Chapter Summaries

Ke Haoran and Jian Xiaoxiao celebrated their wedding at the Academy, where guests from across the Tang Kingdom and Haotian World brought gifts. After the feast, Gu Hui and Mu Nianci arrived with their companions, revealing their identities and explaining their connection to the Academy.

• Half a month after the feast at the Academy, news spread that Ke Haoran would marry Jian Xiaoxiao on the eighth day of September.
• On the wedding day, Jian Xiaoxiao shared an emotional farewell with her sister Jian Lele before Ke Haoran brought her from Jian Residence to the Academy.
• Li Manman officiated the wedding, and Fuzi and guests including Old Yan Se, Tang Emperor Li Li, and representatives from Xiling and Lanke Temple presented gifts.
• After most guests had left, Fuzi cooked a meal for Gu Hui, Mu Nianci, and their companions, whose ordinary appearance astonished Ke Haoran and the others.
• Gu Hui introduced himself as Li Xuan, identified Mu Nianci and the others by their names, and revealed that Guo Xiang and Zhang Junbao were the Academy's First and Second Senior Brothers.

The Academy’s leaders revealed the hidden fifth Unknowable Land, then years later Ke Haoran drew powerful enemies to the Northwestern Desolate Plain to forge a realm of his own. The chapter ended with Ke Haoran cutting down Xiling’s head and fighting off the Dao Sect forces.

• Gu Hui revealed that he was Great Tang’s founding emperor and identified several Academy members as former imperial rulers, while Fuzi explained the existence of a hidden fifth Unknowable Land.
• Years later, Xiling’s allied army defeated the Bright Sect, and Fuzi returned with Yu Lian and accepted her as his fifth disciple.
• By the thirty-first year of Kai Ming, a tremendous eruption of Yuan Qi and lightning on the Northwestern Desolate Plain drew the attention of great cultivators, including the Academy.
• Ke Haoran deliberately lured Chen Mou and the Scripture Lecturer of Xuankong Temple to the plain, hoping to use the Song of Righteousness to forge his own realm.
• The head of Xiling declared that Ke Haoran had fallen into demonhood and ordered his capture, but Ke Haoran beheaded him and began slaughtering the attacking Dao Sect cultivators.

Ke Haoran entered the Haoran Realm and fought the Dharma Lecturer and Chen Mou on the Desolate Plain as Haotian appeared. At the Hot Sea, Gu Hui and seven others began their Lightning Tribulations, summoning an unfamiliar emperor deity that crushed Haotian’s Golden Giant Dragons and swept away the watching great cultivators.

• Ke Haoran broke through to the Seventh Realm, the Haoran Realm, and blasted the Dharma Lecturer a thousand meters away.
• Chen Mou used the World Creek Divine Finger against Ke Haoran, but their clash left Chen Mou bleeding while Ke Haoran remained unharmed.
• Fuzi sensed that she had come, turned from the Desolate Plain, and watched over Gu Hui, Mu Nianci, Gu Wei, Gu Nian, Gu Xin, Guo Xiang, and Zhang Junbao at the Hot Sea.
• The eight people triggered their Lightning Tribulations together, and Gu Hui crossed his tribulation as an enormous emperor deity appeared above the Desolate Plain.
• Haotian’s Divine Eye tried to discern the unfamiliar deity but bled from the effort, while dozens of Golden Giant Dragons and hundreds of Golden-Armored Divine Generals emerged from the rift.
• The emperor deity crushed the Golden Giant Dragons and swept the great cultivators on the Desolate Plain away.

The imperial deity defeated Haotian in a cataclysmic divine war that reshaped the world, while the Academy’s hidden masters grew powerful enough to resist future threats. Years later, new forces and prodigies appeared, the Underworld King’s son descended, and Jun Mo came to summon Ke Haoran.

