Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

The Heavenly Court examines the Dao Ancestor’s mysterious gifts: bone-shaped biscuits and a small yellow basin. The immortals are baffled by the biscuits’ resemblance to dog bones and unsure whether they are food or some kind of miraculous pill. The Jade Emperor confidently insists that the basin is a rare “Treasure-Gathering Basin,” interpreting its unusual plastic-like material and design as evidence of its extraordinary status. Despite his doubts, he eats the biscuits to prove their value. He discovers that they taste crunchy and sweet, provide a small amount of Merit, and appear to make his hair shinier and smoother. Convinced the gifts are powerful treasures, he proudly offers to share them with the assembled officials.

Character developments

The Jade Emperor becomes increasingly convinced that the Dao Ancestor favors him personally. Rather than admit ignorance, he invents grand explanations for the ordinary-looking objects and turns their possible embarrassment into a display of confidence. After experiencing the biscuits’ effects, his pride grows even further. Lord Lao remains skeptical and analytical, repeatedly questioning the nature and function of the gifts, while the other immortals gradually become curious and eager to try them. The Howling Celestial Hound immediately recognizes the biscuits as something desirable and struggles not to drool over them.

Significant themes

The chapter centers on misinterpretation, pride, and the gap between appearance and reality. Ordinary modern objects are treated as priceless divine treasures because the immortals cannot imagine their true origins. It also satirizes bureaucratic and hierarchical thinking: because the gifts supposedly come from the Dao Ancestor, everyone assumes they must be profound, even when they look ridiculous. The scene further highlights how reputation and divine authority can make absurd explanations seem convincing.

Character interactions

The Jade Emperor argues with Lord Lao over the basin’s identity, dismissing skepticism as jealousy or ignorance. Lord Lao’s questions expose the Jade Emperor’s uncertainty, but he eventually stops challenging him because the Emperor is clearly unwilling to reconsider. The officials watch the Jade Emperor eat the biscuits, anxiously asking about their taste and effects. The Howling Celestial Hound’s instinctive attraction to the “bone” biscuits contrasts with the immortals’ confused speculation. In the end, the Jade Emperor’s claim that the biscuits improve his hair convinces the court that they are genuine heavenly treasures, prompting him to share them with everyone.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• The Jade Emperor celebrates after eating the mysterious food gifted by the Dao Ancestor, discovering that it can improve even a Quasi-Saint’s physique.
• He orders Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear to distribute the remaining food to the officials, secretly instructing them to give out only small portions because he fears running out.
• The officials flatter the Jade Emperor, praising his generosity and comparing him favorably with other rulers. He becomes increasingly pleased with himself.
• When Taibai asks about the accompanying treasure basin, the Jade Emperor deliberately keeps its function mysterious, intending to reveal it later as a trump card.
• The officials hesitate to eat until instructed, but the Howling Celestial Hound immediately devours his portion. Finding it extraordinarily delicious, he rushes forward, opens the sack, fills the dog bowl, and begins eating directly from it.
• The Jade Emperor angrily stops him for wasting the Dao Ancestor’s gift. Yang Jian retrieves the Howling Celestial Hound, accidentally knocking over the bowl and scattering the food.
• While gathering the spilled food, the Jade Emperor and the officials discover the inscription beneath the bowl: “For Dogs Only.”
• The Jade Emperor realizes the entire gift was dog food and a dog-feeding set, not a human treasure. Humiliated and shocked, he suffers a mental and physical blow, with his vision going black as he nearly faints.

Character developments

• Jade Emperor: Becomes smug and exhilarated by the apparent success of the Dao Ancestor’s gift, imagining his restored prestige. His confidence collapses into disbelief, anger, and humiliation once he learns the food was intended for dogs.
• Thousand-Mile Eye: Acts as the Jade Emperor’s trusted confidant and understands his instruction to conserve the food.
• Howling Celestial Hound: Displays instinctive, uncontrollable enthusiasm, confirming that the food is genuinely designed for dogs. His behavior unintentionally exposes the truth behind the gift.
• Lord Lao: Grows increasingly suspicious as the dog’s reaction and improved fur suggest the food was never meant for human consumption.
• Yang Jian: Protects and retrieves the Howling Celestial Hound after the Jade Emperor attacks him, though he accidentally worsens the situation by knocking over the bowl.
• Ziwei and Gouchen: Quietly envy or comment on the Jade Emperor’s sudden good fortune, adding to the chapter’s humorous contrast.

Significant themes

• Pride and humiliation: The Jade Emperor’s public pride turns into devastating embarrassment when his supposed divine treasure is revealed to be dog food.
• Misinterpretation and appearances: The officials assume the food is an extraordinary human treasure because of the Dao Ancestor’s status, ignoring clues that point to its true purpose.
• Greed and possessiveness: The Jade Emperor’s desire to hoard the food and impress his court makes the eventual revelation even more humiliating.
• Comic reversal: What initially appears to be a priceless artifact is literally a pet-food set, creating a sharp and absurd reversal.
• Instinct versus social restraint: The officials maintain ceremony and propriety, while the Howling Celestial Hound follows his instincts and immediately reveals the food’s intended use.

Character interactions

• The Jade Emperor privately coaches Thousand-Mile Eye while publicly presenting himself as generous.
• The officials flatter the Jade Emperor, reinforcing his growing arrogance.
• Taibai’s curiosity about the treasure basin prompts the Jade Emperor to maintain an air of mystery.
• The Howling Celestial Hound’s enthusiastic eating clashes with the officials’ formality and the Jade Emperor’s attempt to control the distribution.
• The Jade Emperor reprimands and attacks the hound, while Yang Jian intervenes to protect his attendant.
• The inscription on the bowl unites the entire court in stunned realization, exposing the Jade Emperor’s mistake before everyone present.

After the Jade Emperor ate a gift from Qin Fen that turned out to be dog food, the Heavenly Court mocked him until he fainted again, derailing his plans against Dongwang Gong. Unaware of the uproar, Qin Fen wondered whether his magical treasure could affect mortals and sent a new gift to an ordinary acquaintance.

• Li Jing questioned whether the Jade Emperor's gift was dog food, and Ziwei bluntly confirmed that it was for dogs.
• The star official on daily duty tried to blame the gift's confusion on Qin Fen, but Lord Lao defended the Dao Ancestor and the Howling Celestial Hound pointed out that the gift may have been meant for beasts.
• The Jade Emperor realized that everyone saw him as a fool for eating the dog food and fainted; Taibai called for Hua Tuo.
• Hongjun lamented that Qin Fen's rise to Dao Ancestor would make his own life bleak, while the Heavenly Court's discussion of Dongwang Gong's removal collapsed into chaos.
• Qin Fen and the Queen Mother suspected that the gift's effects were real, so Qin Fen sent a more appealing gift to an ordinary acquaintance to test whether his treasure could affect mortals.

Chapter Summary: The Rhythm of Digging a Pit for Himself

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Fen plans to test the Heavenly Dao System’s gifting function by sending roses to Nie Xiaoqian, but the Queen Mother objects because Nie is in the Earthly Immortal Realm rather than the Mortal Realm.
• He changes his target to his younger sister-in-law, Sun Yujie, hoping that a nearby recipient will make the results easier to observe.
• When Qin Fen sends the bouquet, the system cannot deliver it directly to Sun Yujie. Because he is physically present in the Mortal Realm, the roses materialize in his own hands instead.
• The bizarre appearance of the flowers surprises Sun Yujie, while Qin Fen complains that five thousand Merit bought him an ordinary-looking bouquet.
• Despite his disappointment, the roses trigger emotional reactions in the Queen Mother, Sun Yujie, and even the younger sister-in-law. All three women appear to share an inexplicable emotional connection.
• When Sun Yujie accepts the flowers, the Heavenly Book secretly records that Dongwang Gong has become the Queen Mother’s protector. This raises the Queen Mother’s favorability toward Qin Fen and simultaneously increases Sun Yujie’s feelings for him.
• Qin Fen realizes too late that the gift has broken through the Immortal-Mortal Barrier and produced powerful hidden effects. He had intended only to conduct an experiment but has unknowingly deepened his relationships with both women.
• Wanting to escape the increasingly awkward situation, Qin Fen tries to leave. Sun Yujie instead invites him to watch a movie, recalling an earlier embarrassing incident in which she accidentally touched him while reaching for popcorn.
• The chapter ends with Qin Fen being teased as a “rascal,” leaving him overwhelmed by the romantic complications he has created.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen: Remains oblivious to the gift’s emotional and Heavenly Dao effects. He is frustrated by the apparent cost of the roses, but more alarmed by the unexpected increase in the women’s affection. His careless experimentation once again creates problems for himself.
• Sun Yujie: Initially conflicted because she has feelings for Qin Fen but has tried to suppress them out of consideration for Female Hooligan. Receiving the roses rekindles her emotional attachment, and she openly admits that she likes them.
• The Queen Mother: Becomes jealous of Sun Yujie receiving the flowers and is emotionally affected when Sun accepts them. Her status as Qin Fen’s protector strengthens her favorability toward him, making it increasingly difficult for her to resist his influence.
• Younger sister-in-law/Sun Yujie: The passage treats the younger sister-in-law and Sun Yujie as the same character, whose feelings toward Qin Fen are complicated by her connection to the Queen Mother and her own buried attraction.
• Nie Xiaoqian: Does not directly appear, but her intended gift prompts the experiment and the chapter’s events.

