Recaps

With Human Dao restored, Zhou Ming summoned Pingxin and Wu to assess how many Hunyuan-level fighters the Earth Dao and Human Dao could support. He rejected creating Dao-bound Sages and decided to use the four available opportunities to help candidates truly attain Hunyuan, leaving Pingxin and Wu to prepare.

• Zhou Ming sent messages summoning Pingxin from the Underworld and Wu from Huoyun Cave to Pangu Hall.
• Zhou Ming told Wu that Human Dao belonged to all living beings, and Wu agreed that its opportunities should not be reserved for the Human Race.
• Pingxin said Earth Dao could support eight bound Sages or two true Daluo Golden Immortals of the Origin; Wu gave the same figures for Human Dao.
• Zhou Ming rejected Sage combat power and chose to use two opportunities from each Dao to help four candidates truly attain Hunyuan.
• Pingxin and Wu agreed to make preparations, and Houtu asked Zhou Ming whether he had candidates in mind.

Zhou Ming visited the Pangu Realm, confirmed that Pangu’s will had fully fused with the Pangu Axe, and selected Wang Shu, West Queen Mother, Candle Dragon, and Taiyi for four opportunities to Attain Hunyuan. Taiyi asked to give his slot to Di Jun, but accepted Zhou Ming’s arrangement after Di Jun urged him to do so, and the group left for Pangu Hall.

• Zhou Ming went to the Pangu Realm and learned from Zhujiuyin that Pangu’s will had steadily fused with the Pangu Axe.
• Zhou Ming touched the Pangu Axe with his Divine Thought and confirmed that Pangu’s will had become one with it.
• Zhou Ming summoned Wang Shu, West Queen Mother, Candle Dragon, and Taiyi, telling them that they had been chosen for four opportunities to Attain Hunyuan.
• Taiyi asked Zhou Ming to give his slot to Di Jun, but Zhou Ming explained that Di Jun was needed to guard the Great Formation of the Stars.
• Di Jun urged Taiyi to accept the opportunity, and Taiyi agreed to Zhou Ming’s arrangement.
• Zhou Ming led Zhujiuyin, Wang Shu, West Queen Mother, Candle Dragon, and Taiyi toward Pangu Hall.

Zhou Ming arranged for the West Queen Mother, Candle Dragon, Wang Shu, and Taiyi to use the Human Dao and Earth Dao to help them attain Hunyuan. After confirming Pingxin had fully mastered the Earth Dao and matched his strength within the Netherworld, he returned to Pangu Hall with Houtu, where they discussed the growing strength of their allies.

• Zhou Ming told Wang Shu, the West Queen Mother, Candle Dragon, and Taiyi to prepare for breakthroughs, then brought them to Huoyun Cave and the Netherworld.
• Zhou Ming left the West Queen Mother and Candle Dragon with Wu and Hongyun to draw on the Human Dao's power.
• Zhou Ming entrusted Wang Shu and Taiyi to Pingxin and Zhen Yuanzi so they could use the Earth Dao's power to attain Hunyuan.
• Pingxin revealed that she had fully controlled the Earth Dao Origin and was no weaker than Zhou Ming within the Netherworld or under the Earth Dao's blessing.
• Zhou Ming returned to Pangu Hall, where he and Houtu discussed the strength their allies would gain once the four candidates proved their Daos.

Tathagata failed for the fourth time to fuse his Three Corpses and prove the Dao, exhausting his merit and damaging his origin. Jieyin and Zhunti concluded that the Method of Slaying Three Corpses had an irreparable flaw, leaving Tathagata questioning how the Dao Ancestor and the other Sages had become Sages.

• Tathagata used all his merit to pull his Three Corpses together, but they repelled one another and shattered the golden chain.
• Tathagata collapsed with golden blood flowing from his mouth and nose as his merit ran out and his origin was wounded.
• Zhunti and Jieyin discussed Tathagata's failure and suspected that the Method of Slaying Three Corpses was flawed.
• Jieyin and Zhunti went to the Grand Hall of the Great Hero and asked Tathagata what had happened during his attempt.
• Tathagata described the Three Corpses rejecting one another, and Jieyin told him the method made them impossible to reunite.
• Tathagata challenged Jieyin's conclusion, asking how the Dao Ancestor and the other Sages had proved their Dao if the method was a dead end.