• The imperial deity destroyed Haotian’s Metal Armor divine generals and clashed with Haotian’s radiance, leaving the Hot Sea’s mainland split into the Three Overseas Immortal Mountains as both divine powers vanished.
• Chen Mou fell severely wounded, Zhishou Abbey shut its gates, and Xuankong Temple gathered Buddhist masters while the world’s balance shifted.
• At Tang Academy, Fuzi celebrated Gu Hui’s breakthrough and the Academy group’s successful tribulations, which greatly increased their strength.
• Nearly seven years later, Li Li died and Li Zhongyi took the Tang throne as the world saw new powers and prodigies emerge.
• Wei Guangming sensed the Underworld King’s son had descended into the human world, while the Imperial Academy remained inactive.
• Jun Mo arrived at the Academy’s Back Mountain and told Ke Haoran that Teacher was looking for him.

After Li Manman reported that the Night Curtain was spreading south across the Desolate Plain, Fuzi and the Academy concluded that Haotian and the Underworld King were one being preparing to devour great cultivators. That night, Gu Hui intervened when Xiling’s Yulin Guards attacked the Lin General's Residence, leaving Xia Hou and his soldiers defeated.

• Ke Haoran met Jun Mo and went with him to Fuzi’s courtyard after learning that Li Manman had returned from the Desolate Plain.
• Li Manman described a frigid, southward-moving Night Curtain that devoured Mind Power, and Fuzi’s group concluded that Haotian and the Underworld King were the same being.
• Fuzi said that Wei Guangming had descended from Peach Mountain and that Xia Hou had mobilized the Imperial Feather Guard, but Ke Haoran was told someone else would act.
• Yulin Guards attacked the Lin General's Residence while Ning Que and Li Sanniang searched for Ning Xian, who urged them to flee.
• Gu Hui froze the attacking Yulin Guards, trapped the residence in a field where he controlled time and space, and shattered Xia Hou’s meridians.

Gu Hui traveled from the ruined Xuanwei General's Residence to Weicheng, then went to Peach Mountain to take Xiling's peach trees. As Xiling's hidden cultivators attacked him, Gu Hui stopped their wooden swords with ease.

• Gu Hui struck Xia Hou down, then watched Zeng Jing's concubine give birth to a girl whom Zeng Jing's lawful wife ordered servants to sell.
• Gu Hui arrived in Weicheng and gave Ma Shixiang two adults and two children to serve the border city.
• Gu Hui traveled to Peach Mountain and placed teleportation arrays around its peach trees.
• Gu Hui uprooted the peach trees and teleported them away, angering Xiling's hidden cultivators.
• Several wooden swords flew at Gu Hui, but he halted them with a light tap while his mind power controlled Peach Mountain.

Gu Hui destroyed Xiling’s peach groves and forces before showing Wei Guangming a vision of his future, which sent the Great Divine Official of Light toward You Pavilion. As Chen Mou watched from the South Sea and Fuzi kept Ke Haoran from joining the fight, the chapter left Xiling’s leaders in hiding and Ke Haoran under Jian Xiaoxiao’s watch.

• Gu Hui annihilated the Daoists, Temple Knights, and Divine Officials who attacked him, then erased the peach trees across Peach Mountain and confronted Wei Guangming at the Temple of Light.
• Gu Hui showed Wei Guangming a future in which he found Sang Sang in Chang'an, made her his disciple, and eventually learned she was the Daughter of the Underworld King; Wei Guangming then left for You Pavilion.
• Mo Yu, Xiong Chumo, and the other Xiling figures hid rather than face Gu Hui, while Chen Mou watched the destruction from the South Sea and resolved to lie low.
• At the Academy Back Mountain, Ke Haoran regretted missing the fight, but Fuzi sent him back to Jian Xiaoxiao, who forbade him from leaving the cottage.

Gu Hui warned Emperor Li Zhongyi that Xia Hou and Li Peiyan were again obstructing Princess Li Yu and cooperating with Xiling, then revealed that he was Li Xuan, the founding emperor of Great Tang. He explained that the Imperial Academy’s successive Masters were members of the hidden Imperial Family preparing for the decisive battle against Haotian.

