Chapter Summaries

After five years of debate at Jixia Academy, Laozi’s Daoism ranked first, followed by Confucianism and Mohism, and the schools spread their teachings across the Nine Provinces. When the pioneers died and the Hundred Schools expected a final judgment, the Great Dao instead extended the contest for another two hundred years, to be decided by each school’s influence on the Human Race.

• Confucius fought the mechanical Vermilion Bird, and Jixia Academy restored order by forbidding combat.
• Laozi narrowly defeated Confucius and Mozi in the debate, and the schools were ranked with Daoism first, Confucianism second, and Mohism third.
• Laozi and Confucius established Daoism and Confucianism, while other schools consolidated their teachings and spread them across the Nine Provinces.
• Rulers favored Confucian, Legalist, and Military doctrines, while Daoism and Mohism received less support and Mohists faced suppression.
• Confucius, Laozi, Mozi, and the other pioneers died as the century-long limit ended, and their ideas remained influential.
• The Great Dao declared that the foremost school would be determined by influence on the Human Race after two hundred more years, prompting the Immortal Gods to argue and place bets.

As the Warring States era began, Guangchengzi’s reforms made the Legalist School influential across the Nine Provinces, prompting Taiqing Laozi and Tongtian to consider sending disciples into the world. Wei’s ruler then appointed Wu Qi, whose victory over Qin’s army brought Wei the Hexi Land and left Qin severely weakened.

• The Three Families destroyed the Zhi clan, divided its territory, and gained recognition as the lords of Han, Zhao, and Wei, while Jin became a puppet state.
• Guangchengzi, reincarnated as Li Kui, reformed Wei and spread Legalist influence, leading Taiqing Laozi to send Xuandu into the world and Tongtian to search for a suitable disciple.
• Tongtian wondered where Cangyuan had gone and concluded that the Hundred Schools’ debates were only beginning.
• Wu Qi was expelled from Zeng Shen’s school after refusing to return home for his mother’s funeral, then became a general in Lu and later fled to Wei.
• Wei’s ruler appointed Wu Qi, who led the Wei Wu Battalion against Qin and destroyed Duke Hui of Qin’s two-million-strong army through an ambush.
• Wu Qi advanced toward Xianyang, forcing Duke Hui to negotiate peace and surrender the entire Hexi Land to Wei.

After Wu Qi made Wei the foremost hegemon, Marquis Wu of Wei and Gongshu Zuo conspired to undermine him. Wu Qi refused a marriage to a Wei princess, lost his military authority, and eventually realized he had been set up.

• After Marquis Wen of Wei died, Marquis Wu of Wei appointed Gongshu Zuo prime minister instead of Wu Qi, prompting Gongshu Zuo to fear losing his position.
• Gongshu Zuo and the Princess of Wei pressured Marquis Wu of Wei to help secure Gongshu Zuo's position, and the three agreed on a plan to contain Wu Qi.
• Marquis Wu of Wei ordered Wu Qi to marry a Wei princess, but Wu Qi refused after witnessing the princess's domineering treatment of Gongshu Zuo.
• Gongshu Zuo accused Wu Qi of disloyalty, and Marquis Wu of Wei stripped him of his military authority and sidelined him after old officials pleaded for his life.
• After two and a half months in seclusion, Wu Qi concluded that he had been set up.

Wu Qi fled Wei with the Wei Wu Battalion, transformed Chu into a powerful state, and died after protecting King Dao of Chu from rebel arrows. His soul was revealed to be Jiang Shang, who hoped his achievements would secure him a sage position, while Shen Gongbao welcomed him in the Heavenly Court.

• Wu Qi escaped Wei after predicting its decline, and Marquis Wu of Wei ordered troops to pursue him.
• The Wei Wu Battalion defected to Wu Qi in two waves, leaving Marquis Wu of Wei to faint when he learned the entire force was gone.
• King Dao of Chu made Wu Qi Prime Minister, and Wu Qi’s reforms and military victories raised Chu above Wei.
• After King Dao of Chu died, aristocratic rebels attacked Wu Qi, who died shielding the king’s corpse and triggered the execution of more than seventy noble families.
• Wu Qi’s soul revealed that he was Jiang Shang, and Shen Gongbao greeted him in the Heavenly Court.
• Jiang Ziya left for the human Holy Hall hoping to gain a sage position, and Shen Gongbao called after him, “Daoist Please Stay!”

