Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: Zixiao Palace Opens; I, Kong Xuan, Bear the Mandate of the South

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Outside Zixiao Palace, many innate mighty beings await the opening of the Sage’s dojo; only a hundred years remain.
• The Twelve Ancestral Witches arrive violently, radiating killing intent and shouting disrespectfully, ignoring the solemn occasion.
• They immediately confront their old enemies Di Jun and Taiyi, nearly starting a battle in front of the palace.
• Inside Zixiao Palace, Dao Ancestor Hongjun notes that he had obscured their path in fate, yet the Ancestral Witches still broke through due to Pangu’s lingering fate/karma.
• Hongjun orders Haotian and Yaochi to open the palace doors and admit the "three thousand guests."
• The doors open; Haotian and Yaochi warn against fighting and suppress the Ancestral Witches with overwhelming Sage pressure, forcing them to back down.
• It is announced that three thousand prayer cushions are inside, corresponding to the Great Dao’s three thousand paths.
• The crowd rushes in, but Kong Xuan remains calm.
• Kong Xuan reflects that the first six seats hold the Heavenly Dao Saint Positions (Primordial Purple Qi), but his own path is to cultivate both primordial spirit and body, prove the Dao through laws, and become a Primordial Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.
• He still believes he can contend for a Saint Position, since he bears the heavenly mandate of the southern Undying Volcano and the winged clans as Yuanfeng’s direct son.

2. Character Developments

• Kong Xuan: Shown as composed, observant, and self-aware. He understands the value of the Saint Positions but is not blindly dependent on them. He embraces his unique origin and mandate, positioning himself as a rightful contender.
• Twelve Ancestral Witches: Arrogant and reckless, but forcibly humbled by Sage-level pressure. They recognize their limits, at least temporarily.
• Di Jun & Taiyi: Retain composure despite provocation; Di Jun is cautious about offending the Sage, while Taiyi is belligerent but restrained.
• Hongjun: Revealed as all-seeing and bound by Pangu’s lingering fate. His calm authority underscores his Sage status.
• Haotian & Yaochi: Act as extensions of Sage will—firm, authoritative, and unimpressed by the Ancestral Witches.

3. Significant Themes

• Sage Authority vs. Brute Force: The Ancestral Witches’ physical might is meaningless before the Dao-level pressure of a Sage.
• Heavenly Mandate and Destiny: Hongjun cannot fully block Pangu’s fate; Kong Xuan believes he too bears a legitimate mandate.
• The Pursuit of the Dao: The prayer cushions symbolize the path to enlightenment, with the best seats representing ultimate opportunity.
• Order vs. Chaos: The wild, chaotic nature of the Ancestral Witches clashes with the structured, solemn order of Zixiao Palace.
• Personal Path vs. Conventional Power: Kong Xuan’s internal reasoning distinguishes between relying on Heavenly Dao Saint Positions and proving the Dao through his own laws.

4. Character Interactions

• Ancestral Witches vs. Di Jun/Taiyi: Old hatred flares; insults and killing intent are exchanged, but actual fighting is prevented by the palace opening.
• Haotian/Yaochi vs. Ancestral Witches: The attendants deliver the Sage’s warning and suppress the witches with pressure, demonstrating that Sage authority is absolute.
• Hongjun ↔ Haotian/Yaochi: Hongjun commands, they obey—showing hierarchy and the transmission of Sage will.
• Kong Xuan ↔ the Crowd: While others rush forward, Kong Xuan holds back and contemplates his own destiny and standing, setting him apart from the frantic competition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kong Xuan, Nuwa, and Fuxi secure the six meditation cushions at the front of Zixiao Palace, each resonating with profound Dao.
• Zhun Ti and Jie Yin, Western Daoists, arrive late and dramatically, squeezing through the closing gates.
• Zhun Ti, desperate for a seat near the front to help his suffering Western lands, laments dramatically, threatening to smash his head against the floor and die.
• Zhun Ti attempts to ram into a purple jade pillar, but a voice stops him.

