Chapter Summaries

Li Changshou and the Du Immortal Sect immortals traveled through the Netherworld to find Wan Jiangyu’s reincarnated tree spirit and discovered that her spirit had been refined into pills. They rescued several remnant spirits and began restoring them, while Ox-Head learned that the group had already left without seeing his welcome banners.

• Li Changshou checked the Netherworld’s records and confirmed that Wan Jiangyu’s reincarnated body had been born in a distant Great Thousand World.
• With Ox-Head’s token, Li Changshou, Ji Wuyou, Jiang Lin'er, Venerable Wangqing, and Youqin Xuanya traveled through a Netherworld well to reach that world.
• The group found the old tree that had birthed Wan Jiangyu’s tree spirit and Li Changshou deduced that someone had extracted its spirit about a month earlier to aid in pillmaking.
• Ji Wuyou sensed a pill refiner nearby, and the group found Cai Wei with several tree-spirit remnants inside his pill furnace.
• Li Changshou supplied spirit-restoring pills, and Ji Wuyou used them to nurture the remnants as Jiang Lin'er cried out to Jiang Yu.
• Ox-Head learned that the five immortals had left and ordered his brothers to hand the unused welcome banners to other passing immortals.

The Du Xian Sect group returned toward the Five Continents with Wan Jiangyu’s fragile tree spirit, while Li Changshou discussed cultivation with Youqin Xuanya and learned that the West Sea Dragon Palace planned to send thirty-six descendants to seek masters among the Three Teachings. As they neared home, Ji Wuyou offered to teach Li Changshou and Wangqing a divine ability.

• Jiang Lin'er and the others carried Wan Jiangyu’s fragile tree spirit back toward the Du Xian Sect, while Ji Wuyou released the other rescued tree spirits and Li Changshou swore Cai Wei to secrecy.
• During the journey, Li Changshou discussed scripture and cultivation with Youqin Xuanya and considered how Wan Jiangyu might eventually return to the cycle of reincarnation.
• Ao Yi told Li Changshou that the West Sea Dragon Palace planned to send thirty-six Dragon Clan descendants to seek masters among the Three Teachings immortal sects, including two who might approach the Du Xian Sect.
• Li Changshou suspected the Western Teachings might be behind the Dragon Clan’s plan and advised Ao Yi to send well-behaved candidates to the Human Teaching lineage.
• On the twelfth day of the journey, Ji Wuyou offered to teach Li Changshou and Wangqing a divine ability as the Five Continents came into view.

After returning to the Du Xian Sect, Li Changshou saw the Sect Master recover from a self-inflicted injury and helped care for a tiny Tree Spirit entrusted to Lesser Qiong Peak. Seven years later, Li Changshou passed his Immortal Ascension Tribulation and kept his identity as an ordinary disciple concealed as events began unfolding in the Heavenly Court.

• Venerable Wangqing told Li Changshou and the others that Sect Master Ji Wuyou had entered seclusion to recover from injuring his Primordial Spirit while attempting a divine ability.
• Li Changshou returned to Lesser Qiong Peak, where he found Ling'e, Jiang Lin'er, and Xiong Lingli playing, then continued planning how to earn merit in the Netherworld.
• Jiang Lin'er entrusted Li Changshou and Ling'e with caring for the Little Tree Spirit, who was expected to live for fewer than ten more years before reincarnating.
• The Little Tree Spirit settled into life on Lesser Qiong Peak and learned to drink strong liquor and eat meat with Xiong Lingli.
• Seven years later, Li Changshou passed his Immortal Ascension Tribulation, received the latter half of the Wu Wei Scripture, and concealed his status among the sect's ordinary disciples.
• As the Four Seas descended into chaos and the Heavenly Court rose, a matter closely tied to Li Changshou began unfolding in the Hall of Exalted Peace.

The bored Jade Emperor learned that Li Changshou’s Orthodox God decree would take three more years, then sent an incarnation to visit the mortal world and Anshui City. At the Sea God Temple, Hua Ri Tian encountered the cult’s theatrical worshippers, while Li Changshou arrived to greet his honored guest.

