Chapter Summaries

As the Great Huan Dynasty prepared to ascend to empire, Xiao Ying visited Yun Feng to end their relationship before he departed to either perish or ascend. He left without waiting for her response, and Yun Feng wept as his farewell echoed in her mind.

• The Great Huan Dynasty announced its Kingdom Ascension Ceremony, drawing powers from across the world to the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital amid rumors of an impending attack.
• Xiao Ying continued preparing for his possible breakthrough and ordered reports on Yun Feng, Lin Qianlian, Qingyang, Lan Ying, and others from his past.
• Red Maple Edge's leaders debated Yun Feng's connection to Xiao Ying and urged her to decide whether to mend or sever their relationship.
• Xiao Ying appeared before Yun Feng in Red Maple Edge's council hall, and the others left them alone.
• Xiao Ying told Yun Feng he had come to bring their relationship to a final close and that he would either perish or ascend after the ceremony.
• Xiao Ying vanished after telling Yun Feng to forget him and take care, leaving her in tears.

Chapter Summary: “Seeing Qianlian Again”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ying visits Lotus Step by Step—Lin Qianlian—in an inn in the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital. This is their first direct meeting in many years, despite both having secretly kept track of each other.
• Lin Qianlian is revealed to have cultivated independently to the Loose Immortal Realm after receiving wealth and cultivation techniques from Xiao Ying.
• Their reunion begins with playful teasing, as Xiao Ying calls her “Sister-in-law” and pretends to act childish to lessen the awkwardness between them.
• Lin Qianlian criticizes his artificial behavior, pointing out that he now possesses genuine imperial authority and pressure. Xiao Ying admits internally that he was trying to restore their former closeness.
• Lin explains that her husband, Yuhuang Shenao, disappeared years ago. Xiao Ying reveals that Yuhuang Shenao died during the exploration of the Secret Trove and God-Eater Illusory Realm associated with the Tomb of King Wu/Wen of Zhou.
• Lin is deeply affected by the news, though she insists that Yuhuang’s fate was his own responsibility and that Xiao Ying should not blame himself.
• The conversation shifts to Xiao Ying’s future. After the upcoming Kingdom Ascension Ceremony, he intends to undertake Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment.
• Xiao Ying explains that the ritual has only two possible outcomes: death, likely without resurrection, or ascension beyond the world, which would prevent him from returning to either the current world or Earth World.
• Lin realizes that Xiao Ying came to see her because this may be their final opportunity to meet.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ying: Though now a powerful emperor, he remains emotionally attached to Lin Qianlian and still regards her as family. His playful behavior masks nervousness and unresolved affection. He also carries guilt over Yuhuang Shenao’s death and seeks to give Lin an explanation before potentially leaving the world forever.
• Lin Qianlian: She has matured into a powerful, dignified Loose Immortal while maintaining her independent and detached lifestyle. Beneath her calm exterior, she still grieves for Yuhuang Shenao and remains emotionally affected by Xiao Ying’s presence. Her teasing and irritation conceal both affection and anxiety about losing him.
• Yuhuang Shenao: Though absent, his past relationship with Lin and mysterious disappearance remain an emotional burden. His death reconnects Xiao Ying and Lin through shared history and unresolved sorrow.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and change: Both characters recognize that many years have passed and that their identities and circumstances have transformed, even though their inner feelings remain.
• Unresolved affection and emotional restraint: Xiao Ying and Lin maintain a familial label, but their exchanges reveal deeper attachment, awkwardness, and feelings they do not openly name.
• Loss and impermanence: Yuhuang’s disappearance and death demonstrate how relationships can end without closure. Xiao Ying’s possible death or ascension reinforces the uncertainty and fragility of life.
• Duty versus personal bonds: Xiao Ying’s impending Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment may require him to abandon everyone behind, showing the personal cost of power and transcendence.
• Masks and hidden emotions: Both characters use jokes, anger, and casual remarks to conceal grief, embarrassment, guilt, and fear.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ying repeatedly teases Lin by calling her “Sister-in-law,” while Lin responds with irritation and embarrassment.
• Lin challenges Xiao Ying’s forced childishness, telling him to behave naturally instead of pretending to be the old “little brother.”
• Xiao Ying and Lin discuss her missing husband, with Xiao Ying offering the truth about Yuhuang Shenao’s death and apologizing for the past.
• Lin comforts Xiao Ying by rejecting his guilt, though her sorrow reveals that she has not truly moved on.
• Their playful argument over whether Xiao Ying has secretly watched her reflects their continued familiarity and emotional intimacy.
• The mood turns solemn when Xiao Ying reveals that Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment may permanently separate them, leaving Lin frightened that they will never meet again.

