Chapter Summaries

Shen Ye killed Demon King Baize despite its hostage threat, then returned to the Han nation’s royal court and learned Shao Yu’s theory about the Human Sovereign Sword. Meng Nan had escaped to Asura Temple, but Shen Ye expected to deal with him later.

• Shen Ye burned the Giant Python Demon King's soul, then pursued Baize as it fled toward Haler.
• Baize seized Crying Old Man in Haler's royal palace and threatened to kill him unless Shen Ye let it go.
• Shen Ye killed Baize and Crying Old Man, then took Baize's soul and left the palace.
• Shao Yu apologized to Shen Ye for letting Meng Nan escape to Asura Temple, and Shen Ye reassured him and asked his name.
• Shao Yu told Shen Ye he suspected the Human Sovereign Sword had been sealed away when Demon Buddha destroyed Dragon Platform.

Shen Ye planned to use the Western Region campaign against the Asura Temple to strengthen his claim to the Human Sovereign Sword and consolidate the Western Han. His proclamation drew Central Plains martial artists to his side, while the Western Region's smaller powers hesitated to commit.

• Shen Ye decided that punishing the demon race and exposing Gao Lan's romantic weakness could help the Human Sovereign Sword recognize him, then ordered Shao Yu to proclaim a campaign against human traitors and their supporters.
• At the Quicksand Collection, Qu Jiuniang and Meng Qi discussed Shen Ye's power, Crying Old Man's death, and the danger posed by his proclamation to her business.
• Meng Qi realized Shen Ye had used Buddha's Palm to bring Central Plains experts west and attract them to the Western Han.
• Most Western Region factions held back from supporting Shen Ye until the other great overlords declared their positions.
• Central Plains martial artists flocked to join Shen Ye, expecting the Asura Temple's defeat and hoping for rewards or renown.

Shen Ye destroyed Joyful Temple after its leaders debated how to profit from the conflict in the Western Regions. Their destruction prompted Vajra Temple and other powers to rally against Asura Temple, while Zhao Jingshi and Sima Shi plotted to provoke Golden Tent Khan Guldo by putting Sima Shi first on the Heaven Ranking.

• Joyful Temple’s leaders decided to demand Buddha’s Palm inheritance in exchange for supporting the Han court or Asura Temple.
• Shen Ye appeared above Joyful Temple’s secret realm and annihilated its masters with the Eye of the Heavens, saying he found them filthy.
• After learning Joyful Temple had been destroyed, Vajra Temple’s abbot and Dharma Kings declared support for Shen Ye and called for Asura Temple’s destruction.
• Powers across the Western Regions, including Snow Mountain Sect, joined the campaign against Asura Temple, alarming the Southern Jin Dynasty.
• Zhao Jingshi urged Sima Shi to take first place on the Heaven Ranking and provoke Golden Tent Khan Guldo into opposing Shen Ye.

The new rankings placed Shen Ye first on the Heaven Ranking after his victories over Demon Kings, alarming powerful figures across the martial world. Guldo dismissed the ranking but ordered an attack on Southern Jin and prepared to confront the King of Han.

• Zhao Jingshi ranked Shen Ye first on the Heaven Ranking because his battle record surpassed every other Dharma Body’s.
• The new rankings shocked the public by naming Shen Ye the Great Han Emperor and Living Human Sovereign, with an evaluation of invincible beneath Earth Immortals.
• Gu Xiaosang wondered whether Shen Ye was the reincarnation of a Great Divine Ability Practitioner, while Dharma King of Crossing Worlds worried about traveling with him to the Nine Heavens.
• Han Guang and Gao Lan discussed Shen Ye as an obstacle, and Gao Lan declared that he expected the Human Sovereign Remnants to choose his side.
• Guldo ordered Hasuula to lead warriors into Southern Jin and kill three Grandmasters, then said he would face Shen Ye after hearing Meng Nan was willing to submit.

Shen Ye led the Han army to attack Asura Temple, breaking its grand array despite Great Asura’s blood sacrifice. Guldo arrived with the Heaven Punisher Axe, but Shen Ye ordered the assembled factions to destroy the temple and challenged Guldo to stop him.

