Chapter Summaries

After sealing the Otherworldly Evil God inside the Buddha statue, Xu Taiping climbed back to retrieve another statue, believing he had to carry it to the summit before the Ultimate Dao Power faded. Gravely injured and coughing blood, he continued toward the summit and fell with fewer than a hundred steps remaining.

• In the teahouse, Xiahou You, Xiahou Qingyuan, and Heavenly Lord Shihu watched Xu Taiping return to the seventh Buddha grotto and questioned why he kept pursuing the statue.
• Xu Taiping touched the Flesh Buddha Statue with his blood, bowed to it, and picked it up after sensing no danger.
• Despite coughing blood, Xu Taiping drank the remaining Hidden Immortal Wine, carried the statue out of the grotto, and jumped down to the stone steps.
• The Wolf-Headed Yin God offered to carry the Great Iron Coffin, and Xu Taiping accepted while the Yin God continued clearing the way.
• Xu Taiping struggled up the steps as his injuries worsened, then fell with fewer than a hundred stone steps left before the summit.

Xu Taiping climbed Vulture Peak’s final steps with the Buddha statue tied to his back, despite his body having exhausted its essence and blood. He reached the summit and approached its enormous golden doors, whose purpose remained unknown.

• Xu Taiping tied the Buddha statue to his back and continued climbing as the Wolf-Headed Yin God watched and acknowledged his frightening resolve.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that Xu Taiping’s body had burned through its last reserves while resisting the Otherworldly Evil God’s possession, and Xiahou You and Xiahou Qingyuan watched with respect and envy.
• Xu Taiping collapsed near the summit, then rose again and climbed the remaining steps while cultivators debated his motives.
• Xu Taiping crossed the final step and reached Vulture Peak’s summit, where he saw a vast plaza, an immense incense burner, a lotus throne, and towering golden doors.
• Xu Taiping started walking toward the incense burner with the Buddha statue on his back as cultivators speculated about the golden doors and the Beyond the Domain Buddhist Kingdom.

Xu Taiping reached Vulture Peak’s summit, where an Otherworldly Evil God emerged from the last burning incense stick and overwhelmed the Wolf-Headed Yin God. Though gravely weakened, Xu Taiping approached the wounded Yin God and prepared to face the smoke giant himself.

• Cultivators speculated about Xu Taiping’s purpose for climbing Vulture Peak as he reached the summit with the Buddha statue on his back.
• Xu Taiping discovered an almost-burned incense stick in the summit’s ancient burner, and Yelai said its survival meant Buddhism still had hope.
• The incense smoke became a three-headed giant that attacked Xu Taiping, and the Wolf-Headed Yin God intervened.
• The Wolf-Headed Yin God trapped the smoke giant in a black hollow and destroyed one of its heads, but the giant turned the hollow to smoke and struck his chest.
• Xu Taiping approached the wounded Wolf-Headed Yin God despite the danger and weakly told him to move aside before pointing at the smoke giant.

Xu Taiping invoked the Heavenly Dao Sun-Chasing Edict to consume the Otherworldly Evil God, who revealed that Shangqing faced an approaching Great Void Calamity. Before the Evil God vanished, he gave Xu Taiping an aura that could guide him toward something capable of countering the calamity.

• The Wolf-Headed Yin God sent Xu Taiping to the Summit Entrance, then burned his body in a desperate attack before the Otherworldly Evil God pinned him beneath a hand of mist.
• The Otherworldly Evil God manifested at Vulture Peak and engulfed the summit in mist as he attacked Xu Taiping with overwhelming divine intent.
• Xu Taiping invoked the Heavenly Dao Sun-Chasing Edict, and Heavenly Lord Shihu recognized it as the Kuafu Clan's power to create a true sun.
• As the Edict swallowed his body, the Otherworldly Evil God threatened Shangqing and claimed his clan would descend there.
• After Xu Taiping urged him to look again at the world, the Otherworldly Evil God sensed its erosion and gave Xu Taiping an aura that could guide him toward a countermeasure.
• Xu Taiping refused the Evil God's offer to spare him, and the Sun-Chasing Edict swallowed the Otherworldly Evil God completely.

