Li Yan is an ordinary college student, but an ancient primordial code flows through his blood, unbeknownst even to him. When spiritual qi revival begins and the phantoms of Shan Hai beasts appear across the world's skies, he is swept into a vast game of strategy spanning countless ages. The Zhulong pattern that appears in his left eye grants him authority over the ancient “Old Spirits,” but it is also a sacrificial shackle placed on him by ancient gods and demons, one he cannot escape.
From the blood-red altar of Kunlun Ruins to the City of All Spirits at the Gate of Guixu, Li Yan stands alongside companions like Su Yao, burdened by the destiny of the Nine-Tailed Fox, and Ao Hai, a descendant of the Dragon Clan. Together, they fight the greedy Spirit Seekers' Association, the mysterious Penglai Capital, and the conservative remnants of the Celestial Court. He gradually discovers that the power of Zhulong within him is the only key to opening Guixu. Deep within Guixu lie the ultimate truth and legacy of the previous civilization's struggle against the “World Devourers” beyond the stars.
As the shadow of the World Devourers once again looms over the stars, Li Yan faces his ultimate choice: follow his destiny and merge with the Dao, becoming an impassive guardian deity, or wield divine power with a mortal heart and forge an unprecedented path? He weaves together the power of Zhulong, modern technology, Awakened people across the world, and the will of the Old Spirits, forging a living defensive network called “Shanhai” that encompasses the globe.
This is a war fought on Earth as its chessboard, with civilization as the stake. In the end, he understands that the true “Shanhai” is not the divine power to move mountains and fill the seas, but the undying will of billions of ordinary lives united to protect “tomorrow.” When divinity fades and legends settle into history, the vow to protect will be carried on by new sparks