Character Developments

• Kong Xuan demonstrates exceptional speed and decisiveness in securing a meditation cushion.
• Zhun Ti and Jie Yin show desperation and dramatic flair, highlighting their plight and willingness to do anything for their lands.
• The Three Pure Ones, Hongyun, and others show varying reactions of contempt, reluctance, or indifference to Zhun Ti's display.

Significant Themes

• The desperation of the Western lands and the lengths Zhun Ti and Jie Yin will go to for their people.
• The importance and scarcity of the Great Dao exposition, leading to intense competition among the great powers.
• The contrast between Zhun Ti's dramatic display and the more composed demeanor of other characters.

Character Interactions

• Kong Xuan, Nuwa, and Fuxi work together to secure their positions, showing unity and coordination.
• Zhun Ti and Jie Yin interact, with Zhun Ti taking the lead in their dramatic display and Jie Yin supporting him.
• The great powers in the hall react to Zhun Ti's display, showing a range of emotions from contempt to reluctance.
• An unidentified character at the front of the hall calls out to stop Zhun Ti, showing urgency and concern.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhun Ti, a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal from the west, forcefully takes Hongyun's seat at Zixiao Palace.
• Zhun Ti provokes Kong Xuan, a Mid-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, by insulting him.
• Kong Xuan physically attacks Zhun Ti within Zixiao Palace, beating him severely.

Character Developments

• Zhun Ti demonstrates his arrogance, entitlement, and lack of understanding of the Primordial World's dynamics.
• Kong Xuan shows his boldness, magnanimity, and willingness to defend his dignity, even against a Sage's disciple.
• Nuwa and Fuxi display their protective nature towards Kong Xuan, showing their friendship with him.

Significant Themes

• Respect and disrespect towards Sages and their teachings.
• The consequences of arrogance and entitlement.
• Friendship and protection among powerful beings.

Character Interactions

• Zhun Ti's interaction with Hongyun shows his disregard for others' feelings and entitlement.
• Zhun Ti's provocation of Kong Xuan leads to a physical altercation, highlighting Kong Xuan's dignity and Kong Xuan's friendship with Nuwa and Fuxi.
• Nuwa and Fuxi's intervention shows their support for Kong Xuan and their willingness to protect him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kong Xuan, a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal with an incredibly strong physical body, brutally beats Zhun Ti, another Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, in a one-sided fight.
• The Twelve Ancestral Witches, impressed by Kong Xuan's physical prowess, recognize him as an anomaly in the Primordial World.
• Hongjun, the Sage, appears and stops the fight without punishing Kong Xuan. He rearranges the seating, placing Kong Xuan and Zhun Ti on separate cushions, and decrees that the incident will not be spoken of again.

Character Developments

• Kong Xuan: Shows immense physical strength and fearlessness, even against the Sage. He seeks revenge against Zhun Ti for past grievances.
• Zhun Ti: Initially arrogant and aggressive, he becomes humiliated, defeated, and silent after his beating and Hongjun's indifference.
• Hongjun: Demonstrates his power and indifference, favoring Kong Xuan by not punishing him and rearranging the seating.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The chapter highlights the power dynamics among the characters, with Kong Xuan's strength allowing him to dominate Zhun Ti, and Hongjun's power keeping everyone in check.
• Revenge and Karma: Kong Xuan's actions are driven by his desire for revenge, reflecting the theme of karma and retribution.
• Indifference of the Divine: Hongjun's indifference to the fight and its aftermath shows the detachment and lack of personal involvement of divine beings.

Character Interactions

• Kong Xuan vs. Zhun Ti: Kong Xuan's brutal beating of Zhun Ti shows their power dynamic and personal enmity.
• Hongjun vs. Everyone: Hongjun's appearance and decree silence everyone, demonstrating his power and authority over all present.