Chapter Summaries

Gu Changqing mastered the supreme Great Asura Manual, astonishing the Underworld with its power before dismissing it as insufficient. Ancestor Minghe recognized the art’s insight into the Asura Path, and Gu Changqing passed it on to him, leaving Minghe hopeful of advancing toward primordial unity.

• Gu Changqing's mastery of the supreme Great Asura Manual caused terrifying manifestations that silenced the Underworld and awed its deities.
• Houtu realized Gu Changqing was gathering many Dao paths into his own supreme Great Dao.
• Gu Changqing dismissed the newly mastered art as not very powerful, while the onlookers were shocked by his judgment.
• Ancestor Minghe admitted Gu Changqing understood the Asura Path better than he did and said the art revealed why his cultivation had stalled.
• Gu Changqing sent Ancestor Minghe a divine-sense imprint of the supreme Great Asura Manual, and Minghe sensed his cultivation begin to improve.

Gu Changqing offered to help the Witch Clan develop Primordial Spirits and used a massive soul-grinding millstone to test his method. The Eleven Ancestral Witches sat beneath it, and Dijiang began to groan in pain as the millstone turned.

• Gu Changqing assured Ancestor Minghe that he would help pave the way for him to prove the Dao of Primordial Unity.
• Zhurong lamented that the Witch Clan could not prove the Dao because its members lacked Primordial Spirits.
• Gu Changqing told Dijiang that he had a method that might let the Witch Clan possess Primordial Spirits, and Dijiang agreed to try it.
• Gu Changqing manifested an enormous Divine Millstone whose aura threatened to grind souls, then instructed the Ancestral Witches to sit beneath it.
• Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches were enveloped by the millstone's light as it turned, and Dijiang suddenly groaned in pain.

Gu Changqing used the Chaos Divine Millstone Visualization Method to grind away the baleful qi suppressing the Ancestral Witches’ divine souls. The Eleven Ancestral Witches awakened with their primordial spirits revealed, and Gu Changqing explained why the Witch Clan had never sensed them before.

• Houtu tried to stop the Divine Millstone, but Gu Changqing assured her that the Ancestral Witches’ pain was part of a beneficial soul-tempering method.
• Gu Changqing explained that the Chaos Divine Millstone Visualization Method repeatedly destroyed and reforged the divine soul through its rotations.
• Houtu realized that the pain meant Dijiang and the others possessed divine souls, and she let the millstone continue turning.
• The Divine Millstone stopped, and Dijiang confirmed that the Ancestral Witches had possessed divine souls all along.
• Gu Changqing explained that baleful qi had suppressed their divine souls until the Divine Millstone ground it away.

Gu Changqing revealed that baleful qi had obscured the Ancestral Witches’ Primordial Spirits, then helped them awaken and left them a method to strengthen their souls. After taking the Kun Origin Ancestral Marrow from the Underworld, he departed, leaving the Ancestral Witches determined to train and Houtu’s companions looking forward to meeting him again.

• Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches realized baleful qi had hidden their Primordial Spirits and condemned Hongjun for claiming they had no path forward.
• Gu Changqing told the Eleven Ancestral Witches to temper their newly awakened Primordial Spirits every day, and Dijiang and the others pledged to train in the Underworld.
• Gu Changqing imprinted his divine will on the Chaos Divine Millstone, making it endure as a tool for honing their Primordial Spirits.
• Gu Changqing drew the Kun Origin Ancestral Marrow from the Earth Dao, and Houtu recognized that his earlier gifts had repaid the Underworld for taking it.
• Gu Changqing drank wine, announced that his business was finished, and departed the Underworld as his farewell echoed behind him.

Hongjun learned that the Heavenly Dao would unleash a measureless calamity involving all Three Realms and the disciples of the Sages' lineages. He embraced the plan as a chance to restore the Profound Gate's authority, and a mysterious scroll appeared before him.

• The Heavenly Dao spoke directly to Hongjun and declared that the Human World Realm, the Immortal and Divine Realm, and the Netherworld would all enter a measureless calamity.
• Hongjun learned that the Sages' disciples would bear mortal afflictions and could escape their karma only by killing other cultivators or perishing in the calamity.
• Hongjun realized the calamity was meant to pit the Sages' lineages against each other and let the Heavenly Dao suppress the Human Dao.
• Hongjun welcomed the calamity as a means to reclaim supreme authority and declared that he would sacrifice the Sages' disciples to restore the Profound Gate's power.
• A mysterious treasure resembling a scroll appeared before Hongjun, revealing the calamity as the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity.

Gu Changqing went to the Humans seeking the final ingredient for his Dao-Proving Fine Wine and revealed the Humans’ Epochal Flame Seed. He left the Humans resonating with the laws and order surrounding the flame.

