Arc 19The Investiture Cataclysm Begins

As the Investiture Cataclysm approached, Bei Ming and Ling Yan prepared the Literary Sect while the Chan and Jie Sects became entangled in the wars among the human states. Jiang Ziya entered Qin’s service as the Person of Heavenly Mandate, and Moyuan sent Wei Ran, Bai Qi, and Yang Jian to aid Qin.

  • Laozi challenged Bei Ming with Yuanshi and Tongtian, but Bei Ming defeated all Three Pure Ones and warned them against troubling the Literary Sect during the cataclysm.
  • Ling Yan rescued Kong Xuan from Wutian’s demonization, defeated Zhunti when he tried to claim him, and forced him to pay compensation before Nüwa cleansed Kong Xuan and made him Mount Qixi’s protector.
  • Bei Ming and Nüwa planned for the cataclysm as Ling Yan reorganized the Literary Sect, directed its disciples to monitor the Chan and Jie Sects, and trained them in a mountain-protecting formation.
  • Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao became Yuanshi’s disciples, and Yuanshi named Jiang Ziya the Person of Heavenly Mandate before sending him into the Human Realm with the God-Smiting Whip and Investiture of the Gods List.
  • The feuding states drew immortals into battle as Pang Juan’s True Spirit entered the Investiture of the Gods List and Gongsun Yan, aided by Chijingzi and Yuding Zhenren, defeated the Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island at Hexi.
  • Jiang Ziya became Qin’s National Preceptor after Zhang Yi captured him, while Chan Sect disciples gathered around him and Ying Ji sought Moyuan’s help against their growing influence.
  • Moyuan sent Wei Ran and Bai Qi to serve Ying Ji, instructed Yang Jian to oversee battles between immortals, and dispatched all three to Qin, where Ying Ji welcomed them in Xianyang.
Chapters 452–476 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 452Boarding the Thieves' Ship; Laozi Exits Seclusion for the Great Void

Randeng pledged himself to Jieyin and Zhunti, who planned to use him to recruit Chan Sect disciples during the Investiture of the Gods. As the Western Zhou fell and the Spring and Autumn Period began, Laozi broke through to the Saint Second Layer and headed for the Great Void Palace.

  • Jieyin told Randeng that the treasure he needed could not yet be revealed, while Randeng explained that the Lingjiu Lamp’s missing wick prevented him from using it to Slash Corpse.
  • Jieyin promised to recover the Lingjiu Lamp’s wick if the West succeeded, and Randeng pledged to serve him.
  • Zhunti instructed Randeng to remain with the Chan Sect for now, and Randeng offered to help recruit Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Cihang, and Kushou.
  • Wutian sent Bao Si into King You of Zhou’s palace, where she won the king’s favor and helped bring about the Western Zhou’s downfall.
  • After King Ping of Zhou moved the capital to Luoyi, the Eastern Zhou and Spring and Autumn Period began as Disaster Qi increased.
  • Laozi emerged from seclusion after reaching the Saint Second Layer and went to the Great Void Palace, drawing the notice of the other Saints.

Ch. 453Battle the Three Pure Ones Again; Whose Word Carried Weight?

Bei Ming challenged Laozi after interrupting his visit with the Chaos Bell and Hongmeng Measuring Ruler, then agreed to settle their dispute through a fight against the Three Pure Ones. The four entered Hundun, where Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian prepared to face Bei Ming.

  • Laozi visited Bei Ming and was knocked into Great Void Palace by Bei Ming’s strike, losing face before the other Saints.
  • Laozi proposed establishing rules for the Mystic Gate ahead of the Investiture Cataclysm, but Bei Ming dismissed the proposal and warned that Yuanshi and Tongtian had arrived in Hundun.
  • Bei Ming challenged the Three Pure Ones to fight, saying they should stop bothering him during the cataclysm if he defeated them again.
  • Laozi accepted the challenge on behalf of the Three Pure Ones, and they moved with Bei Ming into Hundun.
  • Laozi urged Yuanshi and Tongtian to give the battle their all as the Three Pure Ones readied their treasures and weapons.

Ch. 454Knock You Headfirst into the Dirt; Absolute Suppression

Bei Ming challenged the Three Pure Ones and overwhelmed them with his treasures, forcing Yuanshi to concede and blasting Laozi away. He released Tongtian from the Qiankun Cauldron’s suppression after the three brothers had been decisively defeated.

