Chapter Summaries

Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa explored Earth together before reaching the Island Nation, where they confronted the evil gods gathered at its shrines. After Chen Xuan erased the shrine’s evil gods, Great God Nuwa sensed one powerful evil god remaining on a mountain.

• The Primordial World big shots split up to search Earth while Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa set out to visit famous sites together.
• Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa spent three days sightseeing, eating, and playing before traveling to the Island Nation.
• Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa found evil energy around the Island Nation’s shrines and confronted a guardian whose sword broke against Chen Xuan’s clothing.
• Great God Nuwa crushed a bull-headed evil god, then learned the Island Nation’s history and reacted with disgust.
• Chen Xuan erased the evil gods gathered at the shrines, and Great God Nuwa sensed a powerful one on a mountain summit.

Susanoo released the Eight-Headed Serpent from Mount Fuji to help him fight Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa, but Nuwa killed the serpent with ease. Chen Xuan then killed Susanoo and searched his memories, discovering that the Island Nation's gods were working with the West to revive mythology and seize control of Earth.

• Susanoo freed the Eight-Headed Serpent from beneath Mount Fuji and persuaded it to join him against Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa.
• The Eight-Headed Serpent attacked Great God Nuwa, who shattered its teeth, seized it in her palm, searched its soul, and annihilated it.
• Chen Xuan confronted Susanoo, rejected his offer of entry to Takama-ga-hara, and shattered the Muramasa Blade before turning Susanoo to ashes.
• Chen Xuan examined Susanoo's memories and learned that Takama-ga-hara was linked to Earth's mythological revival and that the Island Nation's wild gods were conspiring with the West to control Earth.

Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa explored the changing Earth, where Spiritual Energy was awakening sea life and a mysterious seal beneath the planet was causing it to expand. As Earth faced the revival of mythology, they prepared to return to the Primordial Wilderness and investigate the coming Journey to the West Calamity.

• Great God Nuwa empowered a mutated electric fish to half-immortal strength and ordered it to rule the seas while leaving the lands to the east alone.
• Eastern Emperor Taiyi reported that the sun was developing a Fire Essence, while Di Jun revealed that he and his brother had supplied it with Spiritual Energy.
• Wangshu reported that the moon was reviving beneath the Laurel Tree, and Changxi announced plans to build a villa and tourism business there.
• Empress Ping Xin revealed a sealed source of origin power beneath Earth's core that was nourishing the planet and contributing to its expansion.
• Fuxi reported that Earth's severed dragon veins were repairing themselves and warned that structures built over them could suffer backlash.
• Chen Xuan and Great God Nuwa decided to return to the Primordial Wilderness for the coming Journey to the West Calamity, and Sect Leader Tongtian volunteered to patrol the chaos.

As the great calamity continued, Chen Xuan learned that Yu Feiyan was evolving the Chaos Bead into Three Realms and proposed that he split his soul so the world could mature. Unsure whether to agree, Chen Xuan went to the Netherworld to seek advice from Dizang.

• Chen Xuan and the other immortals parted after discussing the suffering of the age and the need to prepare for the calamity.
• Yu Feiyan revealed that the Chaos Bead was forming a mortal realm, with plans to create immortal and divine realms as well.
• Yu Feiyan proposed that Chen Xuan split his soul, sending one part to reincarnate while the other remained with his true body.
• After considering her proposal, Chen Xuan went to the Netherworld and spoke with Dizang, who described Buddhism's compassion for suffering beings.

Chen Xuan split off part of his soul and sent it into reincarnation with Empress Ping Xin’s help, planning for it to grow stronger in the mortal world before merging with the Chaos Bead. He stayed in the Netherworld to recover as the Sui and Tang era began and immortals descended into the lower realm.

• Chen Xuan visited the Netherworld, greeted Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Palace Yama Kings, and followed Xuanming into the Six Paths.
• Chen Xuan told Empress Ping Xin that he would help her transform into the Great Dao of Samsara by killing the Samsara Demon God, then asked her to assist with his reincarnation.
• Empress Ping Xin protected Chen Xuan as he split off part of his soul, and she sent one soul into reincarnation in the mortal world.
• Chen Xuan stayed in the Netherworld to recover while Xuanming and Empress Ping Xin fed him, then learned that he had no fixed identity in the lower realm.
• The Sui and Tang Dynasties began in the lower realm as immortals from Heaven descended to help end the era of chaos.

Li Xuan, a reincarnated soul, was born as Li Shimin’s son and gradually regained his memories while growing up in the Prince of Qin’s household. As the Xuanwu Gate Incident approached, he began martial training and revealed his extraordinary strength, just as the coup erupted.

