Chapter Summaries

Xu Fayan completed his Immortal Foundation and prepared to enter seclusion to attain Divine Ability, while Xu Xuan and Wen Si'an discussed family and sect affairs. An imperial decree ordered Xu Xuan to proceed swiftly to the Southern Capital, leaving the reason for the summons unknown.

• Xu Fayan revealed that he had perfected his Nether Sheep Rite Immortal Foundation, and Xu Xuan agreed that he could break through in seclusion on Spirit Peak.
• Xu Xuan ordered Wen Guang to prepare the seclusion formation for Xu Fayan before leaving the peak.
• Jiang Zhoudu took over caring for Xu Ming from Liu Shu Han, and they discussed the child’s future cultivation.
• Xu Xuan and Wen Si'an watched over Xu Ming and discussed plans to occupy Brocade Capital and arrange the sect’s formation.
• An imperial decree arrived commanding Xu Xuan to proceed swiftly to the Southern Capital, and he wondered whether it concerned cultivation, the Northern Campaign, or both.

Xu Xuan traveled to the Southern Capital, where he encountered Princess Qingci and the supreme-rites cultivator Xie Kuo before joining Nangang at the Imperial Palace. Tianchi summoned them to discuss preparations for the Northern Campaign, with two familiar Long Talismans laid before him.

• Xu Xuan rode through the Southern Capital and watched Xie Kuo capture the runaway Princess Qingci in a sheet of Xuan Paper.
• Xie Kuo identified himself and explained that Qingci wanted to join the northern army and learn Xu Xuan’s sword arts.
• Xu Xuan met Nangang at the Imperial Palace, where Nangang said the Northern Campaign might involve Great Shaman Yuan E and Senior Northern Yin.
• A golden Edict summoned Xu Xuan and Nangang into the palace to meet Tianchi.
• Tianchi said he was preparing for the Northern Campaign and had need of both men, while two familiar Long Talismans lay on the table before him.

Tianchi gave Xu Xuan and Nangang ancient Heavenly Registers and sent them to the Five Phases Hall to refine them before the Northern Campaign. Xu Xuan’s register resonated with his Black Laws and artifacts, allowing him to begin condensing calamities and repair the Great Nether Yin Lamp.

• Tianchi explained that the Heavenly Registers could exercise authority over heaven and earth, then ordered Xu Xuan and Nangang to take them and prepare for the Northern Campaign.
• Xing You led Xu Xuan and Nangang through a void qi grand formation to the Five Phases Hall, where she explained its ancient origins and purpose.
• Nangang told Xu Xuan that the Northern Thunder path’s inheritance involved both Heavenly Registers and Black Laws, which Xu Xuan now possessed.
• Xu Xuan considered how ancient lineages and the Twelve Qi had changed, then entered the Five Phases Hall with Nangang.
• Xu Xuan’s Heavenly Register merged into his Dharma Body as his Black Laws spread across it, and he sensed the Primordial Beginning Thunder-Governing Myriad Calamities Earth Altar Palace.
• Xu Xuan summoned three artifacts and began condensing the Three Calamities, causing the Great Nether Yin Lamp to repair itself.

Xu Xuan received a Heavenly Register, awakened the cultivation method for Righteous Punishment, and learned that the Northern Campaign would begin in six years. He prepared to master new spells before the campaign, while Nangang worried about the powerful enemies Great Li would face.

• Xu Xuan’s Heavenly Register united with the Black Laws, allowing him to awaken the Three Calamities art and raising his rank to the summit of Purple Mansion.
• The register revealed a vision of True Person Deng and gave Xu Xuan the method for Righteous Punishment, a Divine Ability that kept its user at peak strength while they enforced the Thunder Palace’s laws.
• Xing You told Xu Xuan and Nangang that the Northern Campaign would begin in six years, with Great Li advancing on western and eastern fronts.
• Nangang explained that Great Li would cross Azure Lake toward White Ravine and face the Bliss-Desire Demon Land, while the eastern front would confront the Rebirth Dharma Dao.
• Xu Xuan and Nangang discussed threats including Deliverance, Evil Land, and Feng Yan before parting to prepare for the campaign.
• Xu Xuan resolved to gain preliminary mastery of the Three Calamities and Moon Eclipse spells so he could face the battlefield’s dangers.

Xu Xuan returned to Red Cloud after receiving the Heavenly Register and learned that Tianchi had used the chance to examine his origins. He met True Person Guan Quan to discuss a new Grand Formation for the expanding sect, but Guan Quan noticed that the spirit vein was missing.

