Chapter Summaries

Primordial Heavenly Venerate used the Primordial Heavenly Demon's token to persuade Demon Ancestor Luohu to cooperate against Qin Mu, and Luohu gave him a crystal that could open a passage for the Demon Clan army into the Primordial Wilderness. After returning to the Chaotic Void, Primordial Heavenly Venerate destroyed the Saints' probing divine senses and left them wary of provoking him.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate showed Luohu the Heavenly Devil Order and explained that the Primordial Heavenly Demon had sent him to seek Luohu's aid.
• Luohu agreed to help and gave Primordial Heavenly Venerate a black crystal capable of opening a gateway between the Outer Heavens and the Primordial Wilderness for the Demon Clan army.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate accepted the crystal, thanked Luohu, and departed while Luohu privately reflected on the danger of the Primordial Heavenly Demon's attention.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate reappeared in the Chaotic Void, where the Saints probed his whereabouts.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate ordered the Saints to stop spying and shattered their divine senses with his aura, causing them to back off.

Qin Mu wondered why Primordial Heavenly Venerate had entered the lower realm and resolved to strengthen himself ahead of a coming upheaval. Primordial Heavenly Venerate met Haotian and, suspecting he resented Qin Mu’s control of the Heavenly Court, asked whether he was satisfied with his current position.

• Qin Mu sensed Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s aura and suspected he might be plotting against him, but focused on improving his strength.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate continued toward the lower realm after sensing that no one was probing him.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate encountered Haotian, who explained that he was traveling to Zixiao Palace to seek Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s guidance.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate recalled that Qin Mu had been chosen as Lord of the Heavenly Court and considered whether Haotian resented the decision.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate stopped Haotian as he was about to leave and asked whether he was satisfied with his current position.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate stoked Haotian’s resentment over Qin Mu receiving the position of Lord of the Heavenly Court, arguing that Haotian would have been the more impartial choice. Haotian remained wary of Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s motives but recognized his own deep dissatisfaction with serving under Di Zun.

• Haotian reflected that he held a high Heavenly Court title but lacked real authority.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate reminded Haotian that the Dao Ancestor had chosen Qin Mu as Lord of the Heavenly Court over the candidates recommended by the Saints.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate argued that Haotian should have become the new Heavenly Emperor because he had no strong ties to any sect.
• Haotian questioned why Primordial Heavenly Venerate was raising the matter now and grew wary of his hostility toward Qin Mu.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate asked whether Haotian was willing to remain beneath Di Zun, and Haotian recognized his own resentment and belief that he had been the better choice.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate tried to recruit Haotian to overthrow Di Zun, but Haotian refused because he feared Qin Mu. Primordial Heavenly Venerate then revealed that he had allied with Demon Ancestor Luohu and that the Demon Clan would soon invade the Primordial Wilderness.

• Haotian told Primordial Heavenly Venerate that Di Zun's sainthood and Qin Mu's strength made overthrowing their rule impossible.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate unleashed his oppressive aura when Haotian refused, then asked whether Haotian doubted his ability to defeat Qin Mu.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate opened a rift to the Beyond Chaos Outer Heavens, shocking Haotian with the demonic auras within.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate revealed that he had reached an agreement with Demon Ancestor Luohu and that the Demon Clan's army would soon descend upon the Primordial Wilderness.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate pressured Haotian into secretly helping him seize the Heavenly Court's Fortune, then went to Mount Sumeru to meet Jie Yin and Zhun Ti. Haotian returned to the Heavenly Court rather than risk visiting Hongjun, while the Western saints awaited Primordial Heavenly Venerate's explanation.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate revealed his alliance with Demon Ancestor Luohu and threatened Haotian until Haotian agreed to scheme for the Heavenly Court's Fortune.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate warned Haotian to keep their agreement and his alliance with Luohu secret, then released him to continue toward Zixiao Palace.
• Haotian reconsidered visiting Dao Ancestor Hongjun and turned back toward the Heavenly Court to avoid arousing suspicion.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate traveled to Mount Sumeru, where Jie Yin and Zhun Ti wondered why he had come and whether he resented their failure to help him.
• Jie Yin invited Primordial Heavenly Venerate into Mount Sumeru, and Zhun Ti asked him why he had come.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate offered to help Jie Yin and Zhun Ti spread Western Buddhist Dharma into the Eastern Land in exchange for joining him to kill Qin Mu. Jie Yin refused the proposal and ordered Primordial Heavenly Venerate to leave.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate asked Jie Yin and Zhun Ti whether they wanted to spread Western Buddhist Dharma into the Eastern Land.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate said he could help the Western Teachings enter the East if the two Saints agreed to his condition.
• Zhun Ti asked what Primordial Heavenly Venerate wanted in return, while he and Jie Yin privately questioned his motives.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate demanded that Jie Yin and Zhun Ti join forces with him to suppress and kill Qin Mu.
• Zhun Ti showed interest in the plan, but Jie Yin refused and told Primordial Heavenly Venerate to leave.

