Chapter Summaries

Ling Xiao trapped Daoist Duobao, Our Lady of Wudang, and Zhao Gongming in the Myriad Stars Grand Formation as they tried to rescue Lu Ya. After Daoist Duobao broke the formation with Tongtian’s Saint Dao Rhyme, Ling Xiao suppressed Zhao Gongming and prepared to test his Red Dust Sword Dao against Duobao’s Immortal Slaying Sword.

• Ling Xiao blocked Our Lady of Wudang and Zhao Gongming from reaching the Eighteen Levels of Hell, then summoned the Myriad Stars Grand Formation to trap them with Daoist Duobao.
• Ksitigarbha mocked Our Lady of Wudang and revealed Lu Ya’s battered state in hell, where Daoist Duobao called out to him.
• Daoist Duobao activated Tongtian’s Saint Dao Rhyme through the Immortal Slaying Sword, breaking the formation and making the starlight fade.
• Our Lady of Wudang taunted Ling Xiao after the formation fell, while Zhao Gongming moved to continue the rescue attempt.
• Ling Xiao used Qiankun Law to crush Zhao Gongming to the ground and scatter his Twelve Fixed Sea Pearls.
• Ling Xiao drew the Red Dust Sword Embryo and challenged Daoist Duobao and Our Lady of Wudang to test their sword arts against his Red Dust Sword Dao.

Ling Xiao defeated Daoist Duobao in the Netherworld with his Red Dust Sword Dao, badly injuring him and forcing Holy Mother Wudang and Zhao Gongming to retreat. Tongtian received the defeated disciples at Golden Ao Island while Nuwa urged him to remove the red dust aura from Duobao’s Dao Heart.

• Daoist Duobao attacked Ling Xiao with the Heart-Piercing Lock and Immortal Slaying Sword, but Ling Xiao’s Pure Creation Dao cracked the treasure and drove it back.
• Daoist Duobao and Holy Mother Wudang joined forces against Ling Xiao, who answered with the Red Dust Sword Dao and defeated Duobao, leaving him unconscious and severely injured.
• Holy Mother Wudang stopped fighting to tend to Duobao, while Ling Xiao warned that the red dust aura could eventually destroy his Dao Heart.
• Ksitigarbha expelled Holy Mother Wudang and Duobao from the Netherworld, and Chiyou hurled Zhao Gongming out with the Twelve Fixed Sea Pearls.
• Ling Xiao entered a palace with Ksitigarbha, Chiyou, and the others to discuss the Netherworld’s affairs and the Dao.
• At Golden Ao Island, Tongtian received the injured Duobao and the kneeling Holy Mother Wudang and Zhao Gongming, while Nuwa urged him to dispel the red dust aura from Duobao’s Dao Heart.

After Duobao’s defeat, Bi Xiao spoke bluntly about how Tongtian and the Sect of Interception had driven Ling Xiao away, leaving Tongtian heartbroken. Years later, Emperor Yi confronted Lu Ya in the Eighteenth Level of Hell, where Ling Xiao and Ksitigarbha watched.

• Tongtian removed the Red Dust aura from Duobao and sent him away to recover, while Nuwa urged the disciples not to provoke Ling Xiao.
• Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Holy Mother Golden Spirit blamed Ling Xiao for the Sect of Interception’s troubles, but Bi Xiao argued that the sect had caused his resentment by mistreating him and forcing him out.
• Bi Xiao said she would suppress Ling Xiao herself, then returned to cultivating the Emotionless Sword Dao; Yun Xiao tried to silence her, and Tongtian reacted with visible pain.
• Nuwa resumed expounding the Dao as Tongtian sat despondently, privately recognizing the truth in Bi Xiao’s words but refusing to admit fault.
• Years later, Emperor Yi recognized Lu Ya in the Eighteenth Level of Hell and attacked him, while Ksitigarbha and Ling Xiao watched.