• Li Yu returned to Chang'an after escaping the Golden Tent Royal Court, while Xia Hou remained determined to obstruct her.
• Ning Que and Sang Sang rented a cheap storefront in Lane 47.
• Gu Hui visited Fuzi at the Back Mountain, where they discussed Haotian’s arrival and Ning Que’s character.
• After the Spring Breeze Pavilion battle, Emperor Li Zhongyi angrily addressed the ministers, and Li Yu tried to calm him.
• Gu Hui told Li Zhongyi that Xia Hou was again interfering with Li Yu and that Li Peiyan had improper ties to Xiling.
• Gu Hui revealed that he was Li Xuan, the founding emperor, and that the Imperial Academy’s Masters were members of the hidden Imperial Family.

Gu Hui revealed to Li Zhongyi and Li Yu that Haotian caused Eternal Night to preserve the world’s energy and His own rule, making the coming conflict a struggle for survival. Half a month later, the Academy’s Second Floor opened, and Gu Hui watched the candidates begin climbing the Back Mountain.

• Gu Hui told Li Zhongyi and Li Yu that the Great Tang Imperial Family was an Unknowable Land with six powerful members, and that he had once confronted Haotian.
• Gu Hui explained that Haotian brought about Eternal Night by consuming powerful cultivators to preserve the world’s energy and prevent challenges to His rule.
• Gu Hui urged Li Zhongyi to act boldly, warned him to restrain Xia Hou, and said he would personally fight if Great Tang were threatened.
• Half a month later, the Academy gathered for the opening of the Second Floor, while Fuzi searched for the Drunkard and the Butcher.
• The candidates entered the Back Mountain’s Heart-Seeking Formation, and Gu Hui watched them struggle along the path.

Ning Que passed the Academy’s final trials and entered the Back Mountain as a disciple, while Long Qing failed to overcome his fear of death. After waking beside Sang Sang, Ning Que joined Chen Pipi to meet the Academy’s senior brothers and sisters.

• Chao Xiaoshu collapsed on the mountain path and was sent to the Back Mountain, while Ning Que reached the brushwood gate behind Long Qing.
• Ning Que entered the gate by imprinting its characters onto his palm, then emerged from the Mist Formation as Long Qing reached the stone cliff.
• Ning Que and Long Qing crossed the spacetime stairs, but Long Qing refused the final step because he feared death, leaving Ning Que to reach the cliff and pass.
• Ning Que woke in the Academy Back Mountain with Sang Sang beside him and learned from Chen Pipi that he had entered the Second Floor.
• Chen Pipi led Ning Que to meet the Back Mountain’s senior brothers and sisters and began telling him about little martial uncle.

Ning Que met more of the Academy’s senior disciples, including Ke Haoran, while Fuzi discussed sending him to the Desolate Plain. Meanwhile, Wei Guangming left his self-imposed confinement and arrived in Chang'an seeking an heir to his teachings.

• Chen Pipi introduced Ning Que to Fifth Senior Sister, who gave him a black ring, and told him about the other senior disciples.
• Chen Pipi brought Ning Que to meet Ke Haoran, and they nearly became sworn brothers before Jian Xiaoxiao stopped them.
• On the Desolate Plain, Fuzi and Li Manman agreed that Ning Que should eventually go there and lead the Demon Sect, after improving his cultivation.
• Wei Guangming declared that the light in his heart was no longer confined to Haotian and walked out of You Pavilion.
• Wei Guangming arrived in Chang'an, where Fuzi recognized that he had come to seek an heir to his teachings.
• At Zhishou Abbey, a Daoist in green wondered whether Wei Guangming would make a different choice from the man who lived a thousand years earlier.

Wei Guangming arrived in Chang'an and began teaching Sang Sang Haotian Divine Radiance, while Yan Se and Li Qingshan discussed why he posed no immediate concern. Gu Hui revealed to Fuzi the history behind Haotian, the Gambler, and Eternal Night, leaving them aware that the world’s Yuan Qi was being depleted toward its eventual end.