Jie Yin refused Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s proposal to join forces against Qin Mu, judging the risk too great given Qin Mu’s strength and allies. As the Primordial World remained tense but quiet, the Human Race entered a new era when Qi succeeded Da Yu and founded the Xia Dynasty.

• Jie Yin rejected Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s offer to attack Qin Mu, despite Zhun Ti’s objections.
• Jie Yin explained that Qin Mu was too powerful and too well connected to risk fighting, so the Western Teachings would wait and observe.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate left for Kunlun Mountain and considered seeking Demon Ancestor Luohu’s help against Qin Mu.
• The Primordial World remained quiet, while powerful figures wondered where Primordial Heavenly Venerate had gone and Haotian watched Di Zun with a strange, concealed look.
• Da Yu tamed the floods, established the Nine Tripods, and delineated the Nine Provinces before passing the throne to his son, Qi.
• Qi transformed the tribal alliance into a centralized dynasty, strengthened royal authority, and began the Xia Dynasty.

Jie of Xia’s tyranny drove the Xia Dynasty toward collapse as nine feudal lords rose in rebellion, with Shang Tang gaining the greatest strength and popular support. Seeing Xia’s Fortune nearing its end, Taishang, Jie Yin, Zhun Ti, and Primordial Heavenly Venerate considered intervening to gain Merit and Fortune.

• Jie of Xia indulged Mei Xi, built the lavish Leaning Palace, and entertained himself with a vast wine pool while the people suffered under his rule.
• People rose against Xia, and the nine powerful feudal lords Shang, Zhou, Chu, Yue, Qi, Ge, Wei, Gu, and Kunwu led the resistance.
• Shang Tang gained territory and followers, becoming the strongest rebel lord through his benevolence and popular support.
• Taishang told Xuan Du to send a disciple to assist one of the nine feudal lords, while Jie Yin and Zhun Ti also decided to make plans for the coming change of rule.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate sensed Xia’s Fortune declining and considered guiding the succession to gain Merit and Fortune.

As the Xia Dynasty’s Fortune waned, the Saints sent disciples and allies to support rival Human Race lords. Zhun Ti persuaded Jie Yin to undermine Qin Mu by targeting the Heavenly Court and exploiting Haotian’s possible resentment, leaving Jie Yin considering the plan.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate ordered Guangchengzi to send disciples to aid lords rebelling against Jie of Xia.
• Saint Tongtian ordered Duobao to choose a lord to support but forbade Duobao from going himself because of Qin Mu.
• Nuwa and Zhen Yuanzi also sent subordinates to support favored lords as the Saints began maneuvering within the Human Race.
• Zhun Ti urged Jie Yin to accept Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s proposal in a limited way and weaken Qin Mu by dismantling the Heavenly Court.
• Zhun Ti suggested Haotian might resent Qin Mu and could be drawn into opposing him, and Jie Yin agreed that Haotian might be a suitable candidate for Heavenly Emperor.

Jie Yin and Zhun Ti sought out Haotian and urged him to establish a Western Heavenly Court to rival Qin Mu’s rule. Haotian was tempted by the proposal but hesitated, warning that abandoning his place in the current Heavenly Court could put him in danger.

• Jie Yin agreed with Zhun Ti that they should move against the Heavenly Court and went with him to find Haotian.
• Haotian reflected on Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s request that he secretly scheme for the Heavenly Court’s Fortune after learning of the alliance with Demon Ancestor Luohu.
• Jie Yin and Zhun Ti appeared in Haotian’s palace and questioned whether he would accept having no real authority under Qin Mu’s avatar, Di Zun.
• Jie Yin proposed that Haotian establish a Western Heavenly Court, and Haotian began to consider the idea.
• Haotian told the two Saints that he did not understand their intentions and asked whether starting anew would put him in danger.

Jie Yin and Zhun Ti persuaded Haotian to help establish a Western Heavenly Court so they could challenge Qin Mu’s Eastern Heavenly Court. Haotian agreed and secretly recruited dissatisfied officials, but Di Zun learned of his actions and dismissed him as no threat.

