Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “A Sword Across Eternity!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Desolate Emperor’s legendary sword, Eternal Severance, suddenly manifests across the River of Ages, illuminating countless worlds and startling even fallen Immortal Emperors whose timelines briefly reconnect.
• The sword is triggered when Di Yi’s protector, a Weird Immortal Emperor, forcibly attempts to descend from the Ancestral Land into the Sacrificial Sea through the unstable Abyss Passage. His descent threatens to begin the Grand Sacrifice prematurely.
• Di Yi’s protector constructs a powerful Emperor Shield, using the vitality of countless destroyed worlds and the weird power of the Ancestral Land to defend against the incoming sword.
• At the same time, his imperial pressure nearly crushes Jiang Yun and Long Qilin. Jiang Yun resists with the Broken Emperor Sword, the Reincarnation Dao Flame, and the mysterious Stone Jar, while Long Qilin shelters beneath him despite being unable to fight at that level.
• The protector searches the River of Ages for remnants of Di Yi’s soul, hoping to resurrect him. He successfully finds a fragment, despite the Reincarnation Dao Flame burning away Di Yi’s traces throughout time and space.
• Eternal Severance destroys the Emperor Shield and strikes the protector directly. The sword splits his immense imperial body, causing devastating Emperor Blood to fall across the surrounding worlds.
• Other terrifying beings from the Ancestral Land attempt to rescue the protector. His roar disrupts karma, timelines, Dao connections, and even the foundations of countless cultivation paths.
• The sword’s clash with the Weird Immortal Emperor generates overwhelming chaos. Dao Origin, protected by the Stone Jar, is the only one confirmed to survive the annihilating aftermath.
• Unexpectedly, fragments of the sword’s radiance turn toward Jiang Yun. They cut his body apart, also striking Long Qilin. The Emperor Sword gathers their remains and draws them into the Stone Jar before disappearing through eternal time and space.
• When the chaos finally subsides, the protector, Jiang Yun, Long Qilin, Di Yi, and the Sword Light all vanish without leaving a trace.

Character Developments

• Di Yi’s protector is established as immensely powerful but still inferior to the Desolate Emperor’s sword. His confidence and pride lead him to challenge Eternal Severance rather than retreat. Though he is grievously wounded, he manages to find a remnant of Di Yi’s soul, leaving open the possibility of Di Yi’s resurrection.
• Jiang Yun demonstrates extraordinary determination by resisting the pressure of a true Immortal Emperor even while suffering severe Dao wounds. His mysterious state, Broken Emperor Sword, Reincarnation Dao Flame, and connection to the Stone Jar all prove crucial to his survival, though his physical body is destroyed.
• Long Qilin shows loyalty by trying to protect Jiang Yun despite the overwhelming difference in realms. He is also caught in the sword’s destructive backlash and disappears with Jiang Yun.
• Di Yi remains central even after his defeat. His protector’s attempt to recover his soul confirms that the Ancestral Land still considers him a vital weapon against the Desolate Emperor.
• The Desolate Emperor does not appear directly, but his power is shown to transcend ordinary Immortal Emperor-level existence. His sword alone can severely injure a Weird Immortal Emperor and devastate the River of Ages.
• Dao Origin survives only because of the Stone Jar, highlighting the artifact’s extraordinary defensive power.

Significant Themes

• The overwhelming hierarchy of power: Battles involving Dao Ancestors and Half-Step Immortal Emperors become insignificant in the presence of Eternal Severance.
• The legacy and invincibility of the Desolate Emperor: Even across time and space, his sword remains capable of confronting the Ancestral Land’s greatest beings.
• Fate versus resistance: Di Yi’s protector calls him the “child of fortune,” yet even fate and resurrection efforts are threatened by the Reincarnation Dao Flame and the Desolate Emperor’s sword.
• The cost of supreme conflict: The clash destroys worlds, disrupts timelines, corrupts cultivation paths, and alters karma throughout existence.
• Survival through mysterious forces: Jiang Yun survives only through the intervention of the Stone Jar and Emperor Sword, emphasizing the importance of hidden artifacts and powers beyond conventional cultivation.
• Uncertainty and transformation: The disappearance of Jiang Yun, Long Qilin, Di Yi’s protector, and the sword leaves their ultimate fates unknown and sets up major future developments.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Long Qilin: Long Qilin instinctively attempts to shield Jiang Yun, while Jiang Yun struggles to protect both himself and his companion from imperial pressure.
• Jiang Yun and Di Yi’s protector: Their conflict is indirect but tense; the protector’s imperial aura nearly suppresses Jiang Yun, though his primary objective is recovering Di Yi rather than fighting Jiang Yun.
• Di Yi and his protector: Their relationship is one of guardian and chosen successor. The protector risks confronting Eternal Severance and searches across time to restore Di Yi, confirming Di Yi’s importance to the Ancestral Land.
• The Ancestral Land and the Desolate Emperor: Their long-standing conflict forms the chapter’s central cosmic confrontation. The Ancestral Land seeks to cultivate Di Yi and deploy multiple Immortal Emperors against the Desolate Emperor, while Eternal Severance answers any attempt to prematurely initiate the Grand Sacrifice.
• The Stone Jar and Jiang Yun: The artifact protects Jiang Yun from the protector’s imperial might, but it does not prevent the later sword fragments from striking him, suggesting that even its power has limits or that the sword’s attack serves a deeper purpose.

Chapter 31 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The battlefield where Jiang Yun, Di Yi, and Di Yi’s Guardian fought is left as an eternal void after the clash of Immortal Emperor-level powers. No life or Dao laws remain.
• The Four Origin Ancient Lands’ Dao Ancestors and Heaven’s Dao Ancestors retreat in fear of the Desolate Emperor’s terrifying sword strike. Others wait for survivors, but no one appears.
• Hou Ming searches for Jiang Yun for over a thousand years before returning to the Ancient Underworld. Ye Fan, Qing Emperor, and Wushi remain for several thousand years, but eventually leave as well.
• Qing Emperor and Wushi gain recognition in Heaven and are nurtured as candidates for the Dao Ancestor Realm. Ye Fan continues searching the Sacrificial Sea for Jiang Yun while cultivating.
• Ten thousand years pass. The battlefield becomes a historical site visited by later generations.
• Jiang Yun eventually awakens inside the Stone Jar and realizes that the Desolate Emperor’s Sword Light did not intend to kill him. Instead, it suppressed and stabilized his severe Grand Dao Wounds.
• The Sword Light and the wounds have formed a dangerous balance within Jiang Yun’s body. His physical strength recovers to the Dao Ancestor level, but his Dao laws and divine abilities are currently restricted to roughly the Immortal King level.
• Jiang Yun concludes that comprehending the imperial power within the Sword Light may allow him to overcome the Grand Dao Wounds, regain his Peak Dao Ancestor cultivation, and eventually pursue the Immortal Emperor Realm.
• To preserve his cover as an undercover agent among the Weird Clan, being shattered by the Sword Light was necessary. The visible wounds and Sword Light make his survival appear unrelated to the Desolate Emperor.
• Jiang Yun awakens Long Qilin, who has also recovered after sleeping for ten thousand years. The two travel toward the Ancient Underworld, with Long Qilin once again serving as Jiang Yun’s mount.
• Through the Reincarnation Token, Jiang Yun learns that the Immortal King Deathmatch has become even more brutal. A mysterious combatant killed an Emperor Light Immortal King and advanced into the Dao Ancestor Realm.
• Several Reincarnation Roads have suffered upheavals, apparently caused by Dao Ancestors of the Four Origin Ancient Lands. Jiang Yun suspects that the Blood River Dao Ancestor escaped imprisonment and has begun causing trouble again.
• Jiang Yun decides to use Blood River as his first target upon returning, intending to punish him and intimidate others.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun: Survives the battle but awakens severely weakened. He gains a new understanding of the Desolate Emperor’s Sword Light and treats both it and his Grand Dao Wounds as tools for future advancement. His determination and confidence remain intact, and he prepares to reassert his authority.
• Long Qilin: Recovers completely and becomes fully convinced of Jiang Yun’s terrifying potential. After witnessing Jiang Yun’s ability to endure and exploit powers that could destroy ordinary Dao Ancestors, he accepts Jiang Yun as his true master.
• Ye Fan: Refuses to believe Jiang Yun is dead and spends thousands of years searching for him across the Sacrificial Sea.
• Qing Emperor and Wushi: Establish powerful reputations after the battle and are recognized by Heaven as promising future Dao Ancestors.
• Hou Ming: Despite serious injuries, waits for Jiang Yun for over a thousand years before returning to the Ancient Underworld.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor: Appears to have escaped suppression and resumed his former misconduct, making him Jiang Yun’s intended first enemy after his return.

Significant Themes

• Survival through sacrifice: Jiang Yun’s apparent destruction is revealed to have been a necessary sacrifice that protected him from permanent Dao damage and preserved his undercover identity.
• Turning catastrophe into opportunity: The Grand Dao Wounds and Sword Light, rather than simply crippling Jiang Yun, become potential tools for reaching an even higher realm.
• Time and endurance: Ten thousand years pass without resolving Jiang Yun’s fate, emphasizing the vast scale of cultivation and the patience required for recovery.
• Loyalty and faith: Ye Fan, Hou Ming, and others continue believing Jiang Yun may still be alive despite the lack of evidence.
• Power and reputation: The battle reshapes the standing of many characters, elevating Qing Emperor and Wushi while frightening the major factions.
• Retribution and authority: Jiang Yun’s decision to target Blood River shows that his return will likely bring punishment to those who exploited his absence.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Long Qilin reunite after ten thousand years. Jiang Yun demonstrates his dominance by forcing Long Qilin to submit as his mount, while Long Qilin ultimately accepts him willingly.
• Jiang Yun reveals the Sword Light and Grand Dao Wounds within his body to Long Qilin, shocking him and deepening his respect.
• Jiang Yun’s past alliance with Hou Ming remains important, as they had previously suppressed Blood River together.
• Jiang Yun’s bond with Ye Fan is highlighted through Ye Fan’s refusal to accept his death and his prolonged search for him.
• The chapter closes with Jiang Yun preparing to confront Blood River Dao Ancestor and reestablish control over the forces that became unruly during his absence.

Chapter Summary: “Return!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Blood River Dao Ancestor arrives at Hou Ming’s Dao Field with Qingyun Dao Ancestor, Fengshan Dao Ancestor, and a mysterious hidden Apex Dao Ancestor.
• Blood River has recovered from his former defeat and advanced into the Apex Dao Ancestor Realm, though his foundation remains unstable.
• Hou Ming is severely injured after intervening in Jiang Yun’s battle with Di Yi ten thousand years earlier. He has also struggled to suppress the backlash of the Hell Netherflame.
• During Jiang Yun’s absence, Blood River repeatedly interferes with the Reincarnation Road and attempts to seize control of the Eight Paths of Reincarnation.
• Blood River argues that Dao Origin is dead, the Reincarnation Road is leaderless, and the Eight Paths are weakening. He claims he must take control to protect the Underworld during the ongoing Immortal King Deathmatches.
• Hou Ming refuses, insisting that Dao Origin is not truly dead and that no one may touch the Reincarnation Road while he remains alive.
• Jiang Yun secretly reveals that he has returned. He tells Hou Ming not to expose his presence because Blood River’s sudden confidence and alliance suggest a larger conspiracy.
• Blood River attacks Hou Ming. Although initially disadvantaged by her injuries, Hou Ming receives a hidden force carrying the aura of Reincarnation Dao Flame from Jiang Yun.
• Hou Ming combines this power with the Hell Netherflame, creating the terrifying Chaos Dao Fire and temporarily restoring her strength.
• Qingyun and Fengshan join Blood River, shifting the battle against Hou Ming. At Jiang Yun’s urging, Hou Ming unleashes the fused Chaos Dao Fire directly at Blood River with the intent of severely injuring him.
• Jiang Yun remains concealed nearby, mounted on Long Qilin and holding the Broken Emperor Sword, with the Stone Jar hiding his aura.

