Chapter Summaries

At Great Thunderclap Temple, the Buddhas debated Buddhist Child Wukong’s disappearance until a report revealed that Guangming Buddha had founded a rival faith, possibly with Wukong’s involvement. Ru Nan ordered the Buddhist Sect to cross the Pudu River, and the temple’s bell rang as its Arhats and Buddhas set out.

• Eighth-Turn True Buddha urged the Buddhas to act because Buddhist Child Wukong had been out of contact for months.
• Liu Peng True Buddha proposed sending Wukong a letter and waiting two days, while Shi Yun Buddha suggested Wukong might want to leave the Buddhist Sect.
• Hua Wu argued that Wukong’s Buddhist upbringing made defection unlikely, and Ru Nan agreed to send a letter while preserving some trust in him.
• An Arhat delivered a report stating that Guangming Buddha had established a rival faith, the three sects were tacitly supporting him, and Wukong might be involved.
• Eighth-Turn True Buddha and Shi Yun Buddha urged immediate action, and Ru Nan ordered the Buddhist Sect to cross the river without letting hardship stop them.
• The Buddhist Chime Bell rang, and the Arhats and Buddhas departed Great Thunderclap Temple for the Pudu River.

Chu Xingchen met Huang Miao beside the Pudu River, where they shared roasted skewers and Spring Warmth while discussing the Buddhist Sect’s response to the Mahayana dispute. As Venerable Buddha Ru Nan arrived with the Buddhas, Huang Miao revealed his former name, Huang Butui, and prepared to face them.

• Yuangu i True Buddha learned that Venerable Buddha Ru Nan was leading the Buddhas from the Great Thunderclap Temple toward the Pudu River.
• Chu Xingchen and Huang Miao roasted skewers together and discussed the Mahayana dispute and the Buddhist Sect’s response.
• Chu Xingchen shared his remaining Spring Warmth with Huang Miao, and the two watched the Buddhist procession approach.
• Huang Miao revealed that he was once known as Huang Butui and flew to the river’s center to confront the approaching Buddhas.
• Ru Nan challenged Huang Miao, and Huang Miao’s Spirit Sword struck at the procession before Ru Nan repelled it.
• Huang Miao summoned his sword back and declared that it would answer Ru Nan’s accusation.

Ru Nan confronted Huang Miao at the Pudu River, but Bai Xuanling arrived to support him and block the Buddhist Sect. Chu Xingchen then challenged Ru Nan over the Evil Buddha and hinted that he knew more about abnormalities within the Buddhist Sect, asking whether Ru Nan wanted to hear it.

• Ru Nan demanded to cross the Pudu River, and Huang Miao declared that he and the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect would stop him.
• Bai Xuanling appeared between the opposing sides and mocked the Buddhist Sect before joining Huang Miao in opposing Ru Nan.
• Ru Nan offered to let Chu Xingchen leave with Bai Xuanling and proposed discussing the Western Ox-He Continent, but Bai Xuanling refused to back down.
• Chu Xingchen joined Bai Xuanling and questioned Ru Nan's claim that the Buddha beneath the Right Sound Dharma Temple was evil, presenting the Buddha's scripture as evidence.
• Chu Xingchen told Ru Nan he might know more about abnormalities within the Buddhist Sect and asked whether Ru Nan was interested in hearing it.

Chu Xingchen negotiated with Ru Nan to let the Karma Buddhas cross the Pudu River and pursue the evil Buddha while preserving room for the three sects to investigate the Great Thunderclap Temple. After Ru Nan crossed into Western Ox-He Continent, Bai Xuanling questioned Chu Xingchen’s promise, and he hinted that the Buddhist Sect’s history might explain the imbalance between mundane and Karma Buddhas.

