Chapter Summaries

Xu Taiping entered the first level of the Yaochi Sacred Land and learned that each of its seven levels reflected a realm of the divine kingdom and contained its Heavenly Dao Edict. Abbot Jiaye gave him an aerial tour, leaving Xu Taiping to face the daunting trials ahead.

• Xu Taiping entered Taihuang Huangcengtian and learned from Abbot Jiaye that he must understand its Heavenly Dao Edict to pass the first level.
• Abbot Jiaye used a White Bodhi Branch to take Xu Taiping on an aerial tour, but gray mist concealed the first level's scenery.
• Abbot Jiaye explained that the seven heavens occupied different heights and required a specific magic artifact and location to reach the next level, while an exit appeared only after the third level.
• Xu Taiping saw the second level, the Purple Mansion Pill Terrace, and learned that it reflected Taiming Yuwantian and its Heavenly Dao Edict.
• Xu Taiping realized why Feng Tianxing had insisted on finding him a powerful Dao Protector.

Xu Taiping explored the third through seventh layers of the Yaochi Sacred Land and learned where the Azure Void Fruit and Red Sun Fruit might be found. After hearing that the Sacred Land was only one of many Heavenly Court palaces in the age when myriad arts flourished, he approached its entrance to begin exploring and asked Abbot Jiaye how to open the jade gate.

• Abbot Jiaye showed Xu Taiping the Jade Pool True Realm and explained that the Azure Void Fruit and Red Sun Fruit were believed to be on the fourth layer.
• Xu Taiping viewed the Three Terraces and Five Mansions Realm, where Abbot Jiaye identified Qingyao Jade Mansion and Danling Fire Mansion as possible locations for the fruits.
• Abbot Jiaye took Xu Taiping through the fifth, sixth, and seventh layers, revealing the Purple Tenuity Enclosure, Kunlun Jade Terrace, and Three Pure Ones Realm.
• Xu Taiping reflected that the cultivation world was in an age of decline and learned that the Yaochi Sacred Land had once been only one of the Heavenly Court's thirty-six palaces.
• Xu Taiping strode to the jade gate and asked Abbot Jiaye how to open it; Abbot Jiaye said he had to recite the Queen Mother of the West's Precious Invocation and light the three lamps with his soul power.

Xu Taiping lit the Three Powers Lamps and entered the first level of the Yaochi Sacred Land, but a powerful wind from the river killed him and returned him to Jiaye Temple. Abbot Jiaye identified the river’s vapor as Heavenly River Weak Water, and Dongfang Yuejian recognized the river as a place where Formless Water had condensed.

• Xu Taiping used his Primordial Chaos Clone to recite the scripture while he lit the Three Powers Lamps, opening the jade gates.
• Xu Taiping saw nine waterfalls pouring into a great river with five lotus thrones, then was destroyed by a fierce wind as he approached.
• Xu Taiping awoke in Jiaye Temple and learned from Abbot Jiaye that vapor from Heavenly River Weak Water had corroded his body and Divine Soul Power.
• Abbot Jiaye said the Buddhist Sea-Swallowing Seal could neutralize Weak Water’s corrosive effect on Xu Taiping’s physique.
• Dongfang Yuejian identified the river as Weak Water Transforms into the Five Elements and warned that Formless Water within it would tear apart any cultivator who entered.

Xu Taiping used Geng metal sword qi to cross the Five Elements Heavenly River, but was killed by thunder after reaching the second level. After exhausting his final chance, he reported passing the Three Terraces and Five Mansions but failing to clear the Purple Tenuity Enclosure, then found dozens of urgent messages from Feng Tianxing.

• Dongfang Yuejian explained that Xu Taiping could cross the Five Elements Heavenly River by matching his essence to a lotus throne’s element, and Xu Taiping tried her method.
• Xu Taiping rode a Geng metal lotus throne through the river, received a Five Elements Talisman Seed, and entered the second level of the Yaochi Sacred Land.
• Thunder struck Xu Taiping on the cloud path to the Eight-Scenery Jade Terrace, killing him and sending him back to Jiaye Hall.
• One month later, Xu Taiping awoke after using his final chance and said he had passed the Three Terraces and Five Mansions but failed at the Purple Tenuity Enclosure.
• Xu Taiping found dozens of messages from Feng Tianxing and wondered whether something had gone wrong with inviting people.

