Chapter Summaries

Zheng Fa endured the True Emptiness, Dao Silence, Law Disorder, and Crimson Radiance Tribulations, reconstituting his Dao Fruit and receiving a World Seed as he advanced toward becoming a True Immortal. Meanwhile, the Water Mother explained that the Evil Water Mother remained trapped in the incomplete Grand Array of Heavenly Stars, leaving Zheng Fa and the others to find a way to stop her.

• The Evil Water Mother attacked the Lunar Fairy, Nishang Yuanjun, and the Azure Maiden with whispering human faces, and the Lunar Fairy used the Three Radiant Divine Water to keep them sane.
• Zheng Fa endured the True Emptiness Tribulation's isolation, then lost his Dao Fruit and Immortal Body during the Dao Silence Tribulation.
• The Heavenly Emperor Body sensed Zheng Fa's apparent death, but the Nine Nether Emperor explained that the avatars could feel this way during the tribulation.
• Zheng Fa rebuilt his Dao Fruit from spirit talismans in Chaos, passed the Law Disorder Tribulation, and received a World Seed during the Crimson Radiance Tribulation.
• The Water Mother told the Nine Mountains Sect that the Evil Water Mother was trapped in the incomplete Grand Array of Heavenly Stars and described weakening her through her seeds or completing the array.

Water Mother explained that the Grand Array of Heavenly Stars was an immense spatial network with power beyond the Grand Luo level, and the Heavenly Emperor Body asked her to teach it after revealing star-like Body Spirits. As Lunar Fairy, Azure Maiden, and Nishang Yuanjun fled the Evil Water Mother, the Year-Warding Goddess trapped them beneath the Flat Peach Tree, but Zheng Fa appeared and invoked the Inner Landscape: Heavenly Star Gods.

• Water Mother said the complete Grand Array of Heavenly Stars had 365 stars and might rival a Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal, while its surviving fragments could suppress the Evil God.
• The Heavenly Emperor Body suggested the array had served as infrastructure for communication and travel, then revealed 365 Body Spirits and asked Water Mother to teach him the formation.
• With the Three Radiant Divine Water running out, Lunar Fairy led Azure Maiden and Nishang Yuanjun away from the Bronze Platform to avoid becoming a burden to Zheng Fa.
• The Year-Warding Goddess ambushed the three women beneath the Flat Peach Tree and urged them to take refuge in the World-Honored One, but they refused to abandon Zheng Fa.
• As the Evil Water Mother's branches overwhelmed the three women, Zheng Fa appeared and answered her with his Inner Landscape: Heavenly Star Gods.

Zheng Fa used the completed Remnant Grand Array of Heavenly Stars to destroy Evil Water Mother and Year-Warding Goddess, but Evil Water Mother survived with an Undying Origin. Back in the Nine Mountains Realm, Senior Sister Zhang secured approval to spread the Divine Way and prepare for war with Northern Continent so Zheng Fa could grow strong enough to return, then learned he wanted her to visit the place connected to his deepest secret.

• Zheng Fa formed the Heavenly Star Gods, rescued Lunar Fairy, Azure Maiden, and Nishang Yuanjun, and used the Nebula Millstone to crush Evil Water Mother and Year-Warding Goddess.
• Evil Water Mother regrew as a Flat Peach Tree, and Water Mother realized the Ren-Water Flat Peach Tree had gained a trace of Undying Origin that made it nearly impossible to kill.
• Water Mother proposed that the Heavenly Emperor Body advance through the Divine Way Method so Zheng Fa could gain the strength to escape, while Senior Sister Zhang urged the sect to gather believers and prepare to occupy Northern Continent.
• Senior Sister Zhang proposed refining seventy-two more stars to complete the Grand Array of Heavenly Stars, and the Grand Elders' Council approved her proposal with ten votes and one abstention.
• The Heavenly Emperor Body told Senior Sister Zhang that Zheng Fa wanted her to visit a place whose people might help her launch the stars, calling it his deepest secret.

