Chapter Summaries

Drunk inside the Heaven-Shaking Coffin, Gu Changqing grasped the Great Dao’s return to simplicity and unleashed the final form of Sword Nine. His sword strike surpassed the God-Slaying Spear and shattered the coffin, leaving the observers stunned.

• Outside the Heaven-Shaking Coffin, onlookers mocked Gu Changqing’s claim that his sword could surpass the God-Slaying Spear, while Duobao, Jin Ling, and the Jie Sect Disciples recognized his Sword Nine Divine Ability.
• Inside the coffin, Gu Changqing drank wine and realized that all arts shared the same source and that the Dao could be glimpsed in the mundane.
• Gu Changqing unleashed vast sword light that overwhelmed the coffin’s defenses and shook the heavens.
• Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa sensed that Gu Changqing’s sword intent surpassed the God-Slaying Spear’s earlier strike, while Hongjun and Laozi realized the coffin’s laws and power were being destroyed.
• The Heaven-Shaking Coffin burst apart, stunning everyone who witnessed Gu Changqing break it.

Gu Changqing emerged unharmed from the Heaven-Shaking Coffin with vastly increased strength, astonishing the assembled cultivators and delighting his allies. He thanked Laozi and Yuanshi for the opportunity their scheme had given him, then taunted them about using the coffin to bury their Sage Dao Bodies as Yuanshi demanded to know how he had escaped.

• Gu Changqing leaped free of the broken Heaven-Shaking Coffin, his immense sword intent tearing through the void and revealing his increased power.
• Houtu, the Interception Sect, Xihe, Changxi, and the others rejoiced at Gu Changqing's return, while he thanked them for their concern.
• Tongtian noticed Gu Changqing's remarkable gains and asked about them, but Gu Changqing turned to Laozi and Yuanshi instead.
• Gu Changqing thanked Laozi and Yuanshi for giving him the chance to comprehend the Demon Gods' Great Dao traces, then taunted them that the coffin could bury their Sage Dao Bodies.
• Yuanshi, furious at Gu Changqing's escape and taunts, demanded to know how the Heaven-Shaking Coffin had failed to trap him.

Gu Changqing escaped the Heaven-Shaking Coffin and revealed that he commanded the rhythms of all Three Thousand Great Daos, astonishing the Sages and earning Tongtian’s praise. As the others expected the conflict to end, Hongjun suddenly attacked and ordered Gu Changqing to accompany him to Zixiao Palace.

• Yuanshi demanded to know how Gu Changqing had escaped the Heaven-Shaking Coffin, but Gu Changqing drank wine and spoke of his immortal heart instead of answering.
• Laozi began to rebuke Gu Changqing, then stopped when three thousand rays of divine radiance and the rhythms of the Three Thousand Great Daos appeared around him.
• Yuanshi and Laozi realized Gu Changqing had mastered the laws of all Three Thousand Great Daos, while Tongtian praised his disciple and Houtu wondered whether he might approach Father God’s heights.
• The Sages and others assumed the battle would end now that Gu Changqing was free, but Hongjun suddenly unleashed his aura and ordered Gu Changqing to come to Zixiao Palace.

Hongjun took Gu Changqing to Zixiao Palace, prompting Tongtian, Nuwa, Houtu, and others to rush there and demand his release. Hongjun assured them he would not harm Gu Changqing, leaving them to wait outside while Hongjun faced Gu Changqing inside the palace.

• Hongjun swept Gu Changqing away to Zixiao Palace, and many onlookers assumed he intended to kill him.
• Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu rushed toward Zixiao Palace, followed by the Eleven Ancestral Witches, Xihe, Changxi, and other cultivators.
• Tongtian and the others demanded that Hongjun release Gu Changqing, while Houtu attacked Zixiao Palace with the Earth Dao Divine Wheel, but the Heavenly Dao laws repelled her power.
• Houtu threatened to destroy the Profound Gate's lineages if Hongjun harmed Gu Changqing, alarming Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti.
• Hongjun declared that he would not harm Gu Changqing, and the others waited outside as Hongjun looked at Gu Changqing inside Zixiao Palace.

Hongjun brought Gu Changqing to Zixiao Palace and tried to win him over with promises of a clean slate and a Sage’s seat. Gu Changqing rejected the offer of peace, then questioned whether Hongjun meant the same kind of Sage’s seat Taiyi had received.

• Hongjun realized Gu Changqing’s allies would risk war to protect him and dared not kill him.
• Hongjun regretted not killing Gu Changqing when they first met, but Gu Changqing answered with drunken indifference.
• Hongjun asked why Gu Changqing was not curious about being brought to Zixiao Palace, and Gu Changqing said he only cared about wine.
• Hongjun offered to erase their past grievances and ensure the Four Saints would not attack Gu Changqing if he submitted to him.
• Gu Changqing rejected the offer, saying he accepted the consequences of his actions and did not fear the Four Saints.
• Hongjun offered Gu Changqing a Sage’s seat, and Gu Changqing asked whether it would be like Taiyi’s.

