Chapter Summaries

Sun Wukong visited King Yama to apologize and learned that the Fengdu Emperor was his senior brother. In Emperor Hall, Yang Tianyou revealed his identity and connection to Sun Wukong’s master, leaving Sun Wukong asking how many more secrets he still did not know.

• King Yama explained that Sun Wukong’s care and cultivation had greatly extended the Flower-Fruit Mountain monkeys’ lives, then accepted his apology for wrecking the Hall of Yama.
• King Yama told Sun Wukong to visit the Fengdu Emperor, whom he said was Sun Wukong’s senior brother, and pushed him out of the Hall of Yama.
• Sun Wukong entered Emperor Hall, where the Fengdu Emperor blocked the onlookers’ divine consciousness and welcomed him as a brother.
• The Fengdu Emperor revealed that he was Yang Tianyou, Fairy Yun Hua’s eldest son, the brother of Yang Jian and Yang Chan, and a son and disciple connected to Sun Wukong’s master.
• Sun Wukong chose to call Yang Tianyou Senior Brother and asked him to explain the many secrets he still did not know.

Sun Wukong visited the Underworld, then sought out Zhao Gongming at the God of Wealth's Palace to learn more about their lineage. Zhao Gongming began recounting its history, leaving Sun Wukong eager to hear the full story.

• Yang Jiao told Sun Wukong that he could now walk freely through the Primordial Wilderness and call for help if anyone bullied him.
• Sun Wukong bowed toward the Six Paths Samsara Palace, then flew to the Heavenly Court, where the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals greeted him as the Great Sage.
• Sun Wukong noticed immortals and gods crowding around to meet him, vanished, and appeared at the God of Wealth's Palace.
• Zhao Gongming welcomed Sun Wukong, approved of his apology to the Underworld, and reacted with surprise that Yang Jiao had become Primordial Origin.
• Sun Wukong asked Zhao Gongming about their martial mothers and the secrets of their lineage, so Zhao Gongming began telling him its history.

Sun Wukong left Zhao Gongming’s palace and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain, then sensed that Kong Xuan was about to attain the Dao at the Undying Volcano. He joined his senior brothers there to witness Kong Xuan’s breakthrough, which was underway inside the volcano.

• Sun Wukong misunderstood Zhao Gongming’s praise of their master, then left the God of Wealth’s Palace after Bixiao’s teasing became too much for him.
• Sun Wukong asked Zhao Gongming to look after Zhu Bajie before returning to Flower-Fruit Mountain to visit his monkeys.
• While watching the young monkeys practice Martial Dao, Sun Wukong sensed turmoil in the spiritual energy and realized Kong Xuan might be attaining the Dao.
• Xuan Wu raised his merit-bearing tortoise-shell treasure to protect Kong Xuan, and Sun Wukong traveled to the Undying Volcano.
• Sun Wukong joined Zhao Gongming and the other senior brothers, then saw Kong Xuan floating within the volcano’s Nirvana Fire as the Innate Five Elements circulated around him.

Kong Xuan began attaining enlightenment through the Innate Five Elements at the Undying Volcano, watched over by Wu Tian, Xuan Wu, the sages, and his mother Yuan Feng. His Peacock True Form emerged from the Nirvana Fire and opened a world with the Five-Colored Divine Light as his power surged.

• Xuan Wu manifested his Great Emperor dharma form and used his tortoise shell to suppress the Undying Volcano as Kong Xuan pursued enlightenment.
• Wu Tian appeared, assured Xuan Wu, and told his disciples to study Kong Xuan’s Five Elements path.
• Taiqing and the other sages watched Kong Xuan, while Taiqing silently reminded Yuanshi that the beings he had scorned were flourishing.
• Yuan Feng appeared at the Undying Volcano, thanked Wu Tian for helping Kong Xuan, and reflected on how her son was attaining enlightenment where she had long suppressed the Earth Core Poison Fire.
• The Undying Volcano shook, but Xuan Wu’s tortoise shell suppressed the chaos as the Nirvana Fire surged out.
• Kong Xuan’s Peacock True Form emerged, swept out the Innate Five-Colored Divine Light, opened a world in the void, and rapidly grew in power.

