Chapter Summaries

Queen Mother of the West confronted Supreme Elder Lord and Old Daoist Quexin over the Six Paths Goddess and the Heavenly Emperor, provoking a battle as the Goddess awakened before her return was complete. Meanwhile, Xiang Yuan arrived in the Dry Abyss Realm, reunited with Ji Wuzhou, and had him oversee the merging of the two realms’ Heavenly Dao origins, unaware that the goddesses’ clash had left his six wives merged into one.

• Queen Mother of the West challenged Supreme Elder Lord and Old Daoist Quexin over their agreement, and Supreme Elder Lord proposed that she take the Heavenly Emperor as her husband.
• Queen Mother of the West unsealed Western Kunlun, but Old Daoist Quexin broke through her defense and caused the Yellow Springs Mother Tree to awaken the Six Paths Goddess early.
• The Six Paths Goddess discovered Queen Mother of the West’s betrayal, then fell into a confused, unconscious state as the two goddesses began battling over reincarnation and Western Kunlun.
• Xiang Yuan arrived in Great Luo Heaven, where Ji Wuzhou mistook him for a usurping Heavenly Emperor; Xiang Yuan let the two realms’ Heavenly Dao origins merge and put Ji Wuzhou in charge.
• Xiang Yuan told Ji Wuzhou to serve as the Jade Emperor and asked about the Three Realms, while remaining unaware that his six wives had merged into one.

Xiang Yuan entered the Netherworld Realm as Queen Mother of the West and the fused Six Paths Goddess fought to mutual exhaustion, then joined the battle after the Six Paths Goddess split apart. With the Six Paths Goddess sealing the Wordless Kunlun Book and Western Kunlun, Xiang Yuan gained the upper hand and battered Queen Mother of the West, leaving her trapped in his enormous Celestial Emperor palm.

• Xiang Yuan arrived in the Netherworld Realm and discovered Queen Mother of the West fighting a fused Six Paths Goddess formed from six reincarnated women and Guanyin Bodhisattva.
• Lay Practitioner Bai Yue entered the Six Paths Goddess, causing the fusion to break apart and sending the six women flying toward Xiang Yuan, who caught them with a breeze.
• Xiang Yuan learned how Queen Mother of the West had manipulated Bai Wuyan and confirmed that both goddesses had been drained by their battle.
• Xiang Yuan summoned the Demon-Summoning Banner and drew on the Three Realms' destiny, but Queen Mother of the West trapped him in the Wordless Kunlun Book.
• The Six Paths Goddess sealed the Wordless Kunlun Book inside the Ancient Mirror of Reincarnation and helped restrain Western Kunlun, allowing Xiang Yuan to escape and strike Queen Mother of the West repeatedly.
• Xiang Yuan seized Queen Mother of the West with a Celestial Emperor palm and declared that he would wipe away her blood.

Xiang Yuan defeated the Queen Mother of the West but was stopped from killing her by Supreme Elder Lord, who invoked their marriage bond and the need for her to anchor the Three Realms. After reclaiming her treasures and arranging her imprisonment, Xiang Yuan comforted Bai Wuyan, while the merged realms continued to settle and he turned his attention to Buddhist assets and his next plans.

• Xiang Yuan beat the Queen Mother of the West nearly senseless and raised his sword to kill her, but Supreme Elder Lord stopped him and insisted their marriage bond made her both his wife and essential to the Three Realms.
• Supreme Elder Lord persuaded Xiang Yuan to imprison the Queen Mother of the West in the Thirty-Six Heavens, and Xiang Yuan reclaimed the Ninefold Immortal Mountains of Western Kunlun, the Kunlun Book Without Words, the Phoenix Hairpin Sword, and his other possessions.
• Xiang Yuan moved the Ninefold Immortal Mountains of Western Kunlun to Dragon-Transformation Brahma-Degree Heaven, imprisoned the Queen Mother of the West there, and kept her other treasures for himself.
• Laywoman Bai Yue, Bai Wuyan, Shang Qingmeng, Xiao Lingyue, and Chan'er exchanged tense remarks, and Xiao Lingyue later visited Bai Wuyan, suspected she was not as unhappy as she seemed, and threatened to bring Senior Sister Cheng to visit.
• Xiang Yuan went to Unrivaled Palace and comforted Bai Wuyan, who rebuked him after their intimate encounter and returned to White Lotus Palace, where she scolded Yinshuang, Daoxue, and Qing Zhuying.
• Xiang Yuan and Ji Wuzhou discussed the Buddha’s newly tangible lotus platforms and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s preaching in the Netherworld, then planned to retrieve Ji Wuzhou’s worldly possessions from Spirit Mountain and considered where Xiang Yuan could serve as an Imperial Brother.