Significant Themes

• Unintended consequences: Qin Fen’s harmless experiment creates romantic and supernatural repercussions far beyond what he expects.
• The dangers of exploiting systems: The Heavenly Dao System seems like a simple game mechanic, but its hidden rules affect real emotions, relationships, and fate.
• Love, fate, and free will: The Heavenly Dao does not force love; it strengthens existing emotional connections. This contrasts with the more coercive nature of Marriage Fate and the Red Thread.
• Miscommunication and obliviousness: Qin Fen fails to understand the women’s reactions, interpreting their attraction and jealousy as mere confusion about the experiment.
• Romantic entanglement: His relationships with the Queen Mother and Sun Yujie continue to grow through shared, unexplained emotional links, even as he tries to avoid responsibility.

Character Interactions

• The Queen Mother warns Qin Fen against using the system carelessly and becomes visibly jealous of Sun Yujie receiving the roses.
• Qin Fen and Sun Yujie share an increasingly intimate exchange when he gives her the bouquet. She is nervous and pleased, while he remains unaware of the romantic significance.
• The connection among the Queen Mother, Sun Yujie, and the younger sister-in-law causes emotions to pass between them, allowing Sun Yujie’s gift to affect the Queen Mother as well.
• Sun Yujie invites Qin Fen to a movie, deliberately or unconsciously reviving memories of their previous physical awkwardness.
• Qin Fen’s attempt to escape is blocked by the women’s growing affection and teasing, reinforcing the chapter’s central idea that he has “dug a pit for himself.”

Qin Fen planned a movie outing with the Queen Mother and Sun Yujie, then discovered that his Treasure-Dropping Money had changed and released four ancient evil beings. Zhao Gongming realized Chi-Mei-Wang-Liang had escaped their seal and hurried to warn his teacher of the coming calamity.

• The Queen Mother persuaded Qin Fen to take her and Sun Yujie to a movie, and Qin Fen slipped away to the restroom while they waited downstairs.
• Qin Fen read the Jade Emperor's message, considered the strange power of gifts, and examined the Treasure-Dropping Money he had gained.
• The Treasure-Dropping Money touched Qin Fen's phone, shed its gold surface, and released four streams of black energy that vanished into him.
• Zhao Gongming discovered that his wooden token had cracked and recognized that Chi-Mei-Wang-Liang had escaped the seal.
• Zhao Gongming explained the four primordial beings' origins and danger to the Plague Department's star lord, then flew with him to the Azure Wandering Palace to warn their teacher.

Chapter Summary: The Frustrated Four Great Evil Spirits

Key plot points and events

After Qin Fen’s nightmare briefly unsettles the Heavenly Court, Queen Mother senses a dangerous, ominous aura coming from the Mortal Realm. While leaving with Qin Fen and the little sister-in-law, she becomes involved in an awkward misunderstanding when the little sister-in-law assumes Queen Mother’s claim of never having menstruated implies pregnancy. Before the misunderstanding can be clarified, Qin Fen interrupts and leads them away.
In the restroom, four streams of black energy materialize as the Four Great Evil Spirits, who are confused and weakened after arriving in the unfamiliar Mortal Realm. They discover that roughly ninety percent of their power has been sealed or restricted. Realizing that Qin Fen released them and possesses the Treasure-Dropping Money, they decide to follow him, learn about their surroundings, recover the treasure, and hide or destroy it if necessary.
Meanwhile, Hongjun observes the situation from the Heavenly Court. He believes the spirits’ appearance will create trouble for Qin Fen, though Qin Fen is protected by both the Heavenly Book and his status as the Dao Ancestor’s vessel. Hongjun therefore uses the opportunity to continue planning his own moves.
Outside the exhibition center, Qin Fen and the two women prepare to find transportation. They encounter Wang Zhiqiang, who has just suffered another humiliating defeat and is eager to regain some pride. Seeing that Qin Fen has no car, Wang smugly hints that taxis are difficult to find and emphasizes that he has a luxury vehicle. He intends to manipulate the situation—either by making Qin Fen beg for a ride or by using the car to create tension between Qin Fen and the two women. Qin, however, remains calm and simply recognizes that he may have seen the car before.

Character developments

• Queen Mother remains powerful and mysterious, but her unfamiliarity with ordinary mortal customs creates humorous misunderstandings. Her instinctive detection of danger also reinforces her supernatural perception.
• The little sister-in-law is shown as observant, medically minded, and quick to jump to conclusions. She also proves fiercely protective of Qin Fen and immediately retaliates when Wang mocks him.
• Qin Fen continues to display composure and a lack of vanity. He does not feel pressured to pretend he owns a car or react angrily to Wang’s provocation.
• The Four Great Evil Spirits shift from confusion and panic to cautious cooperation. Though weakened, they quickly identify their priorities: survival, learning about the Mortal Realm, and recovering the Treasure-Dropping Money.
• Hongjun acts as a calculating observer who welcomes the complications facing Qin Fen and uses the situation to buy time for further preparations.
• Wang Zhiqiang is consumed by resentment after repeatedly losing to Qin Fen. His wounded pride drives him to devise an indirect, petty scheme to embarrass Qin and undermine his relationships.

Significant themes

• Hidden danger beneath apparent calm: The Heavenly Court seems peaceful, but the arrival of the evil spirits signals that major conflict is developing in the Mortal Realm.
• Power and restriction: The spirits’ loss of most of their abilities emphasizes the unfamiliarity and unpredictability of the Mortal Realm.
• Pride and humiliation: Wang’s behavior shows how repeated defeat can turn competition into obsession and manipulation.
• Composure versus vanity: Qin Fen’s refusal to show off contrasts sharply with Wang’s desperate need to prove his superiority through his luxury car.
• Supernatural forces colliding with ordinary life: Cosmic beings, dangerous energies, elevators, restaurants, cars, and taxis all coexist, producing both comedy and tension.

Character interactions

The little sister-in-law’s medical assumptions clash humorously with Queen Mother’s supernatural nature. The Four Great Evil Spirits cooperate with one another while discussing Qin Fen and the Treasure-Dropping Money. Hongjun watches Qin’s situation from afar, treating the coming trouble as part of a larger strategy. Finally, Wang confronts Qin with veiled mockery, while the little sister-in-law defends Qin and Qin remains largely unfazed by the attempted provocation.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Zhiqiang tries to impress Qin Fen and the two women with his expensive Volkswagen Phaeton, hoping Qin will recognize its luxury and feel embarrassed by comparison.
• Qin mistakes the Phaeton for a Volkswagen Passat and comments that it should have good fuel efficiency. Wang is furious but suppresses his anger.
• Wang subtly reveals that the car uses expensive high-octane fuel, hoping to hint at its value. Qin instead interprets this as wasteful spending on an ordinary Passat and calls rich people “willful.”
• When Wang suggests that finding transportation will be difficult, Qin prepares to leave and arrange a ride himself, completely missing Wang’s attempt to offer the car and gain the upper hand.
• Panicking, Wang explicitly explains that the car is a Phaeton worth over two million, expecting Qin and the women to be impressed.
• Qin acknowledges the car’s reputation, but the younger sister-in-law calls it an “idiot car,” referring to its deliberately understated appearance and high price.
• Qin then recalls an incident in which he was paid extra for a parking spot by a Phaeton owner, concluding that some people who buy the car really are foolish.
• Wang realizes that his attempt to show off has backfired: instead of humiliating Qin, he has become the target of ridicule.

2. Character Developments

• Qin Fen: Remains straightforward, unpretentious, and oblivious to Wang’s social maneuvering. His lack of interest in luxury cars unintentionally humiliates Wang. He values self-reliance and refuses to accept help unless necessary.
• Wang Zhiqiang: Begins confident and eager to demonstrate his wealth, but becomes increasingly frustrated as every attempt to show superiority fails. His pride and desire to embarrass Qin leave him repeatedly suffering in silence.
• Younger sister-in-law: Shows strong financial independence and a sharp, blunt sense of humor. Rather than admiring the Phaeton, she openly mocks its impractical combination of luxury and ordinary appearance.
• Queen Mother: Remains detached and amused, viewing the car as insignificant compared with Qin Fen’s extraordinary abilities and her own powerful resources.

3. Significant Themes

• Pride and humiliation: Wang’s efforts to flaunt his wealth repeatedly rebound on him, showing how arrogance can create one’s own embarrassment.
• Appearance versus reality: The Phaeton looks like an ordinary Passat despite its enormous price, making it a symbol of understated luxury and mistaken judgment.
• Different standards of value: Wang measures status through money and possessions, while Qin and the women either do not care about the car or judge it by practicality.
• Social manipulation failing against sincerity: Wang tries to provoke Qin indirectly, but Qin’s genuine ignorance and lack of vanity make the tactic ineffective.
• Class and perspective: Qin’s humble background shapes his understanding of cars, while the others’ wealth and power make Wang’s expensive vehicle seem unremarkable.