  • Tongtian attacked Bei Ming with the Qingping Sword and four divine swords, but Bei Ming suppressed him with the Qiankun Cauldron.
  • Yuanshi and Laozi joined the assault, but Bei Ming countered their treasures with the Chaos Bell, Zhu Shen Gourd, and Destruction Scepter.
  • Bei Ming struck Yuanshi with the Hongmeng Measuring Ruler, and Yuanshi withdrew and conceded defeat.
  • Bei Ming unleashed three treasures against Laozi, broke through his defenses, and blasted him away through chaos.
  • Bei Ming recalled the Qiankun Cauldron and freed Tongtian from its suppression.

Ch. 455Obsession Runs Deep; the Shackles of the Human Religion

Bei Ming defeated Tongtian, and the Three Pure Ones agreed to delay further fighting until they grew stronger. Laozi urged his brothers to break through, while the chapter revealed that his Human Religion’s reliance on the Human Race’s fortune had become a limit on his path to greater cultivation.

  • Tongtian accepted defeat, and Bei Ming, Yuanshi, and Tongtian proposed discussing the Dao instead of fighting again before they advanced.
  • Bei Ming warned the Three Pure Ones that more defeats would damage their reputation, then left Hundun.
  • Laozi told Yuanshi and Tongtian to reach the Saint Second Layer soon, calling it their final chance to fight Bei Ming.
  • Yuanshi and Tongtian recognized that Laozi’s Human Religion had gained greatly from the Human Race’s fortune, while their own sects drew less from it.
  • Laozi’s Human Religion faced a cultivation bottleneck because its doctrine was bound to the Human Race, whose fortune would decline as the other clans revived.

Ch. 456Three Pure Ones' Rift Begins to Show; Ling Yan Ventures Alone into Golden Vegetarian Mountain

The Three Pure Ones clashed over the Investiture of the Gods List before Laozi urged them to return to cultivation. At Golden Vegetarian Mountain, Ling Yan destroyed the Demon Sect’s formation and drew out Kong Xuan.

  • Laozi warned Yuanshi and Tongtian that their chance to break through was running out, and Yuanshi suggested that Jie Sect disciples be placed on the Investiture of the Gods List.
  • Tongtian and Yuanshi argued over their disciples and blamed each other’s sects for the calamity until Laozi suppressed their auras and ended the dispute.
  • The Three Pure Ones separated in Hundun, each heading in a different direction.
  • Ling Yan entered the Demon Sect stronghold at Golden Vegetarian Mountain and destroyed its Heavenly Devil Great Formation with the Five Elements Mysterious Pivot Fan.
  • Kong Xuan emerged from the mountain in demonic qi and confronted Ling Yan with killing intent.

Ch. 457Kong Xuan and Great Peng; Ling Yan Suppresses Kong Xuan

Ling Yan interrupted Wutian’s attempt to demonize Kong Xuan and suppressed the half-demonized Quasi-Saint at Golden Vegetarian Mountain. After cleansing the mountain and deciding Kong Xuan could be saved, she encountered Zhunti and explained that she was returning to Changbai Mountain Range to report to her master.

  • Kong Xuan returned to the Phoenix Race, resolved his karma, and later traveled toward the Shang Dynasty before Wutian intercepted and defeated him.
  • Wutian imprisoned Kong Xuan at Golden Vegetarian Mountain and used the Heavenly Devil Great Formation to erode his Primordial Spirit.
  • Ling Yan stormed into Golden Vegetarian Mountain, interrupted the demonization, and trapped the rampaging Kong Xuan in a Five Elements Cage.
  • Ling Yan discovered that a thread of clarity remained in Kong Xuan and contained him, intending to seek her master’s Twelve Grade Pure World White Lotus to cleanse him.
  • Ling Yan used the Precious Lotus Lantern’s Pure Lotus Holy Flame to purge demonic qi and destroy the Demon Sect stronghold’s formations and inheritances.
  • Zhunti arrived at Golden Vegetarian Mountain, and Ling Yan told him she had destroyed a Demon Sect stronghold and was returning to Changbai Mountain Range to report to her master.

Ch. 458Ling Yan and Zhunti Compete for Kong Xuan, Fated for the West?

Ling Yan refused Zhunti’s demand to take Kong Xuan and challenged his claims about the Western Religion’s ties to the Demon Sect. Zhunti attacked to seize Kong Xuan, but Ling Yan trapped him with the Five Directional Flags.