Xiang Yuan chose Western Chu for the Journey to the West, but the higher-ups changed Tang Monk’s route and origin, making him a monk from Northern Qi instead. After winning the scripture-seeking mission and setting out with his attendants, Xiang Yuan reached Double-Fork Ridge, where Xiao He prepared to make his entrance.

• Xiang Yuan decided Western Chu would be the original setting for Tang Monk’s journey, while he absorbed the Jade Pool Golden Liquid and immortality peaches in Western Kunlun.
• Xiao Lingyue objected to Xiang Yuan’s plan to become sworn brothers with his father-in-law, and the Jade Emperor and Buddha changed the pilgrimage route so Tang Monk would come from Northern Qi.
• White Moon Lay Buddhist visited Sun Wukong at Five Finger Mountain, where Fighting Victory Buddha coached him on handling Tang Monk and the Tightening Headband Spell.
• Xiang Yuan won the scripture-seeking role at Liu Che’s Water-Land Assembly, received his travel gear from Guanyin Bodhisattva, and set out from Northern Qi.
• Xiang Yuan rode toward Two Realms Mountain with two attendants and reached Double-Fork Ridge, while Xiao He left the Southern Heavenly Gate to make his entrance.

Xiang Yuan reached Five Finger Mountain and found Sun Wukong imprisoned beneath the Buddha’s talisman. After Xiang Yuan tore the mountain apart and destroyed the talisman with a punch, Sun Wukong feared the overwhelming monk he was supposed to accompany.

• At Double-Fork Ridge, Xiang Yuan claimed he had defeated the demons by accident, while Xiao He objected that he had ruined the planned trial and returned to Heaven without a chance to perform.
• Xiang Yuan skipped the journey between Double-Fork Ridge and Five Finger Mountain, where Sun Wukong recognized him as the Heavenly Court pretty boy who had once framed him.
• Sun Wukong tried to persuade Xiang Yuan to free him and join the scripture journey, but Xiang Yuan nearly left after learning the monkey had a criminal record.
• Xiang Yuan tore Five Finger Mountain from the ground and hurled it into the sky, then punched it apart along with the Buddha’s golden talisman.
• Xiang Yuan warned Sun Wukong not to oppose him and lifted the terrified monkey into the air, while Sun Wukong desperately called for Monkey Bro’s help.

Xiang Yuan led Sun Wukong west, overturning the expected events around the six bandits and obtaining the Tightening Headband from White Moon Lay Buddhist. After Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing joined the group, Xiang Yuan reached the Four Saints Testing One's Zen Heart trial, confident that he could withstand its temptations.

• Sun Wukong killed the six bandits, but Xiang Yuan ordered him to kill future bandits away from him and threatened to take his head if he spoiled Xiang Yuan's compassion.
• Xiang Yuan seized White Moon Lay Buddhist, mistook her for a demon, and received the Tightening Headband; Sun Wukong then chased after her to learn the spell.
• Xiang Yuan visited the South Sea Purple Bamboo Grove, and later Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and White Dragon joined the scripture-seeking party.
• Xiang Yuan berated Sun Wukong for causing him to make repeated trips to thank Guanyin, then ordered the group to search the road ahead.
• Sun Wukong recited the Tightening Headband Spell ten times to prove his obedience, and Xiang Yuan whipped him for rolling in the road.
• Xiang Yuan approached the Four Saints Testing One's Zen Heart trial, confident he could resist any attempt to seduce him.