After Jiang Ziya’s identity as Wu Qi was revealed, the Chan Sect welcomed him back and appointed him one of the Twelve Golden Immortals. Meanwhile, Wei fell into crisis after Wu Qi’s death, fulfilling his prophecy as Qi rose and Qin welcomed a young man.

• Shen Gongbao advanced to Great Luo Golden Immortal after calling out to Jiang Ziya, then wondered how powerful it would feel to call out to a Saint.
• Immortal Gods and Chan Sect disciples reacted with surprise when they learned Wu Qi was Jiang Ziya, a mortal with an unusually weak constitution who had become the Military School’s Sub-Saint.
• The Chan Sect disciples agreed to invite Jiang Ziya back, and True Lord Yu Ding traveled to the Ancestral Land of Humanity to speak with him.
• Jiang Ziya admitted his regret, accepted Master’s forgiveness, and returned to the Chan Sect as one of the Twelve Golden Immortals and a Great Sage of the Human Race.
• After Marquis Wu of Wei died, the Turbid Marsh upheaval began, Han and Zhao moved against Wei, and Wei’s decline fulfilled Wu Qi’s prophecy as Qi rose and Qin welcomed a young man.

Cangyuan decided Shang Yang must be protected and sent Styx to reincarnate as Bai Qi, while Qin’s nobles plotted against Shang Yang. After a mysterious massacre wiped out most of the nobles, Shang Yang identified the words left behind as belonging to the ancient Heaven Monitoring Department.

• Cangyuan resolved to protect Shang Yang and have Bai Qi enter the world, then summoned Styx to help unify the Human Race.
• Styx agreed to protect a person and a nation, severed part of his Primordial Spirit, and reincarnated into the Humanity Path as Bai Qi.
• King Xiao of Qin rejected the ministers’ impeachments and vowed to protect Shang Yang, while the nobles planned to kill him covertly.
• Mysterious attackers infiltrated noble estates across Qin and exterminated ninety percent of the nobles, leaving the words “Heaven Monitoring” behind.
• King Xiao of Qin asked who was responsible, and Shang Yang said the name belonged to the ancient Heaven Monitoring Department under Sage Monarch of Shang.

The Heaven Monitoring Department’s return shocked the Nine Provinces and the Prehistoric Immortal Gods, while Shang Yang remained in Qin through successive reigns. In the thirteenth year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Bai Qi emerged as a formidable soldier and captured Hancheng in his first recorded campaign.

• Shang Yang questioned King Xiao of Qin about the Heaven Monitoring Department, and the king explained that the force that had returned was the original department established by Sage Monarch of Shang.
• News of the department’s return spread across the Nine Provinces, alarming rival rulers and prompting the current King of Shang to celebrate.
• Taiqing Saint, Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian, Zhunti, and Jieyin watched the mortal world and speculated that Cangyuan was behind the department’s actions.
• The Warring States era entered a period of cautious peace, and Shang Yang continued serving Qin after King Xiao died and Ying Si, King Wu, and King Zhaoxiang successively took the throne.
• In the thirteenth year of King Zhaoxiang’s reign, Bai Qi joined Qin’s army, earned rapid promotion, and captured Hancheng of Han.

Bai Qi’s victories made him Qin’s feared Slaughter God, while the Underworld warned King Zhaoxiang not to harm him. As the six states united against Qin and Ying Yiren lived as a hostage in Zhao, Ancestor Dragon sent part of his Primordial Spirit into Zhao Ji’s womb, and a new emperor’s birth stirred the heavens.

• Bai Qi conquered cities across Wei, Zhao, and Chu, earning the title Lord Wu'an and a reputation as an invincible Slaughter God.
• Black and White Impermanence warned King Zhaoxiang that Bai Qi could not be touched, and the king returned to the living world resolved to trust him.
• After King Zhaoxiang died, Ying Yiren became a hostage in Zhao, where Lu Buwei later supported him and gave him his concubine Zhao Ji.
• Following Bai Qi’s victory at Changping, Zhao Ji became pregnant, and Ancestor Dragon sent one-fifth of his Primordial Spirit through reincarnation into her womb.
• Purple Qi appeared over Handan, and the Immortal Gods sensed that an emperor was coming into existence.