4. Character Interactions

• Wang repeatedly attempts to guide the conversation so Qin will feel inferior, but Qin misunderstands every hint and unintentionally turns Wang’s boasts into insults.
• Qin and Wang’s exchange becomes a comedic battle in which Wang tries to reclaim dignity while Qin remains completely unaware that he is winning.
• The younger sister-in-law amplifies Wang’s humiliation by calling the Phaeton an “idiot car,” while Qin innocently agrees with her.
• Queen Mother silently enjoys the conflict, recognizing that Qin’s simple, honest reactions are more damaging to Wang than any deliberate insult could have been.

Chapter Summary: Divine Office Transition, Lu Ya Appears

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Zhiqiang, furious at Qin Fen, starts his car and accidentally crashes into another vehicle. Qin Fen, his sister-in-law, and the Queen Mother quickly leave the scene while Wang is left arguing over the damage.
• Unknown observers recognize the Queen Mother and sense that Wang has encountered Qin Fen. They suspect Qin is a powerful divine figure and decide to investigate before attacking.
• The group—apparently weakened divine beings possessing modern bodies—believes they may be in a world without powerful immortals or demons. They plan to destroy the Treasure-Dropping Money and take advantage of their remaining divine abilities.
• One of them possesses Wang Zhiqiang to obtain information about Qin Fen. However, Wang knows almost nothing beyond Qin’s name and his participation in a robot competition. The only significant thought in Wang’s mind is his fear that he may truly be an idiot, frustrating the possessing spirit and embarrassing its leader.
• In the Heavenly Court, the Heavenly Dao announces that Qin Fen’s office of Solar Star Lord has been abolished. Since Qin cannot hold two divine offices, Daoist Lu Ya—son of the former Heavenly Emperor Dijun and a Golden Crow—is appointed as the new Solar Star Lord.
• The announcement shocks the immortals. They realize the appointment is not merely administrative: the Solar Star Lord is an extremely powerful office, effectively the deputy position to Dongwang Gong and a major source of influence.
• The Jade Emperor is delighted, hoping Qin Fen and Lu Ya will oppose one another while he benefits from the conflict.

Character Developments

• Wang Zhiqiang remains unlucky, impulsive, and comically insecure. His collision and lack of useful information make him an ineffective tool for Qin Fen’s enemies.
• Qin Fen becomes the target of a larger political and divine struggle. His growing power has prompted the Heavenly Dao’s faction to deliberately weaken his authority.
• Lu Ya is introduced as a formidable new political and military force. His Golden Crow heritage, Quasi-Saint cultivation, and possession of the Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife and Nail-Head Seven-Arrows Book make him too dangerous for Qin Fen to ignore.
• The Jade Emperor regains confidence after realizing the appointment may provide him with a powerful rival to Qin Fen.
• Ziwei views the changing situation as an opportunity to advance amid the Heavenly Court’s growing disorder, while Gouchen becomes concerned about how the conflict may affect his allegiance to Qin Fen.
• The possessing brothers reveal themselves as calculating but weakened enemies. Their leader is confident and domineering, while the second brother is hesitant and ultimately humiliated by Wang’s useless memories.

Significant Themes

• Power balancing and political control: The Heavenly Dao prevents Qin Fen from accumulating too much authority by removing one of his offices and assigning it to Lu Ya.
• Factional conflict: The appointment signals an open confrontation between Qin Fen’s side, associated with the Dao Ancestor, and the Heavenly Dao’s faction.
• Strategic appointments: Divine offices are shown to be political weapons rather than mere titles. Lu Ya’s position gives the opposition a powerful foothold within Qin Fen’s sphere of influence.
• Chaos as opportunity: Several immortals recognize that instability in the Heavenly Court creates chances for ambitious figures to rise.
• Comedy amid serious conflict: Wang’s car accident, his self-doubt, and the failed possession contrast with the increasingly dangerous divine conspiracy.

Character Interactions

• Qin Fen’s departure leaves Wang Zhiqiang to deal with the angry car owner, reinforcing their antagonistic relationship.
• The mysterious brothers discuss Qin Fen, the Queen Mother, and their plans to exploit Wang’s connection to them.
• The second brother’s possession of Wang fails to provide useful intelligence, leading the leader to insult him and Wang to feel unfairly blamed.
• The immortals debate the meaning of Lu Ya’s appointment, with Cao Guojiu explaining its institutional significance and Ziwei emphasizing its political implications.
• The Jade Emperor and Taibai celebrate the development, hoping Lu Ya’s presence will force Qin Fen into a damaging confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “Favors Come Knocking, Lu Ya Daojun”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Spirit Mountain reacts with alarm to Lu Ya’s sudden appearance and appointment as the new Solar Star Lord. Tathagata orders close surveillance of Dongwang Gong and recognizes that the Heavenly Court is approaching a major upheaval.
• The Buddhist leaders debate whether Lu Ya will accept a position beneath Qin Fen, given Lu Ya’s pride, royal lineage as the son of Heavenly Emperor Dijun, and past independence from the Heavenly Court.
• Tathagata believes Lu Ya cannot ignore Qin Fen because Qin Fen has become an established force of destiny and possesses the Heavenly Book, while Lu Ya’s connection to the Eastern Emperor Bell gives him a competing claim to authority.
• Hongjun deliberately sends Lu Ya into action, viewing the conflict as a way to test or trouble Qin Fen while acknowledging that Heavenly Will is beginning to intervene.
• Lu Ya takes control of the Solar Star Lord’s Residence, immediately attracting large numbers of immortals seeking his favor. His appointment causes concern among Qin Fen’s allies because of his strength, vicious reputation, and extensive political connections.
• Qin Fen learns of Lu Ya’s appointment through Nie Xiaoqian but reacts with indifference, since he has barely begun his own duties and has little understanding of the Solar Star Lord’s role.
• Queen Mother warns Qin Fen that Lu Ya is arrogant, dangerous, and skilled with deadly magical treasures. Shortly afterward, Lu Ya sends Qin Fen a friend request and formally contacts him.
• Lu Ya claims he wants to assist with the Heavenly Court’s reorganization, but quickly reveals his true purpose: recommending favored candidates for important positions.
• Qin Fen recognizes the request as political favoritism and attempts to avoid directly approving Lu Ya’s nominees. He realizes that accepting incompetent or factionally connected officials could undermine the entire reform.
• Angered by Lu Ya’s attempt to exploit personal connections, Qin Fen resolves not to compromise. Queen Mother promises to support whatever decision he makes, setting the stage for a confrontation between the two powerful figures.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen remains outwardly casual but becomes increasingly determined when he realizes that Lu Ya is trying to manipulate the reorganization through nepotism and factional influence. His commitment to merit and administrative responsibility hardens.
• Lu Ya Daojun is presented as proud, politically calculating, and contemptuous beneath a surface of formal respect. His appointment gives him a platform from which to challenge Qin Fen’s authority.
• Tathagata demonstrates political insight, favoring Qin Fen despite not fully understanding why. He senses that Qin Fen is unusually deep and may become central to the coming changes.
• Queen Mother shifts from warning Qin Fen about Lu Ya to openly supporting Qin Fen’s resistance, strengthening their alliance.
• Hongjun acts as a manipulator behind the scenes, intentionally bringing Lu Ya into conflict with Qin Fen to stimulate greater upheaval.
• Food God reflects the anxiety of Qin Fen’s supporters, recognizing that Lu Ya’s position could threaten the planned reform.

Significant Themes

• Political reform versus entrenched privilege: Qin Fen wants capable people who will work, while Lu Ya represents the traditional practice of using status and connections to secure appointments.
• Authority and legitimacy: Lu Ya’s lineage, the Eastern Emperor Bell, Qin Fen’s destiny, and the Heavenly Book all create competing claims to power within the Heavenly Court.
• Fate versus personal will: Even powerful figures such as Lu Ya and Qin Fen are being pushed by larger forces, including Heavenly Will and Hongjun’s intervention.
• Pride and resistance: Lu Ya’s arrogance makes submission difficult, while Qin Fen’s firm Dao Heart prevents him from yielding to intimidation or social pressure.
• Factionalism and political maneuvering: The chapter emphasizes that immortals are subject to the same alliances, favors, nepotism, and institutional corruption found in the mortal world.

