Chapter Summaries

Li Changshou prepared the Heavenly Court and its allies for the Demon Race’s planned attack on the Wu Tribe, while a Spirit Mountain disciple secured the Demon Race’s cooperation. After receiving two treasures from the Sage, Li Changshou prepared to join the coming battle as the opposing forces assembled.

• A ragged Daoist calling himself Xu Bodhi gave Lu Ya the Demon Emperor’s Seal and persuaded the Demon Race to ally with Spirit Mountain against the Heavenly Court.
• Duke Lu declared that the Demon Race would march north against the Wu Tribe, and Li Changshou recognized that the Western Teachings had pushed them toward open conflict.
• The Demon Race sent a large army and elite troops toward the Wu Tribe, while Li Changshou arranged support from the Heavenly Court, the Netherworld, the Dragon Clan, and a hidden Sea Clan force.
• Li Changshou and Bai Ze simulated the battle repeatedly, and Bai Ze proposed a plan to break the Demon Race’s morale.
• Li Changshou received the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda and the Universe Ruler, then prepared to use undisclosed trump cards in battle.
• Ox-Head’s Netherworld force, the Heavenly Court’s armies, the Dragon Clan, and a cloud boat carrying fairy maidens began assembling or moving toward the coming conflict.

Li Changshou coordinated the Heavenly Court, Dragon Palace, and Wu Tribe to defend Black Mountain against the Demon Race’s invasion. As the battle intensified, he arrived on Bai Ze and revealed that the former Demon Race marshal had become his mount.

• Four fairies from the Holy Mother Palace traveled to the Northern Continent to urge the Demon Race to honor its ancient agreement with the Wu Tribe.
• Li Changshou persuaded Dong Mugong to mobilize the Heavenly Court without waking the Jade Emperor, then helped the Wu Tribe prepare Black Mountain’s defenses.
• The Demon Race army advanced on Black Mountain, and Ox-Head and Horse-Face provoked its leaders with a mock funeral for Lu Ya before Li Changshou’s warning failed to stop the attack.
• The Heavenly Court and Dragon Clan entered the battle as the Wu Tribe’s grand formation came under heavy assault.
• Bai Ze appeared and shocked the Demon Race by carrying Li Changshou, who invoked Heaven’s decree as the battle continued.

Li Changshou led the Heavenly Court, Dragon Clan, Wu Tribe, and Netherworld forces in a devastating assault on the Demon Race Army, then fought Lu Ya when the Demon Court Crown Prince tried to assassinate him. Lu Ya escaped with help from the Primordial Slaughter Sword and a silver-haired woman, while Li Changshou returned to the battlefield to continue hunting demons.

• Bai Ze and Li Changshou’s arrival shattered the Demon Race’s morale, allowing the Heavenly Soldiers to form ranks and attack with Immortal Bean Shield Soldiers and Ice Archers.
• Li Changshou used the Xuanhuang Pagoda, lightning, and Universe Ruler to kill Great Demons with Karmic Obstruction as the Dragon Clan and Wu Tribe joined the assault.
• Underworld Soldiers and Underworld Monsters ambushed the Demon Race Elite, while Lu Ya attacked Li Changshou with the Immortal Slaying Flying Knife and then fought him across the sky and Northern Sea Icefield.
• Daoist Wen Jing held back her forces until she received orders to cover the Demon Race experts’ retreat, and the Primordial Chaos Fierce Beast Corps blocked the Heavenly Court’s pursuit.
• Lu Ya fled in his Golden Crow form after the silver-haired woman used the Primordial Slaughter Sword to deflect Li Changshou’s strike, leaving him with a small amount of Golden Crow Blood.
• Li Changshou returned to the battlefield and resumed killing demons with karmic sins.

After the Heavenly Court defeated the Demon Race in the Northern Continent, Li Changshou handled the aftermath and considered how to counter the Western Sect’s influence over the demons. Back at Du Xian Sect, he sensed a visitor named Xiao Yun arrive at the mountain gate.

