Chapter Summaries

Jin Chan taught Shen Gongbao a supposed Saint's incantation before leaving him to practice, while Chong Heihu brought Caozhou reinforcements to Chong City and captured Su Quanzhong in battle. As Zheng Lun prepared to challenge Chong Heihu, Long Ji waited above the city, ready to use her array to rescue him if he was defeated.

• Jin Chan taught Shen Gongbao the five words "Fellow Daoist, please stay your step!" and left him on a deserted island to practice.
• Chong Heihu arrived at Chong City with three thousand Flying Tiger Soldiers and agreed to face Su Hu's army.
• Chong Heihu defeated Su Quanzhong with an Iron Beak Divine Eagle and captured him alive.
• Zheng Lun promised Su Hu that he would fight Chong Heihu the next day.
• Long Ji waited above Chong City with the Heavenly Court Zhou Tian Star Dou Great Array, prepared to rescue Chong Heihu if needed.

Zheng Lun defeated Chong Heihu, but Princess Long Ji rescued Chong Heihu and sent him to aid King Wu in Western Qi. Meanwhile, Wen Zhong found a disciplined army drilling in Yellow Flower Mountain and provoked its fierce general.

• Zheng Lun struck Chong Heihu with a streak of white light, and Chong Heihu vanished along with his mount and Flying Tiger Soldiers.
• Zheng Lun captured Chong City after breaking its walls, and Chong Houhu and Chong Yingbiao died in the fighting.
• Princess Long Ji revealed that she had saved Chong Heihu by her master Lin Zhu’s decree and ordered him to lead his soldiers to Western Qi.
• Wen Zhong traveled through Yellow Flower Mountain and discovered several armies drilling a Great Array.
• A fierce, red-haired general confronted Wen Zhong, who deliberately provoked him by claiming he wanted to build a hut on the mountain.

Wen Zhong recruited four mountain generals and returned to Chaoge, where he discovered the three Great Demons’ crimes in the palace. After Di Xin dismissed court, Wen Zhong waited for midnight to confront the demons without alarming the city.

• Wen Zhong trapped the generals in Yellow Flower Mountain with the Five Elements Escape Technique and captured Xin Huan with Golden Warriors.
• Xin Huan explained that he and his three sworn brothers had gathered troops hoping to serve the Imperial Court, so Wen Zhong recruited them as disciples and took them to Chaoge.
• Lin Zhu left Azure Sky Palace for Chaoge after instructing Jin Chan, while Di Xin neglected state affairs and indulged Su Daji as the three Great Demons terrorized the palace.
• Wen Zhong saw the palace’s corpses and wandering souls with his divine eye, but Di Xin dismissed court before he could speak.
• Wen Zhong returned to his mansion and waited for midnight to begin purging the inner palace without alerting Di Xin or the city.

Wen Zhong discovered that Su Daji and the other demons had filled the Royal Palace with wronged souls, so he opened a passage to the Underworld to guide them toward rebirth. Ancestor Minghe intercepted the souls to claim their merit, and Wen Zhong began fighting him as the two rivers clashed.

• Di Xin ordered Wen Zhong to oversee state affairs and returned to the inner palace with Su Daji.
• Wen Zhong inspected the Royal Palace at midnight and found countless wronged souls as well as Su Daji, Jade Pipa, and the Nine-Headed Pheasant Spirit cultivating in a secret chamber.
• Wen Zhong sealed the demons inside the chamber, opened a vortex to the Underworld, and led the wronged souls through it.
• Wen Zhong found Ancestor Minghe blocking the souls' path with a river of blood and refusing to let them pass.
• Wen Zhong attacked with Water Escape, sending a Heavenly River against the river of blood, while Minghe's monsters held it back.

Wen Zhong fought Old Monster Styx while guiding the wronged souls toward the Underworld, and Lin Zhu secretly protected him from the old monster’s attack. After Wen Zhong reached the Underworld, Ksitigarbha blocked his way and demanded to examine the souls.

