Chapter Summaries

Xuanyuan was about to attain the Dao when Dao Ancestor Hong Jun’s influence drew him toward a fragment of Primordial Violet Qi, but Hong Yun stopped him and urged him to ascend through the Human Dao instead. As Xuanyuan’s ascension began, Hong Yun went to the Human Race, where powerful beings gathered to witness the milestone.

• Xuanyuan’s primordial spirit saw the Human Dao and a violet light in the vault of heaven, then flew toward the light, sensing that it was part of himself he lacked.
• Hong Yun shouted Xuanyuan’s name, halting his primordial spirit and sending it back to his body, then recognized Hong Jun’s attempt to steer Xuanyuan toward the Primordial Violet Qi.
• Hong Yun called to Xuanyuan to attain the Dao, and the Human Dao Seal emerged as the Three Daos manifested and extraordinary phenomena spread across heaven and earth.
• Hong Yun asked Xi He and Wang Shu to join him in witnessing the event, but they chose to remain in the Fire Cloud Cave World, so he left for the Human Race alone.
• Hong Yun arrived above the Human Race and met Zhen Yuan Zi and Nu Wa as the Heavenly Dao Saints and other powerful figures gathered to witness Xuanyuan’s ascension.

Xuanyuan attained the position of Human Emperor and, after recovering Huluwa’s memories, chose to withdraw to Fire Cloud Cave with his family and followers. Hong Yun opened a passage for them, leaving Taiqing and the other Saints astonished by the world’s power and scale.

• Xuanyuan rode Ying Long into the River of Human Dao Fortune and entrusted his primordial spirit to the Human Dao, attaining the position of Human Emperor.
• Xuanyuan’s memories of his previous life returned, and he teased Wu Tian before greeting his old acquaintances.
• Xuanyuan asked Hong Yun to let him cultivate at Fire Cloud Cave with those close to him, and Hong Yun agreed.
• Xuanyuan brought a great crowd of followers through Hong Yun’s passage into Fire Cloud Cave World.
• Taiqing tried to send divine sense through the passage, but Hong Yun blocked it, leaving Taiqing wondering how powerful Hong Yun had become.

After Xuanyuan proved the Dao, Wu Tian absorbed Heaven’s merit through the God-Slaying Spear and rapidly advanced in cultivation. As the group prepared to part, Xuan Lang asked to take a surname, and Hong Yun named him Zhao Lang, courtesy name Gongming.

• After the Three Daos faded, Wu Tian fed his Heaven’s merit to the God-Slaying Spear and advanced to the late stage of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.
• Yuan Shi took Guang Chengzi and the Chan Sect disciples back to Kunlun, while Taiqing and the Two from the West also departed.
• Hong Yun told the younger generation that they could compete for positions serving the Five Emperors or return to their abodes.
• Xuan Lang asked Hong Yun and Tong Tian to help him choose a surname, explaining that he wanted to put down roots among the Human Race.
• Tong Tian gave Xuan Lang the surname Zhao, and Hong Yun gave him the courtesy name Gongming.

Hong Yun brought Nu Wa, West Queen Mother, and Sect Master Tong Tian to Zhen Yuan Zi’s Earth Immortal Realm, where they discussed how its cultivators relied on the realm much as Saints relied on the Heavenly Dao. After they shared Ginseng Fruits, Sect Master Tong Tian eyed Hong Yun’s untouched portions, considering how to share his own with his many disciples.

• Xuan Lang accepted the name Zhao Gongming from Hong Yun and Tong Tian, then returned to Golden Ao Island to cultivate his standing in the Interception Sect.
• Hong Yun asked Zhen Yuan Zi to host the group in the Earth Immortal Realm, and Zhen Yuan Zi opened a passage to Wuzhuang Temple.
• The visitors saw that the Ginseng Fruit Tree connected the Earth Immortal Realm’s many cultivation worlds, and Hong Yun compared its cultivators’ reliance on the realm to the Primordial Wilderness’s hold over its inhabitants.
• Sect Master Tong Tian and Nu Wa envied Hong Yun’s freedom from the shackles of heaven and earth, but Tong Tian urged Hong Yun to explain why he had gathered them.
• Zhen Yuan Zi served each guest three Ginseng Fruits, and West Queen Mother and Nu Wa collected their uneaten portions for their juniors.
• Sect Master Tong Tian wondered how to divide his remaining Ginseng Fruits among his disciples and looked toward Hong Yun’s untouched fruit.

