Chapter Summaries

Gu Changqing unleashed the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array and overwhelmed Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti, destroying or driving back their defensive treasures. As the defeated Four Saints tried to retreat, Gu Changqing reminded them of their earlier agreement, leaving them frozen in place.

• Gu Changqing's sword strike descended, forcing Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti to raise their defensive treasures.
• Gu Changqing's slash sent Laozi's Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda flying and erased some of its merit.
• The slash shattered Yuanshi's Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud and wounded him, while it cleaved through the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree's rays and dimmed its light.
• The Four Saints realized Gu Changqing himself had defeated them and Laozi called for their retreat.
• Gu Changqing reminded the Four Saints of their earlier agreement, and they froze as they recalled it.

Gu Changqing demanded that the Four Saints honor their wager by leaving behind the spirit treasures they had used in battle. When they balked at his outrageous demand, Yuanshi ordered them to retreat to Kunlun Mountain and rely on the Chan Sect’s Sect-Protecting Array.

• Gu Changqing reminded the Four Saints of their wager and threatened to continue fighting if they refused to hand over spirit treasures.
• Laozi asked which treasures Gu Changqing wanted, and Gu Changqing demanded every spirit treasure the Four Saints had used in battle.
• Yuanshi rejected Gu Changqing’s demand and proposed retreating to Kunlun Mountain, where the Chan Sect’s Sect-Protecting Array could protect them.
• Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti agreed with Yuanshi, and the Four Saints vanished from the battlefield.

After the Four Saints fled to Kunlun Mountain rather than honor their wager, Gu Changqing pursued them despite Tongtian’s attempt to stop him. The Saints invoked heavenly retribution against him, and Gu Changqing answered with the Great Devouring Art.

• The Four Saints retreated after losing, and Gu Changqing decided to pursue them to Kunlun Mountain to settle their wager.
• Tongtian urged Gu Changqing to stop now that the Interception Sect had claimed the World-Destroying Mill, but Gu Changqing insisted the wager remained unfinished.
• Gu Changqing arrived above Kunlun Mountain and confronted Laozi, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti as they accused him of attacking a Saint’s Lineage.
• Yuanshi proposed that the Four Saints invoke heavenly retribution through Kunlun Mountain, and the Saints formed Mudra Seals to unleash it.
• Gu Changqing remained calm, drank wine, and used the Great Devouring Art against the heavenly retribution.

Gu Changqing devoured the Four Saints’ heavenly retribution, then attacked Kunlun Mountain after Yuanshi refused to honor their wager. When the Chan Sect’s reinforced Sect-Protecting Array withstood his sword strike, Gu Changqing summoned the Human Emperor Brush and revealed another Great Dao law.

• Gu Changqing used the Great Devouring Art to absorb the power of heavenly retribution, shocking the Four Saints and making their attack fail.
• Gu Changqing taunted the Four Saints for refusing to honor their wager, but Yuanshi declared he would not surrender the spirit treasures bestowed by the Dao Ancestor.
• Gu Changqing struck Kunlun Mountain with the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, and Yuanshi led the Four Saints in raising the Chan Sect’s Sect-Protecting Array to block it.
• Gu Changqing wondered aloud whether the Four Saints could withstand the power of the entire Human World Realm, then called forth the Human Emperor Brush.
• The Human Emperor Brush rose from the Human World Realm, and the Four Saints saw an unfamiliar Great Dao law on it.

Gu Changqing used the Human Emperor Brush and its edict laws to batter the Four Saints’ Chan Sect Grand Formation on Kunlun Mountain. As the formation cracked and the Chan Sect collapsed around them, Yuanshi saw Gu Changqing begin to write the character for “destroy.”

• Laozi and the other Four Saints could not identify Gu Changqing’s laws until Dao Ancestor Hongjun warned them that the Human Emperor Brush wielded edict laws and told them not to face it head-on.
• Yuanshi ordered the Four Saints to pour their power into the Chan Sect’s Sect-Protecting Array and hope it could withstand the edict laws.
• Gu Changqing explained that the Human Emperor Brush gathered humanity’s edicts, then wrote the character “suppress,” which cracked the Chan Sect Grand Formation.
• Gu Changqing wrote the character “command,” shaking Kunlun Mountain, wrecking Chan Sect buildings, and terrifying the disciples as the Four Saints struggled to endure the attack.
• Yuanshi began to rebuke the panicked disciples, then saw the Human Emperor Brush start writing the character “destroy.”