• Old Monster Styx blocked Wen Zhong in the Blood River and sent lesser monsters to test him.
• Wen Zhong used Earth, Metal, Wood, and Fire Escape to turn the Blood River muddy and set it ablaze, destroying the lesser monsters.
• Old Monster Styx sent the Twelfth-Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus against Wen Zhong, but Lin Zhu secretly sent it flying back and opened a path through the Blood River.
• Lin Zhu revealed three appearances of himself to frighten Old Monster Styx, who retreated with his lesser monsters.
• Wen Zhong led the wronged souls toward the Underworld, where Ksitigarbha and Diting stopped him and Ksitigarbha demanded to assess the souls.

Lin Zhu drove Ksitigarbha away from Wen Zhong and secured merit for Jie Sect by helping the wronged souls enter reincarnation. Wen Zhong returned to Di Xin's palace, trapped the three demons, and ordered them to meet him at Xuanyuan Tomb.

• Ksitigarbha attacked Wen Zhong, but Lin Zhu intervened and sent Ksitigarbha and Diting flying.
• Lin Zhu reassured Wen Zhong, revealed that King Wu, Bo Yikao, was his martial uncle, and told him he could fake his death during the Great Calamity.
• Lin Zhu warned Ksitigarbha not to obstruct Jie Sect disciples in the Underworld, and Ksitigarbha agreed before leaving with Diting.
• Empress Houtu thanked Lin Zhu and awarded merit to him, Wen Zhong, and herself as the Ten Thousand Wronged Souls entered reincarnation.
• Wen Zhong returned to Di Xin's Royal Palace, found the wronged souls gone, and discovered the three demons trapped in his fire.
• Wen Zhong ordered Su Daji and the other two demons to meet him at Xuanyuan Tomb outside Chaoge City, then flew there ahead of them.

Wen Zhong defeated Su Daji, the Jade Pipa Spirit, and the Nine-Headed Pheasant Spirit with his Five Thunders Divine Method, then spared them on the condition that they harm no more people. The next morning, reports arrived that rebellions had broken out across the realm, leaving Shang under attack from multiple directions.

• Wen Zhong confronted the Three Great Demons at Xuanyuan Tomb and accused them of killing innocent people in the Royal Palace.
• Su Daji claimed that she and her sisters had followed Nüwa's decree, but Wen Zhong condemned their crimes and attacked them.
• Wen Zhong struck the three demons with his Five Thunders Divine Method, leaving them gravely wounded and their Dao arts destroyed.
• Su Daji warned that killing them could anger Nüwa and cause chaos in Chaoge, so Wen Zhong spared them until after the Great Calamity.
• The next morning, Wen Zhong received reports of rebellions led by Su Hu, Yuan Futong, E Chongyu, Jiang Wenhuan, and others, while Lu Xiong's campaign against Western Qi ended in defeat.

Wen Zhong restored order in Chaoge and prepared to suppress the North Sea rebels while Lin Zhu sought Shen Gongbao in the East Sea. Lin Zhu offered to improve Shen Gongbao’s Divine Incantation, leaving the misfortune-bringing cultivator ready to hear his guidance.

• Wen Zhong imprisoned the three demons, ordered Cheng Tang garrisons to guard their cities, and brought Ji Zi and Wei Zi back into court affairs.
• Wen Zhong purged treacherous officials and began recruiting troops to campaign against the North Sea demons.
• Lin Zhu surveyed the chaos of the God-Sealing Tribulation and decided to draw Taishang Laojun’s disciples into it through Shen Gongbao.
• Lin Zhu found Shen Gongbao cultivating on a deserted island in the East Sea and praised the power of his Dao arts.
• Lin Zhu told Shen Gongbao they could associate as peers and invited him closer to learn how to improve his Divine Incantation.

Lin Zhu taught Shen Gongbao the Divine Incantation and sent him to Tushita Palace to draw Laozi’s disciples into the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. There, Shen Gongbao encountered Laozi’s runaway companion Qing Niu, who had disguised himself as Niu Qing, and began persuading him to join his plans.

