Chapter Summaries

Di Xin, Empress Pingxin, and powerful figures from across the Primordial Wilderness demanded that the Heavenly Dao Saints judge the Chan Sect fairly. Their outcry reached Huoyun Cave, where the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and past Human Emperors finally joined the call for justice.

• The Heavenly Court's ministers, Empress Pingxin, Candle Dragon, Kunpeng, Baize, and surviving Demon Saints called on the Saints to judge fairly.
• Chi You, Xing Tian, and Jiu Feng spoke for the Witch Clan and warned that an unjust judgment would destroy trust in the Heavenly Dao.
• Di Xin condemned the Chan Sect's conduct and challenged the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to speak for the Human Race.
• Emperor Yu denounced the Saints' injustice and demanded judgment for Ju Liusun, True Person Taiyi, and Daoist Tianzun.
• The Human Emperors of past generations and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors joined the demand for a fair judgment.

Venerable Yuanshi punished Juliusun, True Person Taiyi, and Daoist Tianzun for killing Shi Ji by stripping away their cultivation and reducing them to mortals. After the gathered powers withdrew, Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, Immortal Elder Nanji, and Ji Chang were left wondering whether West Qi could still win.

• The powers of the Primordial Wilderness condemned the Chan Sect, leaving its immortals fearful of Venerable Yuanshi’s decision.
• Venerable Yuanshi declared that Juliusun, True Person Taiyi, and Daoxing would lose their Five Qi and Three Flowers and be reduced to mortals.
• Yuqing Divine Thunder destroyed the three immortals’ cultivation despite their pleas for mercy.
• Daoist Duobao and the other Jie Sect Disciples withdrew, while Haotian’s dharma image vanished after Venerable Yuanshi ordered it to leave.
• Venerable Yuanshi took the three punished immortals away and told West Qi’s disciples to continue their work.
• Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, Immortal Elder Nanji, and Ji Chang fell silent and wondered whether West Qi could still win.

Venerable Yuanshi punished Juliusun, True Person Taiyi, and Daoist Tianzun by stripping them of their cultivation after they killed Shi Ji, then visited Saint Taiqing on Shouyang Mountain. Taiqing said he had already prepared what Yuanshi needed.

• Juliusun, True Person Taiyi, and Daoist Tianzun pleaded that they had killed Shi Ji in self-defense and to protect the Chan Sect's honor.
• Venerable Yuanshi sent the three away to reflect after stripping them of their cultivation for killing Shi Ji before the Chan and Interception Sects had openly gone to war.
• The Chan Sect Outer Disciples watched the disgraced trio leave, but kept their distance rather than mock them directly.
• Juliusun, True Person Taiyi, and Daoist Tianzun wept outside the Jade Void Palace until their followers carried them back to their Dojos.
• Venerable Yuanshi went to Shouyang Mountain and met Saint Taiqing, who said he had already prepared what Yuanshi needed.

Venerable Yuanshi asked Saint Taiqing for the Human Dao Seal so he could build a Divine Dynasty in West Qi and draw the Primordial Wilderness's clans into a scheme against Great Shang. Taiqing warned that the plan could destroy their brotherhood, but handed over the seal, leaving Yuanshi to deal with Third Brother and carry out his design.

• Saint Taiqing gave Venerable Yuanshi Golden Cores to restore his injured disciples' cultivation and warned that their Dao Hearts would be harder to heal.
• Venerable Yuanshi rejected Taiqing's attempt to discuss Great Shang and argued that Di Xin was a dangerous variable whose destiny had not yet declined.
• Venerable Yuanshi asked to borrow the Human Dao Seal and explained his plan to establish a Divine Dynasty in West Qi, using official ranks to grant power, abilities, and resources.
• Venerable Yuanshi intended to draw the Primordial Wilderness's great clans into West Qi and use their momentum to destroy Great Shang, welcoming the Interception Sect's involvement.
• Taiqing warned that the plan could leave neither side able to reconcile and said they might no longer be brothers, but he handed Yuanshi the Human Dao Seal.
• Venerable Yuanshi promised to return the seal after the scheme and said he would handle Third Brother.

