Chapter Summaries

Cui Hao explained to Zheng Zhaoling how the Evil Spirit Cult had turned Northern Jambudvipa’s Incense Gods against each other by recruiting demons resentful of a thousand years of suppression. The Incense Gods sought Cloud Dream Marsh’s help, but Cui Hao said he would focus on the Evil Spirit Cult, while the Incense Gods were already headed for a devastating loss.

• Incense Gods from across Northern Jambudvipa arrived at Cloud Dream Marsh seeking support against the Evil Spirit Cult.
• Cui Hao observed that the Evil Spirit Cult had recruited powerful demons denied Shrines, stoking long-standing resentment against the Incense Gods.
• Zheng Zhaoling asked why the Incense Gods continued fighting instead of returning home, and Cui Hao explained that stopping would expose them to the demons’ anger.
• Cui Hao told Zheng Zhaoling that Cloud Dream Marsh could not settle the underlying conflict, though the Incense Gods likely hoped Cloud Dream Pavilion might intervene if matters worsened.
• Cui Hao declared that he would not try to save the Incense Gods from their coming losses and would instead deal with the Evil Spirit Cult.

Cloud Marsh learned that the Incense Gods’ request concealed a dangerous agenda, and Cui Hao persuaded him to seek Cloud Dream Pavilion reinforcements against the Evil Spirit Cult instead. After Cloud Marsh agreed to consider the plan, the Cloud Dream Pavilion’s Sect Leader prepared its powerful cultivators to set out.

• Cloud Marsh welcomed the Incense Gods and promised to help, but Cui Hao bluntly told him the Cloud Dream Pavilion would not intervene on their behalf.
• Cui Hao gave Cloud Marsh a Jade Token revealing the Incense Gods’ true purpose and warned that helping them could endanger Cloud Dream Marsh.
• Cui Hao proposed that Cloud Marsh request Cloud Dream Pavilion reinforcements to strike the Evil Spirit Cult’s leadership and remove its forces from Northern Jambudvipa.
• Cloud Marsh hesitated but felt unable to outmaneuver Cui Hao and resolved to consider the proposal.
• The Cloud Dream Pavilion’s Sect Leader received a Jade Token and led its Elders and Grand Elders out to set out.

Zhao Xuan hid in a secret base across the Cang River, hoping the Evil Spirit Cult’s destruction would free him from its burdens. A Cloud Dream Pavilion Grand Elder found him, exposed his identity, and declared that Zhao Xuan’s capture was only the beginning of dealing with the crisis in Cangxi Kingdom.

• Zhao Xuan watched from Northern Cang Kingdom as the Evil Spirit Cult’s reckless operations in Cangxi Kingdom spiraled out of control, and he resolved to let the cult fall rather than risk himself.
• An old man appeared behind Zhao Xuan and nullified his teleportation dharma treasure when Zhao Xuan tried to escape.
• The old man revealed that Zhao Xuan was the Evil Spirit Cult’s Cult Leader, codename Black Crow, and identified himself as a Grand Elder of Cloud Dream Pavilion.
• Zhao Xuan realized the Evil Spirit Cult had been bait in a setup connected to Xu Si and the heavenly demon, and that the Grand Elder intended to deal with the wider crisis in Cangxi Kingdom.
• The Grand Elder told Zhao Xuan that his many past wrongs had left him trapped, and Zhao Xuan acknowledged the lesson.

Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu visited Huangliang City, where they reunited with Lychee and asked for her help with a confidential matter. Lychee challenged Chu Xingchen about his claim that a monk they had met before was at Golden Core, and he left her uncertain by saying Golden Core cultivators from different continents were not the same.

• Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu walked through Huangliang City, and he teased her about the Western Ox-He Continent's profane street culture.
• Chu Xingchen explained that he had come to find Lychee, an old acquaintance whose information might lead to a surprise.
• Lychee boasted to her Heavenly Patrol Bureau teammates that she had helped save the Western Ox-He Continent, but they laughed at her story.
• Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu arrived at the tea stall, and Lychee happily recognized Chu Xingchen and agreed to help him with a confidential matter.
• Chu Xingchen praised Lychee for reaching early Golden Core, and she challenged his earlier claim about the old monk's cultivation.
• Chu Xingchen told Lychee that a Golden Core from the Western Ox-He Continent was not the same as one from the Central Province, leaving her unsure.