Hong Yun gave Tong Tian five Ginseng Fruits and urged him to explore the Chaos beyond the Primordial World, arguing that the world was declining under the burden of its cultivators. Tong Tian understood Hong Yun’s concern but warned that searching the lawless, boundless Chaos could take countless years.

• Tong Tian claimed he needed Ginseng Fruits for San Xiao, and Hong Yun gave him five.
• After accepting the fruits, Tong Tian agreed to hear Hong Yun’s proposal.
• Hong Yun brought up the Karma Demon God and asked whether Chaos held surviving Demon Gods and other worlds; Tong Tian and Nu Wa remembered the Demon God, while West Queen Mother listened.
• Hong Yun argued that the Primordial World was gradually declining because its inhabitants, especially Saints, consumed its resources, and that tribulations helped delay an immeasurable calamity.
• Tong Tian acknowledged Hong Yun’s concern for the Primordial World but pointed out that Chaos was boundless and lawless, making a search for other worlds potentially fruitless for ages.

Hong Yun persuaded Tong Tian to join a search for other worlds by proposing they search from the Primordial Wilderness rather than risk traveling through Chaos. Hou Tu emerged from reincarnation into Zhen Yuan Zi’s Earth Immortal Realm, and the gathering prepared to hear Hong Yun’s method.

• Tong Tian voiced doubts about venturing into Chaos, but Hong Yun asked whether he would join if they could search for other worlds safely from the Primordial Wilderness.
• Zhen Yuan Zi reminded Tong Tian that finding another world could help him advance his Immortal Slaying Sword World, and Tong Tian agreed to take part.
• Hong Yun used the Twenty-four-grade Reincarnation Purple Lotus to open a passage into the Earth Immortal Realm.
• Hou Tu emerged from the passage with Xuanming and sat beside Hong Yun, surprising West Queen Mother and Nu Wa.
• Nu Wa greeted Hou Tu as her younger sister, but Hou Tu insisted that Nu Wa should call her elder sister; West Queen Mother then greeted Hou Tu respectfully.
• Tong Tian greeted Hou Tu and Xuanming after the women’s exchange.

Hong Yun and Hou Tu followed the Human Dao and Earthly Dao’s connections toward the Great Dao to locate other worlds while they discussed the Dao with the others. Meanwhile, the human race prospered under Shao Hao, and Ying Long was puzzled by the Phoenix Totem’s growing influence.

• Hong Yun explained that the Human Dao and Earthly Dao’s rising fortunes reflected human races and reincarnation appearing in other worlds.
• Hong Yun and Hou Tu sent streams of Human Dao and Earthly Dao mystic light through the Fire Cloud Cave World and into chaos to trace their connections to the Great Dao.
• Hong Yun invited the others to drink tea and discuss the Dao while he and Hou Tu continued searching for other worlds.
• After Xuanyuan withdrew to the Fire Cloud Cave, his eldest son Xuan Xiao, also known as Shao Hao, inherited leadership of the human tribes.
• The Phoenix Totem flourished among the tribes under Shao Hao, leaving Ying Long baffled that it had not become dominant.

Yuanfeng celebrated the Phoenix Clan’s success in backing Xuanyuan’s successor, while Ancestral Dragon searched unsuccessfully for Hong Yun. After Shao Hao passed the throne to Zhuanxu, Gong Gong’s reincarnation rebelled against him, and Hong Yun, Hou Tu, and Hao Tian watched the conflict unfold.