Xiang Yuan entered the Four Sages trial at Unrivaled Palace, where Bai Wuyan abandoned the test to confront him and their tangled relationship. His holy monk clone continued west with the disciples, reaching the Heaven-Reaching River, where Xiang Yuan revealed that he had personally raised King Inspiration and left the trial to his companions.

• Xiang Yuan entered the estate alone, was transported to Unrivaled Palace, and found Bai Wuyan with Yinshuang, Daoxue, and Qing Zhuying.
• Bai Wuyan explained that she had taken Jingyun's place to get at Queen Mother of the West, then tried to test Xiang Yuan by offering him her disciples as prospective wives.
• Xiang Yuan teased Bai Wuyan until she accidentally revealed her own interest in him, then she left and the Four Sages trial ended without a test.
• Xiang Yuan's clone continued the journey with Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, clearing trials with his domineering approach before the group reached the Heaven-Reaching River.
• Xiang Yuan identified King Inspiration as the goldfish he had raised, told his companions to handle the river trial, and went underwater to accept the demon's welcome.

Xiang Yuan continued the journey through the Women's Kingdom, where Sword Venerable Su Ran played the queen and Shang Qingmeng carried him off as the Scorpion Demon. After Sun Wukong rescued him, the party passed through the fake Monkey King and Flame Mountain trials, and Xiang Yuan headed toward the Yellow-Brow Monster episode while his true body visited Wudang Mountain.

• Sun Wukong fed Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing water from the Mother-Child River, then fetched water from the Fetus-Falling Spring to cure their pregnancy pains.
• Xiang Yuan drew a crowd in the Women's Kingdom and was summoned to the palace, where Sword Venerable Su Ran played the queen and persuaded him into a round of dual cultivation.
• Shang Qingmeng appeared as the Scorpion Demon, seized Xiang Yuan, and kept him at Lute Cave until Sun Wukong defeated her three days later and rescued him.
• Sun Wukong fought the fake Handsome Monkey King, who was the Fighting Victory Buddha acting out the script, and the two monkeys clashed before Brother Monkey returned to Sun Wukong's soul.
• Sun Wukong and the Bull Devil King fought at Flame Mountain after Madam Bull's behavior exposed inconsistencies in the staged plot.
• Xiang Yuan left an avatar for the Yellow-Brow Monster trial and went to Wudang Mountain, where the True Warrior Great Emperor waited for Sun Wukong.

The Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage learned that Sun Wukong had beaten Yellow Lion Spirit and led his lion demons to Jade Flower Prefecture, intending to stage a confrontation while avoiding Xiang Yuan. He carried Xiang Yuan and the captured pilgrims to Nine-Bend Winding Cave, where Sun Wukong escaped and went to seek help from the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage’s master.

• Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Monk recovered their stolen weapons and beat Yellow Lion Spirit, who went to Nine-Bend Winding Cave to complain to the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage.
• Yellow Lion Spirit revealed that Sun Wukong had beaten him, and the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage gathered six lion demons and more than a thousand lesser demons to march on Jade Flower Prefecture.
• The Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage captured Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Monk, then carried Xiang Yuan on his back after Xiang Yuan told him to stop talking and leave.
• The Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage brought the pilgrims to Nine-Bend Winding Cave and treated Xiang Yuan with great deference while his demons held the others.
• Sun Wukong left a false body behind, escaped the cave, and learned from Lord of the Land that the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage served the deity at Eastern Pole Wondrous Solemn Palace.
• Sun Wukong headed for the Eastern Heavenly Gate to confront the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage’s master about the demon’s conduct.

Sun Wukong asked Xiang Yuan to rescue the scripture party from Nine-Spirit Sage, and Xiang Yuan subdued his own mount before the pilgrimage continued. Later, Xiang Yuan sensed that Jambu Gate could cross worlds again, entered it alone, and arrived in the corrupted Heavenly Court of the Demon Domain, Great Freedom Heaven.

