Chapter Summaries

Houtu allowed Nüwa to visit the East Sea with Ao Guang, adding her own protection to the mark Zhou Ming had left. At the Crystal Palace, Ao Guang put Ao Bing in charge of entertaining and safeguarding Nüwa, who eagerly went off to explore with him.

• Nüwa asked Houtu for permission to visit the East Sea, and Houtu agreed after warning her to behave and listen to Ao Guang.
• Houtu placed an earthen-yellow protective mark on Nüwa and ordered Ao Guang to return her safely.
• Ao Guang took Nüwa to the Crystal Palace, where she delighted in the sights of the seabed.
• Ao Guang summoned Ao Bing and ordered him to devote himself to entertaining Nüwa and protecting her.
• Ao Bing greeted Nüwa and led her out of the hall to begin their visit.

Ao Bing took Nüwa from the East Sea Dragon Palace to play on the surface, where he fell asleep and she was swept into the sea by a sudden wave. As Ao Bing frantically searched for her, a protective barrier appeared around Nüwa, and Houtu’s phantom and Zhou Ming took shape beside her.

• Ao Bing showed Nüwa the sights of the Dragon Palace until she grew tired of playing underwater and asked to visit the surface.
• Ao Bing happily took Nüwa out on a boat across the East Sea.
• While Ao Bing slept on the boat, Nüwa reached toward the seawater and a huge wave threw her overboard.
• Ao Bing awoke to find Nüwa missing and searched the surrounding waters without finding her aura.
• As Nüwa sank through the sea, two lights formed a barrier around her, and Houtu’s phantom and Zhou Ming appeared.

Houtu and Zhou Ming rescued Nüwa from the Eastern Sea and concluded that her name had brought her into conflict with a Sage’s Fortune, so Zhou Ming renamed her Jingwei. Houtu took her back toward Chen Capital, while Ao Guang and Ao Bing were left relieved but chastened after the Dragon King feared offending the Sage.

• Houtu and Zhou Ming found no sign of a Sage or the Heavenly Dao causing Nüwa’s peril, and Zhou Ming said her calamity had passed.
• Zhou Ming suggested Houtu take Nüwa as her disciple after Shen Nong’s Merit was complete and renamed her Jingwei because she could not bear the name Nüwa.
• Ao Guang learned from Ao Ji that Nüwa had disappeared, rushed to the Eastern Sea, and scolded Ao Bing for failing to protect her.
• Houtu appeared with Nüwa, and Ao Guang and Ao Bing begged her forgiveness for letting the girl fall into the sea.
• Jingwei defended Ao Bing, so Houtu pardoned him, then took her toward Chen Capital as she waved goodbye to him.

Zhou Ming sent Chi You to be reborn among the human race so he could become Xuanyuan’s greatest rival and challenge him to unify the tribes. Meanwhile, Shen Nong completed and distributed his Compendium of Herbs, bringing medicine to the human race and bringing his Human Emperor merit to its peak as he prepared to choose a successor.

• Zhou Ming told Chi You to reincarnate as a human and become the greatest tribulation in Xuanyuan’s path to the Human Emperor throne.
• Chi You visited Empress Pingxin, who arranged his reincarnation and sealed away his Baleful Intent.
• Chi You was born into the Jiuli Tribe, where the chieftain named him Chi You.
• Shen Nong completed his Compendium of Herbs after years of tasting plants and recording their medicinal properties.
• Shen Nong returned to Chen Capital and ordered the compendium distributed, allowing clansmen to treat illnesses with herbs.
• Shen Nong sensed that his Human Emperor merit was nearly complete and resolved to find a worthy successor.

Shen Nong debated whether Xuanyuan or Chi You should succeed him as Human Emperor, weighing peaceful governance against military strength. Unable to decide, he ordered a detailed account of both candidates’ deeds and went to seek Houtu’s perspective.

• Shen Nong announced to his ministers that his merit was nearly complete and that he needed to choose the next Human Emperor.
• Ministers praised Xuanyuan’s virtue and governing skills, while others argued that Chi You’s martial strength could protect and unite the human tribes.
• Shen Nong considered the risks of both candidates and concluded that the choice would shape the Human Clan’s future.
• Shen Nong ordered the ministers to compile detailed records of Xuanyuan’s and Chi You’s deeds.
• Shen Nong left Human Emperor Hall to visit Houtu and seek another perspective.

Shen Nong sought Houtu’s guidance on choosing between Xuanyuan and Chi You as the next Human Emperor, fearing his decision would trigger civil war. Houtu explained that unification through war was inevitable and that Xuanyuan was destined to defeat Chi You and rule; Shen Nong left resolved to make his choice.