• Chu Xingchen told Ru Nan that the Devil Race’s Great Calamity mattered more than the evil Buddha and asked whether Ru Nan would help confront the demons.
• Ru Nan agreed to let the Karma Buddhas enter Western Ox-He Continent, but gave the three sects only one chance to ask whether the Great Thunderclap Temple had built a Little Thunderclap Temple elsewhere.
• Ru Nan crossed the Pudu River with Hua Wu True Buddha, Shi Yun True Buddha, and Su Pu True Buddha, while the other Buddhas stayed behind.
• Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling left Huang Miao to handle matters in Western Ox-He Continent, and Bai asked whether Chu planned to abandon Guangming Buddha.
• Bai warned Chu Xingchen that Ru Nan’s supreme treasure could make the evil Buddha’s position precarious, so Chu explained that the three sects’ promise did not mean he intended to betray him.
• Chu Xingchen asked Bai why mundane Buddhas had outnumbered Karma Buddhas since the Mahayana debate, noting that no mundane Buddhas had joined that debate.

Chu Xingchen planned to draw out the demon in the Buddhist Sect by continuing to pursue Xu Linglong, while Guangming Buddha’s teachings spread through Gilded Sand. Wukong learned that Ru Nan and three Karma Buddhas were coming to eliminate Guangming, who welcomed their arrival as a chance to fulfill his vow.

• Chu Xingchen told Bai Xuanling that Ru Nan would likely consult Ruzhong first and that he would keep pursuing Xu Linglong to avenge his second disciple.
• Wukong saw how refugees built a humble temple for Guangming Buddha as Mahayana Buddhism spread quickly across Gilded Sand.
• Wukong struggled against Mahayana Buddhism’s teachings, which challenged the doctrines he had followed since childhood.
• Wukong received a sealed message from Chu Xingchen and learned that Ru Nan had crossed the Pudu River with Hua Wu, Shi Yun, and Su Pu to eliminate Guangming Buddha.
• Guangming Buddha said he welcomed the three Karma Buddhas’ arrival because their confrontation could help fulfill his vow to return his enlightenment to the people.

Xu Jin waited over a month at Heavenly Derivation Peak before Lü Xuan admitted he could not calculate the heavenly mandate. When Chu Xingchen arrived, he explained his plan to pursue Xu Linglong and unveiled the operation’s name: Heaven’s Will.

• Xu Jin waited in the main hall while Lü Xuan calculated the heavenly mandate and teased him for his impatience.
• Lü Xuan told Xu Jin that his calculation had failed and explained that uncertainty could help people press forward.
• Chu Xingchen arrived with Bai Xuanling, Xie Lingyu, and his disciples after deciding to investigate Xu Linglong instead of attacking the Buddhist Sect first.
• Lü Xuan reported that the Three Great Sects had gathered intelligence but had not confirmed the Heavenly Demon’s location.
• Chu Xingchen named the operation Heaven’s Will and called on everyone to answer it.

Winter Melon established a new demonic force in Mayfly Ravine and began gathering resources for Xu Linglong’s plan to build an orthodox religion. Just as she settled into her improved life, the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect raided the ravine and left her staring in shock at the slaughter.

• Winter Melon reflected on her new position as Xu Linglong’s trusted subordinate and her mission to build an orthodox religion, using the Evil Spirit Cult to gather resources.
• Winter Melon received a report that plundered supplies had been secured and that several talented disciples were being trained.
• A ritual barrier suddenly enclosed Mayfly Ravine, and dozens of cultivators converged on the demonic settlement.
• The Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect cultivators exposed the secret realm beneath the river and overwhelmed the Devil Race in a one-sided attack.
• Winter Melon drew her bone sword, but the battle was already over, and she stood amid the cries of dying demonic cultivators, unable to believe the nightmare was real.

Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect cultivators overwhelmed Winter Melon and captured her at Mayfly Ravine. Cui Hao arrived and offered to let her go, leaving Winter Melon to decide whether to accept his help.

• Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect cultivators ambushed Winter Melon, sealed her powers, and subdued her while their team took control of Mayfly Ravine.
• Winter Melon tried to contact Xu Linglong but was stopped, then feared that the approaching Leader Cui might be Cui Hao.
• Cui Hao arrived, and Winter Melon recognized him and demanded that he kill her.
• Winter Melon rejected Cui Hao’s offer to save her, suspecting he wanted information, but he said he already knew what he needed and would let her leave safely.
• Cui Hao told Winter Melon that if they met again or she fell into his hands, she would have to call him her benefactor.

