Chapter Summaries

Yuanshi watched Ran Deng leave Chan Sect as Immortal Nanji resurrected Jiang Ziya in Xiqi’s camp. Ran Deng and the Jade Void immortals arrived to face the Ten Absolute Formations, but he stopped the eager immortals from charging in.

• Yuanshi watched Ran Deng depart for Xiqi and lamented that Chan Sect could not keep him.
• Immortal Nanji used Three Lights Divine Water and the Pure Lotus to restore Jiang Ziya’s body and soul.
• Jiang Ziya recovered his memories, thanked Immortal Nanji, and bowed toward Yuanshi in gratitude.
• Jiang Ziya’s return lifted the spirits of the Xiqi army as Ran Deng led the Jade Void immortals to the Ten Absolute Formations.
• Ran Deng warned the immortals not to enter the dangerous formations, while True Man Taiyi pulled Nezha back from charging in.

Ran Deng ordered the Jade Void disciples to be sacrificed as offerings to the Ten Absolute Formations before the Golden Immortals attacked. When Deng Hua entered the formation, a Qilin intervened to save him and died, its soul entering the Investiture of the Gods.

• Ran Deng declared that one disciple had to enter each formation as an offering before a Golden Immortal could break it, and the other Golden Immortals accepted the plan despite objections from Taiyi, Nezha, and Yang Jian.
• Taiyi, Nezha, and Yang Jian left the camp in protest, while Nezha considered pursuing the hidden route Yang Jian had mentioned to join the Investiture of the Gods.
• Ran Deng ordered Deng Hua to scout the Ten Absolute Formations, and Deng Hua obeyed and entered them alone.
• As the formation’s killing force threatened Deng Hua, a Qilin rushed in and shielded him with its body.
• The Qilin kicked Deng Hua out of the formation, then charged into its baleful force and died, sending its soul to the Investiture of the Gods.

After witnessing the Chan Sect sacrifice divine beings to break the Heaven-Extinguishing Formation and celebrate the victory, Deng Hua lost all faith in Jade Void. As he left the camp, Yang Jian offered him a path to survival, leaving Deng Hua to decide whether he dared take it.

• Deng Hua grieved over the contrast between the Chan Sect’s treatment of its disciples and Kirin Ancestor’s sacrifice to save him.
• Daoist Wenshu entered the Heaven-Extinguishing Formation, where a Dragon Clan expert blocked his attack on Qin Wan, and both perished as the formation broke.
• Xiqi and the Jade Void immortals celebrated their victory without acknowledging the divine beings who had sacrificed themselves.
• Deng Hua watched the celebration with contempt, abandoned the camp, and resolved to leave Jade Void behind.
• Yang Jian and Nezha comforted Deng Hua, and Yang Jian offered him a true place to go if he dared accept it.

Yang Jian recruited Deng Hua into the Kongtong Sect after the kirin’s sacrifice severed his fate with the Investiture of the Gods. At the Ten Absolute Formations, the Kirin Clan sacrificed another warrior so Juliusun could kill Zhao Jiang, whose unresisting death alerted the Chan Sect and forced Wen Zhong to warn the other clans to hide their plan.

• Yang Jian invited Deng Hua to leave the Chan Sect and join the Kongtong Sect, and Deng Hua accepted and set out for Xuanyuan City.
• Nezha teased Yang Jian about recruiting a Chan Sect disciple, and Yang Jian said he would call on his master if Ran Deng or the others challenged him.
• Daoxing Heavenly Venerate pushed Han Dulong toward the Earth-Splitting Formation, but a Kirin Clan expert intervened and sacrificed himself inside it.
• Juliusun exploited the formation’s flaw to bind and kill Zhao Jiang, breaking the Earth-Splitting Formation.
• Juliusun and the Chan Sect immortals questioned why Zhao Jiang had not resisted, while Wen Zhong realized their behavior risked exposing their plan.
• Wen Zhong secretly contacted the Dragon Clan, and the Jie Sect, Dragon Clan, and Kirin Clan agreed to pursue places on the God Conferment list more cautiously and in rotation.