Jieyin and Zhunti explained to Tathagata that the Sages had attained sainthood through merit, not by merging the Three Corpses, and that the method might be a dead end. They pointed to Pangu Hall as a possible route beyond the Heavenly Dao and proposed waiting to see whether Haotian’s attempt succeeded; Haotian was shown making his own final breakthrough.

• Jieyin told Tathagata that the Sages had relied on Hongmeng Purple Qi and merit to become Saints, while slaying the Three Corpses only raised cultivators to the peak of Quasi-Saint.
• Tathagata questioned how Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun had attained Hunyuan, and Jieyin and Zhunti said both had visited Pangu Hall before breaking through.
• Zhunti suggested that Pangu Hall held a secret to transcending the Heavenly Dao, while Tathagata concluded that his own failed attempt had exposed a flaw in the Method of Slaying Three Corpses.
• Jieyin and Zhunti said Haotian’s breakthrough could test their theory, then helped Tathagata heal before leaving him to recover.
• Haotian’s aura rose within Lingxiao Treasure Hall as Heavenly Court’s fortune and Journey to the West merit gathered around him, and he tried to make the final leap beyond peak Quasi-Saint.

Tathagata failed to attain the Dao despite Buddhism exhausting its Fortune, leading Zhou Ming and Houtu to conclude that the Method of Slaying Three Corpses had a fundamental flaw. Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Nuwa grew alarmed and went to Spirit Mountain to question Jieyin and Zhunti, who awaited their arrival.

• Zhou Ming and Houtu discussed Tathagata's failure and predicted the other Sages would suspect the Method of Slaying Three Corpses was flawed.
• Taiqing considered whether the method could reach the end without Hongmeng Purple Qi after Tathagata failed despite his merit and strong foundation.
• Yuanshi and Nuwa sensed Tathagata's failure, and the three Sages discussed the method's possible flaw and Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi's ties to Pangu Hall.
• Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Nuwa agreed to ask Jieyin and Zhunti about Tathagata's failed Dao attainment and traveled to Spirit Mountain.
• Jieyin and Zhunti sensed the three Sages approaching, and Jieyin remarked that Tathagata's failure would unsettle cultivators who followed the Method of Slaying Three Corpses.

After Tathagata failed to prove his Dao, the five Saints concluded that the Method of Slaying Three Corpses had a fundamental flaw. They agreed to visit Hongyun and the others in Huoyun Cave to seek answers, leaving together to settle Jieyin and Zhunti’s cause and effect.

• Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Nuwa arrived at Spirit Mountain and asked Jieyin and Zhunti why Tathagata had failed to prove his Dao.
• Jieyin explained that Tathagata’s three corpses repelled one another at their origin, and the Saints concluded that the Method of Slaying Three Corpses could not lead to the Hunyuan Great Dao.
• Taiqing proposed that Jieyin and Zhunti use their unpaid cause and effect with Hongyun to ask about the flaw in the method.
• Zhunti argued that all five Saints should visit together, and that Nuwa’s connection to the Human Race could help them gain an audience with Hongyun and the people in Huoyun Cave.
• Nuwa, Taiqing, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti agreed to set out immediately, as Jieyin and Zhunti’s ten-thousand-year agreement with Hongyun was nearly due.

Jieyin and Zhunti visited Hongyun with Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Nuwa as witnesses to settle their old karma over the Zixiao Palace seat. Hongyun accepted most of their treasures but returned the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, then invited the five Sages to leave, knowing they had come with another purpose.

