Chapter Summaries

Gu Changqing faced Hongjun, the Elder of Chaos, and the Four Saints as they tried to seize the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe. Wounded but defiant, he finally wielded the axe and unleashed a Heaven-Opening strike that split Chaos.

• Hongjun and the Elder of Chaos argued that Gu Changqing might not be able to wield the completed Heaven-Opening Divine Axe, then demanded that he surrender it.
• Yuanshi, Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti attacked Gu Changqing together, but his sword intent shattered their techniques.
• Hongjun invoked the Heavenly Dao to suppress Gu Changqing, who resisted and fought back with his sword.
• The Elder of Chaos joined the battle, and Gu Changqing countered his world-destroying palm with sword light as the six opponents pressed him and wounded him.
• Gu Changqing gripped the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and unleashed a Heaven-Opening strike that split Chaos and left all six opponents pale.

Gu Changqing wielded the newly formed Heaven-Opening Divine Axe against Hongjun, the Elder of Chaos, and the Four Saints, forcing them to defend themselves. As the seven supreme beings clashed and threatened the Primordial World, Laozi and Yuanshi joined forces to suppress the axe, leaving its fate uncertain.

• Gu Changqing's first axe strike shattered the attacks and defenses of the Four Saints, the Elder of Chaos, and even Hongjun's Heavenly Dao power.
• Gu Changqing revealed that the axe's violent aura had wounded him, then challenged the Xuanmen Saints to continue fighting.
• Hongjun, the Elder of Chaos, and the Four Saints gathered their power, and Gu Changqing launched another strike against all six.
• Their battle shook the Primordial World, alarming countless living beings who feared the world would be destroyed.
• Laozi and Yuanshi acted in unison, sending out chains of order that abruptly halted the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe in Gu Changqing's hand.

Laozi and Yuanshi used the Taiji Diagram and Pangu Banner to try to seize control of the reforged Heaven-Opening Divine Axe, while Hongjun ordered them to destroy Gu Changqing and his allies. Gu Changqing called on Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu to join their divine senses against the Saints, and flames suddenly erupted around the axe.

• Laozi and Yuanshi stirred the auras of the Taiji Diagram and Pangu Banner, making the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe tremble as they tried to control it.
• Hongjun ordered the Saints to seize the axe and eliminate Gu Changqing, Tongtian, and Nuwa.
• Gu Changqing drank wine calmly and declared that Laozi and Yuanshi would not take his Heaven-Opening Divine Axe.
• Gu Changqing asked Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu to combine their divine senses with his.
• Tongtian and the others sent their divine senses into Gu Changqing, whose vast sea of consciousness swept toward the axe as fierce flames sprang up around it.

Gu Changqing ignited the vow power of all living beings around the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe, deterring the Xuanmen Saints and gradually taming the weapon. Hongjun then ordered Laozi and Yuanshi to suppress the axe briefly while he and the other sages prepared to seize it.

• Hongjun recognized the flames around the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe as the burning vow power of all living beings, which made the Xuanmen Saints fear becoming entangled in its causality.
• Gu Changqing explained that Pangu's Will had taught him the might of living beings' vow power and used it to keep the sages from claiming the axe.
• Laozi raged at Gu Changqing, but the Xuanmen Saints could only watch as the vow power fire engulfed the axe and began to tame it.
• Yuanshi asked Hongjun what they should do, and Laozi said he and Yuanshi could suppress the axe for only a few breaths before their connections to their treasures were severed.
• Hongjun ordered Laozi and Yuanshi to suppress the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe while he, the Elder of Chaos, Jieyin, and Zhunti tried to seize it, beginning a new struggle.

Gu Changqing used the flames of faith to awaken the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and unleash its full power against the Four Saints. The axe shattered their attacks and sent the Xuanmen Saints tumbling through the air.

• Hongjun, the Elder of Chaos, Jieyin, and Zhunti joined Laozi and Yuanshi in suppressing the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe while Gu Changqing resisted them.
• Laozi demanded that Gu Changqing surrender the axe, but Gu Changqing refused and held his ground in the standoff.
• Gu Changqing sensed that the flames of faith had awakened the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and commanded it to break through.
• The Heaven-Opening Divine Axe sent Hongjun's Fragment of the Jade Plate of Creation flying, notched the Elder of Chaos's greatsword, and cleaved apart Jieyin and Zhunti's sacred buddha light.
• The awakened axe overwhelmed the Four Saints and hurled them tumbling through the air.

Gu Changqing wielded the fully formed Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and drove back Hongjun and the other Xuanmen Saints. Hongjun withdrew with the Saints, leaving Gu Changqing, Tongtian, Houtu, and Nuwa victorious, while Gu Changqing studied the axe with a meaningful look.