• Li Xuan awakened as an infant in Changsun Wugou’s care and realized he had been reborn as Li Shimin’s fourth son.
• After recovering his past-life memories around age three, Li Xuan recognized his family and the brewing conflict between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng.
• Li Xuan grew up cherished by Changsun Wugou and his siblings, while the succession struggle continued to intensify.
• Li Xuan began cultivating despite his incomplete soul, then chose martial arts when cultivation proved difficult.
• Li Xuan refused Li Shimin’s offer to find him a martial arts teacher and demonstrated strength that astonished Li Shimin and Changsun Wugou.
• When Li Xuan was about five, the Xuanwu Gate Incident erupted.

After Li Shimin’s coup began, Li Xuan protected Empress Zhangsun and his siblings from an attacker working for Wutian, then warned that Jieli Khan was marching toward the Wei River. Li Shimin prepared for his enthronement as Empress Zhangsun sent word about the coming threat.

• Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji hurried to the palace, but Li Shimin and his allies ambushed them at Xuanwu Gate and killed them before forcing Li Yuan to abdicate.
• Rebels attacked Empress Zhangsun’s residence, and Li Xuan struck down a cultivator who revealed himself as one of Wutian’s subordinates.
• Li Xuan told his siblings that the Human Emperor could not cultivate and warned Empress Zhangsun that Jieli Khan would soon reach the Wei River.
• Li Er returned to check on his family, learned of Li Xuan’s intervention, and left again to handle affairs of state.
• Empress Zhangsun sent a report about Jieli Khan’s advance, while Zhangsun Wuji told Li Shimin that his enthronement ceremony was arranged for three days later.

After Li Xuan warned Li Er that Jieli Khan would attack Tang at the Wei River, Li Er prepared for the invasion and ascended the throne. He then offered Li Xuan the Crown Prince position, but Li Xuan challenged him over the dangers of succession and the precedent set by the Xuanwu Gate, leaving Li Er furious.

• A messenger reported Li Xuan's warning that Jieli Khan had sent troops toward the Wei River, and Li Er summoned the court to prepare.
• Officials from the Five Great Clans dismissed the warning and proposed negotiating peace, but Li Er ordered an investigation and mobilization.
• Li Er completed his enthronement ceremony, and a week later Tang confirmed Jieli Khan's surprise advance by water.
• Li Er sent Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong to attack Jieli Khan's forces, then moved Li Xuan into the palace.
• Li Er offered to make Li Xuan Crown Prince, but Li Xuan questioned the succession and condemned Li Er for creating a precedent of fathers guarding against their sons.
• Li Er threatened Li Xuan with death or house arrest, but Li Xuan dared him to try and urged him to be a good Emperor.

After rejecting the throne, Li Xuan left the palace to cultivate and saved the scholar Chen Guangrui from bandits. As Li Xuan headed into the mountains, Chen Guangrui bound with the Many Children, Many Blessings System and received its beginner reward.

• Li Xuan warned Li Er against turning family disputes into a bloody struggle for succession, then flew away from the palace to cultivate.
• On the road outside the city, Li Xuan kicked the bandit chief and drove off the bandits who were robbing Chen Guangrui.
• Chen Guangrui thanked Li Xuan, introduced himself, and promised to repay him after placing first in the imperial examination.
• Li Xuan gave Chen Guangrui money and left for the mountains, recognizing him as Tang Sanzang's father.
• The Many Children, Many Blessings System appeared to Chen Guangrui, bound with him, and awarded him the complete collection of Tang poetry and Song lyrics.

Chen Guangrui arrived in Chang'an, entered a poetry contest at Flower Moon Tower, and won with a famous poem about farmers. The system rewarded him with papermaking techniques and peerless-master strength, leaving him eager to test his new power.

• The system gave Chen Guangrui missions to make his name in Chang'an and marry Yin Wenjiao, with generous rewards promised for both.
• Chen Guangrui arrived in Chang'an, learned of a poetry gathering at Flower Moon Tower, and submitted a poem on compassion for farmers.
• Wen Tianjiao chose Chen Guangrui's poem, “Pity the Farmers,” as the winner, and the crowd celebrated his talent.
• Wen Tianjiao played a song for Chen Guangrui, while the system announced that he had completed his mission.
• Chen Guangrui received papermaking techniques and the strength of a peerless master, then marveled at his newfound power.

Chen Guangrui defeated the prominent clans’ enforcers, rose to become the Top Scholar, and married Yin Wenjiao. After presenting salt-making technology to Li Er and gaining further rewards from his system, he became a father, and Tang Sanzang was born.

