Chapter Summaries

After the King declared Li Jing’s unborn child an auspicious omen and a Kirin Child of the Human Race, Li Jing and Lady Yin were relieved of their fears and prepared to leave Chentang Pass for Chaoge. Li Jing, Lady Yin, Fei Zhong, and the child began the journey toward the capital and the coming Tribulation.

• Fei Zhong showed Li Jing the King’s decree naming his unborn child a Kirin Child of the Human Race and an auspicious omen.
• Li Jing thanked the King and asked Fei Zhong for a few days to prepare because Lady Yin was heavily pregnant; Fei Zhong agreed.
• Li Jing told Lady Yin that the King had declared their child a heaven-bestowed assisting minister, and she wept with relief.
• Three days later, Li Jing and Fei Zhong set out from Chentang Pass with Lady Yin and the child in a carefully prepared caravan.
• Li Jing left Chentang Pass behind, unknowingly carrying away a pawn originally tied to the Chan Sect and the killing tribulation.

Yuanshi noticed that Li Jing’s family had left Chentang Pass and deduced that Di Xin’s decree had caused the change. He dismissed the Human Emperor as a threat, planned to have Tai Yi bring Lingzhuzi to Kunlun after his birth, and vowed to destroy Great Shang during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity.

• Yuanshi sensed that Lingzhuzi’s destined path had shifted when Li Jing’s family left Chentang Pass.
• Yuanshi traced the change to Di Xin’s decree but could not directly probe the Human Emperor because Human Dao Destiny protected him.
• Yuanshi concluded that Di Xin had simply ordered Li Jing to bring his unusual unborn child to Chaoge, and he mocked the mortal emperor’s ambition.
• Yuanshi decided that Tai Yi would retrieve Lingzhuzi after his birth and take him to Kunlun as a Jade Void disciple.
• Yuanshi resolved to make Di Xin and Great Shang pay during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity.

Di Xin welcomed Li Jing to Chaoge, appointed him to assist Grand Tutor Wen with the city’s defenses, and secured his promise that Jin Zha and Mu Zha would serve the Great Shang Dynasty after completing their studies. The chapter left Di Xin watching for the two brothers, who had once led the rebellion against Shang.

• Fei Zhong reported that he had brought Li Jing and his family safely to Chaoge and arranged them a residence.
• Di Xin received Li Jing and appointed him to serve under Grand Tutor Wen and help defend Chaoge.
• Di Xin asked about Li Jing’s sons, and Li Jing named Jin Zha and Mu Zha and their immortal teachers.
• Di Xin praised the brothers and told Li Jing to have them serve the Great Shang Dynasty when they returned; Li Jing agreed.
• After Li Jing and Fei Zhong left, Di Xin reflected that Jin Zha and Mu Zha had once rebelled against Shang and wondered how they would do so now.

Yunxiao and the Twelve Heavenly Lords completed and began building a formation to protect Chaoge City, using its Earth Vein Power and the Human Race’s ancient incense offerings. The formation took shape, and Yunxiao called on Di Xin to infuse it with Human Dao Destiny to activate it fully.

• Yunxiao and the others presented their completed formation diagram to Di Xin and explained that he would need to supply Human Dao Destiny when construction finished.
• Di Xin ordered Wen Zhong, Bi Gan, and Shang Rong to maintain order in Chaoge while the formation was set up.
• Three days later, Yunxiao and the Twelve Heavenly Lords took their assigned positions and began engraving the formation into Chaoge’s Earth Vein Power.
• As the earth shook and the people panicked, Bi Gan, Shang Rong, and Shang soldiers calmed the city while Yunxiao coordinated the formation’s power from the Grand Temple.
• The formation joined Chaoge’s Earth Vein Power with the ancient sages’ incense offerings, forming an invisible barrier around the city, and Yunxiao urged Di Xin to infuse it with Human Dao Destiny.