• Shen Nong told Houtu that he favored Xuanyuan’s approach to governance but feared Chi You’s military rule would bring prolonged war.
• Houtu pointed out that tribal conflicts already persisted under Shen Nong and that neither candidate could unify the Human Tribe without conflict.
• Houtu explained that the third Human Emperor’s mission was to unify the scattered tribes through war, making a clash between Xuanyuan and Chi You inevitable.
• Shen Nong asked whether Chi You could unify the tribes faster, but Houtu revealed that Chi You was a reincarnated Great Witch meant to test Xuanyuan.
• Houtu said Xuanyuan bore the Fortune of unification and was better suited to govern after defeating Chi You, and Shen Nong accepted her guidance and left.

Shennong completed his merit and abdicated the Human Emperor’s throne to Xuanyuan, while Primordial Lord appointed Guangchengzi to teach the new ruler. Zhou Ming and Houtu oversaw Shennong’s investiture as the Earthly Emperor, and Xuanyuan was acclaimed as the Human Clan’s new Human Emperor.

• Shennong spent several years confirming Xuanyuan’s suitability, then summoned the Human Clan’s tribes to witness his abdication.
• Primordial Lord appointed Guangchengzi to be Xuanyuan’s teacher and ordered the other Golden Immortals to support them.
• Zhou Ming, Houtu, and other Sages traveled to Chen Capital as Shennong and Xuanyuan prepared for the ceremony.
• Zhou Ming used the Kongtong Seal to proclaim Shennong the Earthly Emperor, and merit descended upon Shennong, Houtu, and Shennong’s worthy ministers.
• Shennong abdicated the throne to Xuanyuan, who accepted his trust and was saluted as the new Human Emperor.

After Shen Nong completed his Merit, Houtu took his daughter Jingwei as her disciple and departed with her. Primordial Lord Tianzun arrived before the new Human Emperor Xuanyuan, arranged for Guangchengzi to become his master, and instructed Guangchengzi to assist him among the Human Clan.

• Houtu ended her master-disciple bond with Shen Nong and asked to take Jingwei as her disciple, which Shen Nong accepted.
• Jingwei formally became Houtu's disciple and left with Houtu and Zhou Ming for Pangu Hall.
• Shen Nong returned to Huoyun Cave with Wu, Hong Yun, Suiren, and the others, leaving Xuanyuan alone on the altar.
• Primordial Lord Tianzun appeared with Guangchengzi and offered Guangchengzi as Xuanyuan's master; Xuanyuan suppressed his disappointment and accepted.
• Xuanyuan performed the disciple ceremony, and Primordial Lord Tianzun ordered Guangchengzi to remain among the Human Clan and assist him before returning to Jade Void Palace.

Xuanyuan struggled to unite the Human Clan as Chi You and the Jiuli Tribe challenged his authority. He rejected Guangchengzi’s call to conquer the tribes by force and decided to negotiate with Chi You, though he vowed to fight if peace failed.

• Xuanyuan told Guangchengzi that many tribes followed Chi You rather than recognizing him as Human Emperor.
• Guangchengzi urged Xuanyuan to subdue the disobedient tribes and ultimately defeat Chi You, while Chijingzi and True Person Yuding supported him.
• Xuanyuan refused to wage war on his fellow Human Clan members and said it would leave the clan weakened regardless of who won.
• Xuanyuan proposed meeting Chi You to seek a peaceful solution, but said he would fight if Chi You refused to abandon the conflict.
• Guangchengzi accepted Xuanyuan’s decision and left the Human Emperor Hall with his fellow disciples.

Guangchengzi planned to capture Chi You if negotiations failed, forcing Xuanyuan into war and helping him complete his merit. At Zhuolu, Chi You rejected Xuanyuan’s claim to the Human Emperor’s position until he proved himself, and the Clarify Sect immortals reacted angrily when Chi You demanded that Xuanyuan yield it.

• Guangchengzi told the Clarify Sect immortals that if Chi You refused to negotiate, they would capture him and leave the Jiuli Tribe in chaos.
• Xuanyuan met Chi You at Zhuolu and proposed that they govern the Human Clan together to avoid a civil war.
• Chi You challenged Xuanyuan to earn the right to rule by matching the achievements of Fuxi and Shen Nong, and said he would submit if Xuanyuan succeeded.
• Chi You demanded that Xuanyuan yield the Human Emperor’s position if he could not prove himself, prompting Chijingzi and the other Golden Immortals to prepare to strike.