Chapter Summary: “Worldly Bonds”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rumors spread that the Great Huan Dynasty’s planned ascension into an empire will provoke Heavenly Retribution and lead to Emperor Jian Shang’s downfall. Because the dynasty has already massacred thousands of Immortal Gods and Loose Immortals and hunted Descended Immortal Gods, rival powers avoid confronting it.
• Many people believe the Kingdom Ascension Ceremony and Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment are likely the Great Huan Dynasty’s final, desperate acts before destruction.
• Xiao Ying visits Lin Qianlian because he expects that, after the ceremony, they may never meet again. He explains that they could reunite if she eventually ascends to the Upper Realm.
• Xiao Ying argues that ascension has become more attainable because the world’s cultivation has advanced dramatically. He predicts that, if he succeeds in ascending, future generations will find it even easier.
• He offers Lin Qianlian a Nine-Dragon Martial Huan Token, granting authority equivalent to that of a feudal lord, and promises that Great Huan will protect her if she faces difficulties.
• Lin Qianlian refuses to accompany him into the palace or join the Great Huan Dynasty. She instead tries to persuade him to abandon his dangerous ambitions and live safely.
• Xiao Ying reveals that Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment is not primarily an expression of arrogance or greed. It is a strategy to gather the world’s strength and protect himself from the enemies he has accumulated through years of war.
• The chapter ends with Xiao Ying and Lin Qianlian sharing a quiet, intimate embrace beneath the stars, acknowledging their complicated bond and the possibility that it may be their final meeting.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ying is shown as realistic and burdened rather than power-hungry. He recognizes the dangers of his path but believes circumstances have left him no alternative. His wars and victories have strengthened him while also creating countless enemies.
• Lin Qianlian begins in fear and sorrow at the thought of losing Xiao Ying. She gradually accepts that ascension may be possible but still refuses to join Great Huan, demonstrating both independence and concern for her own principles.
• Lin Qianlian also becomes more emotionally open. Although she attempts to reason with Xiao Ying, her arguments reveal deep affection and fear for his safety.
• Xiao Ying and Lin Qianlian’s relationship moves beyond simple familial or platonic affection. Their shared embrace confirms a bond involving affection, loyalty, intimacy, and unresolved romantic feeling, though neither treats it as ordinary sensual romance.

Significant Themes

• Inevitability and responsibility: Every decision becomes part of a path with no return, and individuals must accept responsibility for their choices.
• Survival versus ambition: Xiao Ying’s grand projects appear ambitious, but he frames them as defensive measures forced upon him by his enemies and past actions.
• The changing world: Cultivation and ascension, once legendary impossibilities, are becoming realistic due to the upheavals of the current age.
• Mortality and immortality: Lin Qianlian questions whether long life or eternal youth actually guarantees happiness, especially when even powerful immortals and Ancient Saints can perish.
• Regret and final farewells: Their meeting is shaped by the possibility of permanent separation, giving their conversation and embrace a strong sense of emotional closure.
• Human bonds amid great struggles: Beneath wars, dynastic change, and cosmic ambitions, personal affection and companionship remain deeply meaningful.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ying honestly explains the possible consequences of the Kingdom Ascension Ceremony, causing Lin Qianlian grief but also giving her hope through the possibility of future ascension.
• He encourages her to join Great Huan and gives her the Nine-Dragon Martial Huan Token, while she refuses political involvement and instead challenges his choices.
• Lin Qianlian argues that Xiao Ying could live safely for centuries without pursuing further conflict. Xiao Ying counters that his past victories and accumulated enemies have made retreat impossible.
• Their serious discussion gradually turns playful when Xiao Ying teases Lin Qianlian about their past intimacy. Her embarrassment and denial give way to a quiet acceptance of their emotional connection.
• Their final embrace is gentle rather than passionate, symbolizing mutual understanding, loyalty, and the sorrow of an uncertain parting.

