Chapter Summaries

Li Changshou watched Ao Bing return to the Eastern Sea and turned his attention to Zheng Lun, who had unexpectedly become involved in Su Hu’s defense of Jizhou. After Jizhou’s fortunes shifted and Su Quanzhong was captured, Zheng Lun committed himself to fighting on, while Yunxiao and her sisters were interrupted by Zhao Gongming’s arrival.

• Ao Bing returned to the Dragon Palace bruised, then led his guards back to Chentang Pass before giving up the search; Li Changshou later saw him secretly head back toward the village.
• Li Changshou visited Zheng Lun in Jizhou, learned how he had joined Su Hu’s forces, and considered how the great tribulation had drawn him into the conflict.
• Su Hu and Su Quanzhong defeated Chong Houhu in a night raid, but Chong Hei Hu later joined the enemy, captured Su Quanzhong, and drove Su Hu toward offering Daji to King Zhou for aid.
• After Li Changshou left, Zheng Lun swore Jizhou would survive three more rounds and tore apart a copper basin when the city’s situation worsened.
• On Three Immortal Island, Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao discussed their concerns over Li Changshou and the Human Race before Zhao Gongming arrived.

Zhao Gongming worried that Jie Teaching was unprepared for the Great Cataclysm, while Yunxiao sent Li Changshou a blank letter that he mistook for a response about Heng'e. Li Changshou then intervened as Daji was possessed by Xiao Lan, and two years later Daji had become King Zhou’s favored Noble Consort while the Shang kingdom remained outwardly stable.

• Zhao Gongming argued with the Three Xiao Sisters that Jie Teaching needed to prepare for the Western Saints, but they remained uncertain about the sect’s fate and Li Changshou’s influence.
• Yunxiao wrote and then erased a letter before sending Li Changshou a blank silk cloth, prompting him to send a defensive reply about the rumors involving Heng'e.
• Li Changshou watched Daji’s journey to Chaoge and confronted Xiao Lan as she prepared to possess Daji, warning her about karmic sin and telling her to continue.
• Xiao Lan drew out Daji’s soul but preserved it in one of her tails, then entered Daji’s body and began considering how to carry out her task.
• Two years later, Daji had become King Zhou’s favored Noble Consort, while King Zhou promoted commoners and capable slaves and Wen Zhong continued campaigning as the Shang lands stayed firm.

King Zhou rejected Queen Jiang’s attempt to counsel him, while Li Changshou watched Nezha patrol Chentang Pass and continue to punish Ao Bing. Humiliated and resentful, Ao Bing returned to the Dragon Palace and resolved to prove himself by summoning the Sea Patrol Yaksha.

• King Zhou dismissed Queen Jiang’s concerns about Daji and reminded her that he was the king and she was only the Queen.
• Ling'e watched Nezha in a Bronze Mirror as Li Changshou explained that Nezha was nearing full control of his Killing Intent.
• Nezha left Chentang Pass to patrol, and Li Changshou followed him as Wang Changan.
• Nezha caught Ao Bing seeking women, bound him with the Chaos Tunic, and kicked him flying despite Ao Bing claiming his father was the Eastern Sea Dragon King.
• Ao Bing returned to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, brooded over his humiliation and his father’s neglect, then ordered the guards to summon the Sea Patrol Yaksha.

Nezha fought the Eastern Sea Dragon Clan after killing a Sea Patrol Yaksha, while Li Changshou uncovered Maitreya's interference and tried to protect Li Jing. Ao Bing lured Nezha into a killing formation, but Nezha's flames overwhelmed it and swallowed Ao Bing.

• Li Changshou noticed Ao Bing setting up a killing formation and sent Paper Daoists toward the Eastern Sea to protect Nezha.
• A Sea Clan yaksha tried to capture Nezha, but Nezha killed him with the Heaven and Earth Circle.
• Ao Bing and his Azure Dragon guards attacked Nezha, who fought back with his treasures and drove them into retreat.
• Maitreya trapped Li Jing in an array above Chentang Pass, but Li Changshou confronted him and sealed the area with his incarnations.
• Ao Bing lured Nezha into the seabed killing formation, but Nezha's Samadhi True Fire erupted into a vast fire lotus and engulfed Ao Bing.

Li Changshou brought the unconscious Nezha home after he killed Ao Bing, then reflected on his plan to rein in the Dragon Clan and prevent a future conflict with the Human Race. That night, as Li Jing and several immortals discussed the Dragon Clan’s likely response, Azure Dragons arrived over Chentang Pass and demanded Li Jing appear.