• Wei Guangming met Sang Sang at Old Brush Studio, offered to teach her cultivation in exchange for food, and began teaching her Haotian Divine Radiance.
• Li Qingshan urged Yan Se to stop Wei Guangming, but Yan Se said an unnamed expert had assured him that someone would handle matters in Chang'an.
• Yan Se and Li Qingshan debated whether the Son of the Underworld King existed and questioned why the Underworld King had never appeared.
• Gu Hui told Fuzi that the Gambler had awakened Haotian, made an agreement with her, left behind the Heavenly Book, and departed the world.
• Gu Hui explained that Haotian used Eternal Night to devour powerful cultivators and replenish the world's Yuan Qi, but warned that this would eventually exhaust the world.

Gu Hui saved Sang Sang from the Underworld King’s power and urged Ning Que and Sang Sang to marry, then left them with Fuzi on a journey to the Great River Kingdom. On the road, Sang Sang asked Ning Que to marry her, and he promised he would when she was fully grown.

• Gu Hui visited Ning Que at Old Brush Studio, where he teased Ning Que and Sang Sang about their feelings and lack of marriage rites.
• Wei Guangming told Gu Hui that Sang Sang liked Ning Que and that he would be glad if they married, though he did not want to force them.
• Sang Sang suddenly became covered in frost and collapsed, so Gu Hui used his power to suppress the Underworld King’s influence and revive her.
• Gu Hui told Ning Que to do what he had mentioned earlier, then vanished; Fuzi soon set out for the Great River Kingdom with Ning Que and Sang Sang accompanying him.
• During the journey, Sang Sang asked Ning Que to marry her, and Ning Que promised to marry her when she was fully grown.

Ning Que and Sang Sang returned to the Academy, where Sang Sang’s worsening sleeping sickness signaled that Haotian was close to awakening. Gu Hui entered her consciousness and confronted Haotian, beginning a battle in which he proved immune to the power of her laws.

• Fuzi told Ning Que to return to the Academy and arrange his wedding to Sang Sang, and three days later they arrived there.
• After Ning Que and Sang Sang married, Sang Sang’s sleeping sickness worsened, and Fuzi told Ning Que that she was about to awaken.
• Gu Hui arrived at the Academy, entered Sang Sang’s consciousness, and told Fuzi to guard her while he investigated the disturbance.
• Gu Hui found Haotian in her realm and accused her of causing disasters that the common people could not bear.
• Haotian summoned a divine general and dragon to attack Gu Hui, but he redirected their lightning with Qiankun Shift and destroyed the manifestations of her laws.

Gu Hui fought Haotian inside Sang Sang’s consciousness and sealed her will within Sang Sang after Fuzi helped stabilize her body. Sang Sang recovered, while Gu Hui withdrew after the battle.

• Haotian attacked Gu Hui with a palm formed from the powers of Light and Darkness, while Sang Sang trembled as their clash threatened her body.
• Fuzi used the power of the human world to stabilize Sang Sang and ease the strain on Gu Hui’s Primordial Spirit.
• Gu Hui pierced and shattered Haotian’s Heavenly Dao palm, prompting Haotian to recognize him and unleash another attack.
• Haotian broke through part of Gu Hui’s Heaven-Earth Taiji Diagram, injuring him, but mortal-world intent trapped her as he transformed the diagram into a seal.
• Gu Hui sealed Haotian inside Sang Sang’s body and vanished into the Void, while Fuzi told Ning Que that Sang Sang was stable again.

Sang Sang awakened her divine power as Fuzi and nine other human powerhouses entered Haotian’s world to fight her. The chapter ended with their combined assault shaking the Divine Kingdom and a dazzling pillar of light shooting across it.

• Sang Sang transformed as her power of light awakened, and Fuzi reassured Ning Que that she was safe.
• Gu Hui told Ning Que the Tang Kingdom would be entrusted to him, then Fuzi and the other powerhouses set out for the Divine Kingdom.
• Ke Haoran broke through the heavens with his sword, and Fuzi followed with Gu Hui and the others while Li Manman promised to protect the Academy disciples.
• The cultivators arrived in Haotian’s world and found Ke Haoran already battling Haotian in the ruined Heavenly Palace.
• Ke Haoran, Fuzi, Gu Hui, and the others unleashed their powers against Haotian, and their clash shook the Divine Kingdom as a pillar of light appeared.

