Chapter Summaries

Styx and Wood Spirit encountered Shi Ji, a Mu Jin spirit born from the remnant spirituality of a Da Luo Golden Immortal, as she completed her tribulation. Recognizing her affinity with death and the Netherworld, Styx decided she was a suitable talent for the Blood Sea Lineage.

• Styx and Wood Spirit walked down the Immortal Mountain and found a Giant Rock undergoing tribulation on Skeleton Mountain Range.
• Wood Spirit discovered that Shi Ji had formed from the remnant spirituality of a Da Luo Golden Immortal whose corpse helped create the mountain range.
• Styx recognized Shi Ji as a future victim of True Person Taiyi and decided to save her and recruit her.
• Shi Ji emerged from the Giant Rock after her tribulation and thanked Styx and Wood Spirit for acting as Dharma Protectors.
• Styx nodded at Wood Spirit's silent question about taking Shi Ji as a disciple, judging her compatible with the Blood Sea Lineage and the Underworld.

Styx and Wood Spirit accepted the newly transformed Shi Ji into the Blood Sea and helped stabilize her cultivation. They set out together to travel through the Great Wilderness, with Shi Ji leading the way.

• Wood Spirit introduced herself and Styx, then asked Shi Ji if she would join the Blood Sea.
• Shi Ji accepted Styx's offer, and he gave her a Projection of the Blood Scripture and told her to travel with them while she tempered her foundation.
• Wood Spirit gave Shi Ji a Creation Lotus Seed, balancing the Life-and-Death Qi in her body and stabilizing her cultivation.
• Styx led Wood Spirit and Shi Ji away from Skull Mountain, and the three slowed their travels to let Shi Ji explore the scenery.

Styx, Wood Spirit, and Shi Ji discovered Yao Ji’s children in a riverside village, and Styx explained how Yao Ji had met the mortal Yang Tianyou and borne them. The group left with Shi Ji quietly reflecting on how marriage fate had connected Yao Ji and Yang Tianyou.

• Shi Ji sensed something unusual in a riverside village, where Styx spotted divine light above a household.
• Styx and Wood Spirit recognized the children as descendants of Yao Ji and Yang Tianyou, born from the first union between a human and a god.
• Styx revealed that Yao Ji had been nurtured by Haotian, undergone Form Transformation, and later met the mortal scholar Yang Tianyou.
• Styx explained that Yang Jiao inherited divine power, Yang Jian was born with a divine eye, and Yang Chan possessed a pure origin.
• Styx told Shi Ji that the Marriage Tree could entangle people whose Destinies attracted one another, and Shi Ji lowered her head in embarrassment.

Styx, Wood Spirit, and Shi Ji visited Yang Tianyou and Yao Ji to look at their children, and Styx praised Yang Tianyou's Literary Dao talent. Haotian and Yaochi appeared and recognized Styx, leaving Yao Ji stunned by the identity of their visitor.

• Styx explained that Haotian and Yaochi accepted Yang Tianyou because of their sister's affection and the children's extraordinary origins.
• Styx and his companions approached Yang Tianyou's courtyard, where Yao Ji sensed them and guarded her family.
• Styx praised Yang Tianyou's clear literary heart, while Wood Spirit greeted Yang Chan.
• Haotian and Yaochi appeared, recognized Styx as Dao Venerate Styx, and nervously paid their respects.
• Yao Ji realized Styx was the famed lord of the Blood Sea as Styx reassured the family that he had only happened to pass by.

Haotian stood up for Yao Ji and her family, but Styx reassured him that he had come only to see the children. Styx accepted Yao Ji’s three children into the Blood Sea lineage and then took Haotian in as well, giving him a new cultivation method and a chance to rebuild his Dao foundation.

• Haotian pleaded with Styx to spare Yao Ji and her family, and Styx said the old karma between him and Hongjun did not involve the younger generation.
• Styx offered to take Yao Ji’s three children into the Blood Sea lineage, and Yao Ji gratefully accepted on their behalf.
• Styx infused Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan with blood-colored power, strengthening their origins and awakening distinct abilities in each sibling.
• Haotian asked Styx to take him in, explaining that he wanted to escape the danger of his Purple Cloud Palace origins.
• Styx gave Haotian the complete World Attain Dao Method and the method for refining a Natal Dao Treasure so he could rebuild his Dao foundation.

Styx sent Haotian and his family to the Heavenly Court and directed Yang Tianyou to Wenchang Star to study the Literary Dao, while Yang Chan stayed with Styx and Wood Spirit. Yu Ding arrived too late to meet his intended disciple, but Styx left him a bloodline-refinement method, which Yu Ding accepted cautiously before heading to Kunlun Mountain.