The birth of a Heavenly Mandate Emperor in Handan stirred the Prehistoric World's factions, who rushed to find and recruit him for the merit and prestige his rise might bring. While several factions dispatched agents or waited for Cangyuan's guidance, a group in the mortal world learned the emperor was the son of a Qin State hostage and set out to seize the child.

• Purple Qi appeared over Handan as the Heavenly Mandate Emperor was born, but karmic tribulation prevented the great powers from identifying him precisely.
• Great powers discussed sending Primordial Spirit fragments into the Nine Provinces, while Primordial Lord of Heaven ordered Guangchengzi to recruit the emperor for the Chan Sect.
• Taiqing ordered Xuandu to go to Handan, but the reincarnated Xuandu doubted he could beat Cangyuan to the matter and planned to focus on promoting Daoism.
• Jin Ling urged Tongtian to send Jie Sect agents, but Tongtian said Cangyuan made haste unnecessary.
• Nuwa and Houtu stayed inactive, with Houtu relying on Cangyuan's guidance, while other factions prepared to act.
• A sect leader learned the emperor was the son of a Qin State hostage and led his followers toward Handan to seize the child.

Holy Mother Bai Lian and the three sisters prepared to seize Handan and rescue the Heavenly Mandate Emperor, but Cangyuan ordered them to leave him there and secretly protect him. The Heavenly Mandate Emperor was born as Ying Zheng, son of the Qin hostage Ying Yiren, whose family faced growing danger in Handan.

• Holy Mother Bai Lian learned that the Heavenly Mandate Emperor was not a member of Zhao State's royal family and ordered the Bailian Cult to prepare to capture Handan and rescue him.
• Cangyuan told Xiao Bai, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao to protect the Heavenly Mandate Emperor in secret and let him return to Qin Dynasty when the time was right.
• Ying Yiren named his newborn son Ying Zheng, who showed an unusual awareness and imperial aura from birth.
• Ying Zheng's family lived under Zhao State's hostility after Qin's Bai Qi buried Zhao soldiers alive at the Battle of Changping.
• When Ying Zheng was two, Qin besieged Handan, and Zhao State considered killing Ying Yiren's family to vent its anger.

After Ying Zheng returned to Qin, he inherited the throne and killed Lu Buwei when he tried to seize power. He then took charge of the court and searched for the teachers who had guided him, but Qin found only three of them.

• Lu Buwei fled Handan with Ying Yiren, leaving Zhao Ji and Ying Zheng behind; Zhao Ji protected and raised Ying Zheng for five years.
• Ying Zheng trained in Martial Dao and studied with Mister Xi, Mister Nong, Mister Ji, and other teachers, unaware that some of the people he saw were illusions.
• After King Zhaoxiang and King Xiaowen died, Ying Yiren became king, and Zhao State returned Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji to Qin.
• Ying Yiren named Ying Zheng Crown Prince, then died three years later, and Ying Zheng ascended the throne.
• Lu Buwei tried to control the court, but Ying Zheng killed him with a punch and took charge of Qin's affairs.
• Ying Zheng searched the realm for Mister Xi, Mister Nong, Mister Ji, Mister Bi, Instructor Qiong, and Steward Bai, but Qin found only three.

Ying Zheng gathered Qin’s officials and declared that he would personally lead the conquest of the Nine Provinces, beginning with Han State. After ordering Bai Qi to assemble an army, Ying Zheng mounted his warhorse and rode before two hundred thousand Asura Iron Cavalry.

• Ying Zheng thanked the Three Sovereigns after confirming that Mister Xi, Mister Nong, and Mister Ji had likely been the teachers who guided him.
• Ying Zheng announced to his gathered officials that he would personally lead Qin’s armies to unify the Nine Provinces.
• Shang Yang reported that Qin had stored enough grain to feed a ten-million-strong army for ten years, while the Bailian Cult leader offered grain and was asked to stir up unrest in other states instead.
• Bai Qi recommended attacking Han State first because it was close to Qin and weaker than the other dominant states.
• Ying Zheng ordered Bai Qi to gather two hundred thousand Asura Iron Cavalry and declared that he would lead the campaign against Han State himself.
• Ying Zheng donned armor, mounted his dragon-blooded Demonic Horse, and rode before the assembled cavalry.

