Chapter Summaries

Zhunti returned to Zixiao Palace after his defeat in the East Sea, where the Elder of Chaos promised he had a way to suppress Gu Changqing and the others. At the Elder’s request, Zhunti unleashed his strongest divine ability, and the chapter ended as the Elder calmly raised one finger against the attack.

• Zhunti entered Zixiao Palace and admitted to Hongjun that he had brought shame upon the Profound Gate.
• The Elder of Chaos told Zhunti he had already devised a method to suppress Gu Changqing and the others.
• The Elder of Chaos asked Zhunti to use his strongest divine ability or Dao Art so he could demonstrate the method.
• Zhunti unleashed his Great Sun Tathagata Palm at the Elder of Chaos.
• The Elder of Chaos remained calm and raised one finger as the giant palm descended toward him.

Zhunti tested the Elder of Chaos and saw him erase the Great Sun Tathagata Palm with the Taisu True Exposition, leaving Zhunti convinced of his power. The Elder of Chaos prepared to use the method against Gu Changqing, while Hongjun called on Zhunti to begin the Journey to the West.

• The Elder of Chaos dissolved Zhunti's Great Sun Tathagata Palm with a single finger and explained that the Taisu True Exposition returned attacks to nothingness.
• Zhunti recognized how completely the Elder of Chaos had overwhelmed him and declared his admiration and willingness to follow his instructions.
• The Elder of Chaos said that once he mastered the Taisu True Exposition, Gu Changqing would no longer be able to confront him with divine abilities.
• Hongjun told Zhunti that it was time to begin setting the Journey to the West in motion.

Hongjun announced that the Journey to the West was to begin, and Zhunti raised concerns that Gu Changqing had taken Sun Wukong’s ordained Sea-Calming Divine Iron. Hongjun gave Sun Wukong a powerful Chaos Spirit Treasure once belonging to the Chaos Ape, leaving Zhunti thrilled by the gift.

• Hongjun told Zhunti that it was time to set the Journey to the West in motion, and Zhunti eagerly agreed to advance it.
• Zhunti warned Hongjun that Gu Changqing had taken Sun Wukong’s ordained Sea-Calming Divine Iron, which had ended up with Wuzhiqi.
• Hongjun inspected the obedient but defiant Sun Wukong and judged that he could keep the monkey under control.
• Hongjun summoned a massive black staff and explained that it had once been the Chaos Ape’s Chaos Spirit Treasure companion.
• Hongjun bestowed the staff upon Sun Wukong, and Zhunti rejoiced at the unexpected treasure.

Zhunti received the Chaos Ape’s companion treasure from Hongjun and gave it to Sun Wukong, whose origin resonated with the staff. After Zhunti left with Sun Wukong, the Elder of Chaos announced that he planned to visit Golden Ao Island and test the Interception Sect.

• Hongjun bestowed the Chaos Ape’s enormous black staff on Zhunti for Sun Wukong, and Zhunti eagerly accepted it.
• Sun Wukong grasped the staff, felt its power awaken his battle instinct, and left Zixiao Palace with Zhunti for Western Spirit Mountain.
• Hongjun reflected on Sun Wukong’s future and worried that Gu Changqing might oppose the Buddhist School’s rise.
• The Elder of Chaos told Hongjun that he intended to visit Golden Ao Island to test Gu Changqing and the Interception Sect.
• The Elder of Chaos claimed that even if he could not subdue Gu Changqing, he could still subdue Tongtian.

The Elder of Chaos left Zixiao Palace for Golden Ao Island after Hongjun warned him to beware of Gu Changqing. Tongtian recognized the Elder of Chaos approaching and prepared to face him, eager for a fight.

• Hongjun sent the Elder of Chaos toward Golden Ao Island and warned him to proceed with caution.
• Tongtian reflected on how Gu Changqing had linked events involving Wuzhiqi, the monkeys, the Buddhist School, and Ao Cunxin into a larger plan.
• Tongtian sensed a powerful chaos demon god approaching Golden Ao Island and identified him as the Elder of Chaos.
• The Elder of Chaos appeared beyond the island, and Tongtian rose from his Cloud Bed with anticipation of battling him.