Kong Xuan attained Primordial Unity at the Undying Volcano through the Innate Five Elements, reaching Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin and earning merit as he stabilized the volcano. After thanking Yuan Feng and greeting the observing cultivators, he watched Wu Tian and Yuan Feng return to the Origin Realm while his fellow disciples gathered around him.

• Kong Xuan absorbed the laws and Earth Core Poison Fire at the Undying Volcano, strengthening the Primordial World and stabilizing the volcano.
• Kong Xuan declared that he had completed his Dao through the Innate Five Elements and ascended to Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin.
• Kong Xuan tried to kowtow to Wu Tian, but Wu Tian stopped him and urged him to thank Yuan Feng for giving him the Innate Five Elements origin.
• Kong Xuan bowed to Yuan Feng, who acknowledged both her gift and the Phoenix Clan's karmic burden, then greeted the gathered saints and fellow Daoists.
• Yuan Feng invited Wu Tian back to the Origin Realm, and Wu Tian left with her after instructing Kong Xuan and the other disciples.
• Zhao Gongming and the other disciples bid farewell to Wu Tian and Yuan Feng, then surrounded Kong Xuan.

After attaining Primordial Origin, Kong Xuan reassured Zhao Gongming that his Divine Dao could also lead to attaining the Dao, citing Wu Tian’s prediction. Zhao Gongming’s doubts settled and his cultivation advanced, then Kong Xuan transported the disciples into Chaos so he could test his power against Sun Wukong.

• Sun Wukong congratulated Kong Xuan on attaining the Dao and eagerly challenged him to fight in Chaos.
• Kong Xuan answered the disciples’ questions and encouraged them to trust Wu Tian’s teachings and opportunities.
• Zhao Gongming asked whether he could attain the Dao, worried that the Divine Dao’s incense offerings bound him to karmic forces.
• Kong Xuan told Zhao Gongming that Wu Tian had said the End of Dharma Age would bring his strongest incense offerings and an opportunity to attain the Dao.
• Zhao Gongming’s worries lifted, his cultivation advanced, and he thanked Kong Xuan.
• Kong Xuan used the Primordial Five-Colored Divine Light to carry the disciples beyond the Primordial Wilderness and into Chaos.

Sun Wukong and Kong Xuan battled in Chaos before word arrived that Xuandu was about to attain the Dao at Mount Shouyang. Wu Tian and the others returned to witness the event, where Wu Tian and Taiqing Sage shared in the celebration.

• Sun Wukong and Kong Xuan fought in their true forms in Chaos, strengthening Kong Xuan’s Primordial Origin Dao foundation.
• Spiritual qi stirred across the Primordial Wilderness, and the Taiji Diagram appeared above Mount Shouyang as Taiqing Sage prepared to oversee Xuandu’s breakthrough.
• Kong Xuan told Sun Wukong and the others how he and Xuandu had retrieved the River Map and Luo Scroll for Fuxi, and explained why Wu Tian had approved Xuandu becoming Taiqing Sage’s disciple.
• Sun Wukong, Kong Xuan, Zhao Gongming, and the others left Chaos and returned to Mount Shouyang, where they found Wu Tian waiting to witness Xuandu’s attainment of the Dao.
• Wu Tian congratulated Taiqing Sage, who called Xuandu’s breakthrough a shared joy, prompting Wu Tian to laugh in agreement.

Xuandu attained the Dao with Wu Tian’s support, and Duobao later became a Heavenly Dao Saint, restoring the Western Sect’s two saintly positions. Their breakthroughs were followed by signs that the Tribulation of Dharma Ending was about to begin, leaving Taiqing and Yuanshi to seek answers from Wu Tian.