• Styx ordered Haotian to take his nephews and the others to the Heavenly Court, and sent Yang Tianyou to Wenchang Star to learn the Literary Dao from Kunpeng's Dharma Body.
• Styx kept Yang Chan with him, and Wood Spirit took the girl along as their group continued through the Great Wilderness.
• Haotian and the others packed up their residence and set out for the Heavenly Court.
• Yu Ding arrived at the empty place, where Styx's blood-red light gave him a method for refining his bloodline and body.
• Yu Ding thanked Styx, then headed to Kunlun Mountain to ask his Master to check the method for dangers.

Zi Wei assigned Haotian, Yaochi, and the Heavenly Court’s six Heavenly Lords new roles, while Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Tianyou were sent to develop their abilities. Styx’s arrangements also prompted Jin Yu to head for the Heavenly Court and Yuanshi to take a more active role in the Great Wilderness.

• Zi Wei appointed Haotian Heavenly Official Sovereign, made Yaochi Golden Mother, and elevated the six Heavenly Lords to Sovereign Lords.
• Zi Wei taught Yang Jiao and Yang Jian the Blood Scripture and sent them to train under Shen Ni in the Gouchen Sovereign Department.
• Kunpeng’s Literary Dao Dharma Body taught Yang Tianyou the Literary Dao and accepted him as a Nominal Disciple at Wenchang Imperial Palace.
• Styx decided Jin Yu needed special training, and Jin Yu stopped wandering and headed toward the Heavenly Court.
• Yuanshi recognized Styx’s influence on Yu Ding, then sent his disciples to seek promising candidates and went into the Great Wilderness himself.

Styx and his companions visited Plum Mountain, where Wood Spirit gained enlightenment through Yang Chan and accepted her as a disciple. They discovered the Vast-Arm Ape Monkey Yuan Hong, whom Styx hoped to recruit into the Blood Sea Sect.

• Styx led the group up Plum Mountain after Yang Chan asked to eat plums.
• Wood Spirit gained new insight into the Fortune Life-Death Dao while caring for Yang Chan, accelerating the fusion of her Laws and raising her cultivation.
• Styx let Wood Spirit accept Yang Chan as her disciple, making Yang Chan a junior martial sister to Nuwa and Fuxi and a junior martial aunt to Six-Eared Macaque and the others.
• Yang Chan spotted a white monkey in the plum grove, and Styx identified him as the Vast-Arm Ape Monkey.
• Styx explained Yuan Hong's origins and exceptional physical strength, and considered recruiting him into the Blood Sea Sect.

Styx explained that Yuan Hong was the Vast-Arm Ape Monkey, one of the Four Mixed-World Monkeys, rather than a monster, and speculated about the Chaos Demon Ape’s fate and their origins. He concluded that even if the four monkeys merged, they could not restore the original Chaos Demon Ape’s power.

• Yuan Hong landed, greeted Styx and the others respectfully, and called himself a monster.
• Styx told Yuan Hong that his origins came from the Chaos Demon Ape and the Earth Origin, making him the Vast-Arm Ape Monkey rather than a monster.
• Yuan Hong asked why he lacked Innate Inheritance, and Styx noted that the Four Mixed-World Monkeys had little or none.
• Styx speculated that Pangu’s two axe strikes had annihilated the Chaos Demon Ape’s True Spirit and nearly all of his body, Mana, bloodline, and origin.
• Styx reasoned that the Four Mixed-World Monkeys could merge into only an infant form of the Chaos Demon Ape, not revive the original.

After learning about his origin, Yuan Hong recognized that Styx and his companions meant him no harm and asked to join their sect. Styx accepted him into the Blood Sea as a third-generation disciple and promised to find him a suitable master.

• Yuan Hong reflected that Chaos Demon Ape had perished after enduring Pangu’s strikes, leaving him in control of his own future but with an incomplete origin.
• Yuan Hong inferred that Styx and the others had sought him out and knelt to ask to enter Styx’s sect.
• Styx agreed to accept Yuan Hong, but clarified that Yuan Hong would not become his personal disciple.
• Wood Spirit explained that Yuan Hong would join the Blood Sea as a third-generation disciple, like the other monkeys Styx had accepted.
• Shi Ji identified Styx and Wood Spirit as the lords of the Blood Sea, and Yuan Hong bowed respectfully to them.
• Styx welcomed Yuan Hong into the sect and said he would find him a suitable master later.

Styx created a Lesser Thousand World Cave Heaven on Plum Mountain for Yuan Hong to use as his Dojo. Yuan Hong thanked Styx for the gift, and the new world concealed itself within the void.