After Emperor Yi entered reincarnation, Ling Xiao anticipated turmoil over Emperor Xin’s enthronement and released Lu Ya from Hell. Lu Ya returned to Biyou Palace, where Tongtian and Nuwa urged him to prepare for the ceremony and the coming Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.

• Emperor Yi accepted Ling Xiao’s judgment, entered the Human Path, and left Emperor Xin poised to become Great Shang’s new ruler.
• Ling Xiao predicted that Ying Zheng, Boyi Kao, and other leaders would travel to Zhaoge for Emperor Xin’s enthronement, while Ksitigarbha promised their journey would be protected by allied sects.
• Ling Xiao ordered Lu Ya’s release, and Chiyou threw him out of Hell; Lu Ya threatened revenge but fled after Ksitigarbha and Chiyou intimidated him.
• Lu Ya returned to Biyou Palace, admitted his failed attempt to seize the Witch-Slaying Sword, and blamed Ling Xiao for the resulting losses.
• Nuwa told Lu Ya to focus on Emperor Xin’s enthronement, while Tongtian asked which disciples would go to Zhaoge.

Shen Gongbao and the Sect of Interception disciples planned to meddle in the affairs of Ying Zheng and Western Qi before Emperor Xin’s enthronement. Ling Xiao chose to stay out of their schemes, gained a strand of Source of Time, and began comprehending the Time Law on his way to Zhaoge.

• Shen Gongbao volunteered to attend Emperor Xin’s enthronement with Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, Caiyun, Dingguang Immortal, Wuyun Xian, Lu Ya, and other Sect of Interception disciples.
• Dingguang Immortal proposed persuading Emperor Xin to make Ying Zheng a marquis, while Lu Ya suggested using the appointment to spread the Sect of Interception’s teachings among the Ying Qin Clan.
• Shen Gongbao proposed stirring up trouble in Western Qi by exploiting the relationship between Boyi Kao and Ji Fa, and the disciples prepared to act on their schemes in Zhaoge.
• Ling Xiao reasoned that the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation’s greater course would remain intact despite changes to its minor events, and traveled toward Zhaoge to watch Emperor Xin’s enthronement.
• Ling Xiao chose to slack off and watch the show, received a strand of Source of Time, and began comprehending the Time Law.

Emperor Xin prepared to ascend the throne as Great Shang’s Human Sovereign, while the gathered sect disciples clashed over their origins and status. Ling Xiao arrived and angered the Sect of Interception disciples by appearing to endorse Perfected Immortal Taiyi’s insults, leaving them demanding an explanation.

• Kong Xuan warned Emperor Xin that the coming Investiture of the Gods Tribulation would test his upright nature, and Emperor Xin vowed to rule openly rather than become a puppet.
• Perfected Immortal Taiyi insulted the Sect of Interception disciples at Emperor Xin’s enthronement ceremony, provoking Shen Gongbao, Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, and Lu Ya.
• Ling Xiao arrived at the ceremony and admonished Taiyi, but added that Taiyi’s insulting nicknames suited the Sect of Interception disciples.
• Ling Xiao greeted Shang Rong and Ying Zheng, praised Ying Zheng’s cultivation, and reflected that Shang Rong was fated to die.
• Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Fairy Caiyun accused Ling Xiao of joining Taiyi in demeaning them and demanded an explanation.

At Emperor Xin’s enthronement ceremony, Ling Xiao dismissed the Sect of Interception’s accusations and revealed that he knew of their schemes against Western Qi and the Ying Qin Clan. Kong Xuan arrived harboring hatred toward Ling Xiao, who provoked him over the Golden-Winged Great Peng before the ceremony proceeded toward Emperor Xin’s appearance.