Venerable Yuanshi borrowed the Human Dao Seal from Saint Taiqing and later summoned Guangchengzi from West Qi to entrust him with an important task. Guangchengzi described his efforts to rally support against Shang, but few outside the East Sea Coast had responded.

• Saint Taiqing let Venerable Yuanshi borrow the Human Dao Seal after asking him to spare some Interception Sect disciples and Incense Power.
• Venerable Yuanshi warned Saint Taiqing that Haotian might scheme against Human Sect disciples during the coming tribulation, but Taiqing said his disciples had to follow their own Dao.
• After Yuanshi left, Saint Taiqing contemplated the Hunyuan Taiji Sword and the possibility of advancing his cultivation.
• Venerable Yuanshi summoned Guangchengzi from West Qi and corrected his belief that the goal was to attack the Interception Sect, saying the mission was to destroy Shang and Zhou Xin.
• Venerable Yuanshi promised Guangchengzi that completing an important task could make his standing equal to or greater than Qingyuan's, reigniting Guangchengzi's ambition.
• Guangchengzi reported that he had nearly completed the altar and rallied opposition to Shang, but few groups beyond some East Sea Coast feudal lords had agreed to join.

Venerable Yuanshi revealed a plan to unite the ten thousand states into the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty and use the Human Dao Seal to create a Micro Heavenly Dao that could empower its officials. Guangchengzi agreed to lead the plan, while Yuanshi prepared to distract the Saints and entrusted him with the Chan Sect and Jiang Shang’s safety.

• Venerable Yuanshi explained how the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty could draw on the Human Dao Origin to grant Dao Fruits and empower its officials.
• Guangchengzi recognized the plan’s potential and pledged to carry it out, believing the united races could defeat Great Shang and the Interception Sect if no Saints intervened.
• Guangchengzi asked what would happen if a Saint sabotaged the plan, and Venerable Yuanshi said he would arrange a Dao discussion at Zixiao Palace to occupy them.
• Venerable Yuanshi left his treasures and healing supplies at Jade Void Palace, ordered Guangchengzi to keep Jiang Shang alive through the Investiture of the Gods, and appointed him to lead the Chan Sect in his absence.
• Guangchengzi accepted Yuanshi’s token but stayed behind as if he still had something to say.

Venerable Yuanshi persuaded Taiqing to accompany him to Zixiao Palace, where Dao Ancestor Hongjun summoned all the Primordial Wilderness Saints before the palace vanished. As panic spread, Di Xin used the Saints’ absence to expand Great Shang’s territory and strengthen its government and alliances.

• Venerable Yuanshi reassured Guangchengzi that his fellow disciples would recover and told him not to interfere.
• Venerable Yuanshi asked Taiqing to accompany him to Zixiao Palace, and Taiqing agreed.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun summoned the Saints to Zixiao Palace, which disappeared after they entered.
• The Primordial Wilderness panicked as its inhabitants wondered why the Saints had vanished.
• Di Xin mobilized Wen Zhong, Shen Gongbao, and Chong Houhu with 1.3 million troops to pacify the Northern Border.
• Di Xin directed Li Jing to seek an alliance with the East Sea Dragon Clan and ordered Deng Jiugong to suppress southern rebels while expanding reforms and Great Shang’s territory.

As the Saints remained missing, Great Shang expanded and the Interception Sect became the Primordial Wilderness’s leading power, while West Qi lost allies and territory. With spring approaching and Great Shang spies appearing at the border, Ji Chang panicked until he heard that the Heavenly Origin Sect Immortals had emerged from Secluded Cultivation.

• Di Xin expanded Great Shang rapidly, and the vassal states abandoned West Qi as the Saints’ disappearance undermined their plans.
• The Interception Sect rose to prominence as hidden forces and the Myriad Races sought its protection, while its Disciples gained influence and committed abuses.
• Di Xin continued lavish projects and neglected court, but centralized control as rumors against him spread.
• Ji Chang withdrew West Qi from vulnerable areas and met repeatedly with his ministers as spring approached and war with Great Shang loomed.
• West Qi’s ministers reported Great Shang spies along the border, and Ji Chang learned that the Heavenly Origin Sect Immortals had emerged from Secluded Cultivation.

