Chapter Summaries

A clash erupted in the Hall of the Exalted after the Buddhist Sect attacked Kong Xuan and the Chan Sect, while Haotian refused to intervene. Taishang Laojun arrived to mediate and asked Kong Xuan to give him face, leaving the conflict unresolved.

• Kong Xuan used his Five-Colored Divine Light to kill several Buddhas as Duobao Tathagata and the other Buddhists attacked him.
• Guang Chengzi, Chijingzi, and Grand Unity True Person fought the Buddhist Sect while Haotian kept the Heavenly Court out of the battle.
• Haotian rebuked a Buddha who accused him of indulging the Chan Sect and told the combatants to take their fight outside the Hall of the Exalted.
• Taishang Laojun arrived and urged the Buddhist Sect and the Chan Sect to stop fighting.
• Duobao Tathagata appealed to Taishang Laojun to uphold justice, and Taishang Laojun asked Kong Xuan to give him face.

Taishang Laojun’s attempt to settle the dispute over the Great Crown Prince’s death failed after Old Ancestor Bodhi demanded that Huaguang be handed over. The Chan Sect left for Purple Mansion Continent, and Haotian declared that he would avenge his son, leaving the Heavenly Court poised to campaign against it.

• Taishang Laojun told Kong Xuan and the others to return, but Old Ancestor Bodhi arrived and demanded that the Chan Sect hand over Huaguang.
• Chijingzi and Guang Chengzi defended Huaguang, while Haotian and Queen Mother threatened to avenge the Great Crown Prince.
• Duobao Tathagata offered Buddhist support for a campaign against Purple Mansion Continent, and Kong Xuan blasted aside the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas blocking the Chan Sect’s departure.
• After the Buddhist Sect departed, Taishang Laojun asked Haotian whether he still intended to campaign against Purple Mansion Continent.
• Haotian said that his son’s murder must be avenged, leaving the Heavenly Court’s Immortal Officials uneasy.

Taishang Laojun refused to join Haotian’s expedition, but Haotian gathered the Heavenly Court’s officials and an army to attack Purple Mansion Continent. Gu Changsheng foresaw the invasion and prepared Chan Sect to defend the continent, where Haotian’s forces were assembling.

• Taishang Laojun left the Hall of the Exalted, refusing to accompany Haotian to Purple Mansion Continent.
• Taibai Jinxing agreed to follow Haotian, and the other Immortal Officials joined the expedition.
• Haotian told Queen Mother to guard the Hall of the Exalted against the Buddhist Sect, then went to the South Heavenly Gate.
• Chijingzi, Guang Chengzi, Grand Unity True Person, and the other Chan Sect immortals met Gu Changsheng at the Purple Mansion Grand Hall.
• Gu Changsheng predicted Haotian would soon attack, and the Chan Sect immortals prepared to fight under his direction.
• Haotian gathered the Immortal Officials and a million Heavenly Soldiers and Generals outside the South Heavenly Gate, then mounted his Dragon Chariot.

Haotian led a million Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to Purple Mansion Continent to demand Huaguang, but Gu Changsheng refused to hand him over and warned the Heavenly Court to leave. The battle began with Kong Xuan and the Chan Sect Immortals overwhelming the Heavenly Court’s forces, and Kong Xuan charged at Haotian.

• Duobao Tathagata decided that the Western Heaven would not join the expedition, while Great Immortal Zhenyuan left Longevity Mountain to aid Gu Changsheng.
• Haotian arrived at Purple Mansion Continent with a million troops and demanded that Gu Changsheng hand over Huaguang for killing the Great Crown Prince.
• Huaguang offered himself up, but Gu Changsheng ordered Ziwei to take him back to his cave abode to cultivate.
• Gu Changsheng warned Haotian that he would destroy the Heavenly Court if its forces entered Purple Mansion Continent, but Haotian ordered his army to attack after True Person Yuding confronted him.
• Kong Xuan and the Three Xiao fought the Heavenly Court’s forces, killing and scattering many soldiers and officials.
• Kong Xuan charged toward Haotian after Haotian demanded that Gu Changsheng appear.

