Chapter Summaries

Houtu challenged Nuwa over the human race’s suffering and the Heavenly Emperor’s response to Luohu’s return, prompting Li Fan to summon the other emperors for a council. He proposed establishing Heavenly Tribulations to reform cultivation across the Prehistoric Universe, and the assembly erupted at his plan.

• Houtu arrived at Grand Unity Palace and confronted Nuwa over the human race’s calamity and declining Fortune.
• Houtu raised concerns about Luohu’s return to the Demon Realm’s saintly seat, and Li Fan reassured her before summoning the other emperors.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven, Yaochi, and Xihua answered Li Fan’s summons, while Haotian could not pass the barrier preventing him from joining them.
• Li Fan declared that the path of cultivation in the Prehistoric Universe must change and argued that unchecked slaughter was draining its origin.
• Li Fan proposed Nine Ranks and Nine Grades of Heavenly Tribulations to judge cultivators by character, merit, and Killing Sin, rewarding the virtuous and punishing the wicked.

Li Fan proposed a new cultivation law in the Prehistoric Universe, letting cultivators seek the Dao through methods and use Heavenly Tribulation to strengthen their foundations. Tongtian offered the Interception Sect’s support but left disappointed after Li Fan and Nuwa insisted that the trials treat all beings equally.

• Li Fan explained that the new law would let cultivators gain power through spells before pursuing the Great Dao, with Heavenly Tribulation tempering their hearts, methods, and Dao foundations.
• Tongtian entered Grand Unity Palace and argued that the Interception Sect’s teaching without discrimination made it suited to promote the new law, while Primordial Lord of Heaven warned that it could disrupt orthodox traditions.
• Nuwa stopped Primordial Lord of Heaven and said both laws cultivated the Heavenly Dao Law, while Li Fan assured the assembly that Heavenly Tribulation would prevent chaos.
• Empress Ziguang rebuked Tongtian for interrupting the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors’ meeting, and Tongtian asked Li Fan to judge his humble-born disciples by their Original Mind during the heart-tempering tribulation.
• Nuwa insisted that fairness required all beings to face Heavenly Tribulation equally, and Tongtian returned to Biyou Palace on the Qingping Sword to prepare his disciples.

The Five Directional Heavenly Emperors established laws requiring cultivators to face Heavenly Tribulations, and the trials began across the Primordial World. Tongtian’s Interception Sect tried to use formations and Earth Veins to withstand them, but Houtu punished the disciples who went too far before the thunderclouds cleared.

• The council proclaimed, “Cultivate the Dao through law; temper the heart through tribulation,” and Li Fan opened Xuantian Realm to release the thunder pool and begin the Heavenly Tribulations.
• Cultivators across the Primordial World realized that future breakthroughs would require surviving tribulations of divine thunder, karmic fire, fierce winds, and illusions.
• Tongtian rallied one hundred thousand Interception Sect disciples to use formations and Earth Veins to withstand the tribulations and attain the Dao through law.
• Houtu struck the most radical Interception Sect disciples with a pillar of light, sending them to the Nine Netherworlds for reincarnation and warning the sect not to exploit the Earth Veins.
• Tongtian suppressed his anger as the surviving disciples fell silent, and the thunderclouds dispersed when the council ended.

Yang Jian and Yang Chan used their accumulated merit to break the heavenly-law restriction at Peach Mountain and dug through the mountain to rescue Yao Ji. They reunited with their mother and left, while Yang Jian recognized the two Demonic Cultivators as people connected to his past life and chose not to reveal their identities.

• Yang Jian and Yang Chan arrived at Peach Mountain and used their merit to dissolve the heavenly-law restriction imprisoning Yao Ji.
• Yang Chan guided Yang Jian as he dug through the mountain, while two nearby Demonic Cultivators mistook their rescue effort for a search for treasure.
• Yang Jian broke through into Yao Ji’s cave, and she recognized her children as they rushed to embrace her.
• Yao Ji, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan emerged into the sunlight and departed together after their reunion.
• Yang Jian recognized the Demonic Cultivators as Yang Tianyou and his former-life elder brother, but decided to let their past connections fade.

Human Emperor Wu Yi sought control of thunder and lightning to elevate himself into a Heavenly God, but the Dragon Clan refused him and reported his ambition to the divine court. Li Fan and the goddesses watched as Wu Yi prepared to challenge the Heavenly Dao, expecting him to face its wrath.