Cui Hao confronted Winter Melon and offered her a choice between leaving and dying, but she rejected his apparent mercy and attacked him. He then ordered her sent to the Western Ox-He Continent to be delivered to Wukong, hoping to use her to disrupt Xu Linglong’s plans.

• Cui Hao revealed that his encounter with Winter Melon was a deliberate operation intended to draw out or unsettle Xu Linglong.
• After a cultivator warned that Winter Melon was breaking through her restraints, Cui Hao let her go and advised her not to contact Xu Linglong.
• Winter Melon charged at Cui Hao, declaring that she would rather die than live in suspicion, but a Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect cultivator knocked her back.
• Cui Hao praised Winter Melon’s backbone and told her that her defeat was assured, then offered to send her to Wukong on the Western Ox-He Continent.
• Cui Hao ordered his people to send Winter Melon to Wukong, insisting that Wukong take her even if he did not want a demoness.

Xu Linglong and Baibo investigated Yuzhou City for information that could help them understand and defeat Chu Xingchen, while discussing the Buddhist Sect crisis and Winter Melon's capture. Xu Linglong infiltrated the Demon-Suppression Bureau's archives and discovered a Healer who had been taught by Chu Xingchen.

• Xu Linglong told Baibo that Winter Melon had been captured and was being sent toward Western Ox-He Continent, but argued she might still be useful.
• Xu Linglong explained that they needed to learn Chu Xingchen's reasoning and habits before they could defeat him, and Baibo agreed to follow her lead.
• Xu Linglong entered the Demon-Suppression Bureau alone after deciding Baibo did not look human enough to accompany her.
• Xu Linglong used illusions to search the bureau's archives and found a file about Chu Xingchen's work with the bureau against the Evil Spirit Cult.
• Xu Linglong overheard a female Healer wondering whether Chu Xingchen had held something back when he taught her, and realized she might be his disciple.

A Nian continued refining Chu Xingchen’s Pill Elixir, whose terrible taste and dwindling effects had turned it into a welcoming ordeal for new Demon-Suppression Bureau recruits. When Xu Linglong arrived, A Nian presented her with a bowl as a “joining perk,” claiming it was Chu Xingchen’s secret winning treasure.

• A Nian decided to pursue extreme bitterness in her Pill Elixir, but the medicine’s effects weakened as its taste and smell grew more appalling.
• Rumors spread that A Nian was adding something foul to the medicine, but the Bureau Chief let her continue experimenting because she was the Bureau’s only Foundation Establishment medicinal cultivator.
• Over the next three years, veterans turned A Nian’s Pill Elixir into a hazing ritual for new recruits, though volunteers had become scarce.
• A Nian finished a new batch and wondered how to find someone to taste it when Xu Linglong arrived at the pharmacy.
• A Nian identified Xu Linglong as a new member and offered her the Pill Elixir as a joining perk, claiming Chu Xingchen had taught her the recipe.
• Xu Linglong recognized that the bowl held ordinary medicine with weak effects, but picked it up after A Nian insisted it was Chu Xingchen’s secret winning treasure.

Xu Linglong drank a sip of A Nian’s foul pill elixir, then used subtle persuasion to ask what Chu Xingchen was like. At the Heavenly Derivation Sect, Li Xingtian told Chu Xingchen he had an inference about Xu Linglong, based on knowing her.

• Xu Linglong tasted A Nian’s pill elixir, found its effects unremarkable and its flavor worse than swill, and discarded it.
• Xu Linglong asked A Nian about Chu Xingchen while revealing her face and appealing to her admiration for him.
• At Heavenly Derivation Peak, Chu Xingchen, Lü Xuan, and Bai Xuanling discussed the reports and the need for strength in dealing with sect politics.
• Li Xingtian arrived to speak with Chu Xingchen, who left the hall and joked with his disciple about his strange expression.
• Li Xingtian asked whether Chu Xingchen had found Xu Linglong and said he had an inference because he knew her; Chu Xingchen teased him for spending plenty of time guessing what she was thinking.