• Sun Wukong visited Xiang Yuan in the Eastern Pole Wondrous Solemn Palace and asked him to rescue the scripture party from Nine-Spirit Sage.
• Xiang Yuan went to Bamboo Joint Mountain, where Nine-Spirit Sage immediately surrendered, and took him back as his mount.
• Sun Wukong rejoined the Holy Monk and the others, and the scripture party continued west toward the Kingdom of India.
• Xiang Yuan later devoted himself to cultivating the Heavenly Dao and considered how to strengthen the Dry Abyss Realm, while the jade-disc tattoo in his palm began pulsing again.
• Xiang Yuan opened Jambu Gate and crossed through it alone, arriving in the demon-corrupted Great Freedom Heaven.

Xiang Yuan entered the Great Freedom Heaven Realm and discovered that Other-Transformation Heaven had demonized the Three Realms while performing a ritual involving the Reincarnation Relics. After defeating the realm’s demonized gods and Buddhas, Xiang Yuan confronted Other-Transformation Heaven and launched a surprise attack with the Light of Chaos.

• Xiang Yuan entered the Great Freedom Heaven Realm, and its demonic qi recognized his pure demonic aura as one of its own.
• Other-Transformation Heaven ordered the demonized gods and Buddhas of the Three Realms to capture Xiang Yuan while he continued his ritual.
• Xiang Yuan destroyed the Heavenly Net Formation and routed the demonized Heavenly Court and Spirit Mountain, then erased Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the dark Spirit Mountain with his demonic light.
• Xiang Yuan reached Great Luo Heaven and confronted Other-Transformation Heaven, who realized Xiang Yuan had become extraordinarily powerful and questioned whether someone was plotting against him.
• Xiang Yuan tricked Other-Transformation Heaven into turning around by claiming the Venerable Lord of Morality was behind him, then fired the Light of Chaos from the eye between his brows.

Xiang Yuan battled Other-Transformation Heaven, shattered Great Freedom Heaven Realm, and salvaged its Heavenly Dao Origin before following the demon through a reincarnation whirlpool. Years after a black meteor brought demonic change to the Mystic Void Realm, Xiang Yuan arrived in the Great Song Dynasty’s Eastern Capital, Kaifeng Prefecture.

• Xiang Yuan struck Other-Transformation Heaven with Chaos Light, splitting the universe within his demonic eye and gravely weakening him.
• Xiang Yuan unleashed Overturning Fist, devastating Great Freedom Heaven Realm as he battered Other-Transformation Heaven through the collapsing three realms.
• Other-Transformation Heaven transformed into a vast demonic-eye sun and fought Xiang Yuan’s expanding small world while Xiang Yuan tried to seize the realm’s Heavenly Dao Origin.
• Other-Transformation Heaven self-destructed half the universe and Great Freedom Heaven Realm, and Xiang Yuan caught the surviving Heavenly Dao Origin in the River of Time.
• Other-Transformation Heaven sealed Xiang Yuan’s Primordial Spirit and fled through a reincarnation whirlpool, but Xiang Yuan recovered and followed him through it.
• A black meteor brought demonic change to the Mystic Void Realm, and years later Xiang Yuan crashed near Kaifeng Prefecture in the Great Song Dynasty.

Xiang Yuan disguised himself as Gao Yanei in Kaifeng and tried to follow the Water Margin story, but Lady Lin’s schemes and Lin Chong’s timid response upended his expectations. He left after seeing Lin Chong meet with Lu Zhishen, who planned to attack Gao Qiu’s residence later.

• Xiang Yuan searched Kaifeng for Other-Transformation Heaven and learned that 108 demon stars had descended, linking the world to Water Margin and the Reincarnation Relics.
• Xiang Yuan replaced Gao Yanei after the guards chased him into an alley, then went to Eastern Peak Temple to encounter Lady Lin and Lin Chong.
• Xiang Yuan discovered that Lady Lin hoped to use Gao Yanei to advance Lin Chong’s career, while Lin Chong considered retaliating only after the crowds dispersed.
• Xiang Yuan sent Lady Lin’s maid to fetch Lin Chong, and Lin Chong arrived but took his wife away without confronting Gao Yanei.
• Xiang Yuan visited Lu Zhishen, who told Lin Chong he would attack Gao Qiu’s residence after a while, then returned to the residence with his guards.

