Chapter Summaries

Chen Changsheng issued the official textbook and mock exam for the Investiture of the Gods Evaluation, revealing that it tested Heavenly Court administration and ideological adaptability rather than cultivation. The Chan Sect discovered that Chen Changsheng’s side controlled the exam’s scope and standards, leaving Guangchengzi convinced they had already lost.

• Chi Jingzi taught human nobles about the Chan Sect’s Dao, but they pressed him for exam tips and likely questions.
• Zhao Gongming showed Chen Changsheng and the Calamity Aversion Department Chi Jingzi’s tutoring class, and Chen Changsheng explained that the evaluation tested ideological reform and adaptability to rules.
• Chen Changsheng arranged for the Project Office to release an official applicant textbook and mock test paper throughout the Three Realms.
• Cultivators abandoned the registration lines and rushed to Golden Ao Island to collect the materials, while the Chan Sect obtained copies for review.
• Guangchengzi and the other Chan Sect immortals saw that the materials focused on Heavenly Court administration, workplace conduct, and essay questions, and Guangchengzi realized Chen Changsheng’s side controlled the exam standards.

Guangchengzi devised a plan for the Chan Sect to bypass the Interception Sect’s evaluation and appeal directly to Haotian. Chen Changsheng countered by preparing a formal payment reminder and project report for Haotian, leaving Holy Mother Jin Ling to deliver them to the Heavenly Court.

• Guangchengzi concluded that Haotian was the true client behind the recruitment and proposed that the Chan Sect present its own plan for governing the Three Realms directly to him.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate approved the strategy, and Guangchengzi, Chi Jingzi, and True Master Yuding set off for the Heavenly Court.
• Zhao Gongming showed Chen Changsheng the three Chan Sect immortals heading toward Haotian and warned that they were trying to bypass the project team.
• Chen Changsheng asked Daoist Duobao to turn the consulting fee settlement statement into a formal payment reminder and tasked Zhao Gongming with compiling a project work briefing.
• Chen Changsheng sent Holy Mother Jin Ling to deliver both documents to Haotian as the contractors’ first project progress report.

Guangchengzi, Chi Jingzi, and True Master Yuding proposed that the Chan Sect reshape the Three Realms’ order and asked Haotian to grant its disciples core Heavenly Court posts. Holy Mother Jin Ling presented the Interception Sect’s completed project results and a payment reminder under its Heavenly Dao contract, leaving Haotian to challenge Guangchengzi’s timing.

• Guangchengzi, Chi Jingzi, and True Master Yuding met Haotian and criticized Chen Changsheng’s evaluation as an unworthy way to appoint Heavenly Court officials.
• Guangchengzi presented a comprehensive plan for governing the Three Realms and offered the Chan Sect Twelve Golden Immortals to carry it out in core positions.
• Haotian examined the Chan Sect’s proposal but placed it beside Chen Changsheng’s performance and compensation plan without agreeing to the requested posts.
• Venus announced Holy Mother Jin Ling’s arrival, and she reported the Interception Sect’s applicant numbers, screenings, examinations, and textbook distribution.
• Holy Mother Jin Ling presented a payment reminder seeking advance funding under the contract granting the Interception Sect thirty percent of future new Heavenly Court Merit revenue.
• Haotian praised both proposals, then asked Guangchengzi why the Chan Sect had waited until the Interception Sect’s plan was underway to claim it would not work.

Haotian turned the Chan Sect’s proposal into binding evaluation criteria, forcing Guangchengzi to promise that the Chan Sect would win at least one hundred divine positions. The Chan Sect left trapped by the very claims it had made, while the Interception Sect’s evaluation continued with an increased budget.

• Haotian challenged Guangchengzi over why the Chan Sect had not offered its plan earlier, and Guangchengzi argued that the Interception Sect’s work had made it possible to elevate the project’s framework.
• Holy Mother Jin Ling avoided debating the Chan Sect’s outline and presented a Payment Reminder Letter demanding three thousand Merit for the Interception Sect’s expenses.
• Haotian praised both the Chan Sect’s strategy and the Interception Sect’s execution, approved the Chan Sect’s outline, and ordered the evaluation to continue on a larger scale with more funding.
• Haotian made the Chan Sect’s outline part of the evaluation criteria and demanded that the sect secure at least one hundred of the 365 divine positions, including core positions.
• When Haotian challenged Guangchengzi to prove the Chan Sect could meet the demand, Guangchengzi reluctantly agreed.

