Chapter Summaries

Li Changshou routed the Western Sect’s rebel dragons at the West Sea Dragon Palace, captured Ao Shi, and helped the West Sea Dragon King survive. As chaos spread to the other seas, Grand Master Xuandu sent Li Changshou and Yunxiao to the South Sea while he went to the North Sea.

• Li Changshou used Paper Daoists, treasures, and a spirit explosion to defeat the rebel dragons, capture Ao Shi, and drive their forces from the Crystal Palace.
• Li Changshou stopped the West Sea Dragon King from killing Ao Shi and urged him to let the Jade Emperor judge his son.
• Reinforcements arrived after the fighting had ended, and Li Changshou stored away poisoned Dragon King blood for later use.
• Li Changshou returned to the Sea God Temple with Grand Master Xuandu, Yunxiao, Ox-Head, and Horse-Face, then reported that rebel forces were attacking across the seas.
• Grand Master Xuandu sent Yunxiao with Li Changshou to the South Sea and went to the North Sea himself, lending Li Changshou the Universe Ruler.

Li Changshou explained his planning methods to Yunxiao while the Jade Emperor discovered them together and led Heavenly troops toward the Southern Sea. After Yunxiao detected a disturbance, Li Changshou and the others headed toward it to protect the sea eye, though the Western Sect’s true target remained uncertain.

• Bian Zhuang reported Ao Shi’s rebellion and the destruction of the West Sea Dragon Palace, and the Jade Emperor sent troops to reinforce the Eastern and Southern Seas.
• Hua Ri Tian searched for Li Changshou, discovered him speaking with Yunxiao, and led a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers toward them under the pretense of passing by.
• Li Changshou described how he planned for different possibilities, and he and Yunxiao discussed strategy while walking across the Southern Sea.
• Yunxiao detected an abnormal disturbance ninety thousand li southeast, so Li Changshou and Yunxiao led Hua Ri Tian’s troops toward it.
• Li Changshou said the disturbance might be a Western Sect feint but claimed he had prepared for every possibility and was about ninety-four or ninety-five percent confident.

Li Changshou watched Western Teachings attack the Sea Eyes in the Eastern, Southern, and Northern Seas, then realized their true target was the Eastern Sea and rushed to seek help. The battles were underway across the Four Seas as he set out with Yunxiao’s help to summon Zhao Gongming and the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls.

• Li Changshou stayed hidden near the South Sea Sea Eye while Yunxiao reported the strength of the Western force and he weighed whether to alert the Dragon Clan.
• Western experts exposed the Eastern Sea Sea Eye, prompting the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to send its forces into battle; Li Changshou then revealed the South Sea Sea Eye’s defenders and another battle began.
• Daoist Wen Jing led Western forces against the North Sea Sea Eye, where the Great Mage and North Sea Dragon Clan forces guarded the site.
• One hundred thousand heavenly soldiers led by Marshal Hua Ri Tian arrived to reinforce the South Sea, while Li Changshou and Yunxiao remained concealed.
• Li Changshou realized Western Teachings planned to destroy the Eastern Sea Eye to damage the Dragon Clan’s prestige and make it bear the resulting karma, so he asked Yunxiao to summon Brother Gongming and hurried toward the Eastern Sea.

Li Changshou arrived as the Eastern Sea Sea Eye broke under a Western Teachings assault, and the Dragon Clan faced the prospect of sacrificing itself to contain the flood. With help from the Heavenly Court, Yunxiao, Zhao Gongming, and the dragons, he used the Sea-Calming Divine Needle to seal the Sea Eye, while Haotian gave his life to provide the merit needed to finish the task.

• Li Changshou warned Ao Yi that the Eastern Sea Sea Eye was in danger, but Western forces overwhelmed the Dragon Clan defenses and broke the seal.
• Ao Yi saw visions of the Dragon Clan sacrificing itself to contain the Sea Eye and tried to rush to help, but Li Changshou stopped him and promised to protect him.
• Li Changshou drove the Sea-Calming Divine Needle into the Sea Eye as Heavenly Soldiers, Dong Mugong, and the dragons joined him, while Yunxiao and Zhao Gongming helped hold it in place.
• When the Sea-Calming Divine Needle ran out of merit, Haotian sacrificed himself to provide enough merit to seal the Sea Eye.
• The Sea Eye stabilized as a gentle spring, and Ao Guang and the surviving dragons bowed before it and honored Haotian.

After the Dragon Clan’s Sea Eye crisis, Li Changshou managed the aftermath, accepted responsibility for the losses, and returned to Du Xian Sect to plan his next moves. The chapter ended with Great Mage appearing in the Blood Sea before the wounded Female Asura, while Li Changshou sensed the encounter through the Taiji Diagram.