• Li Changshou carried Nezha home, told him that Li Jing had rescued him, and let him fall asleep without dwelling on the battle.
• Li Changshou recalled that Nezha had shattered Ao Bing’s Dragon Soul and that Ao Bing’s remnant soul had reached the Investiture of the Gods Platform.
• Li Changshou considered how he would use pressure from the Heavenly Court, Chan Teaching, and the Human Race to make the Dragon Clan abandon any ambition to compete with humanity.
• Li Jing, Yang Jian, Yu Ding, True Lord Taiyi, True Person Huang Long, and Li Changshou’s Paper Daoist discussed Nezha’s clash with Ao Bing and the Dragon Clan’s possible retaliation.
• Li Jing declared that he would defend Nezha and demand an explanation if the Dragon Clan came after him.
• A sudden storm covered Chentang Pass as Azure Dragons gathered over the Commander's residence and called for Li Jing.

Li Changshou and the Chan Teaching immortals helped Li Jing resist the Dragon Clan’s demand that he answer for Nezha killing Ao Bing, forcing the dragons to withdraw. As the Dragon Clan’s anger grew, Ao Guang decided to accuse Li Jing before the Heavenly Court, while Li Changshou sent Li Jing there first.

• The Dragon Clan surrounded Chentang Pass and demanded that Li Jing kneel and pay for Ao Bing’s death, but Li Jing defended Nezha and accused Ao Bing of attacking him.
• True Lord Taiyi taunted the dragons until one attacked, and True Lord Yu Ding repelled the blow by invoking the Venerable Celestial of Primordial Beginning.
• Li Changshou arranged for the three True Persons to guard Chentang Pass and asked Dong Mugong and Wang Lingguan to help manage the dispute in the Heavenly Court.
• The Dragon Clan’s resentment spread, and the Four Seas Dragon Kings debated how to respond before Ao Guang decided to take the matter to the Heavenly Court and accuse Li Jing.
• Li Changshou told Li Jing that Ao Guang was already heading to the Heavenly Court, then sent Li Jing toward the Middle Heavenly Gate to meet an arranged reception.

The Eastern Sea Dragon King appealed to the Heavenly Court over his son's death, but the court sided with Li Jing and Nezha. The Dragon Clan voted for war and advanced on Chentang Pass, where Li Jing stood ready to defend his son and the people as Li Changshou waited beneath the earth to intervene.

• The Eastern Sea Dragon King entered the Heavenly Court with Li Changshou's help, while the Dragon Clan elders and officials were briefly held outside.
• Wood Duke and the assembled gods heard the Dragon King's complaint, then favored Li Jing after Wang Lingguan read Li Jing's ties to the Heavenly Court and Chan Teaching.
• The Dragon King left the Hall of Brightness after Li Jing arrived, and the Heavenly Court's officials treated Li Jing with open support.
• The Four Seas Dragon Kings and Dragon Clan elders voted to attack Chentang Pass, with most supporting a battle and many demanding Li Jing and Nezha's deaths.
• Li Jing and the local Qi Refiners prepared for the invasion, while residents evacuated to the mountains with help from Li Changshou and the Chentang Pass Army.
• The Dragon Clan's forces flooded toward Chentang Pass, and Li Jing drew his sword to defend Nezha and the people as Li Changshou waited underground to suppress the dragons.

Li Jing and Nezha fought the Four Seas Dragon Kings as the Dragon Clan flooded Chentang Pass, and Li Jing prepared to sacrifice himself to answer for Ao Bing’s death. Li Changshou arrived with Heavenly soldiers and Chan Teaching reinforcements, sealing off the dragons and asking who had declared Li Jing guilty.

• The Four Seas Dragon Kings attacked Chentang Pass, and True Lord Yu Ding, True Lord Taiyi, and Yang Jian joined the battle to defend Li Jing and the city.
• The Eastern Sea Dragon King wounded Li Jing, and Nezha unleashed his Fire God Dharma Body to destroy the dragon claw and fight the Dragon Clan.
• After the defenders were overwhelmed, Li Jing offered his life in repayment for Ao Bing, while True Lord Taiyi restrained Nezha’s weakened Primordial Spirit.
• Li Jing refused to accept the Dragon Clan’s authority to judge him and was about to admit guilt when Li Changshou arrived with Heavenly soldiers and Chan Teaching masters.
• Li Changshou sealed the Dragon Clan’s retreat and asked who had said Li Jing was guilty.

After the Dragon Clan flooded Chentang Pass and threatened Li Jing and Nezha, Li Changshou confronted them with the Heavenly Court’s forces and allies from the Chan and Jie Teachings. He defeated the Dragon Clan and imposed strict reforms, leaving the Four Seas under Heavenly Court supervision.