Character Interactions

• Tathagata, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Dipamkara analyze Lu Ya’s motives and his likely clash with Qin Fen.
• Hongjun observes the unfolding situation and deliberately positions Lu Ya as a source of trouble for Qin Fen.
• Nie Xiaoqian informs Qin Fen of Lu Ya’s appointment, while Queen Mother explains Lu Ya’s history and warns Qin Fen to remain vigilant.
• Lu Ya approaches Qin Fen with formal deference but covertly probes his plans and tries to secure appointments for his allies.
• Qin Fen sees through Lu Ya’s politeness, consults Queen Mother, and rejects the idea of allowing personal favors to dictate the Heavenly Court’s reorganization.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Queen Mother worries that Qin Fen is becoming too reckless and making too many enemies in the Heavenly Court, but she holds back from advising him directly.
• Lu Ya approaches Qin Fen with an indirect request: he wants Qin Fen to appoint or recommend a female immortal, supposedly to repay a favor.
• Lu Ya claims the candidate is Yunxiao, despite having killed her close brother Zhao Gongming. Qin Fen immediately recognizes this as a calculated trap.
• Qin realizes that accepting would make it appear he was favoring Jiejiao, while refusing would allow Lu Ya to accuse him of targeting Yunxiao and discriminating against Jiejiao. Either choice could isolate him from a large portion of the Heavenly Court.
• Queen Mother advises Qin Fen to accept the arrangement and use it to repair relations with Tongtian, but Qin Fen refuses to retreat, believing one concession would lead to endless demands.
• While Lu Ya waits confidently for Qin Fen’s answer, Qin secretly creates a massive Heavenly Court group chat and broadcasts the conversation to nearly all the immortals.
• Lu Ya attempts a second trap by emphasizing that the candidate is female. He tries to force Qin Fen into either appearing sexist or angering female immortals by refusing.
• Qin Fen counters by declaring that talent matters regardless of gender and subtly suggests that Lu Ya and Yunxiao may be much closer than rumors claim.
• Unaware that the entire Heavenly Court is listening, Lu Ya boasts that he and Yunxiao are secretly very close and implies their supposed hostility is merely a complicated romantic relationship.
• The claim causes widespread shock and embarrassment. Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, Wen Zhong, and others spit out their tea, while Yunxiao becomes furious at Lu Ya’s shameless lies.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen: Demonstrates patience, political awareness, and strategic creativity. Rather than accepting Lu Ya’s framing, he identifies the hidden consequences of both possible answers and turns the conversation into a public spectacle that undermines Lu Ya’s advantage.
• Lu Ya: Reveals himself as an exceptionally manipulative political opponent. He uses favors, factional tensions, gender politics, and Yunxiao’s reputation to construct multiple traps. However, his overconfidence causes him to fall into Qin Fen’s broadcast scheme.
• Queen Mother: Shows genuine concern for Qin Fen and understands the broader political consequences of his decisions. She tries to restrain him and encourage compromise, though she struggles to find a safe solution.
• Hongjun: Enjoys seeing Qin Fen finally pressured and praises Lu Ya’s tactics, viewing him as far more capable than the Jade Emperor.
• Yunxiao: Is unwillingly dragged into Lu Ya’s scheme and becomes furious when he falsely presents their relationship as intimate or romantic.

Significant Themes

• Political manipulation and indirect threats: Lu Ya avoids direct demands, instead using implied consequences and social pressure to make Qin Fen appear trapped.
• Factional conflict in the Heavenly Court: A decision involving Yunxiao could affect Qin Fen’s relations with Jiejiao, Chanjiao, Tongtian, and numerous Heavenly Court officials.
• The danger of compromise: Qin Fen believes that yielding once would invite further demands and make him appear weak.
• Public image and rumor: Lu Ya tries to control how Qin Fen and Yunxiao are perceived, while Qin Fen weaponizes public exposure against him.
• Cunning versus overconfidence: Lu Ya’s schemes are sophisticated, but his confidence leads him to reveal too much once he believes Qin Fen has been cornered.
• Gender and merit: Qin Fen rejects the idea that choosing a female immortal is a political concession, insisting that ability—not gender—should determine appointments.

Character Interactions

• Qin Fen and Lu Ya: Engage in a layered verbal duel, with each disguising threats and probing the other’s intentions. Qin Fen eventually reverses the power dynamic by secretly broadcasting the discussion.
• Qin Fen and Queen Mother: Queen Mother attempts to advise and restrain him, while Qin Fen explains why compromise would create a chain of political traps.
• Lu Ya and Yunxiao: Lu Ya falsely invokes their supposed closeness to strengthen his lie, provoking Yunxiao’s outrage.
• The Heavenly Court: Nearly all the immortals become unwilling spectators to the exchange, reacting with disbelief and amusement as Lu Ya’s fabricated relationship with Yunxiao is exposed.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• Qin Fen pulls Lu Ya’s Primordial Spirit into the chat group, cutting him off from the outside world and preventing Hongjun from warning him.
• Lu Ya implies that his recommendation of Yunxiao is connected to a romantic relationship with Qin Fen and the Queen Mother. Qin Fen deliberately plays along, cryptically claiming the matter is “because of love.”
• The Queen Mother mistakenly interprets Qin Fen’s words and glances as a confession, becoming shy and emotionally flustered. Qin Fen realizes he has trapped himself in an embarrassing misunderstanding.
• Lu Ya proudly accepts the supposed romantic revelation, believing it will help him resolve tensions with Jiejiao. The immortals throughout the Heavenly Court react with shock, gossip, disbelief, and admiration.
• Yunxiao and her sisters become enraged, believing Lu Ya has publicly damaged Yunxiao’s reputation. They prepare to attack him with powerful treasures, while Zhao Gongming also vows revenge.
• Qin Fen changes the subject and asks how many people Lu Ya has recommended. Through deliberate mishearing and escalating numerical jokes, Qin Fen turns Lu Ya’s claim of having only one romantic partner into the absurd rumor that Lu Ya has 251 female confidantes.
• The Heavenly Court erupts again. Male immortals envy Lu Ya, female immortals suspiciously examine their friends, and Lu Ya is left humiliated and desperate to stop talking.

Character developments

• Qin Fen: Demonstrates his talent for improvisation, misdirection, and teasing. His attempt to embarrass Lu Ya backfires when the Queen Mother interprets the joke as a confession, leaving him unable to explain himself.
• Queen Mother: Becomes increasingly convinced that Qin Fen loves her, reacting with shyness and happiness despite the misunderstanding.
• Lu Ya: Begins confidently, intending to exploit the supposed romance for political advantage, but loses control of the conversation and becomes the victim of Qin Fen’s wordplay.
• Yunxiao: Feels her honor has been slandered and shifts from anger to a desire for direct retaliation against Lu Ya.
• Hongjun: Frustratedly observes that Qin Fen’s schemes create chaos while usually benefiting Qin Fen himself.
• The surrounding immortals: Reveal their fondness for gossip and their interest in using Lu Ya’s connection to Qin Fen to secure opportunities for relatives and associates.

Significant themes

• Miscommunication and unintended consequences: A playful statement rapidly becomes a supposed confession and then a scandalous romantic rumor.
• Reputation and public gossip: The Heavenly Court treats hearsay as fact, showing how quickly status and reputations can be shaped by rumor.
• Manipulation through language: Qin Fen defeats Lu Ya not through force but through sarcasm, deliberate misunderstanding, and escalating exaggeration.
• Romance as political leverage: Lu Ya tries to use the appearance of a romantic connection to ease conflict, while other immortals seek influence by recommending family members.
• Comedic chaos: The chapter repeatedly builds from a small misunderstanding into increasingly ridiculous consequences.

Character interactions

• Qin Fen and Lu Ya engage in a verbal battle, with Qin Fen turning Lu Ya’s confident insinuations against him.
• Qin Fen and the Queen Mother experience a one-sided romantic misunderstanding: she believes he has confessed, while he is internally panicking.
• Hongjun criticizes Qin Fen for creating trouble and manipulating his disciple.
• Yunxiao, Zhao Gongming, and Yunxiao’s sisters unite against Lu Ya to defend Yunxiao’s reputation.
• Li Jing, Kui Wood Wolf, Wenqu, and other immortals discuss recommending relatives to Qin Fen through Lu Ya, revealing widespread competition for access to him.
• The broader Heavenly Court collectively transforms Qin Fen and Lu Ya’s conversation into a sensational scandal.

Chapter Summary: “Taking Charge of the Pit but Not the Burial, Lu Ya Panicked”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Heavenly Court becomes obsessed with one question: whether anyone’s family has connections to Lu Ya, after rumors spread that he has been interacting with many female immortals.
• Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady is awkwardly singled out because she visited Lu Ya, though she insists she only went to recommend candidates for her friends’ children.
• Married immortals become suspicious and anxious. Li Jing’s son Muzha tries to withdraw his wife from consideration, while Kui Wood Wolf and Wenqu fear that their wives or daughters may become involved with Lu Ya.
• The rumor causes widespread jealousy and panic among male immortals, who begin viewing Lu Ya as a dangerous rival capable of attracting their wives and female relatives.
• During a meeting, Dongwang Gong/Qin Fen deliberately twists Lu Ya’s words and repeatedly implies that Lu Ya is romantically involved with many women.
• Qin Fen praises Lu Ya as handsome, powerful, well-connected, and “magnanimous,” making the surrounding immortals interpret every statement as proof of Lu Ya’s supposed affairs.
• When Qin Fen asks how to make women like a man, Lu Ya gives a general answer about offering excitement or care depending on the woman. Qin Fen treats this as evidence that Lu Ya is an expert in seduction.
• Lu Ya becomes increasingly furious and desperate to correct the misunderstanding, but Qin Fen pretends to understand while refusing to let the joke die.
• The chapter ends when Lu Ya finally redirects the conversation to the candidates he submitted—only to learn that he has listed 251 people, causing him to panic.