• Li Changshou left the iron rod and nineteen strategies with the Eastern Sea Dragon King, returned Ao Yi safely, and urged the Dragon Clan to thank Zhao Gongming and Yunxiao.
• Zhao Gongming absorbed the Eastern Sea tsunami with the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, and Li Changshou told Dong Mugong to report the disaster without publicly accusing the Western Teachings.
• Yunxiao discovered Qiongxiao and Bixiao acting out a romantic scene as Li Changshou and Yunxiao, and punished them after destroying their Image Recording Orb.
• Zhao Gongming escorted Li Changshou to the Sea God Temple, after which Li Changshou returned to Lesser Qiong Peak and began planning his next steps, including arranging his master's ascension.
• Li Changshou sent Ling'e to copy the Steady Character Scripture in his place, then sensed a familiar Blood Sea aura through the Taiji Diagram.
• Great Mage emerged from the Taiji Diagram above the Blood Sea, confronting the wounded Female Asura as the sea fell still.

After the Great Mage’s destruction of the Asura Race, Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor discussed strengthening the Heavenly Court and countering the Western Teachings. Learning that Ksitigarbha had plotted against the Dragon Clan and may target the Netherworld, Li Changshou began preparing for a clash there, just as Zhao Gongming arrived with urgent news.

• The Great Mage pursued the Rakshasa Princess to Spirit Mountain, killed her before Saint Zhunti, and left the Primordial Slaughter Sword in the Western Teachings’ hands.
• Li Changshou presented the Jade Emperor with plans to expand the Heavenly Court and discussed the Western Teachings’ future and the Netherworld’s importance.
• Li Changshou reviewed his failure to anticipate the Eastern Sea attack and resolved to investigate the Wu Tribe and prepare the Heavenly Court for threats to the Netherworld.
• Daoist Wen Jing told Li Changshou that Ksitigarbha, a newly emerged disciple of a saint, had plotted against the Dragon Clan and had appeared riding a mount.
• Zhao Gongming rushed to Li Changshou and asked him to help deal with a major new problem.

Li Changshou accompanied Zhao Gongming to Northern Continent of Julu, hoping to build his interest in joining the Heavenly Court while they visited the Wu Tribe. Meanwhile, schemes involving Luofu Cave and rumors about the Water God began to spread, leaving the chapter on the verge of a potentially damaging revelation.

• Zhao Gongming told Li Changshou that he had suddenly developed feelings for Golden Light Holy Mother, and Li Changshou advised him to sort out his own heart before acting.
• Li Changshou invited Zhao Gongming to Northern Continent of Julu and tried to make him favor the Heavenly Court, but Zhao Gongming showed no sign of being persuaded.
• True Person Huang Long visited Luofu Cave seeking Zhao Gongming so he could ask the Water God how to make amends for missing the Eastern Sea crisis, then left when Holy Mother Huoling said Zhao Gongming was away.
• A young Daoist at Spirit Mountain learned that Holy Mother Huoling was at Luofu Cave and sent a jade talisman to probe tensions between Chan and Jie Teachings.
• Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming reached a Wu Tribe settlement, where Li Changshou cooked Spirit Beast Meat and the children mistook him for a Demon Race poisoner.
• At an immortal banquet, True Lord Du'e heard that True Person Huang Long had revealed major news concerning Li Changshou and the Jie Teachings' Chief Outer Disciple, and promised to keep it secret.

Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming visited a Northern Continent Wu Tribe settlement, where Li Changshou discovered that the tribe was struggling to have children and offered a preliminary remedy. As they returned toward Anshui City, a Daoist appeared and accused Zhao Gongming of harboring intentions toward his grand-disciple.

• Zhao Gongming immobilized hundreds of Wu Tribe members while Li Changshou fed their children roasted meat, drawing the attention of the Great Witch Sacrifice and other tribe leaders.
• Li Changshou introduced himself as the Heavenly Court Water God and explained that he had come at the request of Ox-Head and Horse-Face to check on the Wu Tribe.
• Li Changshou asked the Great Witch Sacrifice whether the Wu Tribe could still conceive and bear children, then learned that the tribe's births had sharply declined.
• Li Changshou proposed that two hundred Wu Tribe couples test a preliminary conception remedy and promised to investigate the cause with the Hall of Marriage and the Netherworld.
• Li Changshou told Zhao Gongming that the Wu Tribe children seemed nearly Witch-Human, then teased him about the Autumn Palace Portrait before giving him a treasured diagram.
• A slightly plump Daoist intercepted Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming near Anshui City and berated Zhao Gongming for his supposed intentions toward his grand-disciple.