After Heaven's Gate opened and a new era began, Tang launched a campaign against Xiling and the Moon Wheel Kingdom, drawing in allies and Academy disciples. Yu Lian devastated Xiling's forces, and Tang's army surrounded Peach Mountain as Chen Pipi confronted Ye Hongyu at the Divine Palace.

• Li Zhongyi taught Li Hupo that the world belonged to its people, then announced Tang's campaign against Xiling and the Moon Wheel Kingdom and assigned four armies to the expedition.
• The Hierarch ordered Xiling forces to resist Tang, while Academy disciples joined the war and Li Zhongyi decided to lead the campaign himself.
• Liu Bai destroyed more than fifty thousand Xiling cavalry, and Jun Mo challenged Ye Su at Tang's border.
• Yu Lian ambushed Xiong Chumo as he entered Tang, grievously wounded him, and wiped out the charging Xiling cavalry.
• Tang's Mysterious Armor Army surrounded Peach Mountain, where Chen Pipi met Ye Hongyu and said Haotian could no longer control the Divine Palace.

Ye Hongyu and Tang’s forces destroyed Xiling Divine Palace as the Academy’s disciples held off its cavalry, while Jun Mo defeated Ye Su and led the Tang army onward. With the old order collapsing, Tang Emperor Li Zhongyi looked toward the Divine Kingdom and remembered the revered figures who had come before.

• Ye Hongyu declared that Xiling Divine Palace would be erased, while Li Manman and the Academy’s Second Floor disciples stopped five hundred thousand Xiling cavalry outside Green Gorge.
• Jun Mo defeated Ye Su in their sword duel, and Ye Su lowered his sword after glimpsing another path; Jun Mo then ordered the Tang army to advance toward Moon Wheel Kingdom.
• Ye Hongyu, Chen Pipi, the Imperial Academy experts, and Tang’s Black Armored Cavalry overwhelmed the defenders and destroyed the temples on Peach Mountain.
• Tang Emperor Li Zhongyi watched the war spread across the world, reflected on the old order’s collapse, and looked toward the Divine Kingdom while naming his honored forebears.

Gu Hui and the others shattered Haotian’s Divine Kingdom, sealed her power, and stripped away her Godhead, ending her rule over the human world. Centuries later, Gu Hui learned to use the Dao Mirror to travel between worlds and left the Haotian World with Mu Nianci.

• Haotian poured her accumulated faith into a desperate attack and summoned puppets made from experts she had devoured.
• Ning Que and Yan Se drew a human-world talisman as people across the Tang Kingdom joined in, breaking Haotian’s Divine Kingdom and the barrier above the Blue Heaven.
• Gu Hui sealed Haotian, stripped away her Godhead with the Heavenly Book, and destroyed it so its power would merge with heaven and earth.
• After the Great Tang unified the world, many cultivators, including Ke Haoran, Liu Bai, and Fuzi, departed to explore the Endless Starry Sky.
• Several hundred years later, Gu Hui learned to activate the Dao Mirror at will and left the Haotian World with Mu Nianci.

Gu Hui, reborn as Xiao Yao in the Dou Qi world, finished restoring his former cultivation and returned to Sound Valley, the refuge he had founded. After thinking of Mu Nianci and the others, he entered an ancient ruin hidden in the valley and discovered a vast, desolate secret space.

• Gu Hui recovered his peak Tribulation Realm cultivation in the Chaos Thunder Pool but found that his Dou Qi cultivation had only reached Dou Zun and concealed his true strength.
• Gu Hui traveled to the Northernmost Region of Central Plains and entered Sound Valley, where he met the women he had rescued and trained.
• Gu Hui improved Sound Valley’s formation, painted portraits of three women, and wondered where Mu Nianci, Dongfang, and A Bi were.
• Gu Hui entered the ancient ruins hidden beneath Sound Valley and opened a spatial rift into a ruined city and a vast, weakened secret realm.