Chapter Summaries

Cheng Xinzhan completed the Fire Calamity with little difficulty after reflecting on his anger, desires, and lack of envy. He took leave from sect affairs to prepare for the Thunder Calamity, surprising Ji Hehe when he revealed what he planned to undergo.

• Cheng Xinzhan replied to spirit slips from Fang Wuya and Gong Weijian, telling them to handle routine mountain affairs themselves.
• Cheng Xinzhan reviewed and wrote a preface for the Explanation of the Three Essentials of Thunder Talismans, calming his anger before beginning the Fire Calamity.
• Cheng Xinzhan endured wrathfire, desirefire, and jealousyfire, passed the Fire Calamity, and gained another hundred and eighty years of lifespan.
• Cheng Xinzhan decided to postpone the Thunder Calamity until he could find a quieter place and emerged from Pure Yang Hall before dawn.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked Ji Hehe for three months of leave to undergo the Thunder Calamity, and Ji Hehe was startled by the revelation.

Cheng Xinzhan prepared to face the thunder calamity and demonstrated his Innate Earth Escape Divine Ability to convince Ji Hehe to let him travel alone. At the Bamboo-Hiding Stele, he triggered the calamity and was plunged into the silence of nirvana thunder, where he began searching for a way to awaken.

• Cheng Xinzhan told Ji Hehe that his wind and fire calamities had each brought all three afflictions, so he feared the thunder calamity might do the same.
• Ji Hehe urged Cheng Xinzhan to take a guardian, but Cheng Xinzhan used Innate Earth Escape to hide beneath Flat-Top Mountain until Ji Hehe agreed to let him leave alone.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked Ji Hehe to look after Xiao Lu, then went to the Bamboo-Hiding Stele and activated its array to trigger the thunder calamity.
• Nirvana thunder struck Cheng Xinzhan, immobilizing him and stripping away his senses until only silence and pain remained.
• Cheng Xinzhan recalled his predecessors’ methods for breaking through the ultimate stillness chaos and wondered which method he would use.

Cheng Xinzhan searched the silent darkness for a Dao that could unify his many teachings and realized that Nonbeing was the source encompassing all methods. He broke the silence by returning his thoughts to nothingness and awakening thunder, emerging transformed with his Fate Wheel gaining Two Jiazi of lifespan.

• Cheng Xinzhan examined his many cultivated Dao Traditions and struggled to find a sovereign Dao that could unify them.
• Cheng Xinzhan realized that Nonbeing could encompass all methods and serve as the Dao Above the Dao.
• Cheng Xinzhan dispersed his thoughts into the silent darkness, allowing thunder to arise from Nonbeing and shatter the silence.
• Cheng Xinzhan opened his eyes with a transformed presence and found that his Fate Wheel had gained Two Jiazi of lifespan.
• Cheng Xinzhan recognized that his Nirvana Thunder and Obstacle-Breaking Thunder had come together.

After emerging from two years of seclusion, Cheng Xinzhan told Ji Hehe that he had passed the combined Nirvana Thunder and Obstacle-Breaking Thunder and established his Great Dao. He later refined his treasures for half a year, leaving them all at least at the Fourth Realm and several at the level of immortal or half-immortal artifacts.

• Cheng Xinzhan learned that two years had passed and reflected on how surviving the combined Nirvana Thunder and Obstacle-Breaking Thunder had helped him comprehend nonbeing and establish his Great Dao.
• Cheng Xinzhan visited Ji Hehe, who learned that he had faced both thunder ordeals together and agreed to classify his account as a restricted secret.
• Cheng Xinzhan told Ji Hehe that his Corpse Liberation incarnations were about to face their Golden Core Tribulations, and Ji Hehe gave him wind and dew before mentioning Wuji's progress toward Fetal Formation.
• A month later, Cheng Xinzhan's Bamboo Staff incarnation passed the Purple Empyrean Seven-Nine Kun Transformation Tribulation of Lightning, and his Fire-Lotus Incarnation passed the Yellow Heaven Six-Nine Starflame Tribulation of Lightning.
• Cheng Xinzhan entered seclusion at Cloudlight Cave and spent half a year refining his treasures, elevating Peach Capital and the Red Wart gourd to immortal artifacts and Nether Capital, the Myriad Phenomena Heaven-Netted Kerchief, and the Four-Colored Feather Fan to half-immortal artifacts.
• Cheng Xinzhan finished refining his remaining treasures, which had all reached at least the Fourth Realm.