Li Changshou uncovered a rumor about Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Huoling, traced it to Ksitigarbha and Diting’s meddling, and devised a staged counterattack. He left the Three Teachings’ leaders to enact the first steps while secretly preparing to constrain Ksitigarbha.

• Daoist Duobao and Zhao Gongming told Li Changshou that a rumor claimed Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Huoling were together, though Golden Light Holy Mother was the one he had sheltered.
• Li Changshou asked the Great Mage to investigate Ksitigarbha and learned that Ksitigarbha’s mount, Diting, could hear thoughts across the Three Realms.
• The Great Mage brought True Person Huang Long to Luofu Cave, where Huang Long swore he had not spread the rumor and the group confirmed the supposed relationship was false.
• Li Changshou concluded that Ksitigarbha and Diting had fabricated the rumor, then asked the Jade Emperor how much Power of Heavenly Dao he could command.
• Li Changshou proposed a staged public scandal to pressure the Western Sect, and True Person Huang Long and Holy Mother Huoling left Luofu Cave acting outraged and distraught.
• Li Changshou secretly planned to use the affair to restrict Ksitigarbha’s future schemes, while a Paper Daoist followed True Person Huang Long to observe Chan Teaching.

Li Changshou used True Person Huang Long’s grievance to drive Chan Teaching and Jie Teaching toward a confrontation, while Ksitigarbha realized that someone had turned his rumor scheme into a dangerous open plot. The two groups of immortals faced one another in Central Divine Continent, leaving Ksitigarbha unable to intervene and hoping they would not fight.

• Li Changshou warned Ling'e to keep thoughts about him secret, then noticed Youqin Xuanya and her master leaving the mountain with several elders and stewards.
• Following Li Changshou’s instructions, True Person Huang Long drew Chi Jingzi’s attention and described how Jie Teaching had accused him of spreading rumors about Holy Mother Huoling and Zhao Gongming.
• Chi Jingzi gathered Chan Teaching’s immortals, and Guang Chengzi agreed to confront Jie Teaching; Randeng joined them and fueled their anger.
• Daoist Duobao led a large group of Jie Teaching immortals to meet the Chan Teaching party, and both sides stopped their clouds and prepared for battle.
• At Spirit Mountain, Ksitigarbha realized that an unknown schemer had escalated his rumor plot and feared the Saints would expose him if the two teachings fought.

Li Changshou orchestrated a staged confrontation between the Chan and Jie Teachings, which turned into a joint investigation of the rumors against Huo Ling. The Heavenly Emperor’s Virtue stele exposed a Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus as the source, and the Daoist immortals prepared to confront the Western Sect at Spirit Mountain.

• Li Changshou had Guang Chengzi and Daoist Duobao stage an escalating dispute, then steer the two teachings toward reconciliation and suspicion of a deliberate plot.
• True Person Huang Long denied spreading the rumors, and Zhao Gongming agreed that someone had tried to sow discord within the Daoist Sect.
• Grand Master Xuandu brought out the Heavenly Emperor’s Virtue stele and invited the immortals to use it to trace the rumors to their source.
• The stele revealed a Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus behind a water curtain, shocking the Daoist immortals and alarming the observers at Spirit Mountain.
• Grand Master Xuandu called for the junior disciples, while the Jie Teaching immortals followed their leaders toward Spirit Mountain; Li Changshou watched as the Taiji Diagram protected him from being traced.

Ksitigarbha waited nervously for his teacher while the Western Sect scrambled to respond to the Daoist Sect’s approach over rumors that threatened to spark a conflict. Li Changshou’s strategy guided the confrontation at Spirit Mountain, where a Western Sect Daoist accepted responsibility but was then pressed to swear that he had acted alone.

• Ksitigarbha stayed silent and trusted his teacher to protect him as the Daoist Sect’s immortals advanced toward Spirit Mountain.
• The Western Sect’s leaders agreed to pass the blame, and one of them used soul-seizing to turn a middle-aged Daoist into a proxy.
• Li Changshou advised Grand Master Xuandu and the other leaders to use the confrontation to intimidate the Western Sect while adapting to its response.
• The Daoist Sect arrived at Spirit Mountain, and Duobao and Zhao Gongming accused the Western Sect of spreading rumors to sow division.
• A middle-aged Daoist claimed responsibility, and Duobao demanded that he swear an oath to prove he had acted alone.

The Dao Sect confronted Spirit Mountain over the rumor against Zhao Gongming, and Grand Master Xuandu seized the scapegoat before he could self-destruct. Saint Zhunti intervened, settled the karma, and ordered Spirit Mountain sealed for a thousand years as the Dao Sect withdrew.

