Chapter Summaries

Xuanxiao spoke privately with the Great Dao and confirmed his suspicion that it and Pangu were concealing a plan, then discovered that Yuan Chen and Xi Yao had sworn themselves to him while he was contemplating two Chaos origin seeds. He began drawing the seeds toward him, leaving his new subordinates awed by his power.

• The Great Dao isolated Yuan Chen and Xi Yao while Xuanxiao poured out his thoughts and admitted that he missed Pangu.
• Xuanxiao tested the Great Dao with shameless requests for treasures, then concluded that Pangu and the Great Dao were plotting something together.
• Xuanxiao learned that Yuan Chen and Xi Yao had sworn Great Dao contracts while he had been focused on the Chaos origin seeds.
• Xuanxiao promised not to let the two subordinates suffer a loss and summoned the two opposing Chaos origin seeds.
• Yuan Chen and Xi Yao watched in terror as Xuanxiao reached for the destructive seeds, then felt awe at his power.

Xuanxiao suppressed the two Chaos Origin Seeds and exposed Karma Demon God, who had secretly schemed against the Primordial Wilderness. Fate Demon God tracked Karma down, while Xuanxiao returned to the Origin Realm and continued dismantling the seeds’ restrictions.

• Xuanxiao suppressed the two Chaos Origin Seeds, whose hidden restrictions threatened to damage the Origin Realm, and began dismantling them with Chaos Thunder.
• Xuanxiao struck Karma Demon God with Annihilation Thunder and confronted him about his schemes against the Primordial Wilderness and other Demon Gods.
• Xuanxiao warned Karma that Fate Demon God was searching for him, then departed after revealing that his encounter had been a distraction.
• Fate Demon God located Karma, seized his karma aura despite his attempt to detonate his incarnation, and summoned his disciple to settle their karmic entanglement.
• Xuanxiao revealed that he had secretly contacted Fate Demon God to keep Karma from interfering with the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, leaving Yuan Chen and Xi Yao uneasy about his grin.

Daji attempted to assassinate Wenzhong but was repelled by Great Shang’s Human Race Destiny and fled badly wounded, confirming Wenzhong’s determination to execute her. Before he could act against the demon consorts, Huang Feihu brought news that King Pingling had rebelled, forcing them to spend the night planning a response.

• Daji learned Wenzhong had called for her execution and secretly attacked him in his study.
• Human Race Destiny shielded Wenzhong, and heaven’s backlash and his divine eye wounded Daji as she escaped to the palace.
• Wenzhong recognized Daji as the attacker and resolved to execute her for being a demon and endangering Great Shang.
• Huang Feihu arrived at Wenzhong’s residence with urgent news that King Pingling had raised an army in rebellion.
• Wenzhong and Huang Feihu studied the border reports and planned how to suppress the rebellion through the night.

After King Pingling rebelled, Wenzhong organized an expedition and left Morning Song to suppress the uprising, entrusting Huang Feihu with the capital’s safety. Di Xin was delighted to see Wenzhong depart and immediately abandoned even the appearance of diligence, leaving the court worried about the realm.

• Huang Feihu urgently informed Wenzhong that King Pingling had rebelled, and they spent the night planning the campaign.
• Wenzhong requested command of the expedition, and Di Xin eagerly approved the deployment while pretending to be outraged.
• Wenzhong warned Di Xin to govern wisely and entrusted Huang Feihu with defending Morning Song during his absence.
• After three days of preparations, Wenzhong accepted Di Xin’s farewell cup and led the army east toward the East Sea.
• Once Wenzhong had left, Di Xin claimed he would pray in the inner palace, returned to the palace, and left the officials troubled.

After half a month of neglecting court, Di Xin learned that Ji Chang had founded Zhou and rebelled against Great Shang. He appointed Shen Gongbao to lead an army against Western Qi, and Shen Gongbao marched out from Morning Song with one hundred thousand troops.

• With Di Xin absent from court for half a month, Shen Gongbao entered the palace and announced that Ji Chang had founded Zhou in Western Qi.
• Di Xin flew into a rage, summoned the officials, and accused them of failing to report Ji Chang’s rebellion.
• Huang Feihu recommended that Chong Heihu lead the first campaign, but Shen Gongbao volunteered to go to Western Qi himself.
• Di Xin appointed Shen Gongbao commander, and Shen Gongbao departed Morning Song with one hundred thousand elite troops.

Ji Chang and his court decided to strike Chong Houhu before Yin Shang’s reinforcements arrived, with Jiang Ziya taking command and Ji Chang joining the campaign. The next morning, Great Zhou’s army marched toward Chong City.

