Chapter Summaries

After subduing the Ginseng Fruit Tree, Hun Xiu sought the Book of Humanity in the Netherworld and met Meng Po, who recognized that he was not the real Haotian. The chapter ended with Meng Po fearing Hun Xiu’s unfathomable power as he challenged her certainty.

• Hun Xiu examined the Book of Earth and decided to obtain the Book of Humanity, the Book of Life and Death.
• Hun Xiu appeared at the River of Forgetfulness, where Meng Po was stirring her soup.
• Meng Po mistook Hun Xiu for Haotian, then insisted that Haotian had died in the Six Paths of Reincarnation and that Hun Xiu was an impostor.
• Meng Po admitted she could not identify Hun Xiu but remained certain he was not Haotian.
• Hun Xiu warned Meng Po about provoking his anger, and she feared she could not withstand his power.

Hun Xiu took Meng Po out of the Netherworld in exchange for the Book of Humanity, freeing Houtu from the Six Paths’ constraints and restoring her youthful appearance. Houtu admired the outside world while Hun Xiu teased her, and she rejected his suggestion that she become his woman.

• Hun Xiu told Meng Po he had come to the Netherworld for the Book of Humanity, and Meng Po offered it if he could help her leave the Netherworld.
• Meng Po explained that her role as master of the Six Paths of Reincarnation bound her to the Netherworld, and Hun Xiu agreed to take her outside in exchange for the book.
• Hun Xiu helped Meng Po step out of the Netherworld, where she transformed into her true appearance as Empress Pingxin Houtu.
• Houtu breathed in the Three Realms’ air and explained that the Netherworld’s constraints had made her look old inside it.
• Hun Xiu called Houtu pretty but said she was not yet good enough to become his woman, and Houtu denied wanting to be with him.

Hun Xiu received the genuine Book of Humanity from Houtu in exchange for freeing her from the Netherworld, while warning her not to commit evil. Hongjun discovered that the Three Realms had changed beyond the Heavenly Dao’s plans and began watching Hun Xiu, as Houtu headed for Beiju Luzhou and Eastern Sovereign Taiyi kept his new Demon Court cautious.

• Houtu gave Hun Xiu the genuine Book of Humanity, and he severed its connection to her.
• Hun Xiu warned Houtu not to do evil in the Three Realms, then left; Houtu set off for Beiju Luzhou to see the Demon Tribe.
• Hongjun sensed Houtu had escaped the Netherworld, discovered that Haotian, the Ancestral Dragon, and Eastern Sovereign Taiyi had returned, and traced the changes to Hun Xiu.
• Hun Xiu realized Hongjun had noticed him and chose to wait rather than act while Hongjun watched for an opportunity.
• Eastern Sovereign Taiyi established a Demon Court in Beiju Luzhou and kept it low-profile to avoid provoking the Heavenly Court.

Houtu went to Beiju Luzhou and fought Eastern Sovereign Taiyi, but Ghost Chariot and Nine Infants joined him and overwhelmed her. Hun Xiu intervened to save Houtu, then left when she refused to abandon her fight against Eastern Sovereign Taiyi.

• Houtu found the Demon Court in Beiju Luzhou and was shocked to discover that Eastern Sovereign Taiyi was alive.
• Houtu and Eastern Sovereign Taiyi fought, and Ghost Chariot and Nine Infants joined the battle on Eastern Sovereign Taiyi’s side.
• Ghost Chariot and Nine Infants helped Eastern Sovereign Taiyi defeat Houtu and nearly suppress her.
• Hun Xiu appeared and dispelled the trio’s attacks, then asked Eastern Sovereign Taiyi to give him face; Eastern Sovereign Taiyi agreed.
• Hun Xiu urged Houtu to leave, but she refused, so Hun Xiu left and stopped involving himself in her affairs.

Houtu discovered that the Earth Dao would not let her leave the Netherworld without Hun Xiu, so she summoned King Qin Guang to invite him back. On the Journey to the West, Zhu Bajie took over the third fight with the White Bone Spirit and secretly let her lead him away.

• Houtu returned to the Netherworld, regained her Saint-level strength there, and transformed into Meng Po when she tried to leave.
• Houtu was stopped by the Earth Dao at the Netherworld’s border and concluded that only Hun Xiu could take her out.
• Tang Xuanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Seng continued their journey after passing Five Villages Temple, and Sun Wukong resumed striking demons.
• The White Bone Spirit appeared in her true form with a three-foot azure blade, and Zhu Bajie volunteered to fight her while Sun Wukong stepped aside.
• Zhu Bajie held back as he fought the White Bone Spirit, who retreated into the distance, and Sun Wukong and Sha Seng watched them go.