• Wu Yi, emboldened by the Shang Dynasty’s power, decided to claim authority over thunder and lightning and ordered his imperial carriage to the East Sea.
• Wu Yi demanded that Ao Guang let him command every bolt of lightning within Human Race territory, but Ao Guang warned him that the Heaven and Earth Laws could not be changed by human strength.
• Ao Guang refused to entertain Wu Yi’s demand and returned beneath the sea, leaving Wu Yi furious and resolved to ask the heavens himself.
• Ao Guang sent a memorial to the divine court, where Dragon Mother Ao Li suspected Wu Yi had backing from the Human Emperors of Huoyun Cave and decided to watch the Heavenly Emperor punish him.
• At Grand Unity Palace, Li Fan and the goddesses discussed Wu Yi’s ambition and predicted that the Heavenly Dao would make him pay for challenging its authority.

Wu Yi attempted to seize control of lightning at his anniversary festival, trusting messages from the Human Dao Saints that they would support him. Heavenly Dao struck him dead, leaving Chaoge stunned and the Human Emperor Seal damaged.

• Rogue immortals, Primordial Lord of Heaven, and the Human Dao Saints discussed Wu Yi’s plan to challenge Heavenly Dao, while the Saints sent him reassuring messages.
• Wu Yi held a festival in Chaoge, blood-sacrificed the Heaven-Questioning Stele with the Human Emperor Seal, and demanded command over lightning.
• Heavenly Dao summoned a Purple Firmament tribulation as the messenger relayed more messages from the Human Dao Saints, including that Xuanyuan would retrieve Wu Yi from Reincarnation if needed.
• Wu Yi defied Heavenly Dao, and a violet-gold bolt struck him, reducing him to ash and splitting the stele while chipping the Human Emperor Seal.
• Chaoge’s people and officials reacted in shock as Dragon Mother laughed and Li Fan remarked that Heavenly Dao’s strike had been serious.

Tai Ding passed the Human Emperor’s throne to Di Yi as the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation began to gather. Li Fan planned to confront the Fate Demon God and proposed making Tongtian take the blame for the damage to the River of Fate, leaving Tongtian’s willingness uncertain.

• Tai Ding warned Di Yi to remember Wu Yi’s lesson and passed him the Human Emperor Seal at the succession ceremony.
• Shennong, Fuxi, and Xuanyuan discussed the unstable Human Emperor’s Fortune and the possibility of upheaval for the Shang Dynasty.
• Wangshu and Nuwa described the World Calamity’s growing power, while Li Fan said the Heavenly Dao would target the Three Pure Ones’ sects.
• Li Fan identified the Fate Demon God in the River of Fate as a threat that had to be dealt with before the tribulation advanced.
• Li Fan proposed pinning the River of Fate’s damage on Tongtian and said Tongtian could serve time before receiving the position of Great Heavenly Venerate Lingbao.

Haotian went to Purple Heaven Palace to complain to Hongjun and ask him to impose Heavenly Laws that would restrain the Saints’ disciples and Yaochi. Hongjun agreed to speak with the Heavenly Emperor of Grand Unity Palace, but warned Haotian to take care of himself, signaling that this was his one remaining favor.

• Haotian left the Heavenly Court and flew to Purple Heaven Palace to seek Hongjun’s judgment and help.
• When Hongjun opened the palace doors, Haotian complained about Tongtian, the Interception Sect, the Chan Teachings, and Yaochi.
• Hongjun explained that he had placed Xuan Guang on Yao Ji to guard against Luohu, but Tongtian’s concealment of the Tianji had prevented the contingency from being used.
• Haotian asked Hongjun to use Heavenly Gods’ positions and a covenant of Heavenly Laws to restrain all beings, including Saints’ disciples.
• Hongjun agreed to visit Grand Unity Palace and discuss the matter with the Heavenly Emperor, then warned Haotian to take care of himself.

Hongjun and Haotian visited Grand Unity Palace to discuss the Investiture of the Gods, but Li Fan imposed strict application and review procedures that threatened the fate of Saint disciples. Hongjun left frustrated with Haotian and a stack of application forms.

