Chapter Summaries

Xiao Hua learned that strange insects from beyond the domain had caused mass deaths and disappearances across the Three Great Continents and Four Seas, but Immortal Emperor Gouchen still tried to crush the Four Great Families. After divining the future, the Buddhist leaders confirmed an unprecedented catastrophe and departed to prepare for resistance, while Dongfang Qionghao submitted to Gouchen and offered the Four Great Families’ aid.

• A Creation Sect disciple reported millions missing or dead across the continents and seas, and Xiao Hua examined images of the strange insects that had killed Star Picking Tower disciples.
• Xiao Hua warned Immortal Emperor Gouchen that the outsiders threatened the world, but Gouchen insisted on first eliminating the Four Great Families and ordered Princess Xinxin to help break their defenses.
• Namo Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha World Honored One and Immortal Emperor Gouchen used divine abilities to divine the future, and the signs revealed an approaching catastrophe.
• Namo Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha World Honored One ended the Buddhist Sect’s pursuit of the Four Great Families and urged all peoples to unite against the invaders; the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Feng Wu also departed to prepare for the threat.
• Dongfang Qionghao confessed to Gouchen and offered to lead the Four Great Families in fighting the strange insects and enemies from beyond the domain.

Immortal Emperor Gouchen and the Four Great Families ended their confrontation and agreed to unite against the strange insects from beyond the domain. Xiao Hua offered the Nine Provinces Ding as a bride gift for Princess Xinxin and promised to restore the Nine Provinces Great Formation, while the leaders prepared to face the coming catastrophe.

• Immortal Emperor Gouchen ordered his forces to march on Lingyun Side Palace, and Dongfang Qionghao and the other family leaders withdrew their formations and ended the standoff.
• Immortal Emperor Gouchen agreed to Xiao Hua's marriage proposal for Xin Xin, and Xiao Hua revealed the Nine Provinces Ding as his bride gift.
• Xiao Hua explained how he had obtained the Nine Provinces Dings from Kong Hongwu and exposed Xie Xin's plot to seize them and destroy the Nine Provinces Great Formation.
• Immortal Emperor Gouchen approved the marriage if Xiao Hua restored the formation and helped eliminate the strange insects, then ordered Xin Xin to give him the formation method and assist him.
• After the Immortal Palace and Four Great Families departed, Xiao Hua urged the family leaders to prepare for the insect invasion and promised to distribute methods for killing the insects.

Xiao Hua and Xin Xin departed to discuss his three hundred years of cultivation, while the story shifted to Granny Chen, a respected matriarch whose hidden past surfaced when Xiao Hua and Xin Xin appeared before her. Granny Chen was stunned when Xiao Hua addressed her by the long-unheard name Lü Cao.

• Xiao Hua instructed Wu Daoist and the other disciples to return to the Creation Dao Palace and prepare to resist the monstrous insects from beyond the domain.
• Xiao Hua took Xin Xin’s hand and flew away with her as she asked to hear what had happened during his three hundred years away.
• The story introduced Granny Chen, whose kindness and management had helped the Chen family prosper, though she refused alms to begging monks while making offerings at a distant temple.
• Granny Chen awoke from a nightmare filled with hatred and regret, then saw a man and woman standing before her in the courtyard.
• Xiao Hua asked Granny Chen whether she was Lü Cao, and the familiar name left her stunned and frightened.

Xiao Hua brought the imprisoned Six-Eared Macaque, disguised as Zhen Kong, to Lü Cao and revealed the truth about her parents’ deaths. Lü Cao chose to spare the Six-Eared Macaque, explaining that she understood his role but saw exploitation as common and believed it should not be repaid with needless killing.