Zhu Bajie lured the White Bone Spirit to a deserted place and tried to force himself on her, but Grand Master Xuandu appeared and stopped him. Xuandu beat and berated his terrified disciple for disgracing Renjiao, leaving Zhu Bajie pleading for forgiveness.

• Sun Wukong prepared to help Zhu Bajie, but Sha Seng persuaded him to stay behind in case the fight was a trap.
• Zhu Bajie drove the White Bone Spirit to a deserted area, pinned her with his rake, and tried to force himself on her.
• The White Bone Spirit cried for help, and Grand Master Xuandu appeared behind Zhu Bajie and stopped him.
• Zhu Bajie recognized his master, knelt, and apologized after Xuandu confronted him.
• Xuandu slapped and kicked Zhu Bajie, scolding him for disgracing Renjiao's third-generation disciples.

Xuandu punished Zhu Bajie for disgracing himself and Renjiao, then took White Bone Spirit away. Dao Ancestor Hongjun became intrigued by the hidden force manipulating the Three Realms, while Xuandu reported to Hun Xiu that he was deeply disappointed in his disciple.

• Xuandu beat Zhu Bajie, warned him to behave or face expulsion from Renjiao, and left with White Bone Spirit.
• Zhu Bajie returned to Sun Wukong and Sha Seng, claiming he had subdued the female demon after a fierce battle, and the group continued westward.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun tracked Xuandu but lost him, then resolved to find the powerful figure manipulating the Three Realms and challenge him.
• Xuandu met Hun Xiu in the void and told him he had seen Tianpeng and was profoundly disappointed in what Zhu Bajie had become.

Hun Xiu summoned the Grand Supreme Saint and compelled him to provide his incarnation, Grand Supreme Elder, to intervene in the Lotus Flower Cave trial. Grand Supreme Elder arrived at the cave before Tang Xuanzang’s group and met Golden Horn and Silver Horn, who feared their comfortable life as demons was ending.

• Xuandu asked Hun Xiu whether the other Xuandu would care about Tianpeng, and Hun Xiu explained that he had gone into Chaos with the Taishang Saint.
• Hun Xiu decided to interfere in the Pingding Mountain trial and summoned the Grand Supreme Saint using the Investiture of the Gods List.
• Hun Xiu threatened the Grand Supreme Saint until he agreed to hand over his incarnation, Grand Supreme Elder.
• Hun Xiu gave Grand Supreme Elder memories and sent him to Lotus Flower Cave.
• Golden Horn and Silver Horn heard Grand Supreme Elder call them, hurried to the cave entrance, and respectfully greeted their master.

Grand Supreme Elder told Golden Horn and Silver Horn to seriously challenge Tang Xuanzang’s party, but when he later arrived at Lotus Flower Cave, the two demons mistook him for an impostor. The chapter ended with Grand Supreme Elder taking the Purple Gold Gourd while Golden Horn angrily demanded it back.

• Grand Supreme Elder reminded Golden Horn and Silver Horn that Tang Xuanzang’s party was nearing Pingding Mountain and urged them to give the Scripture Pilgrim a serious beating.
• Golden Horn and Silver Horn took the trial seriously, forcing Sun Wukong to seek Guanyin’s help after the group suffered against them.
• Guanyin directed Sun Wukong to Tushita Palace, and Grand Supreme Elder went with him to Lotus Flower Cave.
• Golden Horn and Silver Horn mistook Grand Supreme Elder for a fake master and refused to release Tang Xuanzang.
• Golden Horn aimed the Purple Gold Gourd at Grand Supreme Elder, who took the gourd from him; Golden Horn shouted angrily for it back.

Grand Supreme Elder reclaimed Golden Horn and Silver Horn’s treasures, but they remained convinced he was an impostor. After Sun Wukong reassured Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing that Grand Supreme Elder was genuine, Golden Horn called for his master to save them.

• Golden Horn used the Golden Rope against Grand Supreme Elder, who reclaimed it with ease.
• Silver Horn tried the Mutton-Fat Jade Pure Vase and the Plantain Fan, but Grand Supreme Elder took both treasures from him.
• Grand Supreme Elder demanded that Golden Horn and Silver Horn invite their master, while they continued to accuse him of being an impostor.
• Grand Supreme Elder’s pressure forced Golden Horn and Silver Horn to their knees, but they still refused to recognize him.
• Sun Wukong assured Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing that Grand Supreme Elder was the real one, and Golden Horn called for his master to save them.

Golden Horn and Silver Horn encountered two indistinguishable Grand Supreme Elders, while Hun Xiu and Dao Patriarch Hongjun confirmed that both were real. Dao Patriarch Hongjun summoned the Six Saints to show them the mystery, leaving them looking to Grand Supreme Saint for an explanation.