• Ling Xiao used the Qiankun Law to intimidate Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Fairy Caiyun, then ignored their rebukes as Wuyun Xian pulled Dingguang Immortal and the others back.
• Shen Gongbao and Lu Ya discussed keeping Ying Zheng, Boyi Kao, Ji Fa, and others in Zhaoge as hostages, while Ling Xiao told Bhaisajyaguru Buddha that he knew of their plan and trusted him and Xuandu to respond.
• Kong Xuan descended in Five-Colored Divine Light, and Ling Xiao taunted him by revealing that Haotian had asked him to make the Golden-Winged Great Peng Yang Jian’s mount.
• Perfected Immortal Taiyi mocked Kong Xuan as a bastard phoenix, and Xuandu teased him as his Heavenly Emperor Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda warned of danger.
• Bo Yi intervened as the auspicious hour arrived and said Emperor Xin was about to appear.

Emperor Xin ascended the throne and appointed Ying Zheng Marquis of Qin, granting him authority over the Ying Qin Clan tribe. Shen Gongbao then sought to become Great Shang’s Imperial Preceptor, leaving Emperor Xin to decide whether to accept the Sect of Interception’s scheme.

• Emperor Xin proclaimed his rule before Great Shang’s officials and people, while Ying Zheng’s Human Emperor Jade Seal reacted to his ambition to surpass the ancient Human Sovereigns.
• Kong Xuan argued that Ying Zheng deserved a reward, and Ying Zheng agreed to accept one so he could govern the Ying Qin Clan tribe.
• Emperor Xin named Ying Zheng Marquis of Qin and allowed him to enter the hall without kneeling, as Great Shang’s and the Human Clan’s fortune flowed toward his jade seal.
• Emperor Xin rewarded Western Qi and granted Ji Fa the privilege of entering without kneeling, prompting Ling Xiao to mock Kong Xuan and Lu Ya’s attempt to sow discord.
• Shen Gongbao offered Emperor Xin a strategy for governing the Ying Qin Clan tribe, and Kong Xuan recommended him for Great Shang’s Imperial Preceptor.
• Shen Gongbao knelt and asked Emperor Xin to appoint him Imperial Preceptor.

Emperor Xin appointed Shen Gongbao as Great Shang Dynasty’s Imperial Preceptor despite objections from Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha. Shen Gongbao then proposed sending Wuyun Xian and Dingguang Immortal to teach the Ying Qin Clan tribe, prompting Xuandu and Ling Xiao to challenge him, and Emperor Xin demanded an apology.

• Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha opposed Shen Gongbao’s appointment, but Xuandu suppressed the gathered auras and urged everyone to leave the decision to Emperor Xin.
• Emperor Xin appointed Shen Gongbao Imperial Preceptor, and the officials greeted him as Shen Gongbao celebrated the benefits of his new position.
• After Fei Zhong prompted him to offer counsel, Shen Gongbao proposed sending Wuyun Xian and Dingguang Immortal to teach the Ying Qin Clan tribe.
• Boyi Kao objected to Shen Gongbao’s proposal, while Xuandu threatened to enlist powerful allies to teach the tribe and Ling Xiao offered him the Kongtong Seal.
• Emperor Xin ordered Shen Gongbao to bow and apologize to the Grand Master and Marquis of Qin.

After the Sect of Interception’s schemes at Emperor Xin’s enthronement ceremony collapsed, Xuandu suppressed Dingguang Immortal and Ying Zheng and the others left Zhaoge. Two years later, Emperor Xin’s reforms stirred opposition among the feudal lords, while Ling Xiao sensed that Nezha was about to be born.

• Shen Gongbao apologized to Xuandu and Ying Zheng, but Ying Zheng requested leave from Zhaoge, and Jichang followed suit.
• Xuandu imprisoned Dingguang Immortal in the Exquisite Pagoda of Heaven and Earth for three years, then left Zhaoge with Ying Zheng, Jichang, and the others.
• Kong Xuan and Lu Ya arranged for Wuyun Xian and Dingguang Immortal to stay in Zhaoge and directed the Sect of Interception’s allies to guard the passes without harming the people.
• At Mount Qi, Ling Xiao discussed the Zhaoge affair with Xuandu and the others, then spent time with them as two years passed.
• Emperor Xin expanded and reformed the Great Shang Dynasty and abolished human sacrifice, earning praise from the people but angering the feudal lords.
• Ling Xiao sensed that Ling Zhuzi’s reincarnated body was about to be born and wondered if Nezha was entering the world.

