Chapter Summaries

Bai Yu considered his bond with the powerful Source Blue Star World and the danger of having nowhere to hide, while the Three Thousand Purple Cloud Guests resumed traveling after Hongjun’s difficult second sermon. Hong Yun joined Zhenyuanzi at Wuzhuang Temple for Ginseng Fruit, whose rare yield and effects were explained.

• Bai Yu recognized that the Source Blue Star World could find him even if he severed their Cause and Effect, and he remained hesitant to accept its invitation despite having no safer refuge.
• After Hongjun’s second sermon proved too profound for most listeners to understand, the Three Thousand Purple Cloud Guests did not enter seclusion and instead began traveling around the Primordial Continent.
• The Three Pure Ones traveled together and discussed the Dao with familiar guests from Zixiao Palace.
• Hong Yun followed Zhenyuanzi to Wuzhuang Temple because he craved Ginseng Fruit and had not tasted any in ages.
• The chapter explained that the Ginseng Fruit Tree produced only thirty fruits in nearly ten thousand years and that its fruit was valuable chiefly for its taste to Daluo Golden Immortals like Hong Yun and Zhenyuanzi.

The Primordial Heavenly Dao considered the Primordial World its own and tried to erase Pangu’s influence while secretly seeking to claim the world’s ultimate authority. It left the story with the Heavenly Dao’s vast Grotto-Heaven World suspended above Buzhou Mountain.

• The Primordial Heavenly Dao reflected that it managed the world in Pangu’s absence but could never truly outrank its creator while he remained alive.
• Unable to sense Pangu anywhere, the Primordial Heavenly Dao concluded that he had perished, entered eternal slumber, or otherwise vanished for good.
• The Primordial Heavenly Dao mixed Earthly Fiend Turbid Qi into Pangu’s Blood Essence, clouding the Twelve Ancestral Witches’ Primordial Spirits and cutting off their prospects of Enlightenment of the Dao.
• The Primordial Heavenly Dao tolerated the Three Pure Ones because they were few and retained Pangu’s creation merit, but it treated the Twelve Ancestral Witches as targets for punishment.
• The Primordial Heavenly Dao built a vast Blessed Grotto-Heaven above Buzhou Mountain, placing a heaven above the mountain formed from Pangu’s Spine.

Dijun and Taiyi began building ties with powerful figures as they planned to establish a faction, recruiting future Demon Race Great Saints by offering them founding shares. The Witch and Demon Races had not yet been founded, and the greater upheaval of the next Calamity Tribulation still lay ahead.

• The Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao Palace spread Hongjun's teachings throughout the Primordial World, and cultivation levels rose, though Daluo golden immortals remained rare.
• Bai Yu observed that the turmoil was only a few ripples, since the Witch and Demon Races had not yet been founded and their future leaders had not clashed.
• Dijun and Taiyi traveled the Primordial Wilderness to make connections, focusing on Daluo golden immortals among the Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao Palace.
• Dijun and Taiyi recruited Bai Ze, Ji Meng, Jiu Ying, Fei Lian, and other future Demon Race Great Saints, who brought their clans with them.
• Dijun and Taiyi offered the recruits founding shares, recognizing that they needed powerful allies and their forces to build a successful faction.

Dijun and Taiyi gathered Daluo Golden Immortals around their plan to establish a force, seeking Fortune to aid their cultivation while postponing further work until after the Sage’s Third Sermon. Dijun accepted the cost of founding the force and relied on Taiyi as its chief fighting strength.

• Dijun and Taiyi pursued a force to gather Fortune and support their Dao Comprehension, while recognizing that building it would take time and effort.
• Bai Ze, Ji Meng, and other Daluo Golden Immortals chose to follow Dijun and Taiyi, seeing them as the most promising founders.
• Dijun and Taiyi gathered a powerful but loosely organized following because they had not found a suitable headquarters.
• Dijun and Taiyi planned to focus on establishing their force after attending the Sage’s Third Sermon, which the Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao Palace did not want to miss.
• Dijun took the leading role in building the force, while Taiyi remained its chief fighting strength and focused on cultivation and Dao Comprehension.

Dijun and Taiyi brought their faction’s Daluo Golden Immortals to the Purple Cloud Palace for the Sage’s Third Sermon, including a dozen newly advanced members. When those newcomers disrupted their ability to locate the palace, Dijun and Taiyi sent them to search on their own and resolved to abandon intensive cultivation for anyone who could not enter.

