Chapter Summaries

Hong Yun decided to give Lu Ya a protective treasure for his journey and retrieved the white Gold Element gourd from Xuanming in the Netherworld. He began refining the gourd for Lu Ya, using its baleful energy to prepare an Immortal Slaying Flying Knife.

• Xi He offered Lu Ya the Sun Essence Wheel, but Hong Yun told her to keep it because it would reveal Lu Ya's origins.
• Hong Yun visited Xuanming on Yin Mountain and asked for the white gourd he had previously given her.
• Xuanming returned the gourd to Hong Yun after he promised to visit the Netherworld and help the Witch Clan explore other worlds.
• Hong Yun brought the Gold Element gourd to the Fire Cloud Cave, where Nu Wa and Zhen Yuan Zi recognized its origin.
• Hong Yun began refining the gourd for Lu Ya, while the others watched.

Hong Yun refined the Immortal Slaying Flying Knife for Lu Ya and tested its power before sending Lu Ya out of Fire Cloud Cave to travel the Primordial Wilderness. After Lu Ya left, Hong Yun considered the karmic debt Zhun Ti owed him, while Xi He, Wang Shu, and Nu Wa went to chat together, leaving Hong Yun alone with Zhen Yuan Zi.

• Hong Yun refined Lu Ya's gourd into the Immortal Slaying Flying Knife and taught him how to use it.
• At Hong Yun's urging, Lu Ya tested the treasure on him, and its white light was stopped by Hong Yun's aura.
• Hong Yun praised the weapon's power and told Lu Ya to master it and keep a low profile.
• Hong Yun sent Lu Ya out of Fire Cloud Cave, and Xi He thanked Hong Yun for protecting her son.
• Hong Yun reflected that Zhun Ti would eventually have to repay his karmic debt, while Xi He and Wang Shu invited Nu Wa to visit, leaving Hong Yun and Zhen Yuan Zi alone.

Hong Yun discussed the possibility of Taiyi appearing because of Lu Ya, then prepared to leave for the Underworld. Ancestral Dragon’s distress over being overwhelmed by the Human Dao’s countless thoughts forced Hong Yun to change his plans and arrange for him to reincarnate as a human.

• Hong Yun and Zhen Yuan Zi considered whether Lu Ya’s arrival might draw Taiyi out and agreed to see how events unfolded.
• Hong Yun told Zhen Yuan Zi to develop the local gods under Great Emperor Fengdu, then sent word to Nu Wa before preparing to leave for the Underworld.
• Ancestral Dragon called for Hong Yun’s help, saying the thoughts flowing through the Human Dao threatened to assimilate him.
• Hong Yun reassured Ancestral Dragon and decided he must use a wisp of his Indestructible Spiritual Light to reincarnate as a human.

Hong Yun forced Ancestral Dragon to reincarnate as a human with only his Indestructible Spiritual Light, arguing that humanity must not be controlled by a single will. Ancestral Dragon entered reincarnation, and his power was absorbed by humanity, further tying the Dragon Clan’s fortune to it.

• Zhen Yuan Zi warned Ancestral Dragon that a humanity with its own controlling will would become biased and risk destruction.
• Hong Yun rejected Ancestral Dragon’s idea of cultivating as humanity’s spirit and insisted he reincarnate as a human without his cultivation.
• Hong Yun transformed Ancestral Dragon’s body into a glimmer of Indestructible Spiritual Light and sent it through the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
• Hong Yun sent Candle Dragon a message that Ancestral Dragon had reincarnated, and Candle Dragon accepted the news before returning to hibernation.
• Humanity absorbed Ancestral Dragon’s cultivation and aura, strengthening its connection to the Dragon Clan’s fortune and changing the human emperor’s protection into a Fortune Golden Dragon.

Hong Yun left Zhen Yuan Zi and headed for the Six Paths of Reincarnation as Da Yu began channeling the floods and Lu Ya was taken by Taiyi. Taiyi urged Lu Ya to help lead the demon race, but Lu Ya questioned the purpose of restoring it while humanity flourished.