• Li Changshou recited scriptures for the fallen, coordinated the postwar response, and thanked the Holy Mother Palace fairies and Dragon Clan reinforcements.
• Bai Ze advised Li Changshou to watch the Western Sect’s plans and warned that its control of the Demon Race could bring misfortune to all living beings.
• Li Changshou and Dong Mugong comforted the Wu Tribe, rewarded Ox-Head and Horse-Face with seasonings, and returned to the Heavenly Court.
• Li Changshou monitored the defeated Demon Race, returned the Universe Ruler and Xuanhuang Pagoda to Laozi, and resolved to keep improving his cultivation and plans.
• A young master calling himself Xiao Yun arrived at Du Xian Sect to visit Li Changshou, who had already come to meet him.

Fairy Yunxiao visited Li Changshou at Lesser Qiong Peak to check on him after his battle with Lu Ya and discuss her concerns about Bai Ze. She left Li Changshou puzzling over Yunxiao’s unexpectedly warm interest in Ling'e and the meaning behind her invitation to take Ling'e to Three Immortal Island.

• Li Changshou used Sect Master Ji Wuyou’s token to bring Fairy Yunxiao through Du Xian Sect’s mountain gate and onto Lesser Qiong Peak.
• Yunxiao met Li Changshou’s master and junior sister, and she warmly asked Ling'e to call her Elder Sister; Ling'e privately resolved not to give up competing for Li Changshou’s affection.
• Yunxiao asked about Bai Ze and Lu Ya, and Li Changshou explained how he and Senior Brother Xuandu had captured Bai Ze and why he was still testing the ancient demon’s trustworthiness.
• Yunxiao revealed that she had come to check whether Li Changshou was injured and to see whether he was trustworthy, then teased him about his bond with Ling'e.
• After seeing the layers of arrays protecting Lesser Qiong Peak, Yunxiao offered to help Li Changshou face any formidable enemy and said she would like to take Ling'e to Three Immortal Island.

Jiu Jiu, Jiang Lin'er, Jiu Yushi, and Xiong Lingli discovered Li Changshou meeting Fairy Yunxiao and tried to encourage Ling'e with an awkward show of support. Yunxiao privately explained her doubts about love and her coming tribulation to Ling'e, who revealed that Li Changshou had been planning around Yunxiao’s danger; Yunxiao embraced Ling'e and asked her to pass the embrace on to him.

• Jiu Jiu and the others used leaves to spy on Li Changshou, Ling'e, and Yunxiao, then delivered dim sum marked with a message declaring that Junior Sister would win.
• Li Changshou left Ling'e alone with Yunxiao, but Yunxiao cut off his Paper Daoist’s connection before he could listen.
• Yunxiao told Ling'e that she feared her feelings might fade after her Love Tribulation and that a future great tribulation could endanger Li Changshou.
• Ling'e explained that Li Changshou had long known about Yunxiao’s tribulation and had made plans to protect her, pointing to the winged copper coins as evidence.
• Yunxiao embraced Ling'e and asked her to pass the embrace on to Li Changshou, while admitting Ling'e could give him an affection she could not.

Li Changshou discovered that Yunxiao and Ling'e had grown close, then escorted Yunxiao away and promised to travel the Three Realms with her after she overcame her Love Tribulation. Meanwhile, Lord Tongtian and the Jie Teaching immortals watched their farewell through the Four Swords of Zhu Xian and sent Li Changshou a strange painting.

• Li Changshou watched Yunxiao and Ling'e talking and eating together, while Bai Ze teased him about his feelings for Yunxiao.
• Yunxiao warned Bai Ze to assist Li Changshou sincerely, then spent the day guiding Ling'e and talking with her.
• As Li Changshou escorted Yunxiao from Du Xian Sect, she urged him to trust her and asked if they could travel the Three Realms together after she passed her Love Tribulation; he agreed.
• Lord Tongtian and the Jie Teaching immortals watched Li Changshou and Yunxiao's farewell in a cloud mirror and discussed how Li Changshou had comforted her.
• Lord Tongtian told Zhao Gongming to send Li Changshou a painting stamped with the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, and Li Changshou later examined the ominous gift in the Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou discussed the coming great tribulation and the Heavenly Court’s plans against the Demon Race with Zhao Gongming, then continued managing his many duties while teaching Longji. Ten years later, he set out with Ling’e for her journey of experience, leaving off as she emerged from her hut after a mischievous attempt to delay him.