• Chen Guangrui beat the eighteen men Cui Chengwen sent against him, then accepted Wen Tianjiao’s help with his career and spent the night with her.
• After Li Er opened the imperial examinations, Chen Guangrui placed first and met Yin Wenjiao, whose father, Yin Kaishan, agreed to their marriage.
• Chen Guangrui received the Everlasting Spring Technique and salt-production technology from his system, then presented white salt and the technology to Li Er.
• Chen Guangrui later asked Li Er to take Wen Tianjiao as his concubine and developed papermaking.
• Yin Wenjiao gave birth to a son, and Chen Guangrui’s system rewarded him with Golden Core stage cultivation as the gods and Buddhas turned their gaze toward the Great Tang.

Tathagata and Haotian prepared for the coming Nirvana Great Tribulation and the Journey to the West, while Sect Leader Tongtian summoned his brothers to the chaos. He revealed that he had severed his Saint position and begun cultivating as a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal, leaving Taishang Laozi and Yuqing Yuanshi stunned.

• Tathagata ordered the Five Directions Jiedi to protect Jinzizi and sent Cihang the Great Bodhisattva to guide him into Buddhist cultivation.
• Venerable Wen Jing warned Tathagata about Luohu, Wutian, and Kui Gang, then revealed that she had visited the later age.
• Haotian and Yaochi Golden Mother discussed the approaching Nirvana Great Tribulation and the possibility of a new Saint.
• Sect Leader Tongtian invited Taishang Laozi and Yuqing Yuanshi to meet him in the chaos and served them Enlightenment Tea.
• Sect Leader Tongtian told his brothers he had severed his Saint position, and Yuqing Yuanshi demanded to know how he had done it.

The Lord Tongtian revealed that he had escaped the Heavenly Dao’s control and urged Yuqing Yuanshi and Taiqing Laozi to join him in facing the Journey to the West tribulation. Meanwhile, Ancient Buddha Randeng grew suspicious of the Buddhist plans, and Chen Guangrui’s comfortable life was interrupted when his son Chen Xuanzang said he wanted to become a monk.

• The Lord Tongtian told Yuqing Yuanshi and Taiqing Laozi that he had severed his Saint status after visiting the mysterious place Chen Xuan came from, then asked them to join him.
• Yuqing Yuanshi and Taiqing Laozi agreed to trust the Lord Tongtian, and the three brothers raised a cup together.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng warned Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti that the Journey to the West had drifted beyond their control, then left to investigate.
• Daoist Jieyin ordered Kong Xuan to monitor the situation and kill anyone who tried to break the deadlock.
• Chen Guangrui received cultivation, spirit stones, an immortal sword, and the Seventy-Two Transformations from his system after fathering ten sons.
• Chen Xuanzang told Chen Guangrui that he wanted to become a monk.

Chen Xuanzang chose immortal cultivation over becoming a monk after Chen Guangrui gave him a Foundation Establishment Pill, while Li Shimin worried about Li Xuan’s return to Chang'an. Li Xuan arrived in the city and attended a gathering at the Changsun residence, where he spotted Cihang.

• Chen Xuanzang told Chen Guangrui and Yin Wenjiao that he wanted to become a monk, but Chen Guangrui gave him a Foundation Establishment Pill to try immortal cultivation first.
• Chen Xuanzang swallowed the pill, reached the Qi Refining stage, and agreed to pursue cultivation and serve the Great Tang.
• Empress Changsun told Li Shimin that Li Xuan was returning, and Li Shimin ordered the Buliangren to keep watching him.
• Li Xuan returned to Chang'an, learned that Chen Guangrui’s reforms had transformed the city, and followed a young master to a gathering at the Changsun residence.
• Li Xuan entered the residence, met Li Qiuya, and recognized Cihang among the guests.

At a poetry gathering, Cihang tried to persuade Chen Xuanzang to embrace Buddhism, but Li Xuan challenged her claims and argued that scholars should focus on improving people’s lives. The crowd rallied behind Li Xuan, and Cihang was left unable to divine who he was.

• Li Qiuya introduced herself to Li Xuan, and the two watched the poetry gathering while she poured wine.
• Cihang, disguised as a scholar, argued that the Mahayana path could save all beings and urged Chen Xuanzang to take refuge in Buddhism.
• Chen Xuanzang resisted Cihang’s spiritual pressure and argued that enlightenment, not Buddhism or Daoism, was the root of understanding.
• Li Xuan stood up, broke Cihang’s influence over the crowd, and said that scholars should address hunger, honest governance, opportunity, and the people’s living conditions.
• The students praised Li Xuan’s ideas and said they would follow him, while Cihang failed to divine his identity.

Li Xuan revealed himself as the long-absent Fourth Prince at a Changsun residence poetry gathering and encouraged Chen Xuanzang with a four-line mantra. He returned to the palace with his family, where Empress Zhangsun welcomed him and Li Er was left ignored.