Gu Changqing threatened the Four Saints with the Human Emperor Brush’s word “Annihilate” until they agreed to surrender their Spirit Treasures. After receiving the Taiji Diagram, Pangu Banner, and Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit, he said he could now try to recreate the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe.

• Gu Changqing’s “Annihilate” threatened to destroy Kunlun Mountain, and Zhunti challenged Yuanshi over his claim that the Chan Sect’s array would stop him.
• Laozi urged Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti to hand over Spirit Treasures, and Yuanshi asked Gu Changqing whether he would withdraw if they complied.
• Gu Changqing demanded Laozi’s Taiji Diagram, Yuanshi’s Pangu Banner, and a Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit.
• Yuanshi surrendered the Pangu Banner, and Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti handed Gu Changqing their treasures as well.
• Gu Changqing declared that the two Heaven-Opening Supreme Treasures gave him a chance to recreate the original Heaven-Opening Divine Axe.

Gu Changqing secured the Taiji Diagram and Pangu Banner from the Four Saints, then returned to the Western World to claim the World-Destroying Mill Fragment. After dismissing Hongjun’s threat to make him an enemy of the Heavenly Dao, he asked Nuwa and Houtu to help him refine the supreme treasure.

• Gu Changqing took the Taiji Diagram, Pangu Banner, and Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit from the Four Saints and returned to the Western World for the World-Destroying Mill Fragment.
• Hongjun, Houtu, and Nuwa had ended their battle without Hongjun gaining the fragment, and Hongjun warned Gu Changqing that the Heavenly Dao would oppose him.
• Gu Changqing declared that if Heaven and Earth would not tolerate him, he would open another world, leaving the gathered beings awed and Hongjun speechless.
• Hongjun departed, conceding the World-Destroying Mill Fragment to Gu Changqing.
• Nuwa praised Gu Changqing for his decisive role, and Gu Changqing asked Nuwa and Houtu to help him refine the fragment.

The group returned the World-Destroying Mill Fragment to Golden Ao Island and began refining its innate restrictions inside Houtu’s Earth Dao Divine Hall. After Tongtian’s attack failed and Nuwa and Houtu each wore away a restriction, Gu Changqing drank until his aura rose and prepared to use the Great World-Destroying Art.

• Tongtian warned that refining the World-Destroying Mill on Golden Ao Island could endanger the island, so Houtu manifested an Earth Dao Divine Hall to contain its aura.
• Tongtian struck the World-Destroying Mill with the Qingping Sword, but the treasure’s restrictions remained unchanged.
• Nuwa attacked with the Hongmeng Sacred Sword and wore away one of the World-Destroying Mill’s innate restrictions.
• Houtu unleashed the Earth Dao Divine Wheel and dissolved another restriction in the World-Destroying Mill.
• Gu Changqing drank fine wine to strengthen his aura, then invoked the Great World-Destroying Art, shocking Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa.

Gu Changqing used the Great World-Destroying Art to control the World-Destroying Mill's origin power and break two of its restrictions, stunning Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa. At Jade Void Palace, Hongjun rebuked the Four Saints for failing to stop Gu Changqing, who now possessed both the God-Slaying Spear and the World-Destroying Mill.

• Gu Changqing resonated with the World-Destroying Mill's aura, then controlled its baleful qi through the Great World-Destroying Art while using wine to protect his Dao Heart.
• Gu Changqing spoke the word "Break" and shattered two of the World-Destroying Mill's restrictions, prompting Nuwa and Houtu to praise his methods.
• Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa joined Gu Changqing in continuing to refine the Mill's many restrictions as the Interception Sect gradually returned to calm.
• At Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain, Jieyin worried that Gu Changqing's strength would grow after claiming the World-Destroying Mill and the God-Slaying Spear.
• Hongjun angrily blamed the Four Saints for failing to defeat Gu Changqing, leaving them ashamed.

Hongjun and the Four Saints plotted to target Tongtian while strengthening themselves to oppose Gu Changqing. As Tongtian, Houtu, Nuwa, and Gu Changqing refined the World-Destroying Mill, a mysterious figure appeared from within it.

• Laozi explained that the Four Saints had been overwhelmed by Gu Changqing because they did not understand his Dao of Hunyuan, and Hongjun accepted the excuse.
• The Four Saints proposed targeting Tongtian to weaken the Interception Sect, and Hongjun ordered them to advance their cultivation while he devised a plan against Tongtian.
• Hongjun watched Golden Ao Island and resolved to kill Gu Changqing and claim his treasures for the Profound Gate.
• Gu Changqing, Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa refined half the World-Destroying Mill's innate restrictions with the help of the Great World-Destroying Art.
• A mysterious figure emerged from the World-Destroying Mill amid the Yin-Yang Two Qi, startling Tongtian, Houtu, Nuwa, and Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing identified the mysterious figure on the World-Destroying Mill as Lord Taiji, one of the Five Pre-Heavenly Ultimates. Lord Taiji revealed that he had witnessed life in Hongmeng and remembered Pangu being born when Chaos first formed.