• Youqin Xuanya and the Heavenly Court’s divisions descended to Chentang Pass after hearing that the Dragon Clan had flooded the region.
• Li Changshou surrounded the Dragon Clan, challenged its leaders over their attack on Li Jing and Nezha, and argued that their actions had endangered hundreds of thousands of mortals.
• The Chan Teaching brought the Venerable Celestial of Primordial Beginning’s edict, while Holy Mother Jinling, Zhao Gongming, Yunxiao, and Qiongxiao arrived to block the Dragon Clan’s escape.
• When Dragon Clan elders attacked, Li Changshou fought alone and used the Great Dao of Balance to overwhelm them with Azure Dragons formed from his Water God’s Divine Authority.
• After the battle, Li Changshou spared the surviving Dragon Clan leaders, ordered the Four Seas Dragon Kings to reform their clan, and placed the Dragon Clan’s water authority and merits under Heavenly Court restrictions.

After the Dragon Clan’s defeat at Chentang Pass, Li Changshou reflected on the cost of the battle and returned to report to the Jade Emperor, while Nezha and Li Jing recovered with their family. The chapter ended with the Eastern Sea Dragon King recalling Li Changshou’s warning that the Dragon Clan’s submission to the Heavenly Court was its best chance to survive the coming calamities.

• The Dragon Clan left Chentang Pass with nearly a hundred dead, while Li Changshou assigned Youqin Xuanya to oversee cleanup and aid the displaced mortals.
• Li Changshou thanked the Jie Teaching immortals for their help, discussed Li Jing’s future, and watched Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, Zhao Gongming, and Holy Mother Jinling depart.
• Li Changshou returned to the Heavenly Court to report, while his Paper Daoists stayed at Chentang Pass and found Nezha, Li Jing, and True Lord Taiyi recovering.
• The Eastern Sea Dragon King dismissed the Dragon Clan elders and reread the jade talisman Li Changshou had sent through Ao Yi.
• The Eastern Sea Dragon King remembered Li Changshou’s warning that the Dragon Clan needed Heavenly Court restraints to survive the coming calamity, and concluded that submission was its only chance.

Li Changshou met Dao Ancestor Hongjun in a dream set in ancient Xuandu City and heard his account of the Heavenly Dao, the Dragon-Phoenix War, and the coming Investiture of the Gods. Changshou rejected Hongjun’s justification for suppressing living beings and left determined to preserve his life, protect those he cared about, and carry the Human Race Hearth Fire beyond the Primordial Wilderness.

• Li Changshou was drawn into a dream where Dao Ancestor Hongjun showed him ancient Xuandu City and questioned him about what he had learned from Kunpeng’s Primordial Violet Qi.
• Hongjun admitted that he had engineered the Investiture of the Gods and shaped King Zhou’s past lives to strengthen the Heavenly Court and Heavenly Dao.
• Hongjun explained that unchecked growth among ancient living beings depleted spiritual energy, triggered the Dragon-Phoenix War, and led the awakened Heavenly Dao to take control of the Primordial World.
• Li Changshou rejected Hongjun’s claim that the Heavenly Dao’s actions were good, arguing that its suppression of living beings had turned the world into a prison.
• Li Changshou told Hongjun he intended to protect himself and his companions, carry the Human Race Hearth Fire beyond the heavens, and watch over the Human Race; Hongjun let him leave.

Li Changshou watched Nezha test the Heaven and Earth Bow while keeping an eye on Biyun Boy, and worried that the mishap might disrupt the Dao Ancestor’s plans. After Nezha snapped the bow, Maitreya secretly repaired it, and Li Jing thanked Star Lord when he found it restored.

• Li Changshou monitored Biyun Boy and Nezha with paper birds while telling his companions that he had argued with Master Ancestor.
• Nezha drew the Heaven and Earth Bow, causing it to awaken, and the gate general failed to draw it himself.
• Nezha pulled the bowstring too far and snapped the bow, then asked the general to hide what had happened from Li Jing.
• Maitreya sneaked into the city tower and repaired the bow before dawn.
• Li Jing found the restored bow and thanked Star Lord, while Maitreya left in frustration and blamed Li Chang Geng.

Nezha fired the Heaven and Earth Bow, killing Biyun Boy and setting Shi Ji on the path toward a confrontation with him. Meanwhile, Li Changshou accepted that he could not stop the Heavenly Dao’s Great Cataclysm, then visited the Investiture of the Gods Platform to plan an academy for future gods.