• Gu Changqing's Heaven-Opening Divine Axe struck the Xuanmen Saints and sent them tumbling through Chaos, leaving even Hongjun badly shaken.
• Gu Changqing drank from the Wine God Gourd, dismissed the power of wishes, and returned the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe to his hand.
• Laozi asked Hongjun what they should do, and Hongjun ordered the Xuanmen Saints to withdraw and plan again later.
• Hongjun threatened Gu Changqing and his allies before fleeing into Chaos with the other Xuanmen Saints.
• Tongtian praised Gu Changqing for bringing glory to the Interception Sect, while Houtu and Nuwa shared their admiration.
• Gu Changqing ignored the praise and gazed at the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe with a hint of deeper meaning.

Gu Changqing claimed the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and returned to the Interception Sect after forcing the Xuanmen Saints to retreat. The cultivators’ arrival caused the Interception Sect’s fortune to surge, while Hongjun suggested the axe might not be bad news for their enemies.

• Gu Changqing noticed the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe’s dense baleful qi, then dismissed it as something he could refine over time and headed back to the Interception Sect with the axe above him.
• Tongtian thanked the cultivators who had helped the axe emerge, then followed Gu Changqing back to the Interception Sect as Houtu and Nuwa joined them.
• The cultivators praised Tongtian’s respect for them and rushed to settle near the Interception Sect, hoping to benefit from the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe’s aura.
• The cultivators’ gathering caused the Interception Sect’s fortune to swell, delighting Tongtian.
• At Zixiao Palace, the Elder of Chaos raged over Gu Changqing’s new power, while Hongjun said the axe’s arrival might not be a bad thing.

Hongjun explained that Gu Changqing’s Heaven-Opening Divine Axe would bring overwhelming karma and baleful qi, which the coming Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity would draw toward the Interception Sect. He and the Elder of Chaos planned to let the calamity destroy the sect, and Hongjun said it would erupt soon.

• The Elder of Chaos angrily demanded to know why Hongjun considered Gu Changqing’s acquisition of the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe a good thing.
• Hongjun argued that possessing the axe would burden Gu Changqing with tremendous karma and baleful qi, which the Profound Gate could exploit.
• The Elder of Chaos recalled the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity that he and Hongjun had previously discerned, and Hongjun confirmed they could use it against the Interception Sect.
• Hongjun predicted that the calamity would soon erupt, drawing its slaughter and cataclysms into the Interception Sect and destroying it.
• The Elder of Chaos and the Four Saints celebrated Hongjun’s plan as he fixed a cold gaze toward the Interception Sect.

Gu Changqing discovered that the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe contained Pangu’s Three Heaven-Opening Axes, a supreme divine power that might help him attain the Dao and transcend. Houtu and Nuwa then warned him and Tongtian that another terrifying measureless calamity was about to erupt.

• The Interception Sect disciples celebrated Gu Changqing’s return with the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and believed the treasure would secure their sect’s power.
• Gu Changqing studied the axe and discovered that it contained Pangu’s Three Heaven-Opening Axes, a divine power used to create the Primordial World.
• Gu Changqing realized the Three Heaven-Opening Axes might be key to his future attainment of the Dao and resolved to contemplate them.
• Houtu and Nuwa arrived at Gu Changqing’s cave abode and warned that their divinations revealed another measureless calamity was approaching.

Houtu and Nuwa told Tongtian that a new Measureless Calamity was approaching, and Gu Changqing urged them to strengthen the Jie Sect Disciples, humans, and Underworld beings. After the three Sages set out to teach their followers, Gu Changqing revealed that he intended to lead the Interception Sect through the Investiture of the Gods Calamity by force and turned his attention to comprehending Pangu’s divine abilities.

• Houtu and Nuwa explained that the Earth Dao and Human Dao had released baleful qi, and their divinations showed that another Measureless Calamity was descending.
• Tongtian realized Gu Changqing had anticipated the calamity, and Gu Changqing told the three Sages to train the Jie Sect Disciples, humans, and Underworld beings.
• Tongtian began teaching the Interception Sect Disciples, Nuwa went to bless and teach humanity, and Houtu returned to the Underworld.
• After the Sages departed, Gu Changqing identified the approaching calamity as the Investiture of the Gods and resolved to lead the Interception Sect through it by force.
• Gu Changqing looked toward the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and prepared to comprehend Pangu’s supreme divine abilities.