• Hongjun remained in the Heavenly Dao Void to consolidate his authority after learning that the Investiture of the Gods tribulation had become a Measureless Measureless Calamity.
• Gu Changqing traveled from the Underworld to the East Sea Shore, seeking a supreme ingredient from the Humans for his Dao-Proving Fine Wine.
• The Humans welcomed Gu Changqing, and Ji Ren greeted his master and revealed that he had embarked on the path to proving his Dao.
• Gu Changqing said that he had come to take a wisp of a flame seed, then used his divine abilities to summon the Humans’ Epochal Flame Seed.
• A pale flame appeared above the Humans, its core containing particles of nine heavens breathing soil, and the Humans’ blood qi surged beneath its radiance.

Gu Changqing secured the Human Dao Era Flame and used the Wine God Spell to bless humanity with cultivation insights before returning to the Interception Sect. Nuwa privately resented that he had taken the treasure without consulting her, while the sect disciples eagerly surrounded him on his return.

• Gu Changqing collected the Human Dao Era Flame, completing the three treasures needed to brew Dao-Proving Fine Wine.
• Gu Changqing spread his Dao insights and laws among the humans with the Wine God Spell, helping their cultivation and supporting the Human Dao's recovery.
• Ji Ren watched the humans benefit from Gu Changqing's blessing, then sat down to contemplate the Dao rhythms he had left behind.
• Nuwa watched Gu Changqing take the Era Flame and privately felt jealous that he had not come to her, while comparing herself with Houtu.
• Gu Changqing returned to the Interception Sect, where the disciples gathered around him and asked him to impart wondrous arts.

Gu Changqing agreed to teach the Interception Sect disciples and began expounding “Cutting Heaven to Prove the Dao” on Golden Ao Island. His teaching drew a tremendous threat from the Nine Heavens, and Tongtian realized he had overlooked a serious danger.

• The Interception Sect disciples pleaded with Gu Changqing to teach them cultivation methods so they could grow stronger before the coming calamity.
• Tongtian descended and asked Gu Changqing to expound the Dao in his stead, believing Gu Changqing could lead the sect toward the “one that escaped.”
• Gu Changqing agreed, reasoning that he should strengthen the Interception Sect before attempting to prove the Dao of Primordial Unity.
• Hundreds of thousands of disciples gathered on Golden Ao Island as Gu Changqing began teaching “Cutting Heaven to Prove the Dao.”
• Wondrous signs appeared during Gu Changqing’s teaching, but a deafening thunderclap heralded an immense danger from the Nine Heavens, and Tongtian realized he had overlooked something.

Gu Changqing preached the way of Cutting Heaven to Prove the Dao, prompting the Heavenly Dao to send punishment aimed at wiping out the Interception Sect's ordinary disciples. As Tongtian, Hong Yun, and Zhen Yuanzi prepared to shield them, Gu Changqing rejected relying on their protection and declared that his sword asked the common people.

• Tongtian realized the Heavenly Punishment targeted the hundreds of thousands of Interception Sect disciples rather than him or Gu Changqing.
• Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi brought out their Spirit Treasures, while Tongtian deployed the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords to resist the descending tribulation.
• Gu Changqing dismissed the Heavenly Punishment as annoying and told Tongtian that relying on his protection could not keep the disciples safe indefinitely.
• Gu Changqing laughed at the sky and shouted, "I have a sword that asks not Heaven and Earth... but the common people!"

Gu Changqing called on the Interception Sect and all living beings to lend him their wish power, forging it into a colossal heavenly sword. He struck at the heavenly punishment tribulation, leaving Tongtian to realize what Gu Changqing had intended as the lightning began to break apart.

• Gu Changqing pointed his sword at the heavens and called on the Interception Sect to aid him, alarming the disciples who thought he would face the tribulation alone.
• Wish power from hundreds of thousands of Interception Sect disciples gathered around Gu Changqing and flowed into his sword.
• Wish power from unaffiliated cultivators also poured into the sword, which grew to span Heaven and Earth and shatter countless stars.
• Gu Changqing stood atop the immense sword, drank his wine, and ordered it to shatter the lightning tribulation.
• The heavenly sword slashed upward, overwhelming the tribulation's lightning bolts, and Tongtian realized Gu Changqing's plan.

Gu Changqing used the wish power of countless living beings to destroy the Heavenly Punishment tribulation, weakening the Heavenly Dao’s restraints and planting a seed of transcendence in their origins. He then preached the Dao to all living beings, drawing fortune toward the Interception Sect as Tongtian realized this was the true Ten Thousand Immortals Paying Homage.