• Jieyin and Zhunti said they had come to settle their old karma, while Taiqing, Yuanshi, and Nuwa claimed they were only witnesses.
• Hongyun revealed that Ancestor Wu, Fuxi, Shennong, and Sui Ren Shi were studying later-stage Martial Dao methods in seclusion, and the Sages recognized the Human Race’s path could reach the Origin.
• Jieyin and Zhunti offered the Twelve-grade Golden Lotus of Merit, the Jieyin Treasure Banner, the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, other Innate Spiritual Treasures, and their accumulated merit.
• Hongyun declared the karma over the Zixiao Palace seat settled, took most of the offerings, and returned the Eight Treasures Merit Pool to protect Buddhism’s foundation.
• Jieyin and Zhunti thanked Hongyun, but the five Sages remained seated, and Hongyun told them to return if they had no other business.

Jieyin and Zhunti asked Hongyun why Tathagata had failed to prove his Dao through the Method of Slaying Three Corpses. Hongyun revealed that the method left their origins incomplete and told the Saints they would need Zhou Ming’s guidance after severing their Saint positions.

• Jieyin told Hongyun that Tathagata’s three corpses had repelled one another during his attempt to prove his Dao, and asked whether the Method of Slaying Three Corpses was a dead end.
• Hongyun explained that the three Innate Spiritual Treasures used to sever the corpses had to share the same origin, and that mismatched treasures left the Saints unable to attain Hunyuan through the laws.
• Taiqing asked how Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi had completed their origins and attained Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal without Hongmeng Purple Qi or Heavenly Dao merit.
• Hongyun implied that Zhou Ming had helped them, then said the Saints would need Zhou Ming’s guidance and must first sever their Saint positions.
• Taiqing, Yuanshi, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti thanked Hongyun and left.

After Haotian failed to prove his Dao, the five Saints gathered at Spirit Mountain and agreed that escaping the Heavenly Dao’s control required severing their Saint positions. They formed an alliance to act together and awaited an opportunity Taiqing believed would come soon.

• Haotian’s attempt to prove his Dao failed, and the five Saints at Huoyun Cave recognized the collapse of his Heavenly Court Destiny.
• The five Saints left Hongyun and reunited at Spirit Mountain, where Jieyin proposed they discuss their shared predicament.
• Jieyin explained that they needed to sever their Saint positions to escape the Heavenly Dao’s control and pursue Hunyuan cultivation.
• Taiqing proposed that all five Saints sever their positions at the same time so they could support one another against the Heavenly Dao, and the others agreed.
• Yuanshi and Taiqing cited their Sky-Opening Mark, Nuwa said she had enough merit, and Jieyin and Zhunti promised to gather more merit despite their depleted resources.
• Taiqing said the five would wait quietly for the right moment and predicted it would arrive soon.

After exhausting the West’s resources to settle karma with Hongyun, Jieyin and Zhunti decided to seek merit from Pingxin in the Underworld so they could sever their Saint Positions. They left Spirit Mountain to offer themselves and all of Buddhism as collateral, hoping Zhou Ming would support the deal.

• Saint Taiqing, Venerable Lord Yuanshi, and Nuwa left Spirit Mountain after warning Jieyin and Zhunti to prepare for the chance to settle their merit debts.
• Zhunti told Jieyin that The West had spent its entire foundation settling karma with Hongyun and could not gather enough merit before the coming conflict.
• Jieyin pointed out that the Underworld held immense merit from the reincarnation of living beings, and Zhunti recognized it as their best source.
• Jieyin proposed offering themselves and all of Buddhism as collateral to borrow merit from Pingxin, since they had no other bargaining chips.
• Jieyin and Zhunti reasoned that Zhou Ming would welcome their break from the Heavenly Dao, then left for the Netherworld Underworld to approach Pingxin.

Haotian’s attempt to prove the Dao failed despite his vast preparations, leaving him injured and out of merit. After learning Tathagata failed as well, Haotian resolved to visit Zixiao Palace once he recovered and ask the Dao Ancestor why the Three Corpses could not merge.

• Haotian sat devastated in the secret chamber after his merit was exhausted and his origin wounded by his failed attempt to prove the Dao.
• Yaochi comforted Haotian and told him that Tathagata had also failed to prove the Dao.
• Haotian explained that his Good, Evil, and Obsession Corpses fiercely repelled one another when he tried to fuse them.
• Yaochi suggested seeking help from Hongyun or Zhen Yuanzi, but Haotian chose to ask the Dao Ancestor first.
• Yaochi agreed to accompany Haotian to Zixiao Palace after his injuries healed.