Xu Taiping learned that the Heaven-Hunting Great Sage might accompany him to Yaochi Sacred Land, but needed to meet him first, so he prepared to return to Chenglong Heaven. As Xu Taiping and Dongfang Yuejian reached the Dragon-Slaying Stele, Feng Tianxing waited anxiously at the Profound Elixir Palace, where the Dragon-Trapping Tower began to shake.

• Xu Taiping heard Feng Tianxing's messages explaining that the Heaven-Hunting Great Sage had returned and was interested in acting as his Dao protector, but wanted to meet him first.
• Xu Taiping decided to return to Chenglong Heaven with Dongfang Yuejian, while Xuanzhi stayed behind to seek Abbot Jiaye's guidance.
• Abbot Jiaye gave Xu Taiping incense and a bodhi seed, asking him to honor Buddhist ruins in Outer Heaven and drive out evil demons if possible.
• Xu Taiping and Dongfang Yuejian departed toward the Dragon-Slaying Stele after bidding farewell to Abbot Jiaye and Xuanzhi.
• At the Profound Elixir Palace, Feng Tianxing worried that Xu Taiping's delayed reply might cost him the Heaven-Hunting Great Sage's help.
• The Dragon-Trapping Tower began shaking, and Jiang Xuanfeng said Xu Taiping must be returning.

Xu Taiping reunited with Feng Tianxing and Jiang Xuanfeng after returning from secluded cultivation in Wilderness Heaven, where he had explored a Three Thousand Lotus Mirror replica of the Yaochi Sacred Land. The group entered the Dragon-Trapping Tower to discuss their next steps under cover from outside observers.

• Xu Taiping explained to Feng Tianxing that he had used the Three Thousand Lotus Mirror thirty-six times to explore a Minor World resembling the Yaochi Sacred Land.
• Xu Taiping told Feng Tianxing and Jiang Xuanfeng that he had reached the fifth layer, the Purple Tenuity Enclosure, with help from Dongfang Yuejian, Master Xuanzhi, and Abbot Jiaye.
• Feng Tianxing and Jiang Xuanfeng said Xu Taiping’s experience would improve his chances when he entered the real Yaochi Sacred Land.
• Feng Tianxing proposed discussing what came next inside the Dragon-Trapping Tower so outsiders could not sense their communication with the Upper Realm.
• Xu Taiping invited Feng Tianxing, Jiang Xuanfeng, and Dongfang Yuejian into the Dragon-Trapping Tower.

Xu Taiping spoke with the Heaven-Hunting Great Sage through a golden voice-transmission thread and discovered that the Great Sage recognized him from a dream. The Great Sage claimed Xu Taiping as his disciple and urged him to ascend, but Xu Taiping said he first had to settle matters in the Lower Realm.

• Feng Tianxing used the Azure Jade Crane-Shadow Inkstone to contact the Heaven-Hunting Great Sage, who instead spoke through a golden thread.
• The Heaven-Hunting Great Sage asked Xu Taiping whether he recognized his voice, and Xu Taiping recounted meeting someone summoned from the Primordial Lord's dream in the Golden Court Inner Grotto-Heaven.
• Xu Taiping repeated the dream figure's words about finding a successor, prompting the Heaven-Hunting Great Sage to recognize him as the young martial artist from his dream.
• The Heaven-Hunting Great Sage urged Xu Taiping to ascend to the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven, but Xu Taiping said he needed to settle his affairs in the Lower Realm first.
• The Heaven-Hunting Great Sage called Xu Taiping his disciple, asked Feng Tianxing to notify him when Xu Taiping was ready, and ended the communication.
• Feng Tianxing asked Xu Taiping when he and the Heaven-Hunting Great Sage had become master and disciple, and Xu Taiping replied that it was a long story.

Xu Taiping discussed his hidden role in the battle against the Primordial Lord and learned about the dangers of ascending to the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven. He considered ascending on the next full moon, while Dongfang Yuejian urged him to wait until she and Master Xuanzhi were stronger so they could go with him.