Character Developments

• Hou Ming: Despite severe injuries, exhaustion, and the Hell Netherflame’s backlash, Hou Ming remains loyal to Jiang Yun and refuses to surrender the Reincarnation Road. Her determination and resistance demonstrate her role as the Eight Paths’ protector.
• Jiang Yun: Revealed to have survived his battle with Di Yi and the intervention of Immortal Emperor-level forces. He returns secretly and acts strategically rather than revealing himself openly, suggesting that he suspects Blood River’s attack is part of a larger plot.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor: Becomes a true Apex Dao Ancestor after obtaining an unexplained opportunity. His ambition intensifies as he seeks control of the Reincarnation Road, but his confidence begins to falter when Hou Ming unexpectedly recovers strength.
• Qingyun Dao Ancestor: Supports Blood River by claiming that the Eight Paths are weakening and need new leadership. He acts aggressively once the battle begins.
• Fengshan Dao Ancestor: Although normally neutral and quiet, he joins Blood River’s assault, showing that the conflict has drawn him into a major political and power struggle.
• The mysterious hidden Dao Ancestor: Remains unidentified but is implied to be the true power behind Blood River’s renewed confidence and the coalition’s preparations.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and guardianship: Hou Ming protects Jiang Yun’s legacy and the Eight Paths even while gravely injured.
• Hidden survival and return: Jiang Yun’s reappearance emphasizes that apparent death may conceal survival, while also creating suspense about his condition and plans.
• Political manipulation: Blood River presents his takeover as an act of protection, but his actions reveal an ambition to seize power during a time of instability.
• Trust and suspicion: Jiang Yun recognizes that Blood River’s bold attack, despite their previous defeat of him, must have a hidden explanation.
• Power and sacrifice: Hou Ming’s willingness to fight despite her injuries highlights the costs of defending one’s principles and allies.
• Balance of forces: The conflict reflects the changing power structure of the Underworld, especially with Dao Origin missing, Netherworld Prison in seclusion, and new Apex Dao Ancestors emerging.

Character Interactions

• Blood River and Hou Ming: Their confrontation is both ideological and personal. Blood River demands control of the Reincarnation Road, while Hou Ming categorically refuses and challenges him to defeat her first.
• Blood River, Qingyun, and Fengshan: Blood River leads the alliance, while the other two justify and support his intervention. Their cooperation reveals that Blood River has gathered substantial backing.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: Jiang Yun secretly communicates with Hou Ming, reassures her of his return, warns her to conceal it, and supplies the power that enables her counterattack.
• Jiang Yun and Blood River’s faction: Though Jiang Yun does not reveal himself, he manipulates the battle from concealment, using Hou Ming as the visible defender while preparing to punish the attackers.
• Hou Ming and her enemies: After enduring the combined assault, Hou Ming follows Jiang Yun’s instruction and turns the Chaos Dao Fire against Blood River, signaling that the battle is about to escalate dramatically.

Chapter Summary: “Guesswork!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Yun remains concealed with the Stone Jar, an Ancestral Artifact from Calamity Plateau that can hide him even from powerful Immortal Emperors.
• With Jiang Yun’s support, Hou Ming launches a combined attack using Hell Netherflame and Reincarnation Dao Flame. The resulting Chaos Dao Fire severely burns Blood River Dao Ancestor.
• Blood River’s Blood River Grand Dao, normally capable of restoring his vitality through endless blood qi, proves useless. The flames evaporate his blood energy and burn even his Grand Dao symbols.
• Qingyun Dao Ancestor and Fengshan Dao Ancestor attempt to save Blood River, but the Chaos Dao Fire divides and attacks them as well. They barely prevent it from entering their bodies.
• Facing death, Blood River calls upon the mysterious Dao Ancestor accompanying Qingyun and Fengshan, addressing him as “Senior.”
• The mysterious figure sends forth the bones of what appears to have been a Peerless Dao Ancestor. However, the bones cannot withstand the Chaos Dao Fire.
• Using a powerful Form-Shifting Exchange or Substitute Death Technique, the mysterious Dao Ancestor swaps Blood River’s position with the bones, allowing Blood River to escape while the bones are consumed by the flames.
• Blood River gratefully submits to the mysterious figure, while Qingyun and Fengshan also recognize his overwhelming power.
• The mysterious Dao Ancestor criticizes Hou Ming for continuing to protect Jiang Yun, whom he claims “no longer exists.”
• Hou Ming challenges him for concealing his identity and interfering in Underworld affairs. He eventually reveals himself as Hun Tian, the second-ranking figure of the Soul River and younger brother of Peacock Venerable.
• Hou Ming questions whether Hun Tian is acting under Peacock Venerable’s orders, raising the possibility that the Soul River is attempting to interfere in the Ancient Underworld.
• Jiang Yun realizes that the conflict may not be orchestrated by Netherworld Prison, as he previously suspected, but by Peacock Venerable and the Soul River.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun: Remains hidden and observes the battle, carefully analyzing Hun Tian’s identity and intentions. His confidence has grown considerably; he believes he fears no one below the Immortal Emperor realm.
• Hou Ming: Demonstrates overwhelming offensive power through the Chaos Dao Fire and remains firmly committed to protecting Jiang Yun. Her direct confrontation with Hun Tian shows her independence and unwillingness to yield to outside forces.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor: Suffers devastating humiliation and pain, recalling his former defeat at Hou Ming’s hands. Although he initially refuses to beg, he ultimately appeals to Hun Tian and becomes visibly dependent on his protection.
• Hun Tian: Reveals himself as an immensely powerful and calculating figure. His ability to sacrifice Peerless Dao Ancestor bones and perform a substitute-death technique suggests extraordinary resources and influence. His motives remain uncertain.
• Qingyun and Fengshan Dao Ancestors: Initially attempt to rescue Blood River but are unable to counter the Chaos Dao Fire. After seeing Hun Tian’s power, they align themselves closely with him.
• Peacock Venerable: Does not appear directly, but his possible involvement creates the threat of conflict between the Soul River and the Ancient Underworld.

Significant Themes

• The overwhelming power of the Chaos Dao Fire: Even Apex Dao Ancestors and Peerless Dao Ancestor remains cannot easily withstand it.
• Hidden identities and uncertain alliances: Hun Tian’s concealed presence and unclear motives deepen the political intrigue surrounding the conflict.
• Protection and loyalty: Hou Ming continues defending Jiang Yun despite others claiming he is gone, suggesting profound loyalty and perhaps a deeper connection.
• Power and hierarchy: Blood River’s deference to Hun Tian reveals that even powerful Dao Ancestors recognize superior figures and hidden authority.
• Political interference: The struggle may expand beyond a personal conflict into a confrontation between the Ancient Underworld and the Soul River.
• Survival through sacrifice and strategy: Hun Tian saves Blood River not by overpowering the Chaos Dao Fire directly, but by using a substitute to absorb the fatal attack.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: Cooperate in attacking Blood River, sharing satisfaction at his suffering after his repeated provocations.
• Blood River and Hun Tian: Blood River begs Hun Tian for help and afterward respectfully thanks him, confirming Hun Tian’s superior status.
• Qingyun and Fengshan with Hun Tian: They abandon their attempts to fight the flames and gravitate toward Hun Tian after witnessing his power.
• Hou Ming and Hun Tian: Engage in a tense exchange over Jiang Yun’s supposed disappearance and Hun Tian’s interference in Underworld affairs.
• Jiang Yun and Hun Tian: Jiang Yun remains hidden but carefully studies him, reassessing the larger forces behind the conflict.

Chapter Summary: “Blood River, My Friend, Have You Been Well?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hou Ming suspects that Peacock Venerable may be secretly manipulating Blood River Dao Ancestor to seize the Reincarnation Road while Dao Origin is absent and Hou Ming is injured.
• Hou Ming rejects this theory, arguing that Peacock Venerable would not risk turning the Soul River’s conflict with the Ancient Underworld into an open war. Such an act would violate the rules upheld by the Ancestral Land.
• Hun Tian insists that he is acting independently after being invited by Blood River, while Blood River claims the conflict is merely an internal dispute within the Ancient Underworld.
• The Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors condemn Blood River for involving Hun Tian, since Hun Tian’s identity as Peacock Venerable’s brother and a Soul River powerhouse makes the matter far more serious. Qing Yun and Feng Shan, realizing they have become entangled in a dangerous situation, withdraw into silence.
• Hun Tian escalates the conflict by opening a Space-Time Gate and summoning nearly all of the Soul River’s Dao Ancestors except Peacock Venerable. This convinces Hou Ming that Peacock Venerable may truly be supporting the attack.
• A massive battle erupts between the Soul River and Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors. Hun Tian controls two Dao Ancestor skeletons, including one belonging to an Apex Dao Ancestor, and uses them against Hou Ming and other opponents.
• An ancient Apex Dao Ancestor of the Ancient Underworld awakens from long-term seclusion and traps Hun Tian in a dream realm, intensifying the battle. The clash threatens to destroy the Reincarnation Road, and many Reincarnation Slaves and supreme experts are killed by the resulting shockwaves.
• Jiang Yun finally intervenes. Protected by the Stone Jar, he appears behind Hun Tian and pierces his chest with a single physical attack infused with Reincarnation Dao Flame. Hun Tian is severely wounded despite attempting to use his true form and skeletons to defend himself.
• The Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors initially assume that Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor has awakened and attacked Hun Tian. Those who know the truth—especially Blood River, Qing Yun, and Feng Shan—realize that someone else must be responsible.
• Jiang Yun reveals himself, announcing that he has returned to kill Hun Tian. The Ancient Underworld rejoices at Dao Origin’s survival, but the experts quickly notice that his condition is abnormal.
• Hou Ming and the others sense that Jiang Yun’s Sword Light injuries and Grand Dao Wounds remain unresolved. His Dao arts and divine abilities are sealed, leaving him with only a weakened, near-Immortal-King-level aura in those areas, though his physical body remains extraordinarily powerful.
• Jiang Yun calmly faces Blood River and greets him mockingly, setting up their renewed confrontation.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun/Dao Origin: Makes a dramatic return despite his severe injuries. His cultivation is heavily restricted, but his physical body and Reincarnation Dao Flame remain powerful enough to critically injure Hun Tian in one strike. His calm, teasing attitude shows his confidence and determination.
• Hun Tian: Moves from political justification to open violence, summoning the Soul River’s forces and directly attacking the Ancient Underworld. His confidence collapses after Jiang Yun’s surprise attack leaves him badly wounded.
• Hou Ming: Demonstrates strong political awareness and resistance to escalating the conflict. He understands the danger of involving the Soul River and remains fiercely protective of the Ancient Underworld’s authority.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor: Attempts to distance himself and Hun Tian from the Soul River to prevent the conflict from becoming an inter-domain war, but his responsibility becomes increasingly clear. Jiang Yun’s return leaves him visibly terrified.
• Qing Yun and Feng Shan: Realize that Blood River has placed them in an extremely dangerous position. They avoid taking further action and remain silent.
• Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors: Initially watch the dispute, but Hun Tian’s involvement forces them to unite against the Soul River. Their reaction changes from suspicion and anger to excitement when Jiang Yun returns.
• Double-Pupil Bearer Shi Yi and Ten-Crowned King Heavenly Prince: Follow Jiang Yun’s instructions and remain in seclusion rather than entering the battle, showing their trust in his strategy.

Significant Themes

• Political boundaries and forbidden alliances: The chapter emphasizes the rules separating the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands. Hun Tian’s presence turns an internal dispute into a potential declaration of war.
• Hidden power and misdirection: The true forces behind the conflict remain unclear. The Ancient Underworld initially mistakes Jiang Yun’s attack for Netherworld Prison’s intervention, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the powerful figures manipulating events.
• Strength despite injury: Jiang Yun’s body remains overwhelmingly powerful even though his Dao arts are sealed. His return demonstrates that apparent weakness does not necessarily mean helplessness.
• Loyalty and responsibility: Hun Tian claims to act personally, while Blood River tries to deny broader involvement. Their attempts to separate personal actions from factional identity prove increasingly unconvincing.
• Reversal of expectations: The chapter shifts from the Ancient Underworld seemingly being overwhelmed by the Soul River to Jiang Yun suddenly changing the balance with one attack.
• Reunion as confrontation: Jiang Yun’s seemingly friendly greeting to Blood River is heavily sarcastic, transforming a familiar meeting into a threat of revenge.

Character Interactions

• Hou Ming and Hun Tian argue over whether Hun Tian’s presence constitutes Soul River interference.
• Blood River attempts to defend Hun Tian and frame the conflict as an internal Ancient Underworld matter, while other Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors openly condemn him.
• Hun Tian and Hou Ming battle directly, with Hun Tian using an Apex Dao Ancestor skeleton against him.
• An awakened Ancient Underworld Apex Dao Ancestor traps Hun Tian in a dream battle.
• Jiang Yun unexpectedly attacks Hun Tian from behind, shocking every combatant and immediately changing the battlefield.
• The Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors celebrate Dao Origin’s return, while Blood River reacts with fear.
• Jiang Yun concludes the chapter by addressing Blood River with the taunting line, “Long time no see, Blood River, my friend. Have you been well?”

Chapter Summary: Slapping a Dao Ancestor Across the Face!