The Elder of Chaos returned to the Primordial World and confronted Sect Master Tongtian outside Golden Ao Island, demanding Gu Changqing and declaring that he would settle their old grudges. While the island prepared for battle, Gu Changqing slept drunk in his cave abode, unaware of the confrontation.

• The Elder of Chaos appeared with an overwhelming aura, and cultivators across the region recognized him and speculated that he had returned to challenge the Wine Sword Immortal.
• Sect Master Tongtian and the Jie Sect disciples prepared to face the Elder of Chaos outside Golden Ao Island.
• Gu Changqing lay passed out drunk in his cave abode, with the Wine God Gourd beside him, unaware of the danger outside.
• Tongtian mocked the Elder of Chaos for returning to the Primordial World.
• The Elder of Chaos demanded to know where Gu Changqing was and declared that he had come to settle every old grudge as his chaos qi surged forth.

Sect Master Tongtian mocked the Elder of Chaos for demanding to see Gu Changqing, who was in secluded cultivation. Enraged, the Elder of Chaos threatened to leave Tongtian hanging by a thread to force Gu Changqing to act.

• The cultivators debated the Elder of Chaos's strength and anticipated a battle at Golden Ao Island.
• Sect Master Tongtian said Gu Changqing was in secluded cultivation and dismissed the Elder of Chaos as a stray cat or dog.
• The cultivators laughed at Tongtian's insult, while the Elder of Chaos grew furious.
• The Elder of Chaos threatened to put Tongtian in mortal danger and see whether Gu Changqing would still do nothing.

The Elder of Chaos attacked Sect Master Tongtian to force Gu Changqing out of seclusion, but Tongtian effortlessly cut apart his opening strike with the Immortal Slaying Sword. The Elder then prepared to unleash the Taisu True Exposition.

• The cultivators and Jie Sect Disciples reacted with alarm as the Elder of Chaos threatened to put Tongtian's life in danger, while Daoist Duobao reassured them.
• Tongtian openly mocked the Elder of Chaos, who answered by attacking him with a devastating palm of Chaos.
• Tongtian split the palm apart with a single sword strike, prompting the Jie Sect Disciples to cheer.
• The Elder of Chaos recognized the Immortal Slaying Sword and declared that he would demonstrate the true power of the Taisu True Exposition.
• The Elder of Chaos began forming Mudra Seals as his aura changed violently.

Gu Changqing recognized that the Elder of Chaos had gained Lord Taisu’s legacy and watched as the Elder invoked Taisu True Exposition. Tongtian answered the rising threat by summoning the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array.

• Gu Changqing awoke in his cave abode after hearing the Elder of Chaos name Taisu True Exposition.
• Gu Changqing recognized the technique as a Dao art of the Five Pre-Heavenly Ultimates and watched the confrontation without intervening.
• The Elder of Chaos formed mudra seals, unleashing a strange power that made the surrounding world seem to become nothingness.
• Tongtian realized the Elder of Chaos had received Lord Taisu’s legacy and prepared to counterattack.
• Tongtian shouted for the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array to rise, and four sword sounds pierced the sky.

Tongtian unleashed the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array against the Elder of Chaos, whose Taisu True Exposition art abruptly froze the array’s sword light and laws. Tongtian was stunned as the clash remained unresolved.

• Tongtian summoned the four immortal swords and formed the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, astonishing the watching cultivators.
• Tongtian commanded the array to slay, sending a torrent of sword light toward the Elder of Chaos that annihilated space and shook the Heavenly Dao Laws.
• The Elder of Chaos sneered at the array’s reputation and formed the Taisu True Exposition mudra seals.
• The Elder of Chaos unleashed “Taisu True Exposition, Return to Ruins,” freezing the sword light and sword Dao laws, and Tongtian’s pupils contracted in shock.