Wen Zhong arranged for Golden Light Holy Mother and the Dragon Clan to guard the Golden Light Formation, while the Kirin Clan volunteered to sacrifice its members to help the Chan Sect break the Ten Absolute Formations. The Chan Sect destroyed the Golden Light, Wind Roar, Cold Ice, and Blood Melting Formations, leaving its forces emboldened as the campaign continued.

• Wen Zhong arranged for Golden Light Holy Mother to preside over the Golden Light Formation with Dragon Clan cultivators guarding it, while Kirin Clan experts offered to sacrifice themselves before the formations.
• A Kirin Clan cultivator broke the Golden Light Formation’s core restriction, and Guang Chengzi killed Golden Light Holy Mother and the Dragon Clan cultivator with the Seal of Heaven-Turning.
• A Kirin Clan cultivator exposed the Wind Roar Formation’s flaw, allowing Daoist Cihang to kill Dong Quan and the Dragon Clan cultivator and break the formation.
• A Kirin Clan cultivator melted the Cold Ice Formation’s core ice, and Puxian True Person killed Yuan Jiao and the Dragon Clan cultivator, collapsing the formation.
• A Kirin Clan cultivator endured the Blood Melting Divine Poison and exposed the formation’s weakness, after which Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun slew Sun Liang and the Dragon Clan cultivator and broke the formation.

Lu Ya arrived to help the Chan Sect break the Blazing Flame Formation, killing its Jie Sect and Dragon Clan defenders with the Immortal Slaying Flying Knife. The Chan Sect then broke the Soul-Depressing Formation, leaving only two of the Ten Absolute Formations standing.

• The Blazing Flame Formation’s Samadhi True Fire consumed a Kirin Clan cultivator who had tried to open a flaw, leaving the Chan Sect unable to break the formation.
• Lu Ya appeared and told the Chan Sect immortals that he had come on his father’s orders to help them.
• Wen Zhong and the Dragon Clan leaders sent their cultivators into the formation, where Lu Ya used the Immortal Slaying Flying Knife to kill them and break the formation.
• The Chan Sect advanced to the Soul-Depressing Formation, and a Kirin Clan cultivator sacrificed himself to expose the formation master, Yao Bin.
• Chi Jingzi entered the formation, defeated Yao Bin, and broke the Soul-Depressing Formation.

The Chan Sect broke the Flood Formation, leaving the Red Sand Formation as the final obstacle before Zhaoge’s army. Ran Deng ordered Nezha and Lei Zhenzi to take Martial King Ji Fa inside, where a Kirin Clan cultivator sacrificed himself to restore Ji Fa just before he died.

• A Kirin Clan cultivator sacrificed himself to open the Flood Formation’s core restrictions, and True Lord Qingxu Daode defeated Wang Bian and destroyed the formation.
• Ran Deng identified Ji Fa’s human fortune and Xiqi dragon qi as necessary to break the Red Sand Formation and ordered Nezha and Lei Zhenzi to escort him inside.
• Jiang Ziya objected, but Ran Deng’s Quasi-Saint aura immobilized him, and Nezha and Lei Zhenzi carried Ji Fa into the formation.
• Red sand trapped Lei Zhenzi and nearly killed Ji Fa, while Nezha pretended to be trapped and watched without helping.
• A Kirin Clan cultivator entered the formation and burned his soul and body to pour his blood essence and life force into Ji Fa, then died and entered the Investiture of the Gods.

Immortal Nanji broke the Red Sand Formation and rescued Ji Fa, who concealed his resentment toward Chan Sect and forgot the Kirin Clan’s sacrifice. In the Underworld, Empress Houtu told Zhao Gongming that he had an opportunity to become a saint, leaving him stunned and eager to know whether she was serious.

• After a hundred days, Ran Deng brought Immortal Nanji to the Red Sand Formation, where Nanji used the Five Fire Seven Bird Fan and Jade Ruyi to destroy the formation and kill Zhang Shao.
• The Xiqi forces rescued Ji Fa, who hid his killing intent toward Ran Deng and secretly vowed to make Chan Sect’s immortals repay their mistreatment after the great tribulation.
• The crowd celebrated Ji Fa’s rescue without remembering or mourning the Kirin Clan, whose members had sacrificed themselves to protect him.
• Empress Houtu summoned Zhao Gongming from his duties in the Underworld and asked how long he had served there.
• Houtu praised Zhao Gongming’s service and offered him an opportunity to become a saint, prompting him to ask whether her words were true.

