Chapter Summaries

Lu Ya killed Zhao Gongming, sending him to the Investiture of the Gods List and deepening the conflict between the Sect of Interception and the Western Sect. As Tongtian went to confront Jieyin Outside the Chaos, Ling Xiao held the list while several Sect of Interception disciples approached him.

• Tongtian confronted Lu Ya over Zhao Gongming's death, and Ling Xiao said only those qualified would enter the Investiture of the Gods List.
• Jieyin asked Tongtian to spare Lu Ya, but Tongtian demanded that Jieyin withstand a hundred sword strikes and led him Outside the Chaos.
• Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao mourned Zhao Gongming, while Perfected Lord Jade Tripod mocked them and Duobao rebuked him.
• Nuwa recalled the Mountain and Rivers State Diagram, while Lu Ya kept the Twenty-Four Sea Pacifying Pearls.
• Ling Xiao took the Investiture of the Gods List as Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, Dingguang Immortal, and several other disciples approached him.

Yuanshi Tianzun and Zhunti mocked the Sect of Interception disciples while helping Ling Xiao seek justice and offering a way to spare Lu Ya. Ling Xiao then hinted that Dingguang Immortal could betray the sect, but Dingguang Immortal loudly swore his loyalty, leaving Ling Xiao smiling at the prospect of testing that resolve.

• Yuanshi Tianzun and Zhunti taunted Dingguang Immortal and the other Sect of Interception disciples over their past treatment of Ling Xiao and Tongtian's conflict with the Western Saints.
• Ling Xiao recognized that the two Saints were defending him, making a case for Lu Ya's survival, and preserving Tongtian's face, then offered them local specialties.
• Our Lady of Golden Spirit asked Ling Xiao to discuss something with Dingguang Immortal, and Ling Xiao asked Zhunti whether Dingguang Immortal might suit the Western Sect or become the Heavenly Court's Toilet God.
• Zhunti warned that Dingguang Immortal could face death unless he followed his heart, implying he should leave the Sect of Interception.
• Dingguang Immortal angrily swore he would live and die with the Sect of Interception, while Ling Xiao hoped he would remain just as stubborn.

The Sect of Interception disciples demanded that Ling Xiao free Zhao Gongming from the Investiture of the Gods List, while Ling Xiao refused and chose a system reward instead. He gained the Source of the Law of Destruction and left the gathering poised for conflict.

• Our Lady of Wudang and the other disciples asked Ling Xiao to release Zhao Gongming from the Investiture of the Gods List.
• Ling Xiao rejected Qiong Xiao's plea and ignored Dingguang Immortal's accusations as Zhunti and Yuanshi Tianzun mocked the Sect of Interception disciples.
• The system offered Ling Xiao three choices, and he chose to remain indifferent to gain the Source of the Law of Destruction.
• Ling Xiao obtained the Destruction Law and planned to refine it after returning to Penglai Immortal Island.
• Ling Xiao told Holy Mother Turtle Spirit that Zhao Gongming was dead and his place was on the list, then calmly answered Daoist Duobao's accusations as the gathered powers prepared for a possible fight.

Duobao’s accusation against Ling Xiao gave Yuanshi Tianzun an opening to accuse him of challenging the Dao Ancestor and Heavenly Dao, until Nuwa and Tongtian intervened. Ling Xiao then healed Jieyin and revealed how valuable his aid could be, leaving Tongtian facing the mockery of the other Sages.

• Yuanshi Tianzun used Duobao’s words to charge him with disrespecting Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and the Sect of Interception’s disciples knelt to plead for him.
• Nuwa defended Duobao, and Tongtian emerged from the void with the bloodied Jieyin after their fight.
• Ling Xiao used the Time Law and Creation Law to heal Jieyin’s injuries and stabilize his origin.
• Ling Xiao hinted that he could restore even more serious damage with the Thirty-Six Grade Pure World White Lotus and other resources, astonishing the assembled Sages and disciples.
• Yuanshi Tianzun regretted not keeping Ling Xiao on Kunlun Mountain, while Jieyin taunted Tongtian and asked what he thought.

Ling Xiao defended his ties with the Western Sect, the Sect of Enlightenment, and the Human Sect while the Sages argued over his influence and Lu Ya’s killing of Zhao Gongming. The discussion shifted to recovering the Twenty-Four Sea Pacifying Pearls, but Zhunti refused to return them.