Character Developments

• Lu Ya is shown as proud, calculating, and determined to use the recruitment process to undermine Big Chef. However, his own earlier schemes and provocative remarks have trapped him in a damaging rumor. He struggles to maintain dignity while Qin Fen humiliates him publicly.
• Qin Fen demonstrates his talent for psychological manipulation and malicious humor. He knowingly exaggerates Lu Ya’s words, exploiting the rumors to embarrass him and entertain the Heavenly Court.
• Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady becomes an unwilling target of gossip, revealing how quickly Lu Ya’s reputation affects anyone associated with him.
• Li Jing, Kui Wood Wolf, and Wenqu shift from trusting or considering Lu Ya to becoming suspicious and defensive. Their concern reflects both jealousy and fear for their wives or daughters.
• Muzha tries to protect his wife by withdrawing her from Lu Ya’s proposed arrangements, despite the embarrassment this causes his family.
• Hongjun humorously acknowledges that even the Heavenly Dao cannot gain an advantage over Qin Fen when Qin Fen decides to act irrationally or mischievously.

Significant Themes

• Rumor and reputation: A few ambiguous statements rapidly transform Lu Ya into a notorious womanizer in the eyes of the entire Heavenly Court.
• Jealousy and insecurity: The male immortals’ reactions reveal their fear that Lu Ya’s status, charm, and influence make him a threat to their relationships.
• Social manipulation: Qin Fen weaponizes implication rather than direct accusation, allowing everyone else to draw the most damaging conclusions themselves.
• Consequences of scheming: Lu Ya intended to frame Big Chef and exploit Yunxiao, but his own manipulative behavior and attempts to appear mysterious now rebound against him.
• Humor through misunderstanding: The chapter relies on escalating misinterpretations, with Qin Fen repeatedly refusing to clarify the truth and Lu Ya becoming increasingly helpless.

Character Interactions

• The female immortals gossip about whether their acquaintances have visited Lu Ya, while the male immortals react with envy and suspicion.
• Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady defends herself against the other fairies’ teasing.
• Li Jing and Kui Wood Wolf are placed in uncomfortable positions as their family members become connected to Lu Ya’s recruitment plans.
• Qin Fen and Lu Ya engage in a verbal battle: Lu Ya tries to discuss practical matters, while Qin Fen turns every statement into an insinuation about Lu Ya’s romantic life.
• The surrounding immortals interpret Qin Fen’s jokes as confirmation of their worst fears, further isolating Lu Ya.
• The final interaction shifts from gossip to logistics when Lu Ya asks about the candidates, but the enormous number—251—creates a new problem and leaves him alarmed.

Chapter Summary: “Who Could He Blame for Courting Death?”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ya’s attempt to manipulate Qin Fen into selecting Yunxiao as the sole candidate for an unspecified recommendation backfires spectacularly.
• Qin Fen presses Lu Ya about his earlier claim that he had several “friends.” Lu Ya tries to limit the recommendation to Yunxiao, hoping to deal with her first and avoid responsibility for the other candidates.
• Before Lu Ya can control the situation, Qin Fen activates the Silence, broadcasting or exposing their conversation throughout the Heavenly Court.
• Numerous immortals—including Li Jing, Kui Wood Wolf, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, Cao Guojiu, and Wenqu Star—confront Lu Ya. Many believe he had promised them consideration or had inappropriate relationships with their wives and daughters.
• The Heavenly Court descends into chaos as immortals accuse Lu Ya of deception, infidelity, and dishonorable behavior. Yunxiao attacks his residence with the Primordial Golden Dipper, threatening to cripple him.
• Lu Ya emerges to face a furious crowd and repeatedly insists that everything is a misunderstanding. Qin Fen sarcastically undermines him, making the accusations seem even more credible.
• Qin Fen then unexpectedly appears to defend Lu Ya, suggesting that the immortals may have misheard Lu Ya’s words and urging them not to act on rumors. His clever reinterpretation convinces many immortals that Lu Ya may simply have misspoken.
• However, Yunxiao refuses to accept the explanation because Lu Ya had personally boasted about their relationship and had also offended her through his history with Zhao Gongming.
• Qin Fen attempts to “mediate” between Yunxiao and Lu Ya, suggesting they turn their hostility into friendship and even joking about a marriage alliance. This only enrages Yunxiao further.
• Lu Ya realizes Qin Fen is deliberately making the situation worse. Just as he prepares to fight Yunxiao, Lord Lao arrives after being summoned by the Jade Emperor. Lu Ya angrily shouts at the command to stop, only to discover that Lord Lao was the one who said it, leaving the entire court stunned.

2. Character Developments

• Lu Ya: His scheming and manipulative plan collapses because he underestimates Qin Fen and overestimates his ability to control the situation. He becomes increasingly panicked, humiliated, and desperate as nearly the entire Heavenly Court turns against him. His fear of Tongtian and Yunxiao also reveals his awareness of the political and personal consequences of fighting them.
• Qin Fen: He demonstrates sharp intelligence, verbal cunning, and exceptional control over public opinion. Although he briefly appears to defend Lu Ya, his “help” is actually another form of manipulation. He turns Lu Ya’s own words against him while preserving his image as a fair and magnanimous figure.
• Yunxiao: She is portrayed as fiercely loyal, emotionally direct, and unwilling to tolerate Lu Ya’s insults or dishonesty. Her anger is fueled both by Lu Ya’s claims about her and by his past conflict with Zhao Gongming.
• The immortals: They shift rapidly from outrage and suspicion to admiration for Qin Fen after he encourages them to consider the possibility of misunderstanding. Their reactions show how easily group opinion can be influenced.
• Lord Lao and the Jade Emperor: The Jade Emperor recognizes that the situation is becoming dangerous and summons Lord Lao to restore order. Lord Lao’s arrival provides the chapter’s final comedic reversal.

3. Significant Themes

• Words as weapons: Lu Ya’s careless boasts and evasive statements become the chief evidence against him. Qin Fen proves that clever phrasing can be more destructive than physical force.
• Manipulation and public opinion: Qin Fen controls the crowd not through strength but through timing, ambiguity, and carefully framed interpretations.
• Karma and unintended consequences: Lu Ya attempts to use other immortals as tools against Qin Fen, but his own lies cause those same immortals to unite against him.
• Appearance versus reality: The immortals initially believe Lu Ya’s accusations and denials, then just as quickly accept Qin Fen’s alternative explanation. The chapter highlights how uncertain truth becomes when filtered through rumor and rhetoric.
• Political and social pressure: Even powerful immortals must fear alliances, reputations, personal grievances, and the authority of figures such as Tongtian and Lord Lao.
• Comedic humiliation: Lu Ya’s downfall is treated as absurd spectacle. His attempts to regain control only deepen the chaos, turning him into the object of collective ridicule.

4. Character Interactions

• Lu Ya and Qin Fen: Their exchange forms the chapter’s core conflict. Lu Ya tries to deceive and control Qin Fen, but Qin Fen exposes his words and repeatedly sabotages his defenses while pretending to act fairly.
• Lu Ya and Yunxiao: Their confrontation is intensely hostile. Yunxiao believes Lu Ya has insulted and exploited her, while Lu Ya fears both her strength and Tongtian’s retaliation.
• Lu Ya and the accusing immortals: Several immortals demand explanations for his supposed promises or relationships. Lu Ya cannot answer effectively because he never understood the rumors Qin Fen’s broadcast created.
• Qin Fen and the assembled immortals: Qin Fen wins their respect by appearing impartial and forgiving. His public apology and defense of Lu Ya make him seem noble, even though he is quietly directing the entire situation.
• Qin Fen and Yunxiao: Qin Fen’s attempts to calm her are deliberately provocative. His suggestion of reconciliation and a “beautiful match” only intensifies her fury.
• Lu Ya and Lord Lao: The final misunderstanding produces the chapter’s punchline. Lu Ya curses the person ordering him to stop, then realizes he has insulted Lord Lao, making his predicament even worse.

Chapter Summary: “Lu Ya’s Incomprehensible Tragedy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The confrontation surrounding Lu Ya Daojun becomes even more chaotic when everyone realizes the latest command to “stop” was not issued by Dongwang Gong, as they had assumed.
• Lord Lao arrives, appearing to be Lu Ya’s final chance to escape punishment. However, Lu Ya reflexively curses at him, mistaking his voice for Qin Fen’s. He immediately regrets offending the most senior and powerful figure present.
• Lord Lao explains that he came only because the Jade Emperor insisted and that he may have made the situation worse. Lu Ya desperately tries to prevent him from leaving, knowing that Lord Lao is the only person capable of restraining Yunxiao and the other immortals.
• To save himself, Lu Ya claims that he merely intended to resolve the conflict and recommend talented candidates. The surrounding immortals recognize this as a dishonest revision of his earlier attempt to use others against Qin Fen, but some still choose to defend him.
• The Jade Emperor supports Lu Ya, hoping to gain his favor for placing his own people in important positions. Other immortals also argue that Lu Ya’s attraction to Yunxiao is not itself a crime.
• Pressured by the situation, Lu Ya openly confesses his love for Yunxiao. Qin Fen worsens matters by reminding Yunxiao that Lu Ya had already confessed to him earlier.
• Yunxiao angrily tells Lu Ya to watch his mouth and promises that she is not finished with him before disappearing. Lu Ya is left humiliated, terrified, and so emotionally devastated that he coughs up blood.

