Chapter Summaries

After ninety years in seclusion, Ren reached the Golden Immortal realm and faced a tribulation at Tribulation Crossing Peak. He defeated the thunderclouds with powerful techniques, leaving Yun Zhongzi to suspect that Ren had comprehended the Great Dao of Reincarnation.

• Ren stood at Tribulation Crossing Peak as his Golden Immortal Tribulation began, absorbing the Thunder to temper his body.
• Lei Zhenzi watched in disbelief as Ren endured the early Thunder strikes without apparent pain, and Yun Zhongzi arrived and praised Ren’s breakthrough.
• Ren used the Flying Immortal Art, Nine Secrets: Xing, and his Reincarnation Fist to fight the increasingly powerful Thunder.
• Ren unleashed the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist and blasted apart the tribulation clouds, prompting Yun Zhongzi to wonder whether Ren had comprehended the Great Dao of Reincarnation.
• The Thunder Tribulation dispersed, and multicolored clouds descended to restore Ren.

After ninety years in seclusion, Ren reunited with Lei Zhenzi and learned that the Heavenly Court was fighting Loose Cultivators over Saint Tongtian's Sword Aura inheritances. Nezha's Wind-Fire Wheels arrived begging for help, leaving Ren and Lei Zhenzi to follow them toward an unknown danger.

• Yun Zhongzi told Ren that Yuding and Taiyi had entered seclusion, leaving him burdened with the Expounding Sect's affairs.
• Lei Zhenzi told Ren that Nezha had joined the Heavenly Court and was fighting desperately in battles against Loose Cultivators who had gained inheritances.
• Lei Zhenzi accused Li Jing of stealing Nezha's credit and abandoning him when he was in danger.
• Nezha's Wind-Fire Wheels reached Ren and Lei Zhenzi and pleaded for help, then flew off in the direction of Nezha.

Ren followed Nezha’s Wind-Fire Wheels beyond Kunlun and found Nezha badly wounded and surrounded by attackers. Ren broke the formation and attacked the besiegers, beginning a fight to rescue his friend.

• Ren sent a message to Yun Zhongzi and notified the Ruthless Emperor before pursuing the Wind-Fire Wheels.
• Ren followed the Wind-Fire Wheels beyond Kunlun and saw signs of widespread slaughter and growing Fiendish Qi.
• Ren spotted a mist formation, found its weakness, and shattered it with Sword Aura.
• Ren found Nezha gravely wounded and protected by several injured soldiers while armed pursuers surrounded him.
• Ren rushed to Nezha’s defense and struck the besiegers with the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist, then used Nine Secrets: Jie to amplify his speed tenfold.

Ren rescued Nezha by killing the attackers hunting him for a bounty, then confronted Shan Wen, the leader who had lured them there. Shan Wen revealed the Zhu Xian Alliance’s reach and prepared to fight Ren, who vowed to handle him.

• Ren used his Reincarnation Fist to send one attacker into the Beast Path, then killed the others with Nihility Devouring Flame, Nine Secrets, and the Green Duckweed Sword.
• Ren ordered the soldiers guarding Nezha to keep the last attacker alive so he could learn who was behind the assault.
• Ren spotted Shan Wen emerging from the mountains and accused him of using the attackers as cannon fodder.
• Shan Wen admitted he had lured the attackers to kill Nezha and explained that the Zhu Xian Alliance and other groups had formed around Sword Aura Inheritances.
• Nezha identified Shan Wen as the master of Yin Fiend Hall and warned Ren that he was a powerful Taiyi cultivator.
• Shan Wen attacked Ren and Nezha with blood-colored blades, while Ren declared that he could handle him.