  • Zhunti offered to use Western Religion methods to remove Kong Xuan’s demonic qi, but Ling Yan refused to hand him over.
  • Zhunti questioned whether Ling Yan was shielding a demonic cultivator, and Ling Yan invited him to bring his doubts before her master, Wen Zu.
  • Ling Yan accused Zhunti and the Western Religion of tolerating the Demon Sect, but Zhunti denied any collusion.
  • Zhunti attacked Ling Yan with the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, and she defended herself with the Five Elements Mysterious Pivot Fan while drawing Kong Xuan into her body.
  • Zhunti summoned his Golden Body Dharma Idol and challenged Ling Yan to a fight for Kong Xuan.
  • Ling Yan deployed the Five Directional Flags, whose Five Elements Divine Light swept Zhunti and his treasures into a Five Elements Heaven and Earth.

Ch. 459Five Elements Flags Forge Heaven and Earth; Zhunti, You're Far Too Cheap!

Ling Yan trapped Zhunti in a Five Elements Heaven and Earth after he provoked her and demanded compensation for his defeat. Zhunti tried to bargain down her price, leaving negotiations over his release unresolved.

  • Ling Yan used the Five Directional Flags to confine Zhunti in a sealed Five Elements Heaven and Earth that he could not escape without Saint-level strength.
  • Zhunti admitted defeat and offered compensation, but Ling Yan rejected his attempt to end the encounter cheaply.
  • Ling Yan demanded one hundred innate Bodhi Seeds, one hundred Great Luo Golden Immortal Sariras, and twenty Quasi-Saint Sariras.
  • Zhunti argued that the West could provide only three Bodhi Seeds, ten Great Luo Golden Immortal Sariras, and at most one Quasi-Saint Sarira.
  • Ling Yan considered Zhunti's offer an opening to continue bargaining and kept him imprisoned.

Ch. 460Stripping Away the Dharma Form; Moving Closer to Bei Ming

Ling Yan forced Zhunti to surrender resources, then stripped away his Dharma Form before releasing him. As she headed for the Changbai Mountain Range, Zhunti considered the Hongmeng Purple Qi and Bei Ming, while Jieyin began to contemplate moving closer to Bei Ming.

  • Ling Yan secured ten innate Bodhi Seeds, thirty Great Luo Golden Immortal sariras, and five Quasi-Saint sariras from Zhunti, then demanded an appearance fee for the Innate Five Directions Flags.
  • Ling Yan activated the Five Elements Heaven and Earth and stripped away Zhunti's Dharma Form before releasing him.
  • Zhunti reflected on Ling Yan's strength, wondered whether Ming He could oppose her, and considered pursuing clues to the remaining Hongmeng Purple Qi.
  • After watching Bei Ming defeat the Three Pure Ones in Hundun, Nüwa and Jieyin connected the conflict to the Investiture Cataclysm.
  • Jieyin decided he could accommodate outside forces in the West and considered moving closer to Bei Ming, prompted by an unbelievable thought about their earlier battle.

Ch. 461Nüwa and Jieyin's Deal; Asking Bei Ming for Guidance

Jieyin met Nüwa at Changbai Mountain and secured her aid in the Investiture Cataclysm by supporting Fuxi as Heavenly Emperor. He then asked Bei Ming how to reshape the severed Western Spiritual Veins, leaving Bei Ming’s answer unresolved.

  • Jieyin and Nüwa entered Great Void Palace after Bei Ming invited them in.
  • Bei Ming revealed that he had reached an agreement with the Three Pure Ones to keep them from actively troubling the Literary Sect during the Canonization of the Gods.
  • Jieyin asked Bei Ming to help protect the Western Religion, while Nüwa suggested sending some disciples to the Heavenly Court and placing others on the Investiture of the Gods List.
  • Jieyin endorsed Fuxi as the next Heavenly Emperor, and Nüwa promised that Mount Qixi’s servants and retainers could enter the calamity.
  • Jieyin asked Bei Ming what should serve as the model for reshaping the Western Spiritual Veins.

Ch. 462Jieyin's Great Enlightenment; Nüwa's Canonization of the Gods Team

Jieyin understood Bei Ming’s hint about the Earth Book and left for the West, while Bei Ming entrusted Ling Yan’s safety to Nüwa if his plan failed. Ling Yan returned with the demonized Kong Xuan, and Nüwa and Bei Ming discussed how to use the Canonization of the Gods to divide the Three Pure Ones.

