Chapter Summaries

Yunxiao challenged the Chan immortals from the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation, demanding revenge for Zhao Gongming. As the Xiqi camp prepared to face the formation, Buddhist disciples arrived as allies, and Ran Deng and Guang Chengzi clashed over their worth and intentions.

• Yunxiao announced that she and her sisters had set the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation to avenge Zhao Gongming.
• A soldier reported that Buddhist disciples had arrived outside the Xiqi camp to support its immortal masters.
• Guang Chengzi mocked the Buddhist disciples, while Ran Deng defended them and warned that Buddhism had the Western Saints behind it.
• Jiang Ziya stopped Ran Deng and Guang Chengzi from escalating their argument and urged them to focus on breaking the formation.
• Ran Deng went to welcome the Buddhist disciples, while Guang Chengzi called him a bootlicker behind his back.
• Nezha and Yang Jian watched the Chan immortals' infighting and privately mocked their hypocrisy.

Buddhist disciples challenged San Xiao’s Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation to prove their strength, but the formation’s Killing Intent blocked the sight and deductions of the heavenly powers. The formation shattered the Buddhists’ battle array and imprisoned them, leaving them at San Xiao’s mercy.

• Ran Deng welcomed the Buddhist disciples, while Guang Chengzi mocked their weak cultivation and warned that they would die if they entered the formation.
• The leading Buddhist monk accepted the challenge and led the disciples toward the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation as Chan Sect immortals watched.
• Yunxiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao confronted the arrivals, taunted both Buddhism and the Chan Sect, and watched the Buddhists enter the formation in their Dao-Protecting Battle Formation.
• The formation’s Killing Intent sealed the heavens and blocked the sight and deductions of Quasi-Saints and Saints, while Saint Tongtian welcomed the chance for the God Conferment conflict to proceed unseen.
• The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation shattered the Buddhist battle array, stripped the disciples of their Three Flowers and Five Qi, and imprisoned them.

Yunxiao and her sisters used the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation to cripple the Buddhist disciples who had entered the battlefield, suspecting they had come to exploit the Investiture calamity. The Chan Sect Immortals recoiled in fear, and Bi Xiao mocked them for refusing to approach the formation.

• Qiong Xiao suggested that the Buddhist disciples had joined the battle to seize the opportunity behind the Investiture of the Gods, and Yunxiao agreed their motives were suspicious.
• Yunxiao decided the sisters would cripple the Buddhist disciples with the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation rather than kill them.
• Yunxiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao activated the formation, stripped the Buddhist disciples of their cultivation and Dao Foundations, and cast them beyond the battlefield.
• The Buddhist disciples discovered they had been reduced to mortals and cursed San Xiao as the Chan Sect Immortals watched in fear.
• Bi Xiao taunted the retreating Chan Sect Immortals, calling them cowardly for hiding instead of facing the formation.

Yang Jian, Nezha, Jinzha, and Muzha entered the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation after the Chan Sect elders refused to face it. Yunxiao captured Jinzha and Muzha and confronted the injured Yang Jian and Nezha, who pleaded with her not to attack.

• Bi Xiao opened the formation and mocked Ran Deng and the Twelve Golden Immortals for refusing to enter.
• Yang Jian and Nezha charged into the formation, prompting Qiong Xiao to ridicule the Chan Sect elders.
• Jinzha and Muzha followed Nezha into the formation despite Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun and True Man Puxian urging them to retreat.
• Yunxiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao entered the formation as Yang Jian and Nezha struggled against its power.
• Yunxiao used the Primordial Golden Dou to seal Jinzha and Muzha's Magic Power and knock them unconscious.
• Yunxiao appeared before the injured Yang Jian and Nezha with the Primordial Golden Dou, and Nezha hurriedly pleaded with her not to strike.

Yunxiao learned that Nezha had entered the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation seeking the Investiture of the Gods, then incapacitated Yang Jian and turned the formation against the Chan Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals. After crippling them and driving Daoist Ran Deng away, San Xiao held the formation and its fallen captives.