Ren battled Shan Wen, a Grand Unity Earth Immortal snake demon, and used the Nine Secrets to seize Shan Wen’s Innate Spiritual Treasure and wound him. Shan Wen survived the attack and lunged at Ren, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Ren’s Flying Immortal Art shattered Shan Wen’s icy blades and devastated the mountains below.
• Ren used Nine Secrets: Xing to evade Shan Wen’s attacks, then combined Jie and Bing to take control of his folding fan.
• Ren unleashed the Nine Secrets Unified Annihilation Immortal Technique, forcing Shan Wen to reveal his enormous snake form and blasting through his tail.
• Lei Zhenzi and Nezha marveled at Ren’s strength as the wounded Shan Wen lunged at him, vowing to kill him.

Ren fought the snake demon Shan Wen, using the Replica Chaos Bell and Six Paths Reincarnation Fist to withstand his attacks. Ren gained the upper hand in their clash, while sensing a mysterious connection to Reincarnation.

• Ren dodged Shan Wen's venom and poisonous divine light, then used the Replica Chaos Bell to freeze space and time and strike the snake demon with sound waves.
• Shan Wen swung his severed tail at Ren, who met it with the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist and wounded him in the physical clash.
• Ren sensed a mysterious aura that he associated with the Six Paths Reincarnation in the Underworld while executing his fist technique.
• Shan Wen claimed that his Heavenly Demon Body Refinement Art should have made him stronger, but Ren dismissed his shaky foundation and limited training.

Ren defeated and captured the snake demon who had attacked Nezha, then hurried back toward Kunlun with Lei Zhenzi and the soldiers. Yun Zhongzi met them near the sect and promised to explain the upheaval in the Primordial World after Nezha received treatment.

• Ren struck the snake demon with the Heaven-Slaying Hand, leaving him near death, and Lei Zhenzi captured him.
• Ren recovered his mana with Lei Zhenzi's Spirit Fruits, then led the group toward Kunlun with Nezha and the soldiers.
• Cultivators arrived at the battlefield, learned Shan Wen had lost, and fled to avoid the Expounding Sect.
• Ren met Yun Zhongzi near Kunlun and asked why the Expounding Sect's disciples were being targeted and why a bounty had been placed on Nezha.
• Yun Zhongzi told Ren to send Nezha and the heavenly soldiers to Four-Unlike for treatment before explaining the changes in the Primordial World.

While Ren was in seclusion, the Primordial World descended into chaos as alliances fought over inheritances and resources, the Heavenly Court and other factions offered bounties, and Fiendish Qi disrupted divination. Yun Zhongzi explained that Buddhism had been driven into hiding on Spirit Mountain, while the Human Race's Nine Provinces remained peaceful under the protection of powerful sages.

• Lei Zhenzi took Nezha to Four-Unlike for treatment after Ren told him to go.
• Yun Zhongzi told Ren that factions formed the four great alliances, fought the Heavenly Court, and drew in the Demon Race and Wu Clan as Fiendish Qi spread.
• Yun Zhongzi revealed that Cihang Daoren had survived an attack on Mount Putuo after a mysterious person rescued him.
• Yun Zhongzi described how bounties had devastated Buddhism, including a reward of Hongjun Daozu's cultivation insights that drove powerful cultivators to hunt Buddhist disciples.
• Ren and Yun Zhongzi suspected the Jade Emperor had posted the bounties targeting Buddhism, while the Human Race's Nine Provinces remained protected by the sages of Fire Cloud Cave.

Ren learned how the Primordial World’s alliances were tied to powerful forces and discussed testing loyalty within the Expounding Sect with Yun Zhongzi. He then discovered Nezha’s Origin had been damaged, and Lei Zhenzi blamed Li Jing’s pagoda for draining it.