• After resolving matters with Ancestral Dragon, Hong Yun bade Zhen Yuan Zi farewell and headed for the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
• Yu Shun banished Gun to Yu Mountain after Gun's flood-blocking efforts made the waters rise, and Da Yu took over with a plan to channel the rivers into the sea.
• Lu Ya traveled the Primordial Wilderness, teaching cultivation techniques to demons who had lost their heritage while keeping his identity hidden.
• Taiyi used the Chaos Bell to bring Lu Ya to his hall in the Eastern Wasteland, where he examined Lu Ya and asked about his years away.
• Taiyi told Lu Ya that he should stay and help shoulder the demon race's future, offering him the throne that had belonged to Di Jun.
• Lu Ya questioned what use he could be as the demon race's Crown Prince while humanity flourished, and Taiyi accused him of turning his back on his bloodline.

Lu Ya persuaded Taiyi to abandon the Demon Clan’s attempt to regain its former glory and instead build ties with Da Yu and the human race. Their plan led Da Yu to marry Nü Jiao of the Tushan Clan, forging an alliance as he continued his flood-control mission.

• Lu Ya urged Taiyi to learn from the Dragon, Phoenix, and Witch Clans by merging the Demon Clan with the humans rather than challenging Hong Jun and Hong Yun.
• Lu Ya proposed forming ties with Da Yu, and he and Taiyi began planning to use Nü Jiao and the Tushan Tribe to approach him.
• Da Yu encountered Nü Jiao, whose nine-tailed fox form was taken as a sign of a king’s destiny, and those around him urged him to marry her.
• Da Yu agreed to marry Nü Jiao after reflecting on the need for more allies and support for his flood-control work.
• Da Yu married into the Tushan Clan, and the humans and Tushan Tribe formed an alliance at Mount Tu.

Da Yu’s marriage to Nü Jiao helped him control the floods and increased the Demon Race’s fortune. Hong Yun arrived to discuss Taiyi’s involvement with Lu Ya and invited him to Fire Cloud Cave World, and Taiyi agreed to go.

• Da Yu married Nü Jiao, gaining the Tushan Clan’s support as he worked to control the floods.
• Lu Ya told Taiyi that Da Yu’s success would bring lasting fortune to the Demon Race through Nü Jiao’s support.
• Hong Yun appeared beside Taiyi and Lu Ya, startling Taiyi with his presence.
• Hong Yun challenged Taiyi for drawing Lu Ya into the Demon Race’s affairs, while Lu Ya explained that he had only offered advice.
• Hong Yun invited Taiyi to Fire Cloud Cave World beyond the chaos, and Taiyi agreed to hear him out.

Hong Yun told Taiyi that the Yao Clan could build a future in chaos and offered to guide them, asking Taiyi to fight alongside him when needed. After reuniting with Xi He and learning she was well, Taiyi accepted Hong Yun’s offer, while Xi He was glad he had let go of his stubbornness.

• Hong Yun sent Lu Ya to find Xi He, then asked Taiyi whether he believed the Yao Clan could rise again.
• Hong Yun explained that the Yao Clan’s future lay in chaos and offered to guide Taiyi and the clan in expanding beyond the Primordial World.
• Hong Yun asked Taiyi to fight alongside him when needed and said he hoped Lu Ya would avoid becoming entangled in the Yao Clan’s karma.
• Xi He hurried in and reunited with Taiyi, and they asked each other how they had fared.
• Taiyi accepted Hong Yun’s offer after learning Xi He was doing well, and Xi He urged him not to be stubborn.

Taiyi urged Xi He and Lu Ya to return to the Demon Race, but Hong Yun helped them refuse and told him the race's future lay elsewhere. Hong Yun then brought Taiyi and Lu Ya to watch Yu Shun abdicate to Da Yu, where Yu Shun began to regain his true form as a call summoned him to return.