Jieyin and Zhunti asked Empress Pingxin to lend them merit so they could sever their Saint positions and escape the Heavenly Dao’s control, offering the allegiance of themselves and all Buddhism in return. Pingxin accepted, intending to weaken the Heavenly Dao by removing its influence in the Primordial Wilderness.

• Zhen Yuanzi escorted Jieyin and Zhunti to Pingxin Palace, where they asked Empress Pingxin to lend them merit to settle their karma with the Heavenly Dao.
• Pingxin initially questioned why the Heavenly Dao’s karma concerned the Underworld or the Witch Clan.
• Zhunti pledged that he and Jieyin, along with all Buddhism, would follow the Witch Clan if Pingxin lent them enough merit.
• Pingxin agreed to provide the merit when they were ready to sever their Saint positions, warning that the time left was short.
• After Jieyin and Zhunti departed, Zhen Yuanzi questioned the value of helping them, and Pingxin explained that removing the Heavenly Dao’s footholds was necessary before the decisive battle.

After recovering from his injuries, Haotian went with Yaochi to seek guidance from Hongjun, but Zixiao Palace remained hidden and no one answered them. As they left for the Heavenly Court, a mysterious light entered Haotian, while the concealed Hongjun resisted the Heavenly Dao’s attempt to devour him.

• Haotian recovered from his injuries and traveled with Yaochi through Chaos to find Zixiao Palace.
• Haotian and Yaochi found only empty Chaos, and their repeated requests for an audience received no answer.
• Haotian pleaded for guidance about his stalled cultivation before deciding that he and Yaochi should return to the Heavenly Court.
• As Haotian and Yaochi turned to leave, a faint streak of light entered Haotian without either of them noticing.
• Inside the hidden Zixiao Palace, Hongjun rejected the Heavenly Dao’s offer to merge and resisted as it intensified its attack on him.

Haotian and Yaochi sought guidance after Hongjun refused to receive them, but a wisp of his Divine Thought appeared and revealed the flaw in the Method of Slaying Three Corpses. Hongjun offered to guide them through a new method and asked them to pass a future message to Zhou Ming, while Haotian realized Zhou Ming had given Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi the complete method that let them attain Hunyuan.

• Haotian agreed with Yaochi to visit Hongyun at Huoyun Cave and brought out gifts to prepare for the journey.
• Hongjun's Divine Thought appeared in the hall and explained that his true body was occupied with Unifying with Dao.
• Haotian told Hongjun that his Three Corpses had repelled one another during his attempt to break through to the Saint position.
• Hongjun sent Haotian and Yaochi information about the flaws in the method and promised to guide them in shattering their Three Corpses and rebuilding their Dao foundations.
• Hongjun said he would later ask them to pass a message to Zhou Ming, then offered them the Method of Shattering Three Corpses.
• Haotian realized Zhou Ming had given Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi the complete Method of Slaying Three Corpses, and apologized for his momentary loss of composure.

Hongjun entrusted his Divine Thought to the Haotian Mirror and ordered Haotian and Yaochi to keep his existence secret. Haotian and Yaochi decided to verify Hongjun's cultivation method with Hongyun before risking cultivation, while suspecting Hongjun also planned to use them to deliver a message to Zhou Ming.

• Hongjun placed his Divine Thought in the Haotian Mirror so Haotian could contact him through it, then warned Haotian and Yaochi not to reveal his existence.
• Haotian proposed enshrining the mirror in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, and Hongjun accepted; Haotian placed it above the throne before returning to Yaochi.
• Haotian told Yaochi to communicate through Primordial Spirit voice transmission because Hongjun might still be monitoring them.
• Haotian and Yaochi discussed whether to cultivate Hongjun's method, and Haotian decided they would verify it with Hongyun at Huoyun Cave first.
• Haotian suspected Hongjun wanted to use them to deliver a message to Zhou Ming, and Yaochi went to prepare precious gifts for their visit to Hongyun.

