Chapter Summaries

Gu Changqing wounded Yuanshi with a direct sword strike and survived Yuanshi's counterattack, astonishing all living beings. As Laozi attacked him with the Taiyi Whisk, Giant Pink Star suddenly hurtled onto the battlefield.

• Gu Changqing unleashed a world-shaking sword strike against Yuanshi, whose counterattack engulfed the battlefield in destructive light.
• Yuanshi was driven backward, while Gu Changqing emerged gravely wounded but alive and laughed as he drank wine.
• Duobao and the others worried that Gu Changqing could not withstand another attack after exhausting his strength.
• Laozi attacked Gu Changqing with the Taiyi Whisk, and Giant Pink Star suddenly hurtled toward them.

Nuwa intervened to save Gu Changqing, striking Laozi with the Red Embroidered Ball and demanding that Laozi and Yuanshi leave the human lands. Jieyin and Zhunti arrived to support them, and Tongtian’s voice joined the confrontation.

• Nuwa unleashed the Red Embroidered Ball, striking Laozi and forcing him and Yuanshi to retreat.
• Nuwa appeared and saw that Gu Changqing was recovering from his injuries as he joked with her.
• Nuwa demanded that Laozi and Yuanshi take their disciples and leave the human lands or face her in battle.
• Jieyin and Zhunti arrived and challenged Nuwa’s ability to protect Gu Changqing alone.
• Tongtian announced that he would join Nuwa.

Tongtian arrived to stand with Nuwa against Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti, rejecting their accusations against Gu Changqing. Nuwa and Tongtian defended Gu Changqing and the human race, and Tongtian summoned his Four Immortal Swords as the confrontation escalated.

• Tongtian appeared beside Nuwa and faced the Four Saints as the six Sages prepared to clash.
• Laozi accused Tongtian of turning against his elder brothers, but Tongtian challenged the Three Pure Ones’ claim to be one family.
• Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti condemned Gu Changqing and demanded his execution for killing their disciples.
• Nuwa rebuked the Four Saints for seizing the human race’s fortune and blamed them for their disciples’ deaths.
• Tongtian backed Nuwa, warned that Gu Changqing would keep resisting their schemes, and summoned the Four Immortal Swords above the Nine Heavens.

Tongtian confronted Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti with the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords to defend Gu Changqing, and the four Saints joined forces to break his array. As they began to suppress the swords, Gu Changqing sent a strand of light from his Dao heart into the array, causing all four swords to erupt in power and leaving the Saints shocked.

• Tongtian declared that the Interception Sect’s people were not theirs to harm and deployed the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords against the four Saints.
• Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti each attacked a sword, using their treasures to battle Tongtian’s array.
• Duobao and the other disciples worried as the four Saints’ combined attack dimmed the swords, while Nuwa hesitated over whether to help Tongtian.
• Gu Changqing, recovered after drinking several hundred jin of wine, sent an indestructible strand of spiritual light from his Dao heart into the array.
• The four swords blazed with blood-red light, and the four Saints cried out in shock as heaven and earth erupted in turmoil.

Gu Changqing infused the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array with his own Sword Dao, allowing its swords to pierce the Four Saints and leave them gravely wounded. The Four Saints recognized Gu Changqing’s threat, and Tongtian proposed ending the battle.

• The Four Saints’ combined assault weakened the sword array until Gu Changqing’s sword intent surged into it and transformed its power.
• The four Immortal-Slaying Swords broke free of Tongtian’s control and pierced the Four Saints’ bodies, driving them into the earth.
• The Four Saints coughed blood as beings across the Primordial World realized Gu Changqing had delivered the decisive strike.
• The Four Saints forced the swords back and recognized Gu Changqing’s self-created Sword Dao as a threat they could not overcome.
• Tongtian reproached Gu Changqing for making trouble, then proposed that the Four Saints end the conflict.

Tongtian drove the Four Saints away after defeating them, while Hongjun learned that the million-year truce had ended and the Witch-Demon Tribulation was imminent. Hongjun summoned the Sages to Zixiao Palace as the Three Teachings returned in defeat.

• Jieyin and Laozi voiced their resentment toward Tongtian and Gu Changqing before the Four Saints vanished.
• Living beings recognized that the Sages had split into rival camps led by Gu Changqing and the Four Saints.
• Hongjun cursed the Four Saints for their failed scheme, which had strengthened humanity and raised Ji Ren, Suiren Shi, Youchao Shi, and Ziyi Shi to the Quasi-Saint realm.
• The Heavenly Dao Will warned Hongjun that the million-year truce had ended and the Witch-Demon Tribulation was imminent.
• Hongjun decided the Sages must intervene and summoned them to Zixiao Palace.