Di Xin infused the formation around Chaoge City with Human Dao Destiny, completing a barrier that suppressed immortal Magic Power while granting chosen allies immunity. Yunxiao recognized that Di Xin’s command of Human Dao Destiny far surpassed that of an ordinary Human Emperor, and the group departed to recover after the formation was established.

• Di Xin summoned the Destiny Golden Dragon’s power and guided the torrent of Human Dao Destiny smoothly into the formation hub at the Grand Temple.
• Human Dao Destiny strengthened the Earth Vein formation until Chaoge City merged with the Destiny Golden Dragon and the barrier suppressed immortal Magic Power.
• Yunxiao, Bixiao, and the Ten Heavenly Lords felt their Magic Power restricted, with the Grand Unity Golden Immortals reduced to the strength of mortals.
• Di Xin gave Yunxiao and the others a formation mark that removed the suppression from their bodies.
• Yunxiao said that only a Sage willing to incur immense Karma could forcibly break the formation, and Di Xin sent the exhausted group back to rest.

After a month recovering from arranging the formation, Yunxiao and the other Interception Sect immortals prepared to leave Chaoge for Jinao Island. Di Xin reaffirmed his alliance with the Interception Sect as they departed, then reflected that the pieces were in place and the true players had yet to enter the game.

• Wen Zhong asked Di Xin whether the formation had succeeded, and Di Xin confirmed that it could suppress Grand Unity Golden Immortals automatically and even Quasi-Saints under his control.
• A month later, Bixiao, Qiongxiao, Qin Wan, and the other immortals recovered their strength and said Chaoge's Human Dao aura made them uncomfortable.
• Yunxiao decided the group should return to Jinao Island and report to their Master, then sent word to Wen Zhong.
• Wen Zhong led Yunxiao and the others to the Nine Chamber Hall to bid farewell to Di Xin.
• Di Xin thanked the immortals and promised to advance and retreat together with the Interception Sect as the Tribulation approached.
• Yunxiao and the twelve other immortals flew toward Jinao Island, while Di Xin watched them leave and said the pieces had returned to their positions.

Yunxiao reported to Sect Master Tongtian that the formation in Chaoge could suppress even Quasi-Saints when Di Xin activated it, and described the Human Emperor’s extraordinary command of Human Dao Destiny. Tongtian considered Di Xin a new variable in the Investiture of the Gods Calamity and ordered his disciples to prepare for the coming tribulation.

• Yunxiao and the other twelve disciples returned to Biyou Palace and reported to Sect Master Tongtian that they had completed the Chaoge formation.
• Yunxiao explained that the formation could suppress Grand Unity Golden Immortals on its own and might suppress Quasi-Saints when Di Xin guided its power.
• Yunxiao described Di Xin’s confidence and effortless control of Human Dao Destiny, comparing his ability favorably to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of Huoyun Cave.
• Sect Master Tongtian called Di Xin an interesting variable who could benefit the Interception Sect during the Investiture of the Gods Calamity.
• Sect Master Tongtian praised the disciples and ordered them to prepare for the coming tribulation, and they withdrew from Biyou Palace.

After Nezha was born amid auspicious signs, Li Jing saw him absorb his innate spiritual energy and transform from a ball of flesh into a healthy baby. The King sent word that he would accept Nezha as his disciple and teach him the Martial Dao, leaving Li Jing and Lady Yin overwhelmed with joy.

• Li Jing waited anxiously as Lady Yin gave birth beneath a scarlet pillar of light and a strange fragrance that spread across Chaoge City.
• The midwife brought Li Jing a glowing ball of flesh, which he guarded until it shrank and revealed a healthy baby boy.
• Li Jing named the child Nezha and celebrated when the infant grabbed his finger with surprising strength.
• Fei Zhong arrived with The King's decree that he would accept Nezha as his disciple and teach him the Martial Dao.
• Li Jing told the awakened Lady Yin that The King had chosen Nezha as his disciple, and the parents rejoiced over their son.

After Nezha was born in Chaoge, Yuanshi ordered True Lord Taiyi to take Lingzhuzi as his disciple and bring him to Jade Void Palace. True Lord Taiyi discovered that an array within Chaoge suppressed his Magic Power, so he fled and returned to Kunlun Mountain to report to his master.

