Chapter Summaries

Li Changshou visited Black Pool Peak and protected Ling'e from her cousin Cai Yao and Cai Yao’s Dao companion, while learning about a trade in Jie Teaching registered-disciple status. He sent Daoist Duobao to investigate the scheme, leaving Ling'e overwhelmed by her senior brother’s unusual attention.

• Cai Yao urged Ling'e to leave Black Pool Peak, but Ling'e refused and Jiu Yushi challenged Cai Yao’s claims about her living conditions.
• Li Changshou arrived with an imposing display, treated Ling'e warmly, and unsettled Cai Yao and her Dao companion with his cultivation, treasures, pills, and hospitality.
• Li Changshou learned that Cai Yao had become a registered disciple of Empress Stone through a paid Dao exposition and that the practice had become a business.
• Cai Yao’s Dao companion invited Li Changshou to join a scheme selling access to Jie Teaching expositions, but Li Changshou declined and offered to introduce another pill refiner.
• Daoist Duobao received Li Changshou’s message and set out in disguise to investigate who was harming Jie Teaching’s fortune.

Li Changshou and Daoist Duobao went undercover to investigate Jie Teaching disciples who sold access to sermons and teachings for profit. Their trail led them to Shi Ji, who knowingly agreed to give a Golden Immortal lecture at a gathering arranged through the scheme.

• Li Changshou coached Daoist Duobao to pose as a down-on-his-luck pill refiner and warned him not to act impulsively or expose their investigation.
• Daoist Duobao learned that Jie Teaching disciples were selling access to sermons, grew furious, and agreed to help uncover the network.
• Daoist Duobao lured Bu Zhongyao into arranging a place at a sermon gathering by pretending to seek opportunities for his daughter.
• At the hidden valley, Daoist Duobao recognized two Jie Teaching immortals among the organizers and secretly recorded their conversation about replacing the scheduled lecturer.
• Shi Ji arrived and announced that she would lecture on the Dao of Golden Immortals, then noticed Daoist Duobao looking away and challenged him.

Li Changshou and Daoist Duobao investigated a Jie Teaching scheme that traded registered-disciple status for spirit stones, then lured Shi Ji away from the cloud ship. Duobao revealed himself as Jie Teaching’s chief disciple and forced Shi Ji to kneel, leaving her at his mercy.

• Daoist Duobao restrained his anger during Shi Ji’s sermon, while Li Changshou listened as the gathered cultivators paid for the lecture.
• Shi Ji rejected a Jie Teaching immortal’s offer of spirit stones and left after condemning the sale of registered-disciple status.
• Li Changshou and Duobao chose to investigate further, and Duobao used a forged Heavenly Court mission to enlist Shi Ji’s help.
• Shi Ji took Duobao aboard Bu Zhongyao’s cloud ship, then led him away under the pretense of visiting his master.
• Duobao sealed the void, revealed his identity to Shi Ji, and shouted “Kneel,” forcing her down in midair.

Li Changshou and Daoist Duobao uncovered widespread corruption among Jie Teaching immortals who profited from recruiting Registered Disciples, then used a Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly to punish the culprits and rebuke the sect. The chapter ended with Duobao ordering the gathered immortals to reflect on their conduct as the great cataclysm approached.

• Daoist Duobao confronted Shi Ji for repeatedly preaching to groups that used the gatherings to recruit Registered Disciples, while Li Changshou explained how their karmic obstacles threatened the Jie Teaching’s providence.
• Shi Ji revealed what she knew, and Li Changshou and the Jie Teaching’s Chief Disciples secretly captured implicated immortals and compiled lists showing that the corruption reached many levels of the sect.
• After Duobao and the other Chief Disciples debated how to respond, Li Changshou proposed convening a Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly to execute chief culprits and warn the rest, and the group swore not to reveal their investigation.
• A month later, Duobao used the assembly to announce the execution of six direct disciples and ninety-six other immortals, condemning their greed and failure to protect the Jie Teaching.
• Duobao rebuked the assembled immortals for worsening the sect’s peril and ordered them to stand before a stone inscribed “Without guilt in one's heart” for three days and three nights.

Li Changshou watched Jie Teaching purge corrupt Immortals and considered what the strange traces of Heavenly Dao power meant, while tending to affairs across the Primordial Wilderness. The chapter ended with Zhao Gongming arriving with a startling question about whether intimacy between yin and yang could produce offspring.