Guangchengzi revealed that the Chan Sect planned to establish the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty and demanded Ji Chang's cooperation, threatening the Ji Family if they obstructed it. Jiang Ziya arrived in West Qi seeking refuge and an audience with the Ji family and Chan Sect Immortals.

• Ji Chang welcomed Guangchengzi and the Chan Sect Immortals, who had occupied his rear garden to prepare their plan.
• Guangchengzi described the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty plan and warned that the Chan Sect would not spare the Ji Family if Ji Chang refused to cooperate.
• Ji Chang agreed to assist after hearing the plan to unite the Myriad Races against Shang Zhou.
• A guard reported that a shabby old man claiming to be a Chan Sect Disciple had arrived with vital news about West Qi's survival.
• Guangchengzi identified the visitor as Jiang Shang, also called Jiang Ziya, and ordered that he be brought to the group.
• Jiang Ziya entered the Ji Residence, marveled at its extravagance, and wondered how he could establish himself in West Qi.

Jiang Ziya arrived in West Qi and endured the Chan Sect disciples’ contempt and accusations before reporting Shang Zhou’s military plans. He warned that Shang Zhou intended to destroy both West Qi and the Chan Sect disciples with a Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare.

• Jiang Ziya was appalled by West Qi’s lavish white-jade streets and glittering buildings as a guard led him to the hall.
• Chan Sect Outer Disciples tripped and humiliated Jiang Ziya on the way, leaving him bruised and filthy.
• Guangchengzi and True Person Huanglong accused Jiang Ziya of aiding Shang Zhou, and Huanglong struck him across the face.
• Jiang Ziya said he had gone to Shang Zhou to gather intelligence and reported that Shen Gongbao had joined Shang Zhou with one hundred thousand cavalry.
• Jiang Ziya warned that Shang Zhou planned to wipe out West Qi and the Chan Sect disciples by laying a Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare.

Jiang Ziya reported Shang Zhou’s threats and military plans to Guangchengzi and the Chan Sect disciples, including Shen Gongbao’s intention to lead the attack on West Qi. The Chan Sect prepared to confront Shen Gongbao, then learned that King Zhou possessed Golden Immortal cultivation.

• The Chan Sect disciples grew furious after Jiang Ziya swore that Shang Zhou had threatened to destroy West Qi and kill them all.
• Jiang Ziya said Shen Gongbao wanted to lead the vanguard against West Qi and repay Immortal Elder Nanji for humiliating him.
• Immortal Elder Nanji defended his treatment of Shen Gongbao, but Guangchengzi ordered him to deal with Shen Gongbao personally.
• Jiang Ziya reported that Shang Zhou planned to send five million troops against West Qi after spring and that Ma Yuan had gathered Jie Sect Disciples to join him.
• Jiang Ziya revealed that Shang Zhou had won the feudal states’ submission, Shen Gongbao had exposed Chan Sect secrets, and King Zhou was a Golden Immortal.

Guangchengzi dismissed doubts about King Zhou’s cultivation and took charge of Jiang Ziya and the Investiture List, then outlined a plan to establish the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty. The Chan Sect Immortals were stunned when Guangchengzi revealed that he held the Chan Sect Leader Token.

• Daoist Huanglong suggested King Zhou had only claimed to be a Golden Immortal to draw attention, and the Chan Sect Immortals’ worries eased.
• Jiang Ziya said Shen Gongbao had told him King Zhou was a Golden Immortal and had framed him, and he offered to lead an attack on King Zhou.
• Guangchengzi asked Jiang Ziya for the Investiture List, examined it, then ordered him to build the Investiture Altar outside West Qi.
• Guangchengzi presented his plan for the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty and ordered Immortal Elder Nanji and several Chan Sect disciples to recruit spirits and hidden factions.
• When the disciples protested Guangchengzi’s authority, he revealed the Chan Sect Leader Token, leaving the Chan Sect Immortals stunned.