Li Xingtian warned Chu Xingchen that Xu Linglong might be preparing an ambush in the Southern Jambu Continent, where Chu Xingchen had fewer protections. Chu Xingchen agreed to investigate and gave Li Xingtian Xu Linglong’s severed arm as a reward for his advice.

• Chu Xingchen teased Li Xingtian about his past with Xu Linglong before asking for his thoughts on the situation.
• Li Xingtian argued that Xu Linglong might use distractions to prepare a direct attack on Chu Xingchen.
• Li Xingtian suggested Xu Linglong could target Chu Xingchen in Yuzhou City in the Southern Jambu Continent and warned him to treat any news from there as a possible ambush.
• Chu Xingchen agreed to secretly investigate the Southern Jambu Continent and said he would bring forces from the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect and Heavenly Derivation Sect if needed.
• Chu Xingchen gave Li Xingtian Xu Linglong’s arm, which Li Xingtian recognized and placed in his Spatial Ring before leaving.

Yuankong returned to Chanwood Temple as a Golden Core True Person and visited Senior Brother Yuanjing’s Śarīra Pagoda, sharing his regrets and asking Yuanjing to visit him in a dream. He then reunited with the temple’s abbot and received the treasures Chu Xingchen had preserved for him.

• Yuankong climbed to the Śarīra Pagoda and spoke to Senior Brother Yuanjing about his life, his gratitude, and his wish to keep relying on him.
• Yuankong touched the pagoda, then called back from the steps and urged Yuanjing to visit him in a dream.
• Yuankong visited Chanwood Temple’s abbot, who recognized him and welcomed him back.
• The abbot gave Yuankong a box containing a white kāṣāya, the Willow-Jade Branch, and two talismans that Chu Xingchen had left for him.
• Yuankong realized that, despite Chu Xingchen’s usual stinginess, preserving the treasures was a kindness he could not deny.

Yuankong returned to Chanwood Temple, told the Abbot about the Evil Cultivators troubling Yuzhou City, and set out to help the place that raised him. Meanwhile, Xu Linglong prepared to use Yuankong to draw Chu Xingchen to Yuzhou City, where the Eight Great Heavenly Demons could ambush him.

• Yuankong stored his belongings in the Spatial Ring Chu Xingchen had lent him and told the Abbot that Evil Cultivators were driving people from Yuzhou City.
• The Abbot explained that the Demon-Suppression Bureau lacked evidence against the Evil Cultivators, and Yuankong said he had returned to help his home region.
• The Abbot welcomed Yuankong back to Chanwood Temple and watched him leave.
• Xu Linglong, posing as a member of the Demon-Suppression Bureau, assessed Chu Xingchen’s ties to Yuzhou City and decided Yuankong could help draw him there.
• Xu Linglong planned an ambush involving the Eight Great Heavenly Demons and went with Zhao Wanqing to investigate Linqu Village while Baibo watched nearby.

At Pearl-Gem Peak, Chu Xingchen and Yan Yun discussed the uncertain threat to Yuzhou City, while Chen Baiqing worried that her master might risk himself to protect its people. Unable to sort out her feelings beside Chu Xingchen, Chen Baiqing left the peak and encountered Li Xingtian, who said he had something to tell her.

• Bai Xuanling and Chu Xingchen teased Yan Yun about making her guard the sect gate, then discussed the strange activity in Yuzhou City and the possibility of a Devil Race ambush.
• Yan Yun warned that Yuzhou City was likely to be caught up in any conflict and said the sect might need to investigate or secretly prepare its forces.
• Chen Baiqing suspected Chu Xingchen was considering using himself as bait to move the battlefield away from Yuzhou City and worried he might take needless risks.
• Chen Baiqing asked Chu Xingchen for permission to leave Pearl-Gem Peak so she could think through her feelings away from him.
• Chen Baiqing encountered Li Xingtian outside the peak, and he said he had something to tell her.

Xu Linglong learned that Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling had entered Yuzhou City and moved to confirm the trap laid for them. At their base, she heard that only seven lower-level cultivators accompanied them and declared that the Heavenly Demons could seize the heavenly mandate if their plan succeeded.