Character Developments

• Lu Ya Daojun: Revealed as calculating, shamelessly adaptable, and highly survival-oriented. He quickly changes his explanation from political manipulation to romantic interest in order to avoid punishment. Despite his confidence and cunning, he becomes increasingly desperate and humiliated.
• Yunxiao: Remains furious and refuses to be manipulated by Lu Ya’s confession or the crowd’s attempts to excuse him. Her departure shows that she intends to pursue the matter further rather than accept his explanation.
• Qin Fen: Continues trying to help Lu Ya, though his blunt and badly timed remarks repeatedly make things worse. He unintentionally exposes Lu Ya’s earlier confession and contributes to Yunxiao’s renewed anger.
• Lord Lao: Acts as the possible mediator but recognizes that Qin Fen’s involvement makes the situation too troublesome. He is amused and annoyed after realizing Lu Ya’s curse was directed at him rather than Qin Fen.
• The Jade Emperor and other immortals: Offer support to Lu Ya for their own political interests, particularly the hope that he will recommend their allies or relatives for positions.

Significant Themes

• Political manipulation and self-preservation: Lu Ya reshapes the truth and uses romantic feelings as a convenient excuse to escape a dangerous political situation.
• Miscommunication and comic tragedy: Repeated misunderstandings over who said “stop” and whom Lu Ya was cursing create the chapter’s central humor.
• Public reputation and humiliation: Lu Ya tries to preserve his dignity, but his desperate confession only makes him more embarrassed.
• Power and social pressure: Even Yunxiao’s anger is restrained by the presence of senior officials and the need to consider broader factional relationships.
• The danger of getting involved: Lord Lao’s regret at entering the dispute reinforces the idea that Qin Fen’s conflicts are too chaotic for even powerful figures to handle safely.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ya and Lord Lao: Lu Ya views Lord Lao as his last hope, but accidentally insults him and nearly loses his protection.
• Lu Ya and Qin Fen: Qin Fen has been defending Lu Ya, yet his comments repeatedly undermine him. Their interaction is both supportive and disastrous.
• Lu Ya and Yunxiao: Lu Ya attempts to turn his manipulative behavior into a romantic confession, but Yunxiao rejects the tactic and threatens further retaliation.
• Lu Ya and the Jade Emperor: The Jade Emperor publicly defends Lu Ya while expecting future political favors in return.
• Yunxiao and the surrounding immortals: The crowd tries to normalize Lu Ya’s confession, but Yunxiao remains unmoved and refuses to let public opinion dictate her response.

After Lu Ya fainted, Ziwei and the other Imperial Lords tried to use an open meeting to force Qin Fen to accept their personnel recommendations. Qin Fen instead proposed Heavenly Court’s first Civil Service Examination, leaving the Jade Emperor and Ziwei stunned as Lord Lao endorsed it.

• Lu Ya collapsed after realizing his plans had failed, and Hua Tuo was summoned to treat him.
• Ziwei proposed an open-air meeting to settle Heavenly Court’s affairs while Lu Ya was unconscious, and Lord Lao backed the idea.
• Mount Li Old Mother explained to Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady how Lu Ya and the Imperial Lords had planned to limit Qin Fen’s reforms through personnel recommendations.
• Ziwei pressed Qin Fen to accept recommended candidates, but the immortals began withdrawing their own nominees when Qin Fen asked who they would propose.
• The Jade Emperor argued that Heavenly Court’s existing immortals already held offices, and Ziwei challenged Qin Fen to find another way to select talent.
• Qin Fen announced Heavenly Court’s first Civil Service Examination, and Lord Lao approved the proposal.

Summary: “Qin Fen Debates the Heavenly Court”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Fen proposes a Civil Service Examination as part of the Heavenly Court’s restructuring and recruitment system. Instead of appointing immortals solely through merit, recommendations, or the old Investiture of the Gods system, candidates would be assessed before receiving official positions.
• The proposal immediately unsettles the Heavenly Court. Matchmaker Yue realizes that even future appointments connected to the Investiture of the Gods might require examinations, while the Stellar Lords worry that Qin Fen is overturning centuries of merit-based practice.
• The Jade Emperor challenges the plan, arguing that examinations cannot accurately measure ability because results may be affected by luck, timing, and circumstances. He hopes to discredit the system and preserve recommendation-based appointments, which would allow him to maintain influence over recruitment.
• Qin Fen explains that his examination will contain three stages:
  1. Theory, testing knowledge relevant to a position
  2. Interview, evaluating character, bearing, and spirit
  3. Internship, lasting three months and testing practical ability
     The three major stages carry roughly equal weight, with practical ability receiving additional consideration.
• The Jade Emperor raises a stronger objection: different positions in the proposed Responsibility Post System require entirely different skills. A single standardized examination could not fairly evaluate roles involving Merit calculation, lottery-ticket purchases, platform promotion, and other specialized duties.
• Qin Fen appears to agree with the Jade Emperor and Imperial Lord Ziwei, leading them to believe they have successfully weakened his argument. They praise his supposed willingness to admit the system’s flaws.
• Qin Fen then reveals that he agreed only with the underlying principle: the examination will not be standardized. Different categories and positions will have different examination content, precisely matching the Jade Emperor’s and Ziwei’s stated concerns.
• By reframing their objections as support for his own plan, Qin Fen turns the debate in his favor and leaves both powerful figures unable to respond. The assembled immortals secretly admire his rhetorical maneuver.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen/Dongwang Gong is shown to be strategically intelligent, confident, and exceptionally skilled at debate. He understands the limitations of examinations and compensates for them through interviews and practical internships. His most notable development is his ability to manipulate his opponents’ arguments and use them to strengthen his proposal.
• The Jade Emperor demonstrates political cunning by questioning the reliability and scope of examinations. However, his attempt to undermine Qin Fen backfires when Qin Fen adopts his objections as part of the reform plan. He is left embarrassed and resentful.
• Imperial Lord Ziwei tries to exploit the Jade Emperor’s argument and portray Qin Fen as having admitted defeat. He later realizes that Qin Fen has made it appear as though Ziwei was supporting the reform all along.
• The Queen Mother recognizes the trap earlier than most and worries when Qin Fen seems to be conceding. Her reaction shows that she understands the political danger posed by the Jade Emperor and Ziwei’s rhetorical maneuvering.
• Lord Lao remains supportive of Qin Fen and appreciates the cleverness of his response. He views Qin Fen as dangerously talented at tormenting and outmaneuvering others.
• The other immortals shift from skepticism to cautious approval once they understand that the system is flexible and evaluates candidates comprehensively rather than relying on one test.

Significant Themes

• Merit versus tradition: Qin Fen’s proposal challenges the Heavenly Court’s entrenched practice of appointing officials through merit calculations, status, and recommendations.
• Fair and comprehensive evaluation: The combination of theory, interviews, and internships reflects the idea that knowledge, character, and practical skill must all be considered.
• Adaptability in governance: Qin Fen rejects a rigid, one-size-fits-all examination and instead designs assessments according to the duties of each position.
• Political manipulation and rhetoric: The debate emphasizes that controlling the framing of an argument can matter as much as the argument itself. Qin Fen wins by turning his opponents’ criticisms into evidence supporting his plan.
• Resistance to reform: Many immortals prefer the stability of the existing system, even if it is imperfect. The chapter contrasts Qin Fen’s innovative reforms with the Heavenly Court’s desire to preserve the status quo.
• Humor through power struggles: The scene uses irony and sarcasm to portray the Jade Emperor and Ziwei being outmaneuvered by Qin Fen, whose shameless confidence becomes a source of amusement for the immortals.

Character Interactions

• Qin Fen directly debates the Jade Emperor, who tries to expose weaknesses in the examination system.
• Ziwei joins the Jade Emperor, presenting their objections as a united challenge and attempting to make Qin Fen appear to have conceded.
• The Queen Mother silently warns Qin Fen when she believes he is being led into a trap.
• Gouchen unintentionally helps Qin Fen by asking for clarification about the examination stages, prompting Qin Fen to explain the system to the entire court.
• Lord Lao supports Qin Fen, while the gathered immortals observe the exchange and gradually realize that Qin Fen has successfully manipulated both the Jade Emperor and Ziwei.
• The debate ends with Qin Fen rhetorically victorious, while the Jade Emperor and Ziwei are forced to absorb the humiliation without being able to openly refute him.