Xiao Ying finalized Great Huan’s arrangements with the Great Qin Empire and the Radiant Divine Kingdom, then demonstrated how he could carry others with him when he ascended. He left their leaders inside the small world of the Heaven-Earth Bell, disguised as a spatial divine ability, while the remaining guests waited in the hall.

• Xiao Ying recalled bidding farewell to Yun Feng, Lin Qianlian, Qingyang, and Lan Ying before turning his attention to Great Huan’s affairs.
• The leaders of Great Huan, Great Qin, and the Radiant Divine Kingdom settled investitures and administrative arrangements for the nations’ submission.
• Radiant Emperor Roger asked whether Xiao Ying could take people with him during ascension, and Xiao Ying explained that he could carry up to eighty-one people but could not guarantee their safety.
• Imperial Consort Dishi, Radiant Emperor Roger, Zhang Han, Four-Winged Angel Yennefer, Martial-Calming King Lan Ge, and others volunteered to experience Xiao Ying’s ability.
• Xiao Ying used the Heaven-Overturning Palm as a bluff and drew the volunteers into the small world inside the Heaven-Earth Bell, leaving the others to wait in the hall.

As the Great Huan Dynasty prepared for its Kingdom Ascension Ceremony, Xiao Ying surveyed the capital’s formidable defenses and learned that the Undying Forces and Descended Immortal Gods had infiltrated the city. The ceremony was about to begin, with the danger in the skies still difficult to control.

• Xiao Ying and the Great Huan ministers surveyed the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital’s defenses from the Star-Watching Platform as crowds filled the city.
• Xiao Ying reassured those present that the capital was exceptionally well-defended, but warned them not to become careless.
• Xiao Ying asked Heavenly Charm Marquis Qiu Li what the Great Huan Office had discovered about the growing disorder.
• Qiu Li reported that the Undying Forces and more than a dozen Descended Immortal Gods had infiltrated the capital and were the main threats to the ceremony.
• Xiao He explained that the Descended Immortal Gods had survived earlier hunts by hiding and were desperate to act before Great Huan grew stronger.

As the Great Huan Dynasty’s kingdom ascension ceremony began, Xiao Ying ordered the women around him to stay away, fearing that heavenly punishment would endanger them and their unborn children. Zhi Ji realized he expected a long or final separation, while Xiao Ying prepared to use a last resort to draw the Upper Realm’s hidden hand away and save the Pangu World.

• Xiao He explained that the Descended Immortal Gods were being driven to fight despite their likely defeat, and Xiao Ying tried to reassure the assembled leaders that their plans were settled.
• The ceremony’s first bell rang, and the Great Huan Dynasty’s troops secured the capital as Xiao Ying and the allied leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the plan.
• Radiant Emperor Roger dismissed Yennefer’s doubts, insisting that the Radiant Divine Kingdom had no choice but to see the gamble through.
• As the procession prepared to leave for the Central Chief Heaven-Sacrificing Altar, Xiao Ying ordered the women around him not to participate, warning that heavenly punishment could endanger them and their unborn children.
• Zhi Ji inferred that Xiao Ying expected their farewell to lead to a long or final separation, while Xiao Ying privately resolved to use his last resort to draw the Upper Realm’s hidden hand away.