• Haotian avoided revealing his resentment toward Qin Mu, but Zhun Ti confronted him about it.
• Jie Yin and Zhun Ti offered Haotian secret support to establish a Western Heavenly Court and ally with the Western Teachings.
• Haotian accepted their proposal, believing the Saints’ support would help him scheme for Heavenly Court Fortune and protect him if exposed.
• After Jie Yin and Zhun Ti left, Haotian resolved to continue despite his unease and secretly recruited dissatisfied immortal officials.
• A spy Qin Mu had left in the Heavenly Court reported Haotian’s activities to Di Zun, who laughed and said he could destroy Haotian with one palm strike.

The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors agreed that Shang Tang should replace Jie of Xia and began arranging aid for him. Meanwhile, Jie Yin and Zhun Ti arrived at Kunlun Mountain to meet Primordial Heavenly Venerate, leaving their purpose unclear.

• Fuxi and the other Sovereigns and Emperors praised Shang Tang and agreed that Jie of Xia’s rule should end.
• Da Yu accepted that a worthy ruler could replace his descendant if it benefited the Human Race.
• The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors consulted Huang Tian and Zhen Yuanzi, who approved their plan to assist Shang Tang.
• The Sovereigns and Emperors arranged for people to go help Shang Tang lead the Human Race.
• Jie Yin and Zhun Ti arrived at Kunlun Mountain and asked Guangchengzi to take them to Yuanshi.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate received Jie Yin and Zhun Ti at Yuxu Palace, where they greeted him.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate agreed to ally with Jie Yin and Zhun Ti to weaken Qin Mu’s Heavenly Court by supporting Haotian’s Western Heavenly Court. Jie Yin and Zhun Ti made spreading their teachings in the East the condition of their alliance.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate recalled how Jie Yin had refused his earlier proposal to join forces against Qin Mu and suspected the Saints’ motives when they came to Kunlun Mountain.
• Jie Yin and Zhun Ti proposed an alliance and revealed that they had persuaded Haotian to establish a Western Heavenly Court and divide Qin Mu’s Heavenly Court Fortune.
• Zhun Ti argued that weakening Qin Mu’s Heavenly Court would let them take further action against him later.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate agreed to work with Jie Yin and Zhun Ti to dismantle the Heavenly Court.
• Jie Yin stated that the Western Teachings’ condition was for Primordial Heavenly Venerate to help them spread their teachings in the East.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate agreed to form an alliance with Jie Yin and Zhun Ti, though he warned them not to betray him. Meanwhile, Shang Tang defeated Jie of Xia and the rival lords, unified the Human Race, and founded the Shang state.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate agreed to cooperate with Jie Yin and Zhun Ti in dismantling the Heavenly Court, then threatened them against playing tricks behind his back.
• After leaving Kunlun Mountain, Zhun Ti and Jie Yin discussed Primordial Heavenly Venerate’s strange aura and resolved to secretly assist Haotian.
• As Jie of Xia lost control of the realm, Shang Tang quietly gathered troops and supplies while the other lords fought among themselves.
• Shang Tang attacked the Xia capital, captured Jie of Xia, and killed Mei Xi, ending the Xia Dynasty.
• Shang Tang defeated the remaining eight lords, unified the Human Race, and declared the state of Shang.

After Shang Tang established the Shang Dynasty, Qin Mu focused on cultivating as he anticipated the Investiture Calamity and the arrival of an Immortal Seed. In the Heavenly Court, Haotian began recruiting idle immortal officials into a scheme to gain real authority.

• Shang Tang renamed the Xia capital Bo, introduced measures to restore peace, and received Heavenly Dao Merit that strengthened him and the Human Race's Fortune.
• Primordial Great Powers and Saints regretted backing the wrong candidates, while the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors gained Merit for supporting Shang Tang.
• Qin Mu recognized that the Investiture Calamity was approaching and that hidden powers would awaken to compete for the Immortal Seed, so he resumed cultivating.
• Haotian invited idle immortal officials to Tongming Palace as part of his plan to secretly divide the Heavenly Court's Fortune.
• Haotian challenged the officials to abandon their idle posts and asked whether they wanted to wield real authority.

Haotian persuaded the Heavenly Court's idle officials to join his plan to establish a Western Heavenly Court and began seeking allies with real authority. More than five hundred years later, during Di Yi's reign, birds gathered over Chaoge as three thousand li of purple qi descended into the chambers where his consort was giving birth.