• Dong Mugong reported that he had arranged the coming century’s weather and hydrology in the southeastern Southern Jambu Continent and said the Jade Emperor’s decree for Li Changshou would take about three more years to complete.
• The Jade Emperor questioned Li Changshou’s growing influence, visited his junior sister at the Jade Lake, and returned to his palace, where he waited in vain for something to happen.
• The Jade Emperor’s Incarnation obtained a Travel Order, left through the South Heaven Gate, and wandered through Anshui City before entering the Great Sea God Temple.
• Two Sea God Cult divine envoys stopped Hua Ri Tian and began performing “Sea God’s Admonition” for an excited crowd.
• Li Changshou arrived after divining that an honored guest had come, then signaled the divine envoys to end their performance and invite Hua Ri Tian inside.
• Hua Ri Tian insisted that he would take incense, and Li Changshou nearly collapsed when he heard him.

Jade Emperor's Incarnation visited Li Changshou at the Sea God Temple, discussed the Dragon Clan's planned ascent to the Heavenly Court and explained the ranks of divine positions. The two went out to explore the mortal night market, where the Jade Emperor destroyed a blood mosquito and again remarked that Li Changshou's surroundings were unsafe.

• Jade Emperor's Incarnation entered the Sea God Temple carrying incense, and Li Changshou guided him through the temple and into the Back Hall.
• The Jade Emperor admired Fairy Yunxiao's painting and listened as Li Changshou reported on the plans and dangers surrounding the Dragon Clan's ascent to the heavens.
• The Jade Emperor told Li Changshou that his Orthodox God decree would come in three years and explained the Heavenly Court's six ranks of divine positions.
• Li Changshou wondered whether the divine positions could affect the future Investiture of the Gods, then dismissed the idea as too dangerous to pursue.
• The Jade Emperor and Li Changshou left the temple to explore the night market, where the Jade Emperor struck down a blood mosquito and expressed concern about the watchers near the temple.

After the Jade Emperor told Li Changshou that a Heavenly Court decree would come in three years, Li Changshou began planning the Sea God’s ascension and the Dragon Clan’s entry into Heaven. Meanwhile, the Jade Emperor encountered Bian Zhuang at the Eastern Heavenly Gate, and preparations for the ceremony began in earnest.

• Li Changshou learned from Daoist Wen Jing that the Western Teachings planned to use thirty-six West Sea Dragon Princes and Dragon Princesses to provoke the Three Teachings and isolate the Dragon Clan.
• The Jade Emperor traveled to the Eastern Heavenly Gate, where he advised the Heavenly Generals to admit Bian Zhuang to the Heavenly Court and enforce the rules if he harassed a Jade Lake Fairy.
• Li Changshou mapped out a ceremony to display the Heavenly Court’s authority and the benefits of the Dragon Clan joining it, while carefully limiting who would attend.
• After consulting Dong Mugong, Li Changshou postponed the ceremony to allow extra time for the decree to arrive, then warned Ao Yi to keep the plan secret.
• Li Changshou invited True Person Huang Long to the ceremony, while Ao Yi was to invite Golden Light Holy Mother; Li Changshou then began intensive preparations.

Li Changshou finalized preparations for the South Sea Sea God Investiture Ceremony and secretly traveled there in disguise so his true body could receive the Heavenly Court god position. On the eve of the ceremony, Zhao Gongming arrived, upset that Li Changshou had not invited him.

• Ao Yi invited Golden Light Holy Mother to the ceremony, and she agreed to attend with Holy Mother Huoling.
• Li Changshou completed preparations for the ceremony, including the grounds, security, and invitations, and decided to invite guests from the Netherworld.
• Unable to decide whether to attend in person, Li Changshou disguised his true body inside Main Body No. 1 and secretly traveled to the South Sea.
• Li Changshou waited in the Sea God Cult's Back Hall while mortals celebrated outside the ceremony grounds.
• Zhao Gongming barged into the Back Hall and accused Li Changshou of leaving him off the guest list.

Li Changshou hosted a ceremony for a long-planned matter involving the Dragon Clan, but his invitation to witnesses brought in a swelling crowd of powerful Immortals from Jie Teaching and Chan Teaching. Grand Master Xuandu arrived and publicly established Li Changshou’s standing as a valued Human Teaching junior; the chapter ended as Ao Yi arrived and was startled by the packed hall.

• Zhao Gongming came to Li Changshou’s celebration uninvited, and the two chatted and competed in calligraphy before True Person Huang Long arrived.
• Golden Light Holy Mother, Qin Wan, Bai Li, and dozens of Jie Teaching Immortals came to the Sea God Temple, while Li Changshou arranged for Netherworld visitors to be brought to Anshui City before the ceremony.
• Yun Zhongzi and Chi Jingzi led more than twenty Chan Teaching Immortals to the celebration, filling the hall as the two teachings’ representatives gathered.
• Li Changshou called for Grand Master Xuandu’s arrival, and Xuandu publicly thanked the guests for attending Chang Geng’s important ceremony and asked them to look after him.
• Li Changshou prepared additional Cloud Ascending Platforms as more Immortals were summoned, then Ao Yi arrived and nearly fell when he saw the hall full of guests.