Kong Xuan used the Five Elements Law to resist Haotian’s attacks as the Heavenly Court fought the Chan Sect on Purple Mansion Continent. Gu Changsheng entered the battle and shattered Haotian’s spirit treasures with the Chaos Bell, then faced Haotian’s Heavenly Emperor Bell.

• Kong Xuan blocked Haotian’s Heavenly Emperor Sword with the Five-Colored Divine Light while the Three Xiao unleashed the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation against the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.
• Haotian summoned the Haotian Pagoda and other spirit treasures to attack Kong Xuan.
• Gu Changsheng emerged from Purple Mansion Grand Hall after Haotian demanded that he hand over Huaguang.
• Gu Changsheng struck the Chaos Bell, shattering the Haotian Pagoda and disrupting the Heavenly Emperor Sword’s Sword Intent.
• Haotian summoned and rang the Heavenly Emperor Bell, and Gu Changsheng struck the Chaos Bell again.

Gu Changsheng confronted Haotian after the Heavenly Court forces disturbed Purple Mansion Continent, but the Queen Mother summoned them both to Purple Cloud Palace on the Dao Ancestor’s order. As Gu Changsheng set out, the Three Pure Ones learned they too had been summoned.

• Gu Changsheng stopped Haotian from leaving and destroyed his Dragon Chariot, demanding that he leave something behind for disturbing Purple Mansion Continent.
• The Queen Mother arrived with the Dao Ancestor’s summons for Gu Changsheng and Haotian to go to Purple Cloud Palace.
• Haotian ordered Taibai Jinxing and the immortal officials to return to the Heavenly Court, while Gu Changsheng told Kong Xuan and the others to let them go.
• Gu Changsheng reassured Guang Chengzi, Chijingzi, and the other Immortals of Chan Sect, then entered the Chaos alone.
• Saint Taiqing and Primordial Heavenly Venerate discussed Gu Changsheng and Haotian’s dispute, and Tongtian said the Three Pure Ones would not interfere.
• A voice summoned the Six Sages to Purple Cloud Palace.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun summoned the Six Sages to settle the dispute over Haotian’s son, who Huaguang had killed. The sages agreed to revive the Great Crown Prince and confine Huaguang to Mount Taihua for three years, leaving Haotian and Yaochi stunned by the light punishment.

• Dao Ancestor Hongjun summoned the Six Sages to Purple Heaven Palace and asked Yuanshi to explain his view of Huaguang’s killing of Haotian’s son.
• Yuanshi and Saint Taiqing defended Huaguang, while Zhunti and Jieyin called for Gu Changsheng to be punished; Nuwa questioned why the dispute had reached Purple Heaven Palace.
• Zhunti and Jieyin proposed confining Gu Changsheng for a hundred years, but Tongtian accused them of seeking to advance Buddhist preaching, and Yuanshi threatened their Buddhist Dao Lineage.
• Saint Taiqing proposed reviving Haotian’s son and confining Huaguang to Mount Taihua for three years, and Nuwa and Tongtian supported the plan.
• Hongjun summoned Haotian and Yaochi, who heard the ruling and were stunned by the limited punishment.

Gu Changsheng challenged Haotian’s account of the Great Crown Prince’s death and argued over the prince’s punishment before Dao Ancestor Hongjun settled the dispute. Hongjun ordered Huaguang confined for three years and told Haotian and Yaochi to discipline the Great Crown Prince, leaving them resentful toward Gu Changsheng.

• Gu Changsheng presented evidence of what had happened at Mount Taihua after Haotian accused Huaguang of harming the Great Crown Prince.
• Hongjun proposed confining Huaguang for three years and returning the Great Crown Prince to the Heavenly Court, but Gu Changsheng objected and suggested confining the prince for one year.
• Haotian demanded that Hongjun punish Gu Changsheng, while Gu Changsheng warned that the Great Crown Prince might cause trouble again.
• Hongjun ended the dispute by ordering Huaguang confined for three years and instructing Haotian and Yaochi to discipline the Great Crown Prince.
• Hongjun sent the saints, Haotian, Yaochi, and Gu Changsheng out of the Purple Sky Palace, and Haotian and Yaochi continued to resent Gu Changsheng.