Haotian and Yaochi visited Hongyun to verify that the Method of Shattering Three Corpses given to them by the Dao Ancestor was genuine. Hongyun confirmed it matched his own cultivation method and gave them his cultivation insights before they departed.

• Haotian and Yaochi brought three Innate Spiritual Treasures to Huoyun Cave and asked Hongyun to inspect the Jade Slip containing the Method of Shattering Three Corpses.
• Haotian explained that he feared the Dao Ancestor had hidden a trap in the method and asked whether it was identical to Hongyun's.
• Hongyun confirmed that the cultivation method was exactly the same as the one he practiced.
• Hongyun gave Haotian a Jade Slip containing his cultivation insights to help Haotian and Yaochi avoid dangers.
• Haotian and Yaochi thanked Hongyun and left Huoyun Cave with the method and his insights.

Hongyun realized Hongjun had used Haotian and Yaochi to send Zhou Ming a message, so he hurried to Pangu Hall to report it. After hearing the news, Zhou Ming concluded that Hongjun’s Unification with Dao was not going smoothly.

• Haotian and Yaochi discussed whether to cultivate secretly, but Haotian decided they should first study Hongyun’s insights and then seek Hongjun’s guidance, comparing the two to guard against deception.
• Hongyun suspected Hongjun had given Haotian the cultivation method to send Zhou Ming a message and left Huoyun Cave to inform him.
• Hongyun arrived at Pangu Hall and recounted Hongjun’s gift of the complete Method of Shattering Three Corpses to Haotian and Yaochi.
• Zhou Ming heard Hongyun’s report and concluded that Hongjun’s Unification with Dao was not going smoothly.

Zhou Ming explained to Hongyun and Houtu that Hongjun was locked in a struggle with the conscious Heavenly Dao and had secretly sent him a message through Haotian. After Zhou Ming revealed that Zixiao Palace had vanished into concealment, he said he would not attack even if he found it, leaving Hongyun and Houtu wondering why.

• Zhou Ming told Hongyun that Hongjun had once sought his cooperation and that the Heavenly Dao had an independent will, turning Unify with Dao into a battle for control of the Primordial Wilderness.
• Hongyun deduced that Hongjun had used Haotian to pass Zhou Ming a message because Hongjun was losing but still hoped to win; Zhou Ming confirmed it.
• Hongyun proposed taking advantage of the conflict to kill both Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao, and Houtu silently showed interest in the plan.
• Zhou Ming said he had searched Chaos for Zixiao Palace but found it had disappeared, likely hidden by Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao until their struggle ended.
• Zhou Ming said he would not attack even if he found them, and Hongyun and Houtu asked why.

Zhou Ming persuaded Hongyun not to interfere in the struggle between Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao, arguing that they should wait until both had exhausted their trump cards. After Hongyun departed, Zhou Ming and Houtu decided to watch and wait for the conflict’s outcome.

• Zhou Ming convinced Hongyun that attacking Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao too early could make them join forces against the Witch Clan.
• Hongyun worried that the victor would grow too powerful, but Zhou Ming said they could strike when Hongjun sought aid and both sides were weakest.
• Zhou Ming assured Hongyun that the Witch Clan could prevail no matter which side won, and Hongyun left for Huoyun Cave.
• Houtu asked whether they should monitor Haotian and Yaochi, but Zhou Ming said they posed no threat to the larger situation.
• Zhou Ming told Houtu that their only task was to wait for Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao to decide the victor.

Haotian and Yaochi sought Hongjun’s guidance on the Method of Shattering Three Corpses and learned a faster way to shatter all three simultaneously. After learning they still had time before Hongjun’s message to Zhou Ming had to be delivered, they returned to the Jade Pool Immortal Realm and began their dangerous cultivation.

• Haotian and Yaochi reviewed Hong Yun’s cultivation insights and decided to ask Hongjun for further guidance.
• Hongjun explained the method’s risks and taught Haotian and Yaochi to resonate and shatter their Three Corpses simultaneously, restoring their origins more quickly.
• Hongjun offered to protect them during the process, but Haotian and Yaochi refused because they feared placing their lives in his hands.
• Haotian asked when he would need to deliver Hongjun’s message to Zhou Ming, and Hongjun said the time had not yet arrived.
• Back in the Jade Pool Immortal Realm, Haotian and Yaochi agreed to use Hongjun’s faster method, and Haotian began circulating his magic power to start.