• Li Changshou secretly observed Holy Mother Jinling execute over a hundred Jie Teaching Immortals and detected primordial spirit traces entering the golden pillar before the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
• Li Changshou explained to Ling'e that Duobao had used the offenders’ greed as a pretext to discipline Jie Teaching and prepare it for the Great Cataclysm.
• Li Changshou checked on the Reincarnated body of Seven Emotions, Chentang Town, Black Panther, and several other places, then waited for Zhao Gongming to visit.
• Dong Mugong told Li Changshou that Taibai Palace was complete, but Li Changshou chose to wait for the Jade Emperor’s decree before moving in.
• Zhao Gongming finally visited Li Changshou and asked whether intimacy between yin and yang could produce offspring.

Li Changshou celebrated Zhao Gongming’s new relationship with Holy Mother Jinling and arranged for Wan Linjun to meet his poison-cultivation idol, Lü Yue. Meanwhile, the Jade Emperor planned a grand celebration for Li Changshou’s appointment as Taibai Star Lord without telling him.

• Zhao Gongming told Li Changshou that he and Ling Ling had spent the night together, and Li Changshou urged him to pursue her and gave him gifts and advice.
• Li Changshou wrote Yunxiao a letter about Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling, then reflected on how their relationship could strengthen Jie Teaching and protect Zhao Gongming.
• Wan Linjun sought Li Changshou’s help meeting Lü Yue, and Li Changshou arranged their introduction at a Minor World near the Heaven’s End Secret Realm.
• Lü Yue and Wan Linjun met, and Lü Yue took the enthusiastic Wan Linjun toward the Heaven’s End Secret Realm to talk.
• The Jade Emperor and Wood Duke planned to invite figures from across the Three Realms to celebrate Li Changshou becoming Taibai Star Lord, and agreed to keep the plan secret from him.

Li Changshou learned that the Jade Emperor had arranged a ceremony celebrating his promotion to Second-rank Orthodox God, despite keeping him unaware, and began preparing for trouble. As others made plans to attend, a concealed figure on the Reincarnation Pagoda sought Ksitigarbha’s help in reconciling with the Water God.

• Li Changshou observed Lin Tian Hall’s victory over a rival immortal sect, while Bai Ze reported on the battle and Jiu Jiu fought among Lin Tian Hall’s forces.
• Bai Ze revealed that Heavenly Court had invited the Three Teachings to a Taibai Grand Ceremony celebrating Li Changshou’s promotion, which Li Changshou had not known about.
• Li Changshou overheard Heavenly Court officials discussing the ceremony and decided to act as if he knew nothing while secretly preparing contingencies.
• Yunxiao sent Han Zhi to deliver a jade talisman and Jade Ring to Wuyun Xian so she could arrange a gift for the ceremony.
• Zhao Gongming and Holy Mother Jinling discussed attending the ceremony and preparing gifts, while Ksitigarbha offered to write a congratulatory letter if his concealed Eldest Senior Brother personally sought reconciliation with the Water God.

Li Changshou prepared for his Taibai Star Lord celebration as powerful guests from across the Primordial Wilderness gathered at Taibai Hall. When Longji spilled tea on Randeng and he accused her of doing it deliberately, Li Changshou arrived and claimed her action was meant to protest Randeng’s efforts to sow discord between Chan and Jie Teachings.

• Truth Listener warned Li Changshou that an unknown Western Teachings senior had visited Ksitigarbha and might send someone to the celebration.
• Li Changshou considered the political motives behind the Jade Emperor’s invitations and prepared his Golden Immortal Paper Daoist for the ceremony.
• Immortals from the Three Teachings and across the Primordial Wilderness gathered at Taibai Hall, while Du'e and Ji Wuyou helped welcome the guests.
• Yunxiao arrived at Taibai Hall, where Bian Zhuang, Ao Yi, and the Chang'e maidens greeted her as Li Changshou watched from his mansion.
• Longji accidentally spilled tea on Randeng, who accused her of targeting him, and Li Changshou appeared to defend her by saying she could not abide Randeng’s efforts to stir up discord.

Li Changshou protected Longji from Randeng’s attempt to stir up trouble by taking her as his disciple and bringing her into the Human Teachings. As his divine promotion ceremony began, a Western Teachings Daoist secretly approached the Jade Emperor through an abandoned incarnation, but the Jade Emperor dismissed the attempt without leaving Jade Lake.