• Dijun and Taiyi recruited Bai Ze, Ji Meng, and other Daluo Golden Immortals while expanding their unnamed faction among smaller races and groups.
• As the Sage’s Third Sermon approached, Dijun and Taiyi set aside the faction’s naming question and traveled toward the Purple Cloud Palace with their Daluo Golden Immortals.
• Dijun and Taiyi brought along more than a dozen newly advanced Daluo Golden Immortals but left their Primordial Unity Golden Immortals behind.
• The newcomers prevented Dijun and Taiyi from sensing the Purple Cloud Palace, so Dijun explained the problem and told them to search for it independently.
• Dijun and Taiyi regained their connection to the palace and decided that any newcomer who failed to enter would receive no further intensive cultivation.

Dijun and Taiyi wondered why several Golden Immortals had been admitted to the sermon while most of their Daluo Golden Immortals were excluded, unaware that their unproclaimed faction had no collective Fortune. After the Three Thousand Purple Cloud Guests entered the palace, Hongjun glanced at the six seated on cushions and began his third sermon, leaving the others curious about the cushions.

• Dijun and Taiyi were surprised to find Golden Immortals among those admitted to the sermon, while only two of their own more than a dozen Daluo Golden Immortals had qualified.
• Cundi decided that the admitted Golden Immortals were destined to join the West.
• Hongjun's selection had depended on Fortune, but Dijun and Taiyi's faction had not proclaimed itself to heaven and earth, so its members gained no collective Fortune.
• The Three Thousand Purple Cloud Guests entered the Purple Cloud Palace, and the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, Cundi, and Receiver took the six cushions.
• Hongjun appeared, glanced at the six on the cushions, and began his third sermon without explaining the meaning of his gaze.

Hongjun paused the Third Sermon to explain the difficulty of reaching Late-Stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal and attaining perfection in a Source Great Dao. He left the listeners bracing for his promised method, the Three Corpses Severing Method, after bluntly confronting them with how far they fell short.

• Hongjun taught the Third Sermon in abstruse terms while the listeners struggled to understand and memorize his words.
• The chapter described the listeners’ progress in comprehending their Great Daos and Bai Yu’s far greater understanding of the Creation Great Dao.
• Five thousand years into the sermon, Hongjun stopped and outlined the cultivation realms, dismissing the realms below Daluo Golden Immortal as having little to distinguish them.
• Hongjun explained that seventy percent comprehension of a Source Great Dao meant Late-Stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal, while complete comprehension brought Perfection.
• Hongjun stressed how difficult the final ten percent was, leaving the Three Thousand Purple Cloud Guests unable to protest as they endured his rebuke.

After Hongjun finished his lecture, he revealed the Three Corpses Severing Method and taught it to his disciples as a method of the Orthodox Xuanmen. Bai Yu watched as the Mystic School’s fortune took shape above the Primordial Wilderness, leaving the Western Sect tied to it despite its separation.

• Hongjun explained that he had created the Three Corpses Severing Method to clarify the Dao Heart and aid comprehension of the Great Dao.
• The listeners begged Hongjun to teach them the method, and he agreed, declaring it part of the Orthodox Xuanmen.
• The disciples thanked Hongjun as their Teacher and entered the Mystic School.
• Bai Yu watched the Mystic School’s fortune become intertwined with the fortune of the Primordial World.
• Bai Yu noted that the Western Sect remained bound to the Mystic School’s fortune and that the Mystic School stood above the Great Teachings and the Heavenly Court.

Hongjun stopped his sermon on the Three Corpses Severing Method after discovering that the Six-Eared Macaque was eavesdropping, then declared that the method could never be taught to him. The decree crippled the range of the macaque’s six ears, leaving him shaken and unable to secretly learn others’ paths.

• The Six-Eared Macaque listened from a mountain on the Northern Continent as Hongjun began explaining the Three Corpses Severing Method.
• Hongjun declared that the Six-Eared Macaque had no fate with the method, but the macaque kept listening despite the warning.
• Hongjun made his words heavenly law, decreeing that the method would not be taught to Six-Ears.
• The Six-Eared Macaque was forced to the ground by heaven’s might and trembled for a thousand years.
• The Six-Eared Macaque discovered that his ears could no longer hear across the Primordial World and that their range had shrunk to hundreds of millions of miles.

Hongjun explained the Three Corpses Severing Method, including its cultivation requirements and its need for Innate Spiritual Treasures as vessels. The Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao Palace learned that treasures were essential and began to covet them, while Hongjun withheld the secret to uniting the Three Corpses.

• Hongjun taught that cultivators needed Late-Stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal cultivation and seventy percent comprehension of their Source Great Dao to sever a corpse, with higher comprehension allowing them to sever corpses in succession.
• Hongjun explained that each corpse required an Innate Spiritual Treasure as a vessel, making the method costly as the Primordial World’s fixed supply of treasures dwindled.
• The Three Thousand Guests of Zixiao Palace realized they needed Innate Spiritual Treasures and turned their thoughts toward seizing them from others.
• Hongjun did not explain that Innate Supreme Treasures were needed for the Three Corpses to reach Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal, or how to unite them.
• Hongjun believed that no one in the Primordial Wilderness could reach Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal because the Heavenly Dao would not allow it, even though he had united his own Three Corpses.

