Chapter Summaries

Tianchi prepared Great Li’s campaign against Shengle while Xu Xuan recovered from his injuries and received orders to join the coming offensive. After Song Shiqing brought him the Rite-Bearing Leisure Blossom, Xu Xuan began refining it and learned that lesser yin now belonged within the primordial.

• Tianchi ordered Azure Radiance demoted to a school, sent Guang Chan to the frontier, and directed Huji to investigate fortune, calamity, and Heavenly Poison Mountain.
• Xu Xuan continued healing in his Grotto-Heaven, and he told Liu Xingfang to avoid the attack on Dai Territory and prepare for future battles.
• Liu Xingfang reported that a Grotto-Heaven called Azure Leaf Sky might emerge in the Southern Sea, and Xu Xuan approved Xiao Wen’s plan to explore it.
• Song Shiqing told Xu Xuan that Great Li would attack Shengle in one month and assigned him to advance along the Hun River with Immortal Dao cultivators.
• Song Shiqing gave Xu Xuan the Rite-Bearing Leisure Blossom as a healing reward, and Xu Xuan began refining it.
• Tiantuo explained that lesser yin had changed and now belonged within the primordial.

As Yi Li’s lifespan ended, he traveled to the Dreary Sea with Wuyi accompanying him and transformed his accumulated Jia Wood Qi into the ancient Azure tree. Guang Su arrived after his death and collected the small wooden dragon, while the tree revealed signs of the [Azure Leaf Sky].

• Wind Grace and Fei Xiang watched Ji Wangli’s wooden dragon pass their concealed formation, and Wind Grace recognized the dying Azure Splendor Sect master.
• Yi Li traveled south toward the Dreary Sea as his dragon nature and the poison within him clouded his mind, while Wuyi joined him to repay an old kindness.
• Yi Li asked Wuyi to help Qing Chan and Su Yun by persuading Qingyue to lend them aid, without forcing himself to intervene.
• At the Dreary Sea, Yi Li recalled his disciples and his hatred of Zhang Xuan Mystic Secrets before declaring, “I beseech the dragon's return.”
• Yi Li’s Jia Wood Qi transformed the solitary Azure Ancient Tree into a vast, heaven-piercing tree, while his remaining form became a dim, three-inch wooden dragon.
• Guang Su collected Yi Li’s wooden dragon and recognized the immense tree as a sign of the [Azure Leaf Sky] before departing.

Xu Xuan and Yang Yuanxin discussed the falling Azure Leaf Sky grotto-heaven and planned to explore its secret realms while Xu Xuan sought a way to conceal or change his divine abilities. At Tomb Mountain, Fu Dong and Demon King Soul-Concealment considered the Heavenly Dreary Sea Dragon Lord’s ambitions and arranged to watch him and Mu Youdu.

• Xu Xuan learned that the giant tree in the Dreary Sea was shaking Azure Leaf Sky loose, and he ordered Bo Chang to send Demon Generals to investigate.
• Yang Yuanxin emerged from seclusion after breaking through to cultivate a divine ability, then discussed the grotto-heaven and the danger that Nine Firmaments might be steering Xu Xuan toward [Returning Dao Pivot].
• Xu Xuan and Yang Yuanxin decided to send Bai Su and Mo Xi to scout the fallen secret realms under Bo Chang’s supervision, while Yang Yuanxin left to seek her elder brother’s support.
• Xu Xuan weighed whether to pursue [Returning Dao Pivot] and resolved to seek the [Aperture-Restoring Truth-Seeking Wonder Method] before Tomb Mountain could interfere.
• At Tomb Mountain, Fu Dong and Demon King Soul-Concealment speculated that the Dragon Lord sought another position beyond Jia Wood and agreed to watch him and Mu Youdu.

Fu Yun and the King of Misty Mountain discussed the northern front, the [Final Yin Pivot-Settling Sword], and the forces gathering to oppose Feng Yan. After healing his injuries, Xu Xuan received orders to join Guang Chan in a flank attack on Shengle.