  • Bei Ming showed Jieyin the Earth Book, and Jieyin grasped its significance, pledged himself to the West, and departed.
  • Bei Ming told Nüwa that his failure could bring extinction and entrusted Ling Yan to her protection; Nüwa promised to safeguard her.
  • Nüwa divined that Ling Yan had saved Kong Xuan, a descendant of Yuan Feng and a new member of the Phoenix Race faction.
  • Ling Yan reported destroying a Demon Sect stronghold at Golden Vegetarian Mountain and presented the demonized Kong Xuan, whom Nüwa agreed to train.
  • Nüwa warned that the Literary Sect was active in the Human Realm Nine Provinces, and Bei Ming outlined a plan to provoke war between the Chan Sect and Jie Sect and split the Three Pure Ones.
  • Nüwa joked that Tongtian would be left with crutches after the Saints crippled him, while admitting she had no sympathy for him.

Ch. 463Transmission of Hongmeng Purple Qi; The Mystic Gate in the Human Realm

Bei Ming gave Ling Yan Hongmeng Purple Qi and tasked her with organizing the Literary Sect for the Investiture Cataclysm. As the Mystic Gate sects prepared to act, the Human Realm’s Hundred Schools of Thought continued to contend amid the wars of the Nine Provinces.

  • Nüwa returned to Mount Qixi to purify Kong Xuan and observe how the Mystic Gate sects and Hundred Schools of Thought discussed the Immortal Path, Divine Path, and Reincarnation.
  • Bei Ming gave Ling Yan Hongmeng Purple Qi, explained Nüwa’s interests in Fuxi, and told Ling Yan to coordinate the Literary Sect’s response to the Investiture Cataclysm.
  • Ling Yan ordered Literary Sect disciples serving in the Heavenly Court to limit their interference in human affairs and summoned those without Divine Positions to the Shuangyun Mountain Range for reorganization.
  • The Twelve Golden Immortals began planning to accept disciples and enter the tribulation, while the Tongtian Sect Master warned Jie Sect disciples to stay behind closed cave gates.
  • The Western Religion spread its teachings in the Human Realm as feudal wars and debates among the Hundred Schools of Thought continued across the Nine Provinces.

Ch. 464Mystic Gate and the Hundred Schools of Thought; Jiang Ziya Heads to Kunlun

The Hundred Schools of Thought developed ideas drawn from the Mystic Gate, while Xuantian took the form of Guiguzi and founded the School of Diplomacy. Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao reached Kunlun Mountain to seek a master, where Yuanshi Tianzun recognized Jiang Ziya as the Person of Heavenly Mandate and saw the karmic bond between the two travelers.

  • Confucianism, Mohism, and other schools emerged as Human Race thinkers adapted and developed ideas from Mystic Gate sects.
  • Zhuang Zhou, Yang Zhu, Zou Yan, and founders of the Medical, Agricultural, Military, School of Names, and Legalist schools advanced their doctrines.
  • Xuantian took the form of Guiguzi, founded the School of Diplomacy, and recruited talented heroes.
  • Jiang Ziya, a minor member of the Jiang Clan of Qi State, set out to Kunlun Mountain to seek a master.
  • Jiang Ziya met Shen Gongbao on the road, and the two became sworn brothers before Shen Gongbao helped them reach East Kunlun.
  • Yuanshi Tianzun recognized Jiang Ziya as the Person of Heavenly Mandate and saw that Shen Gongbao's help had formed a deep karmic bond between them.

Ch. 465Heaven's Mandate: A Disciple's Apprenticeship; Entangled Karma

Yuanshi Tianzun accepted Jiang Ziya as a direct disciple and Shen Gongbao as a nominal disciple, recognizing the karma that bound them to the coming Canonization of the Gods. The chapter left Shen Gongbao reflecting on his failed attempts to join other sects and the advantages of entering the Chan Sect.

  • Yuanshi sent White Crane Boy to bring Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao from outside the mountain to Jade Void Palace.
  • Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao bowed before Yuanshi and asked to learn the Chan Sect's Immortal Techniques.
  • Yuanshi accepted Jiang Ziya as his Direct Disciple because he was the Person of Heavenly Mandate for the Canonization of the Gods.
  • Yuanshi accepted Shen Gongbao as a Nominal Disciple, citing his different nature and his karma with Jiang Ziya.
  • Yuanshi saw that Heaven's Mandate would lead Shen Gongbao to help Jiang Ziya complete the Canonization of the Gods and planned to guide the Chan Sect through the tribulation.
  • Shen Gongbao recalled seeking instruction from the Literary Sect and considering other sects before choosing the Chan Sect.