Xuanyuan agreed to let Chi You claim the position of Human Emperor if he could lead the Human Clan to prosperity, but Chi You refused and prepared to leave. Guangchengzi and the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Clarify Sect then surrounded Chi You, while Xuanyuan condemned their ambush and ordered them to release him.

• Xuanyuan offered Chi You the position of Human Emperor if Chi You could better serve the Human Clan, leaving Chi You stunned.
• Chi You rejected Xuanyuan's offer, declared he would take the position through his own strength, and left.
• Guangchengzi and the other Golden Immortals surrounded Chi You and announced they would capture him for disrespecting the Human Emperor.
• Chi You asked Xuanyuan whether the ambush was his doing, and Xuanyuan denied it and demanded that the Clarify Sect release him.
• Guangchengzi refused Xuanyuan's order, arguing that any means were acceptable if they helped unify the Human Clan.

Chi You defeated the Twelve Golden Immortals in a one-sided battle, then challenged Xuanyuan to prepare for war. Xuanyuan blamed the Chan Sect for destroying any chance of reconciliation and returned to Chendu to ready his forces.

• Chi You charged the Twelve Golden Immortals and broke through their attacks without being injured.
• Chi You battered the immortals and their treasures with his fists, defeating all twelve in moments.
• Chi You spared the Golden Immortals for Primordial Lord's sake, mocked their weakness, and told Xuanyuan to prepare for war.
• Xuanyuan condemned Guang Chengzi and the others for interfering in the Human Clan's affairs and demanded that the Chan Sect deal with Chi You.
• Xuanyuan left for Chendu to rally his supporters and prepare for a battle he believed would decide who could unite the tribes.

After the Twelve Golden Immortals failed to defeat Chi You and angered Xuanyuan, they went to Kunlun Mountain to report to Primordial Lord Tianzun. He discovered that Calm Heart had used the Earth Dao to seal Chi You’s former Great Witch body inside his reincarnated body, and feared the Wu Clan was helping Chi You contend for the third Human Emperor.

• Xuanyuan departed in anger, and Guang Chengzi assured the worried Chan Sect immortals that Xuanyuan would still need their help against Chi You.
• Guang Chengzi led the injured Twelve Golden Immortals to Kunlun Mountain to seek Primordial Lord Tianzun’s guidance on defeating Chi You.
• Primordial Lord Tianzun rebuked the Twelve Golden Immortals for losing to Chi You, but listened as Guang Chengzi explained Chi You’s extraordinary strength.
• Primordial Lord Tianzun calculated the Heavenly Secrets and discovered that Calm Heart had sealed Chi You’s former Great Witch body inside his reincarnated body using the authority of the Earth Dao.
• Primordial Lord Tianzun accused the Wu Clan of cheating and suspected that they intended to help Chi You compete for the position of the third Human Emperor.

Yuanshi Tianzun sent reinforcements and powerful spiritual treasures to help the Human Emperor’s side defeat Chi You, whom the Wu Clan was supporting. Fifteen Chan Sect experts headed for Chendu, equipped with Saintly power and orders to ensure success.

• Yuanshi Tianzun dismissed his unanswered questions about the Wu Clan and healed the Twelve Golden Immortals.
• Yuanshi summoned Daoist Randeng, Immortal Weng of the South Pole, and Yun Zhongzi, ordering them to join the Twelve Golden Immortals in dealing with Chi You.
• Yuanshi bestowed the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner on Guang Chengzi, the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud on Immortal Weng of the South Pole, and the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi on Daoist Randeng.
• Yuanshi told the group to use the treasures to trap Chi You and revealed that each held a strand of his Saintly magical power.
• The fifteen Chan Sect experts flew toward Chendu as Yuanshi declared that the Wu Clan would lose.

After Guangchengzi returned with Randeng, Immortal Weng of the South Pole, Yun Zhongzi, and the Twelve Golden Immortals, he assured Xuanyuan they could defeat Chi You. Chi You and Xuanyuan then brought their armies to the Plains of Zhuolu, where their forces and the Chan Sect immortals began the battle.

• Guangchengzi introduced Randeng, Immortal Weng of the South Pole, and Yun Zhongzi to Xuanyuan and promised their magic treasures would secure victory over Chi You.
• Chi You accused Xuanyuan of ambushing him during negotiations, rallied the Jiuli warriors, and marched toward Chendu as Xuanyuan mobilized his allies for battle.
• At the Plains of Zhuolu, Xuanyuan offered to yield the Human Emperor position if Chi You ended the war, but Chi You refused and demanded a fight.
• Guangchengzi, Randeng, Immortal Weng of the South Pole, Yun Zhongzi, and the Twelve Golden Immortals attacked Chi You, who charged to meet them.
• Xuanyuan ordered his army forward, and the Youxiong forces surged toward the Jiuli army.