Hongjun concluded his sermons by teaching the Three Corpses Severing Method and defining the Quasi-Sage realm, while concealing the method’s flaws. The listeners left with questions about the treasures required to sever their corpses and began considering which of their own they could use.

• Hongjun withheld the method’s flaw and explained that severing corpses advanced cultivators through the Quasi-Sage stages, with Three Corpses Unification bringing perfection.
• Grand Pure Laozi asked whether an Innate Spiritual Treasure was required as a vessel for severing a corpse.
• Hongjun said an Acquired Merit Supreme Treasure could also be used, though an ordinary Acquired Supreme Treasure could not.
• Laozi was pleased that he could use either his Purple Gold Gourd or his Heaven-Earth Black-Yellow Exquisite Treasure Pagoda to sever a corpse.
• The listeners considered their own treasures and the difficulty of finding enough Innate Spiritual Treasures for all three thousand guests to sever their Three Corpses.

Hongjun declared his preaching complete and announced that he would establish the Mystic School, choosing direct disciples to teach in his place. He accepted the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa, while leaving Cundi and Receiver’s possible admission undecided because of his debt to the Western Continent.

• Hongjun announced that he would no longer preach and would establish the Mystic School with direct disciples to instruct living beings.
• The Three Thousand Purple Cloud Guests begged Hongjun to accept them, but he remained silent as they returned to their seats.
• Hongjun named Laozi and Yuanshi first and second among the Three Pure Ones and accepted all three as direct disciples.
• Hongjun asked Nüwa to join the Mystic School, and she agreed to become his fourth direct disciple.
• Taiyi and the other guests felt envious and disappointed when Hongjun accepted no one else.
• Hongjun considered accepting Cundi and Receiver because they were key figures in the Western Continent and could help him repay his debt of Cause and Effect.

Hongjun accepted Cundi and Receiver as Registered Disciples, then appointed Wood Duke and Golden Mother to govern the Immortals. The gathering was left in shock as the others realized the cushions had marked the Sage's six disciple places and questioned whether the new rulers had the strength to lead.

• Hongjun named Cundi and Receiver Registered Disciples after they tearfully begged for mercy, prompting the others to imitate them.
• Hongjun told the crowd there was no bond between them as master and disciples, and everyone realized the six cushions had marked the disciple places.
• Kunpeng regretted losing his chance at a cushion, while Hong Yun realized he had given his own opportunity away and Zhenyuanzi avoided Dijun's glare.
• Hongjun summoned Wood Duke and Golden Mother and ordered them to govern the Immortals.
• Wood Duke and Golden Mother accepted the command, while the other attendees erupted in disbelief at their appointment.

Hongjun appointed Wood Duke and Golden Mother to lead the male and female Immortals, giving each a Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Wood Duke grew more arrogant and ambitious while Golden Mother feared the resentment they had stirred; Hongjun then began announcing that his Mystic School would have Sages.

• Hongjun named Wood Duke Chief of Male Immortals and gave him the Dragon Head Staff, ordering him to strike down those who disobeyed.
• Hongjun named Golden Mother Head of Female Immortals and bestowed the Kunlun Mirror on her.
• The Immortals resented the appointments and doubted Wood Duke and Golden Mother had the strength or standing to govern them.
• Golden Mother feared provoking powerful Immortals such as Nüwa and considered keeping her distance from Wood Duke.
• Wood Duke dismissed the hostility around him, looked down on Dijun and Taiyi, and vowed to seize them someday.
• Hongjun dismissed Wood Duke and Golden Mother and announced that his Mystic School would have Sages.

Hongjun distributed Primordial Violet Qi to six disciples, granting them Sainthood Positions, while the crowd realized the palace cushions had determined who would become Sages. One strand remained, and those who had received none prostrated themselves before Hongjun to plead for it.

• Laozi asked how many Sainthood Positions the Mystic School would have, and Hongjun announced there would be seven and revealed Primordial Violet Qi as the Foundation of the Great Dao.
• Hongjun bestowed Primordial Violet Qi on the Three Pure Ones, declaring that they could become Sages because they came from Pangu's Primordial Spirit and bore the merit of opening the heavens.
• Hongjun gave Primordial Violet Qi to Nüwa, then to Cundi and Receiver, leaving only one of the seven Sainthood Positions unclaimed.
• The crowd realized that the six who received Primordial Violet Qi had all sat on the palace cushions and become Hongjun's disciples; Kunpeng seethed at Cundi, while Hong Yun mourned the position he had nearly secured.
• Hongjun closed his eyes without distributing the final strand, so everyone without Primordial Violet Qi prostrated themselves and begged him to bestow it.

