Chapter Summaries

Xuan Yang told Nuwa, Taiqing, Tongtian, and Houtu that Hongjun planned to use the Investiture of the Gods to weaken the Human Race by replacing its Human Emperor with a Heavenly Dao-backed “Son of Heaven.” The four Saints reacted with shock and fury, and Nuwa asked Xuan Yang what he planned to do.

• Xuan Yang welcomed Nuwa, Taiqing, Tongtian, and Houtu to Grand Xuan Palace and explained that Hongjun’s decree concerned the Investiture of the Gods.
• Xuan Yang said Hongjun intended to fill Heavenly Court’s vacant divine positions and strengthen Heavenly Dao’s control over the Primordial Wilderness.
• Xuan Yang revealed that Hongjun would support a force to overthrow the current Human Emperor and establish a ruler called the “Son of Heaven.”
• Xuan Yang explained that the new title would make human rulers depend on Heaven and allow Heavenly Dao to siphon away Human Race destiny.
• Tongtian, Houtu, Nuwa, and Taiqing expressed anger and alarm at Hongjun’s plan.
• Nuwa asked Xuan Yang what he intended to do about the scheme.

Yang Jian arrived in time to save Shen Gongbao from the Chan Sect’s Eleven Golden Immortals and revealed overwhelming strength by shattering their sealing array. After the Golden Immortals fled, Yang Jian reassured Shen Gongbao and said they would no longer hold back against the Chan Sect as they returned to the Great Shang camp.

• Yang Jian appeared above Shen Gongbao and stopped the Jade Purity Demon Sealing Array from advancing.
• Guangchengzi ordered the Eleven Golden Immortals to attack Yang Jian, but Yang Jian split their array with one strike.
• The array’s backlash injured all eleven Golden Immortals, who fled toward Kunlun Mountain after Yang Jian told them to scram.
• Shen Gongbao thanked Yang Jian for saving him, and Yang Jian said Grand Xuan Palace had not abandoned him.
• Yang Jian told Shen Gongbao they would stop holding back against the Chan Sect, and the two flew toward the Great Shang military camp.

Hongyun refused Zhunti and Jieyin’s pleas for his seat, allowing Hongjun’s sermon to proceed without a fight. While the sermon continued, Xuan Yang and Wangshu grew closer and finally became a couple.

• Hongyun stood firm against Zhunti and Jieyin, who gave up and sat in other seats rather than fight him and Zhen Yangzi.
• Hongjun appeared at Purple Cloud Palace and began preaching the Dao of immortals to the gathered cultivators.
• Chang Xi and Xi He suspected Hongyun had Xuan Yang’s diary, while Di Jun and Taiyi decided to watch him for any threat to their brother.
• Over the years, Xuan Yang and Wangshu spent more time alone together, and their intimate interactions became increasingly deliberate.
• Wangshu visited Xuan Yang on the Sun Star with wine, and the two drank together before their feelings culminated in them becoming a couple.

Queen Mother of the West decided to seek Xuan Yang’s help with the looming question of establishing the Immortal Court, while Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi set out to befriend him. After another thousand years, Di Jun and Taiyi prepared to leave the Sun Star and asked Xuan Yang for a new way to earn merit.

• Queen Mother of the West worried that she might be forced to establish the Immortal Court with East King Duke and decided to ask Xuan Yang for advice.
• Queen Mother of the West dressed carefully, gathered Peaches of Immortality, and flew toward the Sun Star to win Xuan Yang’s friendship.
• Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun agreed to visit Xuan Yang with Ginseng Fruits and set off for the Sun Star.
• A thousand years later, Di Jun and Taiyi grew restless and discussed leaving the Sun Star to explore the Primordial Wilderness.
• Taiyi said he missed earning merit, and Di Jun suggested asking Xuan Yang for a new method before they departed.

Primordial Lord of Heaven refused Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s order to let the Western Sect’s crimes go and attacked Zhunti and Jieyin again at the gates of Purple Cloud Palace. Hongjun finally showed anger at Yuanshi’s defiance, with the killing blow descending and the Dao Ancestor poised to intervene.

• Hongjun ordered Primordial Lord of Heaven to put away the Pangu Banner, declared the Karma settled, and told him to withdraw.
• Zhunti and Jieyin celebrated Hongjun’s ruling, while Primordial Lord of Heaven protested that his disciples had been murdered through the Western Sect’s schemes.
• Zhunti and Jieyin accused Yuanshi of defying Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao, intensifying his rage.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven vowed to kill Zhunti and Jieyin even if Hongjun opposed him, then unleashed a Heaven-Opening Blade attack with the Pangu Banner.
• Zhunti and Jieyin screamed for Hongjun to save them, and Hongjun grew angry at Yuanshi’s open defiance.