• Yun Zhongzi told Ren that the Slaying Immortal Alliance might be backed by the Golden Crow Lineage, while other alliances had support from the Interception Sect, the Underworld, and other factions.
• Ren and Yun Zhongzi agreed they could use the chaotic circumstances to identify Expounding Sect members who intended to betray the sect.
• Yun Zhongzi told Ren to remain in Kunlun while he made arrangements, and Ren decided the wider Primordial World was where he needed to forge his path.
• Four-Unlike told Ren that Nezha’s injuries were recoverable, but his lost Origin would require another lotus platform to replenish.
• Lei Zhenzi said Li Jing’s pagoda had trapped Nezha, burned him, and made it feel as though his True Spirit was being pulled out.

Ren and his allies learned that Buddhism and Li Jing had conspired to steal Nezha’s Lotus Body Origin, and Four-Unlike proposed that Nezha could reclaim his former body through the Linglong Pagoda. Ren, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi set out for the Heavenly Court to confront Li Jing and seize the pagoda.

• Lei Zhenzi blamed Li Jing for Nezha’s lost Origin, and Nezha’s guards recounted how a trap at Wind-Thunder Mountain left him gravely wounded.
• Four-Unlike used a Nine-Thousand-Year Flat Peach to restore Nezha enough to wake him.
• Nezha revealed that Buddhism had arranged for Li Jing to use the Linglong Pagoda to drain his Origin and restore the Merit Golden Lotus.
• Four-Unlike suggested that Nezha could merge with the pagoda, reclaim his former Spirit Pearl body, and pursue Transformation.
• Ren, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi agreed to confront Li Jing and take the Linglong Pagoda, then headed for the Heavenly Court.

Ren, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi traveled from Kunlun toward the Heavenly Court, where Ren intended to take up his position as Ziwei Great Emperor despite the court’s turmoil. They reunited with Yang Jian, who welcomed them and explained the dangers and history of the Thirty-Six Layers of Heavenly Dipper.

• Four-Unlike warned Ren that the Heavenly Court was unstable and advised him to seek help from Green Bull if necessary.
• Nezha recovered from his injuries but fell from the Golden Immortal realm to the Profound Immortal realm, while Yun Zhongzi urged him and Lei Zhenzi to wait before seeking revenge on Buddhism.
• Ren explained to Nezha and Lei Zhenzi why they should go to the Heavenly Court rather than attack Li Jing directly, and the three set off from Kunlun.
• Ren, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi met Yang Jian, who promised to help Nezha and said they would discuss the Heavenly Court’s situation over a banquet.
• Yang Jian guided Ren through the Thirty-Six Layers of Heavenly Dipper and explained their dangers, the Heavenly Dipper Passage, and the requirements for cultivating the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations.

Ren and Lei Zhenzi arrived at the Heavenly Court, where rivalries among its factions quickly surfaced. As Wen Zhong’s followers discussed Lei Zhenzi’s return, a report about Li Jing provoked their fury.

• Yang Jian led Ren, Lei Zhenzi, and Nezha through the Southern Heavenly Gate, where Mo Liching greeted them and mocked Lei Zhenzi’s authority over the Thunder Bureau.
• Mo Liching showed Ren respect because Saint Tongtian had helped temper him during the Investiture of the Gods, then sent word of their arrival to the Interception Sect.
• The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother discussed using Ren and Lei Zhenzi to counter the Interception Sect, while the Jade Emperor noted that Ren seemed central to their group.
• Wen Zhong’s followers dismissed Lei Zhenzi as a puppet, but Wen Zhong ordered them not to go too far and explained that Lei Zhenzi had come for Nezha.
• Wen Zhong shared a report from the Lower Realm, and its account of Li Jing enraged everyone in the hall.

Yang Jian explained Heavenly Court’s factional rivalries and military forces to Ren and their companions, revealing that Li Jing was away commanding the Southern Legion. The group remained focused on killing Li Jing and reclaiming the Linglong Pagoda, while learning that Heavenly Court’s strongest legions relied on formidable battle formations.