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hun Tian launches a surprise attack on Jiang Yun’s Primordial Spirit, believing it to be Jiang Yun’s greatest weakness. He expects to defeat or seriously injure him and gain fame throughout the Sacrificial Sea.
• Jiang Yun reveals that he anticipated Soul River’s soul-based techniques. The Stone Jar protects his Primordial Spirit, rendering Hun Tian’s attack completely ineffective.
• Jiang Yun seizes Hun Tian’s physical form and lifts him effortlessly. He mocks Hun Tian for boasting about his strength before capturing him.
• Jiang Yun slaps Hun Tian three times, destroying half his face and dispersing the phantom of Soul River behind him. The humiliation enrages Hun Tian and horrifies the Soul River Dao Ancestors.
• Peacock Venerable, Hun Tian’s elder brother and the ruler of Soul River, personally appears in his true body. His arrival creates overwhelming pressure, alarming even the powerful Dao Ancestors of the Underworld.
• Jiang Yun protects himself with the Reincarnation Dao Flame while continuing to restrain Hun Tian. He refuses Peacock Venerable’s demand to release his brother without compensation.
• Jiang Yun demands access to Soul River Source Water, one of Soul River’s fundamental treasures. Peacock Venerable unexpectedly agrees and opens a passage between Soul River and the Ancient Underworld.
• Hou Ming extracts a portion of the Source Water using her Hell Netherflame. Jiang Yun then releases Hun Tian, whom Peacock Venerable takes away.
• After Soul River departs, Jiang Yun thanks the Underworld Dao Ancestors. He spares Qing Yun and Feng Shan, ordering them to guard Hou Ming’s gate for ten thousand years rather than punishing them severely.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun demonstrates that his apparent vulnerability was part of his preparation. His physical strength, defensive planning, and use of the Stone Jar allow him to reverse what seemed to be a certain defeat.
• Hun Tian suffers a devastating defeat and public humiliation. His excitement and overconfidence cause him to reveal himself, allowing Jiang Yun to capture him.
• Peacock Venerable is established as an overwhelmingly powerful and authoritative figure. Despite his anger, he remains controlled and chooses negotiation rather than risking a destructive conflict.
• Hou Ming acts as Jiang Yun’s ally, using her abilities to obtain the Soul River Source Water. Her continued cooperation with Jiang Yun is reinforced.
• Qing Yun and Feng Shan are shown to be minor participants rather than primary conspirators. Jiang Yun’s decision to spare them highlights his restraint and political awareness.

Significant Themes

• Preparation overcoming apparent weakness: Jiang Yun’s Primordial Spirit seems vulnerable, but his advance preparations completely neutralize Hun Tian’s specialty.
• Overconfidence and reversed power dynamics: Hun Tian’s confidence leads him to expose himself, turning an attempted ambush into a humiliating defeat.
• Humiliation as a weapon: Jiang Yun’s slaps are not merely physical attacks; they destroy Hun Tian’s reputation and demonstrate the futility of Soul River’s arrogance.
• Power balanced by restraint: Both Jiang Yun and Peacock Venerable avoid escalating the confrontation into a war between Soul River and the Ancient Underworld.
• Justice and proportional punishment: Jiang Yun distinguishes between the main offender and those merely following orders, punishing Qing Yun and Feng Shan but not destroying them.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Hun Tian: Their confrontation shifts from Hun Tian’s surprise soul attack to Jiang Yun’s complete physical domination and public humiliation.
• Jiang Yun and Peacock Venerable: Peacock Venerable demands Hun Tian’s release, but Jiang Yun negotiates from a position of strength and extracts Soul River Source Water in exchange.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: Jiang Yun’s silent signal prompts Hou Ming to collect the Source Water, showing their mutual trust and coordination.
• Jiang Yun and the Underworld Dao Ancestors: Their support reinforces Jiang Yun’s position, while his later thanks and measured treatment of Qing Yun and Feng Shan preserve his alliance with them.

Chapter Summary: “The One Behind It!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• At the Underworld Source, Jiang Yun and Hou Ming punish Blood River Dao Ancestor for leading Soul River forces against Hou Ming’s Dao Field. Although Jiang Yun considers crippling him completely, Hou Ming persuades him to stop short of destroying Blood River’s Dao Ancestor Origin, since doing so could provoke the other Underworld Dao Ancestors and Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming obtain a segment of the Soul River Source, but their main concern becomes uncovering who orchestrated the attack.
• Blood River refuses to reveal the mastermind. Jiang Yun reasons that neither Blood River nor the Soul River’s Hun Tian and Peacock Venerable would have acted so recklessly without support from a powerful figure in the Ancient Underworld.
• The evidence points to Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor cooperating with Peacock Venerable. Jiang Yun suspects, however, that the real target was not Hou Ming but himself.
• Jiang Yun argues that his extraordinary battle against Di Yi made both Netherworld Prison and Peacock Venerable fear his future potential. He also suspects that Di Yi’s mysterious Immortal Emperor protector may have discovered that Jiang Yun survived and is manipulating events to eliminate his remaining allies and foundations.
• The silence of the Ancestral Land after such a major conflict appears suspicious. Jiang Yun concludes that a powerful figure may be concealing or permitting the Soul River’s actions, since the Ancestral Land traditionally opposes such large-scale conflicts.
• At the Soul River Source, Peacock Venerable berates Hun Tian for underestimating Dao Origin—Jiang Yun’s identity or title in this context—who remained overwhelmingly powerful despite severe injuries and the loss of major abilities.
• Peacock Venerable privately acknowledges that Jiang Yun’s rapid growth is alarming and may eventually surpass all Dao Ancestors. He also confirms that a Weird Immortal Emperor directed the operation but could not attack Jiang Yun personally because the ruler of the Ancestral Land forbade it.
• Peacock Venerable predicts that Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor is now under pressure, since his involvement in the attack is likely obvious and Jiang Yun has become too dangerous to ignore.
• Jiang Yun decides that, for now, he must endure rather than confront Netherworld Prison directly. He lacks absolute confidence in defeating him and recognizes that victory would not necessarily solve the larger problem.
• Hou Ming pledges her loyalty to Jiang Yun. The chapter ends with the two cultivating together, merging the Reincarnation Dao Flame and Hell Netherflame. Their fusion generates countless flame manifestations and once again produces Chaos Flame, the origin of all flames.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun becomes more cautious and politically minded. Though powerful enough to threaten Dao Ancestors, he recognizes the need to conceal his ambitions and avoid provoking the entire Underworld prematurely. His suspicions also deepen regarding the forces connected to Di Yi and the Ancestral Land.
• Hou Ming shifts from anger over Blood River’s attack to careful strategic support of Jiang Yun. She accepts the possibility that Netherworld Prison betrayed or targeted them and firmly commits to standing beside Jiang Yun.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor is humiliated and punished but remains defiant, refusing to disclose his backers.
• Peacock Venerable reveals increasing concern about Jiang Yun’s growth. Despite his arrogance and anger toward Hun Tian, he is perceptive enough to recognize Jiang Yun as a potentially unstoppable future threat.
• Hun Tian remains prideful and unconvinced by his defeat, but Peacock Venerable’s criticism forces him to acknowledge that Jiang Yun’s strength was not due to luck.
• Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor remains offstage, but his suspected involvement and silence make him a central source of tension.
• The Weird Immortal Emperor is established as the hidden power behind the conflict, while the ruler of the Ancestral Land limits how directly he can intervene.

Significant Themes

• Political restraint versus vengeance: Jiang Yun chooses not to destroy Blood River completely because immediate revenge could create larger strategic dangers.
• Hidden manipulation and conspiracy: The attack is revealed to be part of a broader scheme involving the Ancient Underworld, the Soul River, Netherworld Prison, and a Weird Immortal Emperor.
• Fear of extraordinary talent: Jiang Yun’s rapid rise after battling Di Yi has made ancient powers fear that he could eventually surpass them.
• The limits of power: Even beings as strong as Peacock Venerable and the Weird Immortal Emperor must operate within restrictions imposed by the Ancestral Land’s ruler.
• Loyalty and alliance: Hou Ming’s promise to support Jiang Yun contrasts with the betrayal and covert maneuvering among the greater factions.
• Fusion and transcendence: The merging of opposing flames symbolizes the union of complementary forces and leads to the creation of Chaos Flame, suggesting the birth of a higher, more fundamental power.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: They debate how far to punish Blood River, investigate the conspiracy together, and ultimately reaffirm mutual trust and partnership. Their joint cultivation demonstrates both emotional solidarity and compatible Dao powers.
• Peacock Venerable and Hun Tian: Peacock harshly reprimands Hun Tian for failing to understand Jiang Yun’s strength, exposing the difference between Hun Tian’s pride and Peacock’s more realistic assessment.
• Peacock Venerable and Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor: Though they do not meet directly, Peacock challenges Netherworld Prison’s silence and implies that both ancient rivals are now evaluating whether Jiang Yun has become an existential threat.
• Jiang Yun and the unseen Immortal Emperor: Their conflict is indirect. Jiang Yun suspects the Emperor’s involvement, while the Emperor manipulates events through others because direct action is forbidden.

Chapter Summary: “Interrogating Blood River!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ten thousand years pass while Jiang Yun and Hou Ming undergo joint cultivation. The process uses Grand Dao Origin symbols and Fire Dao power to suppress and heal their severe injuries.
• Hou Ming’s condition improves significantly, though she remains immersed in deep enlightenment. Jiang Yun secretly channels additional Origin symbols into her body to accelerate her recovery.
• Jiang Yun’s own injuries, especially the Grand Dao Wounds covering his Primordial Spirit, cannot be healed through joint cultivation. He therefore turns to the Soul River Source Water obtained from Peacock Venerable, despite recognizing that using it may be dangerous.
• Jiang Yun returns to Hou Ming’s Dao Field and takes the imprisoned Blood River Dao Ancestor into the Stone Jar, ignoring his pleas for release after ten thousand years of punishment.
• He dismisses Qing Yun and Feng Shan, the two Dao Ancestors who guarded Hou Ming’s Dao Field. He warns them not to betray him in the future but chooses not to punish them further.
• Jiang Yun briefly looks toward Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor’s territory, suspecting that the silent Dao Ancestor may know more about the conspiracy against Hou Ming.
• He then travels to the Sacrificial Sea to investigate the state of the world after his ten-thousand-year absence.
• After capturing and interrogating a Quasi-Immortal King, Jiang Yun learns that Heaven’s All Ages and the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands have continued fighting. Heaven’s All Ages initially struggled but gradually gained the upper hand through relentless Immortal King Death Battles.
• Wushi, Qing Emperor, and Ye Fan have grown tremendously stronger. They now overpower opponents from the Ancient Origin Lands at the same realm, causing those enemies to retreat whenever they appear.
• Jiang Yun estimates that the three may reach the Emperor Light Immortal King Realm before the Sacrificial Era ends, though they still require more time and foundation-building to become Dao Ancestors.
• He notices that the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands have become unusually quiet in recent years. Their withdrawal may indicate fear of Desolate Emperor—or a much larger hidden plan.
• Jiang Yun suspects the Ancient Origin Lands may be acting under orders from a deeper force such as the Ancestral Land or Calamity Plateau. He also considers whether Desolate Emperor may soon break through into the Sacrificial Dao Realm.
• Believing Blood River Dao Ancestor may possess answers, Jiang Yun pulls him from the Stone Jar and interrogates him about the mastermind who ordered the attack on Hou Ming.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor claims that he cannot reveal the culprit because a restriction was placed in his body; speaking the secret directly would destroy his Primordial Spirit.
• Jiang Yun confirms that the restriction is real and cleverly asks, “Was it that person?”—a question that avoids directly naming anyone while testing whether Blood River knows the identity.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun: Becomes more calculating, patient, and politically cautious. He remains deeply protective of Hou Ming, secretly helping her heal, but is also willing to use harsh methods against enemies. His own worsening Primordial Spirit injuries push him toward risky solutions involving the Soul River Water.
• Hou Ming: Her injuries begin to heal through joint cultivation, though her condition remains serious enough that she requires extended enlightenment and recovery. Her sacrifices during the previous battle are emphasized, strengthening Jiang Yun’s affection and respect for her.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor: His arrogance has been completely broken by ten thousand years of torment. Once a proud Dao Ancestor, he now trembles before Jiang Yun, though he still fears the restriction placed on him more than Jiang Yun’s punishment.
• Wushi, Qing Emperor, and Ye Fan: All three mature into major forces within Heaven’s All Ages. Their repeated victories create a reputation powerful enough to frighten away enemies from the Ancient Origin Lands.
• Qing Yun and Feng Shan: Their fear and gratitude toward Jiang Yun are evident. After guarding Hou Ming’s Dao Field for ten thousand years, they immediately leave when released, showing that they have no intention of provoking him.

