Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling absorbed the Kunpeng Demon Master’s Source of Sin, defeated his Ghost Body, and began draining the power from his heart. The Bull Demon King arrived at the Kunpeng Demon Master’s ruined lair and wondered who had inflicted such a disaster.

• The Kunpeng Demon Master unleashed the Source of Sin, engulfing the Sea of Suffering and the Taiji Ball’s defenders.
• Ding Ling strengthened the Taiji Ball, while the Exquisite Pagoda absorbed and refined the Source of Sin until the dark flood vanished.
• Ding Ling destroyed the Kunpeng Demon Master’s Ghost Body with a flick of his finger and began absorbing the Curse Sources within his heart.
• The Kunpeng Demon Master’s body convulsed, causing earthquakes and tsunamis that alarmed the monsters of Beiju Luzhou.
• The Bull Demon King reached the Kunpeng Demon Master’s devastated lair and wondered whether the Demon Master was acting or had been seriously injured.

Bull Demon King and the other onlookers assumed Tathagata Buddha had attacked the Kunpeng Demon Master, while Six-Eared Macaque alone realized Ding Ling was still alive and fighting him. The Kunpeng Demon Master’s corpse appeared over the Far North, leaving the assembled demons and Buddhist figures convinced that a supreme power had killed him.

• Bull Demon King believed Tathagata Buddha was eliminating the Kunpeng Demon Master and hoped his own service to the Buddhist School would earn him merit.
• The Monster Clan and Dragon Clan followers of the Buddhist School speculated that Buddha had attacked, while word spread that Ding Ling had been devoured by the Kunpeng Demon Master.
• The Eighteen Constellations arrived in the Far North and assumed Buddha was responsible for the Kunpeng Demon Master’s screams and Ding Ling’s supposed death.
• Six-Eared Macaque used his hearing to learn that Ding Ling was alive, had resisted the Source of Sin, and was eliminating the Kunpeng Demon Master.
• The Kunpeng Demon Master’s corpse appeared above the assembled onlookers, who recognized that the ancient demon had died and feared the power behind his death.

Ding Ling absorbed the Kunpeng Demon Master's Curse Sources, grew powerful enough to kill him, and emerged to confront the assembled demons, Gods, and Buddhas. After Bull Demon King led an attack and was instantly slain, Ding Ling pursued the fleeing forces, while the Six-Eared Macaque decided to become his disciple.

• Ding Ling absorbed the Curse Sources inside the Kunpeng Demon Master's body, reached the world's Paragon Earth Immortal limit, and drained the Kunpeng Demon Master until he died.
• The Kunpeng Demon Master's corpse turned to ash, revealing Ding Ling and his companions inside a Taiji Ball infused with the Curse Source of Sin.
• Bull Demon King charged at Ding Ling to claim credit, but a cascading attack instantly killed him and his group.
• Ding Ling blocked the escape routes with his Taiji Ball and rapidly captured or killed the fleeing Gods and Buddhas.
• The Six-Eared Macaque watched Ding Ling's overwhelming display and resolved to become his disciple.

Ding Ling used the power gained from the Kunpeng Demon Master to defeat the gods, demons, and Buddhas who confronted him, then stopped Nagarjuna Bodhisattva and three Buddhas from summoning a corner of Hell. He continued refining his captives and absorbing their Curse Sources, leaving the surviving beings convinced that no one could restrain him.

• Ding Ling discovered that he possessed 318 Curse Sources across 27 sequences, including two rare Balance Sequence sources that stabilized his Taiji Ball.
• The Bull Demon King charged Ding Ling and was annihilated, after which Ding Ling captured the fleeing gods, demons, and Buddhas and began refining them.
• Nagarjuna Bodhisattva self-immolated to summon a corner of Hell, and three Buddhas joined him as an unfamiliar world began to emerge.
• Ding Ling killed Nagarjuna Bodhisattva and the three Buddhas with a single palm, causing the summoned corner of Hell to fade before it could fully solidify.
• Ding Ling continued killing and refining his captives, gaining 21 more Curse Sources as the remaining gods, demons, and Buddhas recognized his overwhelming power.