• Xiao Hua froze time in the Chen household, introduced himself to Granny Chen as True Person Xiao, and learned she revered him for the immortal-seed rice he had once given her town.
• Xiao Hua showed Granny Chen the Six-Eared Macaque disguised as Zhen Kong, and she explained that she had once claimed he was the real Zhen Kong because he had killed the Zhen Kong responsible for her parents’ deaths.
• Granny Chen recounted her parents’ murder and the nightmares that had haunted her, and Xiao Hua revealed that the Six-Eared Macaque had controlled her parents with Mind Control Worms while the real Zhen Kong had acted to protect Master Chun Zhuang.
• Xiao Hua asked Lü Cao to decide whether the Six-Eared Macaque should live or die, and she chose to spare him despite knowing he had caused her parents’ deaths.
• Lü Cao explained that she did not hate the Six-Eared Macaque, recalling her lost childhood home and arguing that people often used one another but should not resort to needless slaughter.

Xiao Hua reconsidered his desire to kill the Six-Eared Macaque after hearing Granny Chen explain why she blamed Zhenkong for her parents’ deaths. The Six-Eared Macaque then exposed Yuan Tongtian’s past killings and challenged Xiao Hua’s right to judge him, leaving Xiao Hua uncertain about what to do.

• Granny Chen told Xiao Hua she hated Zhenkong for killing her mind-controlled parents instead of sparing them, and Xin Xin pointed out that Xiao Hua was also driven by hatred.
• Xiao Hua summoned Chunzang with the Kunlun Mirror, and Granny Chen tearfully reunited with her former master.
• Xiao Hua released the Six-Eared Macaque’s restraints but said he had not decided to spare him.
• The Six-Eared Macaque revealed that Yuan Tongtian had killed thousands while protecting Chunzang, slaughtered Xue family disciples, and sought a technique for refining Ten Thousand Blood Pearl.
• The Six-Eared Macaque admitted killing Master Ke Qin to reach the Pure Land, then argued that Xiao Hua would be acting from personal power and preference if he killed him.
• Xiao Hua struggled to answer as the Six-Eared Macaque contrasted his own claimed repentance with Yuan Tongtian’s past conduct.

Xiao Hua reconsidered his hatred and spared the Six-Eared Macaque, ordering him to protect Chun Zang on a renewed journey west. After rewarding Chun Zang, Zhen Jie, Zhen Kong, and Lü Cao, Xiao Hua encountered the Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One, whose half-bright, half-dark form revealed that the events of True and False Zhen Kong had brought grave consequences.

• Xiao Hua recognized that his hatred of the Six-Eared Macaque made his judgment resemble the condemnation he had criticized, while Chun Zang agreed to continue seeking scriptures in the West.
• Xin Xin urged Xiao Hua to spare the Six-Eared Macaque and make him atone by protecting Chun Zang, and Xiao Hua ordered him to escort Chun Zang west until the true scriptures were obtained.
• Xiao Hua reunited Zhen Jie with the others, then bestowed protective Witch Puppets on Chun Zang, Zhen Jie, and Zhen Kong, and gave Lü Cao and her husband pills to extend their lives.
• Xiao Hua and Xin Xin departed, leaving Granny Chen and Shuang'er with Chun Zang and his companions, before Xiao Hua sensed someone approaching.
• The Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One appeared with half his body radiant and half withered, said he was undergoing tribulation for his error, and praised Xiao Hua for acting compassionately in the True and False Zhen Kong affair.

Xiao Hua and the Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One resolved karmic matters involving Lü Cao and Yuan Tongtian, then argued over the danger posed by the extraterrestrial parasites. The Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One departed for Thunder Sound Temple, while Xiao Hua remained alarmed and Xin Xin asked how powerful the parasites were.

• The Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One showed Xiao Hua how Lü Cao was reunited with her parents through reincarnation, and Xiao Hua acknowledged the karmic bond.
• The Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One revealed that Ānanda’s Six-Eared Macaque body had killed Yuan Tongtian through its inherited instincts, and he agreed to manage the fire ape’s reincarnation.
• Xiao Hua transformed the Sun Moon Crown into a golden tightening circlet and gave it to the Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One to restrain the fire ape in its next life.
• Xiao Hua warned that the extraterrestrial parasites threatened the world, but the Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One argued that the Three Great Continents’ experts could defeat them and told Xiao Hua to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet in twenty days.
• The Great Sun Tathagata World Honored One departed, and Xiao Hua cursed the other powers for ignoring the world-ending omen as Xin Xin asked whether the parasites were truly so strong.