Li Changshou hosted the Sea God Ceremony as a lively performance for mortals and gathered immortals, using the occasion to build ties with the Dragon Clan and Netherworld. The celebration continued into the morning, while the Heavenly Court waited at the South Heaven Gate for noon.

• Ao Yi arrived at the Sea God Temple, greeted the gathered Three Teachings immortals, and received a spirit pill from Grand Master Xuandu.
• Li Changshou led the guests onto Cloud Ascending Platforms and unveiled a stage and bronze mirror prepared for the ceremony.
• Ao Yi beat the drum as forty-nine men performed an energetic opening dance, then addressed the crowd as the Sea God Cult's Great Protector.
• The performers presented The Rise and Fall of the Human Race, tracing humanity's history through humorous, solemn, and triumphant dances.
• Guang Chengzi, True Lord Yu Ding, Holy Mother Guiling, and Holy Mother Wudang arrived with followers, and Li Changshou welcomed Ox-Head and the Netherworld group.
• The ceremony continued with Sea God Cult performances as immortals asked Li Changshou about the dances, while the Heavenly Court waited for noon.

Li Changshou received the Heavenly Court’s recognition as the Orthodox God of the Four Seas, gaining divine authority and treasures. His appointment also freed Ao Yi from the Dragon Clan’s karmic obstruction, while a hidden fairy approached the ceremony.

• Dong Mugong led the Heavenly Court’s grand procession to the South Sea, where Ao Yi sent Dragon Clan forces to welcome them and the Sea God Cult displayed Li Changshou’s statue.
• Li Changshou appeared through his light illusion and Paper Daoist Incarnation, then preached to the believers as their Incense Merit gathered.
• Dong Mugong read the Jade Emperor’s decree, appointing Li Changshou the Profound and Unblemished Great God of the Four Seas and granting him authority over the Four Seas.
• Li Changshou received a hydrology record, a court robe, and a merit sword, then named Ao Yi commander of his Four Seas naval forces.
• Heavenly Dao bestowed a divine position on Ao Yi, washing away the Dragon Clan’s karmic obstruction and freeing the power of his bloodline.
• Li Changshou used his new divine authority to sense hidden figures nearby and noticed a fairy approaching the Cloud Ascending Platform.

Li Changshou celebrated his appointment as a Heavenly Court god while guiding the Dragon Clan toward serving Heaven and keeping his ties with powerful immortals carefully balanced. After warning Yunxiao against relying too heavily on a Saint’s protection, he returned to find the Dragon Clan and Netherworld competing to present him with gifts.

• Matchmaker and the Heavenly Court immortals congratulated Li Changshou, while Dong Mugong told him to report to the Hall of Brightness within three years.
• Ao Yi completed his transformation, carried Li Changshou through the skies above the Southern Sea, and agreed to accompany him to the Heavenly Court when he reported.
• Grand Master Xuandu hosted a Dao discussion at the Sea God Temple, but Li Changshou left to avoid disrupting his preparations for tribulation crossing.
• Yunxiao explained that she had persuaded Zhao Gongming to attend after he felt slighted, and Li Changshou walked with her and cautioned her not to assume a Saint’s protection guaranteed safety.
• Li Changshou discovered that the Dragon Clan had delivered treasures and hundreds of maids, while Ox-Head ordered the Netherworld to gather hundreds of female ghosts as its own offering.

After the Sea God Ceremony, Li Changshou handled gifts and requests from the Dragon Clan and Netherworld while learning that the Western Teachings planned to compete with the Heavenly Court for the Dragon Clan’s benefits. Grand Master Xuandu then showed Yunxiao a portrait of Li Changshou, and her amused recognition suggested she had met him recently.

• The Dragon Clan showered Li Changshou with gifts, including a lavish sea-view estate, but he declined it and promised to choose a site for his own Sea God cave abode.
• Netherworld experts offered Li Changshou five hundred female fierce souls and asked him to improve the Wu Tribe’s living conditions; he promised to visit the Northern Julu Continent within a hundred years and freed the souls from their grievances.
• Daoist Wen Jing told Li Changshou that the Western Teachings planned to divide the Dragon Clan’s benefits with the Heavenly Court, then eagerly agreed to wait for a chance to see the Great Mage.
• Grand Master Xuandu asked Yunxiao about taking a Dao companion and showed her a portrait of Li Changshou; Yunxiao recognized him and laughed about his disguised appearance.