Ding Ling used the Curse Sources of the slain Gods, Buddhas, and demons to raise Wu Zetian to the Paragon Earth Immortal realm and give her a Taiji Ball of her own. The Six-Eared Macaque repeatedly bowed to join Ding Ling, but Ding Ling left his request unanswered as Wu Zetian became his increasingly devoted ally.

• Ding Ling transformed the gathered Curse Source Power and used it to strengthen Wu Zetian, while telling the Jiao Demon King he would help him after he mastered the Martial Dao True Understanding.
• Wu Zetian became an immortal, and the Six-Eared Macaque flew up to bow and ask Ding Ling to take him in as a follower.
• Ding Ling continued cultivating Wu Zetian while the Six-Eared Macaque bowed for hours; the Jiao Demon King and Macaca King grew more loyal as they watched.
• Wu Zetian reached the Paragon Earth Immortal realm, and Ding Ling gave her the Yin-Yang Balance Curse Source, allowing her to accommodate many more Curse Sources.
• Wu Zetian formed a Taiji Ball resembling Ding Ling's, thanked him, and openly revealed her affection as Ding Ling looked upon her with growing approval.

Ding Ling elevated Wu Zetian to supreme power, and she led Macaca King, Six-Eared Macaque, and Jiao Demon King in uniting Beiju Luzhou under the name Ding. The three Bodhisattvas believed they had killed Ding Ling, but he trapped them in the Infinite Mirror Sea World, where they struggled to find a way out.

• Ding Ling accepted Six-Eared Macaque, Macaca King, and Jiao Demon King as generals under Wu Zetian after they pledged their loyalty.
• Wu Zetian and the three generals unified Beiju Luzhou under Ding's name, forcing Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva to retreat from the North Sea Dragon Palace.
• The three Bodhisattvas learned that Ding Ling had killed the Kunpeng Demon Master and defeated Namo Wonderful Sound Victory Buddha and others, then fled toward Mount Ling Holy Land.
• Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva combined Draw Earth as Prison and Rotten Ash Curse Sources, believing they had destroyed Ding Ling.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva recognized that the three Bodhisattvas were trapped in Ding Ling's Infinite Mirror Sea World, and Manjushri Bodhisattva used the Insight Curse Source to search for a way out.

Ding Ling trapped Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Guanyin Bodhisattva in the Infinite Mirror Sea World, where they died as he seized their Curse Sources and divine treasures. After strengthening his equipment, he learned that Tathagata Buddha possessed an ancient Sage’s inheritance and Sacred Treasure, so he turned his forces toward Dongsheng Shenzhou.

• Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Guanyin Bodhisattva tried to escape the Infinite Mirror Sea World but were dragged into its dark vortex and lost consciousness.
• Ding Ling tracked the three Bodhisattvas, trapped them with the Infinite Mirror Sea World, and killed Samantabhadra Bodhisattva to take his Curse Sources and divine treasures.
• Ding Ling killed Guanyin Bodhisattva and Manjushri Bodhisattva, then absorbed their divine treasures into the Exquisite Pagoda and Taiji Ball.
• Ding Ling learned from the Bodhisattvas’ memories that Tathagata Buddha possessed an ancient Sage’s inheritance, a Sacred Treasure, and a Sage’s Curse Source.
• Ding Ling ordered Wu Zetian and the others to redirect their assault toward Dongsheng Shenzhou.

Ding Ling helped Wu Zetian and his allies establish the Nine Provinces Divine Sect, which conquered most of the mortal realm and drew the Dragon Clan into its ranks. As the Heavenly Court and Vulture Peak feared his growing power, the Jade Emperor ordered Taibai Jinxing and several deities to summon Tathagata Buddha, while Tathagata confronted the collapse of his plans.