• Tongtian, Hong Yun, and Zhen Yuanzi realized Gu Changqing had channeled the wishes of countless living beings through the Sword Dao to oppose Heavenly Punishment.
• Gu Changqing’s heavenly sword completely dispersed the lightning tribulation, and living beings across the world felt the Heavenly Dao’s restraints weaken.
• Gu Changqing thanked the living beings who had aided him and invited them to hear him discuss the Dao.
• Gu Changqing preached Cutting Heaven to Prove the Dao, and visions of a vast sword and Great Dao Golden Lotuses appeared across Heaven and Earth.
• Streams of fortune gathered throughout Heaven and Earth and flowed toward the Interception Sect, astonishing Tongtian.

After Gu Changqing’s lecture transformed the Interception Sect and stirred all living beings to defy Heaven, Tongtian suspected he intended to replace the Profound Gate. Gu Changqing confirmed his ambition and asked Tongtian to guard him while he brewed Hunyuan Immortal Brew, as the Western Buddhist Sect began coveting the power of the eastern beings’ prayers.

• Gu Changqing’s lecture brought immense fortune and auspicious signs to Golden Ao Island, while all living beings gained a defiant aura.
• Tongtian confronted Gu Changqing about openly challenging the Heavenly Dao, but Gu Changqing remained unconcerned.
• Tongtian asked whether Gu Changqing meant to replace the Profound Gate, and Gu Changqing said the Profound Gate was only a name.
• Gu Changqing asked Tongtian to stand guard while he brewed Hunyuan Immortal Brew, and Tongtian became intrigued.
• On Vulture Peak, Ksitigarbha and the Buddhist disciples discussed Gu Changqing’s power, while Jieyin and Zhunti coveted the eastern beings’ prayers.

Zhunti created the Bodhi Patriarch from his former Dao body so he could establish a Dao lineage in the East and secretly draw upon its wish power and fortune. Meanwhile, Laozi and Yuanshi chose to wait for Dao Ancestor Hongjun rather than confront Gu Changqing, who began brewing wine again in Biyou Palace.

• Zhunti formed the Bodhi Patriarch, a peak quasi-saint manifestation free of Buddhist principles, and Jieyin approved his plan to seek the East's fortune.
• Laozi and Yuanshi lamented Gu Changqing's growing influence and the loss of their own sects' fortunes.
• Yuanshi said they could not act while Dao Ancestor Hongjun remained absent, and Laozi agreed to wait for their master.
• Gu Changqing produced three supreme ingredients in Biyou Palace and began brewing wine as Tongtian watched in surprise.

Gu Changqing used the Great Extraction Technique and Great Fusion Technique to brew wine from the powers of the Heavenly Dao, Earth Dao, and Human Dao, creating an aura that suggested he was approaching Sagehood. Tongtian protected Golden Ao Island and realized Gu Changqing was preparing to prove the Dao of Primordial Unity, while Laozi and Yuanshi sensed the emerging aura from Kunlun Mountain.

• Gu Changqing began combining the Heavenly Dao Tribulation Lightning Liquid, Earth Dao Kun Origin Marrow, and Human Dao Era Flame, while Tongtian offered to help suppress the raging lightning liquid.
• Gu Changqing used the Great Extraction Technique to separate the three ingredients and draw out their origin auras, impressing Tongtian.
• Gu Changqing invoked the Great Fusion Technique, and the resulting clash shook Jade Void Palace and Golden Ao Island, startling the Interception Sect disciples.
• Tongtian summoned the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords to shield Golden Ao Island and watched over Gu Changqing, anticipating his attempt to prove the Dao of Primordial Unity.
• Laozi and Yuanshi sensed Gu Changqing's aura from Kunlun Mountain, and Yuanshi recognized that an aura of Sagehood was spreading.

As Gu Changqing began brewing a wine that embodied the Heavenly, Earth, and Human Daos, Laozi and Yuanshi realized he was about to prove the Dao of primordial unity and moved to stop him. The Four Saints confronted Tongtian at Golden Ao Island while Haotian and Yaochi headed there to disrupt Gu Changqing’s cultivation.

• Laozi and Yuanshi decided to prevent Gu Changqing from proving the Dao and summoned Jieyin and Zhunti to join them.
• Laozi ordered Haotian and Yaochi to go to Golden Ao Island and use their Heavenly Court authority to interfere with Gu Changqing.
• Hundreds of thousands of Interception Sect disciples sat down to comprehend the Three Daos gathered around Gu Changqing’s brewing.
• Tongtian saw four pillars of sage light approaching Golden Ao Island and prepared to face the Four Saints.
• The Four Saints arrived, and Laozi urged Tongtian to stop protecting Gu Changqing before launching an attack.