Xu Taiping stood on Vulture Peak’s lotus throne and repeatedly sought Buddha fate for Shangqing, enduring the burning Buddhist karmic fire. The Buddhas beyond the domain gave no response, and the watching cultivators increasingly doubted his purpose.

• Xu Taiping carried the Buddha Statue to the lotus throne after a second sun briefly appeared in the sky.
• Xu Taiping declared that he sought a strand of Buddha fate for Shangqing, leaving the watching cultivators stunned and prompting speculation that he wanted a personal opportunity.
• Xu Taiping repeated his plea, but the sky showed no response, and Heavenly Lord Shihu dismissed his chances.
• The lotus throne’s Buddhist karmic fire flared and shattered Xu Taiping’s protective gang qi as Xiahou You warned that it scorched the divine soul.
• Xu Taiping continued calling for Buddha fate dozens of times without resting, while the cultivators increasingly questioned his motives.

Xu Taiping's repeated pleas opened a passage between Shangqing and the Beyond the Domain Buddhist Kingdom, though whether a Buddha Fate inheritance would descend remained uncertain. As a blade-like gang wind emerged from the passage and attacked him, Xu Taiping met it with his saber while holding the Buddha Statue aloft.

• Xiahou You insisted Xu Taiping might genuinely be seeking Buddha Fate for Shangqing, even as Xiahou Qingyuan dismissed his efforts.
• Xu Taiping repeatedly asked the Buddhas beyond the domain for Buddha Fate, and auspicious clouds and Buddha light appeared above Vulture Peak.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that the clouds signaled an opened passage, but a golden wheel still had to appear for the inheritance to descend.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu warned that chaos auras would attack Xu Taiping through the passage.
• A fierce gang wind formed above Vulture Peak and struck toward Xu Taiping, who held up the Buddha Statue and slashed at it with his saber.

Xu Taiping endured the passage’s attacks as he sought a Buddha Fate inheritance for Shangqing, while Yelai revealed why the realm’s Buddhist disciples had been unable to receive one. The passage expanded around Xu Taiping and Vulture Peak, leaving his attempt unresolved.

• Xu Taiping blocked falling boulders from the passage but was badly wounded, and Heavenly Lord Shihu doubted he could withstand its attacks.
• Yelai revealed that the Demon Mother planted heart demons in Shangqing’s Buddhist disciples, causing them to die if they received a Buddha Fate inheritance.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu and Xiahou You realized Xu Taiping’s success could decide whether Shangqing regained Buddha Fate Power in time to aid the human race against the Nine Abysses.
• A bolt of thunder shattered Xu Taiping’s Body-Protecting Golden Light and scorched him, but he continued holding up the Buddha Statue.
• Xu Taiping declared that he sought a Buddha Fate inheritance for Shangqing, and the passage expanded into a Golden Bell of auspicious clouds around him and Vulture Peak.

Xu Taiping endured devastating attacks on Vulture Peak and exhausted his strength seeking a Buddha Fate Inheritance for Shangqing and its people. The Beyond the Domain Buddhist Kingdom finally answered, and Xu Taiping charged into its passage to receive the Dharma.

• Xu Taiping smashed a boulder with his head and burned his remaining essence blood and vitality while holding up the Buddha statue.
• Xu Taiping begged the Buddhas beyond the domain for an inheritance to help the common people, but repeated lightning strikes brought him to his knees.
• Xu Taiping rose again and made a final plea for Shangqing, declaring that he would have no regrets even in death.
• Dozens of golden Buddha hands emerged from the passage and shattered six descending boulders as a Buddhist voice announced that the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds had come to impart the Dharma.
• The Buddhist voice called Xu Taiping of Qingxuan in Zhenwu to receive the Dharma, and Xu Taiping charged into the heavens holding the Buddha statue aloft.