• Xi He refused to leave the Fire Cloud Cave World or involve herself in the Demon Race's affairs.
• Hong Yun told Taiyi that Lu Ya's future did not lie with the Demon Race, easing Lu Ya's pressure to join its efforts.
• Taiyi asked Hong Yun about the Demon Race's development, and its fortune rose as Yu Shun prepared to abdicate to Da Yu.
• Hong Yun took Taiyi and Lu Ya to observe the abdication ceremony above the Tushan Clan's tribe and concealed its significance from other mighty cultivators.
• Da Yu received the Human Dao Seal and became Emperor Yu, and Yu Shun's aged body grew strong as a voice called him to return.

As Yu Shun’s reign ended, humanity’s fortune revealed the seven origins of Huluwa joining together, and Hong Yun revealed that his eldest disciple was about to attain Primordial Unity. The Saints gathered to watch, while Hong Yun confronted Taiqing and Yuan Shi over the sudden appearance of a karmic debt.

• Yu Shun landed atop humanity’s Golden Dragon of Fortune as the Human Dao figures appeared and a seven-colored halo linked the Seven Emperors from Shen Nong to Yu Shun.
• Primordial Heavenly Lord realized Hong Yun had concealed Yu Shun’s Innate Origin and rushed from Jade Void Palace as the other Saints and Dao Ancestor Hong Jun watched humanity.
• Hong Yun sent Taiyi and Lu Ya back to the Fire Cloud Cave World, where Taiyi wondered who was about to attain Primordial Unity.
• Hong Yun recognized that Zhen Yuan Zi had also been stirred, then blocked the Saints’ view of the halo as the aura of Primordial Unity grew stronger.
• Taiqing guessed that Huluwa was Hong Yun’s eldest disciple, and Hong Yun confirmed it before asking whether Taiqing would stop him and noting a karmic debt.
• Tong Tian admitted that he and the other Saints seemed to owe Huluwa a debt, and Taiqing and Yuan Shi sensed a sudden change in karma.

Yuan Shi tried to turn the human race against Hong Yun by claiming he was using the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to help his disciples attain Primordial Unity. Da Yu exposed the claim as false, while the transformation continued and Yuan Shi found no support for interfering.

• Yuan Shi accused Hong Yun of sacrificing the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors for his disciples, unsettling the human race and disturbing Human Dao fortune.
• Hong Yun began the transformation, and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors from Shen Nong through Yu Shun merged into a radiant point of light as the aura of Primordial Unity surged.
• Da Yu used the Human Dao Seal to calm the humans, declaring that Shen Nong and the others’ imprints remained and that Human Dao fortune was still growing.
• Shen Nong and the others emerged unharmed with stronger Dao resonance, while Huluwa began to take shape inside the black hole.
• Yuan Shi sought Hong Jun’s and Taiqing’s reactions, but neither showed willingness to intervene.

Huluwa returned to himself after achieving Primordial Unity, and Hong Yun reunited with his disciple. The others departed or congratulated Huluwa, while Tong Tian asked Hong Yun for advice on helping Yun Xiao break through to Great Luo.

• Hong Yun gave all seven fragments of Primordial Violet Qi to Fuxi, and Taiqing warned Primordial Heavenly Lord not to covet what belonged to Hong Yun.
• Huluwa achieved Primordial Unity, returned to Hong Yun, and thanked him for protecting him on his path.
• Primordial Heavenly Lord, Taiqing, the Two Sages of the West, and Dao Ancestor Hong Jun departed, while Tong Tian brought his disciples to greet Hong Yun and Huluwa.
• Huluwa greeted Shen Nong and the others, then explained that he had been them before his return but was now only himself.
• Zhen Yuan Zi and Tong Tian congratulated Huluwa, and Huluwa affirmed his respect for Hong Yun and his elders.
• Tong Tian asked Hong Yun to share his disciple-training advice and help Yun Xiao break through to Great Luo, while San Xiao appealed to their father.

Hong Yun and his companions headed to the Purple Cloud Palace after Dao Ancestor Hong Jun summoned them to discuss the next tribulation, which Hong Yun suspected was the Investiture of the Gods. Meanwhile, Da Yu asked Hong Yun’s disciples how to protect the human race’s lands, and Xuan Wu offered his tortoiseshell as a possible foundation for a defensive formation.