Gu Changqing rejected Hongjun’s offer to join the Profound Gate, exposing the limits on the Sage positions and demanding that Hongjun reveal his true purpose. Hongjun asked for Gu Changqing’s method of cultivating the three thousand great daos, but Gu Changqing refused and left the offer to someone else.

• Gu Changqing challenged Hongjun’s promise of a true sage fruit position, pointing out that all seven positions were already occupied.
• Hongjun offered Gu Changqing any reward he wanted if he would submit, but Gu Changqing insisted that Hongjun state his real intention.
• Hongjun revealed that he wanted to learn Gu Changqing’s method for cultivating the three thousand great daos.
• Gu Changqing realized that his unusual cultivation had drawn Hongjun’s attention and refused the offer, proclaiming himself the Wine Immortal.

Gu Changqing rejected Hongjun’s offer and left the Zixiao Palace unharmed after Hongjun decided against killing him. Outside, he reunited with Houtu and the others, then claimed Hongjun had only invited him to drink, leaving the onlookers stunned.

• Gu Changqing refused Hongjun’s favor, declared his Dao invincible, and announced that he would leave the Zixiao Palace.
• Hongjun considered killing Gu Changqing but held back, fearing the turmoil Houtu, Tongtian, and the others would cause.
• Duobao spotted Gu Changqing coming out unharmed, and Houtu, Dijiang, Zhurong, and the others welcomed him with relief.
• Gu Changqing credited Houtu’s protection for his safe return, and Houtu promised that no one would harm him.
• When Tongtian asked why Hongjun had summoned him, Gu Changqing claimed Hongjun had only wanted to share drinks, stunning everyone present.

Gu Changqing returned to Golden Ao Island after leaving Zixiao Palace, while Hongjun admitted to the Four Saints that they had underestimated him and feared his potential. Back in his cave abode, Gu Changqing began cultivating the three thousand great Daos.

• Gu Changqing said he had been drinking with Hongjun, but kept the events in Zixiao Palace secret.
• Tongtian took Gu Changqing and the Interception Sect members back to Golden Ao Island, while Houtu, Nuwa, and the other Sages departed.
• The Four Saints entered Zixiao Palace and questioned Hongjun about letting Gu Changqing go; Hongjun rebuked Yuanshi for his accusatory tone.
• Hongjun told the Four Saints that Gu Changqing would grow more unbridled and that they had underestimated him, then worried over how the Heavenly Dao Will might reveal a way to eliminate him.
• Duobao and the other disciples spread word of Gu Changqing shattering the Heaven-Shaking Coffin, and the Wine Sword Immortal's prestige rose among the Interception Sect.
• Gu Changqing returned to his cave abode, drank wine, and wondered whether he could finally cultivate the true three thousand great Daos.

Gu Changqing spent centuries in the Underworld deducing the Great Firmament Technique from the Dao rhythm of the three thousand great Daos. After persistent effort and drinking, he succeeded in manifesting an enormous Heavenly Hand over Golden Ao Island.

• Gu Changqing began deducing the Great Firmament Technique, and its firmament laws dazzled the Interception Sect disciples and astonished Zhen Yuanzi and Ancestor Hong Yun.
• Several hundred years passed without the Human School, Chanjiao, or the Western World making a move, while the Interception Sect, Underworld, Dragon Race, and humans grew in influence.
• Gu Changqing continued developing the Great Firmament Technique in seclusion, knowing that he lacked its methods and had to create them from scratch.
• Gu Changqing sensed that his effort had succeeded and laughed with joy.
• The disciples on Golden Ao Island looked up and saw a colossal, radiant palm formed from laws stretching across the heavens.

Gu Changqing displayed the law of the firmament on Golden Ao Island, wielding power that rivaled a Sage and astonishing the beings who watched. Hongjun, Laozi, Yuanshi, Haotian, Yaochi, and Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun all recognized the threat he posed, while Laozi wondered whether Gu Changqing would prove the Dao of Primordial Unity.

• Gu Changqing manifested a colossal palm of laws, and cultivators compared its might to the Sage-level power Taiyi had once received from Hongjun.
• Hongjun watched from Zixiao Palace, furious that Gu Changqing had refused to reveal how to cultivate the three thousand great daos, but he did not dare intervene.
• Yuanshi recognized that Gu Changqing had mastered the law of the firmament, while Laozi admitted the Heaven-Shaking Coffin had failed to suppress him.
• Laozi suggested that Gu Changqing might use his momentum to prove the Dao of Primordial Unity, alarming Yuanshi with the implications for the Profound Gate and Heavenly Dao.
• Haotian and Yaochi feared Gu Changqing could destroy the Heavenly Court, while Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun felt relieved that he had survived their earlier encounter.