Chu Xingchen questioned Lychee about the Buddhist Sect’s conduct on the Western Ox-He Continent, then recruited her to investigate temples hiding Wish Power. He took her to meet someone at Right Sound Temple, and the sight of its immense Buddhist guard left Lychee stunned.

• Lychee told Chu Xingchen that the Buddhist Sect had resumed collecting Wish Power but had become more cautious after its recent loss of credibility.
• Xie Lingyu realized Chu Xingchen was using Lychee’s impressions to assess how the public viewed the Buddhist Sect.
• Lychee repeated rumors that Chu Xingchen and Ru Nan were friends, prompting Chu Xingchen to offer her a well-paid job investigating temples for hidden Wish Power.
• Lychee worried the monks would reject her authority, so Chu Xingchen said he would take her to meet someone whose name carried weight.
• At Right Sound Temple, Lychee saw the vast array of Buddhist figures and sacred displays guarding the gates and realized the person inside was important.

Chu Xingchen brought Lychee to the Right Sound Dharma Temple and asked Venerable Buddha Ru Nan to keep her safe while he was away. Ru Nan agreed, and Lychee left their meeting embarrassed by her awkward remarks but reassured by his kindness.

• Ru Nan stationed himself at the Right Sound Dharma Temple to oversee the Western Ox-He Continent and prevent the Buddhist Sect's past failures from recurring.
• Chu Xingchen arrived with Xie Lingyu and Lychee to meet Ru Nan.
• Chu Xingchen introduced Lychee as his trusted aide and asked Ru Nan to look after her and bring her back safe and sound.
• Lychee accidentally revealed she had heard unflattering claims about Ru Nan, then stumbled through an attempt to compliment him.
• Ru Nan accepted Lychee's bluntness without offense, and the arrangement for her to stay under his protection was settled.

Chu Xingchen demonstrated his power by striking the Ten Thousand Green Mountains and helping the Buddhist Sect eradicate the demonic beasts hiding there. Back at Right Sound Dharma Temple, he told Lychee to take over his investigations before he departed for Dongsheng Shenzhou.

• Chu Xingchen split the Ten Thousand Green Mountains with Myriad Forms, exposing a deep canyon, and Huawu Buddha's people searched for the surviving demonic beasts.
• Chu Xingchen returned to Right Sound Dharma Temple with Lychee and praised her before revealing that he would leave for Dongsheng Shenzhou the next day.
• Chu Xingchen instructed Lychee to investigate where the wish power went and to inspect any Buddhist temples that seemed suspicious, reminding her not to be intimidated by stronger cultivators.
• Chu Xingchen asked Venerable Buddha Ru Nan to reimburse his travel expenses and pay him a fee for his trouble, and Ru Nan agreed.
• Xie Lingyu urged Chu Xingchen to leave for other matters in Dongsheng Shenzhou, and Chu Xingchen bid Ru Nan farewell.

Chen Baiqing was enraged by a wave of rumors accusing her and Chu Xingchen of atrocities, and Lin Luoyu urged her to find those directing the slander. The discussion revealed that Chen Baiqing was especially furious over what the rumors said about her master.

• Chen Baiqing crushed a Jade Token in anger as reports of the rumors filled the Discussion Hall.
• Ye Antao and Lin Luoyu recognized that evil cultivators had targeted Chen Baiqing and Chu Xingchen with slander after Cui Hao purged the Evil Spirit Cult.
• Chen Baiqing said she would not forgive people who had received kindness but joined in condemning her.
• Lin Luoyu warned that the rumors were deliberately steered and advised catching their spreaders rather than trying to reverse public opinion.
• Ye Antao realized that Chen Baiqing was most upset by the rumors' insults against her master and reacted in shock.

Ye Antao watched Chen Baiqing investigate a smear campaign against Chu Xingchen, then welcomed Chu Xingchen when he arrived. Chen Baiqing warned him that the Firmament Rhyme Hall seemed to be deliberately obstructing the investigation, and Chu Xingchen concluded that the sects feared his power and ambitions.