• Fu Yun told the King of Misty Mountain that Gu Huaixu was blocking their way and that Ancient Boat’s help was needed against the Evil Land.
• Fu Yun and the King of Misty Mountain discussed the sealed [Final Yin Pivot-Settling Sword], the Celestial Pivot’s movements, and the Great Li Song Clan’s hopes for Li Fire.
• The King of Misty Mountain surveyed the forces gathering at Yin Mountain and noted that Feng Yan remained a dangerous obstacle.
• Xu Xuan used [Leisurely Splendor of Ceremonial Grace] to gather and transform his injuries, and Tiantuo described the technique’s other potential uses.
• Xu Xuan read a military decree ordering him and Guang Chan to encircle Shengle from the flank at the Hun River.

Wuchang returned to Hanging Sky Monastery and warned Wuyuan and Bodhisattva Ancient Boat against mistaking worldly intervention for deliverance. Ancient Boat went north to confront Evil Land as Guang Chan and Xu Xuan prepared to attack Shengle, where the opposing forces finally met.

• Wuchang returned to Hanging Sky Monastery and argued with Wuyuan that imposing one person's will on the world risked repeating the Xia Emperor's mistakes.
• Wuchang urged Ancient Boat not to meddle in karma, but Ancient Boat accepted the True Lord's will and went to see Gu Huaixu and his pure land.
• Guang Chan waited west of Yin Mountain for the forces gathering to attack Shengle and worried about the battle and his sect's fate.
• Xu Xuan arrived to join Guang Chan, and they discussed which enemies might block their advance and awaited Ancient Boat.
• Ancient Boat arrived as Evil Land's pure land shielded Shengle, then used his Wisdom Sword to split the vow power and shake the defense.
• Evil Land confronted Ancient Boat and declared that their rematch might end differently.

Ancient Boat confronted Evil Land and Stone-Chiding in the Great Desert, where Evil Land revealed that all his identities were aspects of Gu Huaixu and restored his former nurturing-earth cultivation. At Yin Mountain, Feng Yan blocked the central advance and fought the Song Clan’s allies, while Wanjin faced Du Tu and revealed that he had completed a third divine ability.

• Ancient Boat split Evil Land’s Pure Land, summoned Stone-Chiding from the Mysterious Palace, and trapped the azure locusts in a blank scroll.
• Evil Land revealed that Stone-Chiding, Evil Land, and Grave Sheep were all Gu Huaixu, then drew on the Azure Goat Mysterious Palace to restore his former cultivation and reclaim the Heaven-Nurturing Azure Years Disk.
• The King of Misty Mountain’s forces gathered at Yin Mountain, but Feng Yan appeared to block their route and engaged the King of Misty Mountain, Fu Yun, and Zhuoxie.
• Xiao Xuelin fought Ru Su’s Golden-Armored Deity, while Wanjin drew Golden Scale against Du Tu and his Pure Heaven Tower.
• Wanjin told Du Tu that he had completed his third divine ability, and Golden Scale’s killing intent rose as the two prepared to clash.

Xu Xuan and Guang Chan were ambushed above the Hun River by Di Chen, Xiao Xueya, and Tie Sui, leading to a fierce battle. Xu Xuan badly wounded his enemies, but Di Chen unleashed a Ru Thunder Spirit Stone that warped their bodies and left Xu Xuan unable to change back from his Dharma Body.

• Guang Chan told Xu Xuan that Chen Xiyue was preparing to break through and invited his disciples to join Guang Su on a journey to the Azure Leaf Sky.
• Di Chen, Xiao Xueya, and Tie Sui attacked Xu Xuan and Guang Chan, forcing them from the Verdant Image and down to the Hun River.
• Xu Xuan used Black Laws and Tribulation Command to trap Xiao Xueya, then broke Di Chen’s Heavenly Bridge and smashed his head with the Universalizing Thunderfire Seal.
• Xiao Xueya broke free and wounded Xu Xuan’s momentum while Di Chen recovered; the two enemies brought out a Ru Thunder Spirit Stone that caused their bodies and magic power to mutate.
• Xu Xuan blasted Di Chen with Great Absolute Northern Light and struck Xiao Xueya down with his Ink Qilin Dharma Body, but the Spirit Stone’s radiance left Xu Xuan unable to return to human form.

