Recaps

As Tathagata and the Asuras maneuvered to seize control of Great Tang, Li Longji drove the realm into war and An Lushan launched a rebellion. Yang Jian revealed the plot to Huoyun Cave and demanded concessions from the Human Dao in exchange for the Jade Emperor’s support.

• Black Gold Tathagata destroyed the Evil Lord, while the Taiqing Saint King learned that the Evil Lord and Buddha Burning Lamp shared the name Randeng and began studying a Great Dao artifact.
• An Lushan swore he was not a Heavenly Court or Western Teachings pawn, and Li Longji appointed him military governor of Pinglu, Fanyang, and Hedong.
• Tathagata returned to Spirit Mountain, but the Evil Lord seized Saint Randeng and transformed him into Evil Buddha Randeng, who corrupted the Twenty-Four Buddhist Kingdoms.
• The Jade Emperor planned to inflame Great Tang’s ambition to unify the Mortal Realm and set it against the Western Teachings, while Du Fu urged Li Longji to end the wars and spare the people.
• An Lushan and Shi Kefa revealed their Asura allegiance and planned to place the reincarnated Shiva, Li Heng, on the throne, while Li Longji named him Crown Prince and ordered a campaign against Western Niuhe Continent.
• Great Tang’s invasion faltered as Tathagata mobilized the Western Teachings, and Yang Yuhuan dismissed Old Bai and Old Jin’s warning that Asuras had infiltrated the realm.
• An Lushan used Li Linfu’s lavish meals to stir the soldiers into rebellion, then accepted a yellow robe, killed Li Linfu, and marched on Chang’an as Asuras attacked across the continents.
• Yang Jian told Huoyun Cave that An Lushan, Shi Siming, Yang Yuhuan, and Li Heng were reincarnated Asura figures, then offered the Investiture of the Immortals List and demanded one-third of Human Dao authority for the Jade Emperor.

Yang Jian secured the Jade Emperor’s share of Human Dao authority and helped establish a cultivation academy, while Hei Batian sacrificed himself protecting refugees from the Asura Clan. As An Lushan’s forces besieged Chang’an, Li Longji reclaimed his strength and rallied Great Tang against the Western Teachings’ array, leaving Samantabhadra at his mercy.

• Yang Jian pressured the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors into granting the Jade Emperor one-third of Human Dao authority, and they signed the Human Dao Investiture of the Immortals List.
• Hei Batian found that the Asura Clan had slaughtered his clansmen, then used Zhen Yuanzi’s Saint’s Power to defeat Indra and protect Hedong Commandery.
• Hei Batian burned his primordial spirit to defeat Xuelong and a Western Teachings Bodhisattva, then died so Li Guochen could feed his body to the refugees.
• Chenxiang learned of Hei Batian’s sacrifice, while Hedong’s people mourned him and Zhen Yuanzi declared Tathagata Buddha his enemy.
• Howling Celestial Dog restored Li Longji’s lost soul fragments, awakening his memories as Lord of Fire Li Er and raising him to Quasi-Saint.
• Li Longji killed Shi Siming and shattered the Netherworld Formation, but Samantabhadra’s Myriad Buddhas Great Array injured him and broke Chang’an’s defensive formation.
• Samantabhadra revealed Li Longji’s past identity, weakening Great Tang’s faith and Li Longji’s power, but Nuwa declared herself the Jade Emperor’s Second Mother and helped Li Longji rally the people.
• Li Longji drew strength from Great Tang through his jade seal, reached the seventh heaven of the Primordial Daluo Golden Immortal realm, shattered the Myriad Buddhas Great Array, and moved to deliver a final blow to Samantabhadra.