Houtu sent Zhao Gongming into the Investiture of the Gods to seek a Saint position while secretly placing him in the Heavenly Court as the Netherworld’s agent. Zhao Gongming reached the mortal realm and met Wen Zhong, who asked him to help Great Shang.

• Houtu assured Zhao Gongming that he could hold offices in both the Heavenly Court and the Underworld without losing his freedom.
• Houtu secretly branded Zhao Gongming with a Reincarnation Mark and instructed him to enter the Investiture list with his fleshly body and keep the method secret.
• Zhao Gongming left the Netherworld and headed for the Great Shang army camp as Great Shang suffered defeats and Wen Zhong went to seek aid from Golden Ao Island.
• Wen Zhong met Zhao Gongming at the passage between the Immortal and Mortal Realms and asked him to save Great Shang.
• Zhao Gongming said he had come to assist Great Shang and told Wen Zhong to take him to the army camp.

Zhao Gongming turned the tide of the war for Great Shang and drove Xiqi deep into retreat. In Xiqi, Lu Ya presented the Seven Arrows Book of the Nail-Headed and began a ritual aimed at Zhao Gongming.

• Zhao Gongming empowered the Shang Army and helped Wen Zhong recover lost territory and push into Xiqi.
• Jiang Ziya asked the Chan Sect Immortals to face Zhao Gongming, but none dared volunteer.
• Lu Ya entered the command tent and revealed the Seven Arrows Book of the Nail-Headed as a way to kill Zhao Gongming through a straw effigy.
• Nezha considered secretly replacing Zhao Gongming's name on the effigy, but Yang Jian warned him against interfering.
• Lu Ya went to the prepared altar and unfurled the Seven Arrows Book beside the bound, talisman-covered straw effigy.

Lu Ya used the Seven Arrows Book of the Nail-Headed to curse Zhao Gongming, but Zhao recognized the spell and accepted it as an opportunity to answer the Investiture of the Gods calamity. The next morning, Zhao challenged the Xiqi immortals to fight, and the chapter left them silent and afraid to respond.

• Lu Ya wrote Zhao Gongming’s name on a straw effigy and used the Seven Arrows Book of the Nail-Headed to bind his fate with a curse.
• Zhao Gongming sensed the curse in the Great Shang camp and identified Lu Ya as its source, while Wen Zhong worried about the treasure’s deadly power.
• Zhao told Wen Zhong he would accept the calamity, but said he still needed to enter the danger himself to complete his ascent onto the list.
• At daybreak, Zhao Gongming strode out alone and challenged the Chan Sect immortals at Xiqi to fight.
• The Xiqi immortals stayed silent, and Zhao taunted them for hiding while daring them to face him.

Daoist Randeng attacked Zhao Gongming, but Zhao Gongming used manifestations of the Book of Life and Death and the Judge's Brush to defeat him and reveal the Underworld's authority. Houtu and Feng Hui Xi watched from the Reincarnation Hall, where Houtu admitted she had quietly enabled Zhao Gongming's display.

• Daoist Randeng attacked Zhao Gongming with the Qian Kun Ruler, and the two fought above the armies while the Seven Arrows Book curse weakened Zhao Gongming.
• As Primordial Great Powers watched, Zhao Gongming stopped holding back and summoned manifestations of the Book of Life and Death and the Judge's Brush.
• Zhao Gongming struck Randeng with reincarnation power, sending him crashing before the Xiqi ranks and leaving him wounded.
• Zhao Gongming explained that the treasures were only manifestations, while the watching powers recalled Houtu's authority over reincarnation.
• Feng Hui Xi praised Houtu for the display, and Houtu said she had only worried that Zhao Gongming lacked a decent Magic Treasure.

Houtu sent Feng Hui Xi fleeing from the Reincarnation Hall, while Zhao Gongming’s battle with Ran Deng turned when the Treasure-Dropping Coin fell from Xiao Qingqing into Ran Deng’s path. Ran Deng claimed the treasure, and a force tied to the Heavenly Dao suppressed his doubts about its sudden appearance.