Minghe and Tongtian each proved the Hunyuan Great Dao as the Heavenly Dao’s struggle with Hongjun loosened its suppression of the Primordial Wilderness. After thanking Zhou Ming and Houtu for his support, Tongtian was asked how he intended to proceed.

• Pingxin and Zhen Yuanzi sensed Minghe nearing a breakthrough, and Pingxin used Earth Dao law to steady his power as he proved the Dao.
• Minghe thanked Pingxin for helping him and pledged to follow her direction, while Zhen Yuanzi congratulated him.
• Zhou Ming explained to Houtu that the Heavenly Dao’s conflict with Hongjun had eased the suppression of laws, though few beings had the foundation to attain Hunyuan.
• Tongtian’s pure sword intent surged from his seclusion in Pangu Hall, and he emerged as a Daluo Golden Immortal of the Origin.
• Tongtian thanked Zhou Ming and Houtu for their support and asked how he should walk the road ahead.

Tongtian decided to visit his former disciples rather than revive the Jie Sect, and Zhou Ming agreed to let him share the Method of Shattering Three Corpses. Zhou Ming sent him west to give the method to Jieyin and Zhunti, while intending for its spread to disrupt the Heavenly Dao’s plans.

• Tongtian told Zhou Ming and Houtu that he would visit Spirit Mountain and the Heavenly Court to see his former disciples, then return to Jinao Island without rebuilding the Jie Sect.
• Zhou Ming explained that Tongtian’s disciples were doing well in Buddhism and the Heavenly Court, and approved his request to share the Method of Shattering Three Corpses.
• Zhou Ming asked Tongtian to take the method to Jieyin and Zhunti, and Houtu revealed that they had joined the Underworld’s side to break free from the Heavenly Dao.
• Tongtian accepted the request and left for the West, planning to see Duobao and the other disciples as well.
• Houtu asked Zhou Ming about his motives, and he said that spreading the method throughout Buddhism and the Heavenly Court would shake the Heavenly Dao’s arrangements.

Tongtian visited Spirit Mountain after attaining the Hunyuan Great Dao, and Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti apologized for converting his disciples during the Investiture of the Gods. Tongtian set aside his anger and asked to see Duobao, leaving their reunion to come.

• Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti sensed Tongtian's arrival and recognized that he had attained the Daluo Golden Immortal of the Origin.
• Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti welcomed Tongtian to Spirit Mountain and congratulated him on attaining the Hunyuan Great Dao.
• Tongtian rejected their flattery and made clear he had not come to reminisce.
• Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti apologized for converting Jie Sect disciples and offered to let Tongtian take them back.
• Tongtian recalled that his former disciples were well and had advanced in cultivation, then asked Jieyin to summon Duobao.
• Jieyin sent a Divine Thought to summon Duobao to the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

Tongtian reunited with Duobao at Spirit Mountain and comforted him over Jie Sect’s fall, then refused to rebuild the sect. He urged Duobao to remain in Buddhism and offered to teach him the Method of Shattering Three Corpses, which could help him attain Daluo Golden Immortal of the Origin.

• Duobao recognized Tongtian at the Eight Treasures Merit Pool and greeted his master, while Jieyin and Zhunti left them alone.
• Duobao blamed himself for failing Jie Sect, but Tongtian absolved and praised him for protecting Jinguangxian, Wu Yunxian, and the other former disciples.
• Duobao proposed leading the Buddhist disciples back to Jinao Island to revive Jie Sect, but Tongtian refused and said the disciples were settled in Buddhism.
• Duobao agreed not to press for Jie Sect’s restoration and offered to leave the Tathagata seat to serve Tongtian, but Tongtian told him to remain in Buddhism.
• Tongtian revealed that he had come to pass Duobao the Method of Shattering Three Corpses, which could rebuild his Dao foundation and help him attain Daluo Golden Immortal of the Origin.