Chapter Summaries

The Saints attacked the Demon Realm while Tongtian held Luohou inside the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation, but Luohou vanished and emerged from Zhunti's body. After Jieyin struck at Luohou despite Zhunti being in his grasp, Luohou killed and absorbed Zhunti, escaped to the Demon Realm, and faced Yuanshi's attack.

• Zhunti and Jieyin urged the Saints to deal with Luohou, and the assembled Saints attacked the Demon Realm.
• Luohou demanded that Tongtian let him leave the formation, but Tongtian continued blocking him until Luohou vanished without a trace.
• Tongtian warned the Saints that Luohou had escaped, and Luohou suddenly crawled out of Zhunti's back and seized him.
• Jieyin ignored Zhunti's peril and struck Luohou with the Anointing Divine Pestle, prompting Luohou to crush Zhunti and absorb his power.
• Luohou reappeared inside the Demon Realm and warned the Saints to leave, but Yuanshi attacked him with the Pangu Banner.

Demon Shadow used a demonic sword that absorbed the Saints’ negative emotions to turn Venerable Yuanshi’s attacks back on him. Saint Taiqing identified the source of Luohou’s strength and told the others to withdraw, since they could not defeat him while negative emotions persisted.

• Demon Shadow drew a demonic sword from the Demon Realm and clashed with Venerable Yuanshi’s Pangu Banner.
• The demonic blade absorbed negative emotions and returned stronger after Venerable Yuanshi struck it down.
• Saint Taiqing used an Ancient Bell to weaken the blade and explained how Luohou drew power from the Saints’ negative emotions.
• Saint Taiqing concluded that Luohou could not be defeated while negative emotions endured and urged the Saints to leave.

Saint Taiqing judged that the gathered Saints could not defeat Luohou and ended their plan to attack the Demon Realm, leaving Daoist Jieyin isolated and afraid of Luohou’s retaliation. Most of the Saints departed, while Sect Master Tongtian continued fighting the Demon Shadow in Chaos.

• Daoist Jieyin urged the Saints to press on with their plan to suppress Luohou and destroy the Demon Realm.
• Saint Taiqing warned that Luohou’s cultivation, control of the Demonic Dao, and use of negative emotions made him too dangerous to fight, then departed with Venerable Yuanshi.
• Sect Master Tongtian, Saint Nuwa, and Empress Pingxin also left or withdrew their forces, while Tongtian continued battling the Demon Shadow.
• Great Peng Bird and the remaining Hunyuan Saints made excuses and departed, leaving Daoist Jieyin behind with Tongtian still fighting.
• Daoist Jieyin grew anxious that the Western Teachings would face Luohou’s wrath if nobody dealt with him.

Daoist Jieyin went to Zixiao Palace to beg Hongjun for help against Luohou, whose power threatened the Western Lands. Hongjun refused to intervene and told Jieyin to seek out Qingyuan for a solution.

• Daoist Jieyin fled the battle with Luohou and hurried to Zixiao Palace, fearing Luohou would kill him again.
• Daoist Jieyin pleaded with Hongjun to save the Western Teachings and warned that Luohou threatened the Primordial Wilderness.
• Hongjun reprimanded Jieyin for his tearful behavior and continued watching videos instead of responding to the danger.
• Hongjun said Luohou had not harmed the Primordial Wilderness and dismissed Jieyin's concerns.
• Hongjun advised Jieyin to find his Nephew-Disciple Qingyuan, leaving Jieyin stunned.

Daoist Jieyin sought Hongjun’s help against Demon Ancestor Luohu, but Hongjun sent him to Qingyuan instead. Jieyin arrived at Golden Ao Island in tears to beg Qingyuan for assistance.

• Hongjun praised Qingyuan’s achievements and told Jieyin to ask him to resolve the crisis.
• Jieyin questioned why Qingyuan should handle a matter unrelated to him, but Hongjun insisted that Qingyuan’s power and position made it his responsibility.
• Hongjun dismissed Jieyin, claiming he lacked the energy to deal with Luohu and wanted to rest in Zixiao Palace.
• After Jieyin left, Hongjun turned cold and used the Creation Jade Disk to investigate the secrets behind Luohu’s restored consciousness and power.
• Jieyin rushed to Golden Ao Island and tearfully begged Qingyuan to help him.

Daoist Jieyin came to Golden Ao Island seeking Qingyuan’s help, but Yun Zhongzi and the Interception Sect disciples challenged his shameless appeal and nearly sent him away. Qingyuan invited him in for tea and served the old Bodhi Leaf the Western Teachings had once given him, leaving Jieyin frozen and wondering what Qingyuan meant.