Senior Sister Zhang visited the Modern World and clashed with Tang Lingwu over her bond with Zheng Fa before explaining that he was trapped in Chaos with the Evil Water Mother. The two women set aside their rivalry temporarily and agreed to help Senior Sister Zhang gather resources to strengthen the Grand Array of Heavenly Stars.

• Senior Sister Zhang met Old Man Bai, who welcomed her to Rainbow Mountain and told her about Zheng Fa's early life in the Modern World.
• Senior Sister Zhang and Tang Lingwu exchanged barbed remarks about their relationships with Zheng Fa until Tang Lingwu declared that she believed she would accompany him along the Dao Path.
• Senior Sister Zhang told Tang Lingwu and Old Man Bai that Zheng Fa was trapped in Chaos and that the Evil Water Mother had gained Grand Luo essence.
• Senior Sister Zhang said she planned to attack the Northern Continent for resources to refine seventy-two more stars and strengthen the Grand Array of Heavenly Stars.
• Tang Lingwu offered the Modern World's resources and scholars and promised to follow Senior Sister Zhang's orders while Zheng Fa was away.

Tang Lingwu presented plans for a spirit energy telescope and planetary probes to help the Nine Mountains Sect locate and reach Zheng Fa, while Senior Sister Zhang returned to arrange the effort. Han Qi led a diplomatic and intelligence mission into Northern Continent, where he brought his envoys to meet Daoist Guhong at Watching Ripples Palace.

• Tang Lingwu explained how the Heaven-Piercing Sword Peak, a spirit energy telescope, Stellar Power, and planetary probes could help the sect find Zheng Fa and deliver refined stars to him.
• Senior Sister Zhang thanked Tang Lingwu and Old Man Bai on Zheng Fa's behalf, then hurried away to make arrangements in the Nine Mountains Sect and Northern Continent.
• Han Qi's group investigated Northern Continent's powers, and Han Qi concluded that the Three Reclusive Immortals were likely aligned with Thunderclap Temple despite their internal conflicts.
• Han Qi urged his disciples to negotiate with every sect while gathering intelligence, and told them the Nine Nether Emperor had promised to remember their merits if they died.
• Han Qi led the envoys through Strife-Free City to Watching Ripples Palace and announced his visit to Daoist Guhong, startling the palace guards with his imposing manner.

Han Qi failed to secure an alliance with Strife-Free City’s leaders, but he established a Nine Mountains Department Store there to trade the sect’s goods for Northern Continent resources. The store’s novel displays and illusion-based trials drew in customers, and its first sale was made.

• Han Qi proposed an alliance to Madam Thousand Mechanisms, who said only Daoist Guhong could decide and told him the City Lord was away.
• Daoist Guhong explained that he would submit to Thunderclap Temple if the Pure Land were restored, but he would not submit to the Nine Mountains Sect; he allowed its representatives to open a shop in Strife-Free City.
• A year later, Han Qi opened the Nine Mountains Department Store and advertised discounts, clear prices, and returns and exchanges.
• Han Qi’s staff introduced customers to the store’s Spirit Artifacts and its illusion-based trials using a Comprehensive Mirror.
• A sword cultivator tried the Azure Cloud Sword in an illusion, became eager to continue, and bought one after the trial ended.

Madam Thousand Mechanisms visited Nine Mountains Department Store to investigate Nine Mountains Sect’s activities, but its merchandise and Heaven-Earth Bank impressed her. She learned how the bank’s currency, deposits, and transfers worked, leaving her to consider whether cultivators would adopt the system and whether Nine Mountains Sect could back it with enough Spirit Stones.