• Jieyin mocked Tongtian for failing to recognize Ling Xiao’s talent, and Tongtian drew the Immortal Slaying Sword in anger.
• Yuanshi Tianzun taunted Tongtian, while Daoist Duobao accused Ling Xiao of favoring other sects and harming the Sect of Interception’s plans.
• Ling Xiao defended his past favors as repayment for karmic bonds and served Enlightenment Tea to the gathered Sages and disciples.
• Zhunti mocked Duobao’s resentment, and Perfected Lord Jade Tripod offered to make Ling Xiao master of the Sect of Enlightenment.
• Nuwa urged the Sages to stop arguing and address Lu Ya’s killing of Zhao Gongming; Tongtian demanded the return of the Twenty-Four Sea Pacifying Pearls.
• Zhunti refused, claiming the pearls were fated for the Western Sect.

Tongtian confronted Zhunti over Zhao Gongming’s death and the seizure of the Twenty-Four Sea Pacifying Pearls, but Yuanshi Tianzun intervened to prevent a fight. Nuwa’s attempt to restrict Lu Ya also backfired, and Ling Xiao left for Penglai Immortal Island as the others continued discussing the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.

• Tongtian summoned the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation and demanded that Zhunti return the Twenty-Four Sea Pacifying Pearls, while Ling Xiao protected Chen Tang Pass and urged them to fight Outside the Chaos if they wished.
• Yuanshi Tianzun persuaded Tongtian to accept the pearls back and offered to refine top-grade Postnatal Spiritual Treasures for the Two Sages of the West.
• Nuwa ordered Lu Ya to remain in the Western World, but Yuanshi Tianzun pointed out that Lu Ya could still aid the Western Sect from there, and Zhunti accepted the condition.
• Tongtian took back the pearls and left with the Sect of Interception disciples, who carried Zhao Gongming’s corpse away.
• Yuanshi Tianzun and Zhunti discussed the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, while Ling Xiao departed for Penglai Immortal Island to cultivate and study the laws he sought to comprehend.

Ying Zheng and Yang Jiao set out for Zhaoge with Tu Shan Youyue, hoping she will win Emperor Xin’s favor and help Ying Zheng become a marquis. On Penglai, Ling Xiao strengthened Green Willow with the Space Willow Tree’s origin and began cultivating the Karma and Destruction Laws as a new storm gathered.

• Xuandu and Bo Yi agreed that Ying Zheng should escort Tu Shan Youyue to Zhaoge so she could meet Emperor Xin and help Ying Zheng gain a marquis title.
• Xuandu instructed Ying Zheng to be cautious and ordered Yang Jiao to protect him on the journey.
• Ying Zheng and Yang Jiao left with the Ying Qin Clan army, carrying Tu Shan Youyue in a phoenix carriage.
• Ling Xiao transferred the Space Willow Tree’s origin into Green Willow, which began restoring the Ren Water Flat Peach’s innate origin.
• Ling Xiao began cultivating the Karma and Destruction Laws while Wangshu stood guard for him.

Ying Zheng escorted Tu Shan Youyue to Zhaoge, where Emperor Xin eagerly welcomed her and cast Fox Fairy aside. As officials gathered for Ying Zheng’s expected promotion, Shen Gongbao plotted to target one of the visiting marquises, and the court began presenting the case for Ying Zheng’s reward.

• Fox Fairy worried that Tu Shan Youyue would displace her, while Shen Gongbao and Wuyun Xian urged her to curry favor with Tu Shan Youyue and help advance plans for the Wine Pool and Meat Forest and Deer Tower.
• Dingguang Immortal told Fox Fairy to persuade Emperor Xin to make Jiang Ziya oversee the construction, so Jiang Ziya would bear the resulting infamy and karma.
• Ying Zheng and Yang Jiao escorted Tu Shan Youyue into Zhaoge, and Emperor Xin left the court with her after she emerged from the phoenix carriage.
• You Hun and Fei Zhong congratulated Ying Zheng on his expected promotion, while Ying Zheng humbly credited others for Emperor Xin’s union with Tu Shan Youyue.
• Shen Gongbao told Dingguang Immortal and Wuyun Xian that they should use one of the visiting marquises as an example, and officials began urging Emperor Xin to richly reward Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng became Prince Qin, while Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao maneuvered over Emperor Xin’s construction orders. Emperor Xin then confined Jichang and Chong Houhu in Zhaoge and sentenced E Chongyu to the Burning Pillar punishment, as Jiang Ziya foresaw the growing danger of the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.