Xiao Ying prepared to leave for Great Huan’s empire-level Kingdom Ascension Ceremony, warning the consorts that they might be separated and explaining how Princess Dieyi could signal if he was in danger. After bidding an emotional farewell to Jiang Qing, he reached the summit of the Heaven-Sacrificing Altar without facing any opposition, leaving him and his attendants uneasy about the ceremony’s eerie calm.

• Xiao Ying reassured the women that he would return, told them to keep Great Huan stable if he was gone, and said Princess Dieyi’s survival would indicate that he was safe.
• Jiang Qing embraced Xiao Ying and confessed that she had known and loved him first; Xiao Ying comforted her before boarding the imperial carriage.
• Heavenly Charm Marquis Eunuch Qiu ordered the procession forward, and eight hundred thousand Forbidden Guard soldiers escorted Xiao Ying to the Heaven-Sacrificing Altar.
• Xiao Ying climbed the altar while the crowd wondered why the expected tribulation and attacks had not begun.
• Xiao Ying reached the summit with Prime Minister Tian Dan and Heavenly Charm Marquis Qiu Li, and the three grew uneasy at how smoothly the ceremony had proceeded.

As the Great Huan Dynasty’s kingdom ascension ceremony began without a human tribulation, Xiao Ying ordered the Undying Forces watched and prepared to provoke a conflict. The Undying Forces realized the dynasty intended to use them as a blood sacrifice, then scattered through the capital while the ceremony advanced toward completion.

• Xiao Ying declared that the Great Huan Dynasty would proceed with its Heaven-Slaying ceremony and ordered the Great Huan Guards to kill any Undying Forces members who resisted expulsion.
• Eunuch Qiu announced the start of the kingdom ascension ceremony as the gathered Undying Forces leaders debated whether to sabotage it or withdraw.
• A vampire marquis reported that Great Huan troops had surrounded the Undying Forces’ residence and threatened their other strongholds.
• A sage-like true immortal warned that the Great Huan Dynasty intended to use the Undying Forces as a blood sacrifice after the ceremony.
• Dirok proposed that the gathered forces split into small groups and blend into the capital, and they dispersed without fighting.
• The kingdom ascension ceremony proceeded smoothly through its final bows to heaven, earth, and all living beings and the state.

During Great Huan’s Kingdom Ascension Ceremony, a heavenly tribulation descended, and Xiao Ying chose to face it alone rather than activate the capital’s formations. He shattered five waves of heavenly lightning, while Great Huan’s fourth national fortune dragon took shape; the chapter ended as the tribulation revealed the Six-Path Heavenly Wheel.

• Heavenly lightning descended on the ceremony, and Xiao Ying rejected the suggestion to activate the capital’s grand formations, ordering the Great Huan Forbidden Guard to gather its fighting spirit.
• Xiao Ying formed a War God Manifestation and destroyed the first three waves of lightning with his Heaven-Overturning Palm, Heaven-Splitting Claw, and Heaven-Splitting Finger.
• Xiao Ying used the Godslaying Spear and the Heavenly Heart Secret Canon to destroy the fourth wave, drawing on Great Huan’s national fortune and the people’s killing intent.
• Xiao Ying unleashed Tianxin’s Wrath against the fifth wave, and the white dragon of Great Huan’s national fortune fully formed as the lightning and black mist collided.
• The thunderclouds became a purple Eye of Heaven containing the Six-Path Heavenly Wheel, revealing that the ceremony faced a six-path heavenly tribulation associated with aspiring to a Celestial Dynasty.

Xiao Ying used the Heaven-Earth Bell to destroy the six-path heavenly tribulation, allowing the Great Huan Dynasty to ascend into the Great Huan Empire. As the capital celebrated, Emperor Qin, Huating, formally submitted the Great Qin Empire to Great Huan.