• Ding Ling taught Macaca King and the Six-Eared Macaque the Martial Dao True Understanding, and they led the Nine Provinces Divine Sect in conquering Dongsheng Shenzhou and Nanzhan Buzhou.
• Wu Zetian became the sect master, Ding Ling was honored as supreme sect master, and Macaca King and the Six-Eared Macaque became its grand protectors.
• Ao Qin brought the Four Seas Dragon Kings to join the Nine Provinces Divine Sect in secret, and Jinli, Yu Qiang, and Madam Bai returned as elders.
• The Jade Emperor ordered Taibai Jinxing and other deities to visit Tathagata Buddha, and Taibai Jinxing admitted that he was afraid to go after Ding Ling killed the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.
• Tathagata Buddha's ten-Buddha Heavenly Buddha Team disappeared after Ding Ling arrived, and its members' auras appeared in Vulture Peak's Eight Treasures Lotus Pond awaiting rebirth.
• Tathagata Buddha recognized Ding Ling as a threat to his plans to gather the world's Curse Source and treasures and escape to another world.

Tathagata Buddha ordered the Journey to the West plan to continue while avoiding Ding Ling, and Tang Sanzang's group reached Moving Sand River, where Pigsy urged Sun Wukong to abandon the pilgrimage and join Ding Ling. Krakucchanda Buddha appeared to stop them, and struck Pigsy down after Pigsy immediately begged for mercy.

• Tathagata Buddha, unable to calculate or defeat Ding Ling, ordered his followers to keep Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Pigsy on the Journey to the West Road and promised to deal with Ding Ling himself if necessary.
• At Moving Sand River, Pigsy told Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong that they should seek help from Heaven to capture the Curtain Lifting General, who had mastered the river's Quicksand Curse.
• Pigsy criticized Tang Sanzang, urged Sun Wukong to split from the pilgrimage, and proposed that they join Ding Ling's God Sect.
• Sun Wukong agreed to split up, but Krakucchanda Buddha appeared with Arhats, Venerables, and Bodhisattvas and forbade them to disband.
• Pigsy dropped to his knees and claimed he had only been joking, but Krakucchanda Buddha struck him down with his palm.

Krakucchanda Buddha revived Pigsy, warned the disciples, and appointed Sha Wujing to join Tang Sanzang’s group. After they crossed Moving Sand River, they discovered a cursed wasteland and a severed arm that Sun Wukong suspected belonged to Tathagata Buddha, leaving the group shocked and uncertain about what had happened.

• Krakucchanda Buddha revived Pigsy, warned him to honor his promise, and reminded Sun Wukong to protect Tang Sanzang.
• Krakucchanda Buddha appointed Sha Wujing as Tang Sanzang’s third disciple, and Sha Wujing carried the group across Moving Sand River on a gourd supported by skulls.
• After reaching the far bank, Sun Wukong noticed Buddhist blood pouring from the sky and led the group toward a blood-soaked stretch of land.
• Pigsy and Sun Wukong retreated when the blood’s curse transformed a thrown stone into a strange stone Buddha, and the group decided they could not cross the corrupted region.
• Sun Wukong identified the severed arm as likely belonging to Tathagata Buddha and called for Krakucchanda Buddha, but no one answered.

Sun Wukong and his companions abandoned their journey west after suspecting Tathagata Buddha had been defeated, and they set out for Mount Huaguo. Tang Sanzang was left alone until Zhen Yuanzi appeared and confirmed that Tathagata had fought in the battle.