Chapter Summary: The Fight Begins, Qin Fen Chooses an Administrator

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Fen abruptly reframes the debate over the Heavenly Court’s examination system, exposing the unfairness of the original arrangement and proposing a categorized, merit-based examination.
• His plan emphasizes:
  • Fairness, justice, and openness
  • Evaluating people according to their abilities
  • Internships and practical performance as major parts of the assessment
  • Preventing talented individuals from being overlooked
• The immortals immediately praise the proposal and mistakenly assume the Jade Emperor and Ziwei had planned it with Qin Fen. Qin Fen deliberately encourages this misunderstanding, leaving both rulers trapped and humiliated.
• When Ziwei and the Jade Emperor ask who will administer the reforms in Qin Fen’s absence, Qin Fen realizes that no suitable replacement exists. Lu Ya is unavailable, while other powerful figures either have conflicting duties, lack authority, or belong to other factions.
• The Jade Emperor and Ziwei exploit this weakness by refusing responsibility themselves and steering Qin Fen toward appointing Wenchang Dijun, who has both the proper status and a personal grudge against Qin Fen.
• Qin Fen proposes Queen Mother instead, but the Jade Emperor rejects her on the grounds that she is too closely connected to Qin Fen and therefore could not guarantee impartiality. He also uses traditional prejudice against women to undermine her qualifications.
• Mount Li Old Mother and Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady defend Queen Mother, citing Nüwa as proof that women can possess immense ability and virtue. The Jade Emperor counters that Nüwa is a Saint and therefore exceptional.
• Qin Fen jokingly suggests that Queen Mother become a Saint, believing it impossible because she lacks the necessary innate foundation. Queen Mother agrees that sainthood is beyond her reach and urges Qin Fen to stop defending her.
• Qin Fen instead appoints Queen Mother as an administrator of his Official Account. She will manage it when possible and receive Merit from its rewards and tips, potentially compensating for her deficient foundation.
• Moved by Qin Fen’s willingness to help her, Queen Mother makes a profound vow to remain with him through every lifetime.
• Her vow triggers the Heavenly Dao. She is granted Chaos Purple Qi—a Foundation of Dao Attainment—along with the qualification to become a Saint.
• The revelation shocks the entire Celestial Realm. Lord Lao, the Jade Emperor, Tathagata, Hongjun, Li Jing, and others cannot believe that another Foundation of Dao Attainment existed or that the Heavenly Dao has created a new Saint opportunity.

Character Developments

• Qin Fen demonstrates exceptional political intelligence and improvisation. He turns the Jade Emperor’s own words into apparent support for his reform plan, then outmaneuvers the attempt to force Wenchang Dijun upon him.
• The Jade Emperor shifts from apparent authority to frustration and helplessness. He repeatedly tries to regain control through indirect manipulation but is publicly made to look as though he supports Qin Fen.
• Ziwei becomes cautious after seeing Qin Fen’s ability to twist the situation. He avoids speaking too much for fear of being dragged into another embarrassing concession.
• Queen Mother initially accepts her supposed lack of potential for sainthood, based on Hongjun’s earlier judgment. Qin Fen’s trust and generosity restore her hope and deepen her emotional commitment to him.
• Wenchang Dijun is positioned as a hostile candidate who could obstruct Qin Fen’s reforms, though he is not ultimately appointed.
• Hongjun and the other powerful figures are shown to be genuinely unsettled by Qin Fen’s influence over the Heavenly Dao, which appears to operate outside their expectations.

Significant Themes

• Merit versus status: Qin Fen’s examination reforms challenge nepotism, seniority, and factional privilege by emphasizing ability and actual performance.
• Political manipulation: The chapter is driven by shifting alliances, verbal traps, and the use of public opinion to force opponents into supporting an unwanted position.
• Gender prejudice: Queen Mother’s qualifications are dismissed partly because she is a woman, prompting criticism of the assumption that authority belongs primarily to men.
• Faith, vows, and destiny: Queen Mother’s sincere vow becomes more powerful than innate talent or predetermined fate, suggesting that genuine devotion and moral commitment can alter the established order.
• Qin Fen’s disruptive influence: His actions repeatedly overturn long-standing assumptions about power, sainthood, and the limits imposed by the Heavenly Dao.
• Romantic loyalty and sacrifice: Qin Fen’s practical offer to help Queen Mother becomes emotionally significant, while her vow establishes a deeper bond between them.

Character Interactions

• Qin Fen verbally traps the Jade Emperor by presenting his own reform ideas as if they were the Emperor’s intended vision.
• The Jade Emperor and Ziwei cooperate to corner Qin Fen into selecting Wenchang Dijun, but Qin Fen recognizes their strategy and resists it.
• Queen Mother, Mount Li Old Mother, and Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady oppose the Jade Emperor’s dismissal of female authority.
• Qin Fen supports Queen Mother when she gives up on sainthood, offering her the administrator position as a practical means of accumulating Merit.
• Queen Mother’s emotional response to Qin Fen culminates in her vow of eternal loyalty, which directly causes the Heavenly Dao to grant her Chaos Purple Qi.
• The chapter ends with the powerful figures reacting in disbelief and anger, especially because Qin Fen has apparently produced a new path to sainthood that none of them anticipated.

Chapter Summary: “The Hidden Struggle Over Sainthood! The Heavenly Dao Goes Crazy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tongtian confronts Hongjun after the Heavenly Dao appears to grant the Queen Mother the Foundation of Dao Attainment, accusing Hongjun of deceiving everyone. The established number of Saints was believed to be fixed, making the emergence of another potential Saint seemingly impossible.
• Other major figures, including Lord Lao and the Primordial Lord, also lose faith in Hongjun. Their past experiences have made them believe that Hongjun repeatedly claims to support them while ultimately rewarding Qin Fen instead.
• The sudden appearance of Primordial Purple Qi and the Foundation of Dao Attainment shocks the entire cultivation world. Even Tathagata and the immortals cannot understand how another Saint-level opportunity has appeared.
• Hongjun realizes he cannot stop the reward from being issued, so he sends a clarification: the Queen Mother has the potential to become a Saint, but success is not guaranteed. She must continue cultivating, maintain her Dao Heart, and serve all living beings.
• This statement also implies that the Queen Mother could die or be sabotaged before achieving Sainthood, effectively making her a target for those who oppose her.
• The Heavenly Court is humiliated and unsettled by the Queen Mother’s new opportunity, especially the Jade Emperor and Ziwei. Their reaction confirms that the Merit Lottery has become extremely influential and that the Heavenly Dao is watching it closely.
• Meanwhile, Qin Fen and the Queen Mother discuss managing Qin Fen’s official account. Qin Fen casually gives her control over posts and replies.
• Qin Fen demonstrates by posting a ridiculous sentence about a little girl going to the latrine. The Heavenly Dao immediately broadcasts it across the world, causing widespread shock and confusion.
• The chapter ends with everyone questioning whether the Heavenly Dao has gone insane, while Hongjun desperately insists that the absurd announcement was not his doing.

Character Developments

• Hongjun: Becomes increasingly frustrated and powerless. Though others blame him for the Heavenly Dao’s actions, he is unable to retract the reward or control the system. His credibility suffers further, and he openly resents Qin Fen for having unused “slots” when his own are exhausted.
• Qin Fen: Demonstrates his casual, unconventional influence over the Heavenly Dao. He treats the powerful official account almost like a toy, revealing how detached he is from the panic surrounding Sainthood.
• Queen Mother: Gains the potential to become a Saint and begins taking her new role seriously. She willingly agrees to help Qin Fen manage his account, showing determination and a desire to prove herself useful.
• Primordial Lord: Becomes openly hostile toward Hongjun, believing he has been repeatedly betrayed and humiliated. His frustration is intensified by the Primordial Heavenly Demon’s continued opposition.
• Primordial Heavenly Demon: Remains provocatively loyal to the Heavenly Dao rather than to the Primordial Lord, mocking the idea that he should be blamed for his actions.
• Tongtian, Lord Lao, and other immortals: Lose confidence in Hongjun and struggle to understand the Heavenly Dao’s increasingly unpredictable behavior.
• Jade Emperor and Ziwei: Feel personally humiliated by the Queen Mother’s elevation and recognize the growing importance of Qin Fen’s Merit Lottery.

Significant Themes

• The instability of divine authority: The chapter questions whether even the Heavenly Dao and its representatives can remain consistent or trustworthy.
• Power, legitimacy, and fixed hierarchy: The presumed limit on the number of Saints is challenged, suggesting that established cosmic rules may be altered by Qin Fen’s influence.
• Miscommunication and scapegoating: Hongjun is blamed for decisions he did not make, illustrating how authority figures can become targets when events are unclear.
• Potential versus certainty: Possessing the Foundation of Dao Attainment gives the Queen Mother an opportunity, not guaranteed success. Fate still depends on perseverance, circumstances, and survival.
• Comedy amid cosmic conflict: Ridiculous everyday language being broadcast as divine revelation turns an otherwise serious struggle over Sainthood into absurdist comedy.
• Qin Fen’s disruptive influence: His casual actions continue to undermine the established order and expose the Heavenly Dao’s dependence on his system.

