Chapter Summaries

During the final battle against the Heavenly Dao, the Evil Venerable, the Nine-Headed Heavenly Dragon, the Seven Ancient Monarchs, and the Eight Heroes of the Chen Family sacrificed themselves to inflict grave wounds on it. Chen Nan and the surviving experts pressed on as hundreds of millions of living beings renewed their assault, leaving the battle unresolved.

• The Evil Venerable charged the Heavenly Dao with the Heavenly Dragon Demon Qin and a lethal formation, damaging its holy radiance before dying.
• The Nine-Headed Heavenly Dragon and its formation spirits attacked the Heavenly Dao, but its backlash annihilated them.
• The Seven Ancient Monarchs broke through heavenly punishment with the aid of countless sacrificing souls and unleashed a self-destructive assault that tore through the Heavenly Dao's source light.
• Chu Xiangyu and Hei Qi made final attacks on the Heavenly Dao, and all seven monarchs perished; Chen Nan mourned Hei Qi's death.
• The Eight Heroes of the Chen Family sacrificed their souls to strike the Heavenly Dao, grievously wounding it before fading away as Chen Zu, Chen Zhan, and Chen Nan grieved.
• Chen Zu, Chen Zhan, the Devil Master, Dugu Baitian, and other experts resumed their attacks while hundreds of millions of living beings roared and charged against Heaven.

The Gravekeeper sacrificed himself to help the Human King and the supreme powerhouses shatter the World-Grinding Disc, exposing the wounded Heavenly Dao. Chen Nan then imprisoned it with his expanding inner world and the force of countless lives and lethal formations.

• The Heavenly Dao unleashed the World-Grinding Disc, destroying hundreds of lethal formations and sending Chen Zhan and the other supreme powerhouses flying.
• Ancient powerhouses, led by Luojia De and his dragon, sacrificed themselves to break through the Heavenly Dao's defenses, but the World-Grinding Disc blocked their attacks.
• Dugu Baitian struck the World-Grinding Disc with the Dugu Divine Sword and cracked it, but could not break through.
• The Gravekeeper revealed that his true form was the Life-Death Disc and sacrificed himself to smash into the World-Grinding Disc as the Human King attacked with the Primordial Banner.
• The Primordial Banner gathered and detonated the World-Grinding Disc's fragments, leaving the Heavenly Dao's source gravely wounded.
• Chen Nan expanded his inner world and used the will of billions of lives and a hundred thousand lethal formations to engulf and imprison the Heavenly Dao.

The Defying Heaven King Tier fighters and the surviving armies launched their final assault on the Heavenly Dao inside Chen Nan's Origin World, sacrificing themselves to wound it and keep it from recovering. Chen Nan remained behind to fulfill his mission as the gods charged into the Nine Heavens, with no one expected to return.

• Dugu Baitian, Chen Zhan, the Demon Lord, and the Ghost Lord reunited their soul fragments and reached the peak of the Defying Heaven King Tier.
• The four wounded the Heavenly Dao, while the Human King merged her ancient world's remaining power into Chen Nan's Origin World to strengthen its defenses.
• The Heavenly Dao unleashed destruction, and the Ancient Starry Sky Battle Soul, Chen Zu, the Space-Time God, and countless others charged it in waves of self-sacrifice.
• The Space-Time God fell, and Chen Zu and the Ancient Starry Sky Battle Soul detonated their souls inside the Heavenly Dao, deepening its wounds.
• The Ghost Lord, Chen Zhan, the Seven Supreme Maidens, Dugu Baitian, and the Demon Lord led the surviving gods and creatures in a final charge, while Chen Nan stayed behind at their command.

Chen Nan and the surviving forces sacrificed themselves to destroy the Heavenly Dao, and Chen Nan finally ended it by shattering the five artifacts formed from his children. Beyond Chaos, Xuanxiao won the wager with the Life Demon God but grew uneasy about a possible threat to the Primordial Wilderness.