• Yuanfeng rebuffed Ancestral Dragon’s complaints and revealed her plan to make the Phoenix Clan a power behind the Human Emperor.
• Ancestral Dragon failed to find Hong Yun in Zhen Yuan Zi’s Earth Immortal Realm and continued searching through the earth’s veins.
• Shao Hao passed the throne to Zhuanxu, but dissatisfied tribal leaders gathered troops to challenge the new ruler.
• Hong Yun told Hou Tu that Zhuanxu would defeat Gong Gong’s reincarnation, who had raised a rebellion against him.
• Hao Tian welcomed the fight between Gong Gong and Zhuanxu, hoping it would weaken the Five Emperors’ authority and give the Heavenly Court an opening.

Hao Tian failed to recruit Gong Gong, who prepared to challenge Zhuanxu for the human emperor's throne. When Gong Gong attacked with a vast flood, Zhuanxu used the Northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner to halt the waters and strike back.

• Hao Tian visited Gong Gong to offer Heavenly Court support, but Gong Gong rejected his pretense and Hao Tian left disappointed.
• Gong Gong gathered human troops while Zhuanxu drilled his forces and sought powerful allies and resources.
• Gong Gong led his army into battle on a flood and demanded a one-on-one fight with Zhuanxu.
• Zhuanxu refused to meet Gong Gong in single combat and revealed the Northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner, borrowed from Qiong Xiao.
• Zhuanxu used the banner to stop Gong Gong's flood, then sent it sweeping toward him.

Zhuanxu fought Gong Gong repeatedly, but the clashes devastated the Human Race, so he sought an audience with Hong Yun to discuss the coexistence of humans and deities. Hong Yun brought him to Fire Cloud Cave and urged him to speak plainly.

• San Xiao watched Zhuanxu battle Gong Gong, and Yun Xiao explained why they should not intervene directly in a conflict within the Human Race.
• Zhuanxu used the Northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner to counter Gong Gong, and Gong Gong eventually withdrew and recalled the floodwaters.
• After several more battles caused heavy losses, Zhuanxu visited the Human Race’s ancestral shrine and sincerely called for Hong Yun.
• Hong Yun transported Zhuanxu to Fire Cloud Cave, where Zhuanxu asked what he thought about humans and deities living together now that the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree connected Heaven and Earth.
• Hong Yun laughed and told Zhuanxu to stop beating around the bush and state his own thoughts.

Zhuanxu explained that gods’ conflicts endangered ordinary people and argued that humanity should be separated from the gods. Hong Yun approved of Zhuanxu’s concerns but considered how to preserve the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree and prevent Hao Tian from benefiting too much; Zhuanxu then warned that humanity’s reliance on gods could leave people like livestock.

• Zhuanxu told Hong Yun that powerful beings could cause mass slaughter when they fought near ordinary people, and worried future Human Emperors would be unable to suppress the gods.
• Hong Yun reflected on how the Human Emperors had become increasingly human and reassured Zhuanxu that he would not resent a proposal to separate Heaven and Earth.
• Hong Yun said the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree was not eternal and began considering how to move it rather than destroy it.
• Hong Yun realized that separating humanity from the gods could benefit Hao Tian, then asked Zhuanxu what humans would do when they still needed divine help.
• Zhuanxu argued that relying on gods and totems encouraged people to pray for food and water, raising the question of whether humans commanded the gods or were kept by them like livestock.

Hong Yun approved Zhuanxu’s plan to end Heaven and Earth’s connection and advised him on a scheme involving Gong Gong and Hao Tian. Zhuanxu returned to the Hall of Ancestral Spirits, where San Xiao asked about his meeting with Hong Yun.

• Zhuanxu said the Human Race should rely on itself, honor Heaven and its ancestors, and continue worshipping its ancestral spirits.
• Hong Yun agreed with Zhuanxu’s proposal and gave him instructions for carrying it out.
• Hong Yun told Hou Tu that the plan was to draw Gong Gong into crashing into the Innate Spiritual Root Tong Tian Jianmu Tree and involve Hao Tian, while assuring her he would protect the tree.
• Hong Yun sent Zhuanxu back to the Hall of Ancestral Spirits, where San Xiao greeted him and Bi Xiao complained that Hong Yun had not brought her along.
• Yun Xiao asked Zhuanxu whether he had reported the Human Race’s affairs to Hong Yun.