• Golden Horn and Silver Horn called for their master, and a second Grand Supreme Elder emerged from Lotus Flower Cave and freed them from the real Grand Supreme Elder’s pressure.
• Golden Horn and Silver Horn complained to the newcomer that the other Grand Supreme Elder had bullied them and taken their magic treasures.
• Grand Supreme Elder, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing were stunned by the flawless double, and the real Grand Supreme Elder briefly doubted whether he was the impostor.
• Hun Xiu showed the two Grand Supreme Elders to the Host of Immortals in High Cloud Palace and declared that both were real.
• Dao Patriarch Hongjun failed to distinguish between the two even with the Heavenly Dao, then summoned the Six Saints and showed them the projection.
• The Six Saints recognized both Grand Supreme Elders as real and turned to Grand Supreme Saint, wondering why he had appeared in the affairs of the Three Realms.

Two identical Grand Supreme Elders fought at Flat-Top Mountain, each accusing the other of impersonation, while the Saints suspected the Grand Supreme Saint was involved. Unable to defeat one another, the two headed into Chaos to find the Grand Supreme Saint, leaving Sun Wukong curious about who he was.

• The Grand Supreme Saint denied creating the second Grand Supreme Elder, but the other Saints did not believe him.
• At Flat-Top Mountain, the two Grand Supreme Elders accused each other of impersonation and began fighting.
• Golden Horn and Silver Horn watched the battle but could not tell which Grand Supreme Elder was their master.
• Sun Wukong admired the Grand Supreme Elders’ power, while Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing privately dismissed his confidence.
• After realizing neither could defeat the other, the Grand Supreme Elder challenged his double to go into Chaos and find the Grand Supreme Saint, and both departed.
• Sun Wukong wondered who the Grand Supreme Saint was.

Sun Wukong asked whether the Grand Supreme Saint was stronger than him, while Zhu Bajie flattered him and Sha Wujing stayed silent. In Purple Cloud Palace, Dao Ancestor Hongjun declared that both Grand Supreme Elders were real, leaving the Grand Supreme Saint insisting that one had to be fake.

• Sun Wukong asked Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing whether the Grand Supreme Saint was stronger than him, and Zhu Bajie praised Sun Wukong as invincible beneath heaven.
• The two Grand Supreme Elders argued in Chaos until an invisible hand seized them and brought them before Dao Ancestor Hongjun and the Six Saints in Purple Cloud Palace.
• The Six Saints and the Grand Supreme Saint examined the two Grand Supreme Elders but could not distinguish between them.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun declared that neither Grand Supreme Elder was fake and that both were real.
• The Grand Supreme Saint protested that he had only one incarnation and begged Dao Ancestor Hongjun to investigate and reveal the truth.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun tried to identify which of two identical Grand Supreme Elders was fake by restraining one and searching his soul, but the memories looked genuine. When the other Grand Supreme Elder fled and was caught, Grand Supreme Saint searched his soul, leaving All Saints stunned by what the memories revealed.

• Dao Ancestor Hongjun restrained one Grand Supreme Elder and demanded to know who was behind him.
• The restrained Grand Supreme Elder claimed Grand Supreme Saint was behind him, while Grand Supreme Saint denied knowing him.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun searched the restrained Grand Supreme Elder's soul, but the memories revealed nothing unusual and seemed to prove he was real.
• The other Grand Supreme Elder tried to flee, so Dao Ancestor Hongjun restrained him as well.
• Grand Supreme Saint searched the second Grand Supreme Elder's soul, and the projected memories shocked All Saints.

After the Grand Supreme Elder tribulation ended, Guanyin and Manjushri prepared for the Wuji Kingdom tribulation, where Manjushri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate appeared and challenged Manjushri Bodhisattva. Manjushri called Guanyin to help defeat his powerful double, who remained confident as the two Bodhisattvas confronted him.

• Dao Ancestor Hongjun erased the Grand Supreme Elder in Purple Cloud Palace and sent the Saints away, then suspected Taishang was behind the affair.
• The Grand Supreme Elder returned to Flat-Top Mountain, took Golden Horn and Silver Horn away, and the tribulation ended as Tang Xuanzang's group continued west.
• Manjushri Bodhisattva secretly joined Guanyin in preparing for the Wuji Kingdom tribulation, determined to stop anyone from causing trouble.
• Manjusri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate appeared as Manjushri Bodhisattva was about to take away the Azure Lion Demon, and the two fought to a standstill.
• Manjushri Bodhisattva asked Guanyin for help, and Guanyin joined the fight while Manjusri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate remained confident.