• Shi Ji greeted Yuan Hong, who respectfully called her Martial Uncle after learning she would become Fengdu's disciple.
• Yang Chan introduced herself as Yuan Hong's Martial Uncle and asked to eat his plums, so he picked one for her.
• Yuan Hong explained that he had planted the plum forest from an Innate Plum Pit and identified its original tree as a Low-grade Innate Spiritual Root.
• Styx used the ancient plum tree as the foundation for a Cave Heaven and expanded it into a Lesser Thousand World connected to Plum Mountain.
• The plum tree advanced to a Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Root as Styx carefully controlled its growth to preserve its potential.
• After the Cave Heaven concealed itself within the void, Yuan Hong knelt and thanked Styx for bestowing the Dojo.

Styx named the mountain Plum Mountain and established Plum Mountain Cave Heaven, then gave Yuan Hong, Yang Chan, and Shi Ji new opportunities and assignments. The group returned to the Blood Sea, where Wood Spirit forged Yang Chan a Lotus Lantern and Styx arranged for Shi Ji and three True Spirits to enter the Underworld.

• Styx named the mountain Plum Mountain, imprinted Plum Mountain Cave Heaven into the Lesser Thousand World's origin, and merged gathered merit into it.
• Styx gave Yuan Hong the Blood Scripture and sent him to Hukou Cave Heaven to seek Fuxi and keep Wu Zhiqi company.
• Styx gave Yang Chan the first green plum from the Innate Plum Tree, and its Innate Yimu Origin cleansed her constitution.
• Styx returned to the Blood Sea with Wood Spirit, Yang Chan, and Shi Ji, where Wood Spirit forged Yang Chan a Lotus Lantern as her Lifebound Spiritual Treasure.
• Styx sent Shi Ji to the Underworld to learn from Fengdu and serve as Wushan Goddess, then entrusted Fengdu with the True Spirits of East King Duke, Di Jun, and Candle Dragon to dissolve their Karma in Reincarnation.

As the 29th Human Emperor, Di Yi, took the throne, the Calamity Qi surged and the Saints recognized that Styx’s predicted Tribulation was near. The factions prepared to enter Great Shang’s struggle for imperial supremacy, while Kong Xuan and other Blood Sea disciples backed Shang.

• After Di Yi ascended the throne, the Calamity Qi surged enough for the Saints and Primordial Chaos Golden Immortals to detect it and recognize the coming Tribulation.
• The Saints intensified their disciples’ training and sent them out to prepare for Great Shang’s struggle over the Mandate of Heaven.
• Tongtian sent Wen Zhong, other third-generation disciples, and unaffiliated Maoshan cultivators to aid Great Shang, while Yuanshi and Taiqing waited to see how the Tribulation unfolded.
• Styx let his disciples choose their own factions, though most joined Great Shang because Kong Xuan had helped found it.
• Kong Xuan, empowered by Great Shang’s Destiny, reached the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Peak Stage and prepared to take part in the Tribulation.
• Sanxiao, Zhao Gongming, Gui Ling, and other Blood Sea disciples had reached the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Peak Stage, with Sanxiao nearing a breakthrough through the Childbirth Protecting Immortal Maiden System.

The chapter outlines which Blood Sea figures will take part in the Tribulation and how their cultivation, duties, or origins affect their choices. Hong Yun plans to enter the Tribulation to advance his path to Attain Dao before settling his Karma with the Two Saints of the West.

• Zhao Gongming became the Heavenly Court’s God of Wealth under Bai Ze and advanced rapidly through Fortune and Merit.
• Gui Ling developed a dream-world cultivation method and chose not to participate in the Tribulation.
• Wu Zhiqi, Luo Chan, Six-Eared Macaque, Cang Jie, the Zhi Ge Clan, and Jin Yu were also set to stay out of the Tribulation for various reasons.
• The Blood Sea’s likely participants were the Yang Family’s Three Siblings, Shi Ji, Yuan Hong, and Spirit Pearl.
• Hong Yun planned to enter the Tribulation and use its Fortune to advance his cultivation, so he could later confront the Two Saints of the West with Zhen Yuanzi’s help.

Di Yi named Zi Shou Crown Prince after he quelled the Nine-Chamber Hall, while Li Jing met Yin Shi Niang in Chao Ge and accepted her offer to help him join the Great Shang army. The two began their destined bond, leaving Li Jing set to serve the court with Yin Shi Niang’s support.

• Zi Shou suppressed the Nine-Chamber Hall’s rampaging formation and impressed Di Yi and the court.
• Di Yi established Zi Shou as Crown Prince, and the Great Shang celebrated his succession.
• Li Jing arrived in Chao Ge after studying under Person Du E and encountered Yin Shi Niang on a street.
• Li Jing and Yin Shi Niang discovered their shared interest in military strategy and walked together to the Qi River.
• Yin Shi Niang offered to recommend Li Jing for military service through her father’s connections, and Li Jing accepted.