Significant Themes

• The passage and cruelty of time: Ten thousand years is insignificant to Dao Ancestors yet transformative for the wider world, emphasizing the vast scale of cultivation and the relentless flow of the River of Ages.
• Healing and sacrifice: Joint cultivation represents cooperation and intimacy, while Hou Ming’s severe injuries reveal the cost of loyalty and defending others.
• Power and fear: Jiang Yun’s punishment has reduced Blood River Dao Ancestor from an arrogant enemy to a terrified prisoner, demonstrating how authority is maintained through overwhelming strength.
• Concealed conspiracies: The mysterious mastermind behind the attack on Hou Ming, the restrictions on Blood River Dao Ancestor, and the retreat of the Ancient Origin Lands all suggest a larger plot unfolding beneath the visible conflict.
• Caution versus apparent victory: Although Heaven’s All Ages has gained the advantage, Jiang Yun and the older Dao Ancestors recognize that the Ancient Origin Lands’ retreat may be strategic rather than a genuine surrender.
• Cultivation as preparation through conflict: The continuing Immortal King Death Battles strengthen Heaven’s All Ages and nurture new prodigies, showing how warfare serves as a brutal means of advancement.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: Their joint cultivation heals Hou Ming and deepens their bond. Jiang Yun secretly assists her recovery, reflecting his care and willingness to protect her without seeking recognition.
• Jiang Yun and Blood River Dao Ancestor: Their relationship is dominated by fear, punishment, and interrogation. Jiang Yun repeatedly uses the Stone Jar and Reincarnation Dao Flame to pressure Blood River into revealing the mastermind.
• Jiang Yun, Qing Yun, and Feng Shan: Jiang Yun releases the two Dao Ancestors after their long guard duty but warns them against future disloyalty. Their immediate departure reflects their fear and submission.
• Jiang Yun and the captured Quasi-Immortal King: Jiang Yun extracts information by searching his Sea of Consciousness, then erases his memories, showing both his efficiency and his desire to avoid unnecessary exposure.
• Jiang Yun and the wider power structure: His thoughts connect Desolate Emperor, the four Immortal Emperors, the Ancient Origin Lands, Calamity Plateau, and Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor, framing the chapter as preparation for a larger confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “Heaven-Shaking Upheaval!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Yun confirms that Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor is the venerable figure supporting Blood River Dao Ancestor. Although Blood River remains dangerous, Jiang Yun promises not to kill him and imprisons him again inside the Broken Emperor Sword.
• Jiang Yun investigates a segment of Soul River Water, hoping it can repair and nourish his damaged Primordial Spirit. When he tests a drop with his divine sense, countless soul remnants emerge, devour the divine sense, and then return to the water.
• From this, Jiang Yun suspects that every drop of Soul River Water may contain the remnants of countless powerful beings who died throughout history. He realizes that the Soul River may be an enormous repository of dead souls and the source of the Soul River Dao Ancestors’ mastery over soul and Primordial Spirit techniques.
• Unable to decipher the Soul River’s secrets or use it to heal himself, Jiang Yun puts it away and resumes cultivation. Over tens of thousands of years, he repeatedly cultivates with Hou Ming, whose Grand Dao injuries gradually improve. Jiang Yun’s own strength and Primordial Spirit also slowly recover.
• After roughly fifty or sixty thousand years, Jiang Yun’s Primordial Spirit and soul reach the Dao Ancestor level, allowing him to use Dao Ancestor divine abilities and sense an impending catastrophe.
• During this period, the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands—including the Ancient Underworld, Soul River, and Four Extremes Floating Soil—withdraw and become increasingly cautious, while Heaven’s All Ages gains more than ten Dao Ancestors and grows much stronger.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming conclude that the Ancestral Land may have encountered a serious problem. The reduction in Sacrificial Scripts and the failure to find many Altar Fragments suggest that the Ancestral Land is preparing for something extraordinary.
• The chapter reveals the true crisis: the Ancestral Land is preparing to launch the Grand Sacrifice ahead of the coming upheaval. Three Weird Immortal Emperors are set to descend upon the true Ancestral Sacrificial Altar, while the others hold back the Desolate Emperor and Willow God.
• The Ancestral Land plans to use a supreme art inherited from the Ancestor to destroy the Desolate Emperor and Willow God, while Di Yi’s guardian deals with Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian.
• Just as the three Weird Immortal Emperors are about to begin the sacrifice, a second Desolate Emperor suddenly emerges from vast Chaos Grand Dao radiance. Wielding the peerless Emperor Sword, this duplicate instantly cleaves apart all three Weird Immortal Emperors, ending the chapter on a major cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun becomes more cautious and strategic. He accepts that he cannot yet confront the forces behind Blood River Dao Ancestor and chooses to endure while rebuilding his strength.
• His understanding of the Soul River deepens, though it also leaves him aware of how far he remains from comprehending its secrets.
• Jiang Yun’s Primordial Spirit and soul recover from the Immortal King level to the Dao Ancestor level, significantly restoring his perception and combat potential.
• Hou Ming continues recovering from his Grand Dao injuries through long-term cultivation with Jiang Yun. Their cooperation strengthens their mutual trust and stabilizes both of their conditions.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor is confirmed to be connected to Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor, though Jiang Yun spares him and keeps him imprisoned.
• The Desolate Emperor is revealed to possess an astonishing ability: while fighting multiple Weird Immortal Emperors, he can manifest another powerful incarnation or duplicate capable of intervening elsewhere.
• Willow God remains the Desolate Emperor’s ally and protector of the living beings of Heaven’s All Ages, standing with him against the Ancestral Land and the Calamity Plateau.

Significant Themes

• Buried history and unfathomable origins: The Soul River may be composed of the remnants of countless ancient powerhouses, suggesting that the world’s major forbidden regions contain secrets linked to an even older figure or era.
• Power imbalance and patience: Heaven’s All Ages is flourishing while the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands retreat. Jiang Yun must endure, recover, and avoid premature conflict despite the approaching catastrophe.
• The cost of transcendence: The Soul River’s terrifying nature shows that immense power and ancient wisdom may be built from the remains of countless dead beings.
• Approaching apocalypse: The oppressive atmosphere, shrinking influence of the Ancient Lands, and preparation of the Grand Sacrifice signal that the entire Sacrificial Era is approaching a decisive turning point.
• Hope versus annihilation: The Desolate Emperor and Willow God represent the survival of Heaven’s All Ages, while the Ancestral Land and Weird Immortal Emperors seek to sacrifice and destroy it.
• Unexpected power and reversal: The sudden appearance of the second Desolate Emperor overturns the Ancestral Land’s seemingly flawless plan and demonstrates that the coming conflict may contain forces and contingencies beyond its calculations.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun interrogates and confronts Blood River Dao Ancestor, confirming his connection to Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor before imprisoning him again.
• Jiang Yun repeatedly cultivates with Hou Ming, helping both of them stabilize and recover. They discuss the unusual retreat of the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands and infer that the Ancestral Land is facing difficulties.
• Jiang Yun reflects on Peacock Venerable’s decision to give him Soul River Water, realizing that Peacock Venerable likely knew he would be unable to use it safely.
• The Desolate Emperor and Willow God stand together against the Weird Immortal Emperors, protecting Heaven’s living worlds across the ages.
• The Ancestral Land coordinates the three Weird Immortal Emperors and Di Yi’s guardian in an attempt to eliminate Heaven’s strongest defenders, but the unexpected Desolate Emperor duplicate disrupts the entire plan by killing the three sacrificial participants.

Chapter Summary: “Sacrificial Dao Battle!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Desolate Emperor’s Primordial Spirit suddenly appears and, with one sword strike, gravely wounds three Weird Immortal Emperors. Their blood corrodes Above Heaven’s Origin Laws.
• The Weird Clan is stunned to discover that the Desolate Emperor possesses both a true body and a Primordial Spirit manifestation, each with equal power.
• The Ancestor of the Ancestral Land confirms that the Desolate Emperor has secretly entered the Sacrificial Dao Realm, a level previously associated with the legendary Pollen Emperor.
• Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian are initially encouraged by this revelation, since the Desolate Emperor gives Heaven and All Ages a powerful champion. However, their hope is tempered by the realization that the Ancestral Land also possesses ancient Sacrificial Dao experts who have existed for countless eras.
• The Willow God creates another Desolate Emperor manifestation. The true body and Primordial Spirit merge into it, forming an even more powerful unified being whose presence influences the Dao throughout Above Heaven.
• The fused Desolate Emperor openly challenges the Ancestor of the Ancestral Land, questioning whether the Ancestor has come seeking death despite knowing his strength.
• The Ancestor emerges fully, damaging countless worlds and infecting many Dao Ancestors with Dao Transformation. He explains that the early launch of the Grand Sacrifice was intended to catch the Desolate Emperor before his foundation in the new realm had stabilized.
• The Ancestor attacks with a gigantic black-furred hand spanning eternal time and space. The Desolate Emperor counters with sword light.
• Their clash devastates the River of Ages and causes immense casualties across Above Heaven, Heaven and All Ages, and the Four Origin Ancient Lands. The Willow God, Meng Hai, Luo Tianxian, and the Ancient Lands’ protective forces shield many experts, though several Dao Ancestors still perish.
• Jiang Yun protects himself with the Stone Jar and Reincarnation Dao Flame while carefully studying the Sacrificial Dao Realm’s power for future enlightenment.
• The Desolate Emperor’s counterattack wounds the Ancestor of the Ancestral Land, shocking the Weird Immortal Emperors and suggesting that the newly advanced Desolate Emperor may already surpass an opponent who has cultivated in the realm for countless eras.
• The Ancestor retaliates by releasing hundreds or thousands of powerful creatures of different races from his body. The Desolate Emperor responds by transforming into eternity, producing countless manifestations across the River of Ages.
• Each Desolate Emperor manifestation battles one of the racial creatures. Ultimately, the Desolate Emperor annihilates all of them, demonstrating overwhelming combat power.

Character Developments

• Desolate Emperor: Revealed to have reached the Sacrificial Dao Realm without anyone detecting it. His true body, Primordial Spirit, and later unified manifestation display extraordinary strength, confidence, and mastery over sword techniques. His ability to injure the ancient Ancestor establishes him as an unprecedented threat.
• Ancestor of the Ancestral Land: Previously regarded as nearly invincible, he is shown to be cautious and perceptive, having anticipated the Desolate Emperor’s breakthrough. Although wounded, he remains composed and launches increasingly terrifying attacks.
• Willow God: Acts as an essential ally, helping create the Desolate Emperor’s additional manifestation and protecting Above Heaven’s experts from the battle’s shockwaves.
• Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian: Their initial hope at the Desolate Emperor’s breakthrough quickly becomes anxiety because they understand the Ancestors’ terrifying history and remember the Pollen Emperor’s defeat.
• Jiang Yun: Moves beyond merely surviving the conflict. He actively observes the Sacrificial Dao battle, treating the clash as a rare opportunity to comprehend a higher realm and speculate about the potential of his million bloodlines.
• The Weird Immortal Emperors: Their confidence collapses as they witness the Desolate Emperor’s breakthrough, his injury of the Ancestor, and the destruction of the Ancestor’s summoned creatures.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between hope and despair: The Desolate Emperor’s breakthrough offers Heaven a chance of survival, but the existence of older Sacrificial Dao Ancestors prevents easy optimism.
• Power beyond conventional limits: Immortal Emperor-level strength becomes almost insignificant compared with the Sacrificial Dao Realm, whose battles can alter fate, destroy worlds, and disrupt the River of Ages.
• Hidden growth and preparation: The Desolate Emperor’s secret breakthrough explains the urgency of the Grand Sacrifice and emphasizes how rapidly he has advanced.
• Sacrifice and catastrophe: The Grand Sacrifice threatens all living beings, while the battle between the strongest entities causes widespread destruction and death even among powerful Dao Ancestors.
• Observation as a path to advancement: Jiang Yun’s effort to study the battle highlights the importance of comprehending higher powers rather than merely witnessing them.
• The possibility of surpassing ancient powers: Despite being a newcomer to the Sacrificial Dao Realm, the Desolate Emperor appears capable of overpowering an Ancestor who has existed for countless Sacrificial Eras.

Character Interactions

• The Ancestor of the Ancestral Land publicly confirms the Desolate Emperor’s breakthrough and exchanges threatening words with him.
• The Desolate Emperor directly taunts the Ancestor, showing that he does not fear an opponent who has cultivated far longer.
• The Willow God supports the Desolate Emperor by enabling his manifestations and defending allied experts.
• Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian respond to the Desolate Emperor’s advancement with a mixture of admiration, hope, and dread.
• Jiang Yun watches the confrontation from the Four Origin Ancient Lands, using the battle between the Desolate Emperor and the Ancestor as an opportunity to deepen his own cultivation.
• The Weird Immortal Emperors shift from arrogance to terror as they realize that the Desolate Emperor may be stronger than their ancient leader.