Ying Zheng launched Qin’s campaign to conquer Han while Qin pressured Zhao and Wei and worked to keep Chu, Yan, and Qi from intervening. After Han’s Nanyang surrendered, Ying Zheng raced to Xinzheng and prepared to break its defenses.

• Ying Zheng rallied two hundred thousand Asura Iron Cavalry to destroy Han and led them toward Nanyang.
• Bai Qi stationed two hundred thousand Asura Iron Cavalry along the Zhao border, while Wang Jian brought two million veteran soldiers to Wei’s frontier; Qin also appeased Chu and Yan and bribed Qi to stay out of the war.
• Teng surrendered Nanyang to Ying Zheng without a fight, and Li Xin later arrived with Qin forces to occupy the city as a forward base.
• Ying Zheng bypassed Hangu Pass and surprised Xinzheng, but Han’s defenders activated the city-protecting formation.
• Ying Zheng ordered ten thousand formation-breaking ballistae brought forward to attack Xinzheng’s defenses.

Kong Xuan’s Great Dao Saint Dao Fruit marked the end of the World of Great Contention, while the Dragon and Kirin Clans confronted the gap between their fortunes and the Phoenix Clan’s rise. Ancestor Dragon began secluded cultivation, and the Kirin Clan considered asking Cangyuan to resurrect Shi Qilin.

• The Eye and Will of the Great Dao vanished, ending the blessings of the World of Great Contention as Kong Xuan prepared to become a Great Dao Saint.
• Zhu Rong recovered his peak strength after the Dragon Clan’s karma dissipated, then took over guarding the East Sea Eye so Ancestor Dragon could cultivate for the Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.
• Ancestor Dragon returned to the Dragon Tomb and entered death seclusion, determined to break through before Kong Xuan attained the Dao.
• The Kirin Clan grieved Shi Qilin’s absence, and a Fire Kirin suggested that Cangyuan might be able to resurrect their Founder.
• Lei Jietuo and Moyuan recalled that the revived Di Jiang and Yuan Feng were both connected to Cangyuan, and realized he might possess a way to restore those who died in a Calamity.

The Qilin Clan decided to seek Cangyuan’s help with reviving their Ancestor, while the Three Dao Wills ordered all Dao Provers to leave the Prehistoric World within ten thousand years to protect it from their power. The Saints and other Dao Provers began establishing dojos Beyond the Heavens, though one unnamed figure protested being sent away.

• Lei Jietuo persuaded Moyuan that the Qilin Clan had favors to call on and set out with him to visit the Human Pulse King at the Martial Hall.
• The Three Dao Wills decreed that Dao Provers must leave the Three Realms within ten thousand years and could return only with approval under special circumstances.
• Primordial Lord of Heaven, Tongtian, and Laozi accepted the decree and departed for their respective heavens, leaving their sects in the care of their followers.
• Styx, Yuan Feng, and the five Human Race Dao Provers established new realms or dojos Beyond the Heavens, while Nuwa and Haotian remained where they were.
• Jieyin and Zhunti left for Mount Meru Heaven, and an unnamed figure protested being sent away.

Xiao Bai sent a clone beyond the heavens while hiding his main body in Pure World Heaven, and Cangyuan sent an incarnation to establish the Martial Realm. Ten thousand years later, Ying Zheng and the Dragon Clan’s Ancestor Dragon both attained the Hunyuan Great Luo realm and established domains beyond the heavens; the chapter ended with Cangyuan reflecting that the Prehistoric World had grown far stronger than he remembered.

• Xiao Bai refused to leave the Prehistoric World entirely, creating a Perfected Great Luo Golden Immortal clone to roam while his main body hid in Pure World Heaven beyond the heavens.
• Cangyuan concealed Penglai Immortal Island with the Sky-Covering Array and sent his Realm Incarnation beyond the heavens to establish the Martial Realm.
• The Saints left the Prehistoric World to stand guard beyond the heavens, ushering in an era without Saints.
• Ten thousand years later, Ying Zheng broke into the Hunyuan Great Luo realm and led Qin generals and veteran soldiers beyond the heavens to establish the Great Qin Dynasty.
• Ancestor Dragon attained the Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal realm alongside Ying Zheng, established Dragon Palace beyond the heavens, and became the chief worshipper of the Martial Realm.
• At Penglai Immortal Island, Cangyuan reflected that the Prehistoric World had become far stronger than the one he remembered.