• Zhao Gongming and the Dao Sect Immortals stood together and demanded that the middle-aged Daoist prove his innocence with a Heavenly Dao Oath.
• Ksitigarbha and an old Daoist manipulated the captive into denouncing the Dao Sect and attempting to self-destruct, but Grand Master Xuandu stopped him and brought him before Zhao Gongming.
• The Dao Sect and Spirit Mountain argued over responsibility as Zhao Gongming questioned the captive, while Li Changshou warned that a Saint might appear.
• Saint Zhunti's Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree clashed with Grand Master Xuandu's Taiji Diagram, and the two treasures briefly held each other in check.
• Grand Master Xuandu pressed Saint Zhunti to address the risk of future rumors, and Zhunti ordered Spirit Mountain sealed for one thousand years.
• Saint Zhunti erased the captive and the scroll while declaring the karma settled; the Dao Sect Immortals saluted the Saint and left Spirit Mountain.

After the Three Teachings forced the Western Teachings to retreat from Spirit Mountain, Li Changshou assessed the consequences and identified Yu Ding as a hidden powerhouse. Back at Du Xian Sect, he warned Ji Wuyou about True Lord Du'e’s role in spreading rumors, then realized that Junior Sister Youqin’s mission to deal with a Peacock Demon might be more than a minor matter.

• Ksitigarbha ordered Diting to monitor the Daoist immortals, and Diting reported that the Three Teachings’ senior brothers had led the affair without the Heavenly Court Water God’s involvement.
• At Luofu Cave, Li Changshou told the Great Mage, Daoist Duobao, Zhao Gongming, and True Person Huang Long that Ksitigarbha and Diting had likely been behind the Western Teachings’ scheme.
• Li Changshou reviewed the expedition’s costs and benefits, then marked Yu Ding as a concealed expert whose Eight-Nine Profound Technique might be useful for training others.
• Li Changshou warned Ji Wuyou that True Lord Du'e had appeared on the Heavenly Emperor’s Virtue Tablet as a link in the spread of rumors, and Ji Wuyou resolved to inform his Master.
• Ji Wuyou told Li Changshou that Junior Sister Youqin and several elders had gone to the Youqin Kingdom to deal with a Peacock Demon that was killing mortals; Li Changshou stopped in surprise at the news.

Li Changshou watched Du Xian Sect and Youqin Xuanya defeat a Peacock Demon, only for Kong Xuan to arrive and demand that the number of people she had killed be settled. After Kong Xuan returned captured humans in compensation and revealed his complicated connection to the Great Mage, Li Changshou learned that Kong Xuan had not yet decided whether he belonged to Yin or Yang.

• Li Changshou observed from underground as Youqin Xuanya and Du Xian Sect Elders fought the Peacock Demon, while he considered the Immortal Dao's influence over mortal kingdoms.
• Youqin Xuanya nearly killed the Peacock Demon, but a newcomer used green light to snatch it away and transform it into a young girl.
• The newcomer summoned Li Changshou from underground, identified himself as Kong Xuan, and said he would settle his niece's killings by saving the same number of people.
• Youqin Xuanya challenged Kong Xuan's claim that killing and saving people could offset each other, but Li Changshou urged her not to provoke him.
• Kong Xuan returned with Iron Cages holding hundreds of humans and said they were tenfold compensation for the people his niece had eaten.
• Kong Xuan asked what the Great Mage had said about him, then remarked that he had yet to decide whether he belonged to Yin or Yang.

Li Changshou helped Youqin Xuanya reflect on her confrontation with Kong Xuan, teaching her to protect her sense of justice by judging the situation and choosing her methods. He then prepared to investigate the Wu Tribe’s infertility in the Netherworld, with Zhao Dezhu and Princess Longji joining him.

• After Kong Xuan departed, Li Changshou considered the expert’s attitude toward humanity and returned to counsel Youqin Xuanya.
• Li Changshou used an egg-and-stone example and a Mind Seal Mantra to teach Youqin Xuanya to uphold her convictions without endangering herself and others.
• Youqin Xuanya emerged from meditation more thoughtful, apologized to the Du Xian Sect elders for nearly placing them in danger, and set out to meet her master.
• At the Water God’s Mansion, Li Changshou decided not to speak to the Great Mage about Kong Xuan and left to report to the Jade Emperor.
• Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor discussed the Wu Tribe’s infertility; Li Changshou concluded that the cause was likely poison or an enemy’s interference and planned to investigate the Netherworld.
• The Jade Emperor assigned Zhao Dezhu to accompany Li Changshou, then agreed to let Princess Longji join the trip after Li Changshou reminded him of his promise to her.