Yin Shi Niang and Li Jing married after Li Jing distinguished himself in Zi Shou’s campaign against King Pingling, and they welcomed a son, Jin Zha. Despite Yin Shi Niang’s misgivings, Li Jing agreed to let Daoist Manjushri take Jin Zha to the Five Dragon Mountain Cloud Glow Cave to cultivate.

• Zi Shou led the Crown Prince Guard and troops from the East Sea passes to defeat King Pingling’s rebellion and capture him alive.
• Li Jing earned merit in the campaign, and the Great Shang court promoted him to commander-in-chief of Chentang Pass and decreed his marriage to Yin Shi Niang.
• Li Jing and Yin Shi Niang married at Chentang Pass, and Yin Shi Niang later gave birth to their son, Jin Zha.
• Daoist Manjushri noticed Jin Zha’s exceptional aptitude and sought to accept him as a disciple.
• Li Jing persuaded Yin Shi Niang to let Jin Zha join the Chan School, and Daoist Manjushri took him to the Five Dragon Mountain Cloud Glow Cave.

After Mu Zha was born, True Person Puxian took him as a disciple, leaving Yin Shi Niang grieving that both her sons had been taken away. The Spirit Pearl reincarnated into Yin Shi Niang, who discovered she was pregnant and resolved to protect the child despite fearing the Great Shang imperial family’s reaction.

• Yin Shi Niang gave birth to her second son, Mu Zha, whose Dao comprehension was exceptional.
• True Person Puxian visited Li Jing’s home, chose Mu Zha as his disciple, and took him away despite Yin Shi Niang’s reluctance.
• Yin Shi Niang lamented that both her sons had left, while Li Jing comforted her and said they could have another child.
• The Spirit Pearl entered the Reincarnation Vortex, and Yin Shi Niang dreamed that it descended into her abdomen.
• Yin Shi Niang discovered she was pregnant and resolved to protect her child, fearing the imperial family’s response to his unusual fate.

Yin Shi Niang told Li Jing that she was pregnant with a child she suspected had an extraordinary origin, and they waited anxiously as the pregnancy continued beyond a year. Meanwhile, Styx watched True Person Taiyi travel toward Chentang Pass and reflected on how Taiyi had used and neglected Nezha.

• Yin Shi Niang told Li Jing about her pregnancy and her dream suggesting the child might be a reincarnated great power or sage.
• Li Jing accepted the child as their own and reassured Yin Shi Niang that they would face any trouble together.
• Yin Shi Niang’s pregnancy lasted a year without labor, but examinations by physicians and the Childbirth Protecting Immortal Maiden found the fetus healthy.
• Styx saw True Person Taiyi leave his Dojo near Kunlun Mountain and head toward Chentang Pass.
• Styx judged that Taiyi had neglected Nezha’s upbringing and had likely taken him as a disciple to bear his kalpa tribulation.

Nuwa assigned Jin Ning to guard and teach Spirit Pearl’s reincarnation, the child in Yin Shi Niang’s womb, preventing True Person Taiyi from taking him as a disciple. Three years and six months into the pregnancy, Nezha was born as a glowing red sphere, and Jin Ning stopped Li Jing from striking him with a sword.

• Styx told Nuwa that Spirit Pearl must be taught by her rather than handed to another disciple.
• Nuwa sent Jin Ning to Chentang Pass to watch over Nezha, teach him cultivation, and guide his character until he came of age.
• Jin Ning told True Person Taiyi that the child in Yin Shi Niang’s womb was Spirit Pearl’s reincarnation, and Taiyi left Chentang Pass.
• Li Jing invited Jin Ning to stay at the Commandery Governor’s Residence, and she settled there.
• After three years and six months of pregnancy, Yin Shi Niang went into labor as strange phenomena appeared over Chentang Pass.
• A glowing red sphere flew from the delivery room, and Jin Ning restrained Li Jing before he could strike the newborn Nezha with his sword.

Jin Ning opened the Innate Fetal Garment and revealed Nezha, then gave him a Golden Lock to restrain his spiritual power. Watching from the Blood God Realm, Styx saw Kalpa Fortune Qi descend on Nezha, a young man, and a Leopard Spirit, leaving the Tribulation’s course uncertain.

• Jin Ning opened the flesh ball and revealed the newborn Nezha to Li Jing and Yin Shi Niang.
• Li Jing took Nezha to Yin Shi Niang, and Nezha moved his Red Silk with a wave of his hand.
• Jin Ning placed a Golden Lock around Nezha’s neck and said she would stay at the Li residence until he was ready to go to Mount Shouyang.
• Styx watched Nezha’s birth and saw Kalpa Fortune Qi descend on Nezha, a young man near Chao Ge City, and a Leopard Spirit.
• Styx recognized Nezha as the beginning of the Tribulation but realized its development was not entirely within his control.