Chapter Summaries

Xu Jin explained that the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect had taken on heavenly fortune after the Great Calamity and monopolized spirit veins to prepare for another calamity. Chu Xingchen saw a vision of eighteen severed spirit veins in Central Province, but questioned why the Sect had caused bloodshed; Xu Jin said most people could not see the Rules Crystal’s contents.

• Xu Jin recounted how the Divine Dragon died during the Great Calamity, scattering Human Fortune and leaving the world in chaos.
• Xu Jin explained that the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect was founded to bear heavenly fortune, at the cost of preventing anyone from ascending.
• Xu Jin said the Sect had tried to return heavenly fortune, but learned that the Great Calamity still remained and that the mandate must be kept.
• Xu Jin gave Chu Xingchen a Rules Crystal, and Myriad Forms’ reaction led Chu Xingchen to touch it and see eighteen spirit veins severed in Central Province.
• Xu Jin revealed that the Eighteen Immortal Sects each monopolized one spirit vein to limit the damage of a future calamity, and that their members would be the first to die when it came.
• Chu Xingchen asked why the Sect had caused bloodshed, and Xu Jin replied that almost no one could see the Rules Crystal’s contents as Chu Xingchen had.

Xu Jin told Chu Xingchen that he was the Child of the Heavenly Mandate, destined to face a Great Calamity, and promised that the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect would fulfill its duty to help. Meanwhile, Bai Xuanling waited tensely in the sect’s Main Hall as Li Moze considered her connection to Chu Xingchen.

• Xu Jin explained that the Eighteen Immortal Sects had prepared to face the Great Calamity and were investigating traces of [Demon].
• Chu Xingchen asked Xu Jin for a Child of Fortune gift pack, but Xu Jin offered only the sect’s best Spirit Sword and Heart Method, which Chu Xingchen found inadequate.
• Xu Jin explained that Human Fortune belonged to the Human Race, while the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect’s dissipating Heavenly Fortune had passed to Chu Xingchen, making him the Child of the Heavenly Mandate.
• Xu Jin pledged that the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect would fulfill its Heavenly Mandate and face the Great Calamity at any cost.
• In the Main Hall, Li Moze praised the Heavenly Derivation Sect’s art, and Bai Xuanling denied cultivating it while remaining on guard for Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen left the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect after gaining its support and told Bai Xuanling that he might be the one destined to save the world. Bai Xuanling affirmed that she trusted her own judgment of him as they continued toward Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge.

• Chu Xingchen thanked Li Moze for the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect’s generosity, and Li Moze offered him help whenever he needed it.
• Bai Xuanling and Chu Xingchen departed for Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge, and she said she did not need to know what Xu Jin had told him unless he chose to share it.
• Chu Xingchen asked whether Bai Xuanling wanted to hear what he had learned, then revealed that he might become the savior responsible for the Five Provinces and Ten Thousand Lands.
• Bai Xuanling told Chu Xingchen to work hard and said she trusted her own judgment that he was pretty good.

Chu Xingchen prepared a custom Divine Ability for Cui Hao after asking the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect to create one suited to him. After studying the finished boxing technique, Chu Xingchen decided to give it to Cui Hao to practice.

• Chu Xingchen urged his disciples to cultivate while he considered what Divine Ability would suit Cui Hao.
• Chu Xingchen asked the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect for help, and they sent him several Divine Abilities to study.
• Chu Xingchen requested a custom Divine Ability for Cui Hao, specifying that it should build on the Unwavering Heart state of mind and allow for expansion and adjustment.
• The Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect sent Chu Xingchen a custom boxing Divine Ability after about half a year.
• Chu Xingchen studied the Jade Slip, found the technique had broad potential for expansion, and decided Cui Hao should practice it.
• Chu Xingchen left the Main Hall and called out to Cui Hao, saying he had brought him something good.

Chu Xingchen gave Cui Hao a Jade Slip containing a new fist-based divine ability, persuading him that it could help him master many martial arts and look impressive. Cui Hao agreed to practice it, and Li Yingling arrived with something to discuss with Chu Xingchen.

• Cui Hao asked Chu Xingchen why his divine ability came on a Jade Slip when the other disciples received books, and Chu Xingchen explained that his manual was new and easy to understand.
• Cui Hao examined the Jade Slip and praised its clear illustrations and marked key points, then complained that a fist technique would not look as impressive as swordsmanship.
• Chu Xingchen defended the fist technique as a path to mastering many martial arts, and Cui Hao asked whether his master was fooling him.
• Chu Xingchen pretended to offer Cui Hao a sword divine ability, then gave him the Jade Slip after Cui Hao admitted he wanted a technique that looked cool.
• Cui Hao vowed to master the ability quickly, and Li Yingling arrived and asked to discuss something with Chu Xingchen.