Gu Changqing unleashed the Great Firmament Technique, astounding the Heavenly Court and the Interception Sect, while Tongtian believed the display gave his disciple a chance to prove the Dao. Gu Changqing let the opportunity pass because he cared more about continuing to drink, leaving Tongtian baffled.

• Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun reconsidered joining the Heavenly Court after witnessing Gu Changqing's overwhelming power and worried that Gu Changqing might one day target them.
• Tongtian and the Interception Sect disciples watched Gu Changqing's Heavenly Hand and believed he was on the verge of proving the Dao.
• Gu Changqing praised the power of the Great Firmament Technique, then let the Heavenly Hand fade away without beginning to prove his Dao.
• Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti felt relieved that Gu Changqing had not become a Sage.
• Tongtian asked Gu Changqing why he had not seized the chance to prove the Dao, but Gu Changqing said he did not know what Tongtian meant and privately chose drinking over attaining Dao.

Gu Changqing deliberately passed up the chance to prove the Dao of primordial unity to avoid drawing the Heavenly Dao’s hostility, then returned to studying the other great Daos. His restraint spurred the Interception Sect’s disciples to cultivate harder, while Zhunti lamented that the Western Teachings lacked anyone like him and was baffled by Jieyin’s sudden joyful meditation.

• Gu Changqing concealed his reasons for refusing to prove the Dao, and Tongtian accepted that he had missed the opportunity because he was drunk.
• Tongtian returned to Biyou Palace, resolving to cultivate harder, while Gu Changqing went back to his cave abode to deduce other paths among the three thousand great Daos.
• Duobao and the other disciples marveled at Gu Changqing, then dispersed and devoted themselves to cultivation, strengthening the Interception Sect’s atmosphere of diligent study.
• On Mount Sumeru, Zhunti mourned the Western Teachings’ lack of a gifted disciple like Gu Changqing and the loss of the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit.
• Zhunti noticed Jieyin meditating with an excited smile instead of his usual misery and stared at him in bewilderment.

Jieyin comprehended the Buddhist Dao and told Zhunti that the Western Teachings could resolve their karmic debts by changing paths. The two sages then proclaimed that the Western Teachings would end and the Buddhist School would emerge.

• Zhunti rebuked Jieyin for calling Gu Changqing’s display of power good news, but Jieyin explained that he meant the Western World’s destined opportunity.
• Jieyin told Zhunti that the Western Teachings could cultivate the Buddhist Dao, establish their own doctrines, and wipe away their accumulated karmic debts.
• Jieyin explained that Buddhist cultivation mastered karmic retribution and could convert beings across the Three Realms and Six Paths.
• Zhunti understood the opportunity and agreed with Jieyin to proclaim the founding of the Buddhist School.
• Jieyin and Zhunti rose into the heavens and broadcast their proclamation throughout the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths and across myriad worlds.

Jieyin and Zhunti transformed the Western Teachings into the Buddhist School, gaining the heavenly Dao’s recognition and spreading Buddha light across Heaven and Earth. As other Sages reacted to the Buddhist School’s rise, Gu Changqing realized that the change had begun.

• Jieyin and Zhunti proclaimed the Buddhist School and vowed to convert living beings, whereupon the heavenly Dao acknowledged their new lineage and its fortune surged.
• Laozi and Yuanshi worried that Buddhism would encroach on the Eastern World’s fortune and add to Gu Changqing’s threat.
• Nuwa dispersed the Buddha light among the humans and trusted Gu Changqing to deal with the Buddhist School later.
• Great Emperor Fengdu sensed Buddhism’s affinity with reincarnation, but Houtu dismissed the threat and warned that intruders would not leave the Underworld.
• On Golden Ao Island, Gu Changqing paused his Dao deductions, looked toward the Western World, and realized Buddhism had begun.

Gu Changqing learned that the Western Teachings had converted to Buddhism ahead of schedule, signaling the approach of the Investiture of the Gods measureless calamity, and decided to travel the world with Kong Xuan and the Blood-Winged Black Mosquito. Ao Cunxin met them as they departed and asked Gu Changqing to find a way to improve the Dragon Race’s bloodline; he assured her it would be easy.

• Gu Changqing recognized the Western Teachings’ conversion to Buddhism as a sign that the Investiture of the Gods measureless calamity was approaching.
• Gu Changqing summoned Kong Xuan and the Blood-Winged Black Mosquito and invited them to travel the world with him.
• Gu Changqing and his two disciples left the Interception Sect and encountered Ao Cunxin outside Golden Ao Island.
• Ao Cunxin explained that the Dragon Race had reached a limit in its bloodline and asked Gu Changqing how its members could improve.
• Gu Changqing smiled and told Ao Cunxin that finding a way to help the Dragon Race would be easy.