• Xu Xuan passed the Central Sacred Peak and discussed with Tiantuo how the Heavenly Register granted him authority, while Tiantuo revealed that Tianchi had scrutinized him in the Southern Capital.
• Xu Xuan considered the histories of the Black Baleful tradition and the Shu and Zhao kingdoms before passing the sealed White Azure Cavern in the Jade Flow Mountains.
• Xu Xuan returned to Green Luo, where Liu Xiaowen told him that True Person Guan Quan had arrived to discuss the Grand Formation and that Wen Si'an had gone to Shu.
• Xu Xuan met Guan Quan on Heavenly Tribulation and learned that Louguan could provide a clear-qi formation suited to Red Cloud.
• Guan Quan warned Xu Xuan about Wen Si'an's Fuxuan bloodline and asked why the spirit vein was missing from the sect.

Xu Xuan negotiated with Guan Quan for Louguan’s [Clear Heaven Mystic Imperial Grand Formation], which could protect Red Cloud and Witch South. Guan Quan offered to give it to Xu Xuan’s lineage if Xu Xuan would kill Yin Yeqing, his former disciple, during the Northern Campaign and ask whether he had joined the demons willingly.

• Xu Xuan explained that he had refined the Pure Abode of Mysterious Principles spirit vein into himself, and Guan Quan described Louguan’s [Clear Heaven Mystic Imperial Grand Formation].
• Xu Xuan agreed to prepare a spirit treasure artifact and two spirit treasure materials in exchange for the formation.
• Guan Quan offered the formation without payment if Xu Xuan would help him deal with Yin Yeqing, who had been taken by the Bliss-Desire demons and fallen into the Demonic Path.
• Guan Quan explained that Yin Yeqing had been his master’s grandson and his intended successor, abducted near the Frontier after entering Frost Plum territory.
• Guan Quan asked Xu Xuan to slay Yin Yeqing if he encountered him, but first ask whether he had been abducted by force or had willingly joined the demons.
• Guan Quan revealed that only he and Yin Yeqing could remove the [Purple Void Immortal-Illuminating Talisman] protecting Yin Yeqing, suggesting Yin Yeqing may have removed it himself.

Xu Xuan arranged for Guan Quan to establish a protective formation and considered the coming Northern Campaign. At Azure Lake, Liu Xingfang witnessed Tantai Yiyu sacrifice prisoners to draw out a Lingsa cultivator, whom Yuanchai killed, clearing the Great Nether Wastes for a new formation as the campaign drew near.

• Xu Xuan agreed to help Guan Quan kill his disciple Jing Xing, and Guan Quan promised to establish the Azure Heaven Profound Imperial Grand Formation at Xu Xuan's sect in a year.
• Xu Xuan sensed Yuanchai, a Purple Mansion cultivator from Heavenly Poison Mountain, heading toward the frontier.
• Liu Xingfang defended Wu City from monsters and spirits while awaiting the end of his ten-day posting.
• Tantai Yiyu arrived with 7,300 prisoners and showed Liu Xingfang an Imperial House command token ordering preparations for the Northern Campaign.
• Tantai Yiyu began a sacrifice, and a Purple Mansion Lingsa cultivator fled from the Great Nether Wastes as Yuanchai's witchcraft shattered his Dharma body.
• Tantai Yiyu told Liu Xingfang that the witchcraft had been cleared and that Tip-Feng Mountain would prepare to establish a formation.

Tiantuo questioned Miao'e about her cultivation and lineage before she returned to the moon, then studied ancient water-transformation scriptures in his pavilion. At White Ravine, Zhi Xi lured Murong Feng into her body and killed him, declaring that she would replace him.

• Miao'e visited Tiantuo at the Immortal-Granting Bureau and discussed her prospects of becoming a Moon Goddess or Attendant Envoy.
• Miao'e left the residence and returned to the moon, while Tiantuo entered the Eastern Radiance Pavilion to examine its scriptures.
• Tiantuo studied the Benevolent Aid Kind Beneficence Scripture and wondered about Merciful Yuanjun's death and the Origin Vast Dragon Lord's involvement in Guixu.
• Murong Feng fled to White Ravine and begged Zhi Xi for help as she preached to the frenzied followers gathered around her jade platform.
• Zhi Xi opened her abdomen and invited Murong Feng inside, where sword intent and other forces destroyed him.
• Zhi Xi announced that Murong Feng was useless and that she would replace him, promising to give the Murong Clan an explanation.