• Tongtian demanded to know who the figure on the World-Destroying Mill was, while Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa feared his power.
• Gu Changqing recognized the figure as Taiji, one of the Five Pre-Heavenly Ultimates, after sensing his primordial aura.
• Lord Taiji confirmed that beings had once called him Lord Taiji, and Gu Changqing asked him about the era he came from.
• Lord Taiji said that nameless beings had lived in Hongmeng before perishing or disappearing, leaving none behind.
• Lord Taiji recalled that Hongmeng shattered into Chaos and that Pangu was born when Chaos first came into being.

Lord Taiji revealed that he was Taiji itself and that cultivation realms extended beyond what the Primordial World’s Sages knew. He then asked Gu Changqing to teach him the Three Thousand Great Daos, and Gu Changqing demanded to know what he would offer in exchange.

• Gu Changqing asked Lord Taiji about his cultivation and the realms above the Sages, but Lord Taiji said those who advanced beyond hunyuan taiji daluo golden immortal would understand.
• Lord Taiji explained that he had no cultivation because he was Taiji itself, leaving Tongtian and the others to realize he was the Way of Taiji.
• Lord Taiji said he had appeared to ask Gu Changqing to share his method, which seemed to encompass all the Three Thousand Great Daos.
• Gu Changqing agreed that he might explain the methods but asked Lord Taiji what he would offer in exchange, stunning Tongtian and the others.

Gu Changqing negotiated with Dao Lord Taiji, trading the Three Thousand Great Daos for a method to slay Heavenly Dao Sages. Dao Lord Taiji confirmed such a method existed, and Gu Changqing agreed to the exchange, leaving Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa shaken by the danger it posed.

• Gu Changqing guessed that Dao Lord Taiji was only a wisp of aura and challenged him to offer something in exchange for the Three Thousand Great Daos.
• Dao Lord Taiji confirmed that he was a wisp of aura left in the river of time and asked what Gu Changqing wanted.
• Gu Changqing asked whether a method existed to utterly slay Heavenly Dao Sages, shocking Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa.
• Dao Lord Taiji confirmed that a method to slay Sages existed, alarming Tongtian because it could also threaten him.
• Gu Changqing agreed to trade the Three Thousand Great Daos for the method to slay Sages.

Gu Changqing learned Lord Taiji’s method for killing Sages, then explained how to cultivate the Three Thousand Great Daos as the two discussed the Dao. Outside, the Four Saints remained subdued, while Hongjun sensed a threat around Golden Ao Island and resolved to deal with Tongtian quickly.

• Lord Taiji sent Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa away before explaining how to kill Sages to Gu Changqing.
• Gu Changqing listened as Lord Taiji explained that understanding the Heavenly Dao’s origins could allow someone to break open its Void and destroy a Sage’s Dao Fruit.
• After Lord Taiji finished, Gu Changqing began explaining how to cultivate the Three Thousand Great Daos, and Lord Taiji listened solemnly.
• Living beings continued discussing Gu Changqing’s victory over the Four Saints, whose fear had quieted the conflict and damaged the Profound Gate’s standing.
• Hongjun sensed an ominous threat around Golden Ao Island and decided that he had to deal with Tongtian as soon as possible.

Hongjun forged the Sage-Transforming Furnace to kill Tongtian and secretly manipulated the Interception Sect disciples into seeking strength. Duobao, Zhao Gongming, and the others decided to venture out, setting Hongjun’s trap in motion.

• Hongjun forged the Sage-Transforming Furnace from Heavenly Dao laws, creating a weapon meant to suppress and annihilate Tongtian.
• Hongjun decided to use the Interception Sect disciples as bait to draw Tongtian into a trap and weaken the sect.
• On Golden Ao Island, Duobao and the others praised Gu Changqing but admitted they were too weak to help him against Sage-level enemies.
• Hongjun secretly stirred the disciples’ desire for strength without their knowledge.
• Zhao Gongming proposed that the disciples venture out to seek opportunities, and Duobao and the others agreed.

Hongjun lured Duobao and the other Interception Sect disciples out into the world, where they discovered the Heaven-Shaking Coffin and realized they had been led into a trap. Laozi and Yuanshi appeared to block their escape, and cultivators across the world witnessed the confrontation.