Grand Master Xuandu escorted Li Changshou back toward Du Xian Sect and urged him to consider his feelings for Yunxiao, while Li Changshou returned to his routine and studied his Sea God powers. Half a year later, he prepared to visit the Heavenly Court through a Paper Daoist, while Yunxiao chose to let matters follow her heart and resumed cultivating.

• Grand Master Xuandu told Li Changshou that Yunxiao appreciated him, and Li Changshou explained that his favorable feelings had not become romantic love.
• Li Changshou returned to Du Xian Sect and met Ling'e outside the mountain gate after she cautiously tested the area for traps.
• Li Changshou found that the Western Teachings had stopped investigating the South Sea God Cult and that the Dragon Clan wanted positions in the Heavenly Court.
• Ling'e planned to enter secluded cultivation while Li Changshou studied his Sea God powers and the Sea God Cult expanded its influence.
• After half a year, Li Changshou arranged to meet Ao Yi at the Sea God Temple before visiting the Heavenly Court through a Paper Daoist.
• Yunxiao dismissed Grand Master Xuandu's attempt to influence her, put away a painting scroll, and returned to cultivating the Great Dao.

Li Changshou and Ao Yi entered the Heavenly Court, where Ao Yi showered officials with Dragon Clan greeting gifts and Li Changshou received a powerful minister’s appointments and forces. A summons from the Saint Lord drew Li Changshou toward Tushita Palace, but before they arrived, Ao Yi recognized a young heavenly general tending a bean field and drew his sword.

• Li Changshou and Ao Yi ascended to the South Heaven Gate, where the guards verified Li Changshou’s identity and let them enter.
• Ao Yi handed treasure chests to Dong Mugong, the gate guards, and other heavenly officials as greeting gifts, while Li Changshou let the gifts pass.
• Li Changshou and Ao Yi met the Jade Emperor in the Hall of Exalted Peace, and Li Changshou received a Tiger tally, travel privileges, and permission to enter the hall without reporting.
• At the Hall of Brightness, Li Changshou registered as an immortal, chose a residence, and received three thousand Heavenly Soldiers for the Sea God’s naval forces.
• Li Changshou sensed a summons from the Saint Lord and headed toward Tushita Palace with Ao Yi.
• Near a bean field, Ao Yi spotted a young heavenly general and drew his sword.

Li Changshou received three chapters of the Pill Dao from Taishang Laojun, but the Saint’s teaching kept him unconscious for three years. After waking, he learned that a fight had begun and immediately returned his mind to his Paper Daoist in Tushita Palace.

• Li Changshou visited Tushita Palace with Ao Yi and met Grand Master Xuandu and Taishang Laojun.
• Taishang Laojun imparted the Pill Dao to Li Changshou and Grand Master Xuandu, leaving both unconscious as the lesson overwhelmed them.
• While Li Changshou remained unconscious for three years, Ling'e, Jiu Jiu, and Youqin Xuanya worried about him and entered his formation to check on him.
• Li Changshou awoke when Ling'e and Youqin Xuanya prepared to rouse him, then learned he had been out for three years.
• After restoring several Paper Daoist incarnations, Li Changshou sensed that a fight had begun and returned his mind to his Paper Daoist in Tushita Palace.

After receiving Laojun’s Pill Dao teachings, Li Changshou found Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang brawling outside Tushita Palace and discovered Bian Zhuang had obtained a nine-toothed silver rake. Li Changshou settled into his Heavenly Court post and tried to rest, but a sudden Heavenly Might above Du Xian Sect suggested that Venerable Fugui was about to undergo tribulation.

• Li Changshou awoke from Laojun’s teachings and found Ao Yi and Bian Zhuang grappling outside Tushita Palace while Great Mage watched.
• Ao Yi explained that he had fought Bian Zhuang after Bian Zhuang said he had forgotten Ke Le’er and fallen for another woman.
• Great Mage sent Bian Zhuang a silver rake, and Li Changshou recognized it as a nine-toothed rake that might mark Bian Zhuang as the future Marshal Tianpeng.
• Li Changshou left Tushita Palace with Ao Yi, established his Sea God Mansion in Heavenly Court, and arranged for Ao Yi to remain there temporarily.
• Li Changshou prepared to sleep in his underground chamber, then sensed a vast Heavenly Might above Du Xian Sect and suspected Venerable Fugui was about to undergo tribulation.