• Wen Zhong decided to let Lei Zhenzi stay in Heavenly Court and use the revelations about Li Jing and Nezha to target Buddhism.
• Yunxiao restrained Qiongxiao from acting against Ren, while Golden Spirit Holy Mother said Ren was unlikely to challenge them recklessly.
• Ren, Nezha, Lei Zhenzi, and Yang Jian shared a meal as Yang Jian described Heavenly Court’s four major factions and the Expounding Sect’s lack of real authority.
• Yang Jian told Ren and the others that Li Jing commanded the Southern Legion and had been sent to the Lower Realm to suppress unrest.
• Yang Jian explained the Four Directions Legions and described the Heavenly River Navy’s Weak Water battle formation.

Ren discussed how to deal with Li Jing and secure his position as a Great Emperor, then headed to Ziwei Palace, where Golden Spirit Holy Mother and the Three Xiao received him. He explained that he wanted to study the Celestial Star Formation and refine the Astral Sword Dao he had inherited from Tongtian.

• Ren told Yang Jian and Lei Zhenzi to set aside plans for commanding legions and focus on dealing with Li Jing, who was still in the dangerous Lower Realm.
• After the feast, Ren left the Judicial Divine Hall for Ziwei Palace, while Yang Jian offered to help if he encountered trouble.
• The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother discussed how the Interception Sect might challenge Ren and decided to intervene only if he was left without a way to save face.
• Ren reached Ziwei Palace and respectfully greeted Golden Spirit Holy Mother, Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao, then defended his loyalty to the Expounding Sect.
• Ren invited the four women inside, saying he hoped to observe the Celestial Star Formation and improve his Astral Sword Dao; Golden Spirit Holy Mother reacted with surprise at Tongtian's inheritance.

Ren welcomed Golden Spirit Holy Mother and the Three Xiao into Ziwei Palace, then used Daoist Randeng’s betrayal and imprisonment to win their trust and turn their anger toward Buddhism. The group left the palace united against the traitors, while Ren urged them to keep Randeng’s situation secret and investigate the Expounding Sect’s suspected defectors.

• Ren opened Ziwei Palace and walked beside Golden Spirit Holy Mother, balancing his status as Ziwei Great Emperor with respect for her.
• Ren told Golden Spirit Holy Mother that Daoist Randeng was imprisoned in Kunlun and invited her to question him about their shared grievance.
• Ren explained that Randeng had ties to Buddhism and claimed Buddhism had fueled the conflict between the Expounding Sect and the Interception Sect.
• Ren urged Golden Spirit Holy Mother and the Three Xiao to keep Randeng’s situation secret and named Juliusun, Cihang Daoren, Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun, and Puxian as suspected defectors.
• Golden Spirit Holy Mother and the Three Xiao grew more receptive to Ren and voiced their resolve to confront Buddhism and punish the traitors.

Ren won the Three Xiao and Golden Spirit Holy Mother’s trust at the Ziwei Palace and learned that mastering the Astral Sword Dao could earn him authority among the Interception Immortals. When the Jade Emperor invited him to a banquet at Yao Chi, Ren suspected a trap and asked Taibai Jinxing to seek invitations for his four martial aunts as well.

• Ren observed Qiongxiao, Bixiao, Yunxiao, and Golden Spirit Holy Mother, and Golden Spirit Holy Mother recognized his intentions and offered him support at the Ziwei Palace.
• Golden Spirit Holy Mother explained that Ren could earn the Interception Immortals’ respect by mastering the Astral Sword Dao, while Yunxiao described its place among Master Tongtian’s four great Sword Daos.
• Ren learned that perfecting the Astral Sword Dao required mastering all 365 forms and using the Hetu Luoshu Diagram to comprehend the Zhoutian Star Formation.
• Taibai Jinxing arrived with the Seven Fairies to invite Ren to the Jade Emperor’s banquet at Yao Chi, and Ren suspected the invitation concealed trouble.
• Ren asked Taibai Jinxing to return to the Jade Emperor and request invitations for Golden Spirit Holy Mother and the Three Xiao, noting that Qiongxiao wanted Peaches.