• Dugu Baitian, the Ghost Lord, the Demon Lord, the Seven Supreme Maidens, Chen Zhan, the Human King, and countless others sacrificed themselves to attack the Heavenly Dao.
• Chen Nan summoned the lingering will of the dead with All Beings Destroy Heaven and shattered the Heavenly Dao, but it re-formed and declared itself immortal.
• Long'er, Kongkong, and Chen Nan's other three children revealed themselves as ancient artifacts and asked him to use them against the Heavenly Dao.
• Chen Nan shattered the five artifacts, combining their essence to destroy the Heavenly Dao's last source for good.
• Xuanxiao collected the life source he had won from the Life Demon God, who departed with her two worlds.
• Xuanxiao wondered whether the Primordial Wilderness was under threat and resolved to return there as soon as possible.

Chen Nan learned that a new Heavenly Dao had survived, formed from the benevolent will of living beings, and chose to give up the chance to rule it in exchange for restoring the fallen heroes. The new Heavenly Dao began nurturing their spirits and entrusted Chen Nan with the Heart of Heaven to keep it in check.

• Zhurong told Chen Nan that Xuanxiao or Zhurong’s younger sister might be able to revive the fallen, but Xuanxiao said restoring hundreds of millions would be difficult.
• Xuanxiao revealed a radiant orb, and Chen Nan recognized it as the Heavenly Dao; the orb explained that it was a new Heavenly Dao born from the remnants of all beings’ thoughts.
• The new Heavenly Dao offered the chance to merge with its origin and rule the world, but Xuanxiao asked whether it had preserved the fallen heroes’ true spirits.
• The new Heavenly Dao confirmed it had preserved their imprints, and Chen Nan chose to revive the heroes rather than merge with the Dao.
• The new Heavenly Dao scattered its power across the shattered world to nurture the heroes’ spirits and placed the Heart of Heaven inside Chen Nan so he could restrain it.
• The new Heavenly Dao asked Xuanxiao for further commands, and he dismissed it before it faded back into the source of heaven and earth.

Xuanxiao used life essence to restore the shattered Tomb of Gods World and stabilize the souls of its fallen heroes, though they would awaken in a few thousand years with their cultivation erased. After approving the Ancestral Witches’ insights and setting Zhu Jiuyin on a path to advance, Xuanxiao prepared to take the world back to the Primordial Wilderness with Chen Nan’s consent.

• Luohu pleaded with Xuanxiao to share life essence so the Demon Lord and other heroic spirits could recover.
• Xuanxiao sent life essence through the Tomb of Gods World, stirring the souls of Chen Nan’s loved ones and explaining that their rebirth would erase their cultivation.
• Chen Nan thanked Xuanxiao for giving his family and companions a chance to return, then listened as the Ancestral Witches described their Martial Dao insights.
• Xuanxiao approved the Ancestral Witches’ insights and told Zhu Jiuyin to seek Shichen in the River of Time to pursue a breakthrough.
• Xuanxiao asked whether Chen Nan objected to the Tomb of Gods World merging with the Primordial Wilderness, and Chen Nan agreed.
• Two battle fortresses carried the shattered Tomb of Gods World through Chaos toward the Primordial Wilderness.

Xuanxiao, Hongjun, and Houtu observed Gou Chen fighting Yuan Chen, a creator god from the newly revealed Origin Realm. Gou Chen unleashed his supreme treasures against Yuan Chen’s world-powered defense, and their clash threatened to damage the Origin Realm.

• Xuanxiao sensed a powerful presence approaching the Primordial Wilderness and went into Chaos to investigate.
• Xuanxiao found Gou Chen battling Yuan Chen, while Hongjun and Houtu arrived to watch.
• Xuanxiao identified the unfamiliar world as the Origin Realm and explained that Yuan Chen and Xi Yao were its creator gods.
• Gou Chen struck Yuan Chen with lightning from the Myriad Thunder Diagram, but Yuan Chen used the Myriad Abyss Realm-Suppressing Seal and the Origin Realm’s earth veins to withstand it.
• Gou Chen combined the Myriad Thunder Diagram’s power with the Star Seal and struck Yuan Chen’s seal, sending a shockwave through Chaos that cracked the Origin Realm’s boundary.

Xi Yao joined Yuan Chen against Gou Chen, and together they formed the Creation Star Formation to trap his treasures and withstand his attacks. Gou Chen reclaimed the Star Seal and Myriad Thunder Diagram and shattered their formation, leaving both gods wounded and bound by divine thunder.