After the battle at Purple Mansion Continent, Gu Changsheng learned that Confucius must bring peace to the human race and that he must stop the Buddhist Sect’s plans. Haotian began rebuilding his eldest brother while Taibai Jinxing sought permission from Great Emperor Fengdu to return fallen Heavenly Court soldiers from the underworld.

• Tongtian ordered Gu Changsheng to kill Interception Sect traitors, and Taiqing warned him to protect the human race from an impending calamity.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate told Gu Changsheng that Confucius should emerge to settle the human calamity and warned that the Buddhist Sect was plotting against humanity.
• Haotian learned that the Heavenly Court had suffered tens of thousands of casualties and sent Taibai Jinxing to retrieve the fallen soldiers from the underworld.
• Haotian and Yaochi used a Nine-Revolving Golden Elixir to reconstruct Eldest Brother’s body from his remnant soul.
• The Ten Hell Kings told Taibai Jinxing that they needed to consult Great Emperor Fengdu before returning the fallen Heavenly Court soldiers, so they accompanied him to the Hall of Fengdu.

Taibai Jinxing failed to retrieve the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals from Great Emperor Fengdu, who demanded compensation for the underworld’s spiritual roots. Gu Changsheng reported the Dao Ancestor’s ruling on Huaguang and learned that the human race’s calamity might be the Buddhist Sect’s doing; Haotian reacted angrily to Fengdu’s demand.

• Taibai Jinxing asked Great Emperor Fengdu to release the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, but Fengdu demanded treasures to compensate for the spiritual roots they had consumed and sent Taibai back to the Heavenly Court.
• Gu Changsheng told the gathered immortals that the Dao Ancestor had ordered the Great Crown Prince’s true body reconstructed and Huaguang confined on Mount Taihua for three years.
• Gu Changsheng relayed Tongtian’s order that disciples who betrayed the Interception Sect be executed, and the Three Xiao accepted the decree.
• Gu Changsheng sent Kong Xuan and the Three Xiao to continue cultivating, then began investigating the calamity threatening the human race.
• Haotian learned that Great Emperor Fengdu wanted compensation and angrily called him rude.

Haotian abandoned his plan to attack the underworld and sent Taibai Jinxing to offer spiritual treasures in exchange for the Heavenly soldiers and generals. Great Emperor Fengdu accepted the gifts and returned the soldiers, while the Ten Hell Kings dismissed reports of trouble in the Southern Sea.

• Haotian ordered Taibai Jinxing to gather troops for an attack on the underworld, but Taibai warned him that Lady Pingxin could suppress the Heavenly Court.
• Haotian gave Taibai Jinxing several spiritual treasures and sent him to the underworld instead of starting a war.
• Great Emperor Fengdu accepted Haotian's gifts and ordered King Qin Guang to return the Heavenly soldiers and generals to Taibai Jinxing.
• The Ten Hell Kings discussed flooding and deaths caused by the Southern Sea sea clans, then decided not to report the matter to Great Emperor Fengdu or Lady Pingxin.
• Taibai Jinxing returned the Heavenly soldiers and generals to Haotian, who praised him and offered him a reward.

Haotian assured the Queen Mother that he would find a chance to destroy Changsheng Heavenly Venerate, while Chijingzi confined Huaguang to Mount Taihua for three years. In the South Sea, sea demons slaughtered a human city until a middle-aged Confucian scholar intervened to protect a woman and her infant.

• Taibai Jinxing declined Haotian’s offer of a reward, and Haotian sent him away.
• Haotian told the Queen Mother that recalling the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals was only his first move against Changsheng Heavenly Venerate.
• Chijingzi confined Huaguang to Mount Taihua for three years, and Huaguang began cultivating in a cave outside Yunxiao Cave.
• Chijingzi sensed danger beneath the Tribulation Clouds over the southern Sky Dome and looked toward it.
• Sea demons slaughtered a South Sea city, and one raised his blade to kill a woman and her infant.
• A middle-aged Confucian scholar deflected the sea demon’s blade and stood beside the woman.