• The six-path heavenly wheel descended and seized the minds of Xiao Ying and the eight hundred thousand Great Huan Forbidden Guards, weakening War God's Power.
• Xiao Ying summoned the Heaven-Earth Bell and used its Sigh of the Heavens to shatter the heavenly wheel and disperse the tribulation.
• The nine-colored national fortune cloud re-formed, and the Heavenly Charm Marquis, Eunuch Qiu, announced that Great Huan had successfully advanced into an empire.
• Prime Minister Tian Dan and the Great Huan Forbidden Guards led the capital in acclaiming Xiao Ying, while Great Huan's forces remained on guard at the altar.
• Emperor Qin, Huating, and Great Qin's senior ministers knelt before Xiao Ying and declared Great Qin's submission, while the Great Qin Imperial Seal sent its radiance into Great Huan's national fortune cloud.

After the Great Qin Empire and the Radiant Divine Kingdom submitted to Great Huan, the combined national fortune transformed into a vision of a prosperous realm. Xiao Ying began a new ascension ceremony to raise Great Huan toward celestial-dynasty status, but a terrifying presence interrupted.

• Xiao Ying accepted the Great Qin Empire’s submission and completed the rite, causing Great Huan’s national fortune cloud to expand and transform.
• Radiant Emperor Roger Zelazny led the Radiant Divine Kingdom in kneeling and submitting to Emperor Jian Shang, shocking the onlookers.
• The national fortune cloud revealed a vast vision of peaceful mountains, rivers, and people beneath four soaring Divine Dragons.
• Xiao Ying signaled Eunuch Qiu to begin the kingdom ascension ceremony, and the crowd realized Great Huan intended to become a celestial dynasty.
• A terrifying pressure descended as an unseen speaker began to rebuke the ceremony.

As an Upper Realm power forced the Undying Forces to attack during Great Huan’s Empire-level Kingdom Ascension Ceremony, Xiao Ying activated the empire’s defenses and kept the ritual going. The ceremony’s national fortune began to form a Purple Tyrant Dragon from the fortune seized from Xiang Yu, though it was incomplete because Xiang Yu had vanished.

• An Upper Realm Great Adept exerted intimidation across realms, and the Undying Forces’ leaders realized they had been ordered to disrupt Great Huan’s ceremony until reinforcements arrived.
• Blood Emperor Kebasi ordered the Blood Clan and allied forces to attack the Chief Heaven-Sacrificing Altar after Huangfu Gong explained that refusing the divine oracle meant a fate worse than death.
• Xiao Ying activated the Eight-Gate Heaven-Locking Formation and the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation, trapping the attackers outside and killing those caught within the starlight net.
• Great Huan’s troops and Terracotta Warriors suppressed unrest across the crowded capital while the heaven-sacrificing ritual proceeded under the formation’s protection.
• As the Great Huan Imperial Seal and national fortune changed, a Purple Tyrant Dragon began to condense from the fortune seized from Xiang Yu.

During Great Huan’s kingdom ascension ceremony, Human, Earthly, and Heavenly Tribulations struck the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital at once while an outside force tried to obstruct the rites. Xiao Ying’s formations blocked repeated lightning attacks, but the chapter left Eunuch Qiu badly injured as the third bow remained unfinished.

• Blood Emperor Dirok complained that the allied Undying Forces were being slaughtered as cannon fodder against Great Huan.
• Thunder, earthquakes, and a violent storm brought all three tribulations upon the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital, throwing the city and its armies into chaos.
• Protected by the Eight-Gate Heaven-Locking Formation, Xiao Ying continued the rites as Eunuch Qiu announced the second bow and Xiao Ying bowed to Earth.
• The Eight-Gate Heaven-Locking Formation and Tian Dan’s three Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formations blocked successive lightning strikes, including two lightning dragons.
• Xiao Ying told Eunuch Qiu that a mighty being had already interfered and ordered him to follow the plan.
• Repeated thunderclaps interrupted Eunuch Qiu’s calls for the third bow, inflicting severe injuries and preventing the ceremony from gathering National Fortune.

Xiao Ying and his allies endured the seventh wave of the Heavenly Tribulation as the Six Paths Heavenly Wheel shattered their defenses and devastated the capital. With Undying Forces and Descended Immortal Gods converging, Xiao Ying ordered the capital evacuated and the Great Huan Terracotta Warriors gathered, while Tian Dan hinted at another option.