Li Yingling asked Chu Xingchen for permission to take Chen Baiqing out to gain experience, and he agreed after confirming Chen Baiqing wanted to go. He gave Li Yingling a Profound Clarity Heavenly Token for her journey, while Cui Hao was told to wait until he reached Golden Core before traveling.

• Li Yingling told Chu Xingchen she wanted to leave the sect with Chen Baiqing, who had agreed to go.
• Chu Xingchen approved their trip and reminded Li Yingling to stay safe and return to him if trouble arose.
• Chu Xingchen gave Li Yingling a Profound Clarity Heavenly Token and instructed her to seek out that sect's disciples before the Heavenly Derivation Sect's.
• Li Yingling promised to return with good things, and Chu Xingchen watched her leave.
• Cui Hao asked to go out for experience, but Chu Xingchen told him to wait until he reached Golden Core and mastered his Divine Ability.

After Yuanjing's death, Yuankong traveled through Western Ox-He Continent to learn what a true Buddha could do, and arrived at Right Sound Dharma Temple. When an arrogant monk challenged him at the gates, Yuankong calmly replied that he probably looked more like a monk than the man did.

• Yuankong left Chanwood Temple after delivering Yuanjing's letter to Ning Qianqian and set out for Western Ox-He Continent.
• During his journey, Yuankong witnessed human treachery and suffering, and chose to seek answers through his own experiences rather than Buddhist stories.
• Yuankong arrived at Right Sound Dharma Temple, the first temple established by the Central Province Buddhist Sect and a vast center of devotion.
• A richly dressed monk mocked Yuankong's ragged appearance and questioned whether he was a monk.
• Yuankong met the monk's contemptuous gaze and replied, "Probably more than you do."

Yuankong arrived at Right Sound Dharma Temple as Buddhist Child Nankong and challenged the hypocrisy he saw among its outer residents. A Nascent Soul Arhat recognized his status and led him to the temple’s inner grounds, where Yuankong entered alone to explore.

• Yuankong revealed his Buddhist name to an eminent monk and demanded to be taken to the temple’s authorities.
• The eminent monk recognized Yuankong as a Buddhist Child and summoned a Nascent Soul Arhat to receive him.
• The Arhat confirmed Yuankong’s identity and escorted him through the temple’s grand outer buildings to its modest inner gate.
• Yuankong questioned whether Right Sound Dharma Temple’s Buddhist voices reached beyond its low walls, and the Arhat answered that people had to be willing to listen.
• Yuankong entered the inner temple alone, while the Arhat watched the mortal śrāmaṇeras recite scriptures without Buddhist essence.

Yuankong visited Right Sound Dharma Temple, where an aged monk warned him that the temple was a black temple filled with cultivators who had abandoned Buddhist teachings. After the monk revealed that he was bound to remain there and cautioned Yuankong about the temple’s great secret, Yuankong returned to his guest room and heard someone identify him as Yuankong from Zen Grove Buddhist Temple.

• Yuankong explored Right Sound Dharma Temple and entered its Great Hero Hall to ask the aged monk for guidance.
• The monk told Yuankong that the temple’s cultivators were wrathful and corrupt, and that no one there could answer his questions.
• The monk revealed his formidable power, but golden chains appeared to bind him, and he explained that he remained in the temple by both compulsion and choice.
• The monk warned Yuankong that the temple held a great secret and told him to stay in his room overnight without opening his eyes if possible.
• Yuankong returned to his guest room, where a voice asked whether he was Yuankong from Zen Grove Buddhist Temple in Yuzhou City.

Bai Xuanling sought Yuankong’s help and revealed that the abbot of the Right Sound Dharma Temple was an ancient Buddha who served as a lock over something hidden beneath Vulture Peak. Yuankong learned that the Buddha’s chains protected the secrets below and preserved the Pure Land.

• Bai Xuanling forced Yuankong to swallow a Perfect Tonic Pill, and he reacted with dread because it was one of Chu Xingchen’s pills.
• Bai Xuanling dispersed the pill’s medicinal power when Yuankong said he wanted to meet his Buddha, and Yuankong reproached her for making him take it.
• Yuankong recognized Bai Xuanling from Li Yingling’s birthday banquet and agreed to hear what she wanted, saying he trusted Chu Xingchen despite owing him spirit stones.
• Yuankong warned Bai Xuanling that the abbot would leave him at the Right Sound Dharma Temple the next day and would not be easily deceived.
• Bai Xuanling told Yuankong that the abbot had once sat upon a Buddha’s seat in the Pure Land of Vulture Peak and that his chains restrained what lay beneath him.

Yuankong waited for Bai Xuanling’s signal, then entered Right Sound Dharma Temple’s Great Hero Hall to inspect what lay beneath the Faceless Buddha Statue. Xu Jin arrived to guide him, leaving Yuankong to wonder if he was Chu Xingchen in disguise.