Zhu Zi intervened in a South Sea city to defeat the sea demons slaughtering its people and confronted Void Treasury, who tried to save the Octopus Sea Demon's primordial spirit. Zhu Zi killed the spirit despite Void Treasury's threats, leaving the Buddhist and Confucian factions in open conflict.

• Zhu Zi killed a sea demon and then devastated the Octopus Sea Demon's forces with his written battle character and sword.
• Zhu Zi defeated the Octopus Sea Demon and trapped his fleeing primordial spirit to demand who had sent the demons.
• Void Treasury appeared on a golden lotus and urged Zhu Zi to spare the primordial spirit, defending the sea demons' slaughter as a form of release for the people.
• Zhu Zi identified himself as a Confucian scholar and Void Treasury as a Buddha, then accused the Buddhist sect of seeking to spread its teachings among humans.
• Void Treasury threatened Zhu Zi, but Zhu Zi shattered the Octopus Sea Demon's primordial spirit.

Zhu Zi defeated Void Treasury after intervening against the Buddhist sect’s plans in the South Sea, then dispersed the demonic qi covering the waters. Old Ancestor Bodhi chose to abandon the South Sea Dragon Clan’s scheme and sent Void Treasury toward reincarnation to exploit the Human Co-Lord’s decline.

• Zhu Zi fought Void Treasury, shattered his golden lotus and weapons with Righteous Qi, and spared him rather than risk provoking the Buddhist sect.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi appeared and learned that Zhu Zi had thwarted the Buddhist sect’s plans involving the South Sea Dragon Clan.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi declared the dragon clan a disposable pawn and proposed sending Void Treasury into reincarnation to seize an opportunity while the Human Co-Lord weakened.
• Zhu Zi summoned the Gentleman's Sword and scattered the demonic qi blanketing the South Sea, allowing the black tides to recede.

Ao Han imprisoned the South Sea Dragon King to advance Buddhism’s influence, but Zhu Zi confronted him over the slaughter of humans. After Zhu Zi defeated Ao Han’s forces, a Buddha intervened to save him, and Zhu Zi challenged Buddhism over its role in the calamity.

• Ao Han told the bound South Sea Dragon King that he planned to rule the dragon race with Buddhism’s support, while the king warned him to turn back.
• After the Sea-Patrolling Yaksha reported a challenger, Ao Han led the Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals to confront Zhu Zi at sea.
• Zhu Zi killed many of Ao Han’s soldiers and shattered Ao Han’s attack, prompting Ao Han to flee.
• A Buddha appeared and rescued Ao Han, citing Tathagata’s Buddha Decree, while Zhu Zi questioned Buddhism’s involvement in the human calamity.
• The Buddha threatened Zhu Zi, who accused Buddhism of wrongdoing and declared that he would enforce justice on Heaven’s behalf.

Zhu Zi fought Wujin Yi Bodhisattva over the South Sea, destroying his Buddhist manifestations and weapons and killing Ao Han. Chan Master Wu Chao arrived and took Wujin Yi back to Spiritual Mountain, after which the South Sea Dragon King Ao Qin thanked Zhu Zi for saving him.

• Wujin Yi Bodhisattva summoned countless Buddha manifestations to attack Zhu Zi, but Zhu Zi destroyed them with his Sword Intent.
• Zhu Zi shattered Wujin Yi's lotus platform and precious pearl, and his sword force wiped out Ao Han.
• Wujin Yi unleashed his Buddhist artifacts and charged Zhu Zi, but Zhu Zi's Gentleman's Sword called down divine lightning that shattered the artifacts and badly injured Wujin Yi.
• Chan Master Wu Chao arrived in a Bird's Nest and confronted Zhu Zi, then took Wujin Yi back to Spiritual Mountain on the Buddha Ancestor's orders.
• Ao Qin, the South Sea Dragon King, appeared and thanked Zhu Zi for saving his life.