Zhuanxu obtained all three of San Xiao’s Innate Five Directions Banners to use against Gong Gong, while Dao Ancestor Hong Jun ordered Hao Tian to sever the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree. Hong Yun and Hong Jun pursued different plans for the tree, leaving Hao Tian caught between them as he returned to the Heavenly Court.

• Zhuanxu asked San Xiao for more treasures, and Yun Xiao lent him the Eastern Precious Color Green Lotus Banner and the Central Wutu Apricot Yellow Banner.
• Dao Ancestor Hong Jun summoned Hao Tian from the Heavenly Court and asked what he had gained as Heavenly Emperor.
• Hao Tian complained that no one obeyed him, and Hong Jun told him to sever the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree during the conflict between Zhuanxu and Gong Gong.
• Hong Jun said the tree’s fall was part of the Heavenly Dao’s grand trend, while Hong Yun planned to replace it rather than destroy it.
• Hao Tian returned to the Heavenly Court looking dejected, and Yao Chi worried that Hong Jun had scolded him.

Hao Tian and Yao Chi worried over Dao Ancestor Hong Jun’s order, while Zhuanxu trapped Gong Gong with three of the Innate Five Directions Banners. Gong Gong’s power surged, but Zhuanxu’s formation plunged him into a disorienting haze.

• Hao Tian told Yao Chi what Dao Ancestor Hong Jun had instructed, and she feared they would provoke Ancestor Hong Yun.
• Hao Tian hoped Zhuanxu and Gong Gong would break the Innate Spiritual Root Tong Tian Jianmu Tree during their fight, shifting the karmic debt onto Hao Tian.
• Zhuanxu confronted Gong Gong with three Innate Five Directions Banners, while Gong Gong fought back with a torrent of corrosive Evil Water.
• Zhuanxu activated the banners’ formation, restricting Gong Gong’s control of the Water Law.
• Gong Gong grew a thousand zhang tall and struck toward the Northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner, but the formation reversed the Five Phases and trapped him in a disorienting haze.

Gong Gong failed to break Zhuanxu’s formation and began to reconsider surrendering, but Hao Tian intervened to keep the human conflict going and pursue his plan involving the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree. Bi Xiao prepared to confront Hao Tian, then wondered whether Zhuanxu’s calm meant Hong Yun had planned the intervention.

• Gong Gong’s punch rebounded off Zhuanxu’s formation, and the Innate Five Directions Banners pursued him as Zhuanxu urged him to surrender.
• Zhuanxu offered Gong Gong the role of Water Minister and an eternal title of Earl, prompting Gong Gong to fall silent and remember the harm his floods had caused.
• Hao Tian feared Gong Gong’s surrender would derail his plan concerning the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree, so he used the Hao Tian Mirror to break through the formation.
• Bi Xiao moved to challenge Hao Tian, but Yun Xiao and Qiong Xiao held her back and pointed out that Zhuanxu did not look worried.
• Bi Xiao wondered whether Hong Yun had deliberately allowed Hao Tian to intervene.

Zhuanxu tried to draw Hao Tian into the human race’s conflict, but Gong Gong rejected Hao Tian’s help and accused him of scheming. After Hao Tian attacked Gong Gong, Zhuanxu blocked the blow and joined Gong Gong against him, leaving Hao Tian facing their combined hostility.

• Zhuanxu feigned anger at Hao Tian’s interference while hoping to draw him into the conflict.
• Gong Gong emerged from the formation and rebuked Hao Tian, refusing his help and accusing him of trying to divide the human race.
• Hao Tian lost his temper and fired a golden beam from the Hao Tian Mirror at Gong Gong.
• The Jade Disc of Creation entered Hao Tian’s body and drew Calamity Qi from his soul, alarming him.
• Zhuanxu blocked Hao Tian’s attack with the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner and declared that the human race would unite against an outside foe.
• Gong Gong grew back to his giant form and threw a massive punch at Hao Tian.