• Dongfang Yuejian protested that Xu Taiping had concealed how crucial he was in the fight against the Primordial Lord, and Xu Taiping agreed to let her record the full account.
• Feng Tianxing recommended that Xu Taiping ascend to the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven on the next full moon, when the Chaos Qi and some dangers would be reduced.
• Jiang Xuanfeng explained that the full moon would increase encounters with Mind Aspect beasts, and Feng Tianxing described the dangers posed by the different kinds of Chaos Demonic Beasts.
• Feng Tianxing revealed that the Nine Abysses Demon Mother was one of the exceedingly rare Dao Erosion demonic beasts, explaining why her Demon Seeds were stronger in the Land of Chaos.
• Dongfang Yuejian urged Xu Taiping to wait until she and Master Xuanzhi had advanced further so they could ascend with him.

After Wolf-Head emerged from the shattered Golden Cocoon, Xu Taiping learned that the fusion with Su Yan had left Wolf-Head with three dormant divine powers. Xu Taiping underwent Dao Integration with him, awakening the first power, Sun-Eater, as he prepared to leave for the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven.

• Xu Taiping decided to enter the Crimson Heaven Spirit Garden during his remaining fifteen days before ascending to the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven.
• The Golden Cocoon shattered, and a small black hound emerged, identifying himself as Wolf-Head and thanking Xu Taiping for saving him from being devoured by Su Yan.
• Wolf-Head explained that the fusion had turned his and Su Yan's divine powers into three clusters of ruin-embers, which could awaken into new powers after Dao Integration.
• Xu Taiping placed his hand on Wolf-Head's head and underwent Dao Integration, sensing the three dormant divine powers within his divine sense.
• The first power awakened as Sun-Eater, whose initial stage, Iron-Eater, let Xu Taiping grow stronger by devouring black iron ore and beasts and transform into creatures he had eaten.
• Wolf-Head urged Xu Taiping to let him swallow the gold essence stones so he could assume the Body of Supreme Yang and resist evil presences and yin entities.

Xu Taiping brought Xiaohei into the Crimson Heaven Spirit Garden, where the little black dog swiftly killed two Chitie Barbarian Oxen. Xiaohei called the garden his blessed land and said he could break through to the second stage of God-Breaking Power there.

• Xu Taiping learned that the little black dog had combat strength just below his own and named it Xiaohei.
• Xu Taiping explained the Crimson Heaven Spirit Garden’s rules and warned Xiaohei to kill an exotic beast before the Profound Heart Netherfire descended.
• Xiaohei charged into the garden and rushed toward a herd of Chitie Barbarian Oxen.
• Xiaohei used its speed and iron-devouring teeth to kill two Chitie Barbarian Oxen with single bites to their necks.
• Xiaohei returned to Xu Taiping and said the garden could help it reach the second stage of God-Breaking Power.

Xu Taiping recognized the mountain holding the Old Daoist’s second cache, but before he and Xiaohei could explore it, a powerful Eroding Fei Hou appeared to be approaching. The chapter left them preparing to face an ancient beast as dangerous as they were.

• Xiaohei defeated a Black Macaque Ape and offered its heart aperture to Xu Taiping, who declined and ate a Qi Mushroom instead.
• Xu Taiping identified a nearby peach-blossom-covered peak as the likely location of the Old Daoist’s second cache and decided to investigate it with Xiaohei.
• Xiaohei finished eating the Black Macaque Ape and broke through to a physique comparable to a human martial artist at the Great Sage Realm.
• As Xu Taiping climbed onto Xiaohei’s back, the nearby mountain rumbled, and Xiaohei sensed a powerful extraordinary beast heading toward him.
• Xu Taiping checked the map and recognized the approaching creature as the ancient Eroding Fei Hou.

Xu Taiping and Xiaohei fought the Eroding Fei Hou, the most powerful strange beast in the outer region, after its solar-bright attacks threatened them. Their coordinated assault wounded it, but the berserk beast ended the chapter by launching two masses of black flame at them.