• Daoist Jieyin arrived at Golden Ao Island crying and complaining about the Western Earth Veins to pressure the Interception Sect into helping him.
• The Golden-winged Great Peng and other Interception Sect disciples confronted Jieyin, while Yun Zhongzi asked whether he had come to reason or not.
• Yun Zhongzi pointed out that the East Sea had never been harmed by Luohou, and Jieyin turned to leave without securing help.
• Qingyuan called Jieyin back and invited him to Golden Ao Island for tea, prompting Jieyin to enter excitedly.
• Qingyuan served Jieyin tea brewed from the Bodhi Leaf the Western Teachings had given him long ago, and Jieyin froze at the familiar taste.

Daoist Jieyin visited Qingyuan on Golden Ao Island, hoping to enlist his help with the Western Teachings’ crisis and Demon Ancestor Luohu. Qingyuan let him finish their tea and reminisce before Jieyin finally made his plea, leaving the request unanswered.

• Qingyuan and Daoist Jieyin drank tea made from Bodhi Leaves and reminisced about their shared past.
• Jieyin praised Qingyuan’s influence, and Qingyuan denied that he ruled the Primordial Wilderness.
• Qingyuan guessed that Jieyin had come because of a serious problem, and Jieyin hoped he would help with the Western Teachings’ troubles.
• Qingyuan finished his tea, took a selfie with Jieyin, and asked why he had not gone home.
• Jieyin swallowed his embarrassment and begged Qingyuan to help resolve the calamity facing the Western Teachings.

Qingyuan agreed to consider helping Daoist Jieyin deal with Demon Ancestor Luohou, but proposed making White Bone a Buddha Patriarch instead. The chapter ended with Qingyuan insisting that White Bone deserved a new Spirit Mountain and Thunderclap Temple.

• Daoist Jieyin tearfully asked Qingyuan for help, and Qingyuan pressed him to explain the problem.
• Daoist Jieyin explained that Luohou had returned and threatened the Western Teachings after destroying the Western Earth Veins.
• Qingyuan said Luohou could be stopped if Daoist Jieyin showed the right attitude toward developing the Western Teachings.
• Qingyuan proposed that White Bone become a Buddha Patriarch, recalling his past role as Vice Sect Leader and his confinement after falling out with the Interception Sect.
• Daoist Jieyin questioned the proposal, and Qingyuan insisted that White Bone was qualified to lead a new Spirit Mountain and Thunderclap Temple.

Qingyuan proposed that White Bone Daoist become a new Buddha Patriarch, but Daoist Jieyin feared the offer threatened the Western Teachings and initially refused. When Qingyuan began to leave without helping against Luohou, Jieyin agreed to appoint White Bone the fourth Buddha Patriarch and let him establish his own lineage.

• Qingyuan urged Daoist Jieyin to bring White Bone Daoist out of seclusion and make him a Buddha Patriarch with his own lineage.
• Daoist Jieyin rejected the proposal, saying the Buddhist Sect was already full and White Bone was out of touch with the changing world.
• Qingyuan ended the conversation and prepared to leave, refusing to help the Western Teachings against Luohou.
• Daoist Jieyin pleaded with Qingyuan to stay and finally agreed to make White Bone the Buddhist Sect's fourth Buddha Patriarch.
• Qingyuan rebuked Daoist Jieyin for his resentful tone and threatened to send him away if he did not want to accept the arrangement.

Qingyuan pressured Daoist Jieyin into agreeing to make White Bone the fourth Buddha Patriarch in exchange for resolving Luohou. Jieyin returned to the Ultimate Bliss World and offered White Bone the position, impressed by how deeply he had understood the Buddhist Dao.

• Qingyuan rejected Jieyin’s initial demands and insisted that White Bone become Buddha Patriarch before he would deal with Luohou.
• Jieyin agreed to appoint White Bone as the fourth Buddha Patriarch and hurried back to the Ultimate Bliss World.
• Jieyin visited White Bone in the Scripture Pavilion and found him immersed in Buddhist scriptures and radiating Buddhist light.
• Jieyin offered White Bone equal status with the Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future, along with the right to establish a dojo and found his own lineage.

White Bone refused Daoist Jieyin’s offer to become a Buddha Patriarch three times, arguing that the appointment could unsettle the Buddhist Sect, but accepted when Jieyin pleaded for help in a crisis. He became the fourth Buddha Patriarch, Universal Manifestation Tathagata, and began establishing his doctrine of awakening in the present moment as a Golden Lotus Divine Platform lifted him above the Western Pure Land.

