Ch. 1221Boundless Black Serpent
Chapter Summary: “Boundless Black Serpent”
Key Plot Points and Events
- Chen Nianzhi and Six Luminaries Immortal decide to personally investigate the Abyss of Guixu. They instruct Jiang Linglong and Qing Ji to remain outside, establish a guiding formation, receive them if necessary, and prevent demonic spirits from escaping.
- Despite concerns that the abyss may contain unknown dangers, Chen and Six Luminaries enter because both are at the pinnacle of the Ascension realm and are confident they can protect themselves.
- The entrance to Guixu contains a tremendous suction force that drags seawater and anyone within it toward the depths. The two immortals deliberately follow the current rather than resist it.
- The abyss proves extraordinarily deep—so deep that even after traveling for an indeterminate period, they cannot find its bottom. The surrounding seawater is revealed to be Primordial Heavy Water, whose immense weight makes returning to the surface extremely difficult.
- They eventually discover a hazy light in the darkness, which Six Luminaries mistakes for the core of a supreme-grade water vein.
- When Six Luminaries approaches, Chen Nianzhi senses danger and pulls him away just before a massive creature strikes. The impact displaces enough heavy water to create a vacuum hundreds of thousands of miles wide.
- The creature is revealed to be a colossal black serpent coiled around an enormous hazy world. The world is formed from a supreme-grade water vein, while the serpent’s body is so vast that it appears to encircle entire worlds.
- Chen identifies the creature as the legendary Boundless Black Serpent, one of the ancient desolate spirits born from the accumulated killing intent, calamity, and filth of heaven and earth.
Character Developments
- Chen Nianzhi demonstrates caution, confidence, and strong protective instincts. He refuses to risk weaker immortals as scouts, relies on his own strength, and saves Six Luminaries from the serpent’s sudden attack.
- He also reveals his broader knowledge of ancient desolate spirits, explaining their origins and rarity.
- Six Luminaries Immortal initially shows excitement at the possibility of discovering a supreme-grade water vein, but his eagerness nearly leads him into danger. After Chen saves him, he becomes visibly more cautious and grave.
- Jiang Linglong and Qing Ji display concern for Chen and Six Luminaries, suggesting that they send someone to scout first. They ultimately accept their role outside the abyss and prepare to summon reinforcements if the two immortals fail to return.
Significant Themes
- Exploration versus caution: The characters must investigate a potentially invaluable resource despite knowing almost nothing about the abyss’s dangers.
- The limits of power: Even peerless Ascension-realm immortals are pressured by Guixu’s depth and Primordial Heavy Water, emphasizing the abyss’s terrifying environment.
- Ancient forces of destruction: The Boundless Black Serpent represents primordial evil and the destructive energies accumulated throughout the immortal domain.
- Rarity and cosmic uniqueness: Ancient desolate spirits are nearly one-of-a-kind beings, unable to reproduce and rarely seen, making the serpent’s discovery exceptionally significant.
- Hidden treasures guarded by overwhelming danger: The supreme-grade water vein is valuable, but it is protected by an entity vastly more threatening than the resource itself.
Character Interactions
- Chen and Six Luminaries cooperate closely, relying on one another while descending into Guixu.
- Jiang Linglong and Qing Ji challenge Chen’s plan out of concern, but Chen reassures them that he and Six Luminaries are strong enough to survive.
- Chen’s quick intervention saves Six Luminaries from the serpent, reinforcing their partnership and Chen’s role as the more perceptive and cautious leader.
- The chapter ends with Chen explaining the origin and identity of the Boundless Black Serpent, giving Six Luminaries—and the reader—a clearer understanding of the immense threat before them.