• Lin Zhu taught Shen Gongbao the Divine Incantation and gave him a White-Eyed Tiger as a mount.
• Lin Zhu sent Shen Gongbao to Laozi’s Tushita Palace, hoping he would pull Taishang’s lineage into the tribulation.
• Qing Niu stole Laozi’s Diamond Cutter and Jade Purification Bottle and left Tushita Palace while Laozi refined pills and Xuan Du taught their fellow disciples.
• Shen Gongbao met Qing Niu in human form, and Qing Niu falsely claimed to be Laozi’s disciple Niu Qing on an experience journey.
• Shen Gongbao offered to guide Niu Qing and promised him wealth and honor.

Shen Gongbao tricked Qing Niu into following him to Chaoge, further disrupting the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation. Lin Zhu foresaw the growing chaos and Yang Jian found a ripe, glowing Immortal Plum in the forest, where the chapter left him about to examine it.

• Shen Gongbao encountered Qing Niu and persuaded him that he could bestow a great fortune upon him.
• Shen Gongbao cast his Divine Incantation, causing Qing Niu to repeatedly fall from his cloud and convincing him to honor their wager.
• Shen Gongbao led Qing Niu toward Chaoge, while Lin Zhu calculated that his arrival would make the tribulation more chaotic.
• Lin Zhu went to Mount Kongtong, where Guang Chengzi instructed Yang Jian to cultivate and seek opportunity in the Immortal Plum Forest.
• Yang Jian followed a strange fragrance through the forest and found a ripe, purple-glowing Immortal Plum Fruit.

Yang Jian refined the Immortal Plum with Lin Zhu’s help, completing the Eight Nine Arcane Art and opening his Heavenly Eye. In Chaoge, Wen Zhong welcomed Shen Gongbao and Niu Qing, then arranged for Shen Gongbao to become Da Shang’s State Preceptor and entrust him with court affairs.

• Yang Jian absorbed the Immortal Plum and nearly suffered cultivation deviation as its energy battered his meridians and forehead.
• Lin Zhu saved Yang Jian and guided him through nine revolutions, allowing him to complete the Eight Nine Arcane Art and open his Heavenly Eye.
• Lin Zhu taught Yang Jian how to use his Dao techniques, and Yang Jian mastered them within a few days.
• Shen Gongbao and Niu Qing arrived in Chaoge and introduced themselves to Wen Zhong as Daoist disciples seeking worldly wealth and honor.
• Wen Zhong petitioned Di Xin to appoint Shen Gongbao as State Preceptor and Niu Qing as his deputy, then entrusted Shen Gongbao with court affairs and watching the Three Great Demons.

Shen Gongbao and Niu Qing led a small Chaoge army against Western Qi, where Huang Tianhua challenged Niu Qing. The chapter ended with Niu Qing standing unharmed after Huang Tianhua struck him with his Double Silver Hammers, as Huang Tianhua prepared to throw a dart.

• Wen Zhong appointed Shen Gongbao State Preceptor and arranged a mansion where Niu Qing feasted on grass, sweet potatoes, and rice wine.
• Shen Gongbao persuaded Wen Zhong to send three thousand troops against Western Qi, with Niu Qing as vanguard and Deng Zhong as deputy general.
• After the Chaoge army camped outside Xi Qi City, Jiang Ziya warned Western Qi's generals about Shen Gongbao and Niu Qing.
• Huang Tianhua volunteered to fight Shen Gongbao, and Jiang Ziya allowed him to leave the city and issue a challenge.
• Niu Qing went out to face Huang Tianhua and stood unharmed after Huang Tianhua struck his head twice with the Double Silver Hammers.
• Huang Tianhua shouted that Niu Qing should catch his dart.

Shen Gongbao sent Niu Qing against Western Qi, where Niu Qing killed Huang Tianhua and sent his soul to the Investiture of the Gods Platform. Meanwhile, Yang Jian completed his cultivation, subdued the Howling Celestial Hound, and obtained a Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade as Lin Zhu urged Guang Chengzi to let the Yang family settle their karmic bonds.