• Ji Chang announced that Di Xin had ordered Chong Houhu to attack Western Zhou and sent Shen Gongbao with one hundred thousand elite troops as reinforcements.
• Ji Fa urged Ji Chang to strike Chong Houhu first, and Jiang Ziya advised him to send out the army immediately.
• Jiang Ziya volunteered to lead the campaign, and Nangong Shi agreed to serve as his deputy.
• Ji Chang declared that he would accompany the expedition despite the court’s objections.
• Jiang Ziya appointed Wu Ji as vanguard commander, and the 150,000-strong Great Zhou force marched toward Chong City.

Jiang Ziya’s surprise attack nearly captured Chong City, but he withdrew when Shen Gongbao arrived with Yin Shang reinforcements. The two Imperial Preceptors sensed a mysterious bond between them as Shen Gongbao entered the city.

• Jiang Ziya led 150,000 Western Zhou troops on a five-day march and launched a surprise assault on Chong City, catching Chong Houhu’s defenders unprepared.
• The Zhou soldiers seized much of the western wall, while Chong Houhu arrived and rallied the defenders to hold the city.
• A scout reported that Shen Gongbao was approaching with 100,000 Yin Shang troops, so Jiang Ziya ordered an immediate withdrawal to avoid being trapped between the reinforcements and the city garrison.
• Chong Houhu mistook the Zhou withdrawal for a victory until Shen Gongbao arrived outside Chong City with his army.
• Jiang Ziya sensed a mysterious karmic connection with Shen Gongbao, who looked toward the Zhou camp and declared that he had come.

Shen Gongbao arrived in Chong City with reinforcements, while Jiang Ziya recognized him as a grave threat to Great Zhou’s campaign. Ji Chang and Jiang Ziya decided to challenge the city the next day to test who controlled its defenses and uncover its strength.

• Chong Houhu welcomed Shen Gongbao to Chong City, and Shen concealed his contempt while apologizing for his distant manner.
• As Shen entered the city, he silently greeted Jiang Ziya, who watched from the Zhou camp and grew wary of him.
• Jiang Ziya warned the Zhou generals that Chong City was now on alert and that Shen Gongbao’s presence made it much harder to capture.
• Ji Chang reprimanded the generals for underestimating Shen Gongbao and urged them not to grow arrogant.
• Jiang Ziya proposed determining whether Chong Houhu or Shen Gongbao held power in Chong City, and Ji Chang ordered the army to challenge the city walls the next day.

Jiang Ziya warned Ji Chang that Shen Gongbao would be a formidable obstacle, while Shen Gongbao let Chong Houhu retain command of Chong City. Chong Houhu sent his arrogant son Chong Yingbiao to face Western Zhou, but the Chong army suffered a string of defeats and its morale collapsed.

• Jiang Ziya told Ji Chang that Shen Gongbao was a hidden and dangerous strategist, and Ji Chang regretted launching the campaign against Chong.
• Shen Gongbao recalled how Chong Houhu had tested him by claiming command of the reinforcements, then resolved to let the marquis keep control.
• Chong Houhu apologized to Shen Gongbao the next morning, and Shen Gongbao agreed to leave military and political affairs in his hands.
• When Western Zhou denounced Chong Houhu from outside the city, Chong Houhu erupted in anger and sent Chong Yingbiao to fight.
• Nangong Shi defeated Chong Yingbiao by breaking his spear and forcing him to flee back to his ranks.
• Chong Houhu sent more generals against Western Zhou, but Wu Ji and the other champions routed them, killing or wounding commanders and breaking the Chong army's morale.

After repeated defeats, Chong Houhu swallowed his pride and asked Shen Gongbao to take command of the defense of Chong City. Shen Gongbao accepted so he could face Jiang Ziya, and the two met between their armies, where their disagreement over the war led them to prepare for a contest of cultivation.

• Chong Houhu repeatedly lost battles against Western Zhou, while Shen Gongbao’s hundred thousand Yin Shang elites remained outside his control.
• After several days of siege and humiliation, Chong Houhu apologized to Shen Gongbao and begged him to save Chong City.
• Shen Gongbao accepted Chong Houhu’s request, intending to confront Jiang Ziya rather than simply rescue the city.
• The next morning, Shen Gongbao led the troops out of Chong City, and Jiang Ziya came forward to meet him personally.
• Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao disputed whether Western Zhou’s campaign followed Heaven’s will, then Shen Gongbao summoned Purple Firmament Divine Thunder to begin their contest.

Shen Gongbao defeated Jiang Ziya in their confrontation but withdrew to Chong City after sensing a calamity, leaving both armies to hold their positions. Jiang Ziya collapsed from hidden injuries, while Shen Gongbao departed to seek his master and left Chong Houhu in charge.