• Yuankong watched Right Sound Dharma Temple absorb wish power and prepared to investigate the Great Hero Hall for Bai Xuanling.
• A battle broke out nearby, drawing the temple’s powerful cultivators away, and Bai Xuanling’s talisman signaled Yuankong to go.
• Yuankong entered the Great Hero Hall and approached the Faceless Buddha Statue to project himself into it.
• Xu Jin appeared behind Yuankong and warned him not to touch the statue.
• Yuankong complained that Xu Jin’s way of speaking was as punchable as Chu Xingchen’s, and Xu Jin admitted he had picked up Chu Xingchen’s bad habits.

Xu Jin and Yuankong infiltrated the Right Sound Dharma Temple to investigate the Faceless Buddha Statue and what lay beneath it. Yuankong took control of the statue, but a young monk confronted Xu Jin and claimed the hidden Buddha Heart was open and aboveboard, leaving Xu Jin attacking him.

• Xu Jin explained that Yuankong could merge his Divine Sense with the Faceless Buddha Statue and occupy its Momentary Buddha Body.
• Yuankong entered the statue’s sea of Wish Power, reached its lotus dais, and gained control of the great faceless Buddha.
• Xu Jin told Yuankong to follow the chains beneath the great Buddha while he guarded the hall.
• A young monk appeared outside the Great Hero Hall and challenged Xu Jin over entering without knocking.
• The young monk revealed that a Buddha Heart lay beneath the great Buddha and declared it open and aboveboard.
• Xu Jin accused the Buddhist Sect of sacrificing lives to fill its golden lotus and attacked the young monk with his Spirit Treasure longsword.

Xu Jin confronted the young monk at the Right Sound Dharma Temple, refusing to let him shield the Faceless Buddha Statue and preparing to force the truth out. The young monk revealed the power of a Mahayana Buddha, and Xu Jin stood ready to fight him as a Buddha arrived.

• The young monk attacked Xu Jin with a Buddha Kingdom, but Xu Jin cut it apart and threatened to kill Yuankong if the monk would not let him inspect what was hidden.
• The young monk recognized Xu Jin as a core disciple of the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect and attacked him with the Nine Dragons Dharma Staff and a golden fist.
• Xu Jin's sword strike sent the young monk flying and severed his left arm, while the Nine Dragons Dharma Staff protected the Great Hero Hall.
• The young monk warned that a Buddha was approaching and summoned the Buddha's power, which caught Xu Jin's sword and restored his severed arm.
• The young monk demanded that Xu Jin submit or be slain, and Xu Jin refused and challenged him to fight.

Chu Xingchen taught Zhou Ping alchemy and discovered that his pills’ effects depended on who refined them. Li Xingtian reported that his golden core was growing more scarlet instead of returning to its original color, and Chu Xingchen could only suggest waiting until Spirit Transformation.

• Chu Xingchen left Qinghe and Sandong to play Gomoku after encouraging Sandong to win on his own.
• Chu Xingchen taught Zhou Ping alchemy, and Zhou Ping successfully refined and safely consumed a pill.
• Chu Xingchen had Zhou Ping test a pill he had refined and confirmed that his alchemy depended on the person doing it.
• Li Xingtian told Chu Xingchen that his golden core had grown more scarlet as he cultivated the Xingtian Great Method.
• Chu Xingchen found no new negative traits and, unable to explain the change, suggested that things might improve after Spirit Transformation.

Bai Xuanling blocked a Buddhist Buddha from reaching Right Sound Dharma Temple and fought him across the Universal Deliverance River. At the temple, Xu Jin and the possessed young monk paused their battle as the Faceless Buddha Statue stirred, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Bai Xuanling confronted the Buddha on the Universal Deliverance River and claimed she would help him fight the evil cultivators attacking Right Sound Dharma Temple.
• The Buddha tried to pass, but Bai Xuanling slashed the river apart and challenged him to fight.
• Bai Xuanling’s sword light cleaved the Buddha’s ten thousand miles of golden auspicious clouds as they collided.
• At Right Sound Dharma Temple, Xu Jin and the possessed young monk continued their controlled battle while each waited for reinforcements or news.
• The Faceless Buddha Statue raised its eyes, and the gathered wish power formed a lotus beneath it, drawing both fighters’ attention.

Xu Jin and the young monk clashed while the Faceless Buddha Statue revealed that an Evil Buddha was imprisoned beneath the Right Sound Dharma Temple. The young monk defended the Buddhist Sect’s suppression of the prisoner, but Xu Jin demanded to know what teachings had made the sect fear him so much.