Chi You fought the Chan Sect immortals to a stalemate while the Jiuli Army overwhelmed Xuanyuan's forces. When Guangchengzi invoked Yuanshi Tianzun's Saint power to turn the tide, Pingxin's power stopped it, leaving Chi You free to attack the three leaders.

• The Chan Sect immortals used their treasures and numbers to suppress Chi You, but could not defeat his formidable body.
• The Jiuli Army routed Xuanyuan Army, and Guangchengzi sent Yun Zhongzi and the other eleven Golden Immortals down to aid the Human Emperor.
• Guangchengzi, Randeng, and Immortal Weng of the South Pole drew on Saint power left by Yuanshi Tianzun in their three spiritual treasures.
• Pingxin's Saint power burst from Chi You and met Yuanshi Tianzun's power, pinning the three treasures in place.
• Chi You seized the opening and swung his iron fist at Guangchengzi, Randeng, and Immortal Weng of the South Pole.

Chi You overwhelmed the Chan Sect Immortals while the Saints negotiated a secret agreement that would let Xuanyuan face his trials before Chi You surrendered. Xuanyuan’s army collapsed and retreated, leaving Chi You victorious on the battlefield.

• Chi You blocked the Saints’ power and badly wounded Guangchengzi and Immortal Weng of the South Pole, forcing the Chan Sect Immortals onto the defensive.
• Empress Pingxin told Yuanshi Tianzun that Chi You was a trial for Xuanyuan and promised he would surrender after Xuanyuan endured every hardship.
• Yuanshi Tianzun agreed not to intervene further and accepted Pingxin’s condition that their agreement remain secret.
• The Chan Sect Immortals regained their Magic Treasures and attacked Chi You again as Xuanyuan’s army suffered a total collapse.
• Xuanyuan ordered a retreat, and Daoist Randeng led the Chan Sect Immortals in covering the army’s withdrawal.
• Chi You ordered the Jiuli Army to cease pursuit as Xuanyuan’s forces fled.

Ao Guang persuaded Ying Long that aiding Xuanyuan would benefit the Dragon Clan without offending the Wu Clan, and Ying Long set out for the Human Clan. Haotian and Yaochi independently decided to support Xuanyuan, sending the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens to aid him.

• Ao Guang told Ying Long that Xuanyuan had suffered a crushing defeat against Chi You and asked him to aid the Human Emperor.
• Ying Long questioned whether helping Xuanyuan would interfere with the Wu Clan's plans, but Ao Guang argued that Chi You was not truly seeking the Human Emperor's position and would ultimately lose.
• Ying Long agreed to assist Xuanyuan, with Ao Guang warning him to avoid slaughter and further worsening the Dragon Clan's karma.
• Haotian and Yaochi concluded that the Wu Clan had another purpose, and Xing Tian's ambiguous reply reinforced their suspicion.
• Haotian ordered the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens to go to Chendu and assist Xuanyuan without interfering excessively.

After the Battle of Zhuolu, Xuanyuan asked the Chan Sect immortals how to strengthen his army, but they had no military plans to offer. Ying Long and the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens arrived to aid him, leaving the Chan Sect resentful but unable to refuse their help.

• Xuanyuan told Guang Chengzi and the Chan Sect immortals that the Youxiong Tribe could not match the Jiuli Tribe and asked how to strengthen his forces.
• The Chan Sect immortals admitted inwardly that they knew nothing about training troops or waging war.
• Ying Long announced that he had come by order of the Dragon King of the East Sea to help Xuanyuan suppress the rebels.
• The Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens announced that she had come by order of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother to assist Xuanyuan.
• The Chan Sect immortals resented the Dragon Clan and Heavenly Court for competing for merit but agreed to welcome them with Xuanyuan.

Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens offered to train Xuanyuan’s army in warfare and battle formations, while Ying Long pledged to help the Chan Sect fight Chi You. After Ying Long revealed where to find a Kui Niu for war drums, Guang Chengzi set out for Flowing Wave Mountain to obtain its hide.

• Ying Long and Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens arrived in Chendu and greeted Xuanyuan and the Chan Sect immortals.
• Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens offered to teach Xuanyuan military tactics and train his troops, while Ying Long volunteered to help fight Chi You.
• Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens explained that Kui Niu hide could be used to make drums that would strengthen the army, and Ying Long said a Kui Niu lived on Flowing Wave Mountain in the East Sea.
• Guang Chengzi volunteered to retrieve the Kui Niu hide and left for the East Sea, instructing Randeng and the other immortals to protect Xuanyuan.