• Yuanshi sensed Lingzhuzi’s birth and sent an Edict ordering True Lord Taiyi to go to Chaoge and take him as his disciple.
• True Lord Taiyi flew toward Chaoge, confident that the child’s parents would welcome the chance for their son to study under a Sage.
• Di Xin sensed True Lord Taiyi approaching and expected him to run into the trap prepared for Chan Sect.
• True Lord Taiyi entered Chaoge and fell from the sky when the city’s invisible force suppressed his Magic Power.
• True Lord Taiyi fled beyond the city gate, tested the boundary, and realized that Human Dao Destiny was suppressing immortals inside Chaoge.
• True Lord Taiyi decided to return to Kunlun Mountain and report the array to Yuanshi.

True Lord Taiyi returned to Kunlun after Chaoge City’s formation suppressed his Magic Power, prompting Venerable Lord Yuanshi to identify Tongtian’s influence and assess the Human Dao Destiny behind it. Yuanshi sent Taiyi back to accept Lingzhuzi as his disciple, granting him a protective seal against danger.

• True Lord Yuanshi questioned True Lord Taiyi about returning without Lingzhuzi, and Taiyi explained that a formation in Chaoge City had stripped away his Magic Power.
• Venerable Lord Yuanshi inspected Chaoge with his Divine Thought and found a formation powered by Human Dao Destiny, whose methods he recognized as originating with Tongtian’s teachings.
• Yuanshi concluded that only a Sage could currently break the formation, but doing so would incur overwhelming Human Dao Karma, and decided the Tribulation would offer the best opportunity.
• Yuanshi told Taiyi to go to Li Jing’s residence and accept Lingzhuzi as his disciple, then gave him a protective seal that could keep him safe inside the formation.
• Reassured by the seal, True Lord Taiyi set out for Chaoge City again.

True Lord Taiyi came to Li Mansion to claim Nezha as his disciple, but learned that the Human Emperor had already accepted the child and begun teaching him Martial Dao. Li Jing refused Taiyi’s demand to dissolve the bond and ordered him to leave.

• Li Jing celebrated Nezha’s birth with Lady Yin when a servant announced that True Lord Taiyi had arrived from Kunlun Mountain.
• True Lord Taiyi introduced himself as a disciple of Venerable Lord Yuanshi and told Li Jing that he had come to take Nezha to Golden Light Cave as his disciple.
• Li Jing awkwardly revealed that The King had already accepted Nezha as his disciple and begun teaching him Martial Dao.
• True Lord Taiyi condemned the Human Emperor and ordered Li Jing to have him dissolve the master-disciple relationship.
• Li Jing defended The King, refused to change Nezha’s established bond, and told True Lord Taiyi to leave if he had come to steal a disciple.

Li Jing rejected True Lord Taiyi’s offer to take Nezha as a disciple, declaring his loyalty to the Human Emperor and Great Shang. After being driven out, True Lord Taiyi blamed Di Xin and headed to the imperial palace to confront him.

• True Lord Taiyi offered to take Nezha as his disciple, but Li Jing refused and defended Nezha’s bond with the Human Emperor.
• Li Jing ordered the steward to show True Lord Taiyi out, and the steward warned him that guards would be called if he stayed.
• Outside Li Mansion, True Lord Taiyi restrained his anger because Chaoge City’s formation suppressed his Magic Power, then decided to confront Di Xin.
• Li Jing told Lady Yin what had happened and reaffirmed that he would side with the King over the Chan Sect.
• Lady Yin remained worried about the consequences for Jin Zha and Mu Zha after Li Jing’s refusal.

True Lord Taiyi went to Chaoge to demand that Di Xin surrender Nezha, but Di Xin refused and used the Human Dao Destiny to suppress him. Protected by Venerable Lord Yuanshi’s seal, True Lord Taiyi escaped the palace after Di Xin warned him not to return.