Important Character Interactions

• Tongtian and Hongjun: Tongtian accuses Hongjun of deception, while Hongjun silently struggles to defend himself.
• Lord Lao and Primordial Lord versus Hongjun: Both distrust Hongjun, with Primordial Lord angrily recalling how often Hongjun’s apparent support has ended in Qin Fen’s favor.
• Primordial Lord and the Primordial Heavenly Demon: Primordial Lord demands loyalty, but the Heavenly Demon dismisses him and claims that the Heavenly Dao created him.
• Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao: Hongjun attempts to repair the damage by clarifying the Queen Mother’s reward, but his message simultaneously encourages her and warns that she may still fail.
• Qin Fen and the Queen Mother: Qin Fen casually assigns her responsibility for his official account, while she approaches the task earnestly and seeks instruction.
• The wider immortal world: The immortals collectively react with disbelief, fear, and ridicule as the Heavenly Dao first announces a possible new Saint and then broadcasts an absurd story.

Chapter Summary: “Hongjun Swallows Bitter Herbs in Silence”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hongjun realizes that Qin Fen’s announcement about the Heavenly Dao being “sick” has damaged the Heavenly Dao’s credibility. To protect his authority and reputation, Hongjun is forced to appear publicly and reassure the immortals.
• He declares that all three thousand paths can lead to Dao Attainment, though the opportunity has simply not yet arrived. This inspires the immortals, including Li Jing, the Giant Spirit God, the Jade Emperor, and Laozi.
• The Queen Mother’s acquisition of the Foundation of Dao Attainment further excites the Heavenly Court and makes everyone believe that attaining the Dao is possible for anyone.
• The Jade Emperor asks the Heavenly Dao for guidance regarding Qin Fen’s reforms and examination-based system for selecting officials. The Queen Mother, using Qin Fen’s phone, repeats the slogan: “No wind, no oars, my whole life relies on the waves!”
• Qin Fen teaches the Queen Mother how to reply to the Jade Emperor’s questions through the Heavenly Dao’s official account. He then responds to the Jade Emperor with “Big fucking idiot!” before Hongjun can intervene.
• Hongjun struggles to control the situation through the microphone, but his angry remarks and Qin Fen’s mocking messages make the Heavenly Dao appear completely deranged.
• After the Heavenly Dao snaps, “Will you die if you stop talking?”, the entire Heavenly Court falls silent. No immortal dares ask further questions.
• Hongjun realizes that he has lost the immortals’ trust and authority. He bitterly concludes that the Dao Ancestor will now have the final say in major matters, leaving him unable to interfere with Qin Fen’s coming reforms and the Investiture of the Gods.

Character Developments

• Hongjun: Becomes increasingly frustrated, humiliated, and desperate to preserve the Heavenly Dao’s image. Though normally aloof and composed, he is forced into public performance and gradually loses control of the situation. By the end, he feels powerless and defeated.
• Qin Fen: Demonstrates complete confidence and mischievous control over the situation. He uses the Heavenly Dao System to undermine Hongjun while casually treating the crisis as a game.
• Queen Mother: Quickly adapts to Qin Fen’s methods and participates in mocking the Jade Emperor. Her new opportunity for Dao Attainment gives her greater status and protection.
• Jade Emperor: Initially hopeful that the Heavenly Dao might support him against the reforms, but his sincere questions make him the target of Qin Fen’s insults. He becomes cautious and refuses to speak again.
• Laozi, Tongtian, Tathagata, and the other immortals: Grow increasingly confused and alarmed, concluding that the Heavenly Dao has become abnormal or insane.

Significant Themes

• Authority and public perception: Hongjun’s power depends heavily on the immortals’ belief in the Heavenly Dao. Once that image is damaged, his practical authority collapses.
• Manipulation of institutions: Qin Fen uses the Heavenly Dao’s official communication system to redirect political and spiritual authority toward himself.
• Tradition versus reform: The Jade Emperor’s concern over Qin Fen’s reforms reflects the struggle between established celestial power structures and a new, examination-based system.
• Humor through humiliation: The chapter derives much of its comedy from Hongjun’s inability to control the Heavenly Dao’s public voice and from the contrast between his solemn status and Qin Fen’s crude, casual replies.
• Power through information and communication: Qin Fen’s ability to control messages allows him to shape public opinion more effectively than Hongjun can through traditional authority.

Character Interactions

• Hongjun internally curses Qin Fen while attempting to reassure the immortals.
• Qin Fen and the Queen Mother collaborate through the phone, treating the crisis as entertainment and coaching each other on how to reply.
• The Jade Emperor seeks guidance from the Heavenly Dao, only to be mocked and cursed.
• The immortals look to Hongjun for certainty but instead become convinced that the Heavenly Dao is unstable.
• Hongjun’s desperate attempts to restore confidence fail, while Qin Fen’s interference causes the immortals to transfer their trust from the Heavenly Dao to the Dao Ancestor.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• After Hongjun’s earlier confrontation with Qin Fen, the Heavenly Court’s meeting about the restructuring assessment falls into an oppressive silence. Everyone fears provoking Heavenly Dao, especially after seeing Hongjun’s unstable temper.
• Hongjun desperately tries to get someone to speak, but the Jade Emperor, the Imperial Lords, and the gods remain silent. Even his usual allies refuse to intervene.
• Hongjun contacts the Yellow Emperor and Primordial Lord for help. The Yellow Emperor avoids becoming a target, while Primordial Lord is still locked in a tense stalemate with the Heavenly Demon and cannot be distracted.
• Feeling abandoned and humiliated, Hongjun nearly gives up on the meeting.
• The Jade Emperor finally announces that he has something to say, causing Hongjun to feel relieved. However, the Jade Emperor is actually calling for the Dao Ancestor—not Heavenly Dao.
• Hongjun realizes that the Jade Emperor is deliberately avoiding him and seeking Qin Fen’s support instead.
• Qin Fen discovers that the Jade Emperor is praying for the Dao Ancestor’s appearance. Queen Mother also finally realizes that Qin Fen is the mysterious Dao Ancestor.
• Qin Fen answers the Jade Emperor’s summons. The Dao Ancestor manifests dramatically in the sky, prompting the Jade Emperor to greet him with intense excitement.
• Hongjun is devastated that the Jade Emperor has effectively chosen Qin Fen over him.

2. Character Developments

• Hongjun: His authority and confidence deteriorate throughout the chapter. He becomes increasingly frustrated by the gods’ fear, his disciples’ unwillingness to help, and the Jade Emperor’s betrayal. His helplessness highlights how isolated he has become.
• Jade Emperor: He shows growing political awareness and distrust of Heavenly Dao. Based on his past experiences, he decides that Qin Fen—the Dao Ancestor—is the safer and more generous patron. His loyalty shifts toward Qin Fen, whom he believes will protect or reward him.
• Qin Fen: He remains amused and composed while observing the Jade Emperor’s desperation. His hidden identity as the Dao Ancestor becomes more important as the Jade Emperor unknowingly seeks his aid.
• Queen Mother: She recognizes Qin Fen’s true identity and connects him with her earlier memories, including the incident in which she bit him. Her trust is shown when she tightly holds his hand.
• Primordial Lord: He remains cautious and strategically restrained while confronting the Heavenly Demon, demonstrating that he cannot risk a reckless attack.
• The other gods: Their silence reveals their fear of Heavenly Dao and their instinct for self-preservation.

3. Significant Themes

• Power and loyalty: The gods’ loyalty depends largely on who appears safest and most beneficial. The Jade Emperor abandons Heavenly Dao after concluding that Qin Fen is the stronger “golden thigh” to cling to.
• Fear under authority: Heavenly Dao’s unpredictable behavior has made the entire Heavenly Court too frightened to speak honestly.
• Isolation and betrayal: Despite his supreme status, Hongjun feels abandoned by his followers and allies. His authority cannot force genuine loyalty.
• Hidden identity and dramatic irony: The Jade Emperor believes he is appealing to a separate Dao Ancestor, while the reader and Queen Mother know that Qin Fen is the Dao Ancestor himself.
• Political survival: The Jade Emperor’s decision reflects pragmatic maneuvering rather than devotion. He carefully avoids offending Hongjun while seeking protection from Qin Fen.

4. Character Interactions

• Hongjun and the Heavenly Court: Hongjun expects obedience but receives only fearful silence, exposing the distance between formal authority and actual influence.
• Hongjun and the Yellow Emperor: Hongjun seeks the Yellow Emperor’s assistance, but the latter refuses to risk becoming the target of Heavenly Dao’s anger.
• Hongjun and Primordial Lord: Hongjun attempts to contact Primordial Lord, but Primordial Lord dismisses the interruption because he is focused on the dangerous standoff with the Heavenly Demon.
• Hongjun and the Jade Emperor: Hongjun initially believes the Jade Emperor will support him, only to discover that the Jade Emperor is calling for Qin Fen. This leaves Hongjun feeling personally betrayed.
• Qin Fen and Queen Mother: Queen Mother realizes Qin Fen’s identity and responds with shock, followed by a quiet reaffirmation of trust and intimacy.
• Qin Fen and the Jade Emperor: Qin Fen answers the Jade Emperor’s desperate summons, unknowingly—or at least amusingly—allowing the Jade Emperor to believe he has successfully gained the Dao Ancestor’s favor.