Ren secured his position as Ziwei Great Emperor by winning Golden Spirit Holy Mother’s support and gaining the Interception Immortals’ cooperation. After the Seven Fairies and Taibai Jinxing left, Marshal Tianpeng discussed Ren with Supreme Elder Lord and considered making friends with him.

• Golden Spirit Holy Mother accepted Ren’s invitation to the Jade Emperor’s gathering, while Yunxiao and the Three Xiao departed from Ziwei Palace.
• Ren teased Taibai Jinxing and looked at the Seven Fairies before Taibai Jinxing took them back to report to the Jade Emperor.
• The watching Great Powers realized Ren had gained Golden Spirit Holy Mother’s support and real authority over the Ziwei Department.
• Marshal Tianpeng asked Supreme Elder Lord whether Ren’s rise was real, and Supreme Elder Lord confirmed that Ren had secured his position.
• Supreme Elder Lord criticized Tianpeng for neglecting his cultivation, and Tianpeng said he might make friends with Ren.

Ren welcomed the Ruthless Emperor and Yan Ruyu into the Ziwei Palace, where they began cultivating, while he planned for the Jade Emperor's banquet. The Jade Emperor grew alarmed after hearing that the Golden Spirit Holy Mother and the Three Xiao had accepted Ren's proposal.

• Ren brought the Ruthless Emperor and Yan Ruyu into the Ziwei Palace and explained how its Starlight could aid their cultivation.
• The Ruthless Emperor gave Ren a jade pendant to use if he faced trouble, then entered seclusion, while Yan Ruyu transformed into the Azure Lotus to cultivate.
• Ren began studying the stars and anticipated the Jade Emperor's invitation to a banquet with the Golden Spirit Holy Mother and the Three Xiao.
• At the Jade Pool, Taibai Jinxing told the Jade Emperor that the Golden Spirit Holy Mother had agreed to attend the banquet and defended Ren.
• The Jade Emperor worried that Ren might be working with or controlling the Interception Sect, while the Queen Mother urged him not to assume the worst.

The Jade Emperor worried that Ren might become a link between the Interception Sect and the Expounding Sect, then ordered Taibai Jinxing to arrange a banquet and investigate Ren, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi. At Ziwei Palace, Ren received valuable gifts from Tianpeng and considered using them to recruit and train trusted attendants and guards.

• The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother decided to invite Ren, the Golden Spirit Holy Mother, and the Three Xiao to a banquet, while Taibai Jinxing agreed to investigate Ren, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi.
• News about Ren and Ziwei Palace spread through the Heavenly Court as Ren cultivated inside his empty palace.
• An officer from the Heavenly River Navy delivered gifts from Tianpeng and explained that Grand Master Xuandu had ordered Tianpeng to train instead of visiting Ren himself.
• Ren accepted the gifts, agreed to visit the Heavenly River Navy later, and recognized the elixirs as a way to train trusted people for Ziwei Palace.
• The officer and soldiers returned to report to Tianpeng after storing the gifts at Ziwei Palace.

Ren used the Trash Station to send his sleeping followers to diverse worlds so they could grow stronger, keeping Madara Uchiha and the women who had once belonged to him behind. He left the Trash Station with Madara Uchiha, while the station preserved the portals so Ren could monitor the others.

• Ren formed an Astral Formation around Ziwei Palace, blocking the Heavenly Court from watching inside.
• Ren stored Tianpeng's gifts and traveled through a black hole to the Trash Station.
• Ren ordered the Trash Station to send most of his sleeping followers to suitable worlds and awaken them there, giving them pills to help them grow.
• Ren kept Madara Uchiha behind and told the Trash Station to preserve the portals so he could observe the followers' progress.
• Ren ordered the Trash Station to keep the women who had once belonged to him, intending to give them new lives in the future.
• Ren returned from the Trash Station with the sleeping Madara Uchiha.