• Emperor Xin granted Ying Zheng the title of Prince Qin, and Ying Zheng resolved to build his strength and eventually challenge the Shang Dynasty.
• Fox Fairy urged Emperor Xin to order Jiang Ziya to oversee the Deer Tower, wine pool, and forest of meat, but Bi Gan and other ministers protested.
• Jiang Ziya accepted the construction assignment on condition that he control its resources and the outer disciples of the Sect of Interception, prompting Shen Gongbao to volunteer instead.
• Emperor Xin ordered the arrest of Jichang, Chong Houhu, and E Chongyu, then spared Jichang and Chong Houhu but confined them in Zhaoge and sentenced E Chongyu to the Burning Pillar punishment.
• Jiang Ziya sighed that Jichang’s divination had come true and that the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation would grow more dangerous.

Ling Xiao completed his cultivation on Penglai Immortal Island and tested the Nirvana Demon Disc, a divine ability he had created by combining the Demonic Dao Law and Destruction Law. Azure Dragon, Tai Xuan, and the Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens visited to ask Ling Xiao to free Xuanwu from the restraints of the Heavenly Dao so he could serve in the Heavenly Court.

• Ling Xiao finished cultivating the laws of karma and destruction, strengthening his mid-stage Golden Immortal of Hunyuan realm cultivation and Pure World Creation Dao.
• Ling Xiao demonstrated the Nirvana Demon Disc to Wangshu, who judged it powerful enough to destroy mid-stage and late-stage Quasi-Sages but insufficient against peak Quasi-Sages.
• Ling Xiao observed the worsening turmoil among the Human Clan and foresaw Boyi Kao’s coming journey to Zhaoge and ascension to become Ziwei the Great.
• Azure Dragon arrived with Tai Xuan and the Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens and asked Ling Xiao to use the Heavenly Court’s power and luck to free Xuanwu from the Heavenly Dao’s restraints.
• Azure Dragon explained that Xuanwu had accumulated less karmic force than Vermilion Bird and White Tiger, making him the easiest of the three to regain freedom and serve in the Heavenly Court.

Holy Mother Turtle Spirit sought a way to break through to the Quasi-Sage realm and decided to visit sacred beast Xuanwu for his blood essence and origin, with Yun Xiao accompanying her. Meanwhile, Ling Xiao agreed to travel to the North Sea with Azure Dragon, Tai Xuan, and Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens to offer Xuanwu a position as Great Emperor Zhenwu.

• Our Lady of Fire Spirit and Holy Mother Turtle Spirit lamented that Ling Xiao and Tai Xuan had refused to share their powerful resources with them.
• Our Lady of Fire Spirit suggested that Holy Mother Turtle Spirit ask Xuanwu for blood essence and origin, and offered to accompany her to the North Sea.
• Holy Mother Turtle Spirit asked Tongtian for permission to visit Xuanwu, but Nuwa warned that Xuanwu's ties to the Heavenly Court made his help unlikely.
• Yun Xiao offered to accompany Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, gather water essence qi, and develop the Azure Profound Water Formation; Tongtian approved their journey.
• Ling Xiao agreed to travel to the North Sea with Azure Dragon, Tai Xuan, and Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens to offer Xuanwu the post of Great Emperor Zhenwu.

Ling Xiao and Tai Xuan traveled to the North Sea, where Yun Xiao gathered water-element power to form the foundation of the Azure Profound Water Formation. Ling Xiao then reached the far north with his companions and met Sacred Beast Xuanwu, who had been waiting for him.

• Ling Xiao urged Tai Xuan to serve the Heavenly Court and bring blessings to the common people after the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation.
• Yun Xiao gathered the North Sea’s water-element power and absorbed the foundation of the Azure Profound Water Formation while Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Our Lady of Fire Spirit watched.
• Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Our Lady of Fire Spirit spotted Ling Xiao’s group and decided to follow them, while Yun Xiao struggled with her lingering feelings for him.
• Tai Xuan teased Ling Xiao about Yun Xiao’s devotion, but Ling Xiao rejected the idea of coaxing her and continued toward the far north to meet Xuanwu.
• Azure Dragon introduced Ling Xiao to Xuanwu, who transformed into human form and said he had been waiting for Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao freed Xuanwu from his karmic burdens and Heavenly Dao shackles, persuading him to join the Heavenly Court. Holy Mother Turtle Spirit arrived too late to secure Xuanwu’s essence blood and origin, while Yun Xiao reunited with Ling Xiao and asked whether he was still angry with her.