Chapter Summary: “All Heavens Descend into Chaos!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Desolate Emperor defeats and suppresses the immensely powerful Ancestral Land Ancestor within the Sacrificial Dao Realm. His victory shocks the Weird Lineage, the Dao Ancestors of the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands, and even the Weird Immortal Emperors, who understand the Ancestor’s terrifying strength.
• The beings of Heaven’s All Ages celebrate, seeing the Desolate Emperor’s triumph as a sign of hope. His followers and countless young cultivators praise him as an eternal martial legend.
• The Desolate Emperor tracks the Ancestral Land’s location and charges alone into the depths of darkness, intending to attack the Ancestral Land and eliminate the source of the Sacrificial Sea’s chaos.
• The Ancient Heavenly Court’s experts follow him, while the Willow God also advances. However, the Weird Lineage sends forces to block them:
  • The Ancient Heavenly Court begins a massive battle against the Weird Clan’s followers.
  • The Willow God fights a Weird Immortal Emperor across the River of Ages.
  • The Desolate Emperor proceeds toward the Ancestral Land without direct support.
• Immortal Emperor Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian warn that a true war has begun. The previous Immortal King Deathmatch was merely a prelude; future battles may involve the deaths of Dao Ancestors.
• Dao Ancestors throughout All Heavens begin searching for the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands, while bloody conflicts erupt across the Sacrificial Sea, Heaven’s All Ages, the Heavenforsaken Land, and the regions surrounding the Ancestral Land.
• The Ancestral Land issues a serious order to the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands: they must prioritize endurance and avoid entering the war recklessly. This causes the ancient Dao Ancestors to realize that the Ancestral Land faces an unprecedented crisis.
• At the Ancient Underworld, Jiang Yun, Hou Ming, Shi Yi, and the Ten-Crowned King learn of the warning. Shi Yi and the Ten-Crowned King return to seclusion to strengthen themselves before the coming war.
• Jiang Yun prepares to withdraw and protect the Ancient Underworld. He strengthens and conceals important nodes of the Eight Paths of Reincarnation so that the Dao Ancestors of Heaven’s All Ages cannot trace them back to the Ancient Underworld.
• He orders the Reincarnation Slaves to stop expanding, prioritize survival, and avoid exposing the Reincarnation Road. Those who seek advancement may fight independently, but they will not be allowed to retreat if they reveal the road and fail.
• While inspecting the Reincarnation Road and searching for additional Reincarnation Dao Flames, Jiang Yun discovers a stream of Soul River Water in a ruined section of the road.
• Within the Soul River Water, he finds a giant cocoon containing a living silkworm at the Immortal King Realm. Jiang Yun recognizes it as the God Emperor, a mysterious being he had previously encountered in the Shrouding the Heavens World.

Character Developments and Interactions

• The Desolate Emperor further establishes his overwhelming supremacy. His effortless suppression of the Ancestral Land Ancestor proves that Di Yi and other supposed pursuers were never serious threats to him. His true target has always been the Ancestral Land Ancestor and the source of the Weird Lineage.
• Shi Yi and the Ten-Crowned King recognize that they can no longer compete with the Desolate Emperor at their former level. Rather than becoming discouraged, they turn their admiration into determination and enter deeper seclusion so they may eventually fight beside him.
• The Willow God demonstrates her continued loyalty and courage by following the Desolate Emperor’s forces and directly engaging a Weird Immortal Emperor.
• Hou Ming remains aligned with the Ancestral Land and Ancient Underworld, but the Desolate Emperor’s strength weakens her former confidence. Her concern for Jiang Yun becomes increasingly clear as she urges him to return safely.
• Jiang Yun adopts a more defensive and responsible role. Instead of abandoning the Eight Paths of Reincarnation, he protects them, organizes their withdrawal, and gives practical instructions for survival. His relationship with Hou Ming is marked by mutual trust and concern.
• The Reincarnation Slaves and Giants are shown to be loyal but politically and militarily weak. Jiang Yun feels disappointment that none of the Yama Hall Lords reached the Dao Ancestor Realm, yet he still refuses to discard them.
• The Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor acts as the messenger of the Ancestral Land’s warning but avoids engaging Jiang Yun directly, emphasizing the increasingly tense and secretive atmosphere.
• Jiang Yun and the God Emperor are indirectly reunited through the mysterious silkworm’s appearance, setting up a significant new development.

Significant Themes

• The beginning of an unprecedented war: The chapter marks the transition from isolated battles to a full-scale conflict involving all Heavens, the Weird Lineage, the Ancestral Land, and the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands.
• Hope amid catastrophe: The Desolate Emperor’s victory inspires ordinary beings and younger cultivators, giving them hope even as the coming war threatens Dao Ancestors and entire realms.
• The gap between supreme powers: The Desolate Emperor’s rise shows how former rivals have been left far behind, but his strength also gives others a goal to pursue.
• Survival versus glory: Jiang Yun and the Ancient Underworld choose concealment and preservation rather than reckless participation. The chapter emphasizes that, in the coming conflict, survival may require retreat and sacrifice.
• Loyalty and responsibility: Jiang Yun protects the Reincarnation Slaves despite their weakness, while the Ancient Heavenly Court and Willow God follow the Desolate Emperor into danger.
• Uncertainty and hidden forces: The Ancestral Land’s unusual retreat and warning suggest that an even greater crisis is approaching. The appearance of Soul River Water and the God Emperor introduces another mysterious power into the unfolding conflict.

Important Character Interactions

• The Desolate Emperor’s victory inspires the admiration of Ye Fan, Qing Emperor, Wushi, Shi Yi, the Ten-Crowned King, Jiang Yun, and countless beings across All Heavens.
• The Ancient Heavenly Court’s experts and the Willow God attempt to support the Desolate Emperor, but the Weird Lineage deliberately prevents them from entering the Ancestral Land.
• Hou Ming and Jiang Yun discuss the need for caution and withdrawal, revealing both strategic cooperation and personal concern.
• Jiang Yun instructs the Reincarnation Slaves to abandon expansion and conceal the Reincarnation Road.
• Jiang Yun’s discovery of the cocoon creates a mysterious connection to the God Emperor, ending the chapter on a major revelation.

Chapter Summary: Soul River Undercover!

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Yun encounters a mysterious voice coming from a great cocoon on the Reincarnation Road. He realizes the speaker is God Emperor, an old companion who, under the Desolate Emperor’s arrangements, infiltrated the Soul River as an undercover agent.
• Jiang Yun seals the area to prevent their conversation from being overheard. Through cautious probing, both men confirm each other’s identities and their connection to the Desolate Emperor.
• God Emperor reveals that he secretly investigated the Soul River Source while the Soul River Dao Ancestors were distracted by Jiang Yun’s battle with them. With help from Peacock Venerable’s departure and a Desolate Emperor artifact, he reached the Source but encountered an overwhelming terror.
• God Emperor survived through the Divine Silkworm Clan’s abilities of reincarnation and rebirth, along with the Desolate Emperor’s protective trump card. However, a strange, indestructible force invaded and began eroding his Primordial Spirit.
• He seeks Jiang Yun’s help because he cannot allow the Soul River Dao Ancestors to discover his true actions or condition.
• God Emperor reveals the Soul River’s deepest origin: it formed from the indestructible remnant soul of an ancient, supremely powerful being, someone far beyond the Dao Ancestor Realm. Before he can explain further, the Soul River itself projects a phantom onto the Reincarnation Road, reacting to the secret being exposed.
• God Emperor shows Jiang Yun his deteriorated condition. His body is covered in strange hairs, blood flows from his orifices, and black aura continually emerges from his contaminated Primordial Spirit.
• Jiang Yun attempts to remove the corruption, but discovers that the problem is rooted deeply within God Emperor’s Primordial Spirit. Ordinary eradication only causes the strange aura to reappear.
• Jiang Yun tries using the Reincarnation Dao Flame, which terrifies and drives back the strange aura but risks destroying God Emperor’s Primordial Spirit along with it.
• At the critical moment, the Stone Jar and Broken Emperor Sword intervene. The Stone Jar draws the strange aura out, swallows God Emperor, and expels him completely cleansed.
• God Emperor recovers and thanks Jiang Yun. Jiang Yun warns him not to investigate the Soul River again until he reaches the Dao Ancestor Realm.
• God Emperor reveals that despite the danger, his experience brought him an unexpected benefit: while briefly glimpsing the Soul River Source, he learned another major secret about the Soul River.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun demonstrates caution, emotional restraint, and loyalty toward an old companion. Though weakened and unable to use his strongest abilities, he remains determined to save God Emperor.
• He becomes more aware of the terrifying connection between the Soul River, the Ancient Underworld, the Ancestral Land, and the mysterious forces that have affected his own Primordial Spirit.
• God Emperor is revealed as a committed undercover agent who risked destruction to investigate the Soul River’s origins. His injuries show the enormous cost of his mission, but he remains resolute and believes future Divine Silkworm transformations may allow him to overcome the corruption and reach the Dao Ancestor Realm.
• The two finally move from mutual suspicion to complete trust after confirming that both were hidden agents arranged by the Desolate Emperor.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and hidden identities: Jiang Yun and God Emperor are forced to conceal their origins, even from allies, but their shared history allows them to recognize and trust one another.
• The danger of forbidden knowledge: Learning the truth behind the Soul River threatens to awaken the Soul River itself, showing that some secrets possess their own protective power.
• Limits of strength: Even powerful figures like God Emperor and Jiang Yun are vulnerable to forces originating from the Ancestral Land or something beyond the Dao Ancestor Realm.
• Transformation and rebirth: God Emperor’s Divine Silkworm heritage represents survival through renewal, while his possible future transformation offers hope of overcoming his Primordial Spirit’s corruption.
• Friendship amid cosmic conflict: Despite their opposing positions—Jiang Yun in the Ancient Underworld and God Emperor within the Soul River—their old bond remains strong enough for them to risk everything for each other.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun carefully tests God Emperor’s identity, while God Emperor cautiously probes whether Jiang Yun resents the Soul River’s attack.
• Jiang Yun indirectly reveals knowledge of the Desolate Emperor’s arrangements, allowing God Emperor to confirm that he is speaking with a trusted ally.
• God Emperor confides the Soul River’s origin and his own failed investigation, making Jiang Yun one of the few people aware of the truth.
• Jiang Yun tries several methods to cure him and ultimately succeeds when the Stone Jar unexpectedly removes the corruption.
• Afterward, Jiang Yun takes on a protective, advisory role, warning God Emperor against further reckless investigation, while God Emperor hints that his dangerous mission uncovered an even greater secret.

Chapter Summary: “Secret!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• God Emperor reveals that the true source of the Soul River contains an ancient passage connected—possibly—to the Calamity Plateau’s Ancestral Land. He once briefly touched the passage and was nearly destroyed by the terrifying aura within it.
• Jiang Yun connects this revelation to the future battle in the Soul River involving Ye Fan, Wushi Great Emperor, and the Ruthless Emperor. He theorizes that the trio may have attacked the Soul River to find a route to the Ancestral Land and aid the Desolate Emperor.
• Jiang Yun concludes that the Soul River hides dangers far beyond its apparent strength, perhaps involving a fallen expert at its source whose power could surpass the Quasi-Immortal Emperor level. He warns God Emperor to prioritize caution and survival.
• God Emperor gives Jiang Yun a divine sense containing his method for using Soul River Water, along with soul techniques and insights from the Divine Silkworm Clan’s reincarnation arts.
• After God Emperor returns to the Soul River, Jiang Yun studies the technique and successfully uses the Soul River Water to repair his damaged Primordial Spirit, soul, and even his fleshly body’s Grand Dao wounds.
• Jiang Yun enters prolonged seclusion in the Ancient Underworld. Over the following years, he guides the endangered Evil Emperor back to the Ancient Underworld and arranges for him to protect his Dao.
• An Immortal Emperor Imperial Edict later descends into the Ancient Underworld and the other three Origin Ancient Lands. It promises a genuine Immortal Emperor scripture to any Dao Ancestor willing to reinforce Above Heaven.
• The offer causes many Dao Ancestors to become eager to participate. Jiang Yun and Hou Ming remain suspicious, believing the Weird Immortal Emperors are offering such a valuable reward only because the battle in Above Heaven and the Heavenforsaken Land has become desperate.
• Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor considers accepting the offer, partly because he hopes an Immortal Emperor scripture might help him break through and partly because he wants to manipulate Dao Origin into leaving the Ancient Underworld.
• The chapter ends with Netherworld Prison asking Jiang Yun for his opinion.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Jiang Yun becomes more perceptive about the Soul River’s hidden structure and its connection to future events. His deductions show growing awareness of the larger conflict surrounding the Ancestral Land and the Desolate Emperor.
• God Emperor is portrayed as knowledgeable but cautious. Though not yet a Dao Ancestor, his long experience in the Soul River allows him to master the use of Soul River Water. He acts generously toward Jiang Yun and advises him to preserve himself through the coming age of chaos.
• Jiang Yun and God Emperor develop a stronger cooperative relationship. God Emperor provides invaluable cultivation knowledge, while Jiang Yun warns him about the Soul River’s dangers.
• Evil Emperor is rescued from potential danger and brought back to the Ancient Underworld, where Jiang Yun gives him a secure position to protect his Dao.
• Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor is revealed to be ambitious and calculating. His desire to reach the Immortal Emperor Realm makes him vulnerable to the Imperial Edict’s temptation. He also continues plotting against Dao Origin.
• Hou Ming, Shi Yi, the Ten-Crowned King, and Evil Emperor share Jiang Yun’s distrust of the offer and do not show interest in immediately answering the call.
• The other Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors, including Qing Yun and Feng Shan, are tempted by the promise of an Immortal Emperor scripture despite recognizing the dangers of the battle.