The Four Saints demanded that Tongtian hand over Gu Changqing, but Tongtian and the Interception Sect disciples vowed to protect him. As Gu Changqing continued brewing wine to prove his Dao, Laozi led the Four Saints into battle against Tongtian.

• Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti urged Tongtian to abandon Gu Changqing, but Tongtian refused and declared that they would have to destroy the Interception Sect first.
• Duobao and hundreds of thousands of Interception Sect disciples swore to live and die with Gu Changqing, while Haotian envied the reverence he commanded.
• Gu Changqing stayed in Biyou Palace, continued merging the brewing ingredients, and resolved to focus on proving his Dao despite his killing intent toward the Four Saints.
• Laozi announced that the Four Saints would suppress Tongtian and annihilate Gu Changqing, and the battle of Sages began.

Tongtian battled the Four Saints outside Golden Ao Island while Nuwa and Houtu protected the Primordial World from their clash. At Laozi's command, Haotian and Yaochi moved to attack Gu Changqing inside Biyou Palace.

• Nuwa raised the Hongmeng Sacred Sword to shield the Human World Realm, and Houtu formed the Earth Dao Divine Wheel to stabilize the land.
• Yuanshi attacked Tongtian with the Pangu Banner, but Tongtian broke its force with a strike from the Qingping Sword.
• Laozi called on Tongtian to use the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, and Tongtian summoned its four swords as the Four Saints raised defensive treasures.
• Laozi ordered Haotian and Yaochi to break into Biyou Palace and eliminate Gu Changqing, and they charged into action.
• Gu Changqing heard Laozi's command and laughed at Haotian and Yaochi from inside Biyou Palace.

Gu Changqing brewed a powerful wine with three primordial ingredients and vast merit while Haotian and Yaochi attacked the Interception Sect. With the Kunlun Mirror, Haotian trapped the sect's defenders, but Gu Changqing's sword suddenly emerged from Biyou Palace as he recited that its frosty edge had yet to be tested.

• Gu Changqing combined the Heavenly Dao Tribulation Lightning Liquid, Kun Origin Ancestral Marrow, and humanity's Epochal Flame Seed, then infused the brewing wine with merit power.
• Duobao and the Interception Sect disciples stood against Haotian and Yaochi, while Zhen Yuanzi and Ancestor Hong Yun arrived to support them.
• Haotian summoned the Kunlun Mirror from the Queen Mother of the West and used it to imprison Duobao, the disciples, Zhen Yuanzi, and Ancestor Hong Yun.
• Ancestor Hong Yun called to Gu Changqing for help, but Biyou Palace gave no immediate reply.
• A sharp sword radiance burst from Biyou Palace as Gu Changqing murmured, "Ten years to hone a sword, its frosty edge yet untested..."

Gu Changqing severely wounded Haotian with a sword that bypassed the Kunlun Mirror through the Spatial Great Dao. Yuanshi urged Haotian to use the Haotian Pagoda against the Jie Sect Disciples, and Tongtian flew into a rage as the pagoda gathered power.

• Gu Changqing pierced Haotian with one sword and sent Yaochi flying, leaving Haotian gravely wounded.
• Zhen Yuanzi recognized that Gu Changqing's sword contained the Spatial Great Dao, which had bypassed the Kunlun Mirror's suppression.
• Haotian and Yaochi realized the Kunlun Mirror could not stop Gu Changqing's spatial sword and feared another attack.
• Yuanshi ordered Haotian to unleash the Haotian Pagoda against the Jie Sect Disciples if Gu Changqing could not be killed.
• Haotian summoned the Haotian Pagoda, which grew in the sky and drew in power from the celestial sphere.
• Tongtian glared at Haotian and angrily challenged him as the pagoda's power gathered.

Haotian and Yaochi attacked Golden Ao Island while Tongtian was pinned down, killing many Jie Sect Disciples and plunging the Interception Sect into an unprecedented crisis. Gu Changqing stayed inside Biyou Palace, where he revealed that the fallen disciples had been sent to be reborn in the Human World Realm.

• Laozi urged Haotian to kill the Jie Sect Disciples while the Four Saints restrained Tongtian.
• Haotian used the Haotian Pagoda and Zhoutian Authority to pierce the Interception Sect's protective array and slaughter disciples on Golden Ao Island.
• Living beings wondered why Gu Changqing did not intervene, while Tongtian and the Jie Sect Disciples understood that he needed to remain in seclusion to prove the Dao.
• Inside Biyou Palace, Gu Changqing watched the battle and explained that the disciples who fell were being reborn in the Human World Realm.