• A scholar challenged Li Xuan’s identity, but Crown Prince Li Chengqian recognized him as his Fourth Brother, revealing that Li Xuan was the returned prince.
• Li Tai and Li Lizhi welcomed Li Xuan, and he told the gathering to resume its poetry and couplets.
• Li Xuan called Chen Xuanzang over and gave him a four-line admonition that inspired him and signaled Li Xuan’s protection.
• Li Qiuya joined Li Xuan and Li Lizhi, and Li Chengqian invited Li Xuan to a family banquet in the palace.
• Empress Zhangsun joyfully greeted Li Xuan, while he ignored Li Er and sat beside Grand Emperor Li Yuan.

Li Xuan argued with Li Er over how Great Tang could become a true golden age, then confronted Cihang the Great Bodhisattva when she came to warn him not to interfere with the Journey to the West. Cihang withdrew, but prepared to spread the rumor that eating Tang Monk’s flesh granted immortality and Grand Unity Golden Immortal status.

• Li Xuan told Li Er that Great Tang needed to value technology, commerce, and enlightened laws, and Li Er agreed to work toward that goal.
• After the meal, Li Xuan sensed Cihang the Great Bodhisattva approaching his private palace.
• Li Xuan revealed that he knew Cihang’s history from the Investiture of the Gods War and challenged her threats by invoking Human Race Destiny.
• Cihang warned Li Xuan not to obstruct the Journey to the West and then returned to her South Sea dojo.
• Cihang decided to spread the rumor that eating Chen Xuanzang’s flesh could grant immortality and make someone a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

North Sea demons set out to hunt Tang Monk after rumors promised immortality and breakthroughs, while Ancestor Kunpeng stayed out of the calamity. Kui Gang returned at the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm and allied with Wutian to divide power over the east and west, with Wutian admitting he spread the rumors to stir the journey west calamity.

• Bai Ze watched North Sea demons depart for the East Victory Continent after Crown Prince Lu Ya approved rumors about Jinzizi and Tang Monk's flesh.
• Ancestor Kunpeng told visiting demons to let the fools go, warning that joining the killing tribulation would bring calamity upon them.
• Rumors about Tang Monk spread across the ancient primordial world and grew into claims that eating his flesh could grant anything from immortality to rule over the Three Realms.
• Kui Gang returned after centuries of reincarnation, absorbed the resentment of human tribulations, and rose to the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm.
• Wutian welcomed Kui Gang, and the two agreed to join forces, with Kui Gang seeking the Heavenly Emperor's throne and Wutian aiming to become Buddha Ancestor.
• Wutian told Kui Gang that he had helped spread the Tang Monk rumors to draw the great calamity onto the journey west.

Luohu entered the Primordial World and sought an alliance with Ping Xin, Xuanming, and Chen Xuan against Hongjun. Ping Xin rejected his offer, though Luohu warned that Hongjun had gathered several Demon Gods and that the coming calamity offered a chance to seize control of Heaven and Earth.

• Luohu appeared before Wutian and Kui Gang, praised their Quasi-Saint breakthroughs, and proposed seeking Ping Xin's support against Hongjun.
• Luohu, Wutian, and Kui Gang traveled through the Asura Blood Sea, where Minghe sensed Luohu's presence and decided to wait and see.
• In the Netherworld, Chen Xuan rested with Ping Xin and Xuanming until they sensed Luohu arriving with Wutian and Kui Gang.
• Ping Xin, Xuanming, and Chen Xuan met Luohu, who admitted that he wanted their cooperation to overthrow Hongjun and take control of the Primordial World.
• Ping Xin refused to ally with Luohu, but he warned that Hongjun had gathered Yang Mei and several Demon Gods and urged her to reconsider before the calamity.

Empress Ping Xin rejected Luohu’s alliance and drove him, Wutian, and Kui Gang from the Netherworld, while Chen Xuan refused to join them. Ancestor Minghe then sought Chen Xuan’s help to advance toward Sainthood, and Chen Xuan offered him a chance to temper himself with Human Dao’s Destiny.

• Empress Ping Xin refused Luohu’s offer, saying she would not risk the Primordial World’s living beings, and Chen Xuan also rejected him.
• Empress Ping Xin forced Luohu, Wutian, and Kui Gang beyond the Six Paths, ending the clash.
• Ancestor Minghe arrived in the Netherworld and greeted Empress Ping Xin, Chen Xuan, and Xuanming before entering the hall with Chen Xuan to discuss his purpose.
• Ancestor Minghe asked whether he could still become a Saint, and Chen Xuan explained that the path required merit, perseverance, and fortune.
• Chen Xuan offered to send Ancestor Minghe to a place where he might gain enlightenment, warning that he would become one of Chen Xuan’s allies.
• Chen Xuan told Ancestor Minghe to visit his mortal-world clone and absorb Human Dao’s Destiny, and Minghe readily agreed.