• Shen Gongbao's lightning Dao arts overcame Jiang Ziya's defenses, and Jiang Ziya suffered internal injuries in their confrontation.
• Shen Gongbao sensed a mysterious calamity when he considered attacking Jiang Ziya, then called off the battle and withdrew his army to Chong City.
• Jiang Ziya ordered the Western Qi army to hold position, then collapsed in his tent and told Wu Ji to conceal his injuries.
• Chong Houhu questioned Shen Gongbao's decision to withdraw, but backed down when Shen Gongbao rebuked him.
• Shen Gongbao ordered Chong Houhu to keep the no-battle placard raised and guard the city, then left to visit his master.

Shen Gongbao visited Thunder Marsh and met the revered Yunting and Zidian, who recognized his tribulation-bound Flying Bear destiny. Before leaving for the Immortal Realm, they offered him two powerful spirit treasures, leaving him stunned as he looked to his master for guidance.

• Thunder Marsh summoned Shen Gongbao into his cave abode, where Shen Gongbao found his master showing great respect to two childlike visitors.
• Yunting and Zidian examined Shen Gongbao and learned from Thunder Marsh that he bore the Flying Bear destiny and Heaven and Earth's tribulation fate.
• Thunder Marsh introduced Yunting and Zidian as Shen Gongbao's grandmaster-uncle and grandmaster-aunt, and Shen Gongbao respectfully greeted them.
• Yunting gave Shen Gongbao the Dust-Settling Heart-Calming Mirror to guard his Dao heart and dispel illusions and baleful influences.
• Zidian presented Shen Gongbao with the Zidian Sword, forged to destroy evil and suppress powerful foes.
• Zidian called the treasures mere toys she and Yunting had refined in their spare time, and Shen Gongbao turned to Thunder Marsh for guidance before accepting them.

Shen Gongbao received spirit treasures from Yunting, Zidian, and Thunder Marsh, then learned that he and Jiang Ziya shared a clashing Flying Bear destiny. His defiant words drew the Heavenly Dao's attention, and Dao Lord Hong appeared after Yunting and Zidian pleaded for mercy.

• Yunting and Zidian gave Shen Gongbao a mid-grade spirit mirror and sword, and Thunder Marsh gifted him the High Grade Spirit Treasure Mountain-Subduing Jade Pendant.
• Shen Gongbao asked about his Flying Bear destiny and explained that he had sensed both a blessing and mortal danger when considering killing Jiang Ziya.
• Thunder Marsh told Shen Gongbao that he and Jiang Ziya shared the Flying Bear destiny and were fated to oppose each other until the Shang-Zhou Calamity Cycle ended.
• Shen Gongbao's frustration drove him to defy the Great Dao, prompting the Heavenly Dao's immense eye to appear and pin him beneath its pressure.
• Yunting and Zidian pleaded with Dao Lord Hong to forgive Shen Gongbao, and the eye's pressure eased before the clouds dispersed and an ancient figure appeared.

Hong spared Shen Gongbao after discovering he was the Person of Tribulation, then uncovered that the Two Sages of the West had manipulated him to provoke a fatal punishment. Hong went to confront them, while Thunder Marsh reported the plot to Xuanxiao's lineage and began teaching Shen Gongbao.

• Hong recognized Shen Gongbao as the Person of Tribulation and spared his life by tapping his brow.
• Hong traced Shen Gongbao's outburst to a scheme by Jieyin and Zhunti, who had secretly stirred his Calamity Qi to make Hong punish him.
• Hong angrily left to demand an explanation from Second Uncle, while Yunting and Zidian warned that the Western Sages would face consequences.
• Thunder Marsh sent a message to his sect reporting the Western Religion's plot against Shen Gongbao.
• Thunder Marsh told Shen Gongbao to remain at his sanctuary and promised to teach him the sect's Divine Abilities, Daoist arts, and origins; Shen Gongbao respectfully agreed.

Wu, Gou Chen, and Hong confronted Jieyin and Zhunti over their plot against Shen Gongbao, and Hongjun judged the matter at Zixiao Palace. The Western Religion lost the Humanity Path’s support in the Human Realm, while a new decree barred Sages from freely interfering there; two figures then set out from the stars toward the Human Realm.

• Wu’s Immortal-Slaying Sword attacked Mount Sumeru, and Gou Chen and Hong confronted Jieyin and Zhunti over their scheme against Shen Gongbao.
• Hongjun summoned the Sages to Zixiao Palace and accused Jieyin and Zhunti of using the Humanity Path’s punishment to kill Shen Gongbao.
• Hong severed the Western Religion’s access to the Humanity Path in the Human Realm, harming its disciples and cultivators.
• Hongjun decreed that Sages could no longer interfere freely in the Human Realm, and the Sages left Zixiao Palace.
• Gou Chen warned Jieyin and Zhunti that he would remember their actions, then returned to the stars.
• Two figures departed the stars and raced toward the Human Realm.