• Xu Linglong comforted Zhao Wanqing after their failure to catch the evil cultivators, while Zhao argued that she could not demand Chu Xingchen’s help or treat his personal ties as bargaining chips.
• Xu Linglong secretly resolved to harm Zhao Wanqing, A Nian, and others connected to Chu Xingchen, believing greater suffering might draw his attention.
• Xu Linglong spotted two streaks of light and received an urgent message confirming that the target had taken the bait; she identified Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling among the arrivals.
• Xu Linglong sent a likeness after Zhao Wanqing and hurried to the Heavenly Demons’ base while suppressing her spiritual power.
• Baibo told Xu Linglong that no other Tribulation Transcendence cultivators had arrived, though seven Spirit Transformation and Body Integration cultivators from the Heavenly Derivation Sect were stationed outside.
• Xu Linglong declared that the Heavenly Demons would seize the heavenly mandate if their plan succeeded.

Chu Xingchen returned to his old sect with Bai Xuanling and prepared to use the Primordial Chaos Dao-Anchoring Twin Qi Pearl for the coming crisis. Bai Xuanling discovered that Chu Xingchen’s nearly nonexistent spiritual power let him control the treasure’s two opposing qi with ease.

• Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling entered the old sect, where Chu Xingchen recalled the memories held in its buildings and explained why he had chosen the site.
• Chu Xingchen told Bai Xuanling that he had planned for all eight Heavenly Demons to come, and that Xu Jin had questioned whether his preparations would sink the Southern Jambu Continent.
• Chu Xingchen took out the Primordial Chaos Dao-Anchoring Twin Qi Pearl, which the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect had lent him, and Bai Xuanling teased him about his relationship with Xu Jin and the sect.
• Bai Xuanling identified the pearl and tried to control its clear and turbid qi, but found the clear qi elusive and the turbid qi nearly immovable.
• Bai Xuanling saw Chu Xingchen manipulate both qi effortlessly and realized that his nearly nonexistent spiritual power allowed him to use the pearl.

Chu Xingchen used the Innate Primordial Origin Stabilizing Dao Two Qi Pearl to suppress Bai Xuanling and secretly arrange a formation beneath the ground while she guarded him. As night fell, Xu Linglong and her allies debated whether Chu Xingchen had hidden defenses, then she ordered them to prepare to strike.

• Chu Xingchen activated the Innate Primordial Origin Stabilizing Dao Two Qi Pearl, and its power heavily suppressed Bai Xuanling.
• Chu Xingchen explained that controlling the pearl consumed most of his divine sense and spiritual power, then asked Bai Xuanling to bring him a chair.
• While resting in the chair, Chu Xingchen used the pearl to lay out a formation underground without revealing it to the demons.
• Bai Xuanling kept watch and waited with Chu Xingchen as day turned to night, believing he had chosen to face the danger despite the risks.
• Xu Linglong, Baibo, and Zhong Su discussed attacking Chu Xingchen and Bai Xuanling, with Xu Linglong warning that Chu Xingchen might have more methods prepared.
• Xu Linglong ordered her allies to prepare to strike.

Bai Xuanling and Chu Xingchen faced Baibo’s assault at the Sect in Yuzhou City, while hidden allies turned the ambush against the attackers. The battle ended with Huang Miao arriving to confront Baibo as Bai Xuanling’s side gained the advantage.

• Bai Xuanling sensed Baibo’s arrival, and Baibo and Xu Linglong launched an attack that shattered the Sect’s formations and buildings.
• Bai Xuanling repelled Xu Linglong’s arrows and fought Baibo, who tried to draw her away from Chu Xingchen.
• Baibo attacked Chu Xingchen, but Chu Xingchen vanished from his recliner and reappeared behind Bai Xuanling as their clash destroyed the Sect.
• Xu Linglong warned Baibo that other Tribulation Transcendence cultivators had joined the fight, while Zhong Su and Chi Guo were each engaged by opponents.
• Huang Miao arrived with Tribulation Transcendence Peak cultivation, and Bai Xuanling named him as Baibo’s opponent.