Xu Xuan defeated Xiao Xueya and drove off Di Chen, then joined Guang Chan in pursuing the wounded Tie Sui. As the survivors turned toward Shengle to aid Weihua, Xu Xuan sensed a heavenly demon aura there and continued hunting for the missing Bliss-Desire Demon Land forces.

• Tie Sui and Guang Chan exchanged devastating attacks, and Guang Chan used the [Dwelling Forest] to heal before the [Spirit-Capturing Cloth] unexpectedly awakened the Azure wood dragon image.
• Xu Xuan fought Di Chen and Xiao Xueya, killed Xiao Xueya, wounded Di Chen, and seized the [Divine Firmament Gold].
• Xu Xuan suppressed the [Ru Thunder Spirit Stone], but its power mutated his body before he contained it beneath a silver thunder pool.
• Xu Xuan struck down Xiao Xueya again and took the [Divine Firmament Gold], lighting the sixth star of the Northern Dipper.
• Tie Sui escaped into the [Demon Abyss Divine Baleful Palace], while Xu Xuan and Guang Chan took a [One-Yang Origin Pill] and set out to aid Weihua at Shengle.
• Xu Xuan sensed a heavenly demon aura pointing toward Shengle, where he continued searching for the Bliss-Desire Demon Land forces.

Feng Yan fought off the cultivators surrounding him and summoned an ancient spear, while Fu Yun invoked his departed master to empower his body. In Shengle, Weihua attacked the Pure Land’s Golden Body as Slaughter cornered Huan Yuan and Han Chenzi.

• Fu Yun invoked the Great Harmony Black Tortoise Token and recited a mystic truth as Misty Mountain and Zhuoxie trapped Feng Yan and attacked him.
• Feng Yan broke free, unleashed Heaven-Opening, and drove back the cultivators before Fu Yun summoned his departed master through Mystic Truth.
• Feng Yan called forth an ancient spear and challenged the cultivators surrounding him to face his resolve.
• Weihua severed the Golden Body’s arms and struck its head, forcing Di'an to call for help.
• Slaughter emerged from the Great Void, attacked Huan Yuan, and trapped him with her blades and Mara radiance while Han Chenzi struggled to protect him.

Weihua and the other cultivators battled Zhi Xi, Bright Lotus, Di'an, and their allies in Shengle as the conflict escalated with reinforcements and Evil Land’s Grave Sheep. Zhi Xi reached Xu Xuan amid the chaos and began using demonic power against him, while Evil Land’s sandstorm cut off the battlefield.

• Weihua split Bright Lotus’s Dharma body and destroyed one half with divine thunder while the other escaped through the Great Void.
• Zhi Xi activated the Grand Transformation Demon-Banquet Formation, turning Shengle into a demonic body, but Weihua weakened it with a God of the Soil talisman and the Heaven-Severing Void Flame Banner.
• Han Chenzi held Slaughter Sin at bay, and Huan Yuan resisted possession as Weihua faced Zhi Xi, Bright Lotus, and Di'an.
• Tie Sui arrived and urged Zhi Xi to retreat, but Xu Xuan and Guang Chan arrived on Wooden Dragon after Slaughter Sin was wounded, shifting the battle against the Liao cultivators.
• Evil Land unleashed a Grave Sheep demonic body and filled Shengle and Yin Mountain with sand, while Zhi Xi slipped past Guang Chan and clung to Xu Xuan, promising to help him cultivate a divine ability.