• Nezha begged Yunxiao to kill him and send him onto the Investiture of the Gods, revealing his desire for the opportunity on the list, while Yang Jian said he sought only to temper himself.
• Yunxiao used her Quasi-Saint pressure and the formation to knock Yang Jian unconscious.
• True Man Taiyi slipped into the formation, followed by Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun, True Man Puxian, Guang Chengzi, and the other Chan Sect Golden Immortals.
• Yunxiao, Qiong Xiao, and Bi Xiao overwhelmed the Twelve Golden Immortals, stripping their Three Flowers and Five Qi and leaving them crippled.
• Daoist Ran Deng attacked the formation with the Qian Kun Ruler and Qian Kun Diagram, but Yunxiao’s Primordial Golden Dou took both treasures and blasted him beyond the horizon.

After the Interception Sect’s Three Immortal Maidens defeated the Chan Sect in the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, Jiang Ziya faced Shen Gongbao alone while Primordial Heavenly Venerate sought Laozi’s help. Laozi sent Taishang Laojun to Kunlun, where he arrived to help Yuanshi break the deadlock.

• Shen Gongbao mocked the devastated Jiang Ziya and declared that the Chan Sect had lost its chance to complete God Conferment.
• Jiang Ziya mourned the defeat and questioned what God Conferment had accomplished as he faced his former fellow disciple.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate saw the Chan Sect’s losses through the Myriad Heavens Celebration Cloud and called for Laozi.
• Laozi viewed the battlefield through the Taiji Diagram and decided that he could no longer stay outside the conflict.
• Laozi summoned his Taishang Laojun avatar and sent him to Kunlun Mountain.
• Taishang Laojun arrived at Jade Void Palace and told Yuanshi he had come to help.

Taiqing Laozi and the Primordial Heavenly Venerate entered the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation and confronted San Xiao after the sisters defeated the Chan Sect disciples. San Xiao resisted the Saints, but Laozi seized Yunxiao’s Primordial Golden Dou and bound her with the Taiji Diagram as the battle continued.

• Taiqing Laozi and the Primordial Heavenly Venerate descended over the formation, crushing Shen Gongbao with their Saintly pressure and ignoring Jiang Ziya’s call.
• The Primordial Heavenly Venerate gathered the unconscious Chan Sect disciples and accused San Xiao of harming their fellow disciples.
• Bi Xiao attacked the Primordial Heavenly Venerate with the Golden Dragon Scissors, but he struck her into the barrier and injured her.
• Yunxiao defended her sisters, and San Xiao took their positions at the formation’s central eyes to unleash the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation against the Saints.
• The Primordial Heavenly Venerate attacked Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao while Yunxiao sent the Primordial Golden Dou at Laozi.
• Laozi scattered the treasure’s golden light, took it, and used the Taiji Diagram to bind Yunxiao.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate killed Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao, destroyed the Dragon Clan forces, and captured Yunxiao. He suppressed her beneath the empty Kirin Cliff on Kunlun Mountain until the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods ended, leaving her furious over her sisters’ deaths.

• Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao attacked Primordial Heavenly Venerate with their treasures, but he seized them and killed the sisters, sending their True Spirits to the Investiture Platform.
• Yunxiao watched helplessly as the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation collapsed, and Primordial Heavenly Venerate rebuked the Chan Sect disciples before sparing them from further punishment.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate struck down a vast number of Dragon Clan cultivators with one palm, while the Kirin Clan’s hidden plan to enter the list was disrupted.
• Taishang Laojun and Primordial Heavenly Venerate returned to Kunlun Mountain with Yunxiao, and Primordial Heavenly Venerate bound and suppressed her beneath the empty Kirin Cliff.
• Yunxiao cursed Primordial Heavenly Venerate and grieved over Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao as he declared he would keep her imprisoned until the tribulation ended.

After learning that Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerate had broken the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, killed Bi Xiao and Qiong Xiao, and imprisoned Yunxiao, Master Tongtian confronted them on Kunlun Mountain. He demanded Yunxiao’s return and said he would let the rest of the matter go if they handed her over.