• Li Fan learned that Hongjun was approaching Grand Unity Palace and ordered the Five Luminaries Star Gods to let him in.
• Haotian arrived and followed Hongjun through the Zhou Tian Star Array’s golden gate into Grand Unity Palace.
• Hongjun proposed establishing divine positions across the Three Realms to restore order, but Goddess Taiyuan presented regulations requiring applications, reviews, and public oversight.
• Li Fan insisted that everyone, including Saint disciples, had to follow the rules, while Haotian grew anxious under Hongjun’s glare.
• Goddess Taiyuan criticized some Saint disciples as unfit for divine positions, and Hongjun realized the rules could endanger his sects’ disciples.
• Hongjun and Haotian left Grand Unity Palace on bad terms, carrying a stack of Investiture of the Gods application forms.

Hongjun brought three thousand Investiture application forms to Eight Sceneries Palace and pressed Taishang and Yuanshi to prepare the Profound Gate’s three sects for the World Calamity. The three sects agreed to recruit widely and send karma-bound disciples into divine positions, while powerful forces across the Prehistoric Universe watched the gathering storm.

• Hongjun arrived at Eight Sceneries Palace with three thousand Investiture application forms, and Taishang resisted accepting them.
• Hongjun summoned Grand Master Xuandu and argued that the Human Sect could recruit more disciples, but Taishang eventually agreed to hear Yuanshi’s views.
• Yuanshi arrived, mistook the forms for Hongjun’s promised opportunity, and offered to provide thirty thousand more.
• Hongjun declared that the three sects should recruit cultivators widely and place existing disciples on the Investiture of the Gods to obtain divine positions.
• Hongjun departed, Yuanshi left to inform Tongtian, and Taishang recognized that the three sects had become conspicuous pieces in the brewing World Calamity.

Ancestor Dragon, Yuanfeng, and Taiyi plotted to attack the Three Pure Ones and bring down the Mystic Sect as the calamity erupted across the Prehistoric Universe. The Heavenly Emperor’s decree let the gods withdraw from their duties, while unaffiliated cultivators struggled to enter the sealed Heavenly Realm for shelter.

• Ancestor Dragon, Yuanfeng, and Taiyi agreed to target the Interception Sect first, then Chan Teachings, and assigned themselves to delay Tongtian, Taishang, and the other Three Pure Ones.
• Hongjun sensed danger on his journey back to Purple Heaven Palace as Calamity Energy surged and the laws across the Three Realms, Nine Provinces, and Twelve Domains shook.
• Goddess Baihua announced the Heavenly Emperor’s decree, allowing deities under his authority to temporarily leave their posts and avoid the calamity.
• The gods and underworld officials stopped patrolling or carrying out most of their duties, while the Four Heavenly Kings relaxed over immortal wine.
• Unaffiliated cultivators rushed toward the sealed Heavenly Realm, but the Zhou Tian Star Array and Innate Star Gods kept them outside.

Ancestor Dragon, Yuanfeng, and Taiyi challenged the Three Pure Ones, beginning battles across the Prehistoric Universe. Yuanfeng destroyed one of Tongtian’s four swords, but Tongtian turned the remaining swords into a strike of Ending that injured her before the battles continued.

• Ancestor Dragon attacked Yuanshi with the Vast Sea Rending Tide Halberd, but Yuanshi used the Pangu Banner, the Myriad Heavens Celebration Cloud, and the Law of Karma to gain the advantage.
• Yuanfeng attacked Tongtian at Biyou Palace, and Tongtian raised the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation against her.
• Yuanfeng’s Nirvana Heart Fire and Nirvana Heavenly Saber shattered the Intercepting Heaven Sword, leaving Tongtian injured and the formation unstable.
• Tongtian absorbed the three remaining swords and struck Yuanfeng with the Law of Slaughter, but the Li Di Flame Light Banner stopped the attack short of her Hunyuan Dao Fruit.
• The clashes devastated parts of the Three Realms, while Taishang and Taiyi had not yet begun fighting in earnest.

The Heavenly Emperor intervened to stop the Hunyuan war and restore the damaged laws of Heaven and Earth. The combatants withdrew, but the conflict left the Prehistoric Universe unsettled, and powerful experts flocked to Grand Unity Heaven seeking safety.