• Li Changshou learned from Zhao Gongming that Lord Tongtian had warned the Jie Teaching of a coming great tribulation and had asked its disciples to strengthen their ties with him.
• Li Changshou and Zhao Gongming discussed the causes of tribulations and planned a Heavenly Court campaign against the Demon Race, with Zhao offering to enlist Duobao and Jinling’s help.
• Li Changshou returned to the Water God’s Mansion, considered seeking Daoist Lu Ya’s execution, and received Longji, whom he tutored while warning her not to get too close to Lingzhu Zi.
• Li Changshou spent the next ten years balancing Heavenly Court affairs, cultivation, and personal responsibilities while the Demon Race made no major moves.
• Li Changshou went to Ling’e’s hut to begin their agreed journey, but she tried to stall by pretending she was ill before finally coming out ready to leave.

Ling'e descended the mountain for a three-year training journey, while Li Changshou secretly followed and protected her. After handling a staged rescue test and exploring the outside world, she entered a market town, where Ao Yi approached her in disguise with travel funds from her senior brother.

• Ling'e disguised herself, packed abundant medicines and protective treasures, and left Lesser Qiong Peak after Li Changshou gave her the task of eliminating one hundred True Immortal Realm demons at Chentang Ancient Town within three years.
• Li Changshou followed Ling'e with Paper Daoists while reassuring Qi Yuan that he would protect her, and he watched her progress with Bai Ze.
• Ling'e encountered a staged assault, used poison and a wild boar demon to drive off the attacker, then left the female immortal behind when she demanded further help.
• Ling'e enjoyed the scenery and freedom of the Primordial Wilderness before entering a market town and bargaining down the price of a magical skirt.
• Li Changshou arranged for Ao Yi to approach Ling'e in disguise; Ao Yi offered her a Storage magic treasure marked “Steady” as travel funds, but Ling'e insisted that her husband was her senior brother and denied recognizing him.

Ling'e passed Li Changshou’s test, traveled toward Chentang Ancient Town, and began investigating its conflict with the Demon Race. Meanwhile, Li Changshou outlined his plans for separating immortals and mortals, received merit after affirming the Heavenly Dao’s intent, and watched Ling'e start helping the town’s wounded.

• Ling'e recognized Ao Yi beneath Ke Le'er’s disguise, accepted the spirit stones he delivered, and asked him to help her leave the market town.
• After discovering the spirit stones, Ling'e bought supplies and gifts for Qi Yuan, then used a Paper Daoist as a decoy before continuing her journey.
• Li Changshou explained to Bai Ze his view of how humans, immortals, spirits, demons, devils, and ghosts were classified, and connected Immortal and Mortal Separation to protecting the Mortal World.
• A Gray Cloud struck Bai Ze with lightning and granted Li Changshou merit after he promised to advise the Jade Emperor in accordance with the Heavenly Dao’s intent.
• Near Chentang Ancient Town, Ling'e investigated hidden Demon Race experts, entered the town as a Human Teaching Qi Refiner, and treated wounded soldiers.

After six months in Chentang Town, Ling'e completed her first trial by driving away demons and leaving aid for the mortals, then rescued Youqin Xuanya in a staged second trial. Li Changshou sent her on a third mission to find Wuzhuang Temple, while Grand Master Xuandu sensed trouble stirring across the Primordial Wilderness.

• Ling'e recalled how she had hunted demons and helped Chentang Town for six months before leaving behind medicinal recipes and spirit stones.
• Ling'e killed her final marked demon, met Li Changshou, and learned that her next task was to rescue Youqin Xuanya without revealing herself.
• Ling'e carefully infiltrated the deserted island and freed Youqin Xuanya, but the rescue became a staged performance involving Li Changshou's Paper Daoists.
• Li Changshou judged Ling'e's rescue unqualified and assigned her six thousand copies of the Steady Character Scripture, then told her to find Wuzhuang Temple for her third trial.
• Grand Master Xuandu sensed that others had detected an approaching great calamity and disappeared from Tushita Palace.

After learning that the Great Mage would be away for a century, Li Changshou strengthened the protections around Ling'e’s trial and discussed the Jade Emperor’s mortal tribulation with his allies. The Jade Emperor’s tribulation body had formed several new marriage bonds, and a sudden Dao command prompted Li Changshou to intervene personally.