Xiao Hua and Xin Xin discussed the political dangers facing the Creation Sect and Xin Xin urged him to find powerful allies and strengthen its foundations. Their affectionate conversation ended with Xiao Hua reflecting on how their different lifespans could separate them, while Xin Xin reassured him that she cherished his devotion.

• Xiao Hua realized that Gouchen and the Four Great Families had treated the extraterrestrial insects as a pretext and focused instead on checking his power and the Creation Sect.
• Xin Xin warned Xiao Hua that the Creation Sect’s strength depended too heavily on him and that rival powers might move against it after reaching a compromise; she advised him to seek support from the Great Sacred Hall and Dragon Island.
• Xiao Hua and Xin Xin flirted as he wondered whether his sect might someday oppose the Immortal Palace, and Xin Xin explained why the Immortal Emperor would not attack it while Xiao Hua remained unascended.
• Xin Xin joked that she would not let the Immortal Emperor use her to control the Creation Sect, and Xiao Hua recognized that his eventual ascension could leave her alone for a long time.
• Xin Xin reassured Xiao Hua that she was happy with his devotion, and they continued teasing each other about calling her his wife and his hidden secrets.

Xiao Hua reunited with Xin Xin, discussed a golden relic and Buddhist affairs with Maitreya Buddha World Honored One, and brought Xin Xin back to Creation Sect. After Xin Xin retired to the rear hall, Xiao Hua released Demon Venerable Slayer, who congratulated him on his relationship with her.

• Xiao Hua sent Xin Xin into Shenhua Continent before meeting Maitreya Buddha World Honored One, who explained the origins of Buddhist incarnations and the golden relic from Star Moon Palace.
• Xiao Hua gave the golden relic to Maitreya Buddha World Honored One and then sent him into the Kunlun Mirror.
• Xiao Hua released Xin Xin, and she admired the Kunlun Immortal Realm and reminded him to study the Nine Provinces Ding formation method.
• Xiao Hua and Xin Xin returned to Creation Dao Palace, where Creation Sect disciples welcomed Xin Xin and she greeted Xiao Hua's disciples.
• Xin Xin withdrew to the rear hall with Chang Yuan, and Xiao Hua released Demon Venerable Slayer, who congratulated him and wished him and Xin Xin a child.

Xiao Hua addressed Creation Sect’s internal affairs and preparations for the extraterrestrial strange insects, ordering Li Xiang and Xiong Yi to share control of Xiao Kingdom with Lan Dianzi while Liu Yi outlined defenses. He intended to use the Yaotai Gathering to force the continent’s powers to unite, but Liu Yi left the question of Creation Sect’s role to Xiao Hua’s arrangements after the calamity.

• Liu Yi returned to Creation Dao Palace and reported that Dongtian River had prospered under Jiang Hong; Xiao Hua allowed Xiao Yun to pursue the West Sea Dragon King’s position and entrusted Liu Yi with Creation Dao Palace’s affairs.
• Xiao Hua revealed that Lan Dianzi had arranged Chang Yu’s ambush and death, and Xiong Yi realized he had been the intended target.
• Fu Zhiwen reported that Lan Dianzi had organized Xiao Kingdom with hidden forces and plans connected to Ancestor Hongmeng; Xiao Hua ordered Li Xiang and Xiong Yi to divide the kingdom’s governance with Lan Dianzi.
• Liu Yi explained Creation Sect’s defensive plans for Xiao Kingdom and the Soaring Dragon Mountain Range, and Xiao Hua approved them while naming Shenhua Continent as a refuge in extreme danger.
• Xiao Hua resolved to make the powers unite against the strange insects at the Yaotai Gathering, and Liu Yi said Creation Sect’s role would depend on Xiao Hua’s arrangements after the calamity.

Xiao Hua agreed to defend the West Sea and approved moving the low-level Creation Sect disciples from the Soaring Dragon Mountain Range into the Kunlun Immortal Realm while high-level disciples fought the strange insects. He and his avatars studied the Nine Provinces Great Formation, but their preparations hit a snag when Demon Venerable Slayer could not cultivate its required method.