• Dao Ancestor Hong Jun summoned the Primordial Unity experts to the Purple Cloud Palace, and Hong Yun agreed to go with Zhen Yuan Zi, Huluwa, and Sect Master Tong Tian.
• Hong Yun suspected that Hong Jun intended to discuss the Investiture of the Gods and worried that the changed timing and events would alter Tong Tian’s fate and the Interception Sect’s future.
• San Xiao stayed with Hong Yun’s disciples among the human race while Hong Yun and the others traveled to the Purple Cloud Palace.
• Da Yu asked Hong Yun’s disciples whether they could make the human race’s lands permanently safe from outside forces.
• Xuan Wu offered to lend Da Yu his tortoiseshell so it could be used to establish a protective formation.

Da Yu sought a way to protect the human race’s territory with a formation, and Yun Xiao directed him to ask Hong Yun for help. Hong Yun arrived at Zixiao Palace with the others for a gathering with Dao Ancestor Hong Jun, where he observed how Jieyin and Zhun Ti had benefited from their recent setbacks.

• Da Yu asked Yun Xiao whether she could devise a formation to protect the human race’s territory, but she said her cultivation was not yet sufficient.
• Yun Xiao told Da Yu that Hong Yun’s mastery of formations and Primordial Sky Measuring Ruler could help him, and Wusheng explained that Da Yu could contact Hong Yun through the Human Dao Seal.
• Da Yu decided to stabilize the human race’s situation before seeking Hong Yun’s help.
• Hong Yun and the other three arrived at Zixiao Palace, where Hong Jun had prepared seats for Hong Yun and Pingxin.
• Hong Yun noticed Jieyin and Zhun Ti and reflected that losing their Saint Positions had ultimately helped them establish themselves independently and wield their full strength together.

Dao Ancestor Hong Jun gathered the sages to discuss the coming Calamity, while Pingxin agreed to keep the Underworld out of it. Hong Jun revealed the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip and explained that the Calamity would arise from accumulated karma, leaving Yuan Shi to challenge why it targeted Chan Sect disciples.

• Hao Tian sought Hong Yun's favor, and the gathered sages waited for Pingxin to arrive.
• Pingxin declared that the Underworld would stay out of the Calamity, and Hong Jun accepted her terms.
• Hong Yun urged Hong Jun to explain his arrangements, and Hong Jun announced that a new Calamity was approaching.
• Hong Jun presented the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Beating Whip and said a chosen one would appoint the Heavenly Court's three hundred and sixty-five principal gods.
• Hong Jun linked the Calamity to conflicts during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, especially Chan Sect disciples' actions during Xuanyuan's era.
• Yuan Shi questioned why the Calamity would not also fall on Jie Sect disciples and Hong Yun's disciples, and Hong Yun dismissed his accusation.

Hong Jun explained the Investiture of the Gods calamity and asked the sect leaders to decide who would be listed, but they all protected their own disciples. Hong Yun agreed that the calamity would begin and end among humans, while warning that no one could attack ordinary people.

• Hong Jun said disciples below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level would be drawn into the calamity unless their names were written on the Investiture of the Gods.
• Taiqing, Yuan Shi, Tong Tian, Nu Wa, Zhun Ti, and Zhen Yuan each refused to list their disciples or said they had none to list.
• Hong Yun argued that Zhen Yuan's earthly deities served under him as Great Emperor Fengdu and that his own disciples served under his authority as Great Emperor Zi Wei.
• Hong Yun decreed that Xuanwu would go to Heaven as Great Emperor Zhenwu Dangmo to help the Heavenly Court sweep away evil.
• Hong Jun asked whether the calamity could begin and end among humans, and Hong Yun agreed while forbidding anyone from directly attacking ordinary people.
• Hong Jun recalled the still-blank Investiture of the Gods and told everyone they had time to consider it.

After leaving Zixiao Palace, Hong Yun and Zhen Yuan Zi questioned the Investiture of the Gods and discussed preparing their disciples for the coming tribulation. Inside the palace, Yuan Shi’s proposal to use Tong Tian’s disciples to fill the list turned into an insult, prompting Tong Tian to leave in anger.