• Li Changshou shielded Longji, publicly made her his disciple, and confronted Randeng, who responded by portraying himself as a victim.
• Li Changshou told Longji to claim her hand had slipped, promised to protect her, and learned she would formally take him as her master at the Jade Lake banquet.
• Li Changshou greeted the gathered Chan and Jie Teaching immortals, announced the celebration, and told Ao Yi not to invite Randeng to the Jade Lake banquet.
• Dong Mugong arrived with the Imperial Decree as the ceremony began, while a Western Teachings Daoist secretly entered Qin Tianzhu’s residence to seek an audience with the Jade Emperor.
• Qin Tianzhu vanished into golden sand, and the Jade Emperor continued watching the festivities, amused that the Western Teachings had approached his discarded incarnation.

Li Changshou received the title of Grand White Gold Star and the True Martial Soapwort Banner at a Heavenly Court celebration. As dignitaries and Sage disciples arrived at Jade Lake, Taishang Laojun made a grand entrance, and Li Changshou discovered that the Azure Ox was actually Xiao Yin.

• Dong Mugong proclaimed Li Changshou’s promotion to Grand White Gold Star, and Li Changshou received the True Martial Soapwort Banner.
• Li Changshou welcomed Great Immortal Zhenyuan to the Jade Lake banquet, where Grand Master Xuandu switched seats with Fairy Yunxiao so she could sit beside Li Changshou.
• The Jade Emperor allowed six Western Teachings disciples to enter after Li Changshou advised that they were unlikely to cause trouble.
• The Four Seas Dragon King, the Ten Yan Juns, the Three Thousand Worlds Immortal Alliance, and Emperor Da Yu arrived with congratulations for Li Changshou.
• Taishang Laojun arrived at Jade Lake riding an Azure Ox, and Li Changshou tied the ox outside before hearing Xiao Yin ask him to bring the ox back when he had time.

At a grand banquet celebrating Li Changshou’s promotion, he honored the Jade Emperor, Laojun, his allies, and Yunxiao with a series of toasts before receiving lavish gifts from the immortal factions. The celebration continued with a dance program, while Lingzhu Zi and Jade Rabbit nervously prepared to perform.

• Laojun arrived at the banquet, and the immortal guests grew solemn as the Western Teachings disciples paid respects to the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother.
• The Four Seas Dragon Kings and other guests arrived, and the Jade Emperor invited Li Changshou to mingle with the assembly.
• Li Changshou toasted the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother, Laojun, Grand Master Xuandu, senior powers, fellow disciples, and his friends, then shared a future-focused toast with Yunxiao.
• The Jade Emperor ordered Wood Duke to summon Heng'e from Taiyin Star, and guests began presenting gifts to Li Changshou, including valuable offerings from the two teachings, the Dragon Kings, and King Qin Guang.
• Lingzhu Zi and Jade Rabbit worried about dancing before Laojun, and Lingzhu Zi punched Jade Rabbit in an attempt to help her overcome her fear.
• Zhao Gongming mistook Lingzhu Zi and Jade Rabbit for a Daoist couple, and Lingzhu Zi insisted that they were brothers.

At the Jade Lake Immortal Banquet, Zhao Gongming gave Li Changshou a fragment of the God-Slaying Spear, and Longji formally became his Chief Disciple in the Human Teaching. Three days later, Youqin Xuanya visited Li Changshou in Taibai Hall, while Wei Shenmo mistakenly decided he should arrange something between them.

• Zhao Gongming presented Li Changshou with a God-Slaying Spear fragment and a Daluo-realm Demonic Beast, and Li Changshou entrusted the fragment to the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird for safekeeping.
• Fairy Heng'e's dance impressed the banquet guests, and Li Changshou warned Matchmaker to prevent anyone from tying a Red String for Princess Longji.
• Longji offered Li Changshou tea and asked to become his disciple, and Li Changshou accepted her as his Chief Disciple in the Taiqing Daoist Lineage.
• Laojun granted Longji three treasures, while Great Mage gave her several spirit treasures as a first-meeting gift.
• Three days later, Youqin Xuanya visited Li Changshou in Taibai Hall, spoke of her service against the Demon Race, and received a pouch of healing pills from him.
• Wei Shenmo saw Youqin Xuanya leave and concluded that he should arrange something between her and Li Changshou.

Li Changshou discussed the Great Cataclysm and the Heavenly Court’s plans with Wei Shenmo, who gave him a decree exempting Yunxiao from the calamity. The chapter ended with Li Changshou outlining how the Heavenly Court could use the upheaval to establish order across the realms.