Nuwa and Tongtian arranged for Zhao Gongming, Our Lady of Wudang, and Qiong Xiao to protect Ling Zhuzi’s reincarnation at Li Jing’s residence. After Primal Lord of Heaven ordered Perfected Immortal Taiyi to ruin the child’s Spirit Embryo, Dao Body, and Primordial Spirit, Taiyi accepted the newborn Nezha as his disciple and enlisted Li Jing to help carry out the plan.

• Nuwa asked the Sect of Interception disciples to take Ling Zhuzi’s reincarnation as a disciple, and Bai Ze explained how the Sect might benefit even if the child joined the Sect of Enlightenment.
• Nuwa instructed Zhao Gongming, Our Lady of Wudang, and Qiong Xiao to protect Ling Zhuzi’s Spirit Embryo, Dao Body, and Primordial Spirit.
• Ling Xiao revealed to Perfected Immortal Taiyi that Madam Yin was carrying Ling Zhuzi’s reincarnation, and Primal Lord of Heaven instructed Taiyi to destroy the child’s three foundations and reshape him.
• Perfected Immortal Taiyi arrived at Li Jing’s residence and accepted the newborn boy, Li Nezha, as his disciple.
• Perfected Immortal Taiyi secretly told Li Jing that he had to obey his instructions, even if Nezha and Madam Yin blamed him, and asked whether he was willing.

At Chen Tang Pass, Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Zhao Gongming clashed over who would take Nezha as a disciple, while Qiong Xiao and Holy Mother Wudang confronted Ling Xiao over his changed loyalties. Ling Xiao refused to intervene, leaving Qiong Xiao filled with regret and Holy Mother Wudang furious with him.

• Li Jing agreed to let Perfected Immortal Taiyi take Nezha as his disciple, and Taiyi welcomed his decision.
• Zhao Gongming, Our Lady of Wudang, and Qiong Xiao arrived and asserted that Nezha should join the Sect of Interception, prompting Taiyi to threaten them.
• Taiyi mocked Qiong Xiao over her feelings for Ling Xiao, and Jiang Ziya added further insults, leading Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Wudang to threaten a fight.
• Xuandu tried to stop the confrontation, but Holy Mother Wudang challenged Taiyi and Jiang Ziya while Jiang Ziya continued to provoke her.
• Qiong Xiao and Holy Mother Wudang asked Ling Xiao to speak up for them, but he said he was only there to witness Nezha's birth and threatened to use force if they kept arguing.
• Holy Mother Wudang called Ling Xiao a bastard and turned away, while Qiong Xiao regretted what had happened.

At Nezha’s birth, Li Jing mistook the fleshy Spirit Embryo for a monster and attacked it despite Zhao Gongming and others trying to stop him. The embryo was destroyed, Nezha emerged unharmed, and Zhao Gongming blamed Li Jing for ruining Ling Zhuzi’s chance.

• Nezha was born inside a fleshy ball, and Perfected Immortal Taiyi urged Li Jing to cut it open as Nezha’s first tribulation.
• Li Jing decided the fleshy ball was a monster and moved to kill it, while Zhao Gongming, Our Lady of Wudang, and Holy Mother Turtle Spirit tried to stop him.
• Madam Yin came out and pleaded with Li Jing to spare their child, but Li Jing struck the fleshy ball after Perfected Immortal Taiyi secretly froze time and space.
• The fleshy ball’s innate vital energy dispersed, and Nezha emerged unharmed; Madam Yin held him, and Nezha called Li Jing his father.
• Zhao Gongming unleashed his killing intent against Li Jing, while Holy Mother Wudang and Qiong Xiao grieved that the Spirit Embryo had been destroyed.

Li Jing learned that he had destroyed Nezha’s Spirit Embryo, while Zhao Gongming and the others sought a way to restore it. Ling Xiao chose to stay out of the affair and received the Heavenly Burning Demon Lotus, but Our Lady of Wudang challenged him to help Nezha.