• Xiao Ying reassured Eunuch Qiu, and the sixth wave of tribulation lightning failed to break through the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation.
• The seventh wave formed a Six Paths Heavenly Wheel that shattered the formation, destroyed Heaven-Sacrificing Altars, and killed tens of thousands before disintegrating against the Eight-Gate Heaven-Locking Formation.
• Eunuch Qiu reported that the Undying Forces were mobilizing toward China's Divine Land and that powerful enemies were heading for the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital.
• Xiao Ying accepted that the plan had reached a point of no return and said the invasion might let them strike the Undying Forces while carrying out Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment.
• Xiao Ying ordered the capital opened for people to leave and commanded the Huan Empress to gather the Great Huan Terracotta Warriors at the Heaven-Sacrificing Altars.
• Tian Dan warned that deploying the Terracotta Warriors could unsettle the people, then began suggesting another option, but Xiao Ying said it was not time yet.

Xiao Ying and the Great Huan Empire endured the eighth heavenly tribulation when the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation and millions of Terracotta Warriors stopped the six paths heavenly wheel. As the final calamity transformed the sky into a Heaven-Transformed Wheel, Xiao Ying urged the capital’s people to hold fast, while thirty or forty descended immortals and gods confronted him.

• Xiao Ying refused Tian Dan’s suggestion to deploy the volunteer suicide corps and ordered Great Huan Terracotta Warriors to reinforce the Heaven-Sacrificing Altars.
• The six paths heavenly wheel descended, and the Terracotta Warriors strengthened the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation until it covered the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital and beyond.
• The formation ground away the five-thousand-meter heavenly wheel, but tens of millions of Terracotta Warriors collapsed as the capital celebrated its survival.
• Tian Dan reported that about one hundred thousand soldiers and 130 million Terracotta Warriors had perished, while every Heaven-Sacrificing Altar remained intact.
• The sky contracted into the Heaven-Transformed Wheel, and Xiao Ying used the Great Huan Imperial Seal to urge everyone to resist fear and comprehend the heavenly Dao.
• Thirty or forty descended immortals and gods surrounded the Chief Heaven-Sacrificing Altar and declared that those who defied Heaven would perish.

Xiao Ying rallied the people of the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital to strengthen the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation and withstand the Heavenly Punishment unleashed by the Descended Immortal Gods. The Great Huan Empire completed its celestial-dynasty ascension, and five Divine Dragons formed Xiao Ying’s Nine-Five Supreme bodyguard.

• Xiao Ying recognized that the immortal gods were triggering Heavenly Punishment and warned the city to attack before the punishment and Jin Kingdom Tribulation annihilated them all.
• Xiao Ying invoked the Great Huan Imperial Seal and urged the people of the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital to contribute their strength to the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation.
• The crowd joined the formation, whose starlight confronted the Six Paths Heavenly Wheel and helped separate Heavenly Punishment from the Jin Kingdom Tribulation.
• Five Divine Dragons appeared above the Heaven-Sacrificing Altar, and Xiao Ying bowed to the people and the realm as the rites were completed and the Great Huan Celestial Dynasty was proclaimed.
• The five Divine Dragons shrank and circled Xiao Ying, forming the Five-Dragon Bodyguard and revealing the true meaning of Nine-Five Supreme.

After Xiao Ying became Celestial Lord of the Great Huan Celestial Dynasty, he killed the Descended Immortal Gods who had summoned Heavenly Punishment. He rejected the Upper Realm’s attempt to invest him as Pangu Celestial Lord and ordered his allies to proceed with Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment, while powers beyond the Pangu World watched.