• Xuanwu mocked Azure Dragon by exposing his old romantic pursuits, embarrassing him before Tai Xuan and Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens.
• Ling Xiao used the Pure Creation Dao and Heavenly Dao authority to cleanse Xuanwu’s karmic debt and shatter his shackles.
• Xuanwu rejoiced at his freedom and thanked Ling Xiao, who said Xuanwu would join the Heavenly Court as a deity.
• Holy Mother Turtle Spirit blamed Ling Xiao for ruining her plan to obtain Xuanwu’s essence blood and origin, while Yun Xiao apologized for delaying her.
• Yun Xiao arrived with Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Our Lady of Fire Spirit, then told Ling Xiao that fate had led her to him and asked whether he still resented her.

Ling Xiao rejected Yun Xiao’s attempts to reconcile, while Holy Mother Fire Spirit and Holy Mother Turtle Spirit accused him of holding a grudge. Yun Xiao was badly injured and humiliated, and Ling Xiao ended the chapter by insisting he had severed his ties to the Sect of Interception.

• The Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens pushed Yun Xiao away from Ling Xiao, and Holy Mother Fire Spirit and Holy Mother Turtle Spirit condemned Ling Xiao for refusing to forgive her.
• Yun Xiao tried to approach Ling Xiao, but he released his Mana and sent her flying into a pit, gravely injuring her.
• Yun Xiao defended Ling Xiao and blamed herself for his attack before collapsing toward him, but Ling Xiao stepped aside and let her crash face-first into the ground.
• Ling Xiao told Yun Xiao to show self-respect and said he was no longer her junior brother because he had severed his karma with the Sect of Interception.

Ling Xiao rejected Yun Xiao again, then helped Xuanwu choose his Heavenly Court title as Great Emperor Zhenwu, Vanquisher of Demons. When Holy Mother Turtle Spirit asked Xuanwu for his blood essence and origin, Ling Xiao chose to watch the confrontation unfold.

• Yun Xiao declared her devotion to Ling Xiao, who rejected her and struck her with Mana, leaving her collapsed and bleeding.
• Xuanwu asked Ling Xiao what deity position awaited him, and Ling Xiao named him Great Emperor Zhenwu, Vanquisher of Demons, also called the Nine Heavens Demon Subduing Ancestor.
• Xuanwu accepted the title, then bickered with Azure Dragon, who insulted him by calling Holy Mother Turtle Spirit his spawn.
• Tai Xuan urged Xuanwu to ask why Holy Mother Turtle Spirit and Our Lady of Fire Spirit had come to Northern Darkness, and Xuanwu demanded an explanation.
• Holy Mother Turtle Spirit appealed to Xuanwu as a descendant of his bloodline and a disciple of Saint Tongtian, hinting at an unreasonable request.
• Ling Xiao chose the system reward for slacking off and watched as Holy Mother Turtle Spirit prepared to speak.

Holy Mother Turtle Spirit asked Xuanwu for his essence blood and origin, but he stripped away her Xuanwu bloodline and crippled her cultivation after learning she had made the same demand of Tai Xuan. Ling Xiao and the Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens reminded Yun Xiao and Holy Mother Fire Spirit of how the Sect of Interception had treated Ling Xiao, leaving Yun Xiao to confront her guilt.

• Holy Mother Turtle Spirit asked Xuanwu to give her his essence blood and origin, and Azure Dragon taunted Xuanwu to grant her request.
• Xuanwu condemned Holy Mother Turtle Spirit for coveting his and Tai Xuan’s origins, then asked Ling Xiao how he should handle her.
• Ling Xiao told Xuanwu to follow his own judgment, and Tai Xuan confirmed that Holy Mother Turtle Spirit had demanded his essence blood and origin too.
• Xuanwu used a secret technique to extract Holy Mother Turtle Spirit’s Xuanwu bloodline, reducing her cultivation from the peak to the early Golden Immortal of Grand Dao realm.
• Ling Xiao remarked that Holy Mother Turtle Spirit had escaped the fate of Bi Xiao, and the Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens challenged Yun Xiao and Holy Mother Fire Spirit to endure the consequences of their past treatment of Ling Xiao.
• Yun Xiao wondered whether they had brought this on themselves, while Holy Mother Fire Spirit felt an inexplicable ache.

Ling Xiao witnessed Xuanwu strip Holy Mother Turtle Spirit of her bloodline, then learned of possible Ferocious Beast Clan remnants in the Northern Darkness and North Sea. After Xuanwu and the others departed, Ling Xiao examined the Li Fire Divine Furnace, rebuffed Holy Mother Fire Spirit, and left the three women behind as Yun Xiao and Holy Mother Turtle Spirit prepared to return to Golden Turtle Island.