• Madam Thousand Mechanisms arrived at Nine Mountains Department Store, where a long queue and strict entry limits showed how popular it had become.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms met Han Qi, then toured the store and bought several accessories after being dazzled by the selection.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms visited Heaven-Earth Bank and learned that deposits earned interest and could be exchanged for Nine Mountains Currency.
• A Nine Mountains Sect disciple explained that Comprehensive Mirrors enabled secure withdrawals and quick transfers, while the bank also traded resources for currency.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms recognized the bank’s appeal for safety and convenience, but wondered whether Nine Mountains Sect possessed enough Spirit Stones to maintain the exchange.

The Nine Mountains Sect expanded its influence through Heaven-Earth Bank and began establishing a Divine Way system in Xuanwei, ordaining Xiao Qing as Vast Sun City’s first City God. Deep in Chaos, Zheng Fa began his True Immortal transformation far sooner than the trapped immortals expected.

• Madam Thousand Mechanisms told Daoist Guhong that the Nine Mountains Department Store had made her uneasy, while Senior Sister Zhang explained how Heaven-Earth Bank used deposits to fund the Nine Mountains Sect’s productive growth and spread its influence.
• Water Mother explained that Divine Way ordination linked believers to the Nine Mountains Realm, and the Heavenly Emperor Body ordained Xiao Qing as the City God of Vast Sun City.
• The Heavenly Emperor Body tasked Xiao Qing with overseeing judicial matters and identifying weaknesses in the Divine Way Inspectorate, while the group began establishing more temples.
• Azure Maiden, Lunar Fairy, and Nishang Yuanjun worried that Zheng Fa might need decades or longer to reach the strength needed to free them from Chaos.
• Zheng Fa began transforming into a True Immortal, astonishing Lunar Fairy and prompting Nishang Yuanjun to say he had done it in less than a hundred days.

After becoming a True Immortal, Zheng Fa attacked Evil Water Mother and exposed the God-Investiture Register hidden beneath her roots. The Register summoned a vision of the Ancient Heavenly Court, where Zheng Fa witnessed six Sages defeat the Human Sage and discuss suppressing him.

• Zheng Fa became a True Immortal, then entered the black hole on the Bronze Platform to test his strength against Evil Water Mother.
• Zheng Fa’s star array damaged Evil Water Mother, and he used the Nebula Millstones to crush her roots, revealing the God-Investiture Register.
• The Register’s glow drew a Heavenly Palace from the darkness, where Zheng Fa recognized Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunти.
• The six Sages confronted a man who called himself the Human Sage and claimed to be a Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal; Yuanshi attacked him with the Pangu Banner.
• The Sages emerged injured and said the Human Sage had fallen, then agreed to suppress him so he would not awaken again.
• Evil Water Mother wept as Zheng Fa heard the fallen man referred to as the Emperor.

Water Mother revealed what she knew about Emperor and offered to help the Nine Mountains Sect locate the Remnant Grand Array of Heavenly Stars. Meanwhile, Daoist Guhong learned that the Nine Mountains Sect’s currency, bank, and businesses had made the Northern Continent dependent on it, before the Peacock Great Emperor returned from the Western Continent.

• Water Mother told the Heavenly Emperor Body and Senior Sister Zhang that Emperor had been the First Era’s strongest cultivator, that the God-Sealing List was his legacy treasure, and that Thunderclap Temple might be connected to him.
• After hearing the Heavenly Emperor Body suggest Evil Water Mother might benefit from the God-Sealing List, Water Mother offered to help locate the Remnant Grand Array of Heavenly Stars and launch the stars.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms showed Daoist Guhong that Nine Mountains Currency and the Heaven-Earth Bank had displaced Strife-Free City’s industries and drawn much of its wealth and livelihood under the Nine Mountains Sect’s control.
• Daoist Guhong learned from replies from Suspended Island and Beyond-Heaven Mountain that they faced the same situation, then agreed to tolerate the economic losses because cultivators ultimately relied on strength.
• The Peacock Great Emperor appeared in Daoist Guhong’s temple, dismissed the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow as a minor trick, and was asked whether the Pure Land had been restored.