Xu Taiping renewed the Buddha Fate Inheritance at Vulture Peak, earning the Pure Domain Lotus and recognition for the immense benefit he had secured for the Shangqing Realm. As he recovered, emperors from Chenglong Heaven and Youyun Heaven personally appealed to him for the inheritance.

• Xu Taiping completed the Buddha Fate ritual, restoring Vulture Peak’s golden light and collapsing from exhaustion.
• Buddha hands bestowed the Pure Domain Lotus on Xu Taiping, and Xiahou Qingyuan and Heavenly Lord Shihu recognized its power to heal and strengthen him.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu and Xiahou You praised Xu Taiping’s intentions, while Heavenly Lord Shihu explained how the inheritance could strengthen Buddhism against the Nine Abysses.
• Xu Taiping sat up on the lotus throne and began meditating as Chenglong Great Emperor Lü Zongyun asked him to grant the inheritance to Chenglong Heaven in exchange for access to its secret realms and his protection.
• The reigning Great Emperor of Youyun Heaven also appealed to Xu Taiping for the Buddha Fate Inheritance.

Emperor Cang Ai of Youyun Heaven offered Xu Taiping three hundred years of exclusive Qilin Ranking fortune for the Buddha Fate Inheritance, while Emperor Duanyue of Peerless Nether Heaven made a competing appeal. Duanyue promised to marshal Peerless Nether Heaven’s resources to help Xu Taiping attain the Dao, but Xu Taiping had not yet answered either emperor.

• Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that the Five Emperors still wielded immense power through their Emperor Artifacts, despite the decline of their authority.
• Emperor Cang Ai asked Xu Taiping to give Youyun Heaven the Buddha Fate Inheritance and offered to place Xu Taiping alone on the Qilin Ranking for three hundred years.
• Xiahou You and Xiahou Qingyuan reacted with shock and envy at Cang Ai’s offer as Xu Taiping continued to consider it.
• Emperor Duanyue introduced himself as Peerless Nether Heaven’s newly appointed great emperor, who had defeated its Immortal Mansions and recovered its Emperor Artifact.
• Duanyue asked Xu Taiping to give Peerless Nether Heaven the Buddha statue and promised to use its resources to help him attain the Dao and rise to the Immortal Realm.

The spectators learned that Shangqing’s Emperor Seals could command a heaven and that Buddha Fate Inheritances could strengthen them by calming the people. As Great Emperor Duanyue offered Xu Taiping a written imperial edict for the Buddha Statue, the City Lord of Thousand Mechanisms City also asked Xu Taiping to give it to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven.

• Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that Shangqing’s five Emperor Seals came from fragments of the Human Sovereign’s Imperial Cauldron and could command a heaven through imperial edicts.
• Great Emperor Zongyun objected to Great Emperor Duanyue seeking the Buddha Statue with only a verbal promise, and Duanyue offered to write his promise into an imperial edict.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that a Buddha Fate Inheritance could soothe millions of people and strengthen Peerless Nether Heaven’s Emperor Seal.
• Great Emperor Duanyue asked Xu Taiping for his decision, but the City Lord of Thousand Mechanisms City asked him to bestow the Buddha Statue upon Mysterious Wasteland Heaven.

Xu Taiping rejected offers from Youyun Heaven, Peerless Nether Heaven, and Chenglong Heaven, revealing that he had sought the Buddha Fate Inheritance for Mysterious Wasteland Heaven. His choice surprised the spectators and angered Great Emperor Zongyun.

• The Thousand Mechanisms City Lord apologized for asking Xu Taiping to give the inheritance to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven, while reaffirming his gratitude for Xu Taiping's past aid.
• Xu Taiping acknowledged the City Lord's sincerity and thanked Great Emperor Cang Ai, but refused Youyun Heaven's offer.
• Great Emperor Zongyun offered to muster Chenglong Heaven's strength to help Xu Taiping ascend, prompting Great Emperor Duanyue to withdraw from the contest.
• Xu Taiping refused Zongyun's offer and clarified that he had sought the Buddha Fate Inheritance for Mysterious Wasteland Heaven, not for any of the other heavens or True Martial Heaven.