Guangchengzi used the Chan Sect Leader Token to command the Chan Sect disciples, then approached the Qilin Clan with a plan to help establish the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty. The Qilin Old Ancestor agreed to cooperate after negotiating for influence and future benefits, and Guangchengzi demanded an immediate account of which Qilin experts would join.

• Guangchengzi showed the Chan Sect Leader Token, ordered the disciples to carry out his instructions, and remained behind to oversee the altar.
• Guangchengzi contacted the Qilin Realm and offered Lin Xuan an opportunity that could give the Qilin Clan another Saint, awakening the Qilin Old Ancestor.
• The Qilin Old Ancestor asked for an oracle and tangible benefits, while Guangchengzi presented the token and explained his plan involving Ji Chang, the Human Dao Seal, and Great Zhou's National Fortune.
• The Qilin Old Ancestor negotiated for the Qilin Clan to help direct the plan and demanded a chance to become the first Saint after Great Zhou was established.
• Guangchengzi accepted the Qilin Clan's conditions, rebuked their repeated demands for safeguards, and ordered them to identify immediately which members would cooperate.

Guangchengzi and Qilin Old Ancestor gathered allies for Chan Sect’s coming conflict with the Interception Sect, while Ji Chang prepared to establish the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty. The chapter ended with Ji Chang accepting the Human Dao Mandate and declaring war on Shang Zhou.

• Guangchengzi told Qilin Old Ancestor that the Saints were confined to Zixiao Palace and urged him to gather support quickly.
• Qilin Old Ancestor summoned five Quasi-Saints, thirty-nine Grand Unity Golden Immortals, and several thousand Beast Clan ancestors, though most of the clan ignored his call.
• Guangchengzi returned to West Qi and ordered Ji Chang to prepare the altar for the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty.
• After ten days, Ji Chang gathered West Qi’s lords, officials, and people as auspicious signs appeared over the city.
• With Guangchengzi’s help, Ji Chang accepted the Human Dao Origin, established Great Zhou, and declared war on Shang Zhou.

After Great Zhou fused the Human Dao Seal with its national fortune, Ji Chang elevated the Qilin Old Ancestor to sainthood, prompting the Interception Sect to protest that he should go to Chaos. The Qilin Old Ancestor defended his borrowed power and intimidated the East Sea, until an armed figure appeared north of Golden Ao Island.

• The Human Dao Seal connected Great Zhou to the Human Dao Origin, drawing attention from across the Primordial Wilderness as its power surged.
• Ji Chang named the Qilin Clan Great Zhou's Sacred Beast Clan and the Qilin Old Ancestor its Imperial Preceptor, then invoked Human Dao's grace to raise him into Hunyuan.
• The Qilin Old Ancestor became a Saint, and beings across the Primordial Wilderness bowed as he celebrated his newfound power.
• Daoist Duobao and other Interception Sect disciples demanded that the Qilin Old Ancestor go to Chaos, accusing the Chan Sect of exploiting the other Saints' absence.
• Guangchengzi urged the Qilin Old Ancestor to ignore the protests, and the Qilin Old Ancestor used his aura to silence the East Sea while arguing that his sainthood depended on Great Zhou's national fortune.
• A figure carrying a sword appeared north of Golden Ao Island.

Liu Yuan used the Qingping Sword to deter Qilin Old Ancestor, who then announced that the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty would offer vast numbers of cultivation ranks and rewards to those who joined its campaign against Zhou. The recruitment alarmed the Heavenly Court and the Netherworld, while Lu Ya considered whether the Demon Race could enter the conflict to secure a Saint Position.

• Liu Yuan arrived from Golden Ao Island carrying the Qingping Sword, and Qilin Old Ancestor quickly claimed he had only been joking with the Jie Sect disciples.
• At Guangchengzi's prompting, Qilin Old Ancestor proclaimed that the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty would offer official ranks, cultivation, treasures, and possible Saint Positions to those who joined it.
• Taibai Golden Star recognized the recruitment as a threat to the Heavenly Court and feared it would consume the Human Dao's accumulated reserves.
• The Netherworld's ghosts and gods worried that changes to the Human Dao could affect the Earthly Dao and increase deaths during the Tribulation of Calamity.
• Lu Ya considered bringing the Demon Race into the campaign against Shang Zhou to compete for a Saint Position.