• Liu Yi proposed that Xiao Hua take charge of defending the West Sea, and Xiao Hua agreed to arrange the deployment after the Peach Blossom Banquet.
• Fu Zhiwen, Wang Zhengfei, and You Zhongquan argued that the Creation Sect should withdraw its low-level disciples from the Soaring Dragon Mountain Range and concentrate its remaining forces against the strange insects.
• Xiao Hua approved moving the low-level disciples into the Kunlun Immortal Realm while assigning other disciples to defend Xiao Kingdom and the West Sea.
• Xiao Hua concluded that the Nine Provinces Great Formation had to be rebuilt to seal the strange insects’ spatial passage, then studied its method with his avatars.
• Xiao Hua and his avatars learned that the formation required nine cultivators to master Same Qi, Connected Branches, but Demon Venerable Slayer said he could not cultivate the Five Qi method or activate innate True Qi.

Xiao Hua and his clones discussed who could activate the Nine Provinces Ding, then Xiao Hua set out for Qiyang Temple before attending the Peach Blossom Banquet. He found the temple preserved, but as he approached, three Daoist cultivators fleeing two Confucian pursuers rushed toward it.

• Demon Venerable Slayer explained that he could not use Vast Righteous Qi or activate the Nine Provinces Ding, while Wu Daoist and the other clones said they had no such difficulty.
• Xiao Hua decided the Creation Sect needed a supreme Confucian cultivator to fill the missing position and told the clones to practice the Same Qi, Connected Branches technique.
• Xin Xin declined to accompany Xiao Hua to the Peach Blossom Banquet and warned him that the blood stele and Qiyang Temple had faced dangers during his absence.
• Xiao Hua flew to Qiyang Temple, where he found the temple clean and unchanged and the blood stele still standing.
• Three Daoist cultivators raced toward Qiyang Temple while two Confucian cultivators pursued them with flying swords.

Xiao Hua watched as Daoist sect cultivator Yu Feihu took refuge in Qiyang Temple and used its blood stele to deter the Confucian constables pursuing him. Bei Guo Zhenming intervened, captured Yu Feihu, and explained the blood stele’s true purpose and its history, leaving Kong Feng and Kong Jie able to enter the temple and learn why Xiao Hua had erected it.

• Yu Feihu and two other Daoist sect cultivators fought the pursuing Kong Feng and Kong Jie, who subdued the two injured men while Yu Feihu escaped into Qiyang Temple.
• Yu Feihu taunted Kong Jie from the temple wall, claiming the blood stele and the Creation Sect would prevent the constables from entering.
• Kong Jie nearly charged into the temple, but Kong Feng stopped him to avoid provoking the Creation Sect.
• Bei Guo Zhenming appeared, threw Yu Feihu out of the temple, and sealed his magical power before Kong Jie captured him.
• Bei Guo Zhenming told Kong Feng and Kong Jie that Xiao Hua had erected the blood stele to establish a Daoist sect, not shelter criminals, and invited them into Qiyang Temple.
• Bei Guo Zhenming recounted the events behind Xiao Hua’s blood stele, and the constables condemned the Jiang family for provoking him.

Xiao Hua returned to Qiyang Temple, where he learned why Bei Guo Zhenming had guarded the blood stele and helped the poor. He destroyed the monument and left Bei Guo Zhenming continuing his school and workshops.

• Bei Guo Zhenming explained that he had guarded and repeatedly restored Xiao Hua’s blood stele at Du Shanjun’s request while teaching poor children and helping them earn a living.
• Xiao Hua arrived and praised Kong Feng and Kong Jie for capturing three Daoist sect cultivators, while leaving their punishment to the Confucian court.
• Xiao Hua pulled up the cracked blood stele, reflected on his former arrogance, and crushed it into dust.
• Xiao Hua told Kong Feng and Kong Jie that the stele was gone but his resolve remained, then watched them depart with Yu Feihu and the other two.
• Xiao Hua and Bei Guo Zhenming discussed Du Shanjun and the small school, and Bei Guo Zhenming described how its students and nearby workshops helped beggars become self-sufficient.