The Elder of Chaos used Taisu True Exposition to dissolve Tongtian’s Immortal-Slaying Sword Array, leaving the four swords dim and weakened. Tongtian refused to concede defeat and gathered his own Sword Dao as he prepared to strike again.

• The Elder of Chaos’s Taisu True Exposition erased the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array and weakened the four Immortal Swords.
• Daoist Duobao, Golden Spirit Holy Mother, and the watching cultivators reacted with shock as the array vanished.
• Tongtian realized the Elder of Chaos’s power came from Lord Taisu’s inheritance.
• Tongtian declared that he had not been defeated and rekindled his own Sword Dao through the four Immortal Swords.
• The four swords began to resonate as the Elder of Chaos watched Tongtian prepare his next move.

Tongtian unleashed the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords, his Qingping Sword, and all his Sword Dao techniques against the Elder of Chaos, but the Elder dissolved every attack without moving. As Tongtian faced the overwhelming gap between them, two figures arrived and challenged the Elder of Chaos.

• Tongtian summoned the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords and raised the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array.
• Tongtian attacked with his Qingping Sword and a torrent of Sword Dao Divine Abilities.
• The Elder of Chaos formed a mudra seal and dissolved Tongtian's attacks before they could reach him.
• Tongtian and the watching Mighty Experts realized that his Sword Dao could not overcome the Elder of Chaos's method.
• Two figures arrived, and one shouted for the Elder of Chaos to fight.

Nuwa and Houtu joined Tongtian against the Elder of Chaos, but he effortlessly dispelled the combined attacks of all three sages with the Taisu True Exposition. He left them confronting the gulf between their power and his.

• Nuwa and Houtu arrived after seeing Tongtian repeatedly driven back and decided to defend the Interception Sect alongside him.
• Nuwa attacked with the Red Embroidered Ball, Houtu unleashed the laws of reincarnation, and Tongtian joined them with the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords.
• The Elder of Chaos formed the Taisu True Exposition and silently dispelled all three sages' full-strength attacks.
• Nuwa, Houtu, and Tongtian reacted in shock as the Elder of Chaos declared their Daos insufficient before Taisu.

The Elder of Chaos evaded the combined attacks of Houtu, Nuwa, and Tongtian, then publicly taunted Gu Changqing to force him into battle. Gu Changqing answered from Golden Ao Island that he only wanted to drink, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Houtu and Nuwa exchanged a knowing glance before Houtu launched her reincarnation power at the Elder of Chaos.
• Nuwa attacked with the Red Embroidered Ball as Tongtian joined them with the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords.
• The Elder of Chaos easily evaded the Three Sages' combined assault and demanded to know where Gu Changqing was.
• The Elder of Chaos mocked Gu Changqing before the whole Primordial World, trying to provoke him into accepting a fight.
• Gu Changqing replied from Golden Ao Island that he just wanted to drink.

Gu Changqing refused to fight the Elder of Chaos, saying he only wanted to drink, and observers suspected he feared being defeated. The Elder of Chaos mocked him for backing down, while Gu Changqing had yet to respond.

• Gu Changqing said he only wanted to drink, leaving the watching cultivators stunned.
• Mighty Experts and Interception Sect disciples wondered whether Gu Changqing dared not fight because the Elder of Chaos had overwhelmed three Sages.
• The Elder of Chaos laughed and accused Gu Changqing of pretending to be carefree because he was afraid.
• The Elder of Chaos taunted Gu Changqing for refusing to defend the Interception Sect's dignity, and everyone waited to see how Gu Changqing would respond.

The Elder of Chaos taunted Gu Changqing into fighting, but Gu Changqing emerged only to turn around and return to his cave, leaving the onlookers stunned. Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu remained ready to fight, while the Elder of Chaos mocked Gu Changqing and vanished, leaving the battle unresolved.