Guangchengzi and the Chan Sect accepted the Heavenly Court’s challenge and began studying for the Investiture of the Gods evaluation, while the Western Sect also joined the exam-preparation race. Just as the Three Realms focused on cramming, Chen Changsheng’s Project Office announced a practical internship task governing a flooded river without supernatural powers.

• Emperor Haotian approved Holy Mother Jin Ling’s payment request and awarded the Project Office an additional thirty thousand Merit.
• Guangchengzi returned to Jade Void Palace and ordered the Chan Sect to study the Interception Sect’s General Knowledge Textbook after Haotian made them accept a high-stakes evaluation agreement.
• The Chan Sect disciples struggled through the textbook’s workplace procedures, while Guangchengzi studied Zhao Gongming’s methods for completing tasks without incurring karma.
• Zhunti and Jieyin began teaching the Western Sect from the textbook, prompting Guangchengzi to impose intensive closed-door study on the Chan Sect.
• Across the Three Realms, cultivators began preparing for the evaluation, and Chen Changsheng instructed Daoist Duobao to issue Supplementary Announcement No. 2.
• The Project Office announced an internship task requiring applicants to govern a flooded mortal river without using spells or divine abilities beyond ordinary mortals’ understanding.

The Chan Sect and Western Sect sent disciples to manage the flood near Chentang Pass, turning the task into a competition for mortal labor and believers, while the Jie Sect interns focused on practical needs. Di Xin decided Great Shang should recruit the immortals, and Jiang Ziya realized the Shang-Zhou conflict was becoming a talent war.

• After the Heavenly Dao announced a mortal river-management task, Guangchengzi ordered the Chan Sect disciples to descend and organize surveys, tools, labor, and public morale.
• Zhunti sent Western Sect disciples to aid flood victims while prioritizing the conversion of believers.
• At Chentang Pass, Li Jing heard the Chan Sect demand a hundred thousand laborers, the Western Sect urge prayer, and the Jie Sect interns ask about tents, grain, and wages.
• Wen Zhong told Di Xin that the arriving sects could help Great Shang against Xiqi, and Di Xin ordered an envoy to recruit the immortals with official posts and noble titles.
• Jiang Ziya learned that Chaoge was recruiting the flood-control immortals and realized the Shang-Zhou war was about to become a talent war.

At Chentang Pass, the Three Teachings competed to control the flood in their own ways until Wen Zhong and Jiang Ziya arrived to recruit immortals for Great Shang and Xiqi. Zhao Gongming rejected both offers and presented them with the Interception Sect’s three-part river-governance proposal.

• Chi Jingzi directed mortal craftsmen, Medicine Master and Maitreya distributed porridge to disaster victims, and Zhao Gongming negotiated relief supplies and wages with Li Jing.
• Wen Zhong arrived with Di Xin’s decree and invited capable immortals to serve Great Shang in exchange for high office and noble rank.
• Jiang Ziya arrived with soldiers bearing Zhou banners and urged the immortals to aid Xiqi, promising Merit and places in the Heavenly Court.
• Wen Zhong offered the Interception Sect the position of Grand Tutor, while Jiang Ziya reminded the immortals that Heaven’s Will still controlled the evaluation.
• Zhao Gongming declined both recruitment offers and gave Wen Zhong and Jiang Ziya a report detailing three river-governance plans with different costs, construction periods, and benefits.

As the factions competed to recruit allies for the flood-control effort, Shen Gongbao persuaded Luo Xuan to join Great Shang. Watching through a Water Mirror, Chen Changsheng appointed Shen Gongbao to lead external recruitment for the Interception Sect and assigned him a new target.