Hongjun released the final wisp of Primordial Violet Qi, and Cundi hoped it would go to someone from the Western Continent so he and Receiver could protect them. The wisp chose Hong Yun, leaving Dijun and the others furious.

• Hongjun released the final wisp of Primordial Violet Qi and said it would go to whoever shared an affinity with it.
• Cundi reasoned that the wisp had an affinity with him and the Western Continent, and hoped it would choose a native from there.
• Cundi and Receiver planned to protect a Western Continent recipient or invite another recipient to join them.
• The Primordial Violet Qi descended to Hong Yun and entered the space between his brows.
• Dijun and the others glared at Hong Yun with resentment and murderous intent over his good fortune.

Hong Yun received Primordial Violet Qi but failed to seek protection or thank Hongjun, prompting Cundi to judge that he had made himself a target and would be a poor recruit for the West. Cundi reflected on how he had secured cushions for himself and Receiver, including driving Kunpeng from his seat with help from the Three Pure Ones.

• Hong Yun sat dazed after receiving Primordial Violet Qi while the assembly watched him with hostile intent.
• Cundi concluded that Hong Yun needed the Sage or the Mystic School to protect him, but Hong Yun neither sought backing nor thanked Hongjun.
• Cundi decided he did not want Hong Yun joining the West because he feared Hong Yun would damage the Western Continent's Fortune.
• Cundi recalled shoving Hong Yun aside and getting Receiver onto a cushion, which he regarded as a clever success.
• Cundi had targeted Kunpeng for his cushion, and Yuanshi joined the attack before Laozi and Tongtian followed.
• Kunpeng yielded his seat under pressure from Cundi and the Three Pure Ones.

Kunpeng brooded over losing his chance to receive primordial violet qi and feared the Three Pure Ones and Cundi, so he turned his anger toward Hong Yun, who had obtained one of the coveted strands. The other Daluo Golden Immortals likewise saw Hong Yun as a target, though the Sage’s presence kept them from attacking in the Purple Cloud Palace.

• Kunpeng regretted yielding his seat to the Three Pure Ones and Cundi, but felt too powerless to confront them.
• The Three Pure Ones noticed Kunpeng’s resentment and dismissed it, while Kunpeng feared Cundi might retaliate against him later.
• Kunpeng decided to attack Hong Yun and take his primordial violet qi because he believed Hong Yun was weaker than the Three Pure Ones.
• The other Daluo Golden Immortals who had received no primordial violet qi also considered targeting Hong Yun, but dared not attack the Sage’s disciples.
• The guests recognized that the Sage’s presence was the main reason they had not attacked Hong Yun inside the Purple Cloud Palace.

Hong Yun received primordial violet qi during Hongjun’s Third Sermon, leaving Zhenyuanzi deeply worried for his safety. As Bai Yu watched the gathering, Hongjun grew excited at the Dao Venerable’s attention, while the chapter described Cundi and Receiver’s devotion to reviving the Western Continent.

• Hong Yun remained overwhelmed after obtaining primordial violet qi, while Zhenyuanzi feared the danger surrounding his friend and wanted to take him back to Wuzhuang Temple.
• Bai Yu watched the Third Sermon through a Great Dao Avatar, and Hongjun sensed his attention but could not prevent it.
• Hongjun privately worried that Cundi might befriend Bai Yu before he did, despite Cundi’s loyalty to Hongjun and the Mystic School.
• The chapter described how Cundi and Receiver earned the Western Continent’s popular support by working to revive it and repair its damaged earth veins.

Hongjun announced that he would merge with the Dao in ten thousand years, while privately welcoming the chance to withdraw from worldly affairs and pursue his own cultivation. Bai Yu’s presence had pushed Hongjun and Yang Mei to work harder, even as the Primordial Heavenly Dao remained focused on preserving the world’s broad course.

• Hongjun declared that he had obtained the sacred instrument of enlightenment and would merge with the Dao in ten thousand years, prompting the beings in the Primordial Wilderness to bow before him.
• Hongjun planned to leave the management of the Primordial Wilderness to the future Sages so he could focus on comprehending Source Great Daos and pursuing the Dao Venerable realm.
• Bai Yu’s repeated breakthroughs affected the Primordial World’s Destiny and shattered the Dao Hearts of many Innate Gods and Demons, including Hongjun.
• Hongjun and Yang Mei had begun striving harder because Bai Yu was an anomaly who had mastered multiple Source Great Daos.
• The Primordial Heavenly Dao allowed smaller changes to unfold while insisting that the Primordial World’s broad course and management remained intact.