Xu Taiping gave the Buddha Statue to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven, refusing Great Emperor Zongyun’s offer and asking for nothing in return. As Thousand Mechanisms City declared war on the Nine Abysses, a vast host of demonic beasts gathered outside the Old Dragon Court and began attacking.

• Xu Taiping confirmed to the Old City Lord that he had sought the Buddha Fate Inheritance for Mysterious Wasteland Heaven and gave the Buddha Statue to help defend it.
• Xiahou Qingyuan and Xiahou You realized that pilgrims and Buddhist followers could use the statue to spread the Buddha Fate Inheritance and threaten the Nine Abysses’ hold on Mysterious Wasteland.
• The Old City Lord thanked Xu Taiping and declared that Thousand Mechanisms City and Mysterious Wasteland’s great cities would wage war on all Nine Abysses forces in the territory.
• Black clouds covered the Old Dragon Court as a vast host of Nine Abysses Demonic Beasts gathered outside and attacked the city.

As the Nine Abysses attacked the Old Dragon Court and threatened to massacre the Five Heavens, Xu Taiping remained determined to deliver the Buddha Statue to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven. Just as the great powers pledged their support, the Snow Domain Ghost Lord revealed himself as Yangling, the strongest demon emperor of the Five Emperors Period, and offered to take Xu Taiping there directly.

• Demonic beasts broke through the Old Dragon Court's barrier but were swiftly slain by cultivators inside.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu learned from Old Ox that Xu Taiping had drawn in the Buddha Fate Inheritance and that Old Ox feared the person Xu Taiping had summoned.
• The Heartless Demon Emperor threatened to massacre the Five Heavens if Xu Taiping brought the Buddha Statue to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven, but rulers and cultivators across the heavens pledged their support.
• Great Emperor Zongyun invited Xu Taiping to travel through Chenglong Heaven under escort, but the Snow Domain Ghost Lord offered to open a direct passage.
• The Snow Domain Ghost Lord revealed his identity as Yangling, the strongest demon emperor of the Nine Abysses during the Five Emperors Period.

Xu Taiping weighed the Yangling Demon Emperor’s offer to return him to the Mysterious Wasteland Tower as the Nine Abysses blockaded the Wilderness exits. The Heartless Demon Emperor threatened him with a choice between destroying the Buddha Statue and abandoning his mission or facing isolation and relentless danger.

• Xu Taiping consulted the Lotus Eye, which judged that returning with Yangling Demon Emperor was safer than trying to reach the Wilderness by ordinary means, then confirmed that Old Smoky Ghost and Red Lion Ghost’s Painting Scrolls had reached their time limits.
• Great Emperor Cang Ai, Great Emperor Duanyue, and others warned Xu Taiping that Demon Emperors were waiting near the exits to Youyun Heaven, Peerless Nether Heaven, and other routes.
• Great Emperor Zongyun challenged the Heartless Demon Emperor about leaving the Nine Abysses vulnerable, and the Heartless Demon Emperor dismissed the risk of losing hundreds of Demon Emperors.
• The Heartless Demon Emperor urged Xu Taiping to destroy the Buddha Statue and promised to erase their past grievances, warning that remaining in Wilderness Heaven would damage his cultivation.
• The spectators feared Xu Taiping would have to compromise, while Heavenly Lord Shihu watched expectantly because he knew Xu Taiping planned to ask someone for help.

Xu Taiping summoned the Yangling Demon Emperor, who silenced the Heartless Demon Emperor’s threat and opened a passage to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven with Water-Cutting. The Yangling Demon Emperor took Xu Taiping and the Buddha Statue through the passage to meet his old acquaintances.