• Li Jing let Nezha handle the Heaven and Earth Bow, and Nezha fired an Earth-Shaking Arrow toward the northwest before racing after it.
• The arrow struck and killed Biyun Boy at Skeleton Mountain, and Shi Ji took the arrow and set out to find who had fired it.
• Li Changshou explained that the Heavenly Dao was directly driving the Great Cataclysm and told Ling'e and Youqin Xuanya that he could not prevent it.
• Li Changshou went to the Investiture of the Gods Platform, where Bai Jian was building the structure and Ao Bing was being disciplined with lightning.
• Li Changshou gave Bai Jian blueprints for an Investiture of the Gods Academy and offered to compensate Ao Bing.

Li Changshou explained Ao Bing’s role in the Dragon Clan’s setback and arranged for him to serve the Heavenly Court, while Shi Ji arrived on the Investiture of the Gods Platform after Taiyi killed her. The conflict between the Chan and Jie Teachings then erupted unexpectedly, bringing more than a dozen immortals into the Investiture of the Gods Scroll and leaving Li Changshou questioning the Dao Ancestor’s changed plans.

• Li Changshou told Ao Bing that the Dragon Clan had chosen him as a sacrificial catalyst and appointed him a Fifth-rank Heavenly Court god to represent the Dragon Clan.
• Shi Ji arrived on the Investiture of the Gods Platform after Taiyi killed her, and she recounted how she had confronted him over her disciple’s death.
• Li Changshou had Bai Jian and Ao Bing prepare banners and other ways to welcome and comfort newly arrived gods.
• More than a dozen immortals suddenly entered the Investiture of the Gods Scroll, and Li Changshou realized the first battle between the Chan and Jie Teachings had begun.
• Li Changshou suspected the Dao Ancestor had changed the script as the newly arrived immortals split into opposing groups and their battle threatened to resume.

Li Changshou witnessed the first great battle between the Chan and Jie Teachings, where the Heavenly Dao altered newly dead immortals on the Investiture of the Gods Platform and the two sides agreed to open conflict. He withdrew from trying to unite the teachings, while Bell Spirit and the others discussed the danger to Yunxiao and the Jie Teaching’s fate.

• Li Changshou used the God-Beating Whip to learn which fallen immortals had entered the Investiture of the Gods Platform, then stopped the Jie Teaching dead from taking revenge on the Chan Teaching dead as the Heavenly Dao changed their dispositions.
• Li Changshou traced the battle to Shi Ji’s confrontation with Nezha and Taiyi, which escalated when the Chan and Jie Teaching immortals intervened and several dozen were killed or wounded.
• Li Changshou remained neutral as Guang Chengzi and Duobao confronted each other, and Duobao declared that Jie Teaching immortals would stay on their islands unless Chan Teaching attacked them there.
• The Chan and Jie Teaching immortals withdrew with their fallen, while Taiyi told Nezha that Li Changshou had not supported them because their actions could not be called right.
• Li Changshou completed a painting titled “Investiture of the Gods Chronicle: The Break” and let the Senior House Servant Paper Daoist at Li Mansion turn to ash.
• Bell Spirit, Ling'e, and Youqin Xuanya discussed the conflict, Yunxiao’s risk of being drawn into it, and Bell Spirit’s ability to suppress the Jie Teaching’s sect fortune.

Jie Teaching's senior disciples decided to hold Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling's wedding to lift the sect's spirits, and Lord Tongtian approved it at Biyou Palace. Li Changshou arranged an auspicious date and began preparing for the wedding, while Ao Yi delivered the date to Zhao Gongming, leaving the Jie Teaching immortals delighted.

• Zhao Gongming and the Jie Teaching disciples discussed the looming conflict, and Bixiao and Qiongxiao urged him to stop delaying his wedding to Holy Mother Jinling.
• Holy Mother Guiling argued that the wedding could lift the sect's morale, and Daoist Duobao proposed using it to make one last attempt at reconciliation with Chan Teaching.
• Holy Mother Jinling agreed to hold the wedding, and Yunxiao and Daoist Duobao arranged for the disciples to seek Lord Tongtian's approval and consult Li Changshou.
• Lord Tongtian enthusiastically approved a grand wedding at Biyou Palace, then grew briefly sorrowful after Yunxiao departed.
• Li Changshou supported the wedding, designated an auspicious date through Heavenly Court, and discussed gifts and arrangements with Matchmaker and the Jade Emperor.
• Ao Yi delivered the wedding date to Zhao Gongming at Biyou Palace, and Zhao Gongming and the Jie Teaching immortals celebrated that it was settled.