Xiang Yuan killed and cremated several demonized outlaws to investigate how to recover the Reincarnation Relics, then returned to Gao Qiu's residence and trapped Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen in a spatial restriction. He learned that Fu An and Lu Qian planned to lure Lady Lin to Gao Yanei, and delayed the scheme while Lin Chong raged helplessly inside the barrier.

• Xiang Yuan killed Sun Erniang and Zhang Qing, recovered their demonized Reincarnation Relics, and concluded that the relics were separate from the demon stars.
• Xiang Yuan captured Clear Wind Mountain's three chiefs and experimented on them, then went to the imperial palace to check whether Emperor Huizong was Other-Transformation Heaven.
• Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen sneaked into Gao Yanei's courtyard to scout it, but Xiang Yuan trapped them in a spatial restriction.
• Fu An told Xiang Yuan that Lu Qian planned to trick Lin Chong and send Lady Lin to Gao Yanei, prompting Lin Chong to attack the barrier in fury.
• Xiang Yuan told Fu An to postpone the plan for two days and approved Fu An's offer to descend into hell for Gao Yanei.

Xiang Yuan released Lin Chong from the spatial restriction, while Lin Chong returned home, beat Lu Qian and Fu An, and went back to rescue Lu Zhishen. Xiang Yuan then revealed that he was the “Timely Rain” Gruel-Bringer, leaving Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen to confront the mysterious man in Gao Yanei’s courtyard.

• Gao Qiu told Xiang Yuan that Lin Chong had to be controlled and asked how he planned to bring Lady Lin into his household, but Xiang Yuan said he wanted Lin Chong’s skills instead.
• Xiang Yuan released Lin Chong from the restriction, and Lin Chong hurried home to find Lady Lin dressing for what she believed would be a meeting with Gao Yanei.
• Lady Lin explained that she hoped to use Gao Yanei to advance Lin Chong’s career, but Lin Chong refused her plan and locked her in her room before meeting Lu Qian.
• Lin Chong knocked Lu Qian unconscious with a punch, then struck Fu An and threw both men out of the Zhang residence.
• Lin Chong returned to the Grand Marshal’s residence and found Lu Zhishen meditating in the open formation; Lu Zhishen questioned the figure sitting in the courtyard.
• Xiang Yuan stepped forward and introduced himself as the “Timely Rain” Gruel-Bringer, surprising Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen.

Xiang Yuan revealed his identity to Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong, then recruited them as protectors for a journey to investigate 108 demonic stars. Lin Chong accepted after Xiang Yuan threatened to continue testing him, and the chapter ended with Xiang Yuan setting out for Yuncheng to seek Song Jiang.

• Lu Zhishen saw through Xiang Yuan’s claim to be Song Jiang, prompting Xiang Yuan to reveal his identity as the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Pole and explain the demonic stars.
• Xiang Yuan told Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong that he was testing 108 demonic stars and needed two protectors for his journey.
• Lu Zhishen volunteered, and Lin Chong agreed to join after Xiang Yuan threatened to put him through the White Tiger Hall ordeal and have him divorce Lady Lin.
• Lin Chong returned home and struggled to explain his new role to Lady Lin, who misunderstood his promotion and feared he was leaving her for Gao Yanei.
• Lin Chong learned that Lu Qian and Fu An had been assigned under his command, then went to the Marshal’s Residence to meet Xiang Yuan.
• Xiang Yuan departed with Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong for Yuncheng, Ji Prefecture, to seek Song Jiang.

Xiang Yuan met Song Jiang in Yuncheng and offered him a path to serve Gao Qiu, while secretly testing his ambition and encouraging him to cut ties with his old associates. After leaving Yuncheng, Xiang Yuan and his companions reached Qinghe County, where a fleeing man was causing an uproar.