Xu Xuan completed the grand formation around Luoqing Mountain, agreed to help Wei Shuang during the coming campaign, and spent time with his young son while considering his future. He later investigated the mysteries of the calamities and Jiaoyang’s path, then mastered the Great Unity Moon Eclipse Secret Method.

• Guan Quan gave Xu Xuan the activated Clear Heaven Mystic Imperial Grand Formation, which strengthened the spiritual energies around Luoqing Mountain.
• Guan Quan warned Xu Xuan that laws alone could not sustain a Dao tradition, then asked him to help Wei Shuang during the King of Misty Mountain’s deployment; Xu Xuan agreed.
• Xu Xuan visited his three-year-old son Xu Ming and reflected on preparing his cultivation path before the Northern Campaign began.
• Xu Xuan tested the interaction between shock thunder water and yin flame, while Tiantuo speculated that the Devil Ancestor of Black Baleful had arranged Jiaoyang’s dry yang attestation at the cost of the Xia Dynasty.
• Xu Xuan studied the Great Unity Moon Eclipse Secret Method and mastered it, manifesting the majesty of a Thunder Palace Divine Lord.

Wen Si'an and Wen Guang discussed how the Great Scarlet sect should establish itself in Shu while avoiding conflict with the Wei clan and assessing Autumn Clarity. Wei Cun rejected an early attack on the newcomers and planned for his son to unite Shu, by persuasion or force.

• Wen Si'an asked Wen Guang how to deal with Autumn Clarity and Great Mystery Mountain, and he recommended securing Brocade Capital and Lacquer Mountain first while proceeding cautiously around the Wei clan.
• Wen Si'an gave Wen Guang the Mount Tai Spring-Viewing Terrace to refine and ordered him to avoid provoking the Wei clan until the clan’s backing was understood.
• Withered Magnetism urged Wei Cun to drive the Great Scarlet and Void Sword traditions out of Brocade Capital and Sword Pass before they became a threat.
• Wei Cun refused, citing the sects’ rightful claim to their territories, and said his son would either bring them under his command or defeat them while uniting Shu.

Xu Xuan rebuilt [Returning Dao Pivot] and studied the higher art [Thunder-Pivot Equalizing-Things Art], which could lead to the state of [Forgetting Both Self and Things]. He then assigned diplomatic and military tasks to Hou Ni and Bo Chang, while considering how to replace the escape ability he had lost by rebuilding his divine ability.

• Xu Xuan used Chaos Qi to erase the remnants of [Ride Without Blame] and rebuilt [Returning Dao Pivot] through his Second Primordial Spirit.
• Xu Xuan examined the mysteries of [Returning Dao Pivot] and began comprehending [Thunder-Pivot Equalizing-Things Art].
• Xu Xuan ordered Hou Ni to take gifts, including [Buzhou Stone], to the Coiled Sea and seek discipleship for Mu Sheng as a way to gauge Eastern Azure's attitude toward the Dragon Court.
• Xu Xuan entrusted Hou Ni with the [Equal-Earth Pearls] and tasked him with handling affairs concerning Eastern Azure.
• Xu Xuan gave Bo Chang the [Origin-Weaving Pearl] and ordered him to patrol the seas as he prepared to break through with his second divine ability.
• Xu Xuan worried about Li Zhu's delayed return and considered Greater Yin as a way to regain the escape capabilities he had lost.

Xu Xuan visited Vast Marsh to seek a cultivation method for Mu Yu, whose dusky feathers suggested an ancestral connection to the Heaven’s Eclipse lineage. Vast Marsh explained Ren Water’s inheritance and gave Xu Xuan the [Heaven’s Eclipse Sun and Moon Dao Scroll], leaving Xu Xuan to conclude that restoring Ren Water depended on Kan Water.

• Xu Xuan reunited with Mu Yu at Clear Harmony Water Palace and learned Mu Sheng had been causing trouble in the Skybow Sea.
• Xu Xuan decided to send Mu Sheng to Eastern Azure and traveled to Deep Abyss to consult Vast Marsh about Mu Yu’s cultivation.
• Vast Marsh judged that Mu Sheng’s education under Cave Azure would strengthen ties and provide Golden Core backing.
• Vast Marsh explained the ancient Ren Water Divine Ability sequence and gave Xu Xuan the [Heaven’s Eclipse Sun and Moon Dao Scroll] for Mu Yu.
• Vast Marsh said Ren Water could not be restored until its Fruit Position returned, and Xu Xuan concluded that the issue ultimately depended on Kan Water.

Xu Xuan sent Mu Sheng to study at Eastern Azure and learned that the Golden Crow, Yang Zhongzhou, was leading a campaign against Sindhu. As a solar eclipse revealed the Golden Crow’s power, Xu Xuan and Yang Yuanxin set out for Flame-Offering to contact her royal father.