• The Yangling Demon Emperor stepped out of Xu Taiping’s painting, startling the spectators and prompting the Heartless Demon Emperor to call him a traitor.
• The Yangling Demon Emperor tore open space and seized the Heartless Demon Emperor’s head, but the demon emperor revealed it was only a clone and renewed his threat against Xu Taiping.
• Xu Taiping asked the Yangling Demon Emperor to act, and the Yangling Demon Emperor borrowed Water-Cutting from him.
• The Yangling Demon Emperor slashed open a passage to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven, then carried Xu Taiping and the Buddha Statue through it.
• Xu Taiping asked what the Yangling Demon Emperor meant by meeting old acquaintances.

Xu Taiping returned to the Mysterious Wasteland Tower with the Buddha Fate inheritance, where Dongfang Jing directed him to consult the Heaven-Questioning Bell about where to place it. The bell awoke after Xu Taiping struck it and reacted with astonishment when he mentioned the inheritance.

• Xu Taiping arrived at the twelfth layer with the Buddha statue, and Dongfang Jing thanked him for bringing the Buddha Fate inheritance to Mysterious Wasteland Heaven.
• Xu Taiping noticed that the Yangling Demon Emperor had grown old after cleaving through two layers of the heavenly curtain to bring them back.
• Dongfang Jing explained that the Yangling Demon Emperor had originally been assigned to preserve Xu Taiping's chance of survival, not specifically to help him that day.
• Dongfang Jing told Xu Taiping that the sentient Heaven-Questioning Bell could advise him on where to place the Buddha statue and might find comfort in the inheritance.
• Xu Taiping struck the Heaven-Questioning Bell on the thirteenth layer, awakening it after more than sixty years of silence.
• The Heaven-Questioning Bell recognized Xu Taiping and exclaimed in surprise when he said he had obtained a Buddha Fate inheritance.

Xu Taiping toured Mysterious Wasteland Heaven through Zhong Ling’s power to find a mountain for the Buddha Statue. At the border with the Nine Abysses, he spotted a boy and a girl climbing toward a ruined temple and wondered if that was their destination.

• Dongfang Jing explained that Xu Taiping had obtained a Buddha Fate Inheritance for Mysterious Wasteland Heaven, and Zhong Ling thanked him.
• Zhong Ling showed Xu Taiping how to use the Heaven-Questioning Bell to survey all of Mysterious Wasteland Heaven in an instant.
• Xu Taiping asked Zhong Ling to guide him among the region’s mountains, but none of the thousands he saw caught his eye.
• At the border with the Nine Abysses, Xu Taiping noticed a boy and a girl climbing a small mountain toward a ruined temple.

Xu Taiping and Zhong Ling learned how the Demon Emperor had destroyed the hilltop temple and left its young monk mad and legless. They watched siblings Little Qing and Little Bai risk their lives to reach the temple with food, where they found the monk surviving on dirt.

• Zhong Ling explained that a Demon Emperor had tortured the temple's two monks and cut off the path up the hill with a saber strike.
• Xu Taiping and Zhong Ling approached Little Qing and Little Bai as they climbed the cliff to deliver food.
• When the cliff edge broke beneath Little Bai, Little Qing caught him and used her strength to throw him onto the hilltop before he pulled her up.
• Little Qing and Little Bai entered the ruined temple and greeted the legless, one-eyed mad monk.
• The mad monk showed the siblings dirt and said he had plenty left, and Little Qing realized it was what he ate when they were away.

Xu Taiping chose the ruined temple on a nameless mountain as the place for Shangqing’s only Buddha Fate Inheritance after witnessing a brother, sister, and mad monk share a quiet meal and pray. As three hundred Nine Abysses demon cultivators approached, Xu Taiping decided to leave the choice to the Buddha Statue.

• The girl prayed for her deceased family and vowed to remember the demonic beast that had killed them, while her brother urged her to leave revenge to him.
• The mad monk rushed to the stove for porridge, and Xu Taiping decided the Buddha Fate Inheritance belonged at the ruined temple.
• Zhong Ling sensed about three hundred mounted Nine Abysses demon cultivators approaching, led by a cultivator at least in the Demon Emperor Realm.
• Xu Taiping refused to move the Buddha Statue, saying they should let it decide whether to remain on the mountain.