• Xiang Yuan calculated Wu Song's whereabouts and considered how to prevent the Wu brothers from suffering the events of the original story.
• Xiang Yuan experimented with separating Demon Stars from the Reincarnation Relic and punished several cruel outlaws ahead of schedule.
• In Yuncheng, Song Jiang sought out Xiang Yuan, Lin Chong, and Lu Zhishen after hearing of their arrival.
• Xiang Yuan offered Song Jiang a position serving Gao Qiu and advised him to distance himself from his former friends; Song Jiang eagerly accepted and began selling his possessions to fund his loyalty.
• Xiang Yuan's carriage reached Qinghe County, where a tall, powerful man fled toward the city gate amid cries of murder.
• Xiang Yuan ordered Lin Chong to test the fleeing man and stop him from escaping.

Xiang Yuan’s party stopped Wu Song as he fled Qinghe County, defeated him, and cleared him of a supposed murder charge. Xiang Yuan persuaded Wu Song and Wu Dalang to move to the capital together, then sensed a seductive deviless spying on him as he studied the Reincarnation Relic.

• Lin Chong intercepted Wu Song outside Qinghe County and defeated him in a fierce hand-to-hand fight while Xiang Yuan commentated.
• Xiang Yuan used Lin Chong’s Imperial Guard token to establish his authority, then persuaded the county commandant to declare Wu Song innocent.
• Xiang Yuan visited Wu Song’s home and offered Wu Song training with the Imperial Guards and Wu Dalang a shop in the capital; both brothers agreed to go together.
• Wu Song rejected Jinlian’s advances, and Xiang Yuan decided that Wu Dalang would leave with Wu Song while Jinlian remained behind.
• Xiang Yuan returned to his carriage to study the Devil Star and Reincarnation Relic, sensed someone watching him, and discovered a deviless cultivating her Primordial Spirit.

Xiang Yuan captured a witch sent by the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden and suspected the deity might be hiding in the Mystic Void Realm. He brought Wu Song and Wu Dalang to Song Jiang, then set out with them for the capital as Chao Gai secretly followed.

• The witch tried to ensnare Xiang Yuan and his companions in dreams, but Lu Zhishen shattered her Primordial Spirit attack and Lin Chong confronted her.
• Xiang Yuan exposed the witch’s escape attempt, trapped her in a palm-shaped world, and learned that the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden had given her powers and a mission involving Wu Dalang.
• Xiang Yuan decided to seek the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden at her temple and brought Song Jiang into the plan.
• Xiang Yuan returned to Song Jiang’s residence with Wu Song and Wu Dalang, and Song Jiang mistook Wu Dalang for a hidden worthy before swearing brotherhood with him.
• Song Jiang, the Wu brothers, and Xiang Yuan departed Yuncheng in separate carriages, while Chao Gai followed them from behind.

Song Jiang’s carriage was blocked by Chao Gai and his companions, who demanded its treasure, and Xiang Yuan ordered Lu Zhishen, Lin Chong, and Wu Song to fight them. After the three warriors gained power and turned the battle around, Chao Gai transformed into an Other-Transformation Heaven, leaving Xiang Yuan stunned and ready to intervene.

• Lin Chong noticed Chao Gai’s group following the carriages, while Lu Zhishen teased him and explained that Xiang Yuan wanted the pursuers tested.
• Chao Gai, Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and their companions blocked the road and demanded Song Jiang hand over his treasure.
• Xiang Yuan ordered Lu Zhishen, Lin Chong, and Wu Song to attack, and Wu Song defeated Liu Tang, Bai Sheng, and the three Ruan brothers.
• Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and Chao Gai used a star formation, Five Elements dragons, and a giant manifestation to suppress Lu Zhishen until Xiang Yuan empowered the three warriors.
• Lu Zhishen, Lin Chong, and Wu Song defeated Wu Yong, Gongsun Sheng, and Chao Gai’s manifestation, but Chao Gai awakened a surge of demonic power and transformed into an Other-Transformation Heaven.