• Shen Ye commanded five hundred thousand Han troops to strike Asura Temple’s grand array with a battle formation.
• Great Asura sacrificed more than a hundred thousand servants, summoning the Asura Progenitor phantom, but Shen Ye’s formation bound it with crimson chains.
• Great Asura called for Guldo, and the former Heaven Ranking champion emerged from the Void wielding the Heaven Punisher Axe.
• Meng Nan opened Asura Temple’s grand array and came out, promising that the Western Regions would follow Guldo’s lead after the calamity.
• Shen Ye ignored Meng Nan and Guldo, ordered the factions to destroy Asura Temple, and told Guldo to leave or face him.

Shen Ye overwhelmed Guldo despite the Heaven Punisher Axe, revealing his True Dragon form and heavenly eye. After the heavenly eye killed Meng Nan by accident, Guldo sensed the axe desired Shen Ye’s power and realized he needed to flee.

• Guldo attacked Shen Ye with the Heaven Punisher Axe, while Meng Nan stopped Shao Yu from intervening.
• Shen Ye transformed into a True Dragon and sent Guldo crashing into the ground with his claw.
• Guldo attacked again, but Shen Ye outmaneuvered him and caught the Heaven Punisher Axe in his claw.
• Shen Ye fired a beam from the Eye of the Heavens, and Meng Nan was petrified and shattered after being struck.
• Guldo sensed the Heaven Punisher Axe desired Shen Ye’s power and realized he could no longer afford to stay.

Shen Ye's defeat of Guldo strengthened his dominance in the martial world and terrified the demon clan, whose secret realms were being breached. As the demons debated how to escape, Little Fox reassured them that Heaven Sea Source was hidden, and a qilin-like demon offered to lead them to another secret realm.

• Guldo fled after Shen Ye defeated him, and onlookers hailed Shen Ye as the undisputed top of the Heaven Ranking.
• Zhao Jingshi considered allying with the Northern Zhou Dynasty and Guldo to protect the Southern Jin Dynasty from Shen Ye.
• News of the destruction of Joyful Temple and Asura Temple spread, and the demon clan feared Shen Ye would hunt them down.
• Demon Venerable-level demons argued over whether to flee the secret realms, hide among humans, or search for new ones, while Little Fox listened.
• A demon reported that Nine Caves Source, Heaven-Equal Source, and Heaven-Pacifying Source had been breached, leaving Heaven Sea Source and Demon Saint Source among the few safe realms.
• Little Fox said Heaven Sea Source was protected by its movement through the Void and the Demon Saint Spear, and a qilin-like demon offered to take the demons to another secret realm.

Siming lured the demons of Heaven Sea Source into a vast secret world, and Little Fox led the Qingqiu foxes inside. After Siming returned to Shen Ye, he revealed that Shen Ye intended to use the Demon Saint Spear to contact the Demon Saint and bring demonkind under his control.

• Siming opened a spatial passage to an ownerless world and demanded that Little Fox approve his bid to challenge for the Demon Saint Spear.
• The demons entered the world after the pig demon confirmed it was vast and rich in spiritual energy, and Little Fox brought the fox clan through before following last.
• Siming told Little Fox that he had opened the passage to help her, then returned to Shen Ye in the True Spirit Realm.
• Shen Ye praised Siming and explained that he had used the secret world to bring the Qingqiu fox clan under his control and seek the Demon Saint’s recognition.
• Shen Ye planned to gain the Demon Saint’s and Demon Emperor’s approval for his vision of peaceful coexistence, in which demons would become humanity’s pets or mounts.

Shen Ye used Siming and the Demon Saint Spear to negotiate with the Demon Saint Empress, seeking her support for Siming to rule the demon race. The Demon Saint agreed, while Shen Ye revealed his ambition to become Heavenly Emperor and his opposition to the Demon Buddha.