• Houtu teased Feng Hui Xi by threatening to send him to Eldest Senior Sister, and he hurriedly fled the Reincarnation Hall.
• Ran Deng trapped Zhao Gongming in the Qian Kun Prison Cage with the Qian Kun Diagram and escaped.
• While fishing beside the Yellow River, Xiao Qingqing dropped the Treasure-Dropping Coin into the water, and Shennong teased her about trying to help Zhao Gongming.
• The coin traveled to the mortal battlefield, struck Ran Deng on the head, and fell beside him.
• Ran Deng recognized and picked up the Treasure-Dropping Coin, but Heavenly Dao tribulation power overwhelmed his doubts about how it had appeared.

Ran Deng used the Treasure-Dropping Coin to disarm Zhao Gongming, but the captured treasures vanished because they were only manifestations of Empress Houtu’s Dao Resonance. As Zhao Gongming escaped and Ran Deng discovered he had paid no Auspicious Qi, Dao Venerable Xuan Qing’s trap began to reveal itself when Buddhism’s Auspicious Qi mysteriously dwindled.

• Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao escaped their destined deaths after Xiao had taken the Treasure-Dropping Coin and severed their Karma.
• Ran Deng used the Treasure-Dropping Coin to seize Zhao Gongming’s Book of Life and Death and Judge’s Brush, but they dissolved into Reincarnation aura.
• Ran Deng attacked with the Qian Kun Ruler and Qian Kun Diagram, while Zhao Gongming fled after suffering the coin’s backlash.
• Ran Deng realized his Auspicious Qi had not diminished, despite believing that activating the Treasure-Dropping Coin would consume it.
• Shennong praised Venerable for drawing Buddhism into the Great Tribulation, and Venerable explained that he meant to involve Buddhism in Xiqi and pressure Great Shang.
• Zhunti and Jieyin discovered that a small portion of Buddhism’s Auspicious Qi had vanished without a trace.

Jieyin and Zhunti traced the loss of Buddhism’s Auspicious Qi to Ran Deng’s Treasure-Dropping Coin and concluded that Venerable Xiao was pressuring them to join the Investiture of the Gods. They sent Buddhist disciples to reinforce Xiqi, while Shennong marveled at Venerable Xiao’s influence over the unfolding events.

• Jieyin and Zhunti discovered that Buddhism had lost a wisp of Auspicious Qi and connected it to Ran Deng’s use of the Treasure-Dropping Coin.
• Jieyin and Zhunti recalled the coin’s ties to the human race and suspected Venerable Xiao had used it to warn them about their secret dealings with Ran Deng.
• Jieyin persuaded Zhunti that Venerable Xiao wanted Buddhism to enter the Investiture of the Gods rather than remain on the sidelines.
• Jieyin and Zhunti decided to send Golden Immortal and Primordial Unity Golden Immortal disciples to support Xiqi and secure Buddhism a foothold in the Heavenly Court.
• Buddhist disciples crossed into the mortal realm and marched toward Xiqi as Shennong admired Venerable Xiao’s far-reaching plans.

Xiao reflected on how his casual loan of the Treasure-Dropping Coin had set off far-reaching changes, while Zhao Gongming returned to Golden Ao Island seeking a replacement weapon. Yunxiao welcomed him and agreed to help, leaving Zhao Gongming poised to borrow Bi Xiao’s Golden Dragon Scissors.

• Xiao denied to himself that he had deliberately arranged the chain of events and continued fishing as Shennong admired his supposed schemes.
• Zhao Gongming fled to Golden Ao Island after the Treasure-Dropping Coin broke the Book of Life and Death and Judge's Brush, and he resolved to face Ran Deng again once he found a suitable spiritual treasure.
• Yunxiao reprimanded the Jie Sect disciples for neglecting cultivation during the Great Tribulation, and they hurried back to their cave abodes.
• Zhao Gongming praised Yunxiao's authority in the Jie Sect, and Yunxiao welcomed him and offered to help with his urgent business.
• Zhao Gongming asked to borrow Bi Xiao's Golden Dragon Scissors and explained that the Reincarnation Saint had sealed his Primordial Hammer in the Reincarnation Secret Realm.