• The Eroding Fei Hou attacked Xu Taiping, and Xiaohei dodged its blast of dazzling light.
• Xiaohei said eating the beast could let him break through to the second stage of divine power, and Xu Taiping transformed into his true dragon divine being body to help.
• The Eroding Fei Hou trapped Xu Taiping in a scorching halo, so he ordered Xiaohei to draw it out while he prepared the Heaven-Touching Stance.
• Xiaohei tore into the beast as Xu Taiping struck it with a fist manifestation, forcing its sunlike blast toward the sky.
• The enraged Eroding Fei Hou enlarged the flames on its tail and fired two masses of black flame at Xu Taiping and Xiaohei.

Xu Taiping used his True Dragon Divine Being Forbidden Domain Power to part the Eroding Fei Hou’s Great Sun Golden Flame, allowing Xiaohei to kill the beast. With the second legacy left by the Old Daoist nearby, Xu Taiping told Xiaohei to eat the corpse before they continued.

• The Eroding Fei Hou trapped Xu Taiping and Xiaohei in black-flame whirlpools and attacked them with Great Sun Golden Flame.
• Xu Taiping revealed his True Dragon Divine Being Power and ordered Xiaohei to break free and charge the Eroding Fei Hou.
• Xu Taiping’s power parted the Great Sun Golden Flame, and Xiaohei recognized it as True Dragon Divine Being Forbidden Domain Power.
• Xiaohei bit through the Eroding Fei Hou’s neck and sun gold essence stone, killing it.
• Xu Taiping told Xiaohei to eat the Eroding Fei Hou before they went to seek the Old Daoist’s second legacy.

Xu Taiping found a cabin built over a mountain of warm jade and discovered the second map of the Crimson Heaven Spirit Garden’s depths. A Moonshadow Stone recording revealed that the third stone and map were hidden elsewhere.

• Xu Taiping and Xiaohei entered the cabin and found its floor was a thick slab of warm jade that slowly replenished spiritual power.
• Xiaohei struck the floor and determined that the entire mountain was made of warm jade.
• Xu Taiping decided to move the Dragon-Slaying Stele to the cabin so he could use it as a place for cultivation and begin future expeditions from the garden’s depths.
• Xu Taiping found a Lushu hide map marking three hundred li of the Crimson Heaven Spirit Garden’s depths, along with a wooden box containing a Moonshadow Stone and a Qiankun Bag.
• Xu Taiping activated the Moonshadow Stone and heard the old Daoist explain that its recording described his exploration of the depths and contained clues to the third Moonshadow Stone and map.

Xu Taiping learned about three precious gifts left by the Old Daoist and used Lotus Eye to deduce that the withered Dan Wood branch should be planted with the Earth Fruit in the Crimson Heaven Spirit Garden. As he planned for his eventual ascent to the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven, Feng Tianxing sent him a voice transmission.

• Xu Taiping opened the Qiankun Bag and found Flaming Sun Fruit, Zhu Yu, and a withered branch the Old Daoist believed was Dan Wood.
• The Old Daoist explained that Flaming Sun Fruit restored magic power and strengthened true fire, while Zhu Yu warded off mind-aspect demonic beasts and might help seal one.
• Lotus Eye showed Xu Taiping a vision of a Vermilion Fruit-bearing tree beside the cabin, and he deduced that he should plant the Earth Fruit with the withered branch there.
• Xu Taiping decided to move the Spirit Bone Stele to the cabin and postpone planting the Earth Fruit until after he established himself in the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven.
• Feng Tianxing's Communication Jade Slip began vibrating, and Xu Taiping wondered whether Feng Tianxing was urging him to go to the Heaven-Ascending Platform.

Xu Taiping prepared to leave for the Land of Chaos beyond the heavens and revealed why he would leave his Primordial Chaos Clone in the Lower Realm: he wanted it to experience the world and safeguard it if disaster came. With Dongfang Yuejian and Xuanzhi agreeing to guide the clone, Xu Taiping said farewell and headed for the Heaven-Ascending Platform.

• Xu Taiping told Feng Tianxing he would finish preparing before joining him, then asked Xiaohei to accompany him to retrieve the Dragon-Slaying Stele.
• Xu Taiping told Dongfang Yuejian and Xuanzhi that he planned to leave his Primordial Chaos Clone in the Lower Realm so it could travel the Five Heavens, experience mortal life, and become a sword to protect the world.
• Xuanzhi vowed to guard the clone, and Dongfang Yuejian agreed to take it on a journey through the Lower Realm.
• Xu Taiping told the clone it was free, and the two exchanged bows and promised to part and wait for each other.
• After Feng Tianxing called him to the Heaven-Ascending Platform, Xu Taiping left Cloudrise Manor.