• Sun Wukong called for Krakucchanda Buddha without receiving an answer, declared the pilgrimage over, and offered to take Tang Sanzang back to Chang'an.
• Pigsy persuaded Sun Wukong, Sha Wujing, and the White Dragon Horse to head for Mount Huaguo and seek the Nine Provinces Divine Sect; Tang Sanzang refused to abandon his mission.
• Sun Wukong, Pigsy, and Sha Wujing departed, while Ao Lie broke through his seal, transformed into a True Dragon, and flew away after Tang Sanzang let him go.
• Tang Sanzang tried to continue alone with the luggage but struggled to walk, until Zhen Yuanzi appeared and healed his sprained ankle.
• Zhen Yuanzi told Tang Sanzang that one side in the earth-shaking battle had been Tathagata Buddha, leaving Tang Sanzang stunned and dispirited.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tang Sanzang learns that Tathagata Buddha's arm was broken by Ding Ling, and the Mount Ling Holy Land has been defeated.
• Zhen Yuanzi, the master of the Five Villages Temple, offers Tang Sanzang shelter and protection.
• Tang Sanzang learns about Ding Ling's deeds and the current situation of his disciples from Zhen Yuanzi.
• Sun Wukong's Tightening Hoop Curse Source and White Dragon Horse's Exotic Beast Curse Source are removed by Ding Ling.

Character Developments

• Tang Sanzang: Loses faith in the Buddha after learning about the defeat of the Mount Ling Holy Land. Becomes more determined to continue his pilgrimage.
• Zhen Yuanzi: Reveals his past grievances with the Buddhist sect and expresses admiration for Ding Ling's abilities.
• Sun Wukong: Gains Ding Ling's favor, has his Tightening Hoop Curse Source removed, and becomes an elder in the God Sect, leading an expedition to conquer the Heavenly Court.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the Buddhist and God Sects, with Ding Ling emerging as a dominant force.
• The removal of curse sources, symbolizing the breaking of limitations and the unlocking of true potential.
• The determination of Tang Sanzang to continue his pilgrimage despite the loss of his spiritual beliefs.

Character Interactions

• Tang Sanzang and Zhen Yuanzi: Tang Sanzang seeks shelter and information from Zhen Yuanzi, who shares his knowledge about Ding Ling and the current situation.
• Ding Ling and Tathagata Buddha: Ding Ling's actions against the Mount Ling Holy Land are discussed, revealing his growing power and influence.
• Sun Wukong and Ding Ling: Ding Ling removes Sun Wukong's Tightening Hoop Curse Source, demonstrating his ability to resolve seemingly impossible problems.

Zhen Yuanzi watched Sun Wukong and his companions rampage through the Heavenly Court, while Tang Sanzang struggled with his complicated feelings about Ding Ling’s influence on his former disciples. Sun Wukong confronted the Jade Emperor, who sought to win over Pigsy and Sha Wujing, and the chapter ended as he sent Sha Wujing a Glazed Lamp.

• Zhen Yuanzi told Tang Sanzang that Ding Ling could unite the Three Realms and described Sun Wukong’s growing strength as he fought through the Heavenly Court.
• Sun Wukong led Pigsy, Sha Wujing, and Ao Lie past the Heavenly Court’s defenders, destroyed the Heavenly Vault Palace, and reached the Hall of Universal Brightness.
• Sun Wukong confronted the Jade Emperor, who claimed he could have killed him five hundred years earlier and said he wanted to negotiate peacefully with Ding Ling.
• The Jade Emperor promised Pigsy that he could restore his former appearance, and Pigsy immediately sided with him.
• The Jade Emperor told Sha Wujing that his suffering in the Moving Sand River had helped him master two Curse Sources, then sent him a Glazed Lamp.

The Jade Emperor restored Pigsy’s former appearance and helped Sha Wujing grow stronger in exchange for Sun Wukong relaying his offer of peace to Ding Ling. Ding Ling accepted the Jade Emperor’s surrender, took the throne, and ordered the gods summoned.