Ch. 466Literary Sect Assembles; Success Brings Freedom, Defeat a Name on the List

Ling Yan gathered the Literary Sect disciples to discuss the coming Investiture Cataclysm and ordered them to exploit the conflict between the Chan Sect and Jie Sect. She dispatched seven disciples to the Human Realm, where Moyuan asked which side they should support.

  • Yuanshi sent Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao to Nanji Xianweng to learn the Chan Sect's Immortal Techniques.
  • Ling Yan assembled the Literary Sect disciples at Shuangyun Mountain Range and explained that the Mystic Gate would bear the brunt of the Investiture Cataclysm.
  • The disciples debated attacking Haotian and seizing the Heavenly Court, but Xue Ling, Lei Li, and Ranmu argued against it.
  • Ling Yan declared that the disciples would settle their disputes through battle and outlined a strategy to pit the Chan Sect against the Jie Sect while guarding against the Three Religions joining forces.
  • Ling Yan ordered Moyuan, Suyao, Wukong, Yun Biao, Lan Sheng, Wang Du, and Lei Li to monitor both sects in the Human Realm and fan the flames.
  • Moyuan asked Ling Yan which side the Literary Sect should favor in the Warring States.

Ch. 467Heaven's Mandate for Great Qin; Nüwa Bestows Treasures

Ling Yan prepared the Literary Sect’s disciples for the Canonization of the Gods battle while Moyuan and others went to the mortal world to recruit disciples. At Mount Qixi, Nüwa healed Kong Xuan, gained his allegiance, and bestowed upon him five Innate Spirit Treasures.

  • Ling Yan explained why Qin was destined to unify the land and ordered Ranmu, Xue Ling, and the others to train in their mountain-protecting formation.
  • Ling Yan’s disciples drilled the formation until their coordination improved and its spiritual light spread across the Shuangyun Mountain Range.
  • Moyuan, Suyao, Wukong, Yun Biao, Lan Sheng, Wang Du, and Lei Li set out for the mortal world to recruit disciples without directly interfering in Human Race affairs.
  • Nüwa freed Kong Xuan from the Five Elements Cage and used the Qi of Creation to clear the demonic qi from him.
  • Kong Xuan accepted Nüwa’s offer to serve as Mount Qixi’s protector, and she bestowed the Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Spirit Pearls upon him.

Ch. 468Kong Xuan Becomes Protector; Golden Crow Summons Lu Ya

Kong Xuan accepted Nüwa’s appointment as Protector of Mount Qixi and received five spirit pearls, then learned that Ling Yan had saved him from demonic qi. Nüwa sent Lu Ya to the human realm to assist Qin in unifying it and seek a breakthrough through the coming calamity.

  • Nüwa gave Kong Xuan five spirit pearls and told him to remain on Mount Qixi until summoned.
  • Kong Xuan asked about the woman who had saved him, and Nüwa identified her as Ling Yan, Chief Disciple of the Literary Sect.
  • Kong Xuan met Lu Ya, who introduced himself as a menial servant of Mount Qixi and suggested they visit and discuss the Dao.
  • Nüwa reminded Lu Ya that Di Jun had entrusted him to her and warned him against entanglement with the Human, Wu, and Demon races.
  • Lu Ya explained that his cultivation was stalled by lingering Karma and asked to enter a calamity to seek a breakthrough.
  • Nüwa ordered Lu Ya to assist Qin in unifying the human realm, and Lu Ya left Mount Qixi for the Human Realm Nine Provinces.

Ch. 469The First to Be Listed; Qin Rises

Sun Bin avenged himself on Pang Juan, whose name became the first listed on the Investiture of the Gods List, while Qin’s reforms survived Shang Yang’s death and the state prepared to rise. Yuanshi Tianzun summoned Jiang Ziya to leave the mountain and enter the human realm.