• True Lord Taiyi demanded that the palace guards summon Di Xin to receive him personally, but they ordered him to follow Chaoge’s rules or leave.
• The guards escorted True Lord Taiyi to the Nine Chamber Hall, where Di Xin made him wait before asking why he had come.
• True Lord Taiyi demanded that Di Xin end his bond with Nezha and order Li Jing to hand the boy over, but Di Xin refused.
• True Lord Taiyi invoked Venerable Lord Yuanshi and threatened consequences, prompting Di Xin to unleash Chaoge’s Human Dao Destiny and force him toward his knees.
• Venerable Lord Yuanshi’s protective seal shielded True Lord Taiyi from being fully suppressed, and Di Xin warned him before ordering him to leave.
• True Lord Taiyi fled the Nine Chamber Hall without replying.

After True Lord Taiyi fled Chaoge, Di Xin expected Chan Sect to retaliate over his refusal to surrender Nezha. Taiyi reported the confrontation to Venerable Lord Yuanshi, whose fury at Di Xin’s defiance left a Sage’s response looming.

• Di Xin regretted that True Lord Taiyi had fled without giving him grounds to demand compensation, but expected Chan Sect to try again to take Nezha.
• True Lord Taiyi crossed Chaoge’s gate and regained his magic power, then brooded over the overwhelming force he had felt from Di Xin and the Human Dao Destiny.
• Venerable Lord Yuanshi contacted True Lord Taiyi and asked why the protective seal in his Primordial Spirit had activated.
• True Lord Taiyi recounted his failed attempt to take Nezha as his disciple, blaming Li Jing and Di Xin while exaggerating the palace confrontation.
• Venerable Lord Yuanshi erupted in anger, calling Di Xin’s defiance an insult to Chan Sect and declaring that he courted his own death.

After Di Xin thwarted True Lord Taiyi in Chaoge, Venerable Lord Yuanshi refused to confront the Human Dao array directly and instead gave Taiyi a way to disguise himself as human. Taiyi planned to wait for Li Jing and Di Xin to lower their guard before secretly returning to take Nezha back to Kunlun Mountain.

• Venerable Lord Yuanshi told True Lord Taiyi that breaking Chaoge’s array would risk severe Karma and damage the Chan Sect’s Destiny.
• Venerable Lord Yuanshi ordered True Lord Taiyi to bring Lingzhuzi, reborn as Nezha, back to Kunlun Mountain, regardless of Li Jing’s refusal.
• Venerable Lord Yuanshi gave True Lord Taiyi a Sage-made mark that disguised his aura as human and let him evade the array’s suppression temporarily.
• True Lord Taiyi refined the mark and recovered his ability to use Magic Power within the array’s limits.
• True Lord Taiyi decided to wait until Li Jing and Di Xin relaxed their vigilance before sneaking back to take Nezha.

True Lord Taiyi infiltrated Chaoge and abducted Nezha, believing Venerable Lord Yuanshi’s methods had bypassed the city’s formation. Di Xin personally concentrated Chaoge’s Human Dao Destiny to suppress him, recovered Nezha, and left Taiyi captured and disgraced.

• True Lord Taiyi used a concealment spell to enter Chaoge without triggering the formation’s passive defenses.
• True Lord Taiyi infiltrated Li Mansion, rendered Li Jing and Lady Yin unable to wake, and carried Nezha away.
• Di Xin sensed his Human Emperor Destiny imprint on Nezha being touched and tracked True Lord Taiyi through Chaoge’s formation.
• Di Xin concentrated the city’s Human Dao Destiny and crushed True Lord Taiyi’s Magic Power as he fled toward the gates.
• Di Xin retrieved Nezha, then mocked True Lord Taiyi for stealing an infant and told him no one could take anyone from Chaoge without his permission.

Wen Zhong arrived in Chaoge and learned that True Lord Taiyi had tried to steal Nezha from Di Xin. Di Xin offered to spare Taiyi in exchange for several Innate Spiritual Treasures, but when Taiyi refused, Di Xin declared that he would imprison him.