• Haotian told the assembled idle officials that two Saints of the Western Teachings supported his plan to establish a Western Heavenly Court and promised them important posts and greater resources.
• The officials agreed to follow Haotian, who decided he needed to recruit Heavenly Court immortals and gods with real power.
• More than five hundred years passed, and Shang's twenty-ninth monarch, Di Yi, restored the dynasty's strength through reforms and campaigns.
• As Di Yi's consort prepared to give birth in Chaoge, countless birds circled above the city, astonishing the court and its people.
• Three thousand li of purple qi descended from the Nine Heavens into the consort's chambers, and Di Yi's officials hailed it as an auspicious sign for Shang.

Purple energy over Chaoge signaled the birth of a new Human Emperor, whom Qin Mu recognized as Di Xing, or Zhou, whose arrival would soon bring the Investiture of the Gods calamity. The Saints reacted with uncertainty, while Qin Mu resumed cultivating to prepare for the upheavals ahead.

• Great powers across the Primordial Wilderness noticed the purple energy over Chaoge and speculated that a new Human Emperor would provoke a struggle among the teachings.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate continued refining Demonic Energy, dismissed the Human Emperor’s birth as a distraction, and planned to ask Haotian about dismantling the Heavenly Court.
• Laozi divined that the new Human Emperor would bring chaos and upheavals rather than prosperity.
• Tongtian, unable to divine after severing his Saint Position, suspected his eldest disciple knew what the Human Emperor’s birth meant.
• Qin Mu recognized the coming Human Emperor as Di Xing of the Shang Dynasty, Zhou, and resumed cultivation despite worrying about other hidden dangers.
• Zhun Ti asked Jie Yin how another Human Emperor could be born, and Jie Yin called the event strange.

The arrival of a new Human Emperor went unnoticed by the Heavenly Dao, while calamity gathered across the Primordial World. As Huang Tian refused to interfere with the destined emperor, Haotian continued secretly recruiting allies for the Western Heavenly Court and reported his progress to Primordial Heavenly Venerate.

• Jie Yin and Zhun Ti discussed the unannounced Human Emperor and worsening calamity, then decided to focus on helping Haotian establish the Western Heavenly Court.
• Saint Nuwa sensed the coming Human Emperor and a connection to herself, but her calculations revealed only that Calamity Aura surrounded the Human Race.
• Cangjie proposed helping the new Human Emperor, but Huang Tian refused, saying the emperor had his own destined path.
• Haotian recruited immortals and gods, including Duer Star Lord, while Di Zun remained in seclusion, and decided to delay approaching Yaochi.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate visited Haotian in Tongming Palace, and Haotian reported that many Heavenly Court immortals and gods would likely join his side before Di Zun emerged.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate told Haotian he could publicly announce the Western Heavenly Court, with the Two Sages of the West and Primordial Heavenly Venerate supporting him. After Di Zun returned from seclusion and summoned the court, Lingweizi exposed Haotian’s efforts to recruit gods for the planned breakaway.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate told Haotian that the Two Sages of the West had also approached him and that he would support the public establishment of the Western Heavenly Court.
• Haotian resolved to speed up his preparations and announce the plan at an appropriate time.
• After time passed, Di Zun emerged from seclusion and summoned the immortals and gods to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
• Lingweizi told Di Zun that Haotian had been urging Heavenly Court gods to join the future Western Heavenly Court.
• Di Zun fixed his attention on Haotian as Lingweizi warned that many gods had secretly agreed to betray the Heavenly Court.

Lingweizi exposed Haotian’s secret plans to defect and establish a Western Heavenly Court, forcing him to answer before Di Zun. Haotian argued that he had been unfairly denied the Jade Emperor’s position and condemned Di Zun’s favoritism toward the Jie Teachings and the Underworld, then prepared to state what he wanted.

• Lingweizi revealed Haotian’s dealings to the immortals and gods, and Haotian realized his plan had been exposed.
• Yaochi was shocked by Haotian’s ambitions, while the Lord of Stars and Chi You demanded that he confess his crimes.
• Di Zun confronted Haotian, who openly challenged his right to rule as Jade Emperor.
• Haotian recounted how the Dao Ancestor had chosen Qin Mu instead of him and accused Di Zun of favoring the Jie Teachings and the Underworld.
• Di Zun asked Haotian what he wanted, and Haotian took a breath, knowing he could no longer secretly recruit immortals within the Heavenly Court.