• Siming returned to the Inner World and told the demons that Heaven Sea Source had been destroyed, prompting them to praise it and propose it as their king.
• Little Fox gave Siming the Demon Saint Spear, through which Shen Ye addressed the Demon Saint Empress and offered cooperation.
• Shen Ye asked the Demon Saint Empress to support Siming as ruler of the demons, arguing that it could help humans and demons coexist peacefully.
• Shen Ye revealed that he sought to become Heavenly Emperor and intended to oppose the Demon Buddha, while the Demon Saint warned him about the danger.
• The Demon Saint gave the Demon Saint Spear to Siming, erased the demons' memories of their conversation, and departed; the demons celebrated the spear's recognition of Siming as Little Fox watched in dismay.

Shen Ye arranged the remaining demon clans and began his breakthrough to the Dharmakaya while a plot formed around the Nine Heavens entrance in the Divine Capital. Guldo, Han Guang, and Gao Lan planned to challenge Shen Ye with the Human Sovereign Sword, which Guldo learned had not chosen him.

• Shen Ye reflected on his connection to the Demon Saint and ordered Shao Yu to tame the remaining demon clans or put them to labor.
• Shao Yu reported that an entrance to the Nine Heavens had been discovered in the Divine Capital, and Shen Ye began his Dharmakaya breakthrough.
• Guldo, Han Guang, and Gao Lan held Jiesha captive and demanded to know the location of the Underworld Sea Sword.
• Han Guang told Guldo that the Nine Heavens entrance was real and that Shen Ye was likely heading there.
• Gao Lan placed the Human Sovereign Sword on the table, and Guldo realized it had not chosen Shen Ye.

Shen Ye led Meng Qi, Gu Xiaosang, Chonghe, and the Dharma King of Crossing Worlds into the Nine Heavens, then left to pursue his own business. After the group entered the Heavenly Punishment Gate, Han Guang and Guldo confronted the two Dharma Bodies, forcing Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang to flee while Chonghe prepared to fight.

• Shen Ye revealed that he had reached the Dharma Body realm, then used the Heavenly Court Boundary Stele to take the group through the Jinshui River entrance to the Nine Heavens.
• Meng Qi used the Lightning Mark to open the way through the violet lightning vortex, and the group arrived at the blood-red Immortal Peach Garden.
• Shen Ye left the others to pursue his own matters, while Meng Qi, Gu Xiaosang, Chonghe, and the Dharma King of Crossing Worlds continued through the Immortal Peach Garden and Heavenly Punishment Gate.
• Han Guang arrived with Guldo and another companion, and Chonghe and the Dharma King of Crossing Worlds prepared to face them.
• Meng Qi took Gu Xiaosang and fled, promising to find Shen Ye and bring him back to help Chonghe.

Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang raced toward the Three Lives Hall, where Shen Ye was drawing power from the Fusang Ancient Tree and the Sun God Lord’s remnant. Xi’s connection to the Sun God Lord became clear as he tried to stop Shen Ye, who promised to rescue Senior Chonghe after dealing with him.

• Gu Xiaosang explained that the Heaven Punisher Axe would grow stronger at the Heavenly Punishment Gate, while she had lured away the Dharma King to reach the Three Lives Hall with Meng Qi.
• Xi attacked Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang, but suddenly clutched his head in pain and ran toward the Three Lives Hall.
• Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang followed Xi and found Shen Ye in the ruins of the Past Hall, using the Fusang Divine Tree to absorb the Fusang Ancient Tree’s power and Immortal Fire to consume the Sun God Lord’s phantom.
• Xi rushed in and demanded that Shen Ye stop; Meng Qi asked Shen Ye to save Senior Chonghe from Guldo, the Demonic Master, and the Mad King.
• Shen Ye agreed to go help Senior Chonghe after finishing with Xi, whose identity was uncertain but whose connection to the Sun God Lord was strong.

Shen Ye survived the Sun God Lord’s attack, and Little Flame devoured the divine fire sent toward Xi. When Guldo’s group arrived to confront him, Shen Ye challenged Gao Lan’s right to wield the Human Sovereign Sword, which began resisting him; Guldo then ordered everyone to attack.

