Lu Chen unexpectedly activates the Observer inheritance and discovers that the spiritual energy he absorbs is actually "sin."
He shines at the sect competition, earning the envy and frame-up of inner sect disciples.
While exploring an ancient ruin, he discovers evidence that the cultivation world is a "prison" created by someone.
He befriends Lin Mo and Su Qingyue, forming a team called the "Prison Breakers."
At the Golden Core stage, he sees through the true nature of the heavenly tribulation: a mechanism for measuring the concentration of sin.
Climax of the first volume: The sect's ancestor is actually a "jailer." To maintain the System, he seeks to kill the protagonist, leading to the battle that wipes out Qingyun Sect.
Ending twist: The ascension passage is actually a "purification furnace," and the memories of all who ascend are reset.