• Shen Gongbao led three thousand troops to attack Western Qi, and Huang Tianhua challenged the Chaoge camp.
• Niu Qing used the Diamond Cutter to capture Huang Tianhua’s treasures, then killed him and sent his soul to the Investiture of the Gods Platform.
• After hearing of Huang Tianhua’s death, Jiang Ziya mustered the armies to confront Shen Gongbao.
• Yang Jian seized a black hound that had accused him of stealing a Spiritual Fruit and forced it to swear an oath of service for one hundred thousand years.
• The Howling Celestial Hound brought Yang Jian a Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade, which Yang Jian recognized as an Innate Spiritual Treasure.
• Lin Zhu told Guang Chengzi that the Yang family’s karmic bonds should be settled by the family, while Guang Chengzi worried Yang Jian was not yet ready to go to Western Qi.

Yang Jian left Mount Kongtong to assist Western Qi after revealing that he had gained a powerful cultivation opportunity, while Niu Qing’s Diamond Cutter crushed the Huang family generals in battle. Lin Zhu arrived in Xi Qi City and recognized that Niu Qing was Laozi’s Qing Niu, as Shen Gongbao prepared to attack the city at night.

• Yang Jian told Guang Chengzi and Lin Zhu about his opportunity in the Immortal Plum Forest, then set out for Western Qi with Howling Celestial Hound.
• Jiang Ziya confronted Shen Gongbao, but Shen Gongbao refused to join Western Qi and sent Niu Qing to fight.
• The Huang family generals charged Niu Qing to avenge Huang Tianhua, but Niu Qing used the Diamond Cutter to kill all of them except Huang Feihu.
• Jiang Ziya withdrew his army, and Shen Gongbao urged Niu Qing to sneak into Western Qi that night and capture Bo Yikao and Jiang Ziya.
• Lin Zhu reached Xi Qi City, saw through Niu Qing’s origins, and recognized him as Laozi’s Qing Niu.

Lin Zhu secretly prepared Western Qi for Niu Qing’s planned nighttime raid and met with Bo Yikao to conceal his identity while helping with military affairs. When Niu Qing reached the city walls, Lin Zhu’s overwhelming presence forced him to retreat.

• Lin Zhu arrived at Deng Residence, warned Deng Chanyu and Long Xuhu that Niu Qing would attack that night, and told Deng Jiugong to alert Jiang Ziya and strengthen the city’s defenses.
• Jiang Ziya reinforced Xi Qi City and reported the threat to Bo Yikao, who recognized that his master Lin Zhu had arrived and went to meet him in secret.
• Lin Zhu told Bo Yikao to hide his identity, find him a role assisting with military affairs, and secretly watch over Deng Chanyu and Long Xuhu.
• Niu Qing assembled three thousand soldiers outside Xi Qi City and prepared to smash its walls with the Diamond Cutter.
• Lin Zhu confronted Niu Qing with his Saintly pressure, and Niu Qing recognized him and immediately abandoned the raid.

Lin Zhu appeared in Xi Qi City and stopped Niu Qing’s planned night raid, then took the alias Zhu Lin and became Western Qi’s State Preceptor. After Yang Jian joined Jiang Ziya’s forces and defeated the mortal generals who challenged Zhu Lin, he went to confront Niu Qing outside the Chaoge camp.

• Lin Zhu’s arrival frightened Niu Qing into withdrawing his army from Xi Qi City, despite the soldiers’ protests.
• Xi Qi’s royal court appointed Zhu Lin State Preceptor, prompting Nan Gongshi to question his authority and military ability.
• Yang Jian arrived to serve Jiang Ziya, then knocked down dozens of generals who challenged him in Silver Peace Hall.
• Zhu Lin ordered Yang Jian to challenge Niu Qing, with Deng Chanyu and Long Xuhu supporting him.
• Niu Qing saw Yang Jian outside the camp, mistook him for an easy opponent, and swaggered out to confront him.

Yang Jian defeated Niu Qing’s Diamond Cutter in their first clash, then slipped into the Chaoge camp that night and recovered the heads of Western Qi’s fallen generals. Niu Qing suffered another humiliation when Howling Celestial Hound bit his leg, while Shen Gongbao realized an expert had entered the camp.