• Master Tongtian heard that Bi Xiao and Qiong Xiao had been killed and Yunxiao imprisoned after Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerate broke the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.
• Furious, Master Tongtian left Biyou Palace and arrived at Kunlun Mountain to confront Primordial Heavenly Venerate.
• Master Tongtian accused Primordial Heavenly Venerate of joining Laozi to attack Jie Sect’s disciples, while Primordial Heavenly Venerate defended his actions as protecting Chan Sect disciples.
• Laozi appeared between the two Saints, and Master Tongtian accused him of scheming to sacrifice Jie Sect disciples to fill the Investiture of the Gods.
• Laozi remained silent as Master Tongtian demanded that Laozi and Primordial Heavenly Venerate return Yunxiao, promising to let the rest of the conflict go if they did.

Master Tongtian confronted Laozi and Yuanshi on Kunlun Mountain to free Yunxiao from suppression and restore her chance at sainthood. After Tongtian threatened them with the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, Laozi persuaded Yuanshi to release Yunxiao, and Tongtian left with her while Yuanshi accused Laozi of favoring him.

• Tongtian explained that he had come to save Yunxiao and demanded that Yuanshi release her, but Yuanshi refused.
• Tongtian attacked the Jade Void Palace with the Qingping Sword, and Laozi blocked him with the Taiji Diagram.
• Tongtian summoned the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, prompting Laozi to urge Yuanshi to release Yunxiao.
• Yuanshi brought Yunxiao to them, and Tongtian freed her from the restraints and shielded her from falling.
• Laozi stopped Yuanshi from striking back, and Tongtian departed Kunlun with Yunxiao.
• Yuanshi complained that Laozi had favored Tongtian.

After Yunxiao returned to Golden Ao Island with Tongtian, Xiqi exploited the Shang Army’s collapse in morale to destroy its camp and drive Wen Zhong’s remnants into a valley trap. Jiang Ziya ordered Huang Tianhua, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi to attack the trapped army.

• Laozi rebuked Yuanshi for accusing him of favoring Tongtian, then left Kunlun.
• Tongtian rescued Yunxiao and brought her back toward Biyou Palace, while Yunxiao accepted that she had missed her chance to enter the list.
• Jiang Ziya ordered a night raid after the Shang Army lost morale following the destruction of the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.
• Xiqi routed the Shang Army, and Wen Zhong led its survivors in retreat as Han Zhixian and Caiyun Fairy died covering their escape.
• Xiqi forces blocked Wen Zhong’s route through a valley and closed in from behind, trapping his exhausted army.
• Jiang Ziya ordered Huang Tianhua, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi to attack Wen Zhong’s remaining forces from three directions.

Wen Zhong died at Juelong Ridge rather than surrendering, but a hidden Divine Power carried his soul to the Investiture of the Gods. As Xiqi’s forces gained the upper hand, Shen Gongbao escaped and recruited Tu Xingsun to the Shang Camp.

• Wen Zhong’s generals Deng Zhong, Xin Huan, and Tao Rong died protecting him as Xiqi’s army overwhelmed the Shang forces.
• Yun Zhongzi trapped Wen Zhong in the Heaven-Reaching Divine Fire Pillars and urged him to surrender, but Wen Zhong denounced Xiqi’s rebellion against the Human Emperor’s orthodoxy and threw himself into the flames.
• A concealed Divine Power secretly carried Wen Zhong’s body and soul to the Investiture Platform, where he saw the names of fallen Shang supporters on the Investiture of the Gods and entrusted the struggle to King Zhou and the human race.
• As the Shang Camp retreated, Shen Gongbao slipped away from the battlefield and resolved to recruit fighters for Great Shang.
• Shen Gongbao persuaded Tu Xingsun to seek wealth and status under Deng Jiugong, and Tu Xingsun stole Juliusun’s Immortal-Binding Rope and medicinal pills before joining the Shang Camp.

After Wen Zhong’s death, King Zhou sent Deng Jiugong’s army against Xiqi while secretly preparing a hidden counterstroke with Huang Feihu and other allies. Deng Chanyu and Tu Xingsun dealt the Zhou camp a string of blows, leaving Xiqi under pressure as Tu Xingsun continued his raids.