• The Faceless Buddha Statue told Xu Jin that a Blood Qi-wreathed Buddha was chained beneath the temple and that Wish Power suppressed the Buddha Kingdom in his Sea of Consciousness.
• The young monk retrieved his Nine Dragons Dharma Staff, attacked Yuankong, and urged Xu Jin to capture the great Buddha before it escaped.
• The faceless great Buddha manifested a Buddha Kingdom of beguiling figures, whose Arhats attacked and consumed the young monk’s golden dragons.
• Xu Jin fought the young monk, drove him into a crater, and struck again before a golden hand appeared to block his sword.
• The young monk explained that the imprisoned Evil Buddha had corrupted Buddhist teachings, drawn cultivators into heresy, and been sealed nearly a thousand years earlier.
• Xu Jin asked what doctrine the Evil Buddha had spread, and the young monk answered that he had preached Mahayana Buddhism.

Yuankong relived a muddled vision of the Dharma assembly, where he struggled to remember his senior brother and a missing master before the Buddha offered them a path to Great Thunderclap Temple. Recognizing Yuanjing’s final gift, Yuankong took Chu Xingchen’s pill as Yuanjing urged him to care for himself, and Chu Xingchen’s familiar voice reached him at the end.

• Yuankong woke in Chanwood Temple’s Main Hall and clung to Yuanjing, overcome by grief he could not explain.
• Yuanjing carried a plaque reading “Our Buddha is merciful” as the Dharma assembly began, while Yuankong sensed that its words and events were wrong.
• At the temple gates, Yuankong greeted Xie Lingyu, Li Yingling, and Li Xingtian, then insisted Li Yingling’s master was someone else before the vision erased the name he was trying to recall.
• The Buddha offered to cleanse Yuankong’s meridians and send him and Yuanjing to Great Thunderclap Temple, while Yuanjing urged him to accept.
• Yuankong recognized the weak Yuanjing beside him and took the pill Chu Xingchen had made, despite knowing it tasted awful.
• Yuanjing told Yuankong to take care of himself after he was gone, and Yuankong smiled through his tears as Chu Xingchen’s voice reached him.

Xu Jin refused to trust the young monk and kept his distance as the Evil Buddha broke free of its restraints. When the monk fought the Evil Buddha alone, Xu Jin received a message and sighed that he really owed him.

• Xu Jin rejected the young monk’s proposal to cooperate, determined to learn what the Buddhist Sect was hiding before helping them.
• The Evil Buddha unleashed its wish power and sent Arhats and Bodhisattvas to attack Xu Jin and the young monk as its chains began to fail.
• The young monk urged Xu Jin to summon Bai Xuanling and offered to let them investigate together, but Xu Jin dismissed his promises and accused the Buddhist Sect of hiding its involvement with a Demon.
• The young monk attacked the Evil Buddha alone with his Nine Dragons Dharma Staff while Xu Jin watched with his sword in hand.
• Xu Jin received a talisman’s message, let its glow merge into him, and sighed that he really owed him.

Xu Jin reached Yuankong and chose to protect him while the Faceless Buddha continued trying to break free of the golden chains. As dawn neared, Chu Xingchen arrived and demanded that the Faceless Buddha release the young monk or face death.

• Xu Jin cut through the Wish Power Arhats and Bodhisattvas and entered the Great Hero Hall, ignoring the young monk's orders to kill Yuankong.
• Xu Jin examined Yuankong with his Spirit Treasure longsword and realized the Faceless Buddha was using the Buddhist Child's Divine Sense to control Wish Power.
• The Faceless Buddha claimed he would not harm Yuankong, while the young monk warned Xu Jin that Yuankong might become an insensible Human Tree and urged him to stop the Evil Buddha.
• As the golden chains weakened and dawn approached, Chu Xingchen arrived and threatened to send the Faceless Buddha into nirvana if he did not release the young monk.

Chu Xingchen confronted the faceless Buddha holding Yuankong hostage and refused to bargain, using a Soul Devouring Pill to torment both the captive and the Buddha through their linked divine senses. The faceless Buddha faced the prospect of being forced to find Yuankong’s senior brother together with him.

• Chu Xingchen struck the faceless Buddha, severing its hand and breaking its wish power lotus, while the young monk escaped into the Great Hero Hall.
• Chu Xingchen ordered the young monk to stay out of the matter and invoked Bai Xuanling’s name to make his threat clear.
• The faceless Buddha offered to release Yuankong if Chu Xingchen freed it from its chains, but Chu Xingchen distrusted its promise and fed Yuankong a pill.
• As the faceless Buddha controlled the surrounding Arhats and Bodhisattvas to attack the chains, Chu Xingchen destroyed them with Flowing Water Sword Intent.
• The Soul Devouring Pill’s effects passed through the divine-sense link, tormenting the faceless Buddha, and Chu Xingchen threatened to make it accompany Yuankong to find his senior brother.