Manjusri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate and Cihang confronted their Bodhisattva counterparts before an invisible hand seized all four Quasi-Saints and brought them to a mysterious place. Hun Xiu, who had secretly captured them, drew Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s suspicion, while black chains began binding Manjusri Bodhisattva and draining his dharma power.

• Manjusri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate summoned Cihang, revealing her to Guanyin Bodhisattva and Manjusri Bodhisattva as another impostor.
• The Saints watched the confrontation, but Primeval Lord of Heaven could not tell which versions of Manjusri and Guanyin were real.
• An invisible giant hand seized Manjusri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate, Cihang, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and Guanyin Bodhisattva, then vanished without a trace.
• Daoist Zhunti, Daoist Jieyin, the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and Dao Ancestor Hongjun failed to discover who had taken the four Quasi-Saints.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun suspected Haotian, played by Hun Xiu, and began watching him; Hun Xiu sensed the scrutiny and revealed that he had captured the four.
• In the mysterious void, black chains bound Manjusri Bodhisattva and drained his dharma power, prompting him to call to Guanyin Bodhisattva for help.

Hun Xiu’s return of Guanyin and Manjushri drew Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s suspicion, but his investigation found no signs of tampering. Later, Daoist Zhunti confronted Hun Xiu in Chaos about Haotian’s identity and tested him with a sudden attack, which Hun Xiu effortlessly stopped.

• Hun Xiu transformed Manjusri Guangfa Heavenly Venerate and Daoist Cihang into Manjushri and Guanyin, then sent them back to the Three Realms.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun seized the returned Guanyin and Manjushri, searched their souls, and found no evidence that they were false or altered.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun returned Guanyin and Manjushri to the Three Realms and ordered Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin to watch them closely.
• Daoist Zhunti sent a projection to Tathagata, who invited Hun Xiu to meet Zhunti in Chaos; Hun Xiu accepted and went there.
• Daoist Zhunti accused Hun Xiu of being resurrected and replacing Haotian, then attacked him to test his strength.
• Hun Xiu caught Daoist Zhunti’s wrist and rebuked him for attacking without warning.

Hun Xiu easily defeated Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin, then revealed that Daoist Ancestor Hongjun had been hiding nearby. After Hun Xiu challenged Hongjun’s claim of invincibility, Hongjun attacked him, and Chaos began to shake under the force.

• Hun Xiu blocked Daoist Zhunti’s full-force attack and repelled Daoist Jieyin’s assault with an invisible barrier, leaving Jieyin injured.
• Hun Xiu flung Daoist Zhunti away, then called for the hidden onlookers to reveal themselves.
• The Grand Supreme Saint, Primeval Lord of Heaven, Sect Master Tongtian, and Saint Nuwa appeared, followed by Daoist Ancestor Hongjun.
• Hun Xiu slapped Daoist Zhunti away when he interrupted, but Hongjun remained calm and praised Hun Xiu’s strength.
• Hun Xiu rejected Hongjun’s claim of invincibility, and Hongjun attacked as Chaos began to boil and shake.

Hun Xiu easily stopped Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor's attack and wounded him, then left for the Three Realms after warning All Saints not to provoke him. In Purple Cloud Palace, Hongjun realized that the fake Haotian was the mastermind behind the scenes and feared how vastly the being outmatched him.

• Hun Xiu halted Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor's assault with one palm strike and made him spit blood.
• Hun Xiu spared Hongjun and All Saints, warned them not to provoke him, and departed into Chaos.
• Hun Xiu returned to the Three Realms and decided to step out of the shadows and throw the realm into turmoil.
• Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, questioned All Saints about Haotian, but they admitted they knew nothing about the impostor.
• Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, recognized Haotian as the mastermind and trembled at the overwhelming power he had sensed.

Two Sun Wukongs fought their way to the South Heaven Gate, where the real Sun Wukong attacked its guardian Kunpeng. The Six-Eared Macaque, revealed as Tathagata’s pawn, recognized Kunpeng’s power, and Kunpeng retaliated against Sun Wukong.

• Dao Ancestor Hongjun doubted whether he was truly invincible after encountering Hun Xiu, then withdrew his ominous gaze from the All Saints.
• Tathagata arranged for the Six-Eared Macaque to replace the true Sun Wukong because he believed Sun Wukong could not be controlled by the Buddhist Sect.
• The true Sun Wukong and the Six-Eared Macaque fought across the Three Realms and headed to the Heavenly Court to use its Monster-Revealing Mirror.
• Kunpeng stopped the two monkeys at the South Heaven Gate, and Sun Wukong struck Kunpeng’s head with his Ruyi Golden Cudgel.
• The Six-Eared Macaque recognized Kunpeng and feared for Sun Wukong, while Kunpeng unleashed a magical storm and Sun Wukong swung his staff at it.