• After Xuandu attained the Dao, he thanked Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Wu Tian, who urged him to exchange cultivation insights with Kong Xuan and Sun Wukong.
• Kong Xuan invited Xuandu to the Origin Realm to discuss the Dao beneath the Enlightenment Tea Tree, and Taiqing agreed to the plan.
• Wu Tian left for the Underworld, while Xuandu’s attainment strengthened the fortune of Taiqing’s lineage and the Human Clan.
• Duobao returned from his tribulations, made a great vow, obtained the final strand of Primordial Violet Qi, and became a Heavenly Dao Saint.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi sensed that the Primordial Wilderness had lost much of its vitality and suspected that the Tribulation of Dharma Ending was imminent.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi decided to ask Wu Tian what was happening and what preparations he had made.

Wu Tian and Empress Pingxin investigated subtle changes in the Primordial World and concluded they signaled an approaching Tribulation that could not be stopped. Taiqing and Yuanshi arrived to ask how to respond, and Wu Tian said the answer depended on their choice.

• Empress Pingxin and Wu Tian detected changes in the Primordial World and deduced that a Tribulation was approaching.
• Wu Tian argued that his efforts to strengthen the Primordial World had preserved its foundation and gathered more powerful cultivators to face future Tribulations.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi opened a passage to the Underworld and requested an audience with Empress Pingxin.
• Empress Pingxin invited Taiqing and Yuanshi into the Six Paths Samsara Palace, where they asked Wu Tian whether the changes could be resolved.
• Wu Tian said the Tribulation could not be stopped but that there was a way to respond, and that it depended on what Taiqing and Yuanshi chose.

Wu Tian proposed triggering the Tribulation of Dharma Ending and the Immeasurable Tribulation early, while the Primordial Wilderness still held abundant reserves, rather than waiting for the world to weaken. Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Empress Pingxin agreed, and Wu Tian began outlining preparations, including helping cultivators grow stronger and advancing Haotian's attainment of the Dao.

• Wu Tian explained that the Primordial Wilderness's Tribulation could not be avoided and rejected waiting for the world to decline as Hongjun had intended.
• Wu Tian proposed bringing the Tribulation of Dharma Ending and the Immeasurable Tribulation together early, while the Primordial Wilderness was still strong.
• Empress Pingxin supported Wu Tian's plan, and Taiqing and Yuanshi agreed to join him.
• Wu Tian showed scenes of the Primordial World and urged them to spend its accumulated reserves to strengthen cultivators, especially those at the Primordial Origin realm.
• Wu Tian said Haotian should attain the Dao before the Tribulation arrived, and Haotian felt the final obstruction in his realm loosen.

Wu Tian and the sages agreed to give more cultivators a chance to pursue the Dao and to prepare a refuge for ordinary beings if the coming calamity destroyed the Primordial Wilderness. After Taiqing and Yuanshi returned to Kunlun Mountain, Yuanshi ordered Yun Zhongzi to ring the Golden Bell and summon the beings to hear his teachings.

• Wu Tian proposed giving Haotian, Empress Pingxin, the Underworld's reincarnation masters, the Human Clan sages, and other cultivators opportunities to pursue the Dao, and Taiqing and Yuanshi agreed.
• Taiqing suggested that the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors leave Huoyun Cave, while Wu Tian extended the opportunity to Yuanshi's disciples and followers.
• Taiqing encouraged Yuanshi to return to Kunlun Mountain and renew his bond with his disciples by expounding the Dao, and Yuanshi accepted.
• Wu Tian proposed separating the Human Clan's Nine Provinces and other important places from the Primordial World and placing them in the Chaos Pearl as a refuge if the calamity brought ruin.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi returned to Kunlun Mountain, where Yuanshi ordered Yun Zhongzi to ring the Golden Bell, astonishing Yun Zhongzi and Perfected Being Yuding.

After Yuanshi ordered the Yuxu Palace Golden Bell rung to summon the Chan Sect disciples, the former disciples in the Western Sect debated whether they could return. Daoist Cihang separated from Guanyin and flew east toward Yuxu Palace, leaving Ran Deng and the others behind.