The Peacock Great Emperor persuaded Daoist Guhong to support Thunderclap Temple while Madam Thousand Mechanisms engineered a coordinated run on Heaven-Earth Bank. As withdrawals spread across Northern Continent, Han Qi kept the bank open and invited everyone to withdraw, leaving the Nine Mountains Sect facing a month-long crisis.

• The Peacock Great Emperor told Daoist Guhong that Lu Mo had entered seclusion to pursue a breakthrough and wanted the Three Reclusive Immortals to help guard against the Nine Mountains Sect.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms publicly requested all of Strife-Free City's deposits from Heaven-Earth Bank, then Han Qi learned that Suspended Island and Beyond-Heaven Mountain were demanding withdrawals too.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms explained that a mass conversion of Nine Mountains Currency into Spirit Stones could overwhelm the bank because the realm lacked enough Spirit Stones.
• Cultivators began queuing at Nine Mountains Department Store to withdraw their deposits, and Han Qi ordered the branches to let them withdraw for a full month.

Madam Thousand Mechanisms tried to expose Heaven-Earth Bank by coordinating a mass withdrawal, but Han Qi answered with a vast shipment of Spirit Stones from Nine Mountains Sect. The bank repaid its depositors, lowered its interest rates, and attracted a surge of new deposits, while Madam Thousand Mechanisms lost credibility; Nine Mountains Sect then prepared for its first round of test firing.

• Madam Thousand Mechanisms and her allies observed Heaven-Earth Bank honoring withdrawals and concluded that Nine Mountains Sect was only pretending to have enough Spirit Stones.
• A month later, Madam Thousand Mechanisms led Strife-Free City’s withdrawal as Suspended Island, Beyond-Heaven Mountain, and other cultivators also arrived to demand their funds.
• Han Qi revealed that the Divine Firmament Fleet had brought Spirit Stones from Nine Mountains Sect, and Xie Qingxue’s fleet delivered enough to repay the depositors.
• After Han Qi announced lower interest rates for new deposits, cultivators rushed to redeposit their Spirit Stones, while many blamed Madam Thousand Mechanisms for their lost interest.
• Uncle-Master Pang and Senior Sister Zhang reviewed Heaven-Earth Bank’s increased deposits and reduced interest costs as Water Mother recognized the bank’s growing influence.
• Nine Mountains Sect announced that Northern Continent cultivators had sold enough resources to Heaven-Earth Bank for preparations to begin for the first round of test firing.

At Heaven-Piercing Sword Peak, the Water Mother watched Nine Mountains Sect launch a giant flying-sword detector into Chaos to search for Zheng Fa and the Remnant Grand Array of Heavenly Stars. Xie Qingxue reached the designated location and transformed the craft into the Chaos Space Station, where she prepared to explore farther into Chaos.

• The Water Mother inspected the Void-Piercing Eye, which Uncle-Master Pang and the Nine Mountains Sect had built using his Void-Piercing Spirit Eye and the Original Devil Ancestor's Dharma Body.
• Senior Sister Zhang used the Stellar Power readings to set a direction for the search, while Xie Qingxue prepared to launch the giant sword-shaped detector with Yan Wushuang and the Sword Dao disciples.
• Xie Qingxue flew with the detector through Chaos and reported through the Comprehensive Mirror that she had reached the designated position safely.
• Xie Qingxue transformed the flying sword into a modular Chaos Space Station equipped with the Void-Piercing Eye, communications, and a launch platform.
• Xie Qingxue told the Water Mother that she had chosen the mission to give the Tianhe Sword Way new uses beyond killing enemies and to see what its Founder had never seen.

Zheng Fa’s allies awakened from the Mystic Crystal Flower after only two months, while the Nine Mountains Sect organized a massive effort to reinforce the Grand Array of Heavenly Stars and bring him home. In Northern Continent, Peacock Great Emperor and Daoist Guhong turned their attention to the sect’s growing wealth and began considering force against it.