Significant Themes

• Hidden dangers and ancient secrets: The Soul River’s source conceals a passage possibly leading to the Ancestral Land, suggesting that the deepest mysteries of the world remain buried in seemingly familiar locations.
• Caution versus temptation: Jiang Yun and his allies prioritize survival, while many Dao Ancestors are drawn toward the enormous temptation of an Immortal Emperor scripture.
• The connection between soul and body: Jiang Yun’s discovery that Soul River Water can repair both his Primordial Spirit and physical Dao wounds deepens the chapter’s exploration of cultivation and the relationship between spiritual and physical existence.
• Manipulation by higher powers: The Imperial Edict’s reward is likely not a genuine act of generosity. The Weird Immortal Emperors appear to be using desperate Dao Ancestors as expendable reinforcements.
• Survival in a chaotic era: God Emperor’s advice to preserve oneself reflects the broader theme that enduring into future ages may be wiser than pursuing immediate glory or dangerous opportunities.
• Foreshadowing of war: The repeated calls for reinforcements indicate that the conflict in Above Heaven has reached a critical stage and that major battles are approaching.

Chapter Summary: “Ancestral Land Mobilization!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor attempts to pressure Jiang Yun into answering the Immortal Emperor’s summons and entering Above Heaven, despite knowing that Jiang Yun’s Primordial Spirit remains seriously damaged.
• Hou Ming intervenes, revealing Dao Origin’s condition and stating that Dao Origin cannot participate in the coming battles. The other Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors also refuse to volunteer because they understand how deadly the war in Above Heaven and the Heavenforsaken Land has become.
• Qingyun Dao Ancestor and Fengshan Dao Ancestor reluctantly volunteer, largely because of Netherworld Prison’s pressure and their desire to gamble for an opportunity to reach the Immortal Emperor Realm.
• Netherworld Prison then proposes sending Blood River Dao Ancestor instead of Jiang Yun. Jiang Yun agrees, and Blood River is forced to depart alongside Qingyun and Fengshan under the Immortal Emperor Edict.
• Jiang Yun returns to cultivating with Soul River Water, using it to repair and strengthen his damaged soul and Primordial Spirit.
• Over the next thousand years, and eventually nearly ten thousand years, the war outside the Ancient Underworld intensifies. Dao Ancestors across Heaven and the All Heavens begin a massive purge of cultivators and races connected to the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands and the Weird Lineage.
• The purge exposes several hidden traitors, including Great Virtue Dao Ancestor and the powerful Three Tribulation Sparrow Clan. Luo Tianxian personally kills Three Tribulation Sparrow Ancestor with a single Immortal Emperor-level palm strike, eliminating even his attempt to preserve a fragment of his Primordial Spirit.
• Traitorous races later gather and attempt to contact Four Extremes Floating Soil and Soul River for protection. Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor leads Heaven’s Dao Ancestors in attacking them. Most of the traitors are killed, while only a few escape into the Ancient Origin Lands.
• After purging suspected infiltrators, Heaven’s All Ages becomes more confident and begins considering a direct attack on one of the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands. The Ancient Underworld and the Eight Paths of Reincarnation are selected as the likely first targets, encouraged especially by Quasi-Dao Ancestor Wan Xing.
• Jiang Yun learns that Heaven’s All Ages may soon attack the Ancient Underworld. He goes to consult Hou Ming and continue their joint cultivation.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun: Remains cautious and politically restrained. Although angry at Netherworld Prison’s attempt to sacrifice him, he avoids open confrontation because his Primordial Spirit is still recovering. He continues strengthening himself with Soul River Water and becomes increasingly concerned about the approaching end of the Sacrificial Era.
• Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor: Revealed as manipulative and self-serving. He tries to send others into the most dangerous battlefield while avoiding personal involvement, using his authority and the threat of shame to pressure Qingyun, Fengshan, and Blood River.
• Hou Ming: Demonstrates loyalty to Dao Origin and willingness to challenge Netherworld Prison’s pressure. Her recovery and cultivation progress make her a major pillar of the Ancient Underworld, though she recognizes the danger posed by Heaven’s All Ages and its two Immortal Emperors.
• Dao Origin: His damaged Primordial Spirit prevents him from participating in the coming war, emphasizing the heavy cost of earlier conflicts.
• Blood River Dao Ancestor: Remains weakened and resentful after years of Jiang Yun’s control and torture. He is forced into battle despite being in poor condition, effectively becoming a sacrificial pawn.
• Qingyun and Fengshan Dao Ancestors: Show loyalty to Netherworld Prison but also fear and regret after volunteering for a nearly suicidal mission.
• Desolate Emperor and Willow God: Their actions drive the wider conflict. The Desolate Emperor’s advancement into the Sacrificial Dao Realm and attack on the Ancestral Land accelerate the final crisis, while Willow God remains engaged with the Weird Immortal Emperor.
• Luo Tianxian: Establishes her overwhelming power by personally destroying Three Tribulation Sparrow Ancestor across the Sacrificial Sea.
• Wan Xing: Emerges as a leading voice against the Ancient Underworld and the Eight Paths of Reincarnation, using his restored and improved cultivation to influence Heaven’s strategy.

Significant Themes

• Political coercion and sacrifice: Powerful leaders manipulate weaker or injured figures into facing deadly battles while avoiding danger themselves.
• The cost of survival: Even Dao Ancestors are vulnerable during the approaching end-of-era war, and advancement or access to Immortal Emperor scriptures is meaningless without surviving the battlefield.
• Loyalty versus betrayal: Hidden alliances with the Four Great Origin Ancient Lands lead to widespread purges, showing how suspicion and fear reshape relationships between races and factions.
• The approaching end of an era: The Desolate Emperor’s breakthrough and attack on the Ancestral Land signal that the Sacrificial Era is nearing its conclusion, with escalating wars and mass destruction.
• Power and deterrence: Luo Tianxian’s destruction of Three Tribulation Sparrow Ancestor demonstrates the absolute gulf between Immortal Emperors and ordinary Dao Ancestors.
• Strategic uncertainty: Although Heaven’s All Ages has gained confidence after purging traitors, Jiang Yun questions why the Ancient Underworld—not the more conspicuous Soul River or Four Extremes Floating Soil—has become the next target.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Netherworld Prison: Their exchange is marked by concealed hostility. Netherworld Prison attempts to force Jiang Yun into a lethal mission, while Jiang Yun suppresses his anger to avoid a premature conflict.
• Hou Ming and Netherworld Prison: Hou Ming openly blocks Netherworld Prison’s attempt to use Dao Origin, weakening his pressure campaign and exposing the limits of his authority.
• Jiang Yun and Blood River: Jiang Yun releases Blood River only because of Netherworld Prison’s demand. Blood River’s fear and unwillingness show that he remains completely under Jiang Yun’s control.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: Their later meeting combines strategic planning with their ongoing joint cultivation, indicating both personal trust and the need to prepare for an imminent attack.
• Heaven’s Dao Ancestors and the traitors: Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor leads a violent campaign against races connected to the Origin Ancient Lands, turning former allies into targets.
• Luo Tianxian and Three Tribulation Sparrow Ancestor: Her decisive attack eliminates him and serves as a warning to every faction still secretly aligned with Soul River or the other Origin Ancient Lands.

Chapter Summary: “Schemes!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hou Ming worries about Jiang Yun’s weakened condition. His Primordial Spirit remains covered in Grand Dao Wounds, with Sword Light still entangled around it, making him vulnerable if Heaven attacks the Ancient Underworld.
• She urges Jiang Yun to move into her dao field for protection, but Jiang Yun chooses to undergo dual cultivation with her instead. He believes their previous session eased his injuries and hopes this one will further repair his Primordial Spirit.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming activate their respective Dao flames—Reincarnation Dao Flame and Hell Netherflame—and begin dual cultivation within Hou Ming’s dao field.
• Meanwhile, Heaven discovers an exposed tributary of the Soul River after pursuing the traitorous Three Tribulation Sparrow Clan. The Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor personally leads an assault against it.
• Wan Xing massacres nearly every Weird Immortal King in the tributary, including powerful Emperor Light Immortal Kings, before suppressing a Half-Step Dao Ancestor. His master stops him from killing the final survivor so the prisoner can be interrogated.
• The Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor discovers through soul-searching that the survivor possesses clues to the Ancient Underworld’s true source. Although he finds no useful information about the Soul River Source, the discovery immediately attracts Wan Xing’s attention.
• The Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor remains suspicious. He believes it is implausible that a Soul River subordinate could know the Ancient Underworld’s true location and suggests returning to Heaven to consult the other Dao Ancestors and the two Immortal Emperors before launching an attack.
• After Heaven departs, Hun Tian Dao Ancestor and another Soul River Dao Ancestor reveal themselves. They admit that the information was deliberately planted by sacrificing minor forces in order to redirect Heaven’s pressure toward the Ancient Underworld.
• The chapter ends with Hun Tian’s silent thought: the Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor may already know that the Ancient Underworld’s coordinates have been exposed.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun: Remains severely injured but composed and proactive. Rather than surrendering to fear of Heaven, he focuses on dual cultivation with Hou Ming, hoping to heal himself while strengthening their connection.
• Hou Ming: Displays unusual concern for Jiang Yun despite her normally cold demeanor. Her priority is protecting him from becoming a target during a possible Heaven–Ancient Underworld conflict.
• Wan Xing: Shows overwhelming strength and intense bloodlust. His hatred toward the Ancient Underworld—especially Dao Origin, who once caused his realm to fall—has become a heart demon obstructing his breakthrough into the Dao Ancestor Realm.
• Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor: Acts as a cautious and responsible master. He understands Wan Xing’s hatred and ambition but warns that emotional obsession may prevent his advancement. He is also wary of the suspicious information about the Ancient Underworld.
• Hun Tian Dao Ancestor: Is revealed as the architect of a deception designed to shift Heaven’s attention away from the Soul River and toward the Ancient Underworld.

Significant Themes

• Schemes and misdirection: The central theme is strategic manipulation. The Soul River sacrifices expendable forces and plants false or misleading evidence to redirect Heaven’s military focus.
• Hatred as an obstacle: Wan Xing’s desire for revenge has become a heart demon. His hatred gives him motivation and power, but it may prevent him from reaching the Dao Ancestor Realm.
• Protection amid looming conflict: Hou Ming’s concern for Jiang Yun emphasizes the personal stakes behind the larger struggle between Heaven, the Soul River, and the Ancient Underworld.
• Power and vulnerability: Even supreme figures and ancient civilizations are threatened by shifting alliances and hidden plans. Jiang Yun’s injuries and the weakened state of the Ancient Underworld show that strength alone does not guarantee safety.
• The persistence and destruction of civilizations: The Sacrificial Sea is filled with the remnants of fallen worlds and Evolutionary Civilizations, reinforcing the cyclical destruction of entire eras by forces such as the Weird Clan and the Origin Ancient Lands.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: Hou Ming urges him to seek refuge in her dao field, while Jiang Yun reassures her and proposes dual cultivation as both a healing method and a way to prepare for future danger.
• Wan Xing and the Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor: The master restrains Wan Xing’s slaughter and counsels him to overcome his heart demon. Wan Xing acknowledges the problem but argues that he cannot eliminate his hatred without confronting its source.
• Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor and the captured Weird Immortal King: The Dao Ancestor forcibly searches the prisoner’s soul and uncovers the supposedly crucial clue about the Ancient Underworld.
• Hun Tian Dao Ancestor and the other Soul River Dao Ancestor: They discuss their successful deception, viewing the redirection of Heaven’s forces toward the Ancient Underworld as a way to relieve pressure on the Soul River.
• Hun Tian Dao Ancestor and the Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor: Though the latter does not appear directly, Hun Tian’s final thought suggests a possible reversal: the Ancient Underworld’s leader may already understand the trap.