  • Xuantian warned Sun Bin to guard against betrayal before Sun Bin left Yunmeng Marsh to join Pang Juan in Wei.
  • Pang Juan persecuted Sun Bin, who escaped to Qi and helped defeat Wei at Guiling and Maling, where Pang Juan died.
  • Pang Juan’s True Spirit entered the Investiture of the Gods List as its first name, and Yuanshi Tianzun blamed the Mystic Turtle for setting the cataclysm in motion.
  • After Duke Xiao of Qin, Ying Quliang, died, Shang Yang was executed, but Ying Si upheld Qin’s reforms and received aid from Moyuan, Chijingzi, and Yuding Zhenren’s disciples.
  • Yuanshi Tianzun summoned Jiang Ziya, the Person of Heavenly Mandate, to leave the mountain and enter official service.

Ch. 470Different Treatment; Yuanshi Bestows Treasures

Jiang Ziya was summoned by Yuanshi Tianzun and appointed to leave the mountain to aid the unification of the Human Race's Nine Provinces during the Investiture Cataclysm. Yuanshi gave him the God-Smiting Whip and the Heavenly Book Investiture of the Gods List, sending him into the calamity with the Chan Sect ready to support him.

  • Jiang Ziya met Shen Gongbao on his way to the Jade Void Palace, where Shen Gongbao silently brooded over Jiang Ziya's preferential treatment and their uncertain purpose in the Chan Sect.
  • Yuanshi Tianzun told Jiang Ziya that he was a Person of Heavenly Mandate and ordered him to enter the Red Dust and aid the unification of the Human Race's Nine Provinces.
  • Yuanshi Tianzun bestowed the God-Smiting Whip and the Heavenly Book Investiture of the Gods List on Jiang Ziya, explaining their powers and how he could summon Chan Sect disciples for help.
  • Yuanshi Tianzun had Daoist Randeng and Kushou return from the West, while the Heavenly Origin Sect prepared for the coming battle.

Ch. 471The Shifting Strategists; The Battle of Qin and Wei, Chan and Jie Enter the Fray

Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao descended from Kunlun Mountain on separate paths, while Gongsun Yan prepared to fight Long Jia’s Wei forces at Hexi. After the Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island joined Wei, Moyuan, Chijingzi, and Yuding Zhenren appeared in the Qin camp.

  • Jiang Ziya accepted Yuanshi’s Spirit Treasures and left Kunlun Mountain to assess the rulers and states of the Human Realm.
  • Nanji Xianweng told Shen Gongbao that Yuanshi had ordered him to descend the mountain, and Shen Gongbao left Kunlun burdened by doubts about Jiang Ziya.
  • Gongsun Yan and Zhang Yi settled in Qin after failing to find success elsewhere, and Gongsun Yan led Qin’s army against Long Jia’s Hexi Garrison.
  • Long Jia invited the Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island to help defend Wei, and they agreed to target Qin’s commanders and generals rather than its foot soldiers.
  • Moyuan, Chijingzi, and Yuding Zhenren sensed the Jie Sect cultivators in Wei’s camp and arrived at the Qin camp.

Ch. 472Battle of Hexi; Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island

Gongsun Yan planned to lure the Wei army into an ambush at Hexi while the Chan Sect prepared to kill the Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island. When the Four Sages attacked, a sudden sword strike destroyed their mounts, leaving the Qin cavalry to regroup and continue the encirclement.

  • Gongsun Yan greeted Moyuan as his martial uncle, but Moyuan told him to address him as a senior brother because Mystic Turtle and Moyuan were of the same generation.
  • Gongsun Yan outlined a plan to capture Hexi and destroy the eighty thousand Wei soldiers, asking Moyuan, Chijingzi, and Yuding Zhenren to deal with the Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island.
  • Chijingzi and Yuding Zhenren agreed to kill the Four Sages, while Moyuan said he would watch over the Literary Sect's disciples and prevent secret interference.
  • The next morning, Gongsun Yan feigned weakness and lured Long Jia's army into an ambush at Hexi.
  • The Four Sages descended on their mounts, disrupted the Qin cavalry, and charged Gongsun Yan while three of them hurled Spirit Treasures.
  • A sword light struck down all four mounts, and the Qin cavalry steadied its ranks and resumed the encirclement.

Ch. 473Kill and Enter the List; Chan Sect Has No Choice

Yuding Zhenren and Chijingzi killed the Four Sages of Nine Dragon Island, allowing Qin to win the Battle of Hexi and expand eastward. As Gongsun Yan left Qin and rose to prominence in Wei, Moyuan warned Ying Ji about the Chan Sect’s unavoidable involvement in the coming conflict.