Xu Taiping arrived at the Heaven-Ascending Platform to seek guidance for surviving the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven. By recalling the Heavenly Dao Edict “All Things Meet Spring,” he seized a great fish in his divine sense and began to comprehend divine intent.

• Feng Tianxing warned Xu Taiping that he would need a way to conceal himself from heavenly secrets to descend from the Land of Chaos, and Xu Taiping resolved to prioritize finding spirit fruits in the Yaochi Sacred Land.
• Xu Taiping rode Rusty Lion through the mist and reached the ruined palace and Heaven-Ascending Platform, where Great Emperor Zongyun greeted him.
• Great Emperor Zongyun explained that the jade platforms could help cultivators comprehend true intent or divine intent, and advised Xu Taiping to recall the Heavenly Dao Edicts he had wielded.
• Xu Taiping merged his divine intent with a jade platform and recalled “All Things Meet Spring,” causing a great fish to leap from a vast lake in his divine sense.
• Xu Taiping seized the fish with a palm formed from his mind, and a golden thread wound around his right index finger as Great Emperor Zongyun recognized that he had comprehended divine intent.

While watching from Chenglong Heaven, Great Emperor Zongyun recognized that Xu Taiping was gaining divine intents by recalling Heavenly Dao Edicts. Xu Taiping mastered Life Without End, Moonfall, and Withering, leaving him with several new powers to strengthen his combat abilities.

• Great Emperor Zongyun suspected Xu Taiping had comprehended a divine intent from the All Things Meet Spring Edict, and Xu Taiping named the power Life Without End.
• Xu Taiping recalled the Mountain-Moving Edict, seized a great fish with his divine sense, and comprehended Moonfall, which could move objects over vast distances at a heavy cost.
• Xu Taiping recalled the Heavenly Dao Corruption Edict and captured a smaller black fish that emerged from the lake in his sea of consciousness.
• Xu Taiping comprehended Withering, a divine intent that hastened the depletion of qi, blood, true essence, divine essence, and divine soul power.
• Xu Taiping accepted that he could use any method that did not violate his dao heart, including poisoning and gu.

After comprehending three strands of divine intent, Xu Taiping prepared to ascend to the Land of Chaos in Outer Heaven. With Great Emperor Zongyun broadcasting his journey across the Five Heavens, Xu Taiping struck the sky canopy and challenged the Nine Heavens with his fists.

• Xu Taiping manifested three strands of divine intent, and Great Emperor Zongyun praised his achievement.
• Great Emperor Zongyun urged Xu Taiping to use the Heaven-Opening Ascension Path to bid farewell to his friends and the Lower Realm.
• Xu Taiping flew skyward on the Rusty Lion Sword as Dongfang Yuejian, Xuanzhi, and Feng Tianxing watched from the Profound Elixir Palace.
• Great Emperor Zongyun used his Emperor Seal to project Xu Taiping's ascent across the Five Heavens.
• Xu Taiping transformed into his ultimate-realm divine body, summoned a thousand-zhang divine manifestation, and challenged the Nine Heavens with his fists.

Xu Taiping broke through the first four of the nine sky canopies sealing the Shangqing Lower Realm, using his fists and Demon-Sealing Swords to force a path toward the Upper Realm. The watchers saw him enter the fourth canopy as he continued ascending.

• Xu Taiping punched through the first sky canopy, gang wind jade-splitting heaven, and Feng Tianxing explained that nine barriers separated the Shangqing Lower Realm from the Upper Realm.
• Xu Taiping shattered the second sky canopy, formless heart demon heaven, with a punch, then faced visions of his tribulations and millions of chanting scriptures.
• Xu Taiping summoned three sword lights that helped him pierce the second canopy and break through the third, purple firmament thunder pool heaven.
• Xu Taiping drew a fourth Demon-Sealing Sword, and Dongfang Yuejian realized he had used only forty percent of his fighting strength.
• Xu Taiping and the four Demon-Sealing Swords broke through the fourth sky canopy, great luo star sand heaven.