After Gu Changqing’s victory won the Humans’ reverence and elevated the Interception Sect’s standing, he planned to keep weakening the Three Teachings ahead of the Investiture of the Gods calamity. As the group neared Golden Ao Island, Zhen Yuanzi reconsidered Hong Yun’s decision to join the Interception Sect.

• Billions of Humans vowed to remember Gu Changqing and Tongtian, while observers recognized that Human fortune had united and that the Interception Sect had gained the Humans’ faith.
• Duobao and the other Interception Sect disciples praised Gu Changqing’s victory, and Bixiao asked him to share his sword-array wine; Gu Changqing agreed.
• Tongtian worried that Gu Changqing might give the other disciples a means to provoke the Four Saints, but held his thoughts until they returned to Golden Ao Island.
• Gu Changqing privately planned to use further clashes to weaken the Three Teachings and prevent them from threatening the Interception Sect during the Investiture of the Gods calamity.
• On Golden Ao Island, Zhen Yuanzi told Hong Yun that joining the Interception Sect might prove to be a great fortuitous opportunity.

Zhen Yuanzi envied Hong Yun’s progress and lamented that he had not found his own Great Dao in the Underworld. Gu Changqing promised that Zhen Yuanzi could still pursue it, prompting him to join the Interception Sect as Deputy Leader.

• Zhen Yuanzi praised Gu Changqing’s power and said the Interception Sect’s future was beyond measure.
• Hong Yun revealed that Gu Changqing’s wine had helped him begin comprehending his own Great Dao.
• Zhen Yuanzi lamented that Minghe had claimed the position in the Underworld where he believed his Great Dao lay.
• Gu Changqing assured Zhen Yuanzi that he could still enter the Underworld and even become a Sage, and Hong Yun affirmed his trust in Gu Changqing.
• Zhen Yuanzi asked to join the Interception Sect, and Tongtian accepted him as Deputy Leader.

Zhen Yuanzi agreed to advance and retreat alongside the Interception Sect, while Tongtian privately warned Gu Changqing that his reckless confrontations put him in danger. Gu Changqing rejected his advice to avoid making enemies and declared that he would reach the summit by himself.

• Tongtian, Duobao, and the other disciples kept Zhen Yuanzi’s plans secret, and Zhen Yuanzi stayed in the Interception Sect to discuss the Dao with Hong Yun.
• Tongtian welcomed Zhen Yuanzi into the Interception Sect, and Zhen Yuanzi thanked Gu Changqing.
• Tongtian brought Gu Changqing to Biyou Palace and seriously asked whether he understood the dangerous path he was taking.
• Gu Changqing said he cultivated the sword immortal path, and Tongtian urged him to focus on cultivation and avoid making enemies.
• Gu Changqing insisted that a cultivator should not fear making enemies and declared that he needed no one’s help to reach the summit.

Gu Changqing told Tongtian he would face any enemy with lethal force, even if the whole world stood against him, while Tongtian worried about the danger and the limits imposed on him as a Heavenly Dao Sage. Gu Changqing privately resolved to help Tongtian leave the Profound Gate, then Hongjun summoned the Xuanmen Saints to Zixiao Palace, leaving Tongtian wondering whether the summons was connected to Gu Changqing.

• Gu Changqing declared that he would kill anyone who schemed against him, despite Tongtian warning that this could turn the whole world against him.
• Gu Changqing said he would crush all opposition with strength and teased Tongtian about protecting him; Tongtian promised to keep him safe but explained that his position as a Sage of the Profound Gate constrained him.
• Gu Changqing resolved to find a way to help Tongtian leave the Profound Gate, then left Biyou Palace with his Wine Gourd to return to his cave abode.
• Tongtian received Hongjun's summons for the Xuanmen Saints to meet at Zixiao Palace and wondered whether it was caused by Gu Changqing's recent confrontation with the Sages.
• Tongtian crossed the void and headed to Zixiao Palace.

Tongtian and Nuwa met outside Zixiao Palace, where Nuwa credited Gu Changqing for her rapid cultivation. Hongjun summoned the Six Sages to discuss restoring the disrupted Witch-Demon Tribulation, and Laozi accused Gu Changqing of causing the upheaval and called for his sacrifice.

