Ch. 1The Late-Arriving Cheat Was Worth Less Than Grass!
Key plot points and events
- While comprehending the Heavenly Heart Imprint, Great Emperor Meng Chuan receives a mysterious chat-group invitation. His divine sense and the Imprint reveal nothing about its origin.
- The group welcomes five members, who become administrators: Meng Chuan, Zhang Sanfeng, Meng Qi, The Ancient One, and Daigu Madoka. They exchange greetings and begin figuring out who the others are.
- Meng Chuan recognizes the names from stories he remembers in his former life and infers that the group connects real people from different worlds. He encourages everyone to use their real names, though the others tease him by repeatedly calling him “restless Great Emperor.”
- Meng Qi identifies Zhang Sanfeng as the famed martial-arts master and confirms that Zhang’s disciple Zhang Cuishan is missing. He also recognizes Daigu as Ultraman Tiga and The Ancient One as the Sorcerer Supreme.
- When Meng Qi asks who Meng Chuan is, Meng Chuan reveals that he is Dao Shi, a newly ascended Great Emperor from Shrouding the Heavens. Meng Qi is stunned and immediately begs the powerful emperor for help.
Character developments
- Meng Chuan is curious about the chat group but skeptical of its late arrival, joking that this “cheat” is worth less than grass. His confidence and status are clear, though the group’s nickname joke irritates him.
- Zhang Sanfeng is surprised by the unexplained interface but quickly adapts, learning to communicate through thought and asking sensible questions.
- Meng Qi begins excited, hoping the group is the long-awaited “golden finger” that will help him leave monastic life. His confidence collapses into comic awe once he learns Meng Chuan is a Great Emperor.
- The Ancient One and Daigu Madoka respond cautiously but confirm their identities. Daigu indicates that his major conflict has already ended.
Significant themes
- A late-arriving advantage: The chat group may be powerful, but Meng Chuan already has immense strength, making it feel underwhelming to him.
- Stories becoming reality: Meng Chuan recognizes group members from works he remembers, while they are living people in their own worlds.
- Cross-world connection and unequal power: The group brings together very different lives and abilities, creating both curiosity and comic intimidation.
- Humor through mistaken expectations: The members’ nicknames, teasing, and Meng Qi’s sudden plea for help undercut the grandeur of the group’s introduction.
Character interactions
- Meng Chuan takes the lead in greeting the group and asks everyone to use real names; the others respond by jokingly keeping his unwanted nickname alive.
- Meng Qi questions Zhang Sanfeng and confirms his identity through details about his disciples.
- Meng Qi recognizes Daigu and The Ancient One, then tries to identify Meng Chuan—only to discover he is far beyond the kind of “Great Emperor” Meng Qi expected.
- The chapter ends with Meng Qi appealing to Meng Chuan for protection, while Meng Chuan responds with amused indifference.