• Taiqing Sage told Yuanshi that the past Karma no longer mattered, and Yun Zhongzi hurried to ring the Golden Bell.
• The bell sounded across the Primordial Wilderness, drawing attention to Yuanshi's summons and stirring the former Chan Sect disciples gathered at Ran Deng's abode.
• Ran Deng decided not to return and resolved to keep the others in the Western Sect.
• Juliusun questioned whether Yuanshi would accept those who had betrayed the sect, making the gathered disciples doubt the summons was for them.
• Guanyin declared that he would obey his Master despite the risk of punishment, then separated Daoist Cihang's true body from himself.
• Daoist Cihang, wearing a relieved smile, transformed into clear light and flew east toward Yuxu Palace.

After Yuanshi rang the Golden Bell, several former Chan Sect disciples returned to Yuxu Palace, where he promised them a chance to escape the Investiture of the Gods and advance their cultivation. Yang Jian also came back, and the chapter ended as Perfected Cihang entered the hall.

• Several figures left Ran Deng’s gathering after Cihang Daoist departed, and Ran Deng let them go rather than risk Yuanshi’s wrath.
• Yun Zhongzi waited anxiously at Yuxu Palace until Guangchengzi, Nan Ji, and Perfected Taiyi arrived and apologized to Yuanshi.
• Yuanshi welcomed the three disciples and revealed that changes in the Primordial Wilderness might let them break free of the Investiture of the Gods.
• Yang Jian left Kong Xuan and the others to answer the Golden Bell, while Nezha refused to accompany him.
• Yang Jian greeted Yuanshi, Taiqing, and the returning disciples, then waited beside Perfected Being Yuding as Perfected Cihang entered Yuxu Palace.

Yuanshi forgave the returning Chan Sect disciples and announced that he and Taiqing would lecture on the Dao at Kunlun in three years. Wu Tian arranged preparations across the Origin Realm and the Human Clan for the coming upheaval, then set out to see Haotian.

• Cihang Daoist and the other returning Chan Sect Golden Immortals knelt before Yuanshi and confessed their betrayal, and Yuanshi forgave them.
• Yuanshi revealed that a great change was coming and that he and Taiqing would lecture on the Dao at Kunlun in three years, prompting beings across the Primordial Wilderness to hurry there.
• Wu Tian informed Wangshu and the Ancestral Witches that the Origin Realm’s affairs were entrusted to Wangshu and that the Ancestral Witches should refine their spoils of war in Chaos.
• Wu Tian told the Three Sovereigns, Five Emperors, and other Human Clan sages they could leave Huoyun Cave to seek opportunities, then kept Fuxi and Yu the Great to plan the Nine Provinces’ protection.
• Wu Tian tasked Fuxi with gathering the stars’ true essence into the River Map and Luo Scroll and Yu the Great with guarding the Nine Provinces and refining the Nine Cauldrons.
• After settling his arrangements, Wu Tian decided to go see Haotian.

Duobao went to Kunlun Mountain at Luohu’s urging and learned from Taiqing and Yuanshi that a great upheaval was coming to the Primordial Wilderness. The chapter ended with Wu Tian arriving in the Heavenly Court, where Haotian greeted him warmly.

• Luohu sent Duobao to Kunlun Mountain to ask Taiqing and Yuanshi what major changes were coming.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi realized they had forgotten to inform Duobao and Luohu, and Taiqing contacted Wu Tian.
• Wu Tian admitted the oversight and told Taiqing to explain the plans to Duobao and Luohu.
• Duobao met Taiqing and Yuanshi, who explained the coming upheaval and the opportunity it would bring.
• Wu Tian entered the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and Haotian rose to greet him as his brother-in-law.

Wu Tian visited Haotian to explain how the Investiture of the Gods could help him complete himself and attain the Dao of Primordial Zenith. Haotian agreed the plan could work and was reassured that the Sages would share the karmic burden.

• Haotian welcomed Wu Tian and asked about the strange developments in the Primordial Wilderness and the Sages' plans to expound the Dao.
• Wu Tian told Haotian that his chance to attain the Dao had arrived and explained the plan they had discussed in the Underworld.
• Haotian recognized that his incomplete true form, rather than a lack of spiritual energy or merit, had blocked his advancement.
• Wu Tian proposed that Haotian obtain the innate indestructible spiritual light within the Investiture of the Gods to complete himself and become a Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal.
• Haotian worried that breaking the Investiture of the Gods would make him bear the karmic consequences, but Wu Tian assured him the Sages would share the burden.