Gu Changqing accepted the Dragon Race’s invitation to drink and then offered to teach them the Great Dragon Aspect Art. The dragons gathered to receive the art, beginning a chance to strengthen the entire race.

• Ao Cunxin asked Gu Changqing how the Dragon Race could improve, and he demanded tens of thousands of pounds of fine wine before answering.
• Ao Cunxin invited Gu Changqing to the East Sea Dragon Palace, where the Four Seas Dragon Kings and a million true dragons welcomed him.
• Gu Changqing drank the Dragon Race’s wine until he was satisfied while the dragons watched in silence.
• Gu Changqing announced that he would teach the Dragon Race the Great Dragon Aspect Art, which any true or hybrid dragon could cultivate.
• Ao Guang used Great Dao Transmission to summon every member of the Dragon Race to receive Gu Changqing’s teaching.

Gu Changqing preached the Great Dragon Aspect Art to the Dragon Race, and a Hybrid Dragon transformed its bloodline into one capable of producing purple-gold divine radiance. His discourse drew countless other cultivators, who secretly learned the law-level art before the teaching ended.

• Ao Guang summoned millions of True Dragons and tens of millions of Hybrid Dragons to hear Gu Changqing preach.
• Gu Changqing explained that the Great Dragon Aspect Art drew on the Azure Dragon's primordial origin laws and was especially suited to the Dragon Race.
• A Hybrid Dragon revealed that cultivating the art had transformed its scales and surrounded it with purple-gold divine radiance, shocking the Dragon Race and onlookers.
• Mighty Experts gathered above the East Sea and quietly comprehended the art, realizing that beings beyond the Dragon Race could cultivate it too.
• Gu Changqing's discourse ended, and the dragons awoke delighted by the improvements they had gained.

Gu Changqing finished teaching the Dragon Race the Great Dragon Aspect Art, then set off with Kong Xuan and the Blood-Winged Black Mosquito for the East Sea Shore. There, Nuwa was teaching Fuxi when she sensed Changqing approaching.

• The Four Dragon Kings praised Gu Changqing for teaching the Dragon Race the Great Dragon Aspect Art and said it had brought them close to the Quasi-Sage Realm.
• Gu Changqing dismissed the art as nothing special, and Ao Cunxin asked him for a divine art suited to her phoenix bloodline.
• Gu Changqing said he had not studied Phoenix arts but might devise one for Ao Cunxin another day.
• Gu Changqing departed with Kong Xuan and the Blood-Winged Black Mosquito, heading for the East Sea Shore.
• Nuwa taught Fuxi cultivation among the humans and noticed that Gu Changqing was approaching.

Gu Changqing visited the human race, asked Nuwa about her faint perception of the Human Dao, and then sat with Fuxi to hear about the Primordial Eight Trigrams. As Fuxi explained the ancient power, a tremendous force and terrifying visions suddenly erupted around Gu Changqing.

• Nuwa welcomed Gu Changqing and praised him for helping the human race prosper under Mount Shu’s protection.
• Gu Changqing asked Nuwa whether she had sensed anything mysterious among the flourishing human race, and she said she could not grasp what she felt.
• Gu Changqing concluded that the Human Dao had not yet fully emerged, then asked Fuxi whether he had awakened the Primordial Eight Trigrams.
• Fuxi confirmed that he had awakened the Primordial Eight Trigrams, and Gu Changqing asked him to explain their mysteries.
• Fuxi began explaining the Primordial Eight Trigrams as divine patterns and auspicious visions appeared, while Gu Changqing listened from a boulder with his wine gourd.
• A vast surge of power erupted around Gu Changqing, and terrifying visions suddenly appeared.

Gu Changqing completed the Great Eight Trigrams Art, gaining mastery over another Great Dao and greatly increasing his power. Meanwhile, Laozi and Yuanshi devised a plan for the Human and Chan Sects to influence humanity by raising the next Human Emperor.

• Gu Changqing manifested the Eight Trigrams with such overwhelming power that Fuxi, Kong Xuan, and the Blood-Winged Black Mosquito were stunned.
• Nuwa sensed traces of the Great Dao in Gu Changqing's art as he announced that the Great Eight Trigrams Art was complete.
• Gu Changqing used the completed art to purify his Dao Heart, strengthen himself, and consider following Pangu toward the realm of the Great Dao.
• In the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi complained that humanity had grown too powerful for the sects to suppress.
• Laozi proposed that the Human and Chan Sects nurture the next Human Emperor, and Yuanshi ordered his disciples to preach among humanity and build their prestige.