• Mu Sheng was captured by Hou Ni and, after Xu Xuan reprimanded him, was ordered to study at Eastern Azure with Mo Xi as his guard.
• Hou Ni told Xu Xuan that Eastern Azure had accepted three thousand disciples and that True Person Wei and an Autumn Clarity cultivator were among those there.
• Xu Xuan reflected on his plans to secure Great Mystery Mountain and sensed that his [Radiance Illuminates the Night] ability was nearing completion.
• A solar eclipse darkened the sky, and Xu Xuan recognized the phenomenon as connected to Jiaoyang and the Golden Crow.
• Yang Yuanxin told Xu Xuan that her brother was joining Yang Zhongzhou’s campaign against Sindhu and had asked her to look after Flame-Offering.
• Xu Xuan and Yang Yuanxin decided to return to Flame-Offering together and contact her royal father.

Yanhan descended from the subterranean abyss and destroyed Dharma Protector Mountain as southern Sindhu fell into the Demon Abyss. She proclaimed the founding of a monster dynasty named Xia, while Yang Zhongzhou offered Lord Heavenly Rain an item of the Void Qi path in exchange for her support.

• Yang Yuanyi and Yang Zhongzhou watched the devastation in Pure Lotus as Mu Wude reported that the Flow Blocker Temple had been sacrificed to enable a powerful being's descent.
• Yang Yuanxin ordered Mu Wude to return to the Southern Sea, while she and Yang Zhongzhou discussed uncertainty about Demon Lord Jiaoyang's stance toward the Immortal Prophecy.
• Yanhan emerged from the Flow Blocker Temple and confronted Thunder Execution at Dharma Protector Mountain, revealing that she had attained Purple Gold.
• Yanhan's fire serpents destroyed Dharma Protector Mountain, and she shattered the land between Pure Lotus and Yunmo, opening the Demon Abyss.
• Yanhan declared that southern Sindhu would become part of a monster dynasty named Xia, and Yang Zhongzhou promised Lord Heavenly Rain an item of the Void Qi path for her support.

Xu Xuan and Yang Yuanxin learned that the Golden Crow’s forces had invaded the Western Sea and reestablished Great Xia in Sindhu. Yang Yuanxin placed Flame-Offering under the Dragon Court’s protection, while Xu Xuan learned that Sindhu had fallen to a powerful monster army.

• Yang Yuanxin questioned Yang Yanxiang, who reported that Yang Yuanyi had taken four Foundation Establishment cultivators, three thousand feather guards, and two clan treasures to the Western Sea.
• Yang Yuanxin and Xu Xuan found Dao Yan’s recorded message, which warned that Yang Yuanyi had separated from the Flame-Offering lineage and instructed Yang Yuanxin to bring the clan under Heaven Pool while avoiding the demon dynasty’s affairs.
• Yang Yuanxin declared Flame-Offering a subordinate of the Dragon Court and decided to remain behind to settle the clan, while Xu Xuan planned to use Mu Wude to learn about the Western Sea.
• Xu Xuan returned to Heaven Pool, where Mu Wude reported that the Golden Crow’s forces had unified southwestern Sindhu, reestablished Great Xia, and seized Yunmojia Land.
• Mu Wude described the monster corpse-puppet army and its commanders, including Yang Yuanyi, Yang Zhongzhou, and the Purple Mansion Peak Great Asura Yanhan; Xu Xuan concluded that Sindhu’s fall was certain unless Mount Sumeru intervened.

Xu Xuan sent Mu Wude and Li Zhu to subdue Flow-Resigning Mountain while considering the secrets of the Upper Successive Union path and the unusual foundations of his dragon body. He prepared to enter seclusion to complete his final divine ability before the upheaval intensified.

• Xu Xuan ordered Mu Wude to join Li Zhu in taking Flow-Resigning Mountain and opening the waterway to the Western Sea, with force permitted if Pure Source refused to withdraw.
• Mu Wude confidently accepted the mission, and Xu Xuan dismissed him after sensing his fear and considering the danger he might pose.
• Xu Xuan examined his water-fire treasures and reflected on finding the missing Ghost-Spirit Water-Fire to create Final Calamity.
• Xu Xuan reasoned that Upper Successive Union might require shock thunder and altar thunder to be cultivated separately, and considered the Dao seal and Heavenly Register within his dragon body essential to its path.
• Xu Xuan resolved to enter seclusion and complete his final divine ability within a few years so he could advance and prepare for the coming upheaval.