• Xi Yao reinforced the Origin Realm's boundaries, entered the battlefield, and joined forces with Yuan Chen.
• Yuan Chen and Xi Yao combined their powers to create the Creation Star Formation, pinning Gou Chen's Star Seal and Myriad Thunder Diagram.
• Xi Yao and Yuan Chen used their combined techniques to suppress Gou Chen's treasures, while Houtu and Hongjun praised their coordination.
• Gou Chen recalled his treasures and combined their power into a Thunder Star Spear that tore through the formation.
• The formation collapsed, Yuan Chen and Xi Yao were thrown back and wounded, and divine thunder chains bound them.

Gou Chen defeated and restrained Yuan Chen and Xi Yao, but a hidden force rescued them and Hongjun seized its spear, identifying the attacker as Annihilation. Houtu blocked the fleeing gods, who fused into a two-headed, four-armed god and devil to make a final stand.

• Hongjun praised Gou Chen for breaking Yuan Chen and Xi Yao’s joint attack, while Gou Chen rejected their claims of peaceful intentions and dismissed their threat of mutual destruction.
• Taiqing Laozi, Zhenyuanzi, Zhunti, Minghe, and Fuxi arrived, and Gou Chen tightened his lightning chains as Yuan Chen and Xi Yao tried to escape.
• Annihilation’s black spear shattered Gou Chen’s chains, but Hongjun caught the weapon with his fly-whisk and identified the hidden attacker as Annihilation before he escaped.
• Houtu blocked Yuan Chen and Xi Yao from reaching the Origin Realm and sealed their escape with the Six Paths Samsara Disk.
• Xi Yao urged Yuan Chen to merge with her, and the two transformed into a two-headed, four-armed god and devil.

Houtu and the Primordial Wilderness cultivators defeated Yuan Chen and Xi Yao after they fused their origins into a powerful God and Devil form. Hongjun captured the exhausted gods and demanded to know why they had invaded, while Minghe and Zhunti began discussing how to divide the Origin Realm.

• Yuan Chen and Xi Yao fused their origins, reaching the eighth heaven of the Primordial Unity Great Daluo Golden Immortal realm and attacking Houtu.
• Houtu dissolved much of their attack, and Laozi, Zhenyuanzi, Zhunti, Minghe, Fuxi, and Gou Chen surrounded the fused gods.
• The cultivators overwhelmed the fused God and Devil, and Houtu bound it with six Lunhui chains that separated Yuan Chen and Xi Yao's origins.
• Hongjun suppressed the Annihilation Cosmic Ring Spear, approached the defeated gods, and asked why they had invaded the Primordial Wilderness.
• Yuan Chen and Xi Yao refused to answer as Minghe and Zhunti proposed searching their souls and dividing the Origin Realm.

Hongjun and the other Primordial Wilderness Great Beings captured Yuan Chen and Xi Yao, then sealed the suspicious Origin Realm outside their domain rather than absorb it. In the chaos, the hidden plotters revealed that the realm was bait meant to test the Primordial Wilderness and Xuanxiao, while another unseen figure watched their scheme and claimed to have altered events.

• Xi Yao admitted that she and Yuan Chen had not known why the Origin Realm crossed into the Primordial Wilderness, and Minghe questioned why anyone would send them a whole world as a gift.
• Hongjun and Xuanxiao sensed an unseen danger in the apparently flawless Origin Realm, so Hongjun ordered the Great Beings to seal it beyond the Primordial Wilderness and take Yuan Chen and Xi Yao away.
• Nuwa warned Zhunti not to plot against humanity, while Laozi abruptly departed and Zhunti resolved to proceed cautiously.
• Annihilation demanded compensation from the other shadowy plotters, who revealed that they had used the Origin Realm as bait to test whether Xuanxiao had entered seclusion or advanced his cultivation.
• An unseen figure watched the plotters and said it had secretly helped them, then vanished after addressing Xuanxiao and calling the scheme a gift.

Xuanxiao took the subdued Yuan Chen and Xi Yao into the Origin Realm to investigate the hidden schemes threatening the Primordial Wilderness. After learning that the mysterious Void Sea could erase anything that entered it, he led them toward its depths.