• Wen Zhong rushed to the scene after sensing a disturbance in Chaoge’s Human Dao Destiny and found Di Xin holding Nezha while True Lord Taiyi struggled in a pit.
• Di Xin told Wen Zhong that Taiyi had sneaked into Li Jing’s residence to steal his disciple, and Wen Zhong condemned Taiyi for disgracing the Chan Sect.
• Di Xin asked how Taiyi should be dealt with, then said he would let him go if he paid several Innate Spiritual Treasures as compensation.
• Taiyi refused to hand over his treasures and challenged Di Xin to kill him, believing the Human Emperor would not dare provoke the Chan Sect.
• Di Xin declared that Taiyi would remain imprisoned in Chaoge unless he provided satisfactory compensation, while Taiyi resolved to wait for Venerable Lord Yuanshi to rescue him.

Di Xin stopped Yuanshi Sage from taking True Lord Taiyi, then extorted four treasures from him in exchange for releasing Taiyi. After Taiyi fled Chaoge City, Di Xin dismissed Wen Zhong’s worries about offending the Chan Sect and returned to the palace with Nezha.

• Yuanshi Sage descended with his pressure and demanded that Di Xin release True Lord Taiyi, but Di Xin refused and challenged him to trade treasures for Taiyi.
• Di Xin threatened to keep Taiyi imprisoned through the Tribulation, so Yuanshi Sage ordered Taiyi to surrender his Spiritual Treasures.
• Di Xin selected the Chaos Tunic, Universe Ring, Fire-Tipped Spear, and Feng Fire Wheels from Taiyi’s treasures, and Taiyi handed them over under his master’s orders.
• Di Xin released Taiyi, who fled Chaoge City as Yuanshi Sage’s pressure dissipated.
• Wen Zhong warned Di Xin that he had offended the Chan Sect and Yuanshi Sage, but Di Xin said the Great Shang Dynasty would not have been spared either way and returned to the palace.

True Lord Taiyi returned to Kunlun Mountain to beg Venerable Lord Yuanshi for forgiveness after Di Xin exposed his plans in Chaoge. Yuanshi ordered him to abandon Nezha, find a new disciple in Xiqi, and wait until the Tribulation began to settle accounts with Di Xin.

• True Lord Taiyi knelt outside the Jade Void Palace and apologized to Venerable Lord Yuanshi for bringing humiliation upon the Chan Sect.
• Venerable Lord Yuanshi said Di Xin’s control of Chaoge’s formation had exposed Taiyi, and reassured him that he was not entirely to blame.
• Taiyi asked what to do about Nezha, but Yuanshi decided they had to give him up because Chaoge’s formation suppressed their Magic Power and Yuanshi could not personally retrieve him.
• Yuanshi told Taiyi to sever his Karma with Nezha and find a suitable disciple in Xiqi to help face the coming Tribulation.
• Yuanshi said the Chan Sect would abandon its other arrangements in Chaoge and settle its score with Di Xin after the Tribulation began.
• True Lord Taiyi left the Jade Void Palace and flew toward Xiqi, vowing that his grudge with Di Xin was not over.

Jieyin and Zhunti agreed to pursue their plan despite the risks posed by Di Xin’s Human Dao Destiny formation, and decided to recruit Yuanshi to conceal their actions. After Zhunti sent Maitreya the order, Maitreya prepared to begin the operation from North Sea City.

• Zhunti urged Jieyin to proceed with their plan, while Jieyin warned that Di Xin’s formation could expose them to immense Karma.
• Jieyin agreed to support Zhunti’s plan and said he would lend him his strength.
• Zhunti proposed recruiting Yuanshi, arguing that Yuanshi’s grievance against Di Xin and the plan’s benefits to the Chan Sect would make him willing to help conceal the Heavenly Secrets.
• Jieyin agreed to bring Yuanshi into the scheme so the three Sages could act together.
• Zhunti sent Maitreya a golden decree, and Maitreya received the order and prepared to begin the plan.