Cave Azure welcomed Mu Sheng into Eastern Azure and warned him to follow its rules, while Wei Suhua sought refuge at White Moon Palace and pursued the Greater Yin golden position. At Flow-Resigning Mountain, Li Zhu and Wu Yan uncovered a suppressed Purple Mansion ape corpse, but Pure Source escaped with the mountain and its bronze cauldron using Martial Mu True Qi.

• Wei Suhua spoke with Cave Azure about her pursuit of the Greater Yin golden position, and Cave Azure offered her Eastern Azure's land but not help attaining it.
• Hou Ni brought Mu Sheng to Eastern Azure, where Cave Azure accepted the Dragon Prince and gave him an Ancient-Heaven Dragonblood Fruit; Mu Sheng swallowed it whole and transformed into a rampaging little flood dragon.
• Wu Yan and Li Zhu disturbed Flow-Resigning Mountain to pressure Pure Source, and Li Zhu discovered a huge bronze cauldron beneath the mountain.
• Pure Source revealed the Exiled Slaughter Law Script suppressing a five-part corpse of a powerful white ape, and Wu Yan and Li Zhu recognized the work of a Golden Core.
• Pure Source carried Flow-Resigning Mountain and its cauldron away with Martial Mu True Qi, leaving Wu Yan and Li Zhu to identify the method of his escape.

After four years of secluded cultivation, Xu Xuan emerged with greatly improved abilities and checked on Fa Yan, who remained sealed in seclusion at Mist-Hidden Peak. He resumed guiding Xu Ming’s sword practice, but Liu Xingfang arrived with a Thunder Department decree announcing that the Northern Campaign would begin in ten days.

• Xu Xuan left seclusion after reaching the limits of the Purple Mansion Middle Stage and decided to seek Clear Qi and Wu Earth spirit treasures.
• Xu Xuan inspected the sealed Mist-Hidden Peak and concluded that events in the Western Sea had delayed Fa Yan’s emergence.
• Xu Xuan discussed Bright Leisure’s Six Expansions and the spirit treasures in Great Scarlet Heaven with Tiantuo.
• Xu Xuan visited Xu Ming on Azure Sky Peak and guided his swordsmanship while considering a suitable Sword Canon for his son.
• Liu Xingfang brought Xu Xuan a Thunder Department decree stating that the Northern Campaign would begin in ten days and that Yuan E had emerged from seclusion.

Feng Yan rejected Deliverance’s offer to enter the demonic path and wait for a chance at the golden rank, insisting he would seek the blood qi Great Dao on his own terms. Deliverance withdrew, while Feng Yan remained in command at Sky Wolf Hall and vowed not to let White Ravine fall to the Li Kingdom.

• Deliverance urged Feng Yan to abandon his restraints, enter the demonic path, and pursue the golden rank through the Transforming Tide Palace.
• Feng Yan dismissed Deliverance’s comparison with Evil Land and declared that a seeker of the Dao was defined by the heart to pursue it.
• Deliverance challenged Feng Yan’s claim to humanity’s orthodox lineage because the Fu Xuan bloodline had become fundamentally different from ordinary humanity.
• Feng Yan acknowledged the difference and said he would strip away his bloodline if he pursued the Great Dao.
• Feng Yan refused to wait for the Devil Ancestor’s methods on blood qi to fail, and Deliverance withdrew from the hall.
• Feng Yan said White Ravine was guarded by him and the Xiao Clan’s people, and that they would not let the Li Kingdom take it.

Song Shiqing met Yuanchai at Coiling Forest to prepare Heavenly Poison Mountain’s Calamity Blessing witchcraft for the war against Great Liao. Yuanchai explained that the ritual required living sacrifices, and Song Shiqing promised to send captives after securing gains in battle.

• Song Shiqing inspected the prepared territory at Coiling Forest and told Yuanchai that Wu City would protect it while Witch Mountain acted.
• Yuanchai warned that Yuan E could cast his spell only once before retreating to Witch Mountain to evade the Liao Emperor’s scrutiny.
• Song Shiqing asked how Calamity Blessing worked, and Yuanchai described the High Shaman Ghost Wood Investiture Method, which used sacrifices to house and commune with yin ghosts.
• Yuanchai explained that Heavenly Poison Mountain’s plans to obtain offerings in the Southern Border had been disrupted by the Blackbird’s descent into Shu, forcing the mountain to seek sacrifices through the Li-Liao war.
• Song Shiqing promised to send Yuanchai captives after the battle and then departed toward the northern desert.