Venerable Wangqing underwent his Golden Immortal Tribulation while Li Changshou observed and recorded its stages. After Wangqing survived the eighth tribulation, Li Changshou sensed Golden Cicada arrive at a Sea God Temple, leaving him wondering whether he was tied to the Journey to the West Calamity.

• Venerable Wangqing left Du Xian Sect to cross his Golden Immortal Tribulation in the Desolate Mountains, with sect elders and disciples watching from a distance.
• Li Changshou joined Elder Wan Linjun and recorded the tribulation’s lightning strikes, intervals, and attacks on Wangqing’s Dao heart.
• Venerable Wangqing endured the first seven tribulations, suffering injuries as lightning, wind, fire, and heart demons attacked him.
• Wangqing swallowed two pills before the eighth tribulation and survived its combined assaults while Li Changshou recorded his observations.
• Li Changshou sensed Golden Cicada arrive at a Sea God Temple and wondered whether he was destined to become involved in the Journey to the West Calamity.

Li Changshou ignored Golden Cicada’s attempts to meet and negotiate while Venerable Wangqing survived the Golden Immortal Tribulation and celebrated his breakthrough. After arranging for the Dragon Clan to witness their meeting, Li Changshou drew out Golden Cicada’s oath that he represented Western Teachings, then refused to discuss dividing the Dragon Clan.

• Venerable Wangqing survived the Golden Immortal Tribulation, reached the Golden Immortal realm, and was welcomed by the Du Xian Sect.
• Li Changshou spent half a month organizing Pill Scriptures and formulas while ignoring Golden Cicada’s repeated calls from the Sea God Temple.
• Ao Yi told Li Changshou about Golden Cicada, and Li Changshou arranged for trusted Eastern Sea dragons to observe the temple secretly.
• Li Changshou appeared before Golden Cicada in disguise and refused to enter the barrier around them, forcing Golden Cicada to discuss his purpose openly.
• Golden Cicada proposed dividing the Dragon Clan’s Four Seas Dragon Palaces between Western Teachings and the Heavenly Court, and swore that he represented Western Teachings.
• Li Changshou rejected the proposal, saying he had no interest in dividing the Dragon Clan and telling Golden Cicada to leave.

Li Changshou turned Jin Chan’s insult toward the Dragon Clan into a reason for the clan to draw closer to the Heavenly Court, securing sixteen low-ranking divine posts with the Jade Emperor’s approval. After preparing for his Golden Immortal Tribulation, he set out with Jiu Jiu to escort the Little Tree Spirit’s soul to the Netherworld.

• Li Changshou left Jin Chan fuming at the Sea God Temple, while the Dragon Clan’s leaders grew furious at the Western Teachings’ scheme.
• Ao Yi told Li Changshou that the Dragon Clan wanted Heavenly Court positions, and Li Changshou obtained the Jade Emperor’s approval for sixteen Sea Patrol Guardians.
• The Jade Emperor discussed rewarding Li Changshou and considered promoting Bian Zhuang after hearing about the rake he received from Tushita Palace.
• Li Changshou gathered spiritual medicine and prepared pills for his Golden Immortal Tribulation, while agreeing to arrange the Little Tree Spirit’s reincarnation.
• The Little Tree Spirit died, and Li Changshou collected its soul before traveling toward the Netherworld with Jiu Jiu.

Li Changshou and Jiu Jiu traveled to the Netherworld to arrange Wan Jiangyu’s reincarnation, with Ox-Head and Horse-Face helping them navigate Fengdu and its procedures. Wan Jiangyu entered the reincarnation disk with a kinder fate and a little of her memory preserved, and Li Changshou resolved to protect her after rebirth.

• Li Changshou explained Wan Jiangyu’s story to Jiu Jiu as they flew toward the Netherworld, and Jiu Jiu reflected on immortality and cultivation.
• Ox-Head and Horse-Face recognized Li Changshou at A Slit of Sky, drove off an insulting Emissary General, and escorted him and Jiu Jiu into Fengdu City.
• Li Changshou released Wan Jiangyu’s soul in the Hall of Yama, where a judge arranged a favorable fate and a place of birth for her next life.
• Ox-Head and Horse-Face led the group through the reincarnation grounds, where Wan Jiangyu revisited her past lives and thanked Li Changshou and Jiu Jiu.
• Wan Jiangyu crossed the Bridge of Helplessness and drank only a little Meng Po’s Soup before entering the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk, and Li Changshou decided to send a Paper Daoist to protect her.