• Wen Zhong and Jiang Ziya offered positions and rewards to recruit talent, while Guangchengzi and Maitreya promoted the Chan Sect's and Western Sect's ideals.
• Shen Gongbao arrived in disguise and agreed with Luo Xuan's claim that the flood should follow Heaven's ordained course.
• Shen Gongbao persuaded Luo Xuan that serving Great Shang would let him uphold the Heavenly Dao while avoiding the Chan Sect's influence, and Luo Xuan pledged himself to Wen Zhong.
• Chen Changsheng praised Shen Gongbao's persuasive skills and established the External Strategic Relations Development Department, appointing him chief consultant.
• Chen Changsheng ordered Shen Gongbao to invite capable, unaffiliated Great Rogue Cultivators to the Interception Sect's Recruitment Fair as potential project partners.

At the recruitment fair outside Chentang Pass, Shen Gongbao recruited Lü Yue for the Interception Sect by presenting his Art of Plague as a valuable professional skill for the Heavenly Court. Seeing how much talent the fair could attract, Chen Changsheng ordered the Interception Sect’s project office upgraded into a Three Realms-wide recruitment and position-certification service.

• Shen Gongbao persuaded Lü Yue to join the Interception Sect by proposing that he lead the Heavenly Court’s Plague Department.
• Lü Yue joined the Interception Sect camp and warmly greeted Zhao Gongming.
• Chen Changsheng decided the recruitment project should expand beyond the Interception Sect’s internal evaluation.
• Chen Changsheng ordered the project office upgraded into the Three Realms Talent Exchange and Heavenly Court Position Certification Service Center.
• Chen Changsheng declared the Interception Sect the Heavenly Dao-certified sole recruitment channel for those seeking positions in the Investiture of the Gods.

Shen Gongbao used the Heavenly Dao-certified talent center to assess Kong Xuan and offer him a custom Heavenly Court position, persuading him to visit Golden Ao Island. The center then received a startling application from Minghe, who sought assessment for the position of Asura Sect Leader.

• Chen Changsheng's decree established the Three Realms Talent Exchange and Heavenly Court Position Certification Service Center as the sole authorized recruitment channel, silencing the rival recruiters outside Chentang Pass.
• Kong Xuan arrived, and Guangchengzi, Zhunti, and Wen Zhong each tried to recruit him while Jiang Ziya held back.
• Shen Gongbao assessed Kong Xuan's Five-Colored Divine Light and proposed an exclusive Heavenly Court role overseeing Five Elements authority and enforcing Heavenly Dao order.
• Kong Xuan accepted the proposal and left for Golden Ao Island, prompting Chen Changsheng to order an S-Class Talent Reception Plan.
• A disciple reported that Minghe had remotely applied to the talent center for an assessment for the position of Asura Sect Leader.

Chen Changsheng treated Ancestor Minghe’s application for Asura Sect certification as a high-profile client case and ordered a risk assessment. Meanwhile, Guangchengzi shifted the Chan Sect’s strategy toward showcasing its achievements, but the chapter ended with Minghe adding “Heavenly Dao Saint” as a desired position.

• Chen Changsheng ordered Shen Gongbao to lead an S-Class assessment of Ancestor Minghe and demand the Asura Sect’s financial records and karmic disclosures.
• Guangchengzi declared that the Chan Sect would stop acting as examinees and instead present itself as executive talent through direct achievements and referrals.
• True Person Taiyi burned a Shang army granary to claim a victory for his KPI, but Interception Sect inspectors cited him for battlefield safety violations and demanded reports.
• Chen Changsheng learned that Ancestor Minghe had agreed to submit the requested materials but had also listed “Heavenly Dao Saint” as a desired position.

Chen Changsheng turned Minghe’s application to become a Heavenly Dao Saint into a lucrative consulting contract, while the Three Teachings escalated their competition across the battlefield and into mortal education. The chapter ended with the Jie Sect asserting control over the new academies by posting Heavenly Dao-certified education regulations.

• Chen Changsheng proposed charging Minghe one supreme-grade Innate Spirit Vein and a share of the Netherworld Blood Sea’s earnings for a Saint-level career plan, then ordered Shen Gongbao to draft a contract requiring payment first.
• Guangchengzi rallied the Chan Sect to abandon Jie Sect procedures, seek merit on the Shang-Zhou Battlefield, and recruit through executive referrals.
• Zhunti ordered the Western Sect to offer merit-backed loans to Rogue Cultivators and struggling mortals as a form of inclusive finance.
• Chan Sect immortals ground out merit on the battlefield while Jie Sect inspectors documented their violations and filed reports against them.
• The Shang and Zhou courts announced their own cultivation academies to train mortal talent.
• Jie Sect disciples posted a Heavenly Dao-certified notice declaring unapproved schools unrecognized and announcing an official cultivation textbook.