Gu Changqing used the Great World Art to begin comprehending Pangu’s Three Heaven-Opening Axes. As Tongtian and Nuwa taught their followers amid signs of an approaching upheaval, the Xuanmen Saints gathered in the Heavenly Court.

• Gu Changqing found Pangu’s Three Heaven-Opening Axes too profound to comprehend unaided and turned to the Great World Art for help.
• With the Great World Art supporting him, Gu Changqing began to grasp the mysteries of the Three Heaven-Opening Axes and entered secluded cultivation.
• Tongtian taught the million Jie Sect Disciples on Golden Ao Island, helping them gain insights into cultivation and Divine Arts.
• Nuwa expounded the Creation Great Dao to the Humans, whose Human Dao elevated their ability to understand it.
• Beings across the world witnessed the teachings and grew fearful that a great upheaval was approaching.
• The Xuanmen Saints gathered in the Heavenly Court.

Hongjun convened the Four Saints in the Heavenly Court and empowered Haotian with the Investiture of the Gods List to compel Jie Sect disciples to accept divine offices. Elsewhere on Golden Ao Island, Gu Changqing drunkenly unleashed the first of his Three Styles of Heaven Opening, shaking the universe.

• Haotian and Yaochi greeted Hongjun and the Four Saints as they gathered in the Heavenly Court.
• Hongjun presented the Investiture of the Gods List and infused it with the Heavenly Court's Zhoutian authority.
• Hongjun told Haotian he could use the list to force Jie Sect disciples to sign or suffer their mortal tribulations.
• Haotian gratefully accepted the treasure while the Xuanmen Saints anticipated the coming calamity.
• On Golden Ao Island, Gu Changqing drew a longsword and unleashed the first style of his Three Styles of Heaven Opening, sending a sword strike into the highest heavens.

Gu Changqing unleashed a Heaven-Opening sword strike that shook the Primordial World and tore through the Heavenly Court’s defenses. Tongtian praised him as the greatest Sword Dao practitioner between heaven and earth, while the Xuanmen Saints were left aghast at the breach.

• Gu Changqing tested the Three Heaven-Opening Axes with a sword strike that split the void and astonished the Jie Sect Disciples.
• Tongtian arrived and praised Gu Changqing, saying he had surpassed him as the mightiest Sword Dao practitioner between heaven and earth.
• Gu Changqing dismissed the praise, claiming his sword strike had only come from being carried away by wine.
• Living beings across the Primordial World witnessed the sword light shatter stars and guessed that the Wine Sword Immortal had unleashed it.
• Gu Changqing’s sword strike tore through the Thirty-Three Heavens’ defenses during the Xuanmen Saints’ discussion of the Investiture of the Gods List, terrifying Haotian, Yaochi, Laozi, and Yuanshi.

A terrifying sword strike from Golden Ao Island tore through the Heavenly Court’s defenses, alarming Haotian, Yaochi, and the Sages. Hongjun stopped the attack and then turned toward Golden Ao Island, confronting Gu Changqing.

• The sword scar in the Heavenly Court erupted, tearing open space and destabilizing the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
• Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi, Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti tried to contain the rift, but their powers could not overcome the sword intent.
• Haotian and Yaochi watched in terror as the Investiture of the Gods List flickered under the attack’s pressure.
• Hongjun summoned his will and sealed the rift, restoring stability to the Heavenly Court.
• Hongjun turned toward Golden Ao Island and challenged Gu Changqing, asking whether he was trying to intimidate him.

After Gu Changqing’s sword strike damaged the Heavenly Court, Hongjun resolved to proceed with the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity and destroy the Interception Sect. Haotian and Hongjun announced that the calamity would begin and that even the Saint’s Lineages would have to undergo it.

• Gu Changqing’s sword strike tore through the Heavenly Court, enraging Haotian and provoking Hongjun to suspect Gu Changqing feared the coming calamity.
• Hongjun rejected Laozi’s request for a response and declared that the Interception Sect would be destroyed in the calamity.
• Hongjun ordered the Elder of Chaos and the Four Saints to refine the Investiture of the Gods List and hasten the calamity.
• Calamitous and baleful qi spread across Heaven and Earth, alarming cultivators who sensed a great catastrophe approaching.
• Haotian proclaimed that the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity had begun and offered survivors positions as Heavenly Court deities.
• Hongjun declared that the Saint’s Lineages must also enter the world and undergo the tribulation.

After Hongjun declared that even the Saints’ Lineages had to undergo the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity, the Primordial World fell into panic and the Sages prepared for the calamity. The Investiture of the Gods List activated, and the Interception Sect erupted in anger as Tongtian considered what to do.