• The Heavenly Emperor's will crossed the Primordial Three Realms, and his decree condemned the Hunyuan experts for fighting before the tribulation.
• The Heavenly Emperor calmed the laws, repaired the shattered void, and stabilized the Primordial World with his authority.
• Ancestor Dragon returned to the East Sea, Yuanfeng returned south, Tongtian withdrew to Biyou Palace, and the other combatants departed.
• Tongtian mourned his defeat and damaged palace, while Duobao, Gui Ling, Zhao Gongming, and the other Interception Sect disciples remained too frightened to return.
• Taishang grew wary of Zhunti and the Western Teachings, while Yuanshi erased the battle damage on Kunlun Mountain.
• Grand Unity experts gathered at the Heavenly Realm, where Taibai recorded their arrivals as Li Fan, Wangshu, Nuwa, Taiyuan, and Ziguang sat in Grand Unity Palace.

Di Xin became the Human Emperor as the Heavenly Dao’s calamity froze the Primordial World, while Nuwa sent the restless Spirit Pearl into Reincarnation. Li Fan recognized the embryo as the future Nezha, whose mortal life was about to begin.

• Di Yi passed the Human Emperor Seal to Di Xin, who took the throne and vowed to protect the Human Race.
• Di Xin’s ascension stirred Human Race Fortune, and Wangshu, Nuwa, Taiyuan, Empress Ziguang, and Li Fan watched from Grand Unity Palace.
• Bixiao, Qiongxiao, Chang'e, and Yang Chan brought Nuwa a restless crimson Spirit Pearl that had begun forming an embryo.
• Nuwa calmed the Spirit Pearl with Creation spiritual light and used the Hongmeng Sacred Sword to send it through a Humanity Dao Reincarnation seal.
• Li Fan recognized the Spirit Embryo as the future Nezha, while the goddesses discussed the tribulations awaiting him in the Mortal World.

Heavenly Dao unleashed a single slash that severed the Golden Immortals’ immortal foundations across the Prehistoric Universe, ending the Ancient Immortal Path era. Di Xin’s attempt to defy the judgment failed, and Demon Ancestor Luohu chose his broken remnant soul as the spark for the coming World Calamity.

• Heavenly Dao declared judgment on the Golden Immortals and sent a slash that cut down their immortal foundations throughout the Prehistoric Universe.
• Di Xin sacrificed his essence blood to the Human Emperor Seal and used its Imperial Dao Rule to resist the slash, but it shattered, leaving his Martial Path foundation destroyed and the seal petrified.
• The Golden Immortals across the realms fell in despair as their foundations were severed, ending the Ancient Immortal Path era and forcing the remaining Taiyi Golden Immortals away from its path.
• The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors watched from Huoyun Cave as the Human Emperor’s era ended, while the All Grand Unity Experts turned their attention to Chaoge.
• Li Fan recognized that Heavenly Dao was laying the groundwork for the World Calamity, and Di Xin sensed that Demon Ancestor Luohu had begun to act.
• Luohu planned to use Di Xin’s remnant soul to ignite the calamity, break Heavenly Dao’s seal on the Demon Realm, and reclaim the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation.

Haotian brought the Ten Thousand Immortals Array to Golden Ao Island, where Tongtian took possession of it and publicly revealed its power. The Three Pure Ones and Western Sages reacted to the Interception Sect’s renewed strength, while Zhunti and Jieyin saw an opportunity for the West.

• Hongjun pressured Haotian to lend the Ten Thousand Immortals Array to Tongtian, and Haotian set out for the South Sea.
• Zhunti intercepted Haotian and tried to persuade him to join the West, but Haotian refused and continued to Golden Ao Island.
• Tongtian welcomed Haotian, took the formation diagram before he finished explaining its terms, and resolved to keep the array for the Interception Sect.
• Tongtian activated the diagram, sending golden light across the Three Realms and announcing that he had obtained the Ten Thousand Immortals Array.
• Taishang and Yuanshi worried about the array’s effect on the calamity, while Haotian regretted delivering it.
• Zhunti and Jieyin discussed using the Mystic Sect’s growing discord to convert Interception Sect disciples and benefit the Western Teachings.

The Heavenly Dao arrived at Grand Unity Heaven and decreed the Investiture of the Gods to resolve the calamity, with the Heavenly Court leading and the three teachings assisting. Li Fan laid out three forms of investiture and claimed authority to set the rules, while Yuanshi resisted the decree but did not challenge Li Fan’s terms.