Shen Gongbao persuaded Old Ancestor Minghe to fund Chen Changsheng’s plan, sparking a rush of powerful cultivators seeking talent services. As Nezha was born, the Chan Sect, Jie Sect, and Western Sect competed to claim or educate him, leaving Li Jing caught between their offers.

• Shen Gongbao presented Minghe with a research report proposing that he use an official Heavenly Court position to pursue Sage-level Merit, and Minghe paid with a supreme-grade Innate Spirit Vein.
• Minghe’s agreement drew crowds of powerful cultivators to the Talent Center on Golden Ao Island.
• Guangchengzi sent True Person Taiyi to Chentang Pass to recruit his destined disciple before the child’s birth.
• True Person Taiyi offered Li Jing’s unborn son a Chan Sect admission notice, but Jie Sect officers intervened with a pre-birth admissions ban and a plan for compulsory education.
• Medicine Buddha offered Li Jing a prenatal education loan, while Jie Sect cited Empress Nuwa’s approval for Nezha’s moral re-education and urged Li Jing to choose its safe education program.
• Nezha was born amid a beam of red light as the Three Teachings prepared to compete for him.

The Intercepting Sect took control of Nezha’s upbringing at the General’s Mansion, using laws, safety rules, and an entrance assessment to block True Person Taiyi and Medicine Buddha. Nezha ended the chapter confined to supervised preschool care, while Taiyi was reduced to an unpaid guest professor and stormed off to Kunlun Mountain.

• True Person Taiyi and Medicine Buddha raced to recruit Nezha, while the Intercepting Sect announced his admission to its preschool tutorial class.
• When Li Jing raised his sword at the newborn Nezha, Intercepting Sect disciples stopped him with child-protection laws and threatened penalties.
• True Person Taiyi tried to give Nezha the Universe Ring and Chaos Tunic, but the disciples confiscated them under Empress Nuwa’s safety regulations.
• Nezha attacked a disciple and was struck with the Rule Ruler, losing points on his entrance assessment and being told to earn red flowers to reclaim his treasures.
• The Intercepting Sect blocked Medicine Buddha’s missionary effort, and Li Jing signed a contract entrusting Nezha to its preschool program.
• The Intercepting Sect outfitted Nezha with safety gear and placed him in a rune-covered cradle; Taiyi accepted a supervised weekly teaching role before leaving for Kunlun Mountain in anger.

After Nezha was taken by the Interception Sect, Guangchengzi ordered the Chan Sect to train Jin Zha, Mu Zha, and Yang Jian as expert test-takers and planned to recruit Yin Jiao and Yin Hong to undermine Great Shang. The princes faced execution in Chaoge as Guangchengzi and Chi Jingzi set out to save them.

• True Person Taiyi reported that the Interception Sect had taken Nezha and required him to work as a visiting professor.
• Guangchengzi decided the Chan Sect would train Jin Zha, Mu Zha, and Yang Jian to master the Interception Sect’s rules and exams.
• Guangchengzi learned that Yin Jiao and Yin Hong were to be executed, and planned to make them Chan Sect disciples who would eventually oppose Great Shang.
• Guangchengzi and Chi Jingzi left for Chaoge to rescue the princes.
• Yin Jiao and Yin Hong waited in prison as Imperial Guards arrived to escort them to their execution.

At the execution of Yin Jiao and Yin Hong, Shen Gongbao and the Interception Sect Legal Affairs Department intervened, using Heavenly Dao procedures to stop the execution and secure the princes as clients. The princes signed legal aid agreements, and Shen Gongbao took them away while preparing to pursue Di Xin and Daji.

• As Yin Jiao and Yin Hong were about to be executed, Guangchengzi and Chi Jingzi arrived and stopped the execution with their immortal power.
• Shen Gongbao entered with Interception Sect disciples and issued a judicial suspension and emergency protection order, citing Heavenly Dao laws and procedure.
• Guangchengzi tried to seize the princes, but a disciple warned that his actions could damage his Heavenly Dao credit record.
• Shen Gongbao offered Yin Jiao and Yin Hong legal representation and protection, and both princes signed the authorization agreement.
• Shen Gongbao took the princes to the Interception Sect office for assessment and ordered a lawyer's letter sent to Di Xin and Daji.