• Li Changshou learned that the Great Mage had gone to Xuandu City for a hundred years, then sent more guards to protect Ling'e while allowing her trial to continue.
• Li Changshou met with Youqin Xuanya and Bai Ze, but Matchmaker burst in to report that something had happened to the Jade Emperor.
• Li Changshou, Dong Mugong, Princess Longji, and Matchmaker discovered that the Jade Emperor’s tribulation body had Red Strings tied to five additional women besides the Queen Mother’s tribulation body.
• Li Changshou and Dong Mugong planned to bring the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s tribulation bodies closer while Matchmaker monitored the Red Strings and Dong Mugong dispelled rumors.
• Youqin Xuanya suggested that Li Changshou guide the Jade Emperor’s tribulation body as a teacher, and a Dao command then told Li Changshou to go.

Li Changshou entered the mortal world under the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother’s orders to guide their tribulation incarnations, Hua Youming and Xia Ningshuang. After studying Hua Youming’s unruly ways, Li Changshou built a reputation as a sage and opened an academy to bring the pair under his influence.

• Li Changshou accepted Taiqing Lord’s reminder to proceed with the Jade Emperor’s affairs and agreed with Bai Ze that he would make arrangements for Youqin Xuanya rather than leave her to decide alone.
• Li Changshou arrived in the city and saw Hua Youming flaunt his wealth at a teahouse, then spent half a month observing his careless behavior and learned how his boastful talk had created his reputation with women.
• After two failed attempts to enter the Hua Residence as a study companion, Li Changshou spent two months cultivating a reputation as a mortal sage and established an academy in the city.
• Hua Youming and Xia Ningshuang met again at the academy gates, where Xia Ningshuang took the front place and Hua Youming resisted the crowd’s rush by ordering the more literate children to enter first.

Li Changshou established Mu Hua Academy and selected seven youths to study under his guidance, while Ling'e investigated how to approach Great Immortal Zhenyuan. After receiving a vision of the battle at Xuandu City, Li Changshou learned that powerful Outer Realm Demons had arrived.

• Li Changshou welcomed Hua Youming into the academy after demonstrating a martial technique, and thirteen of the twenty prospective students were screened out.
• Li Changshou awakened the spiritual roots of the seven chosen youths, explained their lessons, and named himself Mu Qinghua and the school Mu Hua Academy.
• Ling'e studied information about Great Immortal Zhenyuan and resolved to keep investigating how to meet him and obtain help for her master.
• Bai Ze confirmed that Ling'e faced no danger, then discussed the reincarnated Jade Emperor and Queen Mother with Li Changshou.
• After sensing a Saint's Dao Charm, Bai Ze described the Outer Realm Demons, and Li Changshou showed him a vision of their assault on Xuandu City and the Grand Mage's defense.

Li Changshou joined disciples from the Three Teachings and Ksitigarbha to confront Outer Realm Demons infiltrating a sealed Minor World. After they learned the demons could hide within living beings’ Dao hearts, Li Changshou proposed using Truth Listener to locate them.

• Li Changshou arrived at Earth's Edge and Sky's Corner, where Yunxiao, Duobao, Zhao Gongming, Taiyi, Yu Ding, Ksitigarbha, and Truth Listener gathered for the mission.
• The group traveled through Duobao’s earthen tunnel, and Ksitigarbha challenged Li Changshou to compete for merit before Truth Listener pretended to collapse.
• Duobao and Zhao Gongming returned from scouting and reported that the Minor World’s inhabitants showed little panic, though the possessed were difficult to distinguish from others.
• Li Changshou asked Duobao to command the mission and suggested using Truth Listener to find the Outer Realm Demons by hearing the Inner voice of living beings.
• Truth Listener rushed to Li Changshou and offered its help, while Ksitigarbha took out an iron pot and lit a fire beneath it.

Li Changshou and the Three Teachings immortals searched a Minor World for Outer Realm Demons and captured most of them with Yunxiao’s Primordial Golden Dou. After several demons escaped detection, they returned to scour the world again, driving a colossal demon into the open and destroying it.

• Li Changshou and the immortals split up across the Minor World while Ksitigarbha and Truth Listener monitored the area for Outer Realm Demons.
• Li Changshou identified possessed villagers, and Yunxiao trapped them in the Primordial Golden Dou and removed the demons within them.
• The immortals gathered twenty-six suspects and experimented on two captured demons, while four more fled and Yunxiao caught them.
• Li Changshou and Yunxiao returned after their first departure and caught a young couple who had been missed, while Truth Listener found other hidden demons.
• Li Changshou ordered another search using an exorcism incantation, and the immortals exposed and destroyed a colossal Outer Realm Demon trying to escape into the Chaos Sea.