• Daoist Jieyin proposed making White Bone a Buddha Patriarch, but White Bone declined, warning that the appointment could disrupt the Buddhist Sect and the Western Teachings.
• White Bone returned to reading and studying Buddhist scriptures while Jieyin watched and was moved by his devotion.
• Jieyin asked White Bone a second time to lead the Buddhist Sect through its crisis, and White Bone finally accepted after three invitations and three refusals.
• White Bone named himself Universal Manifestation Tathagata and the Present-Moment Enlightened Buddha, proclaiming teachings on the present thought and the unity of time and space.
• A Golden Lotus Divine Platform appeared beneath White Bone Buddha and raised him above the Western Pure Land.

A White Bone Buddha Patriarch claimed Heavenly Dao Merit and declared himself the Universal Manifestation Tathagata, establishing a Present-Moment Pure Land. When he announced plans for a New Spirit Mountain and New Thunderclap Temple, the Tathagata Buddha Patriarch rallied Spirit Mountain to oppose him.

• A White Bone Buddha Patriarch appeared above the Western Land, proclaimed himself the Present-Moment Enlightened Buddha, and drew much of the Heavenly Dao Merit to himself and the Present-Moment Pure Land.
• The Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and the gods and Buddhas in the Hall of the Great Hero learned that they did not recognize the new Buddha.
• The White Bone Buddha Patriarch announced that he would build a New Spirit Mountain and a New Thunderclap Temple as his Dojo.
• The Tathagata Buddha Patriarch declared that Spirit Mountain would fight to protect its name and position.
• The gods and Buddhas under the Tathagata set out to summon Ancient Buddha Randeng, the Future Buddha, and the Five Directional Buddhas, while the Tathagata allowed them to go.

Jin Chanzi visited Ancient Buddha Randeng and urged him to suppress White Bone Buddha, arguing that Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s new Pure Land threatened the Present Buddha Lineage and the Buddhist Sect’s order. Randeng agreed to help after bargaining for thirty percent of the Heavenly Dao Merit.

• Ancient Buddha Randeng received Jin Chanzi, who claimed the Buddhist Sect faced a crisis and asked him to save it.
• Jin Chanzi argued that Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s Present-Moment Pure Land and new Spirit Mountain and Thunderclap Temple challenged the Three-Era Buddha Lineage.
• Jin Chanzi asked Randeng to step forward and suppress White Bone Buddha on behalf of the Present Buddha Lineage.
• Jin Chanzi offered Randeng ten percent of the Heavenly Dao Merit on the World-Honored One’s behalf, and Randeng demanded forty percent.
• Jin Chanzi said thirty percent was the most he could offer, and Randeng accepted.

Maitreya grew furious after learning that Universal Manifestation Tathagata planned to establish a Present-Moment Pure Land and Present Lineage, which he saw as a threat to his future position in the Buddhist Sect. He agreed to join a gathering at Spirit Mountain and arrived there demanding to know how Tathagata would handle the matter.

• A messenger from Spirit Mountain told Maitreya that Universal Manifestation Tathagata wanted to promote the present and establish a new Buddhist lineage, angering Maitreya.
• Maitreya blamed Universal Manifestation Tathagata for taking Heavenly Dao Merit and threatening his future standing as the Buddhist Sect's Future Buddha.
• The messenger said Tathagata planned to gather Buddhist leaders and gods to confront the Present-Moment Enlightened Buddha at the Present-Moment Pure Land.
• Maitreya agreed to join the alliance and flew ahead to Spirit Mountain, leaving the messenger behind.
• Maitreya entered the Hall of the Great Hero and asked Tathagata whether he had found a way to deal with the situation.

Maitreya Buddha confronted Tathagata over Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s challenge to the Buddhist branches, but their argument disrupted the assembly before it could discuss a response. Ancient Buddha Randeng arrived and calmed the hall, leaving the dispute unresolved.

• Maitreya Buddha berated Tathagata for failing to respond to Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s Present-Moment Pure Land and its threat to the Buddhist branches.
• Tathagata told Maitreya to calm down and wait for the other Buddha Patriarchs, but Maitreya warned that Universal Manifestation Tathagata had taken Heavenly Dao Merit and threatened the Three Buddhist Branches.
• Tathagata released a powerful aura to silence Maitreya, who accused him of bullying his own people instead of challenging Universal Manifestation Tathagata.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng entered the Hall of the Great Hero and used his voice to settle the gods’ and Buddhas’ agitation, including Maitreya’s.