• Li Changshou and Wei Shenmo discussed the Western Teachings’ attempt to curry favor with the Heavenly Court and the coming Purple Cloud Palace deliberations.
• Li Changshou explained that he would judge the Chan Teaching and Jie Teaching fairly while seeking to reduce the Dao Sect’s losses in the Great Cataclysm.
• Wei Shenmo gave Li Changshou a decree exempting Fairy Yunxiao from the calamity and protecting her from the Investiture of the Gods.
• Li Changshou recognized that Wei Shenmo had known about the Investiture of the Gods for a long time and had been chosen by the Dao Ancestor to rule the Three Realms.
• Li Changshou advised Wei Shenmo to expand the Heavenly Court’s forces and use the coming chaos to bring immortal sects under Heavenly Court authority and protect mortals from exploitation.
• Wei Shenmo agreed to heed Li Changshou’s counsel as Li Changshou warned him to wield his authority for the good of heaven, earth, and living beings.

Li Changshou received a decree protecting Yunxiao from the Great Cataclysm, taught Longji Taiqing Dao teachings, and sent Jin Peng to retrieve a God-Slaying Spear fragment. After helping the River God with a spell, he followed the Golden Rope toward the Azure Ox.

• Li Changshou considered the Jade Emperor’s decree protecting Yunxiao and stored it carefully, while resolving to help save her, Bixiao, Qiongxiao, and Zhao Gongming together.
• Li Changshou taught Longji from the Classic of Supreme Clarity's Profound Content, gave her unfinished strategy assignments, and stopped her from asking about his relationships.
• Jin Peng reported an Immortal Alliance request involving fiendish demons, and Li Changshou sent him to investigate suspected God-Slaying Spear Fragments with instructions to act cautiously.
• Jin Peng returned with another God-Slaying Spear fragment, and Li Changshou learned that Laojun had gone into the Chaos Sea to search for more fragments.
• Li Changshou took the Golden Rope and followed its tassel toward the Azure Ox, then gave the River God transformation magic after witnessing his failed axe trick.
• Li Changshou continued south toward the Southern Sea in pursuit of the Azure Ox.

Li Changshou tracked down Azure Ox and learned that Iron Fan had driven him away because she expected the Western Teachings to punish her for giving the Primordial Slaughter Sword to the Human Teaching. They reached Iron Fan just as Daoist Wen Jing and three Primordial Chaos Fierce Beasts confronted her, and Li Changshou and Azure Ox prepared to defend her.

• Li Changshou found Azure Ox drinking alone in a flower house, where Azure Ox explained that Iron Fan had sent him away after claiming they were fated to part.
• Li Changshou realized Iron Fan might be facing danger, used the Golden Rope to locate her, and hurried there with Azure Ox.
• They found Iron Fan at a self-made tombstone, where she revealed that she expected the Western Teachings to retaliate for her betrayal and transfer of the Primordial Slaughter Sword.
• Daoist Wen Jing and three Primordial Chaos Fierce Beasts arrived to retrieve the sword, and Azure Ox stood between them and Iron Fan.
• Li Changshou appeared and declared that their meeting gave him another reason to make trouble for Spirit Mountain, while Azure Ox revealed that Laojun of Tushita Palace had raised him.

Daoist Wen Jing survived her return to Spirit Mountain after following Li Changshou’s covert plan, and Jieyin promoted her to first among the Dark Protectors. Li Changshou spent decades mastering the Eight-Nine Profound Technique and strengthening Xiong Lingli with Ancestral Witch Essence Blood; he left seclusion as she grew into a mountain-sized giant and prepared to join the Heavenly Court.

• Daoist Wen Jing reported that she had killed Li Changshou’s Paper Daoist, and Jieyin killed the beast-man who had exposed her while promoting Wen Jing to first among the Dark Protectors.
• Li Changshou reflected on Wen Jing’s undercover mission, arranged for Iron Fan to stay with Kong Xuan, and began diligently studying the Eight-Nine Profound Technique.
• After more than a decade of training, Li Changshou explained his cultivation to Ling'e and gave Xiong Lingli Ancestral Witch Essence Blood and illustrated instructions for a new technique.
• Over the following decades, Xiong Lingli grew to an immense size while Li Changshou cultivated in seclusion.
• Three years and four months before the Six Sages were due to meet at Purple Cloud Palace, Li Changshou emerged from seclusion and told Xiong Lingli she could join the Heavenly Court after mastering a transformation technique.

Li Changshou gathered evidence of Western Teachings secretly stealing souls and met with Bai Ze and Lin Tian Hall to plan Yang Jian’s carefully staged training. Yang Jian prepared to leave Jade Spring Mountain, but his sister Xiao Chan persuaded him to stay, delaying the plan once more.