• Xuanwu drove Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, Yun Xiao, and Holy Mother Fire Spirit away, then accepted Ling Xiao's offer to receive the title of Great Emperor Zhenwu, Vanquisher of Demons.
• Xuanwu warned Ling Xiao that remnants of the Ferocious Beast Clan might remain in the Northern Darkness or North Sea, and Ling Xiao imagined using ferocious beasts as mounts for the Witch Clan or Ying Qin Clan tribe.
• Azure Dragon, Xuanwu, Tai Xuan, and the Mystic Maiden of the Nine Heavens left for Lingxiao Palace while Ling Xiao stayed behind to inspect the Li Fire Divine Furnace.
• Holy Mother Fire Spirit asked to see Ling Xiao's furnace, but he refused and put it away before departing on the Red Dust Sword Embryo.
• Yun Xiao apologized to Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, and the two prepared to return to Golden Turtle Island with Holy Mother Fire Spirit.

Ling Xiao arrived in Zhaoge as rebellion spread through the Great Shang Dynasty and prepared to await Boyi Kao, whose death he intended to use to restore his past life as the Great Emperor of North Pole Ziwei. He clashed with Kong Xuan and watched Jiang Ziya fight Shen Gongbao, then said Boyi Kao would soon come to Zhaoge.

• Ling Xiao observed that Jiang Wenhuahn and E Shun had raised troops against Emperor Xin after inheriting their fathers' titles, and recalled that Boyi Kao would soon travel to Zhaoge.
• Jiang Ziya greeted Ling Xiao, but Kong Xuan, Shen Gongbao, Dingguang Immortal, and Wuyun Xian arrived and challenged his presence in the city.
• Jiang Ziya provoked Kong Xuan with the Kongtong Seal, while Shen Gongbao attacked Jiang Ziya and the two began fighting.
• Ling Xiao asked whether Kong Xuan wanted to fight and urged him to sign the Investiture of the Gods List; Kong Xuan refused and warned that he would watch Ling Xiao in Zhaoge.
• Ling Xiao called for Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao to stop fighting and said Boyi Kao would soon arrive to offer tribute to Emperor Xin.

Yun Xiao, Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, and Our Lady of Fire Spirit returned to Golden Turtle Island, where Holy Mother Turtle Spirit’s ruined cultivation and Foundation enraged Tongtian and the Sect of Interception. As they debated how to respond to Xuanwu and Ling Xiao, Fire Spirit revealed that they had discussed the Ferocious Beast Clan, giving Tongtian a new lead while Gui Ling remained devastated.

• Yun Xiao, Holy Mother Turtle Spirit, and Our Lady of Fire Spirit knelt before Tongtian and the disciples in the Palace of Green Essence.
• Duobao questioned how Gui Ling’s cultivation and Foundation had declined, while Bi Xiao mocked her and Yun Xiao rebuked Bi Xiao.
• Yun Xiao recounted the events in the Northern Darkness, and Tongtian raged after learning that Xuanwu had extracted Gui Ling’s bloodline.
• Duobao urged Tongtian to confront Xuanwu, but Bai Ze warned that attacking the Lingxiao Palace would be dangerous and unlikely to succeed.
• Our Lady of Fire Spirit revealed that Xuanwu, Ling Xiao, and others had discussed the Ferocious Beast Clan, shifting the gathering toward plans against the Heavenly Court.
• Tongtian and the disciples began discussing how to use the Ferocious Beast Clan, while Holy Mother Turtle Spirit sank deeper into despair.

Jiang Ziya invited Ling Xiao to Zhaoge, where Ling Xiao praised Emperor Xin and gifted him a Yellow Central Plum and Enlightenment Tea Leaves. As Boyi Kao waited outside the palace to seek his father’s release, Emperor Xin distributed the gifts, including one tea leaf to Shen Gongbao.

• Jiang Ziya proposed inviting Ling Xiao to the Human Emperor's Palace, and Tu Shan Youyue urged Emperor Xin to approve the invitation.
• Ling Xiao descended into Zhaoge and was welcomed by Emperor Xin and the Great Shang ministers.
• Ling Xiao praised Emperor Xin’s actions and joined him in the hall, where he gifted him a Yellow Central Plum and three Enlightenment Tea Leaves.
• Shen Gongbao instructed You Hun and another minister to request the tea, hoping to improve his cultivation.
• Emperor Xin reserved the Yellow Central Plum and one tea leaf for Wen Zhong, shared one tea leaf with his ministers, and gave the last to Shen Gongbao.
• Boyi Kao and his companions waited outside the Human Emperor's Palace to be summoned.