At the Hall of the Great Hero, Maitreya accused Tathagata of refusing to act against Universal Manifestation Tathagata, while Tathagata urged the assembled gods and Buddhas to proceed cautiously. After Ancient Buddha Randeng stopped their quarrel, Tathagata proposed leading an investigation of the Present-Moment Pure Land, and Maitreya reluctantly agreed to go.

• Maitreya respectfully greeted Ancient Buddha Randeng, then claimed Universal Manifestation Tathagata threatened the Western Teachings’ foundations and said he was angry on Tathagata’s behalf.
• Tathagata told the assembly that they should learn Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s origins and discuss a response before acting recklessly.
• Maitreya mocked Tathagata for sitting calmly and accused him of wanting others to fight for him, prompting Tathagata to order him to leave if he would not form an alliance sincerely.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng urged Maitreya and Tathagata to stop arguing and let Tathagata explain his plan.
• Tathagata offered to lead the gods and Buddhas to investigate the Present-Moment Pure Land, and Maitreya reluctantly agreed to accompany them.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata explained why he had changed his appearance and insisted on facing the Buddhist Sect’s challenge himself. As Daoist Jieyin prepared to deal with Luohou, the Demon Ancestor vanished into the hidden Demon Realm, leaving Jieyin suspecting Qingyuan was involved.

• World-Honored Tathagata and the gathered Buddhist figures traveled to confront Universal Manifestation Tathagata, while several disciples resented his new Buddha Throne.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata told Daoist Jieyin that his kind appearance helped living beings accept his teachings and that he would not betray his true heart.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata refused Jieyin’s offer to shield him, saying he would personally defeat the Buddhist Sect’s opponents and establish the Present-Moment Pure Land.
• Daoist Jieyin agreed not to interfere but told Universal Manifestation Tathagata to call on him if he could not handle the confrontation.
• Daoist Jieyin set out for the East Sea to address Luohou’s threat, but Luohou fled into the Demon Realm, which then disappeared.
• Daoist Jieyin suspected Qingyuan was connected to Luohou’s disappearance and decided he might need to show Qingyuan goodwill.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata welcomed the Buddhist gathering to his merit-born Present-Moment Pure Land while Maitreya accused him of stealing merit and usurping a Buddha Throne. The World-Honored Tathagata challenged Universal Manifestation to justify his place in the sect or prove his strength.

• Universal Manifestation Tathagata greeted the arriving Buddhas in the Present-Moment Pure Land, stunning them with its scale and Heavenly Dao Merit.
• Maitreya accused Universal Manifestation of deceiving the Saints, taking merit meant for the Western Teachings, and claiming an illegitimate Buddha title.
• Universal Manifestation greeted Ancient Buddha Randeng and the World-Honored Tathagata but ignored Maitreya, provoking Maitreya's anger.
• Universal Manifestation asked the gathered Buddhas whether they had come to discuss Dharma or test their skills.
• The World-Honored Tathagata condemned Universal Manifestation's Buddha Throne as harmful to the sect and challenged him to match the strength of himself or Ancient Buddha Randeng.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata faced Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and the Buddhist assembly, defeating their arguments in a three-day scripture debate before crushing the Five Directional Buddhas in combat. The chapter ended with the assembly stunned and Tathagata Buddha Patriarch regarding him with grave concern.

• Tathagata Buddha Patriarch challenged Universal Manifestation Tathagata, who offered to discuss scriptures or contest Dharma.
• Mahā Venerable and other Buddha Gods questioned Universal Manifestation Tathagata about the Present Thought, and he answered their arguments until they fell silent after three days and nights.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata called for a Dharma contest, and Vairocana Tathagata attacked him with the Great Sun Seal.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata shattered Vairocana Tathagata's attack and sent him flying with a single finger.
• The Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western Buddhas attacked together, but Universal Manifestation Tathagata defeated them with a ring of Buddha light.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata defeated Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and held his own against Tathagata and Ancient Buddha Randeng fighting together. After both opponents withdrew, the Primordial Wilderness began investigating his unknown origins, but no one found any trace of his past.

• Tathagata Buddha Patriarch challenged Universal Manifestation Tathagata but could not gain the upper hand and retreated.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng joined the fight, and Tathagata Buddha Patriarch soon returned to battle alongside him.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata unleashed a surge of power that sent Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and Ancient Buddha Randeng flying back, deciding the contest.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng admitted Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s strength, and he and Tathagata Buddha Patriarch departed with the Buddhist Sect.
• Factions across the Primordial Wilderness investigated Universal Manifestation Tathagata, but no one discovered where he came from.