• The Jade Emperor used the Netherworld Yellow Springs Reincarnation Curse Source to restore Pigsy’s handsome human form and asked Sun Wukong to put him in contact with Ding Ling.
• Sun Wukong reported the offer to Ding Ling, who agreed to travel with him to the Heavenly Court.
• The Jade Emperor offered Ding Ling the Jade Emperor’s throne and pledged to obey him rather than continue fighting.
• Ding Ling accepted, sat on the throne, and ordered the Jade Emperor to summon all the gods.
• The Jade Emperor abandoned his plan to test Ding Ling and use the Heavenly Court Cosmos Curse Formation after feeling overwhelmed by Ding Ling’s aura.

The Jade Emperor surrendered to Ding Ling, and the gods of the Heavenly Court bowed to him as the new ruler of the Three Realms. As the news spread, the Buddhist School grew fearful, and Dipankara Buddha left to seek Ding Ling’s favor while Tathagata Buddha realized his plans had collapsed.

• The Jade Emperor submitted to Ding Ling and summoned the living gods to the Hall of Universal Brightness.
• Nezha and the other gods saw Ding Ling’s power and bowed with the Jade Emperor, accepting him as their ruler.
• News of the Heavenly Court’s surrender spread through the Three Realms, prompting Dragon King Ao Qin to celebrate and Li Shimin to order longevity tablets for Ding Ling.
• At Vulture Peak, Dipankara Buddha and the other Buddhist figures urged Tathagata Buddha to negotiate peace with Ding Ling.
• Tathagata Buddha sent Dipankara Buddha to negotiate, but Dipankara hurried to seek Ding Ling’s favor, leaving Tathagata Buddha to recognize that the Journey to the West plan had failed.

Dipankara Buddha negotiated with Ding Ling and began relocating Mount Ling Holy Land’s Arhats and Sangharama after Tathagata Buddha refused to fully submit. As Mount Ling emptied, Tathagata Buddha prepared to fight Ding Ling but admitted he might surrender if defeated, while Bhaisajyaguru Buddha pledged to stand with him.

• Tathagata Buddha abandoned plans to expand and chose to negotiate with Ding Ling after Dipankara Buddha fled and his confidence faltered.
• Dipankara Buddha met Ding Ling, swore allegiance, and obtained an agreement requiring the Buddhist School and Mount Ling Holy Land to join the God Sect.
• Tathagata Buddha accepted the Buddhist School’s incorporation but refused to let its Bodhisattvas and Buddhas be commanded by the God Sect; Ding Ling rejected the restriction.
• Dipankara Buddha proposed relocating Mount Ling Holy Land’s Arhats and Sangharama, then began moving them while telling the Bodhisattvas that Ding Ling had agreed in principle.
• Half a month later, Tathagata Buddha explained that he had allowed the departures to preserve the Buddhist School’s loyal members and said he would fight Ding Ling before submitting if defeat became inevitable.
• Bhaisajyaguru Buddha warned that Ding Ling might kill anyone who resisted and later surrendered, then pledged to fight beside Tathagata Buddha.

Tathagata Buddha wrestled with whether to surrender to Ding Ling, fearing that resistance would destroy the Buddhist School. Ding Ling’s Imperial Decree overwhelmed Tathagata Buddha at Mount Ling Holy Land, and Tathagata ultimately accepted the decree.

• Tathagata Buddha urged Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, Surya Prabha Bodhisattva, and the other survivors to surrender to the Heavenly Court, then reconsidered fighting after sensing a warning from the Sage’s inheritance.
• Dipankara Buddha reported to Ding Ling and was assigned to help Wu Zetian and the others capture the Underworld, while Ding Ling gave Mount Ling Holy Land one month to surrender.
• Sun Wukong volunteered to deliver Ding Ling’s ultimatum and rode to Mount Ling Holy Land carrying the Imperial Decree.
• Tathagata Buddha attacked Sun Wukong, but the Imperial Decree’s seven-colored light dispelled his attack and injured him.
• Tathagata Buddha attacked again, and the Imperial Decree suppressed his techniques and curses until he retreated.
• Bhaisajyaguru Buddha and the others urged Tathagata Buddha to accept the decree, and he submitted while Sun Wukong laughed at his defeat.