• Xiao Ying unleashed five dragons and the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation, killing or scattering the thirty or forty Descended Immortal Gods and driving away the Heavenly Punishment.
• A voice named Judgment invested Xiao Ying as Pangu Celestial Lord on behalf of several Immortal Emperors, warning him against defying the Dao.
• Xiao Ying cut off the public investiture, rejected the Upper Realm’s authority, and commanded his allies to proceed as planned.
• Emperor Qin Huating, Li Xin, Zhang Han, and Archangel Yennefer left to take charge of key strongholds while Roger, Dishi, and the others prepared to ascend with Xiao Ying.
• In a distant blessed grotto-heaven, a regal woman lamented that Xiao Ying had resisted the attempt to deceive him and said Great Huan was in peril.

Xiao Ying mobilized Great Huan’s armies and formations as the Upper Realm broke through Heaven’s Veil and sent immortals and gods into the Pangu World. The chapter ended with the descended forces advancing on the Heaven-Sacrificing Altar while Xiao Ying’s defenders prepared to meet them.

• Feng Hao raged at Xiao Ying as the Upper Realm’s power tore at Heaven’s Veil, and Imperial Consort Dishi recognized that the Great Adepts intended to force troops down from the Outer Heavens.
• The Dark Council and Undying Forces teleported their armies outside the Nine Dragons Forbidden City and surrounded it, prompting Xiao Ying to summon Han Xin and the generals to organize the defense.
• Xiao Ying invoked the Great Huan Heavenly Seal and swore to protect the people and purge the demons, just before immortals and gods broke through Heaven’s Veil and descended into the Pangu World.
• Xiao Ying ordered the star officers to raise the Celestial Cycle Star-Dipper Formation and the twelve Ancestral Witch inheritors to form the Dutian Gods-and-Demons Baleful Formation.
• More and more descended immortals and gods advanced toward the Heaven-Sacrificing Altar, intent on attacking Xiao Ying’s forces.

As immortal gods descended to attack the Nine Dragons Imperial Capital, Xiao Ying found himself unable to draw on Great Huan’s army and prepared to face them directly. The Western King, Sea Emperor Rotra, Zhao Ji, and unaffiliated experts arrived in succession to intercept the invading waves.

• Xiao Ying ordered the twelve Ancestral Witch Dharma Aspects to fight the first descended immortal gods while the Undead Allied Army kept him from using Great Huan’s strength.
• The Western King led his followers, including Fettes, Princess Folisha, and Prince Tianyao Els, to intercept the first wave and declared that they would help slay Heaven.
• Sea Emperor Rotra brought the Sea Emperor Faction to trap and hold back the second wave of descended immortal gods.
• Zhao Ji appeared with Ying Tianlong and Zhangsun Yu, using Heavenly Phantom Dance to disrupt the third wave as the pair attacked.
• Zhao Ji assembled renowned martial figures and unaffiliated experts, including Elegant Kite, Stairway, and Heartless Skyfall, into a force that confronted the immortal gods.

Xiao Ying launched Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment as the Great Huan forces and gathered wanderers held off the Descended Immortal Gods. His Pangu Dharma Form struck a hole in Heaven’s Veil and brought breakthroughs through heaven-opening merit, but the formation barely damaged the Heaven-Sealing Earth-Locking Formation, leaving Xiao Ying aware of the vast gap between the worlds and the missing Chu Emperor Xiang Yu’s importance.

• Tian Dan explained that independent cultivators joined the fight because Heaven-Slaying Enlightenment offered hope of escaping the seals and gaining heaven-opening merit.
• Xiao Ying commanded the Great Huan Forbidden Guards and the twelve inheritors of the Ancestral Witches to activate the Dutian Gods-and-Demons Baleful Formation.
• Xiao Ying formed the Pangu Dharma Form and thrust the Godslaying Spear into Heaven, destroying twenty or thirty nodes and opening a hole in Heaven’s Veil.
• Heaven-opening merit flowed to the participants, allowing tens of thousands to break through their cultivation shackles and prompting more people to join the Great Huan Faction.
• Xiao Ying realized his strike had barely damaged the Heaven-Sealing Earth-Locking Formation and resented the absent Chu Emperor Xiang Yu, whose Pangu True Form and Heaven-Opening Axe would have been better suited to the task.