed, human-bodied fish demons, who warn him to stop.
• Mo Chen introduces himself as a Martial Suppression Academy disciple, releases his aura (Mountain Opening Realm Great Perfection), and claims peaceful intent.
• A beautiful mermaid with a fish tail appears and coldly asks him how far he intends to dive.

2. Character Developments

• Mo Chen: Shows curiosity, boldness, and strategic restraint. He relies on his cultivation and magic armor, but also chooses diplomacy over violence when dealing with intelligent creatures.
• Fish Demons: Territorial and cautious, but wary of Mo Chen’s strength.
• Mermaid: Mysterious, commanding, and potentially powerful; her appearance raises the stakes of the underwater exploration.

3. Significant Themes

• Exploration of unknown, dangerous environments.
• Tension between human cultivators and non-human aquatic beings.
• Power dynamics — strength commands respect, but communication can avoid conflict.
• The hidden, layered ecosystem beneath a familiar academy landmark.

4. Character Interactions

• Mo Chen vs. giant fish: quick combat, showing his power.
• Mo Chen vs. spirit fish: mutual curiosity, then fear on their part.
• Mo Chen vs. fish demons: verbal confrontation, with Mo Chen using courtesy and pressure to de-escalate.
• Mo Chen vs. mermaid: a cold, suspenseful first encounter that ends on her challenge.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen learns that the mermaid is the princess of the fish demons and respectfully addresses her.
• He admits that he entered the pool to find the flood dragon imprisoned beneath it, having heard about it from rumors.
• The fish demons react furiously, accusing humans of harboring malicious intentions and warning Mo Chen not to target their “king.”
• The mermaid princess explains that a Martial Suppression Academy disciple once searched for the flood dragon a century earlier but failed. That disciple had reached the Great Perfection of the Life Spring Realm.
• Mo Chen claims that the previous seeker may not have been stronger than him and likely failed because he lacked sufficient knowledge of formations. The princess considers this arrogance and refuses to believe him.
• When Mo Chen asks to descend alone, the princess firmly refuses. He threatens to sneak down, provoking her into releasing the pressure of her Great Perfection of the Life Spring Realm cultivation.
• Mo Chen evades her pressure and the surrounding demons, then forcibly dives deeper into the pool. The mermaid princess and her subordinates pursue him.
• Mo Chen reasons that he may be able to save the flood dragon—or exploit its final contribution to strengthen his martial arts arena—and prepares to use a giant octopus stored in a fragment of the Yin-Yang Void Mirror if necessary.
• At a depth of roughly 2,500 zhang, the water becomes increasingly dark and oppressive. The mermaid princess catches up and warns him about a powerful undercurrent.
• Before Mo Chen can react, the torrent sweeps him away despite his Spirit Infant Realm strength. He disappears into the depths, leaving the mermaid princess fearing that the Martial Suppression Academy will send experts to investigate.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen displays increasing boldness, confidence, and willingness to disregard authority when pursuing his goal. He remains outwardly polite but repeatedly provokes the mermaid princess and ultimately forces his way past her.
• He also reveals a pragmatic and somewhat opportunistic mindset: although he may save the flood dragon, he is equally interested in using its death to improve his martial arts arena.
• The mermaid princess is initially composed, dignified, and restrained, showing respect toward Mo Chen because he is a disciple of the Martial Suppression Academy. Her patience gradually wears thin as Mo Chen refuses to retreat, leading her to assert her power.
• Despite her anger, she is not needlessly cruel and warns Mo Chen about the undercurrent, suggesting genuine concern for his safety and awareness of the larger consequences of his actions.
• The fish demons are fiercely loyal to their imprisoned king. Their reverence for the flood dragon’s bloodline motivates them to defend the area and fuels their hostility toward Mo Chen.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and bloodline prestige: The demons continue guarding the flood dragon for centuries because of its exalted divine-beast lineage.
• Arrogance versus authority: Mo Chen’s confidence clashes with the mermaid princess’s status and power, creating escalating conflict.
• Curiosity, ambition, and recklessness: Mo Chen’s desire to uncover the truth drives him to ignore repeated warnings and enter dangerous territory.
• Hidden knowledge and formations: The failure of the previous investigator implies that the flood dragon’s prison may be concealed through powerful formations rather than simple physical barriers.
• Unintended consequences: Mo Chen’s intrusion risks provoking a conflict between the Martial Suppression Academy and the fish demons.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen and the mermaid princess engage in a tense verbal exchange over his motives and whether he is qualified to seek the flood dragon.
• The fish demons repeatedly threaten Mo Chen, but they obey the princess when she orders them to remain silent.
• The princess attempts to dismiss Mo Chen peacefully, while he responds with increasingly provocative remarks.
• Their confrontation turns physical when she releases her cultivation pressure and he evades her, forcing his way into the depths.
• The pursuit ends with the princess attempting to warn Mo Chen about the undercurrent, but he is swept away before she can help him.

Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen is swept into an underground river beneath Black Dragon Pool by a powerful undercurrent.
• He discovers an enormous cavern with multiple branching passages and numerous skeletons.
• He finds a Water-Repelling Pearl and a message carved into the rock, warning that all paths ahead are dead ends and advising to travel upstream to escape.
• He finds a half-completed treasure map and, later, discovers that it fits perfectly with another half he possesses, revealing a treasure beneath Black Dragon Pool.

Character Development

• Mo Chen demonstrates his resilience and determination by trying to resist the undercurrent and exploring the cavern despite the danger.
• He shows curiosity and resourcefulness in examining his surroundings and finding useful items like the Water-Repelling Pearl and the treasure map.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance: Mo Chen's refusal to give up despite the challenges he faces.
• Coincidence and Fate: The unlikely meeting of the two halves of the treasure map suggests a larger force at play.
• Greed and its Consequences: Jiang Yunting's greed for the treasure led him to his death.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen interacts with the environment and the remnants left behind by Jiang Yunting, learning from his experiences and using his information to guide his own actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mo Chen discovers the true entrance to the treasure is within Cloudmist Mountain, not Black Dragon Pool.
• He decides to prioritize finding an escape route over searching for the treasure.
• At Martial Suppression Academy, Qin Cangying and the elders face representatives from Great Qi and Great Wei, who demand Mo Chen's handover.
• Qin Feng is severely injured and captured, and Qin Cangying is threatened to reveal Mo Chen's whereabouts.
• Qin Cangying and two elders (Qian Moran and Liu Hengshan) are injured for their defiance; Qin Cangying, Qin Feng, Qian Moran, and Liu Hengshan are later nailed to pillars as bait to lure Mo Chen.

Character Developments

• Mo Chen demonstrates his analytical skills and determination by focusing on escape first.
• Qin Cangying shows unwavering loyalty to Mo Chen, even under extreme duress.
• Qin Feng displays courage and loyalty by searching for Mo Chen and revealing his absence under torture.
• Qin Cangying's subordinates (Sun Shihai and other elders) show cowardice and desperation to save themselves.
• Diwu Zhan, a high priest from Great Qi, is portrayed as cruel and ruthless.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and betrayal: Qin Cangying's loyalty to Mo Chen contrasts with the betrayal of his subordinates.
• Courage and cowardice: Qin Feng and Qian Moran show courage, while Sun Shihai and the other elders display cowardice.
• Power dynamics: The representatives from Great Qi and Great Wei use their power to intimidate and coerce the academy.

Character Interactions

• Mo Chen interacts with Jiang Yunting's skeleton, paying his respects and vowing to deliver his message.
• Qin Cangying interacts with Qin Feng, showing deep fatherly love and concern.
• Qin Cangying interacts with the representatives from Great Qi and Great Wei, showing defiance and later despair.
• Qin Cangying interacts with his subordinates, showing disappointment in their cowardice.
• Diwu Zhan interacts with Qin Cangying, showing cruelty and disregard for his well-being.