• The Heavenly Dao manifested at Grand Unity Heaven, and Li Fan recognized that it had come to discuss the Investiture of the Gods.
• Goddess Taiyuan accepted the Investiture, and Goddess Wangshu insisted that the Heavenly Court lead; Heavenly Dao Hongjun agreed and informed the Saints of the three teachings.
• Taishang foresaw the unavoidable calamity, Yuanshi condemned the decree and went to Grand Unity Heaven, and Tongtian vowed to fight for his sect’s place.
• Yuanshi challenged Heavenly Dao Hongjun at Grand Unity Heaven and threatened to overturn the Prehistoric Universe’s balance.
• Li Fan defined soul, decree, and bodily investiture, declared that the Heavenly Court would set the rules, and Heavenly Dao Hongjun agreed.

At the Grand Unity Divine Palace, Li Fan presided over the signing of the Investiture of the Gods as the Heavenly Book revealed the three Mystic Gate teachings’ assessments and Divine Positions. The Interception Sect received a few unexpectedly high-ranked positions but most disciples failed to qualify, and Li Fan asked whether anyone objected to the roster and its assignments.

• Primordial Lord of Heaven forged records to distribute the Chan Teachings’ karma among future third-generation disciples before the signing.
• Goddess Taiyuan summoned the Heavenly Book, and the gathered factions witnessed it reveal the three teachings’ rosters and assessments.
• The Chan Teachings’ Twelve Golden Immortals qualified for bodily investiture but received the lowest-tier Divine Positions, while Grand Master Xuandu received the Third-Rank Dreaming Reclining Heavenly Official position.
• The Heavenly Book awarded Jin Ling and Wu Dang First-Rank Great Emperor positions, Zhao Gongming a Third-Rank God of Wealth position, and several other Interception Sect disciples lower-ranked positions, while most failed to qualify.
• Li Fan declared the assignments for each teaching and asked the gathered factions whether they had objections.

Li Fan declared that the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation would involve all beings of heaven and earth, while the Heavenly Book fixed the rosters of the Three Teachings. He appointed Yunxiao as Southern Longevity Heavenly Emperor and announced that the tribulation would begin publicly in three days.

• Li Fan and Goddess Taiyuan explained that anyone who entered the game could receive a divine position or soul appointment, and Taiyuan fixed the Three Teachings’ rosters in the Heavenly Book.
• Zhunti considered using the tribulation to strengthen the Western Teachings, Taiyi resolved to reorganize the Demon Clan, and Tongtian welcomed the chance for all beings to compete.
• Li Fan announced that Yunxiao would become Southern Longevity Heavenly Emperor, and the assembly reacted with shock at the appointment and her cultivation.
• Xihua God and Yaochi God endorsed Yunxiao, who thanked Li Fan and took her seat beside them.
• Li Fan declared the five Heavenly Emperors’ order settled and announced that the Heavenly Book would be displayed at the Grand Unity Heaven Gate in three days as the tribulation began.

Li Fan opened the Investiture of the Gods Calamity at Grand Unity Heaven, drawing the attention of factions across the Three Realms. Yuanshi summoned the Twelve Golden Immortals, warned them of their karmic debt, and sent them toward the Human Race with orders and protections for surviving the calamity.

• Li Fan announced the start of the calamity and manifested the Investiture of the Gods as the Platform for Conferring Gods at Grand Unity Heaven.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven declared that the Mystic Gate’s three sects stood at the center of the calamity and summoned the Twelve Golden Immortals to Kunlun Mountain.
• Yuanshi told the Twelve Golden Immortals that their past assistance to Xuanyuan had left them burdened with killing karma, and that they had to enter the calamity to settle it.
• Yuanshi gave each Golden Immortal a Protective Jade Talisman and ordered them to kill Interception Sect disciples while avoiding slaughtering innocents in Human Race territory.
• Yuanshi instructed the Golden Immortals to teach Human Race disciples and have them undergo the calamity alongside them, while warning them not to neglect their cultivation.
• The Twelve Golden Immortals left for the Human Race, and Yuanshi watched them go, aware that the calamity’s outcome depended on their Dao Hearts and the destiny of the Chan Teachings.