• Li Changshou retrieved fourteen Image Recording Orbs documenting Western Teachings’ abduction of reincarnating souls across seven Great Thousand Worlds.
• Li Changshou visited Bai Ze, Jiang Lin'er, Jiu Jiu, and the others, then discussed preparing Yang Jian for the coming calamity.
• Li Changshou and Bai Ze refined a staged training plan meant to guide Yang Jian while keeping Heavenly Court’s involvement hidden.
• Yang Jian prepared to leave Jade Spring Mountain for his first training excursion, but Xiao Chan asked to go with him.
• Yang Jian stayed behind when Xiao Chan tearfully pleaded not to be left alone, while True Lord Yu Ding and True Lord Taiyi watched.

Li Changshou arranged Yang Jian’s first trial, overcoming Yang Jian’s reluctance to leave Yang Chan and setting up a staged encounter to test his judgment. When Taiqing summoned him, Li Changshou left Bai Ze in charge and hurried back, only to learn that they were departing for the Violet Heavens Palace three years early.

• Li Changshou went to Jade Spring Mountain and helped True Lord Yu Ding and True Lord Taiyi arrange for Lingzhu Zi to put Yang Chan to sleep so Yang Jian could leave for his trials.
• Yang Jian entrusted Yang Chan to Lingzhu Zi and traveled with True Lord Yu Ding and True Lord Taiyi to a Great Thousand Worlds, where they left him to explore for a hundred days.
• Li Changshou explained that he had planted clues and minor tasks across the world to lead Yang Jian toward a hidden trial, while Yang Jian explored the mortal town and searched for dangerous places.
• Bai Ze coordinated Lin Tian Hall’s staged encounter, and Yang Jian intervened when three supposed Heavenly Mandate Society members pursued a shuttle carrying a crying infant.
• Li Changshou sensed Taiqing’s call, handed Bai Ze responsibility for the trial, and rushed back to Taiqing Temple.
• Grand Pure Sage told Li Changshou that they were about to depart for the Violet Heavens Palace.

Li Changshou watched Yang Jian’s trials with the Grand Pure Sage, then learned that the Sage had discovered a meeting between Venerable Celestial of Primordial Beginning and Daoist Jieyin. The Grand Pure Sage told Li Changshou to stand with the Heavenly Court at the Purple Cloud Palace, and Li Changshou fell asleep beside his teacher.

• Li Changshou discussed Yang Jian and the Eight-Nine Profound Technique with the Grand Pure Sage while watching Yang Jian fight demons and protect a village.
• The Grand Pure Sage said the Dragon Clan had grown rotten, and Li Changshou agreed to arrange conflicts that would remind them of their place.
• The Grand Pure Sage surveyed the Three Realms through the Taiji Diagram, exhausting Li Changshou as he absorbed the scenes.
• The Taiji Diagram showed Venerable Celestial of Primordial Beginning meeting Daoist Jieyin, and the Grand Pure Sage told Li Changshou to stand with the Heavenly Court at the Purple Cloud Palace.
• Li Changshou checked that Saint Zhunti was apart from Daoist Jieyin and saw Lord Tongtian discussing his disciples’ futures with Daoist Duobao and Zhao Gongming.
• Li Changshou fell asleep beside the Grand Pure Sage, while the Sage’s treasures made him comfortable and he dreamed of several Sages.

After sleeping for nearly three years, Li Changshou awakened and accompanied Grand Pure One Laozi and Grand Master Xuandu to Purple Cloud Palace for the Saints’ discussion of the Investiture of the Gods. Dao Ancestor Hongjun punished him for his excessive caution, then unexpectedly handed him the Investiture of the Gods Scroll and God-Beating Whip, leaving him responsible for the calamity’s appointments.

• Li Changshou woke after nearly three years of sleep, learned that his cultivation had advanced, and confirmed that his allies and arrangements remained safe.
• Grand Pure One Laozi brought Li Changshou and Grand Master Xuandu to Purple Cloud Palace, where Empress Nuwa, Lord Tongtian, Venerable Celestial of Primordial Beginning, Jieyin, and Zhunti gathered.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun summoned the Jade Emperor and the disciples, then called Li Changshou forward and struck him with the Whip of Heavenly Punishment for his constant caution and appeals for merit.
• Hongjun announced that the great cataclysm required appointing gods and revealed the Investiture of the Gods Scroll and God-Beating Whip.
• When Zhunti interrupted to plead for the West, Hongjun tossed both artifacts to Li Changshou and declared that he would wield them while the assembled parties discussed the names.