Lu Ya resolved to seize the chance to fight for the Saint Position and went to Ying Zhao's Demon Kingdom to gather demons. After its officials mocked and attacked him, he killed them with Solar True Fire and Treasure, Turn Around, then vowed to investigate the Demon Saints' intentions.

• Lu Ya rejected the Heavenly Court and the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty as paths to power, then decided to seek support in Ying Zhao's Demon Kingdom.
• Lu Ya called on demons to join him in fighting for the Saint Position, drawing a crowd that recognized the Golden Crow name.
• Ying Zhao's trusted aides insulted Lu Ya, dispersed the gathered demons, and treated him as a puppet.
• Lu Ya killed a Demon God with Solar True Fire after it tried to drag him away.
• When more than a dozen Grand Unity Golden Immortals attacked, Lu Ya used Treasure, Turn Around to kill them, including a One-Corpse-Severed Quasi-Saint.
• Lu Ya accused the Demon Saints' subordinates of betraying their duties and vowed to investigate their intentions.

Lu Ya seized control of the Demon Race and led a large force to West Qi, publicly challenging the Chan Sect to accept them into the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty. Guangchengzi rejected Lu Ya’s approach and ordered him to enter the city on foot to meet him.

• Lu Ya demanded the Demon Race submit to his command, then used the Ten Thousand Demons Banner to bind the True Spirits of those who joined him.
• Lu Ya repeated his tactics across the Northern Primordial Wilderness and gathered nearly a hundred powerful Demon Race cultivators.
• Lu Ya led his followers to West Qi, hoping the Chan Sect would either accept them or expose its promises to welcome all comers as false.
• The Chan Sect Disciples objected to admitting the Demon Race, while the Qilin Old Ancestor deferred the decision to Guangchengzi.
• Guangchengzi told Lu Ya to dismount outside the city and walk in to see him.

Guangchengzi humiliated Lu Ya and his Demon Race party at every turn, then refused to admit them to the Ji Residence. Lu Ya left West Qi in fury, having lost his chance to join the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty and fearing what would happen when the Saints returned.

• The Qilin Old Ancestor released his aura at Guangchengzi’s direction, forcing Lu Ya’s procession to the ground, and Guangchengzi ordered the demons to take human form and remove their armor.
• Lu Ya suppressed his followers’ anger, complied with Guangchengzi’s demands, and led the unarmed party through West Qi toward the Ji Residence.
• The Ji Residence gatekeeper blocked Lu Ya’s party and repeatedly misled them about letting them enter, while Lu Ya tried to secure an audience with Guangchengzi.
• Lu Ya lost control and slapped the gatekeeper into a pulp, then announced that the Demon Race would leave because the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty did not welcome them.
• Lu Ya led the demons out of West Qi, and the Qilin Old Ancestor hesitated to speak as Guangchengzi asked whether he had something to say.

Guangchengzi rejected Lu Ya and pressured Qilin Old Ancestor to let Qilin clansmen join the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, promising them power and benefits. As hundreds joined and swore to serve, Lu Ya felt humiliated and decided to use the trump card his father had left him.

• Guangchengzi admitted that he had deliberately refused to accept Lu Ya and argued that plenty of others would join the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty in his place.
• Guangchengzi pressed Qilin Old Ancestor to recruit members of the Qilin Clan, promising to help them become Quasi-Saints, and agreed not to force those who refused.
• Qilin Old Ancestor returned with Lin Xuan and other Qilin Clan members, who agreed to help expand the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty.
• The Chan Sect disciples mocked Lu Ya while Lu Ya's Demon Gods argued about their uncertain future after being driven from West Qi.
• Lin Xuan, Hu Ze, Qiong Shan, and hundreds of others joined the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, and their oaths and auras enraged Lu Ya.
• Lu Ya declared that he would seek another way to survive and decided to use the trump card his father had left him.