• King Zhou ordered Deng Jiugong to march against Xiqi, and Deng Chanyu joined the army; meanwhile, Huang Feihu told King Zhou that he had hidden elite forces and contacted Kong Xuan and Li Jing.
• Tai Luan defeated Nangong Kuo in battle, then Deng Chanyu struck Nezha and Huang Tianhua with her Five-Colored Stone, forcing the Zhou camp to withdraw behind its gates.
• Nezha warned Yang Jian that Deng Chanyu’s Five-Colored Stone could harm his Lotus Incarnation, and Yang Jian suggested they hold back rather than draw attention.
• Tu Xingsun impressed Deng Jiugong with his Earth-Walking Technique and offered stolen spirit pills, then infiltrated Xiqi’s camp and burned its grain and fodder.
• Tu Xingsun raided the Zhou forces from underground, nearly captured a young general with his Immortal-Binding Rope, and left Xiqi’s army struggling to respond.

Tu Xingsun captured Nezha and Huang Tianhua, earned Deng Jiugong’s trust, and received a drunken promise to marry Deng Chanyu. He tried to raid Xiqi’s camp to secure the marriage, but Jiang Ziya’s ambush failed to capture him, and Tu Xingsun escaped underground.

• Tu Xingsun used his Earth-Walking Technique and Immortal-Binding Rope to capture Nezha and Huang Tianhua, winning praise from Deng Jiugong.
• Yang Jian wounded Deng Chanyu in battle, and Tu Xingsun treated her with a healing Golden Elixir while becoming enamored with her.
• Deng Jiugong promoted Tu Xingsun to vanguard officer and, while drunk at a victory banquet, promised him Deng Chanyu’s hand in marriage.
• Tu Xingsun decided to infiltrate Xiqi’s camp and assassinate Ji Fa and Jiang Ziya to earn the merit needed to marry Deng Chanyu.
• Jiang Ziya foresaw Tu Xingsun’s night raid and arranged an ambush with formations and earth-sealing materials.
• Tu Xingsun was caught in the ambush but forced his way through the formation and escaped underground.

Jiang Ziya went to Kunlun Mountain to learn who had given Tu Xingsun the Immortal-Binding Rope, and Juliusun recognized Tu Xingsun as his rebellious disciple. Juliusun accompanied Jiang Ziya back to Xiqi, where Jiang Ziya lured Tu Xingsun out and Juliusun seized the rope, leaving Tu Xingsun face-to-face with his master.

• Yang Jian recognized Tu Xingsun’s golden rope as the Immortal-Binding Rope and told Jiang Ziya that Juliusun might be involved.
• Jiang Ziya left Xiqi for Kunlun Mountain and asked White Crane Boy to take him to Juliusun.
• Jiang Ziya described Tu Xingsun’s attempted assassination of the Martial King, and Juliusun identified him as his disciple and agreed to go to Xiqi.
• Tu Xingsun continued courting Deng Chanyu while Deng Jiugong praised his service to the Shang Army.
• Jiang Ziya challenged Tu Xingsun outside the Shang camp, then fled to draw him away from the formation.
• Tu Xingsun pursued Jiang Ziya and launched the Immortal-Binding Rope, but Juliusun caught it and appeared before his terrified disciple.

Juliusun captured Tu Xingsun and brought him to Xiqi, where Jiang Ziya accepted his repentance and allowed him to join the campaign. After Tu Xingsun asked to marry Deng Chanyu, Jiang Ziya saw a chance to persuade Deng Jiugong to surrender and sent San Yisheng to propose the marriage.

• Juliusun captured Tu Xingsun with the Immortal-Binding Rope and brought him to Xiqi's main camp.
• Tu Xingsun begged Jiang Ziya and Juliusun for mercy, and Jiang Ziya accepted his surrender and ordered him to serve Xiqi.
• Tu Xingsun asked Jiang Ziya to help secure his marriage to Deng Chanyu, citing Deng Jiugong's earlier promise.
• Jiang Ziya decided to use the marriage agreement to persuade Deng Jiugong to surrender, and the Chan Sect immortals and Xiqi officials approved the plan.
• Jiang Ziya appointed San Yisheng as envoy to visit Deng Jiugong at the Shang Camp with gifts and propose the marriage.