Hongjun stopped Primordial Lord of Heaven from attacking Zhunti and Jieyin, stripped him of his treasures, and imprisoned him for ten thousand years. After Primordial Lord of Heaven demanded that the Western sages be punished too, Hongjun confined Zhunti and Jieyin to the Western Pure Land, barring them from the East except at a critical moment in the Tribulation.

• Hongjun shattered Primordial Lord of Heaven’s Chaos Sword Qi, took the Pangu Banner, and halted his attack on Zhunti and Jieyin.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven summoned the Four Immortal Slaying Swords, but Hongjun subdued them and severed their connection to him.
• Hongjun forced Primordial Lord of Heaven to kneel, sealed his power, confiscated his treasures, and sentenced him to confinement for ten thousand years.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven protested that Zhunti and Jieyin should also be punished, and Hongjun agreed that the Western sages shared responsibility.
• Hongjun confined Zhunti and Jieyin to the Western Pure Land and forbade them from entering the East except at a critical moment in the Tribulation.

After fifty thousand years of peace, Tongtian broke through to the Middle Stage Golden Immortal of the Origin and surpassed Yuanshi and Laozi in pure strength. Yuanshi and Laozi later advanced to the late stage of Quasi-Saint, but Yuanshi remained troubled by Tongtian’s progress and failed to comprehend the Hongmeng Purple Qi.

• Tongtian advanced to the Middle Stage Golden Immortal of the Origin and demonstrated the overwhelming power of his formations and sword arrays.
• Laozi recognized that Tongtian had become the strongest of the three brothers in pure strength, while Yuanshi grew resentful and returned to cultivation.
• After another fifty thousand years, Yuanshi and Laozi broke through together to the late stage of Quasi-Saint.
• Yuanshi discovered that Tongtian’s understanding of the Laws of Formations and the Sword had greatly improved, leaving him likely to catch up further.
• Yuanshi tried to comprehend the Hongmeng Purple Qi but made no progress and sighed in frustration.

True Man Taiyi secretly used the Xuanyuan Universe Bow to kill Empress Shi Ji and frame Nezha, while three Saints concealed the plot from Xuan Yang. The murder reached Biyou Palace, where Tongtian recognized the arrow and its connection to Chentang Pass.

• True Man Taiyi drew the Xuanyuan Universe Bow, cloaked the Sky Shaking Arrow in an aura resembling Nezha’s, and fired it toward White Bone Cave.
• The arrow struck Empress Shi Ji before she could react, destroying her body and Nascent Soul and sending her True Spirit toward the Investiture of the Gods Platform.
• Xuan Yang sensed something was wrong and found that Primordial Lord of Heaven, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and Western Jieyin had sealed the heavenly secrets.
• After the concealment lifted, Xuan Yang noticed the karmic link between Chentang Pass and Skull Mountain and recognized the scheme to shift blame.
• Cloud Boy Bi Yun brought Shi Ji’s bloodied arrow to Biyou Palace and told Tongtian that his master had been murdered.
• Tongtian examined the arrow and identified its connection to Chentang Pass and the Xuanyuan Bow.

After Hongjun imprisoned Primordial Lord of Heaven and grounded the Two Sages of the West, the Human Path and the Underworld saw an opening in the Investiture of the Gods Great Tribulation. Tongtian resolved to strengthen his alliance with the Human Path, just as the Six-Eared Macaque arrived at Biyou Palace seeking an audience.

• The mighty figures of the Primordial World sensed Hongjun's decree and reacted to Primordial Lord of Heaven's imprisonment and the Two Sages of the West being grounded.
• At Grand Xuan Palace, Chang Xi, Xi He, and Wangshu discussed Primordial's downfall and agreed that his choices had led to his disgrace.
• Nuwa assessed the weakened Heavenly Dao faction and planned to turn the Human Path's advantage into a lasting victory.
• At Pangu Hall, Houtu ordered the Underworld to mistreat the souls of Western Sect disciples and help push them into the remaining tribulation.
• Tongtian mourned Yuanshi's fate, resolved to cooperate more closely with the Human Path, and received word that the Six-Eared Macaque requested an audience.

After Xuan Yang and Nuwa returned to Empress Wa's Palace, they discussed Hongjun’s next moves and the damage dealt to his allies. Xuan Yang proposed two ways to counter him, including creating Saints through the Human Path, but Nuwa doubted either path would be easy.

• Nuwa thanked Xuan Yang for protecting her and the Human Race and for forcing Hongjun to retreat.
• Xuan Yang explained that his Law of Strength had crippled Zhunti, while Nuwa had severely injured Jieyin and Mount Sumeru had been destroyed.
• Xuan Yang said the Two Sages of the West could not interfere in Eastern affairs for a long time, disrupting Hongjun’s plans for the Investiture of the Gods Great Tribulation.
• Xuan Yang warned Nuwa that defense would not be enough and laid out two paths: strengthen their faction or make the Human Path produce Saints.
• Nuwa questioned whether either path was realistically achievable.