Li Changshou helped the immortals eliminate the Outer Realm Demons and arranged for Ksitigarbha and Truth Listener to remain behind, then used his mortal academy to bring Hua Youming and Xia Ningshuang closer. The chapter ended with the pair chasing each other through the Bamboo house while Yang Tianyou vowed to rise against the odds.

• Li Changshou and the immortals confirmed the Heavenly Demon had been destroyed, and Daoist Duobao led them back to the Five Continents while Ksitigarbha and Truth Listener stayed behind.
• Li Changshou returned to the academy, where he taught seven youths about the myriad spirits and let them choose their subjects.
• Li Changshou issued a Heavenly Court proclamation praising Ksitigarbha and Truth Listener for helping defeat the Outer Realm Demons.
• Li Changshou bound Hua Youming with a Rope Manipulation Technique, causing him to fall against Xia Ningshuang and leaving the two embarrassed by their closeness.
• Hua Youming teased Xia Ningshuang about her appearance, and she chased him around the Bamboo house while Yang Tianyou silently vowed to rise against the odds.

Ling'e completed her journey to Wuzhuang Temple and returned safely to Li Changshou, bringing back a Ginseng Fruit and Great Immortal Zhenyuan's reply. Li Changshou postponed Youqin Xuanya's ascent and continued watching over Yang Tianyou, while Lu Ya heard a proposal to target Wood Duke.

• Bai Ze noticed Ling'e had gone far from the market town, and Li Changshou followed her movements as she traveled toward Longevity Mountain.
• Ling'e delivered Xuandu's letter to Great Immortal Zhenyuan, received a reply and a Ginseng Fruit, then used disguises and a winding route to return to Du Xian Sect.
• Ling'e reunited with Li Changshou, admitted that she had met Yunxiao, and hurried to give the Ginseng Fruit to Old Daoist Qi Yuan.
• Li Changshou decided to postpone Youqin Xuanya's ascent to the heavens and urged Yang Tianyou to practice spells at the academy.
• An old Daoist advised Lu Ya to break the deadlock with the Heavenly Court by targeting Wood Duke instead of Li Changshou.

Li Changshou managed Heavenly Court rumors while guiding Hua Youming and Xia Ningshuang through hardship until they married. After sensing an unexplained disturbance, he asked Bai Ze to divine its cause, and Bai Ze found that the Heavenly Secrets had suddenly become chaotic.

• Ling'e failed to persuade Qi Yuan to accept a Ginseng Fruit, and Li Changshou discussed Ling'e's cultivation plans with her.
• Dong Mugong told Li Changshou that rumors claimed Li Changshou would replace him, so Li Changshou comforted him and secretly investigated the rumor's source.
• Hua Youming and Xia Ningshuang became engaged, endured a long separation after Hua Youming's father died, and later reunited amid war and married.
• Li Changshou sensed an abnormality in his Primordial Spirit and asked Bai Ze to investigate, but Bai Ze found the Heavenly Secrets had suddenly become chaotic.

After Purple Firmament Divine Thunder warned Li Changshou and Bai Ze that Heavenly Secrets were in chaos and calamity fate was brewing, Li Changshou investigated across the Heavenly Court and the Mortal World. He arranged precautions for his allies and escorted his restless master toward home, where a streak of white light suddenly raced toward Dong Mugong.

• Purple Firmament Divine Thunder struck near Li Changshou and Bai Ze, warning them not to interfere with the brewing great calamity.
• Li Changshou checked the Heavenly Court and discovered that the Shang Tribe had held a ceremony for Qi; he also confirmed with Zhao Gongming, True Person Huang Long, and Yunxiao that Heavenly Secrets were obscured.
• Li Changshou gave Yunxiao a paper figurine for urgent messages and warned Qi Yuan and Ling'e to consult him before acting on strange impulses.
• Qi Yuan insisted on going to the Heavenly Court to report for duty, so Li Changshou arranged for Paper Daoists to protect him after Bai Ze sensed no danger in the journey.
• Dong Mugong escorted Qi Yuan from the Heavenly Court toward the Eastern Continent of Sheng, but Li Changshou sensed danger as a streak of white light shot toward Dong Mugong.