  • Yuding Zhenren killed Yang Sen, Gao Yougan, and Li Xingba, while Chijingzi killed Wang Mo, sending all four Jie Sect disciples’ True Spirits to the Investiture of the Gods List.
  • Gongsun Yan led Qin to victory at Hexi, where the army defeated Wei, captured Long Jia, and earned Gongsun Yan the title of Da Liangzao.
  • Moyuan told Chijingzi that the Guiguzi lineage’s disciples were special to the Literary Sect, then warned Ying Ji to distinguish Qin’s state affairs from conflicts among immortals.
  • Gongsun Yan left Qin and recommended Zhang Yi to Ying Si; Zhang Yi helped Qin seize Wei territory and secure its eastward advance.
  • After Gongsun Yan returned to Wei, he gained King of Wei’s favor, defeated Chu at Xingshan, and pursued a Vertical Alliance to preserve Wei.

Ch. 474Vertical and Horizontal Alliance; Kidnapping Jiang Ziya

Gongsun Yan allied with Shen Gongbao to seek Jie Sect support for the Five States Attack Qin, while Jiang Ziya surveyed the states and met Zhang Yi in Qi. Zhang Yi arranged for Jiang Ziya to be kidnapped and taken to Qin State, and attacked him with a talisman.

  • Gongsun Yan enlisted Shen Gongbao to persuade Jie Sect disciples to support his vertical alliance against Qin State.
  • Jiang Ziya traveled through the states and judged Zhao State to have the potential to contend for the world, while he dismissed the prospects of several others.
  • In Linzi, Zhang Yi visited Jiang Ziya's fortune-telling stall and invited him to accompany him to Qin State, but Jiang Ziya refused.
  • After leaving, Zhang Yi ordered his attendants to seize Jiang Ziya and bring him to Qin State.
  • Zhang Yi and his men blocked Jiang Ziya in a secluded place, and Zhang Yi launched a talisman at him.

Ch. 475Chan Sect Second-generation Disciples; Literary Sect Second-generation Disciples, Wei Ran and Bai Qi

After Jiang Ziya became Qin’s National Preceptor, Chan Sect disciples gathered in Xianyang and alarmed Ying Ji, who consulted his master Moyuan about the changing balance of power. Moyuan reassured him that Literary Sect disciples would soon arrive, and Yun Biao introduced Wei Ran and Bai Qi as two of them.

  • Zhang Yi trapped Jiang Ziya with the Turtle Shell Binding Talisman and brought him to Xianyang, where he became Qin’s National Preceptor after speaking with Ying Si.
  • Chan Sect disciples, including Li Jing and the three Zhas, gathered at Jiang Ziya’s mansion, while the changed history left Nezha’s former victims alive and removed several figures’ ties to the Chan Sect.
  • Worried that Chan Sect disciples were gaining influence at court, Ying Ji contacted Moyuan and warned that Jiang Ziya’s growing authority was reducing his own.
  • Moyuan told Ying Ji that Gongsun Yan’s campaign against Qin could draw Chan Sect disciples into battle against Jie Sect disciples, and said Literary Sect disciples would soon join Qin.
  • Yun Biao brought Wei Ran and Bai Qi to meet Moyuan, identifying them as his disciples with close ties to Qin.

Ch. 476Bai Qi vs. Wei Ran; Yang Jian and Xigou

Moyuan tested Wei Ran and Bai Qi’s military and political abilities, then sent them with Yang Jian to serve Ying Ji in Qin State as the Investiture of the Gods conflict approached. They arrived in Xianyang and received a warm welcome, though peace was not expected to last.

  • Moyuan ordered Wei Ran and Bai Qi to go to Qin State and serve Ying Ji, while Yun Biao left to meet Zhao Gongming at Emei Mountain.
  • Moyuan tested Wei Ran and Bai Qi in eight historical battle scenarios, where Bai Qi won the first seven and Wei Ran outmaneuvered him politically in the final scenario.
  • Yang Jian arrived with the Xiaotian Dog, and Moyuan instructed him to oversee battles between immortals without meddling excessively in mortal affairs.
  • Wei Ran and Bai Qi discussed their strengths and agreed that Bai Qi needed a stable rear to win on the battlefield.
  • Moyuan sent Yang Jian, Wei Ran, and Bai Qi to Qin State, where Ying Ji welcomed them with a grand banquet in Xianyang.
Arc 19 of 25