Xiao Hua left Qiyang Temple in Bei Guo Zhenming’s care and reunited with Xin Xin, who explained that the Immortal Emperor’s Peach Blossom Banquet might concern Xu Zhi and Xingyue. They set out together for the banquet at Lingyun Side Palace.

• Xiao Hua gave Bei Guo Zhenming Rejuvenation Pills and entrusted Qiyang Temple to him as a school for children, inscribing its motto on a stone.
• Bei Guo Zhenming considered bringing beggar children to Qiyang Temple and took one of Xiao Hua’s Rejuvenation Pills.
• Xiao Hua reflected that the Daoist sect’s rise depended on its cultivators, not on the blood stele, and decided to make further plans before ascending.
• Xin Xin arrived with Qiongqiong, thanked Xiao Hua for sparing Confucian cultivators, and learned that he had destroyed the blood stele himself.
• Xin Xin suggested the Peach Blossom Banquet might concern Xu Zhi and Xingyue because the Immortal Emperor did not know they had left Cangxian Continent, then accompanied Xiao Hua to Lingyun Side Palace.

Xiao Hua traveled with Xin Xin, Qiongqiong, Thunderclap True Person, and Tianren to Lingyun Side Palace for the Peach Blossom Banquet, where Ancestor Hongmeng tried to secure entry for Chengtian Hall. Xiao Hua challenged Hongmeng to choose whether Chengtian Hall would attend under the Creation Sect or independently, and the chapter ended as Dragon Island Second Elder Ao Yi welcomed him at the palace gates.

• Xin Xin and Xiao Hua opened a passage through the Earth Fire Wind Thunder with imperial brocade artifacts, then summoned Thunderclap True Person and Tianren before entering it with Great White Golden Star's escort.
• Xin Xin departed in a Flying Phoenix Grand Sedan, while Xiao Hua, Thunderclap True Person, Tianren, and Great White Golden Star rode heavenly steeds through the passage to Lingyun Side Palace.
• Great White Golden Star explained that the Peach Blossom Banquet invited sovereigns who commanded major powers, and told Ancestor Hongmeng that Chengtian Hall had not demonstrated its qualifications.
• Ancestor Hongmeng appealed to Xiao Hua to help him enter the banquet, but Xiao Hua asked him to reveal Chengtian Hall's strength and offered him information about the Creation Sect in return.
• After learning of Chengtian Hall's strength, Xiao Hua asked whether Hongmeng would attend under the Creation Sect's banner or independently; Hongmeng chose to attend independently, and Great White Golden Star took his information to seek the Immortal Emperor's decree.
• Xiao Hua arrived at the opened gates of Lingyun Side Palace, where Dragon Island Second Elder Ao Yi appeared and greeted him as Dragon Master Xiao.

Xiao Hua received an unprecedented welcome at the Peach Blossom Banquet while Ancestor Hongmeng plotted to take advantage of his rise. At Lingyun Side Palace, Princess Qingqing learned that Princess Xinxin had been named Zixia and promised in marriage to Xiao Hua, then collapsed as Empress Dongmian escorted Zixia into the palace.

• Ao Yi, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, the Black Armored Five-Horned Dragon, and Ao Xi welcomed Xiao Hua before Immortal Emperor Gouchen, then accompanied him into Lingyun Side Palace.
• Ancestor Hongmeng seethed outside the palace and told Rider Crane True Person that Xiao Hua’s achievements would ultimately lay the groundwork for his own rise.
• Princess Qingqing arrived with Princess Miaomiao, still suffering from her injury, and learned from new messages that Gu Xianyun had fallen before Chaomu Cliff.
• Empress Dongmian arrived in the Flying Phoenix Grand Sedan with Princess Xinxin and Qiongqiong; Qingqing angrily challenged Xinxin’s right to ride in the sedan.
• Xiuqiao read the Emperor’s decree naming Xinxin Princess Zixia for her three great merits and approving her marriage to Xiao Hua after he established the Nine Provinces Great Formation.
• Princess Qingqing spat blood and fainted, while Empress Dongmian also awarded Qiongqiong fourth-rank Empress rites and a marriage to Fu Zhiwen before taking Zixia into the palace.