After the Chan Sect’s Golden Immortals abandoned West Qi, Jiang Ziya struggled to hold the city against Wen Zhong’s relentless attacks while the defenders suffered heavy losses. Ji Chang confronted Jiang Ziya over the missing reinforcements, realized the immortals had fled, and left Jiang Ziya to face West Qi’s approaching fall with only a faint hope.

• Jiang Ziya watched the Shang forces attack Xi Qi City, where the Mo Family Four Generals overwhelmed Nangong Shi and shattered Jiang Ziya’s strike with the Flower Fox Sable.
• Wen Zhong withdrew the Shang army after a night of fighting, leaving Xi Qi’s walls covered in bodies and its defenders exhausted.
• Ji Chang asked Jiang Ziya when the Kunlun immortals would arrive, and Jiang Ziya could not answer.
• Ji Chang accused the Chan Sect of abandoning West Qi and condemned its claims of Heaven’s Mandate before dismissing Jiang Ziya.
• Jiang Ziya left the Marquis’s Mansion knowing West Qi’s people had lost hope, but resolved to keep standing for the faint possibility of help.

Nuwa and Fuxi, then Di Jun and Taiyi, worried that East King Gong’s campaign against the Dragon Race could let him become a Saint and threaten the Demon Race. Xuan Yang’s diary revealed his suspicion that Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao were using East King Gong and the Destiny Dao Method to spark another war, leaving the Demon Race caught in their scheme.

• Nuwa asked Fuxi about East King Gong’s plans, and Fuxi warned that the weakened Dragon Race might not stop him from becoming a Saint.
• Di Jun and Taiyi debated whether the Demon Race should intervene to protect the Dragon Race, knowing that doing so could start a war with the Immortal Court.
• Di Jun and Taiyi sensed that Xuan Yang’s diary had updated and joined the other Diary Owners in reading it.
• Xuan Yang suspected Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao had enabled East King Gong to comprehend the Hongmeng Purple Qi and seek the Destiny Dao Method.
• Xuan Yang explained that the Destiny Dao Method could let East King Gong unite the Primordial Wilderness, and suspected the resulting conflict would serve Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao’s plan to weaken the Witch Tribe.

Xuan Yang infiltrated Kunlun Mountain inside the Chaos Bead and witnessed Primordial Lord of Heaven tell the Twelve Golden Immortals that their names were on the Investiture of the Gods List. Primordial Lord of Heaven sent them to recruit disciples to face the tribulation in their stead, and Xuan Yang prepared to act against their plan.

• Xuan Yang concealed himself inside the Chaos Bead and entered Kunlun Mountain without Primordial Lord of Heaven detecting him.
• Xuan Yang discovered that the Twelve Golden Immortals had found Jiang Ziya but could not locate Shen Gongbao, whom Xuan Yang had taken.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven told the Twelve Golden Immortals that all their names were on the Investiture of the Gods List.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven ordered the Twelve Golden Immortals to descend the mountain and recruit disciples to take their places in the tribulation.
• The Twelve Golden Immortals left to find disciples, while Xuan Yang watched and prepared to make his move.

Hongjun summoned Xuan Yang to a Heavenly Court meeting, but Xuan Yang recognized the Investiture of the Gods as a scheme to subjugate the Human Race and replace the Human Emperor with the Son of Heaven. He destroyed Hongjun’s decree and sent invitations to four allies, setting the stage for a major confrontation.

• Hongjun’s Heavenly Dao decree summoned Xuan Yang to a meeting at the Hall of Miraculous Clouds in a hundred years.
• Xuan Yang saw that the Investiture of the Gods would undermine the Human Race and vowed not to let Hongjun’s plan succeed.
• Xuan Yang crushed Hongjun’s decree and told Chang Xi, Xi He, and Wangshu that they would hold a meeting of their own.
• Xuan Yang sent golden messages to Empress Wa’s Palace, the Netherworld Blood Sea, Biyou Palace, and Eight Views Palace.

Xuan Yang secretly watched Jiang Ziya’s arduous journey toward Kunlun Mountain while waiting for Shen Gongbao to appear. When Shen Gongbao finally approached, Xuan Yang decided to intercept him before he could meet Jiang Ziya and take control of the fated encounter.

• Xuan Yang observed Jiang Ziya survive the dangerous journey from Chaoge toward Kunlun Mountain through the protection of his destiny.
• Jiang Ziya crossed into West Qi as Xuan Yang searched in vain for Shen Gongbao for several months.
• Xuan Yang sensed Shen Gongbao speeding toward Jiang Ziya and recognized his mixed Daoist and demon aura.
• Xuan Yang decided to intercept Shen Gongbao before he met Jiang Ziya, then vanished to pursue him.