• Chen Baiqing deduced that someone was orchestrating the rumors against Chu Xingchen and planned to praise him publicly while tracing the rumors to their sources.
• Ye Antao left Chen Baiqing to work and asked Chu Xingchen whether he could recommend a disciple like Chen Baiqing or Lin Luoyu; he teased her about wanting a maid instead.
• Chu Xingchen entered the Main Hall, where Chen Baiqing greeted him warmly and asked him not to read the slanderous reports in front of her.
• Chen Baiqing told Chu Xingchen that the Firmament Rhyme Hall had stalled its investigation and that she suspected it wanted the rumors about him to spread.
• Chu Xingchen said the Immortal Sects feared his influence and might turn against him once the Great Calamity ended.

Li Junzi and Zhao Xuan prepared to stake the Black Tortoise Kingdom’s national fortune on an edict that would empower learned people and Martial Artists to serve the people and kingdom. Zhao Xuan sealed the edict, and the shattered jade seal transformed into a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon that pierced the heavens.

• Zhao Xuan praised Li Junzi’s talent and courage as they discussed the new policies and the great undertaking that would follow them.
• Li Junzi declared that Confucian Scholars had backbone and that she would not walk the road alone.
• Zhao Xuan pressed the Imperial Jade Seal toward the prepared edict, but the seal resisted as it faced the cost of spending the kingdom’s entire national fortune.
• Zhao Xuan asked whether Li Junzi was still unwilling to sacrifice wealth and honor for the Human Race’s prosperity.
• The jade seal descended and shattered into national fortune, which became a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, and Zhao Xuan stamped the edict with the seal’s imprint.

The Black Tortoise Kingdom’s national fortune yellow dragon sacrificed itself, scattering blessings and revealing the scale of Li Junzi’s plans to an old Spirit Transformation Daoist. Zhao Xuan entrusted the work ahead to Li Junzi, who prepared to meet the scholars and officials gathering to support her.

• The national fortune yellow dragon roared above the capital, dissolved into blessings, and sent nearly half of its fortune back to the palace.
• An old Spirit Transformation Daoist saw scholars blessed by the dragon heading toward the palace and reconsidered his judgment of Li Junzi.
• Zhao Xuan received the returning blessings through the Nation-Guarding Jade Seal, while the rest flowed into Li Junzi.
• Zhao Xuan told Li Junzi he would rely on her, and a palace attendant reported that scholars and officials had requested an audience.
• A Nascent Soul Realm patriarch bowed deeply to Li Junzi before leaving, and Zhao Xuan put the remaining decisions in her hands.
• Li Junzi ordered the gathered scholars and officials invited to assemble outside the hall.

Chu Xingchen remained at Firmament Rhyme Hall’s Dongsheng Shenzhou headquarters while the hall stalled investigations into the slander, and he proposed bringing disciples from the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect and the Heavenly Derivation Sect to help investigate. A message from the Heavenly Derivation Sect left him shocked by Li Junzi’s significance and wondering whether the mortal world would see another Second Sage.

• Chu Xingchen stayed in Dongsheng Shenzhou for over half a month, playing Go and drinking tea while Firmament Rhyme Hall made little progress on the investigation.
• Yunxiao arrived at the Temporary Hub, where Chen Baiqing and the others gave him little attention, and he spoke with Ye Antao and Chu Xingchen.
• Chu Xingchen resigned from his Go game after Xie Lingyu found a move that threatened his great dragon, frustrating her despite her win.
• Chu Xingchen asked Yunxiao to let disciples from the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect and the Heavenly Derivation Sect join the investigation in Dongsheng Shenzhou.
• Chen Baiqing brought Chu Xingchen a Jade Token message from the Heavenly Derivation Sect, and he realized everyone had underestimated Li Junzi.

Chu Xingchen and Chen Baiqing chose to trust Li Junzi to act without their interference, while the Cloud Dream Pavilion defended its decision to contain the Black Crow Archbishop rather than move against the Evil Spirit Cult immediately. Zheng Zhaoling challenged that policy and slapped away Cui Hao’s attempt to stop her.