Summary: “Trouble at the Door!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hun Tian deduces that Peacock Venerable deliberately leaked information about the Ancient Underworld Source from the Soul River. This act shifts danger onto the Ancient Underworld and likely has the tacit approval of a powerful figure in the Ancestral Land.
• The Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor also approved the plan, possibly because he wants outsiders to help eliminate troublesome figures within the Ancient Underworld while preserving its core foundations.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming spend roughly ten to twenty thousand years in dual cultivation. Their combined Hell Netherflame and Reincarnation Dao Flame produce a terrifying, almost forbidden Grand Dao Fire.
• Hou Ming’s long-standing Grand Dao wounds are finally healed completely. Jiang Yun, however, gains little immediate benefit from their cultivation sessions because his own injuries are more complicated.
• Jiang Yun reassures Hou Ming that he has found methods to repair his Primordial Spirit and later uses Soul River Water, guided by the God Emperor’s method, to gradually heal both his soul and physical Grand Dao wounds.
• Before five thousand years have passed, a whisk belonging to the Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor of Heaven pierces the barrier around the Ancient Underworld Source. The attack reveals that Heaven has located the Ancient Underworld and serves as an apparent declaration of war.
• The Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor captures the whisk and announces that, since the enemy has attacked first, the Ancient Underworld must fight despite its weakened state and the Ancestral Land’s order to remain hidden.
• The Ancient Underworld has fewer than ten Dao Ancestors remaining, with many powerful members missing or dead after previous battles. Reinforcements from the Ancestral Land are unlikely because the Desolate Emperor is besieging it.
• Shi Yi and the Ten-Crowned King, Heavenly Prince, privately ask Jiang Yun why Heaven would attack despite knowing that Jiang Yun, Shi Yi, and the Heavenly Prince are hiding in the Ancient Underworld. Jiang Yun suggests that war may not begin immediately and that the three of them may not necessarily have to fight Heaven’s Dao Ancestors to the death.

Character Developments

• Hun Tian becomes increasingly confident that the Ancient Underworld’s apparent crisis is part of a larger political scheme. He takes satisfaction in the possibility that his enemies inside the Ancient Underworld will be purged.
• Hou Ming recovers fully from the wounds she suffered while once trying to assist Jiang Yun. Her restored condition greatly improves her ability to survive the coming turmoil, though she remains deeply concerned about Jiang Yun.
• Jiang Yun continues repairing his Primordial Spirit and physical Grand Dao wounds with Soul River Water. Although still vulnerable because he cannot freely unleash his full Dao Ancestor power, he becomes more hopeful as his injuries show real improvement.
• The Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor reveals his willingness to confront Heaven and displays strong leadership, but he also understands the Ancient Underworld’s strategic weakness and the impossibility of receiving outside aid.
• Shi Yi and the Ten-Crowned King, Heavenly Prince have both grown stronger, with Shi Yi now appearing especially formidable even among Dao Ancestors. Their concern over the approaching war reflects their uncertain position within the Ancient Underworld.

Significant Themes

• Shifting disaster and political sacrifice: The Soul River and Ancient Underworld manipulate one another, sacrificing neighboring powers to protect themselves.
• Hidden alliances and tacit approval: Major events are influenced by powerful figures whose intentions remain concealed, suggesting that the conflict is part of a much larger struggle.
• The cost of survival: The Ancient Underworld is willing to let certain members be destroyed if doing so preserves its fundamental strength.
• Healing and preparation amid looming war: Jiang Yun and Hou Ming’s cultivation represents the attempt to recover and strengthen themselves before an unavoidable crisis.
• Weakness versus reputation: Although Jiang Yun is tremendously powerful, his inability to fully use his Dao Ancestor abilities is a known vulnerability that enemies may exploit.
• Isolation and dwindling strength: The Ancient Underworld’s reduced number of Dao Ancestors emphasizes its precarious position and the consequences of years of warfare.

Character Interactions

• Hun Tian and the wider political situation: Hun Tian analyzes Peacock Venerable’s actions and the Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor’s motives, revealing the strategic calculations behind the conflict.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming: Their dual cultivation strengthens their connection and heals Hou Ming, while their conversation shows Hou Ming’s sincere concern for Jiang Yun and Jiang Yun’s effort to reassure her.
• Jiang Yun and the Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor: The Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor specifically invokes Jiang Yun’s past dealings with the Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor, linking Jiang Yun personally to the new conflict.
• Shi Yi, the Heavenly Prince, and Jiang Yun: They seek Jiang Yun’s explanation for Heaven’s attack. Jiang Yun responds cautiously, recognizing that Heaven’s leaders likely know their identities and may not intend to eliminate them immediately.
• The Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors: Their collective reaction shifts from shock to reluctant determination as they accept that Heaven’s attack leaves them no choice but to fight.

Chapter Summary: “Settling Accounts with the Ancient Underworld?”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Yun, Shi Yi, and the Ten-Crowned King investigate how Heaven discovered the coordinates of the Ancient Underworld Source. They conclude that the information could not have come from the Eight Paths of Reincarnation or the Ancient Underworld’s Dao Ancestors.
• The mystery remains unresolved, forcing the Ancient Underworld’s defenders to prepare cautiously for a possible attack.
• Jiang Yun spends roughly one hundred thousand years alternating between:
  • Nourishing his damaged Primordial Spirit with Soul River Water.
  • Cultivating with Hou Ming to improve his control over the Reincarnation Dao Flame.
• His control over the flame becomes extremely refined, but his Primordial Spirit and Grand Dao Wounds heal only slightly.
• Heaven eventually launches a massive assault. Five Dao Ancestors attack the Ancient Underworld Source with powerful artifacts, including the Ancient Blade, Heavenly Sword, Whisk, Great Bell, and countless stars.
• The repaired barrier around the Ancient Underworld Source is destroyed immediately, allowing Heaven’s Dao Ancestors and their disciples to invade.
• The Ancient Underworld’s Dao Ancestors gather to confront them. The Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor claims that the Ancient Underworld must be subdued so Heaven can focus on battles elsewhere.
• Heaven accuses the Ancient Underworld of atrocities committed across countless Sacrificial Eras and declares that it is time to “settle accounts.”
• Hou Ming responds defiantly, asserting that the Ancient Underworld has always defeated those who tried to conquer it. She projects visions of past invaders being slaughtered and their Dao Fruits devoured.
• A newly advanced Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor argues that the Desolate Emperor’s emergence has changed the balance of power. He also boasts that he advanced to the Dao Ancestor Realm after killing experts in Jiang Yun’s Immortal King Deathmatch.
• Jiang Yun challenges the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor. The latter acknowledges Jiang Yun’s former strength but points out that Jiang Yun is now severely injured and reduced to the level of a Pseudo Dao Ancestor.
• When Jiang Yun asks whether he dares fight, the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor reveals that Jiang Yun has another opponent.

2. Character Developments

• Jiang Yun: Remains calm, analytical, and confident despite his severe injuries. He accepts that he is no longer a true Dao Ancestor but refuses to surrender or show weakness. His cultivation has greatly improved his mastery of the Reincarnation Dao Flame, though his physical and spiritual wounds remain serious.
• Hou Ming: Demonstrates unwavering confidence in the Ancient Underworld. She acts as one of its central pillars and uses its violent history to challenge Heaven’s accusations.
• Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor: Revealed as a young but highly confident newly advanced Dao Ancestor. He reveres the Desolate Emperor and believes the current era favors Heaven. Unlike the Ancient Underworld’s older giants, he represents youthful ambition and rising power.
• Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor: Takes a leading role in Heaven’s invasion, presenting the attack as necessary to stabilize the larger war.
• Shi Yi and the Ten-Crowned King: Participate in analyzing Heaven’s mysterious knowledge of the Ancient Underworld Source, reinforcing the sense that the attack may involve hidden forces or betrayal.

3. Significant Themes

• Unresolved conspiracy and mistrust: Heaven’s knowledge of the Ancient Underworld Source cannot be explained, suggesting an unknown leak, hidden power, or deeper conspiracy.
• Decline versus enduring strength: Jiang Yun’s injuries contrast with his continued combat confidence, while the Ancient Underworld’s ancient Dao Ancestors face Heaven’s younger, vigorous generation.
• Historical cycles of revenge: Both sides claim moral justification, framing the conflict as either punishment for ancient crimes or another futile attempt to conquer the Ancient Underworld.
• Pride and legacy: Hou Ming invokes the Ancient Underworld’s undefeated history, while the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor relies on the Desolate Emperor’s legend and recent achievements.
• The consequences of past actions: Jiang Yun’s Immortal King Deathmatch failed to produce an ally for the Ancient Underworld but instead helped create a powerful enemy.
• Power beyond formal realms: Though Jiang Yun is technically weakened below the Dao Ancestor Realm, his past achievements and physical strength still make him a dangerous opponent.

4. Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun, Shi Yi, and the Ten-Crowned King cooperate in examining Heaven’s unexplained intelligence.
• Jiang Yun and Hou Ming maintain a long-term cultivation partnership, improving his command of the Reincarnation Dao Flame.
• Hou Ming directly confronts Heaven’s accusations, defending the Ancient Underworld through both words and visions of its past victories.
• The Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor provokes Jiang Yun by emphasizing his current weakness and calling him a Pseudo Dao Ancestor.
• Jiang Yun answers with a direct challenge, refusing to let his injuries diminish his authority.
• The chapter ends on a cliffhanger: the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor declines to fight Jiang Yun immediately because another opponent has been assigned to him.

Chapter Summary: “Duel!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Yun initially fears that he may have to fight the mysterious figure beneath the Great Bell, possibly an old acquaintance. Instead, the challenger is revealed to be the Myriad Stars Immortal King, now a Dao Ancestor known as Wan Xing Dao Ancestor.
• Wan Xing recalls how Jiang Yun once attacked him and caused his cultivation to fall. After hundreds of thousands of years, he has recovered and advanced into the Dao Ancestor Realm, seeking to settle their karmic grudge.
• Wan Xing launches an enormous attack of nearly a million blazing suns and stars. Jiang Yun destroys the entire assault with a single physical punch, without using a Dao Ancestor divine ability.
• The two enter the Reincarnation Road and begin a fierce battle. Wan Xing relies on long-range stellar attacks, while Jiang Yun’s overwhelmingly powerful body allows him to withstand and shatter them.
• Elsewhere, the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor challenges the Underworld forces. Shi Yi, the Double-Pupil Bearer, accepts the challenge, using an immortal sword formed from his double pupils to fight him. Their clash damages the Reincarnation Road.
• Shi Yi mocks the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor’s claim of swordsmanship supremacy, privately thinking of the Desolate Emperor, whom he considers the true sword-wielding great enemy.
• The figure beneath the Great Bell is revealed to be Wushi, a newly advanced Dao Ancestor from the other end of the Sea of Realms. An Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestor challenges him, but Wushi’s Great Bell neutralizes the opponent’s Reincarnation Dao and begins a powerful counterattack.
• The Ancient Saber Dao Ancestor challenges the remaining Underworld Dao Ancestors. The Ten-Crowned King Heavenly Prince accepts and summons the World Tree, provoking the Ancient Saber Dao Ancestor, who considers his allegiance to the Underworld a waste of his talent.
• Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor sends the Ten-Crowned King into battle as part of the Ancient Underworld’s factional struggle, then confronts Hou Ming. Hou Ming steps forward with Hell Netherflame, ready to challenge him over his repeated attacks against the Underworld.
• The chapter ends with Jiang Yun deliberately provoking Wan Xing by questioning the strength of his Qilin body. Wan Xing, confident in his racial physique, reveals his Qilin Ancestor Body and agrees to fight Jiang Yun physically—exactly what Jiang Yun wanted.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yun demonstrates that, despite his damaged condition and inability to use Dao Ancestor divine abilities freely, his physical body is extraordinarily powerful—strong enough to destroy Wan Xing’s attacks effortlessly.
• Wan Xing Dao Ancestor has transformed from a fallen Immortal King into a genuine Dao Ancestor, but his hatred of Jiang Yun remains. His pride and confidence in the Qilin race lead him into Jiang Yun’s intended close-combat trap.
• Shi Yi remains proud and provocative, confident in his swordsmanship and secretly amused by the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor’s arrogance. His thoughts also reveal his continued admiration for the Desolate Emperor.
• Wushi has recently entered the Dao Ancestor Realm but immediately proves capable of confronting an established Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestor.
• Hou Ming’s allegiance has shifted emotionally toward Jiang Yun’s faction after becoming angered by the actions of Netherworld Prison’s subordinates, though her position remains complicated because she is still an Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestor.
• The Ten-Crowned King Heavenly Prince accepts the opportunity to fight and demonstrate his strength, while maintaining his concealed identity and connection to Jiang Yun’s side.
• Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor is shown as a calculating faction leader who attempts to use the battles to strengthen his own side and pressure Jiang Yun’s allies.