• Yang Jian shrugged off repeated blows from Niu Qing’s Diamond Cutter, then struck Niu Qing several times before the Green Ox Demon retreated to his camp.
• Lin Zhu sent Yang Jian to retrieve the heads of Western Qi’s generals and restore them to the Huang family for burial.
• Yang Jian transformed into a spotted marten, collected the heads from the Chaoge camp’s flagpoles, and escaped after Niu Qing discovered him.
• Howling Celestial Hound bit Niu Qing’s calf during the escape, and Niu Qing dismissed the soldiers by claiming the wind had rustled the flags.
• Shen Gongbao noticed the heads had disappeared and realized an expert had entered the Western Qi camp.

Yang Jian returned to Xi Qi after defeating Green Ox Demon, then faced him again after Shen Gongbao humiliated Jiang Ziya in battle. Forewarned about the Jade Purification Bottle, Yang Jian used a stone double while hiding his real body as grass, leaving Green Ox Demon’s trap poised to fail.

• Yang Jian returned the Order Arrow to Lin Zhu and handed the Huang family heads to Huang Gun and Huang Feihu, then received Lin Zhu’s advice about using his Divine Eye and weapon together.
• Jiang Ziya charged Shen Gongbao after Shen Gongbao insulted him, but Shen Gongbao’s “Fellow Daoist, please stay!” incantation stopped Sibuxiang and sent Jiang Ziya tumbling into the dirt.
• Green Ox Demon challenged Yang Jian and tried to unsettle the Western Qi ranks with his Quasi-Saint pressure, but Lin Zhu and the other powerful figures kept the army undisturbed.
• Yang Jian opened his Divine Eye, recognized Green Ox Demon as a cultivated Ox Spirit, and accepted his challenge to settle the fight with treasures.
• Lin Zhu warned Yang Jian that the Jade Purification Bottle could kill anyone trapped inside, so Yang Jian turned a boulder into his likeness and hid his real body as a blade of grass.
• Green Ox Demon pointed the bottle at the false Yang Jian and called for him to enter.

Yang Jian outwitted the Green Ox Demon’s Jade Pure Bottle and fought him to a standstill, then proposed a rematch so he could prepare a plan requiring an illusion-array expert. Lin Zhu arranged for a master of formations to arrive the next morning and left Xi Qi City, promising to return by then.

• The Green Ox Demon captured Yang Jian with the Jade Pure Bottle, but Yang Jian used a stone transformation to fool him and escaped.
• Yang Jian turned into a mosquito, surprised the Green Ox Demon, and fought him alongside the Howling Celestial Hound until neither side could gain the advantage.
• Yang Jian proposed fighting again the next day, and the Green Ox Demon agreed before both armies withdrew to their camps.
• Yang Jian told Lin Zhu that his plan to defeat the Green Ox Demon needed help from a Daoist skilled in illusion arrays.
• Lin Zhu promised a master of formations would arrive the next morning, then asked Jiang Ziya to watch over Xi Qi City while he went out.

Yang Jian and Lin Zhu arranged to trap the Green Ox Demon with Long Ji’s formation, while Yang Chan joined them in Western Qi and reunited with her brother. The Green Ox Demon chased Yang Jian into an illusion array and swallowed a real blade of grass hidden among the illusions.

• Lin Zhu went to Zhaoyao Mountain, tested Yang Chan’s formation skills, and gave her the Three Lights Divine Water, the Profound Yellow Pearl, and the God-Slaying Spear.
• Lin Zhu, Long Ji, and Yang Chan traveled to Western Qi, where Yang Jian and Yang Chan joyfully reunited.
• The next day, Yang Jian challenged the Green Ox Demon and lured it away from the battlefield.
• The Green Ox Demon entered Long Ji’s illusion array, mistook its endless grass for real food, and grazed as its hunger grew.
• One real blade of grass rolled into the Green Ox Demon’s mouth and fell into its belly.