• Azure Maiden, Lunar Fairy, and Nishang Yuanjun froze themselves with the Mystic Crystal Flower to escape Evil Water Mother’s influence and wait for Zheng Fa’s return.
• Zheng Fa awakened the three women after two months and told them that a Nine Mountains Sect space station had arrived to take them home.
• Xie Qingxue reported finding Zheng Fa, and Senior Sister Zhang’s group planned to send refined stars through space stations to strengthen the Grand Array of Heavenly Stars while Zheng Fa cultivated.
• Senior Sister Zhang arranged to obtain spirit materials from Northern Continent and the Supreme Dao, while Water Mother questioned whether the sect could gather enough resources.
• Daoist Guhong worried that the Nine Mountains Sect had gained too much economic influence in Northern Continent, and Peacock Great Emperor suggested exploiting the sect’s wealth and scattered forces.

Peacock Great Emperor persuaded Daoist Guhong to raid Nine Mountains Department Store, but Daoist Guhong refused and secretly warned Nine Mountains Sect about Lu Mo. Demon Race forces attacked the Yu City branch, only to trigger its Security Protocol as they entered Heaven-Earth Bank.

• Peacock Great Emperor explained what he believed were the weaknesses of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow and urged Daoist Guhong to raid Nine Mountains Department Store and Heaven-Earth Bank.
• Daoist Guhong refused to attack, then planned to seek support from Suspended Island, Beyond-Heaven Mountain, and Supreme Dao while secretly warning Manager Han about Lu Mo.
• A group of Peacock Great Emperor's Demon Race forces infiltrated Yu City and attacked Nine Mountains Department Store, driving away the local Strife-Free City disciples.
• The demons broke into the empty store and headed for Heaven-Earth Bank, where Nine Mountains disciples confronted them behind the counter.
• When a Spirit Transformation demon attacked, Security Protocol activated, a barrier threw it back, and the system locked onto the intruders.

Nine Mountains Department Store transformed into a flying war fortress and unleashed its Honeycomb Flying Swords against the Demon Race attackers. The fortress wiped out nearly all the demons in Yu City, revealing that Nine Mountains Sect’s campaign in Northern Continent was shifting from commerce toward military action.

• Yu City cultivators tried to loot Nine Mountains Department Store, but the store revealed its defenses and the Loose Immortal golden eagle fled with the demons.
• Nine Mountains Department Store rose into the air as a fortress, while the disciples confirmed their supplies and prepared to fight.
• At Vast Sun Base, Senior Sister Zhang and Supreme Elder Pang watched the attacks on stores across Northern Continent and discussed Han Qi’s Armed Marketplace Plan.
• The fortress launched tens of thousands of Honeycomb Flying Swords at the escaping demons, trapping them in the sky above Yu City.
• A demon’s armor withstood the initial sword strikes, but the flying swords self-destructed and destroyed him; the swarm then cleared away nearly all the demons.
• Yu City’s would-be looters froze as the victorious fortress remained above them.

The Nine Mountains Sect’s Divine Firmament Main Cannon killed the fleeing golden eagle, leaving Daoist Guhong and Madam Thousand Mechanisms to reconsider their alliances and seek security with the Supreme Dao. Later, Han Qi visited on behalf of the Nine Mountains Immortal Court to invite Daoist Guhong to join, and challenged his reasons for refusing.

• The Divine Firmament Main Cannon locked onto the fleeing golden eagle and burned him to ash with one shot.
• Daoist Guhong and Madam Thousand Mechanisms concluded that Peacock had used the invading demons as a test and discussed retreating to Strife-Free Island as well as the dangers of relying on Lu Mo, Zheng Fa, or their factions.
• Daoist Guhong received an offer of protection from the Supreme Dao and began corresponding with Suspended Island and Beyond-Heaven Mountain about joining them.
• Han Qi arrived at Watching Ripples Palace as a special envoy of the Nine Mountains Immortal Court and invited Daoist Guhong to join.
• Daoist Guhong rejected the invitation because the Immortal Court gave mortals too much standing, and Han Qi challenged him by asking what he feared.