As the great calamity approached, Wu Tian urged Haotian to seize his opportunity and returned to the Origin Realm, where he and the goddesses prepared ways for beings across the Primordial World to survive. Teaching and cultivation spread throughout the world, while Yuanshi noticed that an unseen force was draining the Chan Sect Golden Immortals’ power through the Investiture of the Gods.

• Wu Tian finished advising Haotian, urged him not to miss his opportunity, and vanished from Haotian’s sealed cultivation site without triggering its restrictions.
• Wu Tian returned to Wangshu’s divine hall and learned that Wangshu and the other Innate Goddesses were willing to follow him even if it meant returning to extinction; he told them to teach and prepare the living beings for survival.
• Queen Mother of the West accelerated the growth of the Innate Ren Water Peach Tree, Nuwa taught the Demon Race, Wangshu taught in the Origin Realm, and Yuan Feng returned to command Undying Volcano.
• Tongtian and Zhen Yuanzi opened places for cultivators to hear the Dao, while Wu Tian trained the Great Witches by beating them and drawing Primordial World killing intent into their bodies.
• Yuanshi taught the Dao on Kunlun Mountain as cultivators broke through, but the Chan Sect Golden Immortals found their advances suppressed and their power drained through the Investiture of the Gods; Yuanshi looked toward Taiqing Sage.

Yuanshi waited for Haotian to shatter the Investiture of the Gods, but Yunxiao attained Primordial Origin first through the Dao of formations. Wu Tian strengthened her Dao foundation and shared his formation insights, while a new shock drew Yuanshi’s attention back to Golden Ao Island.

• Yuanshi grew impatient waiting for Haotian to act, but Taiqing told him not to rush.
• Yunxiao attained Primordial Origin on Golden Ao Island by comprehending the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation and the Dao of formations.
• Yunxiao thanked Tongtian and Wu Tian, who sent her mystical power that stabilized her Dao foundation and imparted formation insights.
• Taiqing reminded Yuanshi that Yunxiao had always been destined to attain the Dao, but Yuanshi was suddenly shocked by another event on Golden Ao Island.

Golden Spirit Holy Mother attained the Primordial Zenith realm on Golden Ao Island, and Wu Tian sent her a mysterious light to stabilize her cultivation. Seeing the Intercepting Sect’s growing strength, Yuanshi and Taiqing decided to act together to break the Investiture of the Gods and free their disciples.

• Golden Spirit Holy Mother drew on the stars’ origins to attain the Primordial Zenith realm, then thanked Tongtian and Wu Tian.
• Wu Tian sent a mysterious light into Golden Spirit Holy Mother, further stabilizing her new cultivation.
• Chan Sect disciples grew anxious as they watched another Intercepting Sect disciple attain the Dao, while Cihang Daoist worried that freeing them from the Investiture of the Gods would burden Yuanshi.
• Yuanshi resolved to act to free his disciples, and Taiqing agreed to share the burden and any backlash.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi formed Saint’s talisman edicts and sent them into the depths of the Heavenly Dao.

Haotian continued to delay refining the Investiture of the Gods, refusing to risk its backlash or be blamed for shattering it. Taiqing and Yuanshi arrived and struck the Investiture themselves, causing it to tremble and shaking the Divine Dao throughout the Primordial World.

• Haotian watched Yunxiao and Golden Spirit Holy Mother attain the Dao, then resolved to wait and see whether the Sages would act first.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi appeared in Lingxiao Treasure Hall and questioned Haotian about why he had not refined the Investiture of the Gods.
• Haotian admitted that he could not yet handle the Investiture, avoiding the risk of taking responsibility for shattering it.
• Taiqing and Yuanshi decided to strike the Investiture themselves and sent their Sage talismans toward it.
• The Investiture of the Gods trembled, sending golden light above the Heavenly Dao's origin and startling Divine Dao cultivators across the Primordial World.