• Zhao Gongming explained that Li Jing had destroyed Nezha’s Spirit Embryo, and Li Jing theatrically blamed Zhao Gongming for not telling him sooner.
• Nezha defended Li Jing and attacked Zhao Gongming with the Universe Ring and Armillary Sash, prompting Zhao Gongming to abandon his plan to take Nezha as a disciple.
• Our Lady of Wudang suggested remaking the Spirit Embryo, and Zhao Gongming proposed using Ling Xiao’s inexhaustible primordial essence.
• Qiong Xiao asked Ling Xiao to help, and the system offered him three choices; Ling Xiao chose to stay out of the matter and received the Heavenly Burning Demon Lotus.
• Our Lady of Wudang rebuked Ling Xiao for remaining silent and asked why he would not help Nezha.

Ling Xiao refused Our Lady of Wudang’s plea to give Nezha his origin, drove her and Qiong Xiao away, and warned Nezha to seek him out during a coming fatal tribulation. After Nezha became Perfected Immortal Taiyi’s disciple, Ling Xiao returned to Penglai Immortal Island with a Heavenly Burning Demon Lotus; meanwhile, Zhao Gongming and the others returned to Golden Ao Island, where their silence alarmed Nuwa.

• Ling Xiao rejected Our Lady of Wudang’s request to help Nezha, struck her aside, and intimidated Qiong Xiao when she protested.
• Nezha chose Perfected Immortal Taiyi as his master, while Jiang Ziya dismissed Zhao Gongming and the Sect of Interception from any say in Nezha’s affairs.
• Ling Xiao warned Nezha that he would face a fatal tribulation and offered him a fortuitous opportunity at Penglai Immortal Island.
• Ling Xiao returned to Penglai, showed Wangshu the Heavenly Burning Demon Lotus, and settled it in a pool beneath the Ren Water Flat Peach tree.
• Zhao Gongming, Our Lady of Wudang, and Qiong Xiao returned to the Palace of Green Essence, where Duobao silenced Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Nuwa sensed something was wrong.

After the Spirit Embryo was destroyed and Nezha joined the Sect of Enlightenment, Lu Ya devised a plan to make Nezha clash with the East Sea Dragon Palace and damage the Sect of Enlightenment's fortune. He set the scheme in motion at Chen Tang Pass by sending a controlled shrimp soldier to provoke Nezha.

• Zhao Gongming admitted that he had failed to recruit Nezha and that Li Jing had destroyed the Spirit Embryo; Our Lady of Wudang also reported that Ling Xiao had attacked her.
• Nuwa told Zhao Gongming to cultivate and assigned Our Lady of Wudang, Qiong Xiao, and Golden Phoenix to protect Ling Zhuzi.
• Lu Ya proposed provoking a conflict between Nezha and the East Sea Dragon Palace, and Tongtian approved the plan.
• Lu Ya, Golden Phoenix, Our Lady of Wudang, and Qiong Xiao traveled to Chen Tang Pass, where Nezha had gone to the shore after Li Jing refused to play with him.
• Lu Ya controlled a shrimp soldier and sent it to attack Nezha, beginning the planned confrontation.

Nezha killed a shrimp soldier and unknowingly helped him ascend the Investiture of the Gods List, prompting Ao Guang and Perfected Immortal Taiyi to send willing aquatic beings to die by Nezha’s hand. The Heavenly Dao eventually redirected later deaths to the Netherworld, while Lu Ya realized the East Sea Dragon Palace had turned his scheme against him; the chapter ended with Golden Phoenix suggesting Nezha kill Ao Bing.