• Tongtian arrived at Zixiao Palace and praised Nuwa for reaching the sixth heaven of Sage.
• Nuwa said Gu Changqing's deeds had strengthened the human race and helped her advance, while Tongtian proudly defended his disciple.
• Haotian and Yaochi announced that Hongjun had summoned the Sages, who entered Zixiao Palace to meet him.
• Hongjun said the heavenly mandate was disordered and cited the Witch-Slaying Sword's failure, Houtu's Sagehood, and the Three Ancestors of the Human Race as changes that required the Sages to restore the tribulation's course.
• Laozi blamed Gu Changqing for the disruptions and urged Hongjun to sacrifice him to the Heavenly Dao.

Laozi and the other Saints urged Hongjun to sacrifice Gu Changqing to the Heavenly Dao, but Tongtian threatened them and Nuwa refused Hongjun’s order to depose the Three Ancestors of the Human Race. Hongjun offered fortune and merit to Sages who restored the calamity’s course, while Gu Changqing revealed that he had heard Laozi’s threat.

• Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti asked Hongjun to kill Gu Changqing, whom they called an anomaly.
• Tongtian warned the Four Saints that harming Gu Changqing would mean declaring war on him.
• Hongjun ordered Nuwa to depose the Three Ancestors of the Human Race, but Nuwa refused, saying she had no authority over them.
• Hongjun declared that Sages who helped return the measureless calamity to its original course would receive fortune or merit.
• In his cave abode, Gu Changqing appeared drunk and quietly remarked that Laozi was vicious for wanting him sacrificed to the Heavenly Dao.

Gu Changqing used his innate sword heart to perceive events in Zixiao Palace and reflected on the divine arts he had developed. Xing Tian arrived with Houtu’s invitation to the Underworld, and Gu Changqing agreed to go after hearing that its Othershore Flowers could be used to brew wine.

• Gu Changqing explained that Ten Thousand Swords Pay Homage to the Sect let him sense Sword Dao activity and had allowed him to perceive what happened in Zixiao Palace.
• Gu Changqing considered his Merit Golden Wheel and the nearly completed Pangu Emperor Heaven-Opening Sacred Art.
• Xing Tian arrived at Golden Ao Island on Houtu’s orders and asked Gu Changqing to visit the Underworld.
• Gu Changqing initially refused because he wanted to keep drinking.
• Xing Tian mentioned that the Underworld’s Othershore Flowers could be used to brew wine, and Gu Changqing agreed to go with him.

Gu Changqing and Xing Tian visited the Underworld, where Gu Changqing admired the Othershore Flowers and the Underworld’s growth. He warned the Twelve Ancestral Witches that the approaching Witch-Demon War might bring danger to their clan, suggesting he knew a secret about the Demon Race’s Heavenly Mandate.

• Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi wondered why Gu Changqing openly associated with the Witch Clan despite the approaching war.
• Gu Changqing and Xing Tian entered the Underworld and found Othershore Flowers blooming across the Yellow Springs.
• Gu Changqing reflected that his past arrangements had helped Houtu establish the Underworld and attain sagehood ahead of time.
• Dijiang, the other Ancestral Witches, and Ancestor Minghe welcomed Gu Changqing and Xing Tian.
• Zhurong boasted that the Witch Clan would defeat the Demon Race with the Dutian Divine Fiends Formation, but Gu Changqing warned that arrogance could lead to their downfall.
• Houtu asked whether Gu Changqing knew a hidden secret, and he replied that he did if the Demon Race’s Heavenly Mandate had not changed.

Gu Changqing revealed that the Demon Race had developed the Primal Chaos Star Dou Great Array and warned that the heavenly Dao’s momentum favored the demons. After Houtu and the Twelve Ancestral Witches grasped the danger, Houtu asked Gu Changqing whether he could help her brothers face it, and he said he could.

• Zhurong asked Gu Changqing how he had learned the Demon Race’s plans, and Gu Changqing revealed the Primal Chaos Star Dou Great Array.
• Gu Changqing said heavenly fortune favored the Demon Race and that the heavenly Dao’s great momentum would suppress the Witch Clan; Houtu agreed that the calamity might be meant to destroy both clans.
• Dijiang asked about the array’s strength, and Gu Changqing said it could harness the entire Primordial Starry Sky and might match the Dutian Divine Fiends Great Array.
• The Twelve Ancestral Witches feared that Houtu’s confinement in the Underworld and the array’s power left their clan at a disadvantage.
• Houtu pleaded with Gu Changqing for a way to break the impasse or strengthen Dijiang and the others, and Gu Changqing said he had a solution.