Xu Xuan killed Zhi Xi and attained [Fate-Extinguishing Purge], but the strange white flesh left behind escaped into a northern Womb Chamber, suggesting a Golden Core was involved. As the fighting at Shengle ended in victory, a new crisis erupted at Yin Mountain, where Feng Yan revealed a Mystic Qi Treasure.

• Weihua blocked the sand and ordered Han Chenzi and Zhang Xuyuan to stop Bright Lotus and Di'an while he fought Tie Sui.
• Xu Xuan and Guang Chan overwhelmed Slaughter Sin, and Xu Xuan used [Tribulation Command] to destroy Zhi Xi.
• Xu Xuan gained [Fate-Extinguishing Purge] from the resulting feedback, but the white flesh left by Zhi Xi rose north and entered a Womb Chamber before disappearing.
• Slaughter Sin reassembled and unleashed killing intent as the Liao Lands cultivators fled; Han Chenzi trapped Bright Lotus, and Xu Xuan killed him.
• Weihua called the battle a victory, while Xu Xuan worried about the demonic fortune tied to Zhi Xi and the intervention of a Golden Core.
• At Yin Mountain, blood qi and mystic azure light surged through the battle between Evil Land and Ancient Boat, and Tiantuo warned that Feng Yan had a Mystic Qi Treasure.

Stone-Chiding inherited the Azure Goat lineage’s treasures and became Evil Land, who unleashed a wasteland between Shengle and Yin Mountain while the battle against Feng Yan reached its climax. Zhuoxie sacrificed himself to gravely wound Feng Yan and restore life to the corrupted land, but died as the surviving fighters turned to secure Shengle.

• Stone-Chiding received the Heaven-Nurturing Azure Years Disk and Nether Sheep-Fed Cauldron, vowing to inherit both and redefine nurturing earth.
• Evil Land unleashed the cauldron’s accumulated evil karma, turning the land between Shengle and Yin Mountain into a wasteland and summoning monsters.
• Feng Yan impaled Zhuoxie with the Great Mystic Dragon-Snake Spear, while Fu Yun and Wanjin joined the effort to restrain and wound him.
• Zhuoxie used his life and the Dutian Firmament-Splendor Talisman to hold the spear in place, then struck Feng Yan’s soul with his sky thunder arts.
• Zhuoxie’s Dharma Body burst apart, and his thunder transformed the corrupted wasteland as seasons turned and greenery returned.
• Feng Yan escaped grievously wounded, the others left his pursuit aside to secure Shengle, and Zhuoxie’s azure armor and wooden sword fell among the new growth.

After True Person Zhuoxie died using a talisman to suppress the evil land, Fu Yun and Wanjin left the battlefield, while Xu Xuan reflected on the Song Clan’s willingness to sacrifice allies. The fighting ended with Shengle secured, but Xu Xuan remained bound to the Thunder Department and prepared for the next stage of his cultivation as the Long Wu Rampart City descended.

• Fu Yun explained that True Lord Qingxiao’s talismans had enabled Jiang Li’s false core and that Lin Tingmiao had given the last white talisman to Zhuoxie, who died facing the tribulation.
• Misty Mountain mourned Zhuoxie, while Fu Yun condemned the Song Clan’s history of exploiting the Upper Firmament and departed.
• Wanjin left after Shengle was taken, and he saw a white-robed monk calming the grief and hatred on the battlefield.
• Xu Xuan learned that Zhuoxie had fallen and concluded that the Song Clan could not be trusted, though he needed to remain with it to perfect Fate-Extinguishing Purge.
• Xu Xuan considered how to obtain another divine ability and planned to exchange celestial virtue for the Aperture Restoration chapter.
• The Long Wu Rampart City began to descend.

After Shengle was reclaimed, Xu Xuan returned to his sect and considered the Divine Dao, ancient thunder lineages, and the growing threat of True Lord Bitter Day. He spent nearly all his Celestial Virtue to obtain the [Aperture-Restoring Truth-Seeking Wonder Method], but its opening lines proved almost impossible for him and Tiantuo to understand.