• Nezha killed a shrimp soldier, whose Primordial Spirit and True Spirit were summoned toward Penglai Immortal Island, and ate the roasted shrimp.
• Lu Ya and Our Lady of Wudang discussed whether the shrimp soldier could ascend the Investiture of the Gods List, while Qiong Xiao predicted the East Sea Dragon Palace would retaliate.
• Ao Guang and Perfected Immortal Taiyi agreed to have Ao Bing lead aquatic beings to fight Nezha, hoping their deaths would earn them positions in Heaven.
• Ao Bing arrived at the shore, and East Sea aquatic experts eagerly threw themselves at Nezha’s weapons so they could ascend the Investiture of the Gods List.
• The Heavenly Dao changed its laws so later aquatic victims were sent to the Netherworld, though several hundred had already been listed, leaving Lu Ya furious at the East Sea Dragon Palace’s scheme.
• Golden Phoenix warned that the karma might fall on them and proposed that Nezha kill Ao Bing to drive the East Sea Dragon King into a rage.

Ao Yi and Nezha staged a fight that carried them to Golden Ao Island, where Nezha’s rampage devastated the island and killed Demon Clan forces and Sect of Interception disciples. Ghost Chariot ordered Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Ao Guang to surrender a minor realm of cultivation, and Ao Guang summoned Azure Dragon Ancestor as tensions escalated.

• Ao Yi told Nezha that Lu Ya had plotted against him, and they agreed to stage a battle near Golden Ao Island.
• Ao Yi wounded Nezha, and the two fought as they flew toward the island, destroying nearby seas and killing Demon Clan forces.
• Qiong Xiao warned Lu Ya that the fighting had reached Golden Ao Island, and Lu Ya sealed Nezha and Ao Bing upon arriving.
• Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Ao Guang arrived, but Lu Ya accused Nezha and Ao Bing of causing the destruction and threatened Ao Guang.
• Ghost Chariot ordered Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Ao Guang to cut away one minor realm of cultivation, and Ao Guang called for Azure Dragon Ancestor to appear.

Azure Dragon intervened to defend the Dragon Clan, forcing Bai Ze and the Demon Clan to withdraw their accusations and allowing Ao Guang and Ao Bing to leave. Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Nezha then mocked the Sect of Interception and the Demon Clan, until Lu Ya seized Li Jing and Madam Yin to pressure them; the chapter ended with Li Jing pretending to denounce Nezha as part of Taiyi’s plan.

• Azure Dragon arrived, demanded that Lu Ya put away his treasures, and called Bai Ze out to answer for the Demon Clan’s accusations.
• Bai Ze apologized and recalled Lu Ya’s treasures, after which Azure Dragon took Ao Guang and Ao Bing back to the East Sea Abyss.
• Perfected Immortal Taiyi and Nezha claimed Nezha had deliberately killed Demon Clan soldiers, provoking the Sect of Interception and the Demon Clan.
• Shi Ji challenged Taiyi and Nezha, while Lu Ya threatened them and ordered Ghost Chariot to bring Li Jing and Madam Yin to Golden Ao Island.
• Li Jing, responding to Taiyi’s signal, angrily cursed Nezha, leaving Lu Ya and the others confused.

Ling Xiao and Wangshu watched as Perfected Immortal Taiyi exposed the Sect of Interception’s failings and Nezha began returning his flesh to his mother and bones to his father. Nuwa realized the Sect of Enlightenment had known Nezha’s true identity and Ling Zhuzi’s opportunities, while Nezha’s fate remained in motion.

• Ling Xiao explained to Wangshu that Lu Ya’s plot against Nezha had backfired and that Perfected Immortal Taiyi was steering events toward Nezha’s self-sacrifice.
• Bai Ze stopped Li Jing from harming Nezha, and Perfected Immortal Taiyi blamed Tongtian and the Sect of Interception for their failings.
• Duobao and the Sect of Interception’s disciples surrounded and attacked Perfected Immortal Taiyi, while Tongtian struggled to contain his anger inside Biyou Palace.
• Nezha demanded that Lu Ya release Li Jing and Madam Yin, then declared he would sever his blood ties and return his bones and flesh.
• Nezha cut into his own body and said his fate belonged to him, as Nuwa realized the Sect of Enlightenment had known he was Ling Zhuzi’s reincarnation.