Significant Themes

• Karma and changing fortunes: Jiang Yun’s former defeat of Wan Xing eventually leads to a karmic confrontation between them, reversing their former positions.
• Physical strength versus technique: Jiang Yun’s body can overcome powerful Dao Ancestor attacks even when he cannot rely on divine abilities, emphasizing that overwhelming power can transcend conventional techniques.
• Pride and provocation: Wan Xing’s racial pride makes him vulnerable to Jiang Yun’s psychological strategy, while the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor’s confidence similarly fuels his confrontation with Shi Yi.
• Factional conflict and uncertain loyalties: The Ancient Underworld is divided between Netherworld Prison’s faction and Jiang Yun’s allies, with Hou Ming caught between old allegiance and new sympathies.
• The rise of younger Dao Ancestors: Wushi, the Ten-Crowned King, Shi Yi, and Jiang Yun represent a younger or newer generation challenging established powers.
• Hidden identities and concealed strength: Several characters conceal their origins, affiliations, or true abilities, creating tension beneath the open battles.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yun and Wan Xing confront their long-standing personal grudge, with Jiang Yun using mockery to manipulate Wan Xing into revealing his strongest physical form.
• Shi Yi and the Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor clash over swordsmanship, with Shi Yi ridiculing his claim to invincibility.
• Wushi battles an Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestor using the Great Bell and the River of Ages to counter Reincarnation Dao.
• The Ancient Saber Dao Ancestor fights the Ten-Crowned King, condemning his choice to serve the Ancient Underworld.
• Netherworld Prison directs the Ten-Crowned King into battle, exposing the political rivalry within the Underworld.
• Hou Ming openly answers Netherworld Prison’s challenge, turning their broader factional tension into a direct personal duel.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Yun successfully provokes Wan Xing into abandoning caution and engaging in close combat. When their true forms collide, Jiang Yun’s physical strength overwhelms Wan Xing’s Qilin Ancestor Body, shattering his qilin armor and piercing his chest.
• Wan Xing suffers catastrophic injuries and cannot stop his bleeding. His blood is absorbed by the Ancient Underworld’s Reincarnation Road, adding to its sinister power.
• Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor intervenes before Wan Xing can continue fighting recklessly. He forcibly removes Wan Xing from the battlefield to save his life.
• With Wan Xing defeated, the other four Dao Ancestors of Heaven’s All Ages lose their momentum. Ancient Saber Dao Ancestor and Heavenly Sword Dao Ancestor retreat, while Wushi escapes through the chaotic River of Ages using the Wushi Bell.
• The Ancient Underworld wins the battle decisively. Jiang Yun receives the greatest credit for turning the battle in their favor.
• Netherworld Prison is privately furious because the battle has ruined his unspoken plans. He had expected Jiang Yun and other Ancient Underworld Dao Ancestors to be seriously wounded, but Jiang Yun instead defeated Wan Xing with ease.
• Afterward, Heaven’s All Ages repeatedly harasses the Ancient Underworld with distant attacks and brief incursions. The Ancient Underworld is initially forbidden by Imperial Edict from retaliating.
• Similar attacks occur across the other Ancient Origin Lands. Eventually, their Giants petition the Ancestral Land, which grants permission for the Four Origin Ancient Lands to launch counterattacks.
• A massive war spreads throughout the Sacrificial Sea. Dao Ancestors fight for tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years, destroying countless worlds and causing many powerful figures to fall.
• Over three hundred thousand years, veteran Dao Ancestors die, new ones rise, and resentment from the dead makes the Sacrificial Sea too dangerous for anyone below the Dao Ancestor Realm to cross safely.
• As the Sacrificial Era nears its end, the Ancestral Land calls for more Dao Ancestors to fight in Above Heaven and the Heavenforsaken Land. Heaven’s All Ages also requests reinforcements because of a major upheaval connected to the Ancient Heavenly Court’s expedition and the battle supporting the Desolate Emperor.
• Ancient Dao Ancestors who had slumbered since the beginning of the Sacrificial Era are awakened and forced into the conflict. Eventually, even the most warlike Dao Ancestors become exhausted and fearful.
• The Giants of the Four Origin Ancient Lands seek to withdraw, but the Ancestral Land responds with its harshest warning yet.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Jiang Yun demonstrates that his strength far exceeds expectations, despite his injured Grand Dao and the fact that he is still relatively young as a Dao Ancestor. His victory over Wan Xing establishes him as the decisive figure in the battle.
• Wan Xing is shown to be dangerously driven by hatred. His emotional state clouds his judgment, causing him to fall into Jiang Yun’s trap and risk his life even after being severely wounded.
• Primordial Beginning Dao Ancestor acts protectively toward Wan Xing, abandoning his own fight to rescue his disciple. His intervention prevents Wan Xing’s likely death and triggers the retreat of Heaven’s All Ages.
• Wushi escapes only after using the Wushi Bell to disrupt the River of Ages, highlighting his resourcefulness under pressure.
• Hou Ming openly praises Jiang Yun’s contribution, forcing Netherworld Prison to acknowledge Jiang Yun’s importance despite his resentment.
• Netherworld Prison becomes increasingly frustrated and powerless. His apparent expectation that Jiang Yun would be crippled or killed is overturned, leaving him unable to reveal his own complicity or disappointment.
• The Dao Ancestors of the Ancient Underworld gain respect for Jiang Yun and abandon their previous arrogance toward him.
• Across the wider conflict, long-dormant Dao Ancestors are drawn back into action, while even powerful veterans gradually develop fear and battle fatigue.

Significant Themes

• Hatred versus judgment: Wan Xing’s hatred makes him impulsive, while Jiang Yun remains controlled and uses that weakness strategically.
• The overwhelming scale of power: The collision of Dao Ancestors can shake the Void, destroy worlds, alter the Sacrificial Sea, and make lower realms nearly impossible to traverse.
• War as an unstoppable cycle: Retaliation and counter-retaliation transform a localized clash into a conflict lasting three hundred thousand years.
• The cost of ambition and conflict: Countless Dao Ancestors bleed and die, their remains and resentment becoming part of the Sacrificial Sea and the Ancient Underworld’s Reincarnation Road.
• Political manipulation and hidden motives: Netherworld Prison’s concealed agenda contrasts with the public celebration of victory, showing that alliances are shaped by secret calculations as much as open warfare.
• Exhaustion and the limits of endurance: Even ancient, battle-hardened Dao Ancestors eventually become weary and seek withdrawal, but the Ancestral Land continues forcing them into the war.
• The approach of apocalyptic upheaval: As the Sacrificial Era nears its end, no realm remains peaceful, and conflicts in the Sacrificial Sea, Above Heaven, the Heavenforsaken Land, and the Ancestral Land converge into a final, increasingly desperate struggle.

Chapter Summary: “Ancestral Land Schemes!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Ancestral Land issues an unprecedented Imperial Edict to the Four Origin Ancient Lands. Covered in the blood of a slain powerhouse, it warns them not to retreat and commands them to prevent the Dao Ancestors of Heaven’s All Ages from reinforcing the conflict above Heaven.
• The edict offers a major reward: anyone who kills a Dao Ancestor of Heaven’s All Ages will be guided into the Ancestral Land after the Sacrificial Era and may cultivate atop the Calamity Plateau, potentially gaining a chance to become an Immortal Emperor.
• It also reveals that Immortal Emperors Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian have been targeted by a Weird Immortal Emperor. This frees the Four Origin Ancient Lands’ strongest Giants to act without fear of immediate interference from them.
• Tempted by the promise of advancement, Netherworld Prison Dao Ancestor, Peacock Venerable, and other Giants leave their domains and begin hunting Dao Ancestors from Heaven’s All Ages in the Sacrificial Sea. The balance of power reverses, forcing Heaven’s Dao Ancestors onto the defensive.
• After tens of thousands of years of fighting, Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian finally attack the Giants of the Ancient Origin Lands from above Heaven.
• In response, a terrifying Weird Immortal Emperor from the Ancestral Land begins descending into the Sacrificial Sea. His arrival alone causes catastrophic effects: bloody rain, distorted laws, destroyed worlds, corruption, and the deaths or demonization of countless weaker beings.
• The Weird Immortal Emperor attacks Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian across time and space. Though they join forces and block the blow, the weird aura spreads throughout Heaven, overwhelming its self-will and threatening to destroy the entire world.
• Sword Light World transforms into an immense Emperor Sword. Its power purifies Heaven, erases the contamination, and then sweeps across the Sacrificial Sea in a supreme sword strike described as “Eternal Severance.”
• The sword annihilates nearly all the Dao Ancestors of the Four Origin Ancient Lands caught in the Sacrificial Sea, leaving only a few Giants alive. It then directly targets the descending Weird Immortal Emperor.
• Despite receiving power from the Ancestral Land, the Calamity Plateau, the Sacrificial Sea, past versions of himself, and other Weird Immortal Emperors, the Weird Immortal Emperor is effortlessly cleaved in two and his Primordial Spirit destroyed.
• The sword continues onward, obliterating the phantom Altar and the Immortal Emperor Bridge of Life and Death—the site where the Weird Clan once attempted to initiate the Grand Sacrifice.
• Finally, the sword opens a passage into the deepest part of the Ancestral Land and charges toward the mysterious Ancestor of the Ancestral Land, ending the chapter on a major cliffhanger.

Character Developments and Interactions

• The Ancestral Land and its Weird Immortal Emperors: Their unprecedented edict reveals that the Ancestral Land is under greater pressure than ever before, despite its vast hidden strength. Its rulers attempt to manipulate the Four Origin Ancient Lands through fear and promises of advancement.
• Netherworld Prison and Peacock Venerable: These Giants abandon their long-standing passivity. Their desire to escape the limits of the Dao Ancestor Realm drives them to hunt Heaven’s Dao Ancestors.
• Meng Hai and Luo Tianxian: Having remained dormant in Heaven, they seize the moment when the Ancient Origin Land Giants are dispersed and launch a coordinated attack. They can defend themselves against the Weird Immortal Emperor but are unable to protect all of Heaven from his aura.
• The Weird Immortal Emperor: He shifts from a terrifying pursuer to the target of an even greater force. His desperation is shown by drawing strength from the Ancestral Land, the Sacrificial Sea, and countless beings across the River of Ages, yet none of it saves him.
• The Desolate Emperor and Sword Light World: Although the Desolate Emperor is not physically present, his sword strike demonstrates an overwhelming gap between him and the current Dao Ancestors. The transformation of Sword Light World into an Emperor Sword also shows its continuing connection to and response to the crisis.
• Jiang Yun, the Ten-Crowned King Heavenly Prince, and Shi Yi: Their reactions emphasize the historical and personal significance of the Desolate Emperor’s power. Jiang Yun remains relatively composed from prior experience, while the Ten-Crowned King and Shi Yi are shaken by how far their former peer has surpassed them.
• The Four Origin Ancient Lands versus Heaven’s All Ages: Their conflict escalates from organized warfare into chaotic mass slaughter, with the Ancient Origin Lands first gaining the upper hand before suffering near-total destruction from the Desolate Emperor’s sword.

Significant Themes

• Fear and temptation as instruments of control: The Ancestral Land uses both a blood-soaked threat and the promise of Immortal Emperor advancement to force reluctant powers into battle.
• The cost of stagnation: The Giants’ willingness to risk death reflects their despair after being trapped at the Dao Ancestor Realm for countless years.
• The overwhelming scale of power: The chapter repeatedly contrasts Dao Ancestors, Immortal Emperors, and the Desolate Emperor, showing that even the strongest beings can become insignificant before truly supreme power.
• The consequences of cosmic corruption: The Weird aura does not merely kill; it distorts laws, contaminates existence, and turns living beings into monsters, presenting the Weird Clan as an existential threat.
• The reversal of fate and power: The faction that had just gained the advantage is suddenly devastated, demonstrating how quickly the balance of the Sacrificial Sea can change.
• Retaliation against the Ancestral Land: The final sword strike transforms the conflict from a proxy war among Dao Ancestors into a direct assault on the source and leadership of the Weird Clan.