Gu Changqing revealed the Pangu Emperor Heaven-Opening Sacred Art to the Eleven Ancestral Witches and began teaching it to them, hoping to strengthen the Witch Clan before the coming war. As the witches immersed themselves in the art, the million-year truce ended and unrest rose beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

• Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches doubted that Gu Changqing's cultivation art could help the Witch Clan, whose members cultivated their bodies by devouring baleful energy.
• Gu Changqing displayed the art's immense physical power, astonishing the Ancestral Witches.
• Gu Changqing named the technique the Pangu Emperor Heaven-Opening Sacred Art, and Dijiang and the other ten Ancestral Witches agreed to learn it.
• Gu Changqing explained the art while drinking, and the Eleven Ancestral Witches became absorbed in their cultivation and began to radiate a vast aura.
• Houtu watched Gu Changqing with growing warmth as the million-year truce ended beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens and turmoil began to rise.

The Demon Court prepared its restored forces and star formations for a future war against the Witch Clan, while the Sages concluded their secret meeting about the coming calamity. Tongtian returned to Golden Ao Island intending to summon Gu Changqing, only to learn that he had gone to the Underworld with Xing Tian.

• Di Jun and Tai Yi surveyed the Demon Race’s restored ranks as Bai Ze reported that the star banners for the Primal Chaos Star Dou Great Array were complete.
• Bingyi revealed that enough powerful experts had gathered to wield the banners, and Lu Wu urged the Demon Court to attack the Witch Clan.
• Di Jun said he would first deduce another formation from the River Diagram and Luo Book, then wait for the measureless calamity before marching against the Witch Clan.
• The six Sages emerged from Zixiao Palace after their secret discussion, with Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti considering their interests while Tongtian and Nuwa remained reluctant to intervene.
• Tongtian returned to Golden Ao Island and summoned Gu Changqing, but Duobao told him that Gu Changqing had gone to the Underworld with Xing Tian.

Gu Changqing taught the Eleven Ancestral Witches the Pangu Emperor Heaven-Opening Sacred Art, and Dijiang showed signs of manifesting the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe. After gathering Othershore Flowers in the Underworld, Gu Changqing planned to brew wine that might help the Interception Sect break away from the Profound Gate.

• Tongtian realized Gu Changqing had already gone to the Underworld and could no longer be kept away from the Witch and Demon Clans.
• Gu Changqing taught the Eleven Ancestral Witches the Pangu Emperor Heaven-Opening Sacred Art, and they sensed its power transforming their origins.
• Dijiang manifested a vision of the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe, astonishing the other Ancestral Witches and Houtu.
• The Twelve Ancestral Witches bowed to Gu Changqing in gratitude, and Houtu offered him the Underworld’s treasures.
• Gu Changqing declined the treasures, picked Othershore Flowers, and considered brewing wine to help the Interception Sect break away from the Profound Gate.

Gu Changqing gathered Othershore Flowers while the Witch and Demon Clans prepared for war and the Xuanmen Saints planned to profit from it. Jieyin and Zhunti manipulated the Ten Golden Crow Princes into leaving the Demon Court, and ten blazing suns appeared over the Primordial World.

• Gu Changqing picked Othershore Flowers, hoping wine made from them could help Interception Sect members break free from the Profound Gate, while Dijiang and the others resumed secluded cultivation.
• Yuanshi and Laozi agreed to wait for the Witch-Demon War to end, then seize the clans’ resources and fortune for their lineages.
• Jieyin proposed using the Ten Golden Crow Princes to provoke a war, and Zhunti agreed to lure them out while obscuring Di Jun and Tai Yi’s senses.
• Zhunti secretly entered the Demon Court and used formation patterns to blind its occupants’ senses before returning to the Western Teachings.
• Ten blazing suns appeared over the Nine Heavens, terrifying living beings throughout the Primordial World.

Zhunti manipulated the Ten Golden Crows into attacking the Witch Clan, and their Solar True Fire devastated the world, killing millions. The Ten Golden Crows reached Buzhou Mountain as Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches learned of the attack, while Gu Changqing suspected Jieyin and Zhunti were behind it.

• Zhunti told Jieyin that he had deceived the Ten Golden Crows and planned to reveal the concealment around Di Jun and Tai Yi after the princes were killed.
• Bo Huang led the Ten Golden Crows toward Buzhou Mountain, and their Solar True Fire scorched the land and killed millions of living beings.
• The Ten Golden Crows attacked the Witch Clan at Buzhou Mountain, where their flames killed Witch Clan fighters before they could reach them.
• A Witch Clan messenger reached the Underworld and reported the Ten Golden Crows' attack to Dijiang, Zhu Jiuyin, Xing Tian, and Hou Yi.
• Dijiang and the others flew into a rage, while Gu Changqing suspected Jieyin and Zhunti had begun their scheme.