• Xu Xuan watched Shengle recover under Wu Earth divine light, then went to Yin Mountain as Guang Chan and Han Chenzi departed and Qing Lang collected Divine General Zhuoxie's relics.
• Weihua told Xu Xuan that the Imperial House had summoned him to the capital and might reward him with something related to Altar Thunder.
• While traveling back toward Red Cloud, Xu Xuan and Tiantuo discussed the White Qilin, the Earth-Subduing and Dust-Sweeping lineages, and the ancient power of True Lord Bitter Day.
• Xu Xuan sealed the Main Hall, examined the [Xuanhao Edict] and Thunder Pool, and reasoned that Shock Thunder might form the foundation of an orthodox thunder path.
• Xu Xuan spent nearly all his Celestial Virtue in the Most High Pavilion to obtain the [Aperture-Restoring Truth-Seeking Wonder Method], then nearly struck Tiantuo when the old monster rushed toward it.
• Xu Xuan and Tiantuo read the scripture's opening lines, but both found them nearly incomprehensible; Tiantuo suspected the text contained True Lord Xuanhun's understanding of [Wonder and Constancy].

Xu Xuan used the Supreme Clarity Stele to decipher the [Aperture Restoration] scroll and learned the [Treatise on Wonder and Constancy, Part Two], which could conceal and transform Divine Abilities. Meanwhile, Tianchi ordered Weihua to let Xu Xuan use a dangerous item to perfect his abilities, despite Weihua’s warning that members of the Song Clan remained inside.

• Xu Xuan and Tiantuo found the [Aperture Restoration] scroll impossible to decipher until Tiantuo suggested illuminating it with the [Supreme Clarity Stele].
• Xu Xuan used the Stele to reveal the [Treatise on Wonder and Constancy, Part Two], learning how to conceal one Divine Ability and manifest another through mixed mystery.
• Xu Xuan considered how the method could aid his cultivation and keep his plans hidden, then weighed seeking Altar Thunder knowledge through Li Song and negotiating with Tianchi.
• Tianchi told Weihua that the Thunder Department should receive a replacement for Zhuoxie and proposed rewarding Xu Xuan by letting him use a powerful item to perfect his Divine Abilities.
• Weihua objected because Song Clan members, including Shiming, were still inside, but Tianchi dismissed his concern and gave him a decree ordering him to clear the way for Xu Xuan.
• Weihua left for the Great Void with the decree, worrying that Tianchi was inhuman and wondering whether something was wrong with the True Lord’s condition.

Xu Xuan witnessed the Great Li ceremony that brought the White Altar Fate-Lord Mountain God into the world, then met Emperor Tianchi, who offered him an opportunity to advance his altar thunder cultivation. The chapter ended with Tianchi asking whether Xu Xuan had the will to seek the altar.

• Tianchi descended to the Great Void and presided over the ceremony as Huji read the imperial proclamation.
• Tianchi summoned the Long Wu Rampart City, and the white qilin broke free from its divine embryo and became a divine lord.
• Huji declared that Great Li had obtained a qilin, and Xu Xuan and Weihua left to attend the emperor.
• Tianchi received Xu Xuan alone, praised his service at Shengle, and offered him an opportunity connected to the former Tribulation Command Heavenly Court.
• Tianchi asked Xu Xuan whether he had the will to seek the altar.

Tianchi urged Xu Xuan to consider pursuing Altar Thunder and sent him with Weihua to the Former Grounds of Tribulation Command. There, Xu Xuan entered the sealed thunder realm to cultivate while Song Shiming’s failed attempt ended in death.