Cangyuan watched Jade Kirin emerge from the Wutu Divine Crystal, where Shi Qilin had sealed and nurtured her to protect her from her chaotic Five Elements. Jade Kirin was born powerful but knew nothing of the ages that had passed, and Cangyuan recognized her as Shi Qilin’s backup plan.

• Cangyuan reflected on the many Saints in the Primordial World and planned to refine more World Incarnations from ancient Innate Gods and Demons.
• Cangyuan sensed that Jade Kirin was about to be born from the Wutu Divine Crystal in one of his Blank Worlds.
• The Wutu Divine Crystal cracked apart, and Jade Kirin absorbed its earth power as she emerged with Early Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal cultivation.
• Jade Kirin looked around curiously, then timidly told Cangyuan that she was Shi Qilin’s daughter.
• Cangyuan told Jade Kirin that he had heard of Shi Qilin and recognized her birth as the backup plan Shi Qilin had left behind.

Cangyuan awakened Jade Kirin’s father, Shi Qilin, whose spirit learned that his true body had suffered Dao Fall and that the world had changed across many eras. Realizing he could revive and reclaim his former power, Shi Qilin asked Cangyuan to retrieve Kirin Cliff and offered to join the Martial Realm.

• Shi Qilin’s spirit manifested through Jade Kirin, and he introduced himself to Cangyuan, who revealed his status as the Martial Ancestor and Prehistoric Human Pulse King.
• Shi Qilin learned that his true body could no longer be sensed and asked Cangyuan to let him examine the Primordial World’s past.
• Shi Qilin discovered that his true body had suffered Dao Fall and learned of the major calamities and changes that had followed.
• Cangyuan stabilized Shi Qilin’s fading spirit and explained that he could revive by recalling his former Dao Fruit.
• Shi Qilin asked Cangyuan to retrieve Kirin Cliff from the Kunlun Chan Sect and offered to join the Martial Realm.

Cangyuan agreed to help Shi Qilin and sent Six-Eared Macaque to retrieve Kirin Cliff from the Kunlun Chan Sect. He also promised Lu Ya a chance to obtain the treasure needed to revive his family, then offered him a direct path to sainthood with a serious limitation.

• Cangyuan accepted Shi Qilin’s request, gaining a connection to the former Dragon-Han Era overlord.
• Cangyuan asked Six-Eared Macaque whether he and Yuan Hong had sensed the Lingming Stone Monkey, but Six-Eared Macaque reported no sign of him.
• Cangyuan ordered Six-Eared Macaque to go to the Kunlun Chan Sect and bring back Kirin Cliff, and Six-Eared Macaque immediately departed.
• Lu Ya asked Cangyuan for a method to revive his father, mother, uncle, and deceased siblings, and Cangyuan promised to reserve him another special Spiritual Treasure if one became available.
• Cangyuan explained that Lu Ya’s mismatched Three Corpses treasures blocked his progress and offered a direct path to sainthood that could leave him stuck at Saint First Heaven.

Cangyuan explained that Lu Ya could attain Sainthood by merging with the Sun Star and claiming its Sun God seat, then urged him to begin. Lu Ya returned to the desolate Sun Star, resolved to restore his demon race, and used the Fusang Divine Tree to connect with the star.

• Cangyuan explained that Lu Ya was the best candidate for the Sun God seat and could gain Saint-level strength by merging with the Sun Star.
• Cangyuan told Lu Ya that the Sun Star could serve as a shield in a crisis, making the Dao Ancestor wary of harming him.
• Lu Ya left to spend time with his Dao companion Qing'er before heading to the Sun Star.
• Lu Ya landed on the Fusang Divine Tree and mourned the loss of his family and the Sun Star's former glory.
• Lu Ya resolved to attain the Sun God seat and used his Primordial Spirit to connect with the Fusang Divine Tree.