• Chu Xingchen received news about Li Junzi and told Chen Baiqing that trusting her was the best support they could offer.
• Cui Hao questioned the Cloud Dream Pavilion’s sect leader about leaving the Evil Spirit Cult free to ravage the Cangxi Kingdom after capturing Zhao Xuan, the Black Crow Archbishop.
• The sect leader argued that intervening in the Incense Gods’ internal conflict could destabilize Cloud Dream Marsh and endanger Cloud Marsh and Yun Li.
• Zheng Zhaoling argued that Cloud Dream Marsh should handle the Incense Gods’ disputes while the Cloud Dream Pavilion dealt with the Evil Spirit Cult’s role in the Great Calamity.
• Cui Hao tried to stop Zheng Zhaoling, but she slapped his hand away.

Cui Hao and Zheng Zhaoling discussed her defiance of the Cloud Dream Pavilion’s Sect Leader and their shared concerns about the Great Calamity. After Zheng Zhaoling left, the Sect Leader confronted Cui Hao about trying to recruit her.

• Cui Hao warned Zheng Zhaoling that her public challenge could get her reprimanded, but she said she was willing to give up her Core Disciple position rather than abandon her principles.
• Zheng Zhaoling explained that she had acted to prevent the Cloud Dream Pavilion from distancing itself from Cui Hao’s master and from the human race’s trust.
• Cui Hao urged Zheng Zhaoling to apologize to her Sect Leader, then offered to make her a Grand Elder at his sect if she could no longer remain at the Cloud Dream Pavilion.
• After Zheng Zhaoling departed, Cui Hao wondered whether his master had helped the Cloud Dream Pavilion capture the Black Crow Archbishop, Crow Run-Run.
• The Cloud Dream Pavilion’s Sect Leader confronted Cui Hao, revealed that she had investigated his identity, and accused him of trying to take Zheng Zhaoling away.

Cui Hao met with the Sect Leader of Cloud Dream Pavilion, who explained that the sect trusted Zheng Zhaoling’s judgment as its Core Disciple and gave Cui Hao a Jade Token containing a political plan. Cui Hao learned that several Immortal Sects intended to challenge Chu Xingchen’s influence and preserve their independence.

• Cui Hao appeased the Sect Leader of Cloud Dream Pavilion by yielding during their exchange, and the Sect Leader praised his restraint and his decision to keep Zheng Zhaoling out of the Incense Gods’ internal strife.
• The Sect Leader gave Cui Hao a Jade Token, explaining that Zheng Zhaoling’s words had persuaded Cloud Dream Pavilion’s elders to trust her choice.
• The Sect Leader told Cui Hao that Zheng Zhaoling had not yet understood the authority and responsibility her Core Disciple title carried, and that the sect was nurturing her to lead.
• Cui Hao read the Jade Token and learned that several Immortal Sects planned to work with Dongsheng Shenzhou to undermine Chu Xingchen’s reputation and limit his influence.
• Cui Hao realized the sects wanted to retain the right to refuse Chu Xingchen and prevent him from ruling alone after the Great Calamity.

Cui Hao encouraged Zheng Zhaoling to trust her judgment as she took command of Cloud Dream Pavilion’s operation, then accepted her orders to purge the Evil Spirit Cult and divide the Incense Gods. At Shattered Cloud Peak, Li Xingtian complained that his reputation as a Blood Qi Evil Cultivator and his title, Devious True Lord, had become unbearable.

• The Cloud Dream Pavilion sect leader told Cui Hao that Zheng Zhaoling would command the operation and that the sect’s future depended on her wishes.
• Zheng Zhaoling told Cui Hao she had been given authority to carry out her proposal, and he urged her to do what she believed was right.
• Zheng Zhaoling conscripted Cui Hao as her errand-runner and ordered him to purge the Evil Spirit Cult and divide the Incense Gods equally.
• At Shattered Cloud Peak, Li Xingtian told Li Yingling that people no longer trusted Blood Qi Evil Cultivators and complained about being called Devious True Lord.
• Li Yingling’s schemes had turned Blood Qi Cultivators into feared, underhanded Blood Qi Evil Cultivators, leaving Li Xingtian wishing he had received a more straightforward title.