Li Changshou brought Zhao Dezhu, Longji, and Ao Yi to inspect the Netherworld while discussing plans to recruit and train Heavenly Court soldiers. The Netherworld prepared an extravagant welcome, leaving the group to face a chilling procession of dancers and flower-bearing spirits.

• Li Changshou proposed a Heavenly Soldier Reserve Hall and presented Zhao Dezhu with plans for recruiting and training Heavenly Court troops.
• Li Changshou accepted Longji as his student, gave her a military-strategy treatise, and invited her to accompany him and Zhao Dezhu to the Netherworld.
• Li Changshou persuaded Ao Yi to leave the Dragon Clan tribute delegation briefly and join them on a trip to clear his mind.
• Li Changshou warned Ox-Head and Horse-Face that Zhao Dezhu would inspect the Netherworld, prompting them to prepare an elaborate reception.
• Ox-Head welcomed the group with drums, a Wu Tribe dance, and greeting stones before leading them out in an ox cart.
• The group encountered a procession of eerie Netherworld spirits scattering Lycoris radiata flowers as Ox-Head proudly presented the reception.

Li Changshou and Zhao Dezhu visited the Netherworld, where they found no irregularities in the Wu Tribe’s reincarnation records despite the tribe’s declining births. After learning how true spirits entered fetuses, Li Changshou took Wu Tribe witnesses to investigate the cause in the Northern Continent, while a fairy on Three Immortal Island briefly mistook an arriving visitor for someone else.

• Li Changshou stopped Ox-Head and Horse-Face’s elaborate welcome and asked them to take him and Zhao Dezhu to the Netherworld’s officials.
• Li Changshou and Zhao Dezhu discussed the Underworld’s shortcomings as they traveled through Fengdu City, and Ao Yi went ahead to meet Dragon Clan souls.
• Li Changshou met five of the Ten Palace Yan Jun and asked whether the Netherworld needed Heavenly Court assistance; the Yan Jun listed several problems before turning to his second matter.
• Li Changshou told the Yan Jun that the Wu Tribe was struggling to reproduce and asked whether reincarnation had been disrupted, prompting them to search their records.
• The Yan Jun found no gaps in Wu Tribe reincarnations and explained that true spirits usually entered a fetus after it had already begun developing.
• Li Changshou recruited six Wu Tribe witnesses to accompany him to the Northern Continent, while a white-robed fairy on Three Immortal Island briefly reacted to a visitor before returning to meditation.

Li Changshou investigated why Wu Tribe women across Northern Julu Continent kept losing their pregnancies and discovered that the cause might be a blood-glowing earth vein beneath their lands. He and Zhao Dezhu entered the underground rift to follow it and find whoever was behind the scheme.

• Zhao Gongming confided in Qiongxiao and Bixiao about his feelings for Junior Sister Jinguang, and Qiongxiao persuaded him to take her out despite Yunxiao's instructions.
• Li Changshou traveled to Northern Julu Continent with Zhao Dezhu, Ao Yi, Longji, Ox-Head, Horse-Face, and Wu Tribe experts to investigate the tribe's abnormal reincarnation and pregnancy problems.
• Li Changshou confirmed that many recently married Wu Tribe women had unknowingly miscarried, suggesting someone was secretly inducing the losses.
• Li Changshou tested local food, water, materials, and formations, then concluded that an earth-vein formation could explain the problem across the Northern Continent.
• Li Changshou and Zhao Dezhu found the bloody-glowing earth vein beneath the four major Wu Tribe clans and set off to follow it.

Li Changshou and the Jade Emperor’s incarnation, Zhao Dezhu, traced a corrupted earth vein to an underground Demon Race stronghold that was stealing the Wu Tribe’s unborn children. After discovering the trapped true spirits inside a treasured sword, Li Changshou chose to try to free them and proposed using the opportunity to strike a major blow against the Demon Race.

• Li Changshou and Zhao Dezhu followed a spliced earth vein south and found a hidden formation protecting an underground demon mountain.
• Li Changshou slipped into the stronghold, planted Spirit Explosion Paper Daoists, and investigated the altar while Zhao Dezhu helped uncover its secrets.
• Li Changshou determined that the altar drew the Wu Tribe’s unborn children through the earth veins and trapped their true spirits in a sword above a pool.
• Zhao Dezhu used the Power of Heavenly Dao to reveal three old demons guarding the sword and its trapped spirits.
• Li Changshou decided to try to seize the sword and release the true spirits, then urged Zhao Dezhu to use the opportunity to proclaim the Heavenly Court’s might against the Demon Race.