Chan Teaching decided to send Huang Long, Shen Bao, and Jiang Shang to Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling’s wedding, while Li Changshou brought Ling'e to Golden Ao Island. The wedding festivities began with the couple embracing before Daoist Duobao invited the Master.

• Guang Chengzi and the Chan Teaching immortals discussed the wedding invitation and chose Huang Long, Shen Bao, and Jiang Shang to attend with a generous gift.
• Shen Bao agreed to go, and Jiang Shang woke from a nap by joking about his former wives and concubines, making the Jade Void immortals laugh.
• Jie Teaching invited guests from the Heavenly Court, the Immortal Alliance, the Dragon Clan, and the Lesser Qiong Peak Game Room; Li Changshou agreed to take Ling'e.
• Li Changshou and Ling'e arrived at Golden Ao Island, where Zhao Gongming welcomed them and the guests reacted to the Chaos Bell hanging at Ling'e’s waist.
• Yunxiao and her sisters greeted Li Changshou and led Ling'e aside, while he exchanged greetings with the wedding guests.
• The immortals pushed Zhao Gongming toward Holy Mother Jinling, and the couple embraced as Daoist Duobao announced the start of the wedding and invited the Master.

At Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling’s wedding, Lord Tongtian presided while privately worrying about Heavenly Dao’s growing power and Li Changshou’s intentions. The celebration continued with Changshou’s friends and colleagues, until Emperor Da Yu unexpectedly arrived and Daoist Duobao went to verify his identity.

• Lord Tongtian reviewed Li Changshou’s congratulatory speech, reflected on the Sages’ weakening position, and then led Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling through their wedding ceremony.
• Li Changshou joined the Heavenly Court’s table, recognized the Jade Emperor’s incarnation as Dong Deqi, and discussed the Hall of Marriage with the Matchmaker.
• Shen Bao asked Li Changshou how the Three Teachings could be helped, while the Matchmaker recognized Jiang Shang and praised his marriage fortune.
• Li Changshou gave Zhao Gongming a personal wedding gift containing paintings and bottles, wishing the newlyweds an early child.
• Lü Yue reported that Emperor Da Yu had arrived looking troubled, so Li Changshou asked Daoist Duobao to confirm his identity before receiving him.

At Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling’s wedding, Emperor Da Yu warned Li Changshou that Fu Xi’s divination foresaw the end of the Human Emperor and the rise of the Son of Heaven after Zhou replaced Shang. Li Changshou urged Huoyun Cave to preserve its strength and unite living beings, then the wedding feast ended with Bai Ze warning him of great misfortune, which Li Changshou said could be defied.

• Daoist Duobao and Lü Yue challenged Emperor Da Yu to prove his identity, and he presented the Human Race Hearth Fire and Primordial Violet Qi before entering Biyou Palace.
• Emperor Da Yu privately told Li Changshou that Fu Xi’s hexagram foretold King Zhou would be the final Human Emperor and that Zhou would replace Shang.
• Li Changshou advised Emperor Da Yu to protect Huoyun Cave, unite living beings beyond the Southern Continent, and wait for an opportunity to resist Heavenly Dao.
• Emperor Da Yu gave Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling a Shennong Spirit Nurturing Pill before returning to Huoyun Cave.
• After the wedding celebrations, Zhao Gongming toasted his new wife and vowed before Master that they would live and die together, while Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao welcomed Holy Mother Jinling as their sister-in-law.
• Bai Ze privately warned Li Changshou of great misfortune, and Li Changshou replied that it could be defied.

Ling'e reflected on the changes coming to Lesser Qiong Peak while Li Changshou devised a plan to protect Zhao Gongming from the Heavenly Dao’s schemes. As Shen Bao and Jiang Shang descended the mountain, Shen Bao tried to reconcile the Chan and Jie Teachings, but his first encounter with a Jie Teaching immortal threatened to send events in exactly the wrong direction.

• Ling'e worried that Youqin Xuanya might remain in the Heavenly Court when Li Changshou eventually left, and wondered what would become of Lesser Qiong Peak.
• Li Changshou deduced that the Heavenly Dao planned to use Zhao Gongming’s death to provoke a war between the Chan and Jie Teachings, then developed a new plan after studying his chessboard.
• Li Changshou watched Shen Bao and Jiang Shang descend from Jade Void Palace; Jiang Shang headed toward Chaoge City while Shen Bao set out to prevent war between the teachings.
• Shen Bao reached Nine Dragon Island and told Zhao Jiang that he wanted to help the Jie Teaching and resist the great tribulation.
• Zhao Jiang welcomed Shen Bao to Nine Dragon Island, while Li Changshou watched from underwater and wondered whether Shen Bao might end up on the Investiture of the Gods Platform.