Hao Tian was drawn into a fierce battle with Gong Gong and Zhuanxu as Hong Yun made progress exploring worlds beyond the Primordial Wilderness. Hong Yun proposed sending strands of true intent into those worlds to claim a share of their fortune.

• Hao Tian blocked Gong Gong's attack, but suspected he had walked into a trap as Gong Gong's strength grew during their fight.
• Zhuanxu joined Gong Gong in attacking Hao Tian, while Hao Tian stopped Yao Chi from intervening.
• The battle shifted toward the center of the Primordial Wilderness as Gong Gong and Zhuanxu continued fighting Hao Tian.
• Hong Yun stopped studying the Great Dao with Hou Tu after discovering that the Human Dao and Earthly Dao were taking shape in other worlds.
• Hong Yun revealed several small worlds to Tong Tian, Nu Wa, West Queen Mother, and the others, and proposed sending strands of true intent into them to gain their fortune.

Hong Yun and the others sent their Dao principles into small worlds as a trial, then sensed the conflict among Hao Tian, Gong Gong, and Zhuanxu stirring calamity in the Primordial Wilderness. As Tong Tian prepared to return to Golden Ao Island and West Queen Mother was told to remain in West Kunlun, Zhen Yuan Zi tried to lighten the mood.

• Nu Wa, Tong Tian, West Queen Mother, Zhen Yuan Zi, and Xuanming condensed their Daos, and Hong Yun and Hou Tu sent them into small worlds through a rift in the firmament.
• Hong Yun sealed the rift and explained that the small-world experiment had only been a trial run.
• Tong Tian sensed the battle between Hao Tian, Gong Gong, and Zhuanxu and worried that Hong Yun and Dao Ancestor Hong Jun might be drawn into the conflict.
• Hong Yun offered Tong Tian a quiet place in the Earth Immortal Realm, but Tong Tian chose to return to Golden Ao Island.
• West Queen Mother considered joining the fight, but Hong Yun told her to return to West Kunlun because her cultivation was insufficient.
• Zhen Yuan Zi exchanged a look with Hong Yun and tried to ease the tense atmosphere.

Hao Tian’s battle with Gong Gong and Zhuanxu escalated until Gong Gong nearly charged into him in a fury, threatening the nearby Tong Tian Jianmu Tree. Zhuanxu used the Human Dao Seal to calm Gong Gong, leaving Hao Tian relieved and the tree unharmed for now.

• Zhuanxu used the Innate Five Directions Banners to defend Gong Gong while Gong Gong attacked Hao Tian, throwing Hao Tian into disarray.
• Hao Tian summoned the Hao Tian Tower and struck Gong Gong, but Zhuanxu sent the Human Dao Seal into the tower and knocked it away.
• Gong Gong, badly wounded, charged at Hao Tian in a rage, and Hao Tian retreated toward the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree.
• Yuan Shi watched from Kunlun Mountain, while Dao Ancestor Hong Jun reacted to the danger facing the tree.
• Zhuanxu bathed Gong Gong in the Human Dao Seal’s light, restoring his clarity and stopping his charge; Hao Tian felt relieved and regretted losing his temper.

Gong Gong’s power surged as baleful energy restored his Ancestral Shaman aura, but the growing strength brought a Heavenly tribulation and put the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree at risk. Hong Yun confronted Dao Ancestor Hong Jun to stop the tree’s destruction, while Xuanming intervened to knock Gong Gong down and struck at the heavens.

• Under the Human Dao’s fortune, Gong Gong’s strength rose and baleful energy gathered around him, restoring his Ancestral Shaman aura.
• Gong Gong attacked Hao Tian Tower, and baleful energy poured into it until Hao Tian lost control and the tower flew toward the Tong Tian Jianmu Tree.
• Hong Yun tried to intercept Hao Tian Tower, but Dao Ancestor Hong Jun blocked him with the Jade Disc of Creation and declared the tree’s destruction to be the Heavenly Dao’s will.
• Xuanming appeared behind Gong Gong, kicked him down, and passed her Ancestral Shaman aura into him.
• As lightning gathered overhead, Xuanming punched toward the heavens.