After Zhu Zi returned from killing Ao Han, Confucius warned him that Buddhism would use Void Treasury’s reincarnation to provoke a conflict with Confucianism. Buddhism mobilized its forces against Lesser Sage Village, while Gu Changsheng watched events unfold, believing Buddhism had become one of his chess pieces.

• Zhu Zi returned to Lesser Sage Village after the South Sea Dragon King thanked him for killing Ao Han, and the Dragon King headed to the Dragon Clan Holy Land to report what had happened.
• Great Emperor Fengdu secretly interfered when Old Ancestor Bodhi sent Void Treasury into reincarnation, then ordered the Ten Hell Kings to resume their duties.
• Confucius told Zhu Zi that Buddhism would use Void Treasury’s reincarnation as an excuse to challenge Confucianism, and Zhu Zi vowed to oppose Buddhism with the Gentleman's Sword.
• Confucius summoned Confucian disciples from across the regions to gather at Lesser Sage Village.
• Duobao Tathagata and Old Ancestor Bodhi prepared to confront Confucianism, then led the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas toward Lesser Sage Village aboard the Golden Lotus Treasure Ship.
• Great Immortal Zhenyuan postponed his seclusion, while Gu Changsheng said Buddhism had unknowingly become one of his chess pieces.

Gu Changsheng sent Kong Xuan to the Dragon Clan Holy Land as Buddhism prepared to attack Confucianism. As Ancestor Azure Dragon summoned a heavenly tribulation to punish the South Sea Dragon King, Kong Xuan arrived with Gu Changsheng’s decree.

• Gu Changsheng told Kong Xuan that Buddhism was about to attack Confucianism and ordered him to inform the Dragon Clan that the Great Thunderclap Monastery was empty.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng remained at the Great Thunderclap Monastery to guard it against a possible surprise attack.
• The South Sea Dragon King reached the Dragon Clan Holy Land and reported to Ancestor Candle Dragon that Ao Han’s actions had harmed the Dragon Clan’s fortune.
• Ancestor Azure Dragon declared that the South Sea Dragon King must be punished for failing to teach his son and summoned a heavenly tribulation against him.
• Kong Xuan arrived as the tribulation descended and announced that he bore his master’s decree.

Kong Xuan directed the Dragon Clan to attack the Buddhist Sect’s Spiritual Mountain while the Buddhist Sect marched on Lesser Sage Village. Haotian ordered the Heavenly Court to stay out of the conflict, and Sage Kong confronted Duobao Tathagata as the two sides prepared to contest their Dao arts.

• Kong Xuan relayed Changsheng Heavenly Venerate’s decree, and the Dragon Clan agreed to attack Great Thunderclap Monastery while Kong Xuan accompanied them.
• Haotian heard why the Buddhist Sect was attacking the Confucian school, then ordered the Heavenly Court’s deities not to descend to the mortal realm without authorization.
• Duobao Tathagata arrived at Lesser Sage Village with the Buddhist forces and demanded that Sage Kong hand over Zhu Zi for killing Void Treasury and Wujin Yi.
• Sage Kong declared Void Treasury deserved death, defended Zhu Zi, and challenged Duobao Tathagata’s claim that the Buddhist Sect was merely contesting Dao arts.
• Duobao Tathagata transformed into the Dharma form of Heaven and Earth Manifestation as the confrontation began.

The Buddhist Sect attacked Lesser Sage Village, where Yanzi and Mencius fought back against the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. As the two sides clashed, Duobao Tathagata challenged Confucius to fight in the chaos.

• Yanzi defeated a Buddha with his sword, but a colossal Buddha Palm descended before he could finish the battle.
• Mencius drove back Pagoda King Buddha and challenged the Buddhist forces, prompting Duobao Tathagata to order an attack on Lesser Sage Village.
• The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas fought the Confucian Disciples while Duobao Tathagata challenged Sage Kong to battle in the chaos.
• Confucius and Duobao Tathagata met amid the chaos, where Confucius said he already knew why Duobao had come.