• Hongjun’s announcement that no cultivator could escape the calamity spread fear and resentment across the Primordial World, with many blaming him for backing Haotian and Yaochi.
• Laozi approved Hongjun’s plan to purge the world and restore the Profound Gate’s prestige, while Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti worried about their disciples being drawn into the calamity.
• Hongjun promised to steer events and keep their disciples safe, then the Sages poured their power into the Investiture of the Gods List.
• The Investiture of the Gods List rang out and sent divine runes across the Primordial World, marking the beginning of the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity.
• On Golden Ao Island, the Interception Sect’s disciples protested being forced to undergo the calamity and serve Haotian and Yaochi, while Tongtian sat solemnly in Biyou Palace.

Tongtian learned that the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity was the calamity Nuwa and Houtu had foreseen, and he warned the Interception Sect that the Heavenly Dao would make it difficult to refuse. He told his disciples to stay on Golden Ao Island and cultivate while he went to ask the drunken Gu Changqing for advice, only for Gu Changqing to scoff at the idea of avoiding their edge.

• Tongtian realized the Investiture of the Gods Measureless Calamity was the calamity Nuwa and Houtu had predicted and suspected the Xuanmen Saints intended to destroy the Interception Sect.
• Duobao, Jin Ling, Wudang, Zhao Gongming, and the other disciples urged Tongtian to reject the calamity and defy the Profound Gate.
• Tongtian detected calamitous fiendish qi clinging to the disciples and explained that the Heavenly Dao's power made refusal dangerous.
• Tongtian ordered the disciples to remain on Golden Ao Island, avoid rash action, and strengthen their cultivation.
• Tongtian found Gu Changqing drinking in his cave abode and asked for his thoughts on avoiding the Heavenly Court's edge; Gu Changqing laughed at the suggestion.

Hongjun summoned all the sages to the Heavenly Court to discuss the Investiture of the Gods, prompting Tongtian, Nuwa, Houtu, and Gu Changqing to go there despite recognizing the danger. The chapter ended with the four facing Hongjun and the other sages, while Gu Changqing lounged on Haotian’s throne.

• Hongjun issued a Great Dao Transmission ordering all sages to gather at the Heavenly Court and discuss the Investiture of the Gods List.
• Nuwa and Houtu arrived at Tongtian’s cave abode and asked Tongtian and Gu Changqing how they would respond to Hongjun’s summons and the spreading calamity.
• Gu Changqing told Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu to go to the Heavenly Court and see what Hongjun intended, and the four traveled there.
• Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu stood before Hongjun without bowing, while Gu Changqing sprawled on Haotian’s throne.

Tongtian refused to let the Interception Sect sign the Investiture of the Gods List, while Hongjun threatened to place the calamity’s karma on the sect and humanity. As the standoff reached an impasse, Gu Changqing rose from the Heavenly Emperor’s Throne and offered to sign.

• Hongjun ordered Tongtian to sign the list, warning that strength would decide which listed disciples lived or died.
• Tongtian rejected the list, saying the Interception Sect no longer belonged to the Profound Gate and would not take part in the calamity.
• Nuwa and Houtu supported Tongtian and declared that the human realm and earth Dao were independent of the Profound Gate.
• Hongjun insisted the calamity was the heavenly Dao’s will and threatened to make the Interception Sect and humanity bear its karma if they resisted.
• Yuanshi insulted the Jie Sect Disciples, and Tongtian defended their strength before Hongjun demanded that he sign or face ruin.
• Gu Changqing rose from the throne, drunkenly said they should sign the list, and invoked the saying, “If I don't enter hell, who will?”

Gu Changqing declared that he would enter the Investiture of the Gods List, while Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu tried to stop the Elder of Chaos from taking his drunken words as a binding agreement. Gu Changqing wrote his name onto the list anyway, leaving his allies distressed and the Four Saints gloating.

• Gu Changqing said he would enter the list, and Houtu and Tongtian urged him not to speak recklessly while the Four Saints assumed he had given in to Hongjun’s pressure.
• The Elder of Chaos demanded that Gu Changqing confirm his decision, and Gu Changqing slurred that he meant it.
• The Elder of Chaos summoned the Investiture of the Gods List and ordered Gu Changqing to sign his name.
• Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu stood between Gu Changqing and the Elder of Chaos, arguing that his words should not count and that the Elder had no authority to coerce him.
• Gu Changqing rose, wielded a longsword as a brush, and inscribed his name on the Investiture of the Gods List.
• Tongtian fell silent when he realized the signing was complete, while Nuwa and Houtu mourned what they believed was Gu Changqing’s sacrifice to protect the Interception Sect disciples.