Zhao Gongming received Yunxiao’s Golden Dragon Scissors and used them to defeat Ran Deng, drive the Chan Sect forces from the battlefield, and terrify Xiqi into refusing battle. As Lu Ya’s Seven Arrows Book began harming Zhao Gongming, Wen Zhong sent Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi to Mount Qi, where Yang Jian and Nezha ambushed them.

• Yunxiao gave Zhao Gongming the Golden Dragon Scissors and warned him to take care on the Investiture of the Gods battlefield.
• Zhao Gongming returned to fight Ran Deng, whose Qian Kun Ruler and Qian Kun Diagram were shattered by the scissors.
• Ran Deng’s Treasure-Dropping Coin failed to restrain the Golden Dragon Scissors and was blasted away, forcing Ran Deng and the Xiqi forces to flee.
• Xiqi shut its gates and displayed the No-War Tablet, while Zhao Gongming later began suffering the effects of Lu Ya’s Seven Arrows Book.
• Wen Zhong divined that Lu Ya was attacking Zhao Gongming’s Primordial Spirit and sent Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi to retrieve the Straw Effigy, arrow, and writ from Mount Qi.
• Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi charged Lu Ya and Jiang Ziya’s altar, but Yang Jian and Nezha emerged from the woods to ambush them.

Nezha and Yang Jian killed Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi after luring them to a false altar, while the Chan Sect concealed Lu Ya’s real altar. As Lu Ya’s curse advanced, Jiang Ziya shot two arrows into Zhao Gongming’s effigy, leaving Zhao blind and in agony as the third arrow remained to come.

• Nezha and Yang Jian killed Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi, and Nezha revealed that the altar they had sought was an illusion.
• Wen Zhong searched unsuccessfully for Lu Ya’s hidden altar while Zhao Gongming weakened under the Seven Arrows Book of the Nail-Headed.
• After twenty days of ritual, Lu Ya gave Jiang Ziya the Mulberry Branch Bow and Peach Branch Arrows and instructed him to shoot Zhao Gongming’s effigy three times.
• Jiang Ziya shot the first arrow into the effigy’s left eye, causing Zhao Gongming’s left eye to bleed and leaving him screaming in pain.
• Jiang Ziya shot the second arrow into the effigy’s right eye, blinding Zhao Gongming completely as Wen Zhong held him helplessly.

Lu Ya’s Seven Arrows curse appeared to kill Zhao Gongming, and Shen Gongbao carried his body to Golden Ao Island to summon the Jie Sect. Yunxiao stopped her sisters from rushing to avenge him, then revealed Zhao Gongming’s death was a deception that even Master Tongtian could not see through.

• Jiang Ziya shot the final Peach Branch Arrow into the Straw Effigy’s heart, and Zhao Gongming appeared to die in Wen Zhong’s arms.
• Xiqi celebrated as the No-War Tablet was taken down, while Shen Gongbao urged Wen Zhong to hold the battle lines and secretly carried Zhao Gongming’s body and the Golden Dragon Scissors away.
• Shen Gongbao reached Golden Ao Island and told Yunxiao, Bi Xiao, and Qiong Xiao that Lu Ya and the Chan Sect Golden Immortals had killed Zhao Gongming.
• Bi Xiao and Qiong Xiao tried to rush to Xiqi for revenge, but Yunxiao stopped them and took them and Zhao Gongming’s body to a side hall of Biyou Palace.
• Yunxiao dispersed Zhao Gongming’s false corpse, and Master Tongtian praised the deception for fooling even his Saintly perception.

After leaving Biyou Palace, Yunxiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao went with Shen Gongbao to the Great Shang front, determined to avenge Zhao Gongming. They set up the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, preparing to confront the Chan Sect immortals in Xiqi.

• The Yunxiao sisters left Biyou Palace grieving Zhao Gongming and blaming the Chan Sect for his death.
• Shen Gongbao urged the sisters to seek justice, and Yunxiao agreed to go to the Great Shang front and face the Chan Sect immortals.
• Qin Yun and Zhou Lan watched the events unfold with Qing Ya, while Qin Yun teased her about calling them madams.
• The sisters arrived at the Great Shang camp, where Wen Zhong and the others welcomed them and asked them to avenge Zhao Gongming.
• Yunxiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao raised the Primordial Golden Dou, Golden Dragon Scissors, and Primordial Bead to establish the deadly Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.