• Tianchi hinted that he could shape the world’s course and encouraged Xu Xuan to pursue Altar Thunder, but Xu Xuan avoided pledging himself to Tianchi’s faction.
• Tianchi sent Xu Xuan to the Former Grounds of Tribulation Command with Weihua so he could perfect his third Divine Ability.
• Weihua explained how Yao Lu’s remnant soul had led the Song Clan to the Thunder Palace site and opened its silver thunder gate.
• Xu Xuan saw Song Shiming disintegrate and die when the gate opened, and Weihua collected the silver inscription of law left behind.
• Xu Xuan entered the sealed realm, sensed his Black Laws respond to the sea of Altar Thunder, and began cultivating Fate-Extinguishing Purge.

Xu Xuan studied the Treatise on Wonder and Constancy and learned how its transformations could expand his options in Seeking the Golden Position. As the struggle over Azure Leaf Sky intensified, he gathered information about the Dreary Sea and learned that Dust-Sweeping might be active in the Southern Sea.

• Xu Xuan concluded that the Treatise on Wonder and Constancy could transform compatible Divine Abilities and give him more flexibility in Seeking the Golden Position.
• Yang Yuanxin reported that Mo Xi had recovered two Wood Virtue Ancient Artifacts and that Bai Su had obtained an ancient Jia Wood Spirit Essence from Dreary Forest.
• Xu Xuan suspected the dragon-patterned leaf and the Dreary Sea dragon tree were connected to the Heavenly Dreary Sea Dragon Lord, and said he had contacted White Pond to consult Dongfang Lanqing.
• Yang Yuanxin promised to stand by Xu Xuan, while Xu Xuan worried that Tomb Mountain had not replied and considered whether he should go there himself.
• Bo Chang reported that the Purple Mansion Demon King Ronghai had been burned to ashes by what appeared to be Ding Fire, leading Xu Xuan to suspect Dust-Sweeping.

Xu Fayan and Liu Xiaowen discussed the grotto-heaven, Xu Fayan’s cultivation prospects, and plans to rebuild White Cang. As Liu Xiaowen watched the unstable Azure Leaf Sky, a spirit thunder dragonkind creature plunged into the dragon tree and fused with it, leaving him wary of the dragonkind’s schemes.

• Empty-Handed reported that the grotto-heaven was chaotic and showed Xu Fayan a token carved from purple mansion essence carrying Ding fire aura.
• Xu Fayan considered seeking a nurturing earth cultivation manual through the Green-Waste Dao and planned to write to his master.
• Liu Xiaowen told Xu Fayan that preparations for the grotto-heaven were complete and that he intended to cultivate [Kunwu Furnace] as his second divine ability.
• Liu Xiaowen asked Xu Fayan to return to White Cang and help rebuild it, where vast water and Jia wood purple mansion essence could be gathered for trade.
• After Xu Fayan departed, Liu Xiaowen worried about his junior brother’s identity and the risks surrounding his nurturing earth path.
• A crimson spirit thunder dragonkind creature plunged into the azure tree and burst apart, while dragonlike forms fused together and climbed the tree.

He Gui reported to the First Sea Dragon King, who punished him for a failed attempt to produce an heir and sent him to spy on Yama Hall. Meanwhile, Nine Firmaments met Xu Xuan and Yang Yuanxin at Heaven Pool and revealed that True Lord Che Feng had enabled her return to life.

• He Gui arrived at the First Sea Dragon King’s palace and saw the sword wound left by True Person Wuyi.
• First Sea killed the malformed newborn and its mother, gouged out He Gui’s eyes, and ordered him to watch Yama Hall in the Western Sea.
• First Sea agreed to Dongfang Yelei’s proposal in a secret letter and ordered Brahma Demon to retrieve a greater yang object for Li Shangmi.
• Nine Firmaments traveled from Tomb Mountain to Heaven Pool as Azure Leaf Sky neared its fall and met Xu Xuan and Yang Yuanxin.
• Nine Firmaments explained that she had escaped the Demon Refining Tower, entered Great Wind Mystic Firmament, and survived through the power of True Lord Che Feng of Primordial Repose and Rousing Xun.