Han Qi persuaded Daoist Guhong to consider joining the Nine Mountains Immortal Court by explaining the opportunities its open system offered Rogue Cultivators, then warned him that Nine Mountains Sect would attack the Peacock Demon Kingdom. With the Three Reclusive Immortals divided and waiting, Xie Qingxue prepared to carry out the campaign and ordered the kingdom destroyed within three months.

• Han Qi argued that Daoist Guhong could gain status and opportunities by joining the Nine Mountains Immortal Court, prompting him to reconsider submitting to Nine Mountains Sect.
• Han Qi announced that the Grand Elders' Council had decided to level the Peacock Demon Kingdom and said the campaign would not target Strife-Free City.
• Daoist Guhong and Madam Thousand Mechanisms recognized that Nine Mountains Sect was pressuring them to submit or risk the Peacock Demon Kingdom's fate, while the Three Reclusive Immortals remained divided.
• Xie Qingxue told Senior Sister Zhang that Han Qi had temporarily stabilized the forces under the Three Reclusive Immortals, and Senior Sister Zhang ordered her to complete the strategic objectives while preserving her forces.
• Xie Qingxue ordered her fleet to leave no Peacock Demon Kingdom in Xuanwei within three months.

Xie Qingxue led the Nine Mountains Sect’s Divine Firmament Fleet toward the Peacock Demon Kingdom, promising to conquer it in three months. When the fleet reached Demon Wind Valley, it demolished the natural barrier with a lavish barrage of self-detonating swords, leaving its observers astonished.

• Daoist Guhong and Madam Thousand Mechanisms watched the Divine Firmament Fleet arrive with Han Qi, and Xie Qingxue led it toward the Peacock Demon Kingdom.
• Han Qi told them Xie Qingxue planned to conquer the Peacock Demon Kingdom in three months and visit Strife-Free City afterward.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms explained that Demon Wind Valley’s deadly gales and resident demons made it a formidable obstacle for human cultivators.
• Xie Qingxue offered the Peacock Demon Kingdom’s inhabitants pardon if they submitted, but the Cold Crow King rejected her demand and unleashed a storm against the fleet.
• Xie Qingxue’s fleet sent tens of thousands of swords into the valley, filling and severing the abyss, prompting Madam Thousand Mechanisms to marvel at the Nine Mountains Sect’s lavish tactics.

The Nine Mountains Sect destroyed the Cold Crow King’s forces and advanced into the Peacock Demon Kingdom using overwhelming, resource-intensive attacks that prioritized its disciples’ lives. Daoist Guhong and Madam Thousand Mechanisms realized the campaign faced almost no effective resistance, even though the Peacock Great Emperor had yet to intervene.

• The Nine Mountains Sect annihilated the cold crows and flattened Demon Wind Valley with a vast barrage of flying swords, leaving the Cold Crow King to flee.
• Han Qi explained that the sect valued its disciples’ lives above flying swords, while Daoist Guhong inferred that the sect could afford to spend freely.
• The Divine Firmament fleet collected the cold crow corpses for transport, and Xie Qingxue continued toward the Peacock Demon Kingdom.
• Xie Qingxue’s fleet rapidly destroyed powerful demons and their strongholds as Daoist Guhong and Madam Thousand Mechanisms watched.
• Madam Thousand Mechanisms recognized that the Nine Mountains Sect fought through industrial-scale attacks rather than cultivator duels.
• Within two months, the fleet had seized most southeastern strongholds, killed more than three Demon Race Loose Immortals, and wounded a True Immortal, convincing the observers that the times had changed.