Sun Wukong delivered Ding Ling’s decree to Mount Ling Holy Land, and Tathagata Buddha accepted it and agreed to bring his followers to the Heavenly Court. Then Sun Wukong formed the Demon Clan Divine Wind Squad, recruiting Black Wind Monster, his brothers, and Zhen Yuanzi; the chapter ended with Sun Wukong and Zhen Yuanzi sizing each other up.

• Sun Wukong read Ding Ling’s decree declaring Mount Ling Holy Land part of the Nine Provinces Divine Sect and warning that anyone who refused would be killed.
• Tathagata Buddha accepted the decree, and he ordered Bhaisajyaguru Buddha and the others to go with him to the Hall of Universal Brightness.
• Sun Wukong returned to the Heavenly Court, then traveled to Xiniu Hezhou to recruit demons for the Demon Clan Divine Wind Squad under his command.
• Sun Wukong recruited Black Wind Monster, who also brought his brothers White-Clothed Scholar and Ling Xuzi into the team.
• Black Wind Monster invited Zhen Yuanzi to join the Nine Provinces Divine Sect, and Zhen Yuanzi agreed before asking to meet Sun Wukong.
• Sun Wukong and Zhen Yuanzi met in the void and sensed each other’s formidable power and potential.

Zhen Yuanzi asked Sun Wukong to introduce him to Ding Ling, while Tang Sanzang learned that Mount Ling Holy Land had pledged allegiance to the Nine Provinces Divine Sect and saw his faith collapse. Sun Wukong then led his squad to Fire Cloud Cave, where he defeated Red Boy, who chose death rather than surrender.

• Zhen Yuanzi sparred with Sun Wukong, acknowledged his strength, and asked him to introduce him to Ding Ling so he could seek discipleship.
• Sun Wukong gave Zhen Yuanzi a letter and agreed to act as his introducer at the Hall of Universal Brightness.
• Sun Wukong told Tang Sanzang that Mount Ling Holy Land had pledged allegiance to the Nine Provinces Divine Sect, shattering Tang Sanzang's belief in Buddha's invincibility.
• Sun Wukong refused to rejoin Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West plan, advised him to pledge allegiance to the God Sect, and continued west with Pigsy and the Demon Clan Divine Wind Squad.
• At Fire Cloud Cave, Red Boy attacked Sun Wukong with the Samadhi True Fire Curse Source; Sun Wukong perfected his Taiji Ball and defeated him after a fierce battle.
• Red Boy refused to surrender and took his own life, leaving Sun Wukong to reflect on how much he had changed.

Sun Wukong’s westward journey continued as Great King Inspiration and Unicorn Si regretted not joining Ding Ling’s faction sooner, while Pigsy took pride in his own timely allegiance. In Daughter Country, the queen learned that Wish-Fulfilling True Immortal had been killed and hurried to meet his slayers.

• Sun Wukong made Great King Inspiration serve as a scout and help clear roads after he surrendered, leaving him envious of Pigsy’s rise through Ding Ling’s favor.
• Unicorn Si surrendered to Sun Wukong after being defeated, joined the Demon Clan Divine Wind Squad, and ended up clearing roads alongside Great King Inspiration.
• Pigsy reflected gratefully on joining Ding Ling’s faction early, while Great King Inspiration and Unicorn Si privately regretted missing their chance to do the same.
• The chapter described how Wish-Fulfilling True Immortal oppressed the Queen of the Daughter Kingdom by demanding women and controlling access to the Fetus-Removing Spring.
• General Lian reported that Wish-Fulfilling True Immortal had been killed outside the Gathering Immortal Temple, and the queen rushed to welcome Sun Wukong and the other slayers.