• Hong Yun, Nu Wa, Zhen Yuan Zi, and Huluwa left Zixiao Palace without waiting for Tong Tian.
• Zhen Yuan Zi asked why the Investiture of the Gods’ departments seemed to correspond to the powers of dead shamans and demon gods, and Hong Yun said they should watch Dao Ancestor Hong Jun’s plans and prepare.
• Nu Wa reminded Hong Yun that they had said they would avoid the tribulation, but Hong Yun explained that the human race’s involvement meant they could not stay out of it.
• Yuan Shi urged Tong Tian to choose disciples to fill the Investiture of the Gods list, and Tong Tian considered asking whether any would accept posts in the Heavenly Court.
• Yuan Shi disparaged the roots of Tong Tian’s disciples, so Tong Tian angrily rejected the suggestion and left Zixiao Palace.

Da Yu founded Great Xia, divided the Human Race into nine provinces, and asked Hong Yun to help protect their lands. As Da Yu began creating the Nine Provinces Barrier with nine cauldrons, the Human Dao’s fortune gathered and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors prepared to assist.

• Taiqing and Yuan Shi left the Zixiao Palace, and Hong Jun told Hao Tian to avoid the Age of Calamity and focus on his own tribulation.
• Da Yu established Great Xia at Pingyang, divided the Human Race into nine provinces, and received the vassal lords’ allegiance.
• Da Yu summoned Hong Yun and asked him to help make the Human Race’s territory secure; Hong Yun proposed forging nine cauldrons and establishing the Nine Provinces Barrier.
• Da Yu gathered copper from the nine provinces and forged the Nine Cauldrons while Hong Yun devised the barrier formation.
• Da Yu arranged the Nine Cauldrons at the Xia capital’s altar and summoned the Human Dao’s fortune, drawing the attention of Hong Jun and other powerful figures.
• Fuxi agreed to help Da Yu and sent profound light toward the Nine Cauldrons.

Da Yu completed the Nine Provinces Barrier with the Nine Cauldrons, strengthening humanity’s protection and fortune while suppressing cultivation within its borders. Hong Yun explained why the Human Emperor could not cultivate and promised to help Da Yu pursue cultivation after he abdicated, then returned his human disciples to the Fire Cloud Cave World.

• The Nine Cauldrons displayed humanity’s history and gathered its Wish Power before Da Yu activated the Nine Provinces Barrier.
• The cauldrons flew to their respective provinces and sank into the earth, establishing a barrier that protected the Human Emperor but suppressed cultivation.
• Da Yu realized he could no longer use Mystic Gate techniques and asked Hong Yun whether losing the ability to cultivate was a misfortune.
• Hong Yun explained that a Human Emperor’s power and longevity could tempt future rulers to neglect their people, and Da Yu accepted the reasoning.
• Hong Yun promised to take Da Yu to the Fire Cloud Cave World for cultivation after he abdicated, then sent his human disciples there as the Mystic Gate and Buddhist cultivators grew uneasy within humanity.

After Wu Zhiqi flooded the lands around the Huai River, Hong Yun told his disciples that Da Yu would handle him, while Bi Xiao gave Xuanwu the Northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner. Da Yu confronted Wu Zhiqi, who emerged to claim authority over the Huai River, and the encounter remained unresolved.

• Wu Zhiqi stirred up floods along the Huai River, prompting the suffering humans to ask Da Yu for help.
• Ying Long volunteered to hunt Wu Zhiqi, but Xuanwu asked to take the task as his first act as Great Emperor Zhenwu Dangmo.
• Bi Xiao gave Xuanwu the Northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner, which transformed to display a tortoise and serpent as he refined it.
• Hong Yun told his disciples not to intervene, explaining that Da Yu would deal with Wu Zhiqi and that they should observe the Nine Provinces Barrier's effects.
• Da Yu confronted Wu Zhiqi by the Huai River, and Wu Zhiqi declared that he should rule the river as its god.