Jiang Ziya emerged from seclusion and discovered that Ji Chang was suffering from a curse cast by a daoist acting for Chong Houhu. He broke the curse, and the karmic backlash annihilated Jiku in Chong City.

• Shen Gongbao sensed that Chong City's defenses had fallen, received Thunder Marsh's permission to leave, and headed back to the city.
• Western Zhou's officials worried over Jiang Ziya's month-long seclusion and Ji Chang's worsening illness until Jiang Ziya emerged and examined the king.
• Jiang Ziya identified a curse within Ji Chang and blamed Chong Houhu, but stopped Nangong Shi from rushing to attack Chong City.
• Jiang Ziya used an evil-suppressing talisman to force the curse out of Ji Chang, revealing a resentful shadow that confronted him.
• The curse's destruction triggered karmic backlash against Jiku, whose body, soul, and cultivation were consumed by karmic fire.

After Jiang Ziya cured Ji Chang of the curse, he devised a way to capture Chong City without a costly direct assault by persuading Chong Heihu to turn against his brother. Chong Heihu agreed to aid Western Qi, while Chong Houhu mistakenly believed his brother was coming to reinforce him.

• Jiang Ziya removed the curse from Ji Chang, warned him to recuperate, and rejected Nangong Shi's call for an immediate assault on Chong City.
• Jiang Ziya explained that Chong City was heavily defended and proposed recruiting Chong Heihu, Chong Houhu's virtuous younger brother, to help attack from within.
• Jiang Ziya sent Chong Heihu a letter describing Chong Houhu's crimes and urging him to put the people's welfare above family ties.
• Chong Heihu resolved to support the greater righteousness, agreed to join forces with Western Qi, and sent his reply to Jiang Ziya.
• Chong Houhu read a message claiming Chong Heihu would bring Caozhou's troops to reinforce him and grew overconfident, unaware that he had fallen into Jiang Ziya's scheme.

Chong Heihu helped Jiang Ziya and Ji Chang take Chong City by opening its gates to the Western Zhou army, then watched his brother Chong Houhu be captured. Ji Chang kept his promise and released Chong Houhu, whose threat about Shen Gongbao left the Western Qi officials uneasy until Jiang Ziya assured them that reinforcements would arrive.

• Chong Heihu asked Ji Chang to spare Chong Houhu, and Ji Chang promised to let him live if he surrendered without resistance.
• Chong Heihu entered Chong City with his troops, then got the city's officials drunk and secretly opened the gates for the Western Zhou army.
• The Western Zhou army captured Chong City overnight, and Chong Houhu accused Chong Heihu of betraying his family for the common people.
• Ji Chang honored his promise and freed Chong Houhu, who warned that Shen Gongbao would return to avenge the defeat.
• Jiang Ziya reassured the worried Western Qi officials that powerful allies from his sect would soon come to help.

Chong Houhu manipulated Bo An into helping him curse Ji Fa, but Jiang Ziya thwarted the plot and the conspirators were captured. Ji Chang punished Chong Houhu and banished Bo An before dying from his illness, leaving Western Qi to Ji Fa.

• After losing Chong City, Chong Houhu infiltrated Western Qi and used Soul-Seizing Incense to tempt Bo An with the promise of becoming Western Count.
• When Ji Chang returned gravely ill, Bo An agreed to help Chong Houhu kill Ji Fa and stole one of Ji Fa’s garments.
• Chong Houhu used the garment in a curse that struck Ji Fa, but Jiang Ziya broke the curse before it could kill him.
• Wu Ji captured Chong Houhu and Bo An, and Ji Chang ordered Chong Houhu beheaded and banished Bo An from Western Qi.
• Ji Chang died after his illness worsened, and Ji Fa took charge of Western Qi.

After Ji Chang’s death, Di Xin dismissed warnings about Ji Fa and celebrated at Deer Terrace, where Daji used Lady Jia to lure Huang Feihu into a trap. Lady Jia and Consort Huang both died at Star Plucking Tower, leaving Di Xin enraged and Daji’s revenge against Huang Feihu underway.

• Shen Gongbao told Di Xin that Ji Chang had died and that eighty thousand of the troops from Chong City had safely returned, so Di Xin declared a three-day celebration.
• Jizi warned Di Xin that Ji Fa would become a threat to Great Shang, but Di Xin dismissed him and went to Deer Terrace to celebrate with Daji.
• At the banquet, Daji plotted revenge against Huang Feihu by summoning his wife, Lady Jia, to Star Plucking Tower and secretly inviting Di Xin.
• When Di Xin tried to violate her, Lady Jia leaped from the tower; Consort Huang arrived, accused Di Xin and Daji, and slapped Daji.
• Di Xin shoved Consort Huang in anger, causing her to fall from the tower and die beside Lady Jia.