Princess Zixia reunited with Empress Dongmian in Azure Heaven Pavilion, recounted her ordeal and refused to disclose Creation Sect secrets. After Princess Miaomiao raised suspicions about Princess Qingqing and Thunderclap True Person, Yu Xiajing described the battle at Chaomu Cliff, leaving Empress Dongmian demanding that Creation Sect answer for Thunderclap True Person's conduct.

• Empress Dongmian welcomed Princess Zixia as her daughter, and Princess Zixia told her how she had escaped suppression and returned with Xiao Hua.
• Princess Zixia refused to share Creation Sect affairs but revealed that she managed Star Picking Tower and offered Empress Dongmian treasures from it.
• Princess Miaomiao hinted that something was amiss between Princess Qingqing and Thunderclap True Person, so Princess Zixia summoned Yu Xiajing to explain what happened at Chaomu Cliff.
• Yu Xiajing accused Princess Zixia of conspiring against Princess Qingqing, and Princess Zixia reprimanded her before asking for a truthful account.
• Yu Xiajing described Thunderclap True Person humiliating Princess Qingqing during the battle, prompting Empress Dongmian to demand an explanation from Creation Sect.

At the Peach Blossom Banquet, Immortal Emperor Gouchen announced Xiao Hua’s marriage to Princess Zixia and tried to draw him into the Immortal Palace’s plans, while the gathered powers debated the threat of world destruction. The chapter ended with Rāgaratna Tathagata and Dongfang Qionghao questioning Xiao Hua’s urgency as strange insects threatened the Three Great Continents.

• Empress Dongmian pressured Princess Zixia to restore Princess Qingqing’s innocence by marrying her to Thunderclap True Person, and Princess Zixia resolved to prevent the match.
• Xiao Hua, Thunderclap True Person, and Heavenly Man entered the Lingyun Side Palace, where the gathered leaders took their places on transformed mountain peaks and Immortal Emperor Gouchen challenged Xiao Hua.
• Immortal Emperor Gouchen issued a decree marrying Princess Zixia to Xiao Hua, and Xiao Hua accepted before taking his place on the Daoist peak.
• Immortal Emperor Gouchen questioned Xiao Hua about Xu Zhi and Fairy Xingyue, and Xiao Hua confirmed he could not ask them to help establish the Nine Provinces Great Formation.
• Xiao Hua revealed that Star Picking Tower belonged to the Creation Sect and was managed by Princess Zixia, then asked that Ancestor Hongmeng be invited to the meeting.
• Xiao Hua warned that strange insects threatened the Three Great Continents, but Rāgaratna Tathagata and Dongfang Qionghao questioned whether he had truly witnessed world destruction and suggested Hongmeng would wait for advantage.

Xiao Hua negotiated Creation Sect’s role in resisting the World-Ending Strange Insects, agreeing to defend the West Sea in exchange for several concessions and protections. Ancestor Hongmeng was finally summoned into Lingyun Side Palace, but Rider Crane True Person and An Yezi were stopped at the side gate.

• Xiao Hua learned the Peach Blossom Banquet was also dividing spheres of influence, and the leaders described the defenses already being organized against the strange insects.
• Ao Yi proposed that Creation Sect defend the West Sea, while Dongfang Qionghao urged Xiao Hua to withdraw from the Soaring Dragon Mountain Range and develop overseas.
• Xiao Hua agreed in principle and secured the Nine Provinces Great Formation method, protection for Xiao Kingdom, and compensation for Creation Sect’s departure from its mountain-range foundation.
• Xiao Hua sought the Xuanyuan Sword but changed his demand after learning it belonged to the Immortal Palace Protectors; he instead arranged to receive the remaining West Sea Dragon Palace treasury after the insects were repelled.
• The leaders assigned Chengtian Hall to help defend the West Sea and summoned Ancestor Hongmeng into Lingyun Side Palace.
• Ancestor Hongmeng entered through a side gate, while the guards prevented Rider Crane True Person and An Yezi from accompanying him.