• Hongjun studied the Origin Realm and wondered whether he and the Dao Venerable had mistaken its apparent normality for a hidden plot.
• Xuanxiao arrived and told Hongjun he would investigate the Origin Realm, taking the imprisoned Yuan Chen and Xi Yao with him.
• Xi Yao submitted to Xuanxiao and persuaded Yuan Chen to accept their weakened position rather than risk their lives and the Origin Realm.
• Xuanxiao released their remaining restraints and brought them to the Radiant Continent, where Xi Yao explained the Origin Realm's two rival continents.
• Xuanxiao asked about the Void Sea, and Xi Yao warned that its ancient extinction aura could severely harm them.
• Xuanxiao led Yuan Chen and Xi Yao toward the Void Sea to investigate it.

After Di Xin drove Great Shang’s loyal ministers to ruin, Wenzhong returned to Morning Song from his victorious North Sea campaign, uneasy about the kingdom’s fate. The court welcomed him as its last hope of restraining the tyrant.

• After Bi Gan was killed and his heart removed, Xia Zhao confronted Di Xin, condemned him as a tyrant, and leapt to his death from Deer Terrace.
• Shang Rong sought to remonstrate with Di Xin, but when his counsel failed, he struck a bronze pillar and died; Di Xin ordered his body thrown into a viper pit.
• Zhao Qi cursed Di Xin and was branded, after which court officials fell silent and several ministers resigned.
• Huang Feihu hoped that Wenzhong would return from the North Sea and restore order to Great Shang.
• After suppressing the North Sea rebellion, Wenzhong told Ji Li and Yu Qing that he sensed Morning Song was in turmoil.
• Huang Feihu and the officials welcomed Wenzhong at Morning Song’s southern gate, and Wenzhong dismounted from his Black Qilin.

Wenzhong returned to Morning Song and learned from Huang Feihu that Di Xin had hidden the kingdom’s collapse and executed loyal officials, including Bi Gan. After seeing the Paoluo and ordering nine bell strikes to summon Di Xin, Wenzhong left the king terrified that his former teacher had returned.

• Wenzhong asked the officials about Morning Song and learned from Huang Feihu that Great Shang had fallen into chaos and many loyal ministers had died.
• Wenzhong saw Bi Gan’s coffin and realized Di Xin had concealed the truth from him for years.
• Huang Feihu explained that Di Xin had used the Paoluo to torture Queen Jiang, Mei Bo, Zhao Qi, and other loyal officials to death.
• Wenzhong entered the palace with the King-Whipping Whip, saw the Paoluo, and ordered Ji Li to sound the bells nine times and summon Di Xin.
• Di Xin heard the ninth bell while with Daji, realized Wenzhong had returned, and hurried to leave while warning Daji to stay in her palace.

After returning from his fifteen-year campaign, Wenzhong confronted Di Xin over Great Shang’s disorder, the deaths and disappearances of loyal ministers and royals, and the king’s excesses. He announced that he would set the court in order in three days, while Daji watched from the shadows and feared losing her influence over Di Xin.

• Di Xin panicked on his way to the hall, realizing Wenzhong would see the Bronze Branding Pillar, while Daji secretly followed and resolved to stop Wenzhong from undoing her plans.
• Di Xin welcomed Wenzhong’s victorious return and ordered a feast, but Wenzhong asked where Bi Gan, Queen Jiang, the two princes, Shang Rong, and Mei Bo were.
• Di Xin offered accusations against the missing royals and ministers, but Wenzhong challenged him for evidence and condemned his neglect of the state and slaughter of loyal officials.
• Wenzhong questioned Di Xin about the Bronze Branding Pillar and Deer Terrace, and Di Xin gave strained excuses that confirmed Huang Feihu’s reports.
• Wenzhong rebuked Di Xin for ruining Great Shang during his absence, then declared that he would restore order at court in three days and sent the king back to the palace.

Wenzhong returned to court and demanded an account of the fifteen years he had been away, while Di Xin hurried Daji away to keep her from provoking him. Huang Feihu recounted Di Xin’s escalating crimes, leaving Wenzhong furious at the desecration of Dao Venerable Xuanxiao and the deaths of loyal ministers.