• The Sun God Lord struck Shen Ye with flames, but Shen Ye emerged unharmed as the ancient power faded and Little Flame swallowed the nine-colored divine fire meant for Xi.
• At Heavenly Punishment Gate, Guldo, Gao Lan, Han Guang, and the Dharma King of Crossing Worlds decided to go to Three Lives Hall with their captive Chonghe.
• Shen Ye told Meng Qi there was no need to rescue Chonghe because their enemies were already approaching.
• Guldo and the others entered Past Hall and were surprised to find Shen Ye unharmed; Gao Lan revealed the Human Sovereign Sword.
• Shen Ye challenged Gao Lan’s deeds in service of humanity, and the Human Sovereign Sword trembled as if reluctant to oppose him.
• Guldo ordered the group to attack Shen Ye before he could influence the Human Sovereign Sword further.

Shen Ye fought four Dharmakaya masters and forced them to retreat with his swordsmanship, Immortal Fire, and mind attack. He secured Chonghe’s release and asked him to use the Reincarnation Talisman to take him to the Investiture of the Gods World.

• Guldo, Gao Lan, Han Guang, and the Dharma King of Crossing Worlds attacked Shen Ye together, but his Purple Star Descent met their combined assault head-on.
• Shen Ye unleashed East Dawn's Chariot, and its Immortal Fire burned the Void and engulfed the Dharma King of Crossing Worlds until Gao Lan cut away half his body.
• Guldo summoned the Heavenly Punishment Gate and struck Shen Ye with lightning, but Shen Ye absorbed the Tribulation Lightning with the Eye of the Heavens.
• Shen Ye's Mars Guards the Heart destabilized Han Guang, while his taunts and sword strikes drove Gao Lan back.
• Guldo offered Chonghe in exchange for ending the fight, and Shen Ye let the group leave after freeing Chonghe from his restrictions.
• Shen Ye asked Chonghe to use the Reincarnation Talisman to take him to the Investiture of the Gods World, and Chonghe agreed.

Gao Lan resolved to march against Han after Shen Ye ordered an attack on the Maiden Path, while Han Guang and Guldo gathered allies for the coming conflict. In the Maiden Immortal Realm, the Mysterious Lady and Joyful lineages prepared to lure Shen Ye inside with the Overlord’s Absolute Blade.

• Han Guang offered to take the Human Sovereign Sword into Time Shards so Gao Lan could establish a dynasty and gather the Power of All Beings.
• Gao Lan learned that Shen Ye planned to attack the Maiden Path and, despite Han Guang and Guldo’s warnings, ordered an army to attack Han.
• Guldo pledged the grasslands’ forces to Gao Lan, while Han Guang and Dharma King of Crossing Worlds agreed to contact the Blood-Clothed Sect, Inhumane Tower, and Sect of Life and Death Impermanence.
• The current Mystical Lady and Joyful Bodhisattva considered using the ancestor Mystical Lady’s remains to defend the Maiden Immortal Realm.
• Joyful Bodhisattva proposed publicizing the Overlord’s Absolute Blade to entice Shen Ye into the Maiden Immortal Realm.

In Southern Jin Dynasty, Meng Qi learned that Gao Lan had joined forces with the grasslands to attack the Western Han Dynasty, apparently over the Maiden Path and Yan Ran. At the Han court, Shen Ye prepared to face the demonic forces with the righteous path’s Dharma Body experts, while concealing most of his allies until battle began.

• Xiao Yi told tavern patrons that Northern Zhou Dynasty and the grasslands had sent troops against the Western Han Dynasty, and that the Seven Demonic Paths might join them.
• Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang discussed Gao Lan’s reasons for attacking Han, and Gu Xiaosang explained that King of Han Shen Ye had made Gao Lan appear unrighteous to the world.
• Gu Xiaosang reported that the Maiden Path had offered the Overlord’s Absolute Blade in exchange for King of Han sparing them, and Meng Qi realized the offer could be a trap involving the Mystical Lady of the Nine Heavens’ remains.
• Shen Ye welcomed Chonghe, Lu Da, Venerable Kongwen, and He Qi at a banquet in the Han court and asked them to hold back so the demonic Dharma Body experts would not flee.
• He Qi agreed to give the demonic path a righteous path shock as the six Dharma Body experts on each side prepared for battle.