• The Elder of Chaos waited for Gu Changqing to answer his challenge as the Interception Sect disciples and watching cultivators urged Gu Changqing to act.
• Gu Changqing opened his cave door, glanced at the Elder of Chaos with impatience, and went back inside without speaking or fighting.
• The Interception Sect disciples and the cultivators watching were shocked, though they understood Gu Changqing’s retreat as a sign of the Elder of Chaos’s overwhelming power.
• Tongtian declared that he, Nuwa, and Houtu had not been defeated and offered to keep fighting the Elder of Chaos.
• The Elder of Chaos ignored the Three Sages, mocked Gu Changqing before the assembled cultivators, and vanished in a flash of immortal light.

After the Elder of Chaos departed, cultivators questioned Gu Changqing’s refusal to fight and wondered whether the Profound Gate’s fortune had endured. At Vulture Peak, Zhunti celebrated what he saw as Gu Changqing’s humiliation, while Jieyin listened.

• The cultivators watching Golden Ao Island debated why Gu Changqing had stayed inside his cave and considered whether he feared the Elder of Chaos.
• An elderly loose cultivator explained that the Elder of Chaos’s strength could surpass the Sages, leading the crowd to doubt Gu Changqing could defeat him.
• The cultivators wondered whether the Profound Gate still possessed enough fortune to rise against the Interception Sect.
• At Vulture Peak, Zhunti told Jieyin that Gu Changqing had cowered before the Elder of Chaos and gleefully recalled his past grievances against Gu Changqing.
• Zhunti praised the Elder of Chaos for crushing the Interception Sect, while Jieyin remained seated beside the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

Jieyin and Zhunti celebrated Gu Changqing’s retreat and decided the Buddhist School should begin the Journey to the West. At Jade Void Palace, Laozi and Yuanshi welcomed the Interception Sect’s apparent decline, but Yuanshi questioned whether the Elder of Chaos’s Taisu True Exposition had enough offensive power.

• Zhunti said Gu Changqing had been afraid to fight while the Elder of Chaos was present, and Jieyin urged him to seize the opportunity by beginning the Journey to the West.
• Chan Sect disciples celebrated the Elder of Chaos for suppressing the Three Sages and forcing Gu Changqing to stay out of the battle.
• Laozi predicted that the Interception Sect would lose its prestige and fortune now that Gu Changqing had backed down.
• Yuanshi agreed that the Interception Sect depended on Gu Changqing, then noted that the Elder of Chaos had only neutralized attacks during the battle.
• Laozi recalled that the Elder of Chaos had never attacked and acknowledged that he had fought entirely on the defensive.

Laozi argued that the Taisu True Exposition might erase not only attacks and laws but also the Interception Sect’s fortune and status, giving the Profound Gate a way to destroy it. Meanwhile, the Three Sages returned to the Interception Sect after the battle at Golden Ao Island.

• Yuanshi worried that the Elder of Chaos could only defend, allowing Gu Changqing to bypass him and attack other targets.
• Laozi told Yuanshi that the Taisu True Exposition might do more than nullify divine abilities.
• Laozi reasoned that the technique’s power to return things to the void could erase the Interception Sect’s fortune and status.
• Yuanshi became hopeful that the Profound Gate could destroy the Interception Sect without a direct attack.
• Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu returned to the Interception Sect as the battle’s aftershocks subsided.

Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu revealed that their apparent defeat by the Elder of Chaos had been a deliberate effort to make him expose the Taisu True Exposition for Gu Changqing to study. Gu Changqing discerned its surface mysteries but could not yet uncover its deeper purpose or why Lord Taisu had passed it on.

• Tongtian, Nuwa, and Houtu visited Gu Changqing in his cave and asked what he had learned from the battle.
• Tongtian explained that the Three Sages had attacked in turns to make the Elder of Chaos repeatedly reveal the Taisu True Exposition, giving Gu Changqing time to study it.
• Gu Changqing said the art began with substance and that its Return to Ruins technique reduced divine abilities to nothingness.
• Gu Changqing admitted he had only seen the surface of the Taisu True Exposition and had not discovered Lord Taisu's true intention in imparting it.
• Tongtian worried that Lord Taisu might also oppose the Interception Sect and the Underworld, while Gu Changqing relaxed and said it did not matter.