Summary
Highlights
Chen Xing, initially a villainous side character in a cultivation novel, discovers he can see 'danmu' (bullet comments) that reveal his tragic fate as 'cannon fodder.' He's meant to be killed by the heroine Gu Li for coveting a treasure pearl. The danmu also expose the true intentions of others, including Gu Li's eventual advancement in cultivation and the protagonist Duan Kong's manipulative nature.
Faced with his imminent death, Chen Xing uses the danmu's information to his advantage. He 'confesses' his past mistakes to Gu Li, revealing he orchestrated her encounter with the guardian beast so she would find the Golden Ginseng, whose side effects can only be cured by 'skin-to-skin contact.' He cleverly interprets 'skin-to-skin' as a palm touch, curing Gu Li and inadvertently boosting his own cultivation, while also framing Duan Kong as a schemer.
Duan Kong attempts to use the same 'skin-to-skin' method on Gu Li, but in a far more explicit way, exposing his true intentions. Chen Xing solidifies his image as a 'gentleman' by taking responsibility for the two disciples harmed earlier. His actions sow seeds of doubt about Duan Kong in Gu Li's mind and reveal the protagonist's manipulative nature through the danmu.
Chen Xing uses danmu to learn that Duan Kong plans to drug and frame Chi Panyu at Clear Spirit Cliff. He thwarts Duan Kong's plan and saves Chi Panyu, but not without some chaotic misunderstandings about his own intentions. This leads to Vice Sect Leader Chi (Chi Panyu's father) and Elder Chen (Chen Xing's grandfather) getting involved, with Elder Chen humorously suggesting a marriage alliance between Chen Xing and Chi Panyu.
The danmu reveal Elder Yao's plan to use his hypnotized disciple, Yao Siling, to target Chen Xing. Chen Xing cleverly uses his foresight to manipulate Yao Siling, making her believe he was poisoned by Duan Kong. He instructs her to retrieve an 'antidote' from Duan Kong, which turns out to be Elder Yao's poison pill antidote, further complicating the narrative and solidifying Chen Xing's manipulative but ultimately beneficial role.
Duan Kong attempts to drug Gu Li with Elder Yao's powerful aphrodisiac during the inner sect assessment, aiming to win her affection and steal the first-place position. Chen Xing intercepts, causing Duan Kong to accidentally drink his own concoction. This leads to a comedic and embarrassing scene where Duan Kong, under the influence, runs off with a spirit hound, further derailing the original plot and emphasizing Chen Xing's growing control over the narrative.
Yao Siling, after being unknowingly 'dual cultivated' with Chen Xing (via shared Golden Ginseng effects), gains her own consciousness and realizes Elder Yao has been using her as a human cultivation vessel. Her cultivation is unexpectedly enhanced by effects from the Golden Ginseng. She confronts Elder Yao, choosing to align with Chen Xing and paving the way for further revelations about Elder Yao's true nature.
Elder Yao attempts to substitute his new protégé, Long Xuantian, into the Inner Sect Assessment to win first place, and plans to unleash demons using the sect's dragon vein. Chen Xing, using the danmu, foresees these plots. He cleverly ensures Gu Li wins first place, avoiding becoming a target himself, and exposes Long Xuantian's arrogance during the assessment. Later, Chen Xing uses this knowledge to enter the Dragon Vein and steal the legendary Dragon Crystal, leaving Long Xuantian with dragon beast excrement.
The danmu reveal Elder Yao is an ancient demon fragment. Chen Xing, having crippled Long Xuantian and gained significant power, confronts Elder Yao as he attempts to unleash demons. Elder Yao, in a desperate move, banishes Chen Xing to the demon world. However, the demon world has been transformed by 'Three Hundred Nursery Rhymes' into a place of 'truth, goodness, and beauty,' leading to humorous misunderstandings and thwarting Elder Yao's plans for destruction.