Mojin: The Worm Valley (2018) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A cursed expedition pursues the Mu Chen Orb through lethal ruins, sacrifices companions, and discovers that the curse remains unresolved.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Curse And Hidden Destination

The inherited Ghost Eye Curse establishes the central threat. Hu Bayi and Professor Sun decode the Dragon Bone Celestial Tome and identify the missing Mu Chen Orb.

Key Events

• The Ghost Eye Curse — An ancient curse is imposed, killing afflicted people at forty and passing between generations. Location: Ancient Jingjue kingdom
• Dragon Bone Celestial Tome — The recovered tome contains clues to lifting the inherited curse. Characters: Hu Bayi, Professor Sun Location: Research setting
• The Orb's Location — Translation identifies the Mu Chen Orb inside Emperor Xian's Tomb. Characters: Hu Bayi, Professor Sun Location: Research setting
• Chen Yukou's Warning — Chen Yukou offers little help but warns them never to look into its eyes. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Chen Yukou Location: Chen Yukou's residence

Into The Worm Valley

The expedition reaches Yunnan and receives a warning from Chen Yukou. After meeting Cai Yun, the group enters the underground route with the Flamefly Queen.

Key Events

• Journey Toward Yunnan — The expedition group travels toward the ancient Longfeng Mountains. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Road to Yunnan
• The Stonebound Victim — The group encounters Chongshu, in which deadly insects infest and encase a person in stone. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Landslide near Yunnan
• Remote Hotel Shelter — The travelers meet Cai Yun and find temporary shelter at her isolated hotel. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan, Cai Yun Location: Cai Yun's remote hotel
• Flamefly Queen — The group learns that blind Flameflies follow the Queen and burn when they die. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan, Cai Yun Location: Outside the remote hotel
• The Hidden Waterway — The group receives a route to Worm Valley and a warning about toxic nighttime gas. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan, Cai Yun Location: Secret underground waterway

Creatures Beneath The Mountains

Carnivorous fish, Chongshu insects, and giant armored lizards attack the travelers. The group reaches the Floating Island and briefly recovers before continuing.

Key Events

• Carnivorous Fish Attack — The expedition encounters a school of carnivorous fish in the underground passage. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Underground waterway
• Insects From Stone — Deadly insects emerge from Chongshu hanging from the cave ceiling. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Cavern passage
• Armored Lizard Battle — The group battles giant armored lizards while racing against the approaching danger. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Worm Valley
• Floating Island Refuge — The exhausted group reaches the Floating Island and rests safely. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Floating Island

Death At The River Cemetery

The expedition crosses the Skull Flower Field and battles the Deathless Crab. Zhou Linglong dies, and Professor Sun separates from the group after arguing for retreat.

Key Events

• Skull Flower Field — The expedition crosses the dangerous Field of Skull Flowers toward the river cemetery. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Field of Skull Flowers
• Deathless Crab Encounter — The cemetery is guarded by the Huo Clan's Deathless Crab. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Cemetery by the river
• Crab Destroyed — Hu Bayi attracts the carnivorous fish, which devour the Deathless Crab. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: Cemetery by the river
• Linglong's Final Farewell — Mortally wounded Zhou Linglong dies, and her friends send her body downriver in an empty coffin. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Zhou Linglong, Wang Kaixuan Location: River cemetery
• The Group Splits — Professor Sun urges retreat, but Hu Bayi insists on continuing; Professor Sun leaves in tears. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Wang Kaixuan Location: Route beyond the cemetery

The Serpent And The Sacrifice

The remaining members reach Emperor Xian's Tomb and obtain the Mu Chen Orb. Professor Sun returns during the final battle and sacrifices himself to destroy the serpent from within.

Key Events

• Climb Up Bone Ladder — Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan, and their remaining companion climb toward the Golden Palace. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan Location: Bone Ladder
• Scorpions Guard The Orb — The group battles monstrous scorpions to reach the Mu Chen Orb. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan Location: Golden Palace
• The Bells Awaken The Serpent — Taking the Orb triggers palace bells, disorients the group, and reveals the enormous serpent. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan Location: Emperor Xian's Tomb
• Defiance Before The Serpent — Hu Bayi rejects submission and urges his companions to fight the serpent. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan Location: Golden Palace
• Flameflies Enter The Serpent — Professor Sun catches the Queen, enters the serpent's mouth, and sends the Flameflies inside. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Professor Sun, Wang Kaixuan Location: Mountain behind the tomb
• Mountain Flood And Escape — The dying serpent destroys the mountain, unleashing water as the survivors flee. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan Location: Crumbling mountain
• The Curse Continues — The survivors honor the dead, reunite the relics, and discover a clue to another adventure instead of a cure. Characters: Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang, Wang Kaixuan Location: Home

Story Breakdown

• Inherited Curse — The ancient curse establishes the expedition's urgent purpose.
  • Ghost Eye Curse — The curse kills afflicted people at forty and passes through generations.
  • Relic Solution — The Dragon Bone Celestial Tome and Mu Chen Orb are believed necessary to lift the curse.
• Tomb Destination — Translation work directs the team toward Emperor Xian's Tomb.
  • Ancient Translation — Hu Bayi and Professor Sun translate most of the Dragon Bone Celestial Tome.
  • Forbidden Warning — Chen Yukou warns the travelers never to look into its eyes.
• Valley Entrance — The expedition reaches Yunnan and finds a hidden route into Worm Valley.
  • Hotel Refuge — Cai Yun provides a remote stopping place for the traveling group.
  • Flamefly Knowledge — The group learns that Flameflies follow the Queen and burn when they die.
• Underground Perils — The route exposes the travelers to increasingly dangerous creatures and environmental threats.
  • Carnivorous Fish — A school of carnivorous fish attacks the group in the underground passage.
  • Armored Lizards — Giant armored lizards force the group into a desperate struggle.
• Cost Of Progress — The expedition survives the cemetery but loses a companion and fractures over its goal.
  • Crab Guardian — Hu Bayi uses the carnivorous fish to destroy the Deathless Crab.
  • Linglong's Death — Zhou Linglong dies from wounds sustained during the cemetery battle.
• Golden Palace Climax — The remaining expedition members retrieve the Orb and confront the serpent beneath the tomb.
  • Orb Retrieved — The group fights monstrous scorpions and takes the Mu Chen Orb.
  • Serpent Defeated — Professor Sun sacrifices himself by carrying the Flameflies into the serpent's mouth.
• Unresolved Aftermath — The survivors return home, honor the dead, and find that their quest continues.
  • Final Respects — The group retrieves Linglong's body and pays final respects to fallen comrades.
  • Next Adventure — The reunited relics point toward another adventure instead of lifting the curse.

Directed by

Xing Fei

Key Cast

• Cai Heng — Hu Bayi
• Gu Xuan — Shirley Yang
• Yu Heng — Wang Kaixuan
• Zhang Luyao — Empress Jing Jue
• Cheng Taishen — Professor Sun