San Yisheng secured Deng Jiugong’s agreement to marry Deng Chanyu to Tu Xingsun, but Jiang Ziya expected a trap and sent Yang Jian disguised as Tu Xingsun to expose it. Xiqi defeated the Shang Army and captured Deng Chanyu, while Tu Xingsun shielded her from the Immortal Officials’ attacks.

• San Yisheng persuaded Deng Jiugong to honor his drunken promise and agree to Deng Chanyu’s marriage to Tu Xingsun.
• Jiang Ziya warned that Deng Jiugong’s agreement concealed an ambush and planned to use Yang Jian disguised as Tu Xingsun to expose it.
• Deng Jiugong and Shen Gongbao laid ambushes around the Shang Camp, while Yang Jian led Chan Sect Immortal Officials there to receive the bride.
• Deng Jiugong sprang his trap, but Yang Jian and the Immortal Officials revealed themselves and swiftly broke the formations, defeating the Shang Army.
• The Immortal Officials captured Deng Chanyu, and Tu Xingsun rushed to shield her from their attacks, surprising her with his resolve.

After Deng Chanyu was captured, Jiang Ziya persuaded her father Deng Jiugong to surrender to Xiqi, saving his troops and securing his daughter’s safety. Deng Jiugong joined Xiqi, and Tu Xingsun and Deng Chanyu married in a joyful ceremony.

• Tu Xingsun begged Jiang Ziya to spare Deng Chanyu, and Jiang Ziya agreed to keep her safely under guard.
• Huang Feihu and Jiang Ziya repeatedly urged Deng Jiugong to surrender, promising to protect his family and troops.
• Deng Jiugong surrendered to Xiqi with Deng Xiu, Tai Luan, and his remaining soldiers, and Jiang Ziya welcomed them with honor.
• Jiang Ziya arranged Tu Xingsun and Deng Chanyu’s wedding after Deng Jiugong joined Xiqi.
• Deng Jiugong gave Deng Chanyu’s hand to Tu Xingsun, and the couple married before Jiang Ziya and the gathered army.
• Tu Xingsun and Deng Chanyu celebrated with Xiqi’s leaders and generals, and Deng Chanyu’s remaining awkwardness eased.

Tu Xingsun and Deng Chanyu married in Xiqi, while Huang Feihu privately struggled with his secret mission and loyalty to Yin Shang. At the wedding feast, Jiang Ziya got the drunken Deng Jiugong to reveal his resentment toward King Zhou.

• Tu Xingsun and Deng Chanyu pledged themselves to each other, and their marriage bound Deng Jiugong more firmly to Xiqi.
• Huang Feihu watched the wedding celebrations and agonized over Xiqi winning over former Yin Shang allies, including Deng Jiugong.
• Nezha complained that Tu Xingsun had gotten off easily, and Yang Jian teased him about romance until Nezha fled.
• Jiang Ziya pretended to be drunk at the feast while secretly remaining sober and drawing closer to Deng Jiugong.
• Deng Jiugong, thoroughly drunk, told Jiang Ziya that King Zhou had lost the ministers’ loyalty by lacking virtue and listening to the Demon Concubine.

Jiang Ziya learned that Su Hu wanted to defect to Zhou but was restrained by Zheng Lun, while King Zhou appointed Su Hu to lead a new campaign against Xiqi. King Zhou revealed to Immortal Golden Phoenix that he intended to let Xiqi advance into a trap, leaving his larger plan in motion.

• Jiang Ziya overheard Deng Jiugong say that Su Hu planned to surrender to Zhou, but Zheng Lun kept him from acting.
• King Zhou raged over Deng Jiugong and Tu Xingsun defecting, and Shen Gongbao pleaded guilty before being spared.
• King Zhou ordered Su Hu to command the Jizhou army and attack Xiqi.
• Immortal Golden Phoenix assured King Zhou that Kong Xuan could guard Sanshan Pass, but King Zhou said he wanted Xiqi to advance so he could trap its army and the Chan Sect immortals.
• King Zhou mocked the Saints after Immortal Golden Phoenix suggested they might intervene.