Xuan Yang sent Six-Eared Macaque to Guangjiang Pass to invite Yang Jian and Yang Chan to become his disciples, aiming to draw Yang Jian away from the Chan Sect. Hongjun sensed the change in fate and dispatched two streaks of mystical light toward the Heavenly Court and Jade Void Palace to stop the plan.

• Xuan Yang decided to recruit Yang Jian and Yang Chan and summoned Six-Eared Macaque.
• Xuan Yang ordered Six-Eared Macaque to find the siblings at Guangjiang Pass and invite them to Grand Xuan Palace without forcing them.
• Six-Eared Macaque accepted the order and set off for the lower realm.
• Hongjun sensed fate shifting toward Xuan Yang and realized he intended to take Yang Jian as a disciple.
• Hongjun sent mystical light toward Haotian in the Heavenly Court and toward Jade Void Palace in Eastern Kunlun.

Jiang Ziya failed to find a place for himself in Chaoge, where his business ventures and efforts to serve as an honest official came to nothing. After Guangchengzi told him that his destined path lay in West Qi, Jiang Ziya resigned, divorced Lady Ma, and set out west.

• Jiang Ziya took refuge with Song Yiren and, at his sworn brother’s urging, married Lady Ma.
• Lady Ma’s insults pushed Jiang Ziya to try selling goods in Chaoge, but his efforts failed and a baleful wind scattered his flour.
• Bi Gan recommended Jiang Ziya for office, but corrupt officials blocked his memorials and ostracized him.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven sent Guangchengzi to Jiang Ziya in a dream and directed him to West Qi to await his destined lord.
• Jiang Ziya resigned from office, gave Lady Ma a divorce letter, and left Chaoge after bidding farewell to Song Yiren.

Tongtian fought Yuanshi on Kunlun Mountain to avenge the Jie Sect, but Yuanshi overpowered him with the Pangu Banner and the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation. Just as Yuanshi moved to finish him, Nuwa, Houtu’s avatar, and Xuan Yang intervened, leaving Yuanshi facing three powerful opponents.

• Tongtian and Yuanshi battled fiercely, and their attacks devastated Kunlun Mountain and killed Chan Sect disciples caught in the crossfire.
• Tongtian refused Yuanshi’s demand to stop fighting, insisting he would not let Taiyi’s actions go unanswered.
• Yuanshi brought out the Pangu Banner and used it with the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation to break Tongtian’s defenses and wound him.
• Yuanshi prepared to suppress Tongtian with another combined attack, but Nuwa’s Map of Mountains and Rivers, Houtu’s avatar, and Xuan Yang blocked it.
• Xuan Yang struck the Pangu Banner and forced Yuanshi back, then stood with Nuwa and Houtu’s avatar to confront him.

Zhunti and Jieyin discovered that Xuan Yang and the others had come to repair the West’s Earth Veins, not to attack them, and panicked as the work threatened their merit. Zhen Yuanzi’s Earth Book rapidly restored the damaged veins, and after Taiyi dismissed their objections, the brothers hurried off to repair the rest themselves.

• Zhunti and Jieyin hid when they mistakenly believed Xuan Yang and the Demon forces had come to deal with them.
• Di Jun ordered the Demon Soldiers to repair the West’s Earth Veins for merit.
• Zhunti and Jieyin realized the repair work would take away the merit they had expected to earn themselves.
• Zhen Yuanzi used the Earth Book to restore the West’s Earth Veins at great speed.
• Zhunti and Jieyin asked Xuan Yang and the others to leave the work to them, but Taiyi dismissed them.
• Jieyin pulled Zhunti away so the brothers could begin repairing the Earth Veins themselves.

Xuan Yang captured East King Duke and used his body to plug the North Sea Eye, avoiding the karmic debt of killing him while ending his threat. East King Duke’s resentment flew to Purple Cloud Palace, where Hongjun destroyed it and began considering another plan against Xuan Yang.

• East King Duke tried to bargain for his life by invoking the karmic debt of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Three Races, but Xuan Yang rejected his threat and sealed his body.
• Xuan Yang carried East King Duke from the Immortal Court to the North Sea, where he explained that he would use East King Duke’s body to plug the Sea Eye.
• Xuan Yang sealed East King Duke into the Sea Eye, and the Demon Court Sovereigns recognized that the act both repaid karmic debt and removed East King Duke as a threat.
• East King Duke’s resentment flew to Purple Cloud Palace because he blamed Hongjun for promising aid that never came.
• Hongjun dispersed East King Duke’s resentment, berated him, and turned his attention back to Xuan Yang as he considered another plan.