Nonsense! How could the child I raised possibly be a villain?

Xu Lingguang, a modern office worker who died from overwork and resentment, awakens inside a half-buried coffin in a cultivation world. He discovers he has transmigrated into the body of the sect leader of Qingyu Sect, a minor and impoverished sect. The original owner, also named Xu Lingguang, had died half a month prior after his internal organs were shattered in a battle. Upon emerging, he is immediately confronted by a massive black serpent, which turns out to be his eldest disciple, Song Nanchu. Song Nanchu drags the unconscious Xu Lingguang back to the sect, where he is joined by two other disciples: the delicate-looking Yu Jun and the sharp-tongued Zhou Fuying. It is revealed that these three disciples were responsible for the original Xu Lingguang’s death, having schemed to kill him and bury him in an unfinished grave. However, the original sect leader’s life force was unusually tenacious, allowing him to crawl out of the coffin before being recaptured.

The new Xu Lingguang, unaware of the murder plot, pretends to have amnesia to navigate the dangerous situation. He learns that Qingyu Sect is in severe debt, with creditors and enemies blocking the mountain gates. The sect is also the target of various cultivators seeking a legendary treasure called the Jade Linzhi, which is rumored to enhance cultivation and extend lifespan. The original Xu Lingguang had died because he revealed a flaw while defending against these attackers. Xu Lingguang finds himself in a precarious position: his disciples are secretly plotting to kill him again, external enemies are waiting to ambush him for the treasure, and he is physically weakened with shattered meridians and no cultivation. Despite this, he manages to survive by using his modern knowledge and survival skills, such as foraging for food and cooking, which contrasts sharply with the original owner’s arrogant and aloof nature.

A key turning point occurs when Xu Lingguang ventures into the nearby Ailao Mountain, a forbidden land rumored to be inhabited by the Chenghuang, an ancient divine beast. He is pursued by cultivators seeking the Jade Linzhi, but they are terrified by the overwhelming pressure emanating from the mountain. A colossal silver-furred beast, the Chenghuang, appears and effortlessly kills the pursuing experts. Xu Lingguang, unconscious during the encounter, is spared and tossed beyond the mountain’s boundaries by the beast, who seems to recognize some latent connection or simply finds him unthreatening. This event leaves Xu Lingguang alive and unharmed, confusing his disciples who expected him to be dead.

Later, Xu Lingguang discovers Song Nanchu in a weakened, half-snake state after a monthly frenzy. Instead of exploiting the situation, he helps the disciple, leading to a tentative truce. Xu Lingguang continues to navigate the treacherous dynamics of the sect, hiding his true intentions while searching for a way to restore his strength and uncover the secrets of the Jade Linzhi. The story follows his struggle to survive in a world where his disciples are his greatest threat, and the ancient powers of Ailao Mountain loom in the background. As he adapts to his new life, he must balance the hostility of his disciples, the greed of external enemies, and the mysterious protection offered by the Chenghuang.

The narrative explores themes of survival, deception, and the hidden depths of the cultivation world. Xu Lingguang’s modern perspective allows him to approach problems differently, such as using chili powder as a weapon and finding value in mundane tasks like cooking. His interactions with Song Nanchu, Yu Jun, and Zhou Fuying reveal the complex and often hostile relationships within the sect. As the story progresses, Xu Lingguang begins to uncover more about the original owner’s past, the true nature of the Jade Linzhi, and the significance of the Chenghuang’s intervention. His journey is one of adaptation and resilience, as he seeks to turn his dire circumstances into an opportunity for growth and survival in a dangerous new world.