Li Yingling and Li Xingtian joked while Bai Xuanling seized the strange object [Two Realms] from a Heavenly Demon lair. After the object was secured and the disciples began sweeping the area, Bai Xuanling ordered it sent to the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect for study and struck down one of the transforming demons.

• Li Yingling teased Li Xingtian about his title and called him innocent, prompting him to return the insult and trigger a display of powerful Dao Resonance below the clouds.
• Bai Xuanling arrived with the sealed, pulsing object [Two Realms], which she had taken from three enhanced Mahayana Realm demons guarding it.
• Li Yingling examined [Two Realms] and discussed its ability to devour spiritual power and convert it into a strange energy with penetrating Dao Resonance.
• Bai Xuanling praised Li Yingling for finding the lair but dismissed sending [Two Realms] to their master, directing them to send it to the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect instead.
• As three Mahayana Realm demons began transforming into enormous beasts, Bai Xuanling drew Azure Darkness and cut off one demon's head.

Yuankong apologized to Sandong for his laziness after Qian Qing confronted him, and agreed to take responsibility for watering the medicine field. Li Yingling and Li Xingtian then arrived, and Li Yingling teased Li Xingtian for underestimating their master's ability to make Yuankong return to serve the sect.

• Sandong scolded Yuankong for refusing to help Qian Qing with the medicine field, while Yuankong lazily enjoyed its back rubs.
• Qian Qing stomped Yuankong and explained that Sandong deserved sincere treatment, prompting Yuankong to apologize.
• Sandong forgave Yuankong after he promised to water the medicine field himself, and Qian Qing followed to make sure he did it properly.
• Yuankong finished watering the spirit plants as Qian Qing explained how to care for them.
• Li Yingling and Li Xingtian arrived, and Li Yingling teased Yuankong about serving under Chu Xingchen and reminded Li Xingtian that she had predicted Yuankong would return to help the sect.

Boluo defended his failed schemes to Zhong Su and Meiyu, arguing that their setbacks had still bought time and narrowed their options. He asked Zhong Su to persuade Heavenly Demon Yuanqiong to join a plan that could let them attack Chu Xingchen.

• Zhong Su challenged Boluo over the loss of the [Two Realms], the Evil Spirit Cult's defeat, and Li Junzi's rise, while Meiyu considered whether they should target Li Junzi.
• Meiyu explained how Li Junzi's National Fortune Blessing path could transform the mortal world and make her a Second Sage, but Boluo argued that attacking her would be too dangerous.
• Boluo revealed that Lychee was investigating his Wish Power threads and said he would rather dispose of her than Li Junzi.
• Boluo said his preparations were complete and asked Zhong Su to persuade Heavenly Demon Yuanqiong to join him and Heavenly Demon Hengwang.
• Boluo presented Zhong Su with a joint pledge bearing the other Heavenly Demons' names, revealing that Zhong Su was his true target.

At Chuan Daohai, Chen Baiqing explained to Lin Luoyu that Western Ox-He Continent’s popular Buddha statues were carrying wish power into Dongsheng Shenzhou and outlined a plan to exploit the Buddhist Sect’s divisions. She left Lin Luoyu with candied fruit after Lin suggested their Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge could rival Vulture Peak.

• Chen Baiqing brought Lin Luoyu to Chuan Daohai after Yunxiao took over most of the Firmament Rhyme Hall affairs in Dongsheng Shenzhou.
• Chen Baiqing revealed that Western Ox-He Continent had been exporting fine Buddha statues to Dongsheng Shenzhou for eight or nine years, and Lin Luoyu realized they were transporting wish power.
• Chen Baiqing said she had let the statues circulate to put the Firmament Rhyme Hall at ease and planned to trace their source and the people whose faith sustained them.
• Chen Baiqing proposed breaking up the Buddhist Sect, bringing its factions under her master's command, and taking temporary control of the spirit vein at Vulture Peak.
• Lin Luoyu said Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge was as good as Vulture Peak, so Chen Baiqing gave her candied fruit.