After Shen Gongbao secured Yin Jiao and Yin Hong’s authorization, Chen Changsheng turned his attention to the larger causes of Great Shang’s crisis. He ordered a formal review of Daji’s actions and sent Empress Nuwa a risk report, leaving both women confronted with Golden Ao Island’s intervention.

• Shen Gongbao returned with Yin Jiao and Yin Hong’s signed authorization, and the Interception Sect celebrated its victory over Guangchengzi.
• Chen Changsheng identified Empress Nuwa’s order to the Three Fox Spirits as the source of the crisis and judged Daji’s uncontrolled actions a threat to the Investiture of the Gods project.
• Chen Changsheng ordered Shen Gongbao to summon Daji to Golden Ao Island for a performance review and to send Empress Nuwa a risk assessment and request for cooperation.
• Shen Gongbao sent both official letters, and Daji’s smile froze when the summons appeared at Star Picking Tower.
• Empress Nuwa opened her eyes and looked at the report, its unusually long title leaving her briefly confused.

Su Daji received an evaluation notice, and Empress Nuwa recognized that Chen Changsheng’s report warned her about the risks of her project. Nuwa accepted the report and sought formal coordination with his office, leaving Chen Changsheng to arrange a remote conference with her.

• Su Daji hid the Official Letter from Di Xin while realizing a cold system was tracking her actions.
• Empress Nuwa read Chen Changsheng’s Risk Assessment Report and concluded it warned her that Su Daji’s actions could make her bear the resulting karmic burden.
• Nuwa ordered Fairy Jinning to tell Chen Changsheng that she had received the report.
• A Wa Huang Palace envoy arrived at Golden Ao Island and announced that Nuwa approved creating a cross-project coordination mechanism, but wanted a detailed proposal within three days.
• The envoy said Nuwa wanted to discuss Sage KPIs and karmic conversion rates with Chen Changsheng, who proposed a remote video conference.

Chen Changsheng set up a remote conference with Empress Nuwa and assessed her Shang Dynasty project using his proposed Sage KPI metrics. The Dao Ancestor then seized control of the connection and ordered Zhunti and Jieyin brought into the discussion.

• A celestial messenger delivered Empress Nuwa’s invitation, and Chen Changsheng accepted a remote video conference using the Cloud Mirror Array.
• Chen Changsheng ordered Zhao Gongming to build a secure, high-definition connection to Wa Huang Palace, explaining to Daoist Duobao that the arrangement was efficient business practice.
• Chen Changsheng met with Empress Nuwa by Light Screen and presented Merit ROI and Negative Karma Diffusion Index as measures for evaluating Sages.
• Chen Changsheng judged Nuwa’s Shang Dynasty Subversion Project a failed investment because its negative karma had spread beyond Di Xin.
• Zhao Gongming detected Zhunti and Jieyin attempting to eavesdrop, and Chen Changsheng asked Nuwa whether to remove them or add them to the group chat.
• The Dao Ancestor took control of the Cloud Mirror Array, replaced Nuwa’s image, and ordered Zhunti and Jieyin added so he could preside over the Sage KPI discussion.

Chen Changsheng exposed the Western Sect’s enormous Karma Debt and proposed financial health ratings for the Investiture of the Gods. The Dao Ancestor approved his rules and appointed him Heavenly Dao Tribulation Data Inspector, giving him authority to monitor every faction.

• The Dao Ancestor ordered the Sages to listen as Chen Changsheng resumed his presentation.
• Chen Changsheng revealed that the Western Sect had fulfilled only three of its forty-eight vows and had a Karma Debt Ratio exceeding 900%.
• Chen Changsheng proposed Karma Credit Ratings that would restrict recruitment and access to core divine positions for lineages with poor ratings.
• The Dao Ancestor approved the new rules and appointed Chen Changsheng Heavenly Dao Tribulation Data Inspector.
• Zhao Gongming dropped his twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls as the stunned assembly processed what had happened.