• Hongjun influenced Duobao and the others to leave the Interception Sect, then sent his divine will toward Kunlun Mountain.
• Duobao and the other disciples traveled through the Primordial World searching for powerful Spirit Treasures.
• Duobao and his companions found and opened a crude formation concealing the Heaven-Shaking Coffin.
• Duobao realized their journey and the treasure’s easy discovery were suspicious, and he ordered the others to retreat.
• Laozi and Yuanshi appeared in the sky, trapping Duobao and the other disciples as cultivators across the world watched.

Laozi and Yuanshi accused Duobao and the Interception Sect’s other disciples of stealing the Heaven-Shaking Coffin as a pretext to attack them. After Yuanshi gravely wounded the disciples, Tongtian sensed what had happened and erupted in fury.

• Yuanshi accused Duobao and the other seven disciples of stealing the Heaven-Shaking Coffin, while the onlookers recognized the charge as a fabricated excuse.
• Duobao and the Golden Spirit Holy Mother suspected Laozi and Yuanshi were targeting Tongtian or Gu Changqing, and Zhao Gongming asked whether they should seek Tongtian’s help.
• Bixiao rebuked Laozi and Yuanshi, accusing them of luring the disciples with the coffin because they could not deal with Gu Changqing.
• Yuanshi struck at Bixiao, and Duobao, Zhao Gongming, and the others were hurled away and gravely wounded while protecting her.
• Tongtian opened his eyes in Biyou Palace and angrily condemned Laozi and Yuanshi for attacking his disciples.

Tongtian arrived on the battlefield and stopped Yuanshi's attack on Duobao and the other Jie Sect Disciples. He confronted Laozi and Yuanshi himself, leaving a three-sage standoff poised to become a battle.

• Tongtian learned that Laozi and Yuanshi had attacked his disciples and decided to confront them while Gu Changqing discussed the Dao with Lord Taiji.
• Duobao and the other Jie Sect Disciples defied Laozi and Yuanshi, while Zhao Gongming warned that Gu Changqing would destroy the Human and Chan Sects if they died.
• Yuanshi unleashed Yuqing Divine Thunder to kill the eight disciples, drawing horrified attention from cultivators across the world.
• Tongtian appeared with the Qingping Sword and tore apart the lightning before it could strike Duobao and the others.
• Tongtian warned Laozi and Yuanshi that their disciples would pay if his own were harmed, setting the stage for a confrontation between the three sages.

Tongtian confronted Laozi and Yuanshi over their attack on the Jie Sect Disciples, but failed to persuade them to abandon the Heavenly Dao and spare the Interception Sect. As battle erupted, Gu Changqing finished discussing the Dao with Lord Taiji in the Earth Dao Divine Hall.

• Laozi and Yuanshi searched for Gu Changqing, then faced Tongtian alone as he demanded to know why they had attacked his disciples.
• Laozi declared the Jie Sect Disciples deserved execution for defying heaven, while Tongtian urged his elder brothers to see the Heavenly Dao's selfishness and restraints.
• Yuanshi demanded that Tongtian disband the Interception Sect and abolish his disciples' cultivation on behalf of the Dao Ancestor.
• Tongtian gave up trying to persuade Laozi and Yuanshi, drew the Qingping Sword, and prepared to fight.
• Laozi and Yuanshi joined forces and unleashed Divine Arts against Tongtian, Duobao, and the other Jie Sect Disciples.
• Gu Changqing's discussion of the Three Thousand Great Daos with Lord Taiji ended in the Earth Dao Divine Hall.

Gu Changqing exchanged Dao insights with Lord Taiji, who left him a fragment of ancient memories and removed the World-Destroying Mill’s innate restrictions. He then headed to aid Tongtian, who was overpowering Laozi and Yuanshi, and Yuanshi prepared to use another treasure.

• Lord Taiji praised Gu Changqing’s potential, said they might meet again in Chaos, and departed after giving him a mote of light containing memories of ancient times and worlds beyond the Primordial World.
• Gu Changqing claimed the World-Destroying Mill after Lord Taiji erased its innate restrictions, then destroyed the Earth Dao Divine Hall and appeared before the Interception Sect disciples.
• Gu Changqing declared that he had a sword to right every wrong beneath the heavens and strode toward the battlefield, leaving the disciples in awe.
• Tongtian used the Qingping Sword to suppress Laozi and Yuanshi, whose strength was diminished without the Pangu Banner and Taiji Diagram.
• Yuanshi said that he and Laozi had no choice but to use another treasure.