• Di Xin fled Wenzhong’s hall, then found Daji approaching and dragged her away, warning her to keep clear of the Grand Tutor.
• Daji resolved to warn her two sisters to restrain themselves while Wenzhong remained in Morning Song.
• Wenzhong sensed a fleeting sinister aura outside the hall, then ordered the officials to report what had changed during his absence.
• Wenzhong silenced the officials and asked Huang Feihu to explain the upheaval in detail.
• Huang Feihu described Di Xin’s profanation of the Holy Mother and the destruction of Dao Venerable Xuanxiao’s statue, shocking and enraging Wenzhong.
• Huang Feihu recounted Di Xin’s abuses and the deaths of Empress Jiang, Mei Bo, Bi Gan, Xia Zhao, and Shang Rong, along with the flight of the princes and Ji Chang’s imprisonment.

Wenzhong returned to court and investigated Di Xin’s crimes before beginning to purge the corrupt officials. When Fei Zhong and You Hun challenged him, he slapped them, and Di Xin begged his teacher not to hit him next.

• Wenzhong blamed himself for Di Xin’s crimes, suspended court for three days, and promised to set the realm right.
• Wenzhong investigated Di Xin’s abuses and tried unsuccessfully to contact the Jie Sect and Holy Mother Jinling.
• Wenzhong took his place in court with the King-Whipping Whip, while Di Xin arrived late.
• Fei Zhong and You Hun barged into court and claimed their senior offices when Wenzhong challenged their conduct.
• Wenzhong recognized Fei Zhong and You Hun as major sources of the court’s corruption and slapped them both.
• Fei Zhong and You Hun begged Di Xin to punish Wenzhong, but Di Xin ignored them and pleaded, “Teacher, now that you've hit them, you can't hit me anymore!”

Wenzhong confronted Di Xin at court, condemned his misrule, and demanded ten sweeping reforms, including the execution of Fei Zhong, You Hun, Daji, and the other two demons. Di Xin rejected three of the measures, leaving ruler and Grand Preceptor locked in a tense standoff before the court.

• Di Xin disowned Fei Zhong and You Hun for offending Wenzhong, and the two treacherous officials retreated in terror.
• Shen Gongbao arrived at court, where Wenzhong probed his origins but received no clear answer.
• Wenzhong presented evidence of Di Xin’s misrule and demanded ten measures to restore order in Great Shang.
• Fei Zhong and You Hun collapsed to their knees and pleaded with Di Xin to spare their lives.
• Di Xin accepted seven measures but refused to demolish Deer Terrace or execute Daji, the other two demons, Fei Zhong, and You Hun.
• Wenzhong insisted that all ten measures were essential, and he and Di Xin faced off in silence as the court watched.

Wenzhong killed You Hun and Fei Zhong in open court to force Di Xin to heed his remonstrance, sacrificing his own Dao in the process. Di Xin agreed to demolish Deer Terrace but refused to bury Daji and the other consorts alive, and his accusation of treason left Wenzhong unable to press further.

• Wenzhong struck You Hun and Fei Zhong dead with the King-Whipping Whip, openly intimidating Di Xin and the court.
• Shen Gongbao recognized that Wenzhong had sacrificed his Dao to try to save Great Shang, though he believed its fate was already sealed.
• Wenzhong demanded Di Xin decide Deer Terrace, and Di Xin agreed to demolish it.
• Wenzhong pressed Di Xin to carry out the final measure and bury Daji and the other consorts alive.
• Di Xin refused, accused Wenzhong of forcing a palace coup, and the officials begged him to calm his anger.
• Wenzhong realized Di Xin’s accusation had closed off his path to continue without appearing to commit treason.

After yielding to Di Xin, Wenzhong heard Shen Gongbao warn that Great Shang was doomed and that even the Jie Sect could not save it, but he renewed his resolve to defend the dynasty. In Biyou Palace, Tongtian confirmed that Shang’s fall was fated and prepared to use the coming Investiture of the Gods Tribulation to retaliate against the Two Sages of the West.

• Wenzhong compromised with Di Xin, then remained alone in the hall, grieving the collapse of their bond and Great Shang’s decline.
• Shen Gongbao warned Wenzhong that the Jie Sect could not save Great Shang and vanished before Wenzhong could question him further.
• Wenzhong rejected despair and vowed to defend Great Shang, causing his damaged cultivation path to begin recovering.
• Holy Mother Jinling asked Tongtian whether Great Shang could still be saved, and Tongtian said its destruction was fixed by fate.
• Tongtian reassured Holy Mother Jinling that he would arrange a divine position for Wenzhong, then resolved to make the Two Sages of the West pay during the coming tribulation.