Gao Lan, Han Guang, and their allies planned to weaken Shen Ye and seize the Time Blade, but learned that the Han army had annihilated the invading forces with overwhelming weapons. As Gao Lan considered withdrawing, Han Guang warned that Shen Ye had arrived.

• Gao Lan questioned how news of the demonic factions' operation had leaked, and Han Guang proposed attacking Western Han's defenses to weaken Shen Ye.
• Han Guang suggested strengthening their forces by seizing the Time Blade, and the others considered whether he could wield it.
• A bloodied general reported that the Northern Zhou army at the Sea of Death had been wiped out and contact with two other armies had been lost.
• The general revealed that the Han army had destroyed the three hundred thousand troops using thunderous artifacts and powerful shoulder-carried weapons, with only a handful of casualties.
• Gao Lan rejected the idea of withdrawing, and Han Guang said Shen Ye had arrived.

Shen Ye defeated Gao Lan and his allies after their army collapsed, while the righteous Dharmakaya masters destroyed the three demonic sects. Gao Lan accepted defeat and killed himself after securing Shen Ye’s promise to spare the people of Northern Zhou and let him reincarnate with Yan Ran.

• Shen Ye confronted Gao Lan and Guldo, and defeated them despite Gao Lan’s breakthrough in the midst of battle.
• Shen Ye used the Sun-Shooting Bow of Hou Yi to severely wound Guldo, then Lu Da, Kongwen, and He Qi arrived with the heads of three demonic sect leaders.
• Guldo tried to flee, but Shen Ye destroyed his body, and the Heaven Punisher Axe carried his true spirit into the Void Turbulence.
• Shen Ye killed the Dharma King of Crossing Worlds, Daman, and Han Guang after they attempted to flee or surrender.
• Gao Lan asked Shen Ye to spare the people of Northern Zhou and was promised a chance to reincarnate with Yan Ran.
• Gao Lan urged Northern Zhou to submit peacefully, then cut his throat with the Human Sovereign Sword.

Shen Ye defeated the Maiden Path, sent Gao Lan and Yan Ran into reincarnation, and brought the True Spirit Realm under the Han imperial court. Han Guang then discovered that Wujing was actually Inner Demon Li Ying, a subordinate of the Human Sovereign.

• Shen Ye claimed the Human Sovereign Sword, accepted the Dharmakaya masters as fellow Daoists, and led them to the Maiden Immortal Realm.
• Shen Ye and the Dharmakaya masters destroyed the Maiden Immortal Realm, while the Mystical Lady of the Nine Heavens' remains abandoned its inhabitants.
• Shen Ye let Yan Ran's incarnation replace the current Mystical Lady, then sent Gao Lan and Yan Ran's souls into reincarnation.
• Shen Ye's victories brought the Seven Demonic Paths to ruin and led the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Grassland Golden Tent, Southern Wilderness, and Southern Jin Dynasty under the Western Han Dynasty.
• Han Guang learned that Wujing had come to confront him, but Wujing struck him with Buddha's Palm and revealed himself as Inner Demon Li Ying, a subordinate of the Human Sovereign.

Li Ying forced Han Guang to accept Shen Ye’s control and sent him into the Investiture of the Gods World. Ten years later, Shen Ye broke through to the Earth Immortal realm and prepared to visit the Journey to the West World with Shaozai and Xifeng.

• Li Ying made Han Guang hand over a soul fragment and gave him a Reincarnation Talisman to enter the Investiture of the Gods World and reach the East Sea Eye.
• Han Guang accepted that he had to serve Shen Ye until he found a way to escape control, while Li Ying delivered his soul fragment to Shen Ye.
• Shen Ye entrusted court affairs to Hua Yue and cultivated as the Great Han promoted martial arts through academies across the realm.
• Over the next ten years, Shen Ye opened grotto-heavens in nine acupoints and entered the Earth Immortal realm.
• Shen Ye told Shaozai and Xifeng to prepare to accompany him to the Journey to the West World and fulfill their earlier agreement.