Cheng Xinzhan traveled to the Three Xiang after the Daoist sects reclaimed Mount Jiuyi and invited him to help prepare their Double Ninth sacrifice to Emperor Shun. He presented the Jiuyi Assembly with a painting celebrating the region, while learning of the sacrifices made to free it and the plans to honor the fallen.

• Shi Tongxuan told Cheng Xinzhan that the Daoist sects had reclaimed the Three Xiang and asked him to come help with the Double Ninth sacrifice at Mount Jiuyi.
• Cheng Xinzhan traveled south through the Three Xiang, gained insight into his Dao, and painted the region as a congratulatory gift.
• Deng Qingyang greeted Cheng Xinzhan and explained that a Hundred-Poison Golden Silkworm Gu had wounded him; Cheng gave him Crow Ginseng Blood-Restoring Pills.
• Deng Qingyang described the Jiuyi Assembly's plans to repair the emperor's temple, establish defenses, and build a Hall of Heroic Spirits for those killed in the fighting.
• Cheng Xinzhan praised the fallen Mount Heng disciples, and Deng Qingyang resolved to carve his words on Huiyan Peak.
• Cheng Xinzhan offered incense to Emperor Shun and presented his painting to the Jiuyi Assembly, whose members admired it.

On the Double Ninth Festival of 482 Ming, Cheng Xinzhan, Song Jishu, and Deng Qingyang oversaw a grand ancestral ceremony on Mount Jiuyi. After the offerings and Deng Qingyang’s sacrificial address, the ceremony ended with the Jiuyi Assembly preparing to march against the Southern Wastes.

• Deng Qingyang thanked Cheng Xinzhan and Song Jishu for helping prepare the ceremony, then reviewed his duties as chief officiant.
• Cheng Xinzhan and Song Jishu helped create the ceremony’s wonders, including a five-colored canopy and stone mountain spirits welcoming the guests.
• The mistress of Dongting, the master of Su Ridge, and the master of Langshan each made an offering to Emperor Shun.
• Deng Qingyang climbed the altar and recited an address recalling the region’s suffering under the Southern School and declaring the Jiuyi Assembly’s intention to defend its homeland.
• Deng Qingyang cast the jade bi into the golden cauldron as the music shifted to war drums, signaling preparations to march against the Southern Wastes.

The Jiuyi Assembly debated its first campaign against the Demon Cult, and Cheng Xinzhan persuaded its members to advance into the Miao Borderlands and rally the region’s hidden righteous forces. Three days later, he visited Hong Changbao at Fuxia Lake, where Hong reaffirmed his wish to return to Redwood Ridge.

• Deng Qingyang led the sacrificial procession to establish the Jiuyi Assembly, whose members swore to defend Three Xiang and avenge their humiliation.
• The Jiuyi Assembly debated whether to attack the Miao Borderlands or the Southern Wastes first.
• Cheng Xinzhan proposed uniting the righteous forces of Three Xiang, Wuling, the Miao Borderlands, and Dianwen to encircle the Southern Wastes and drive the demons together.
• Shi Tongxuan questioned whether the Miao Borderlands sects would emerge from seclusion, but Cheng Xinzhan guaranteed they would; the assembly’s sects and Haoran Alliance pledged to follow his orders.
• Three days later, Cheng Xinzhan visited Hong Changbao at Fuxia Lake and praised how he had expanded its forest and hidden realm.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked whether Hong Changbao still wanted to return to Redwood Ridge, and Hong said he had never stopped wanting to.

Cheng Xinzhan confronted Azure Dragon Cave over its decision to seal its mountain and demanded that it uphold its duty to protect the Miao Borderlands. Elder ancestor You Gaomin explained that years of disasters and the threat of the True Dragon had forced the sect to submit, and Cheng Xinzhan offered to guarantee favorable winds and timely rains.

• Cheng Xinzhan cleared the demons around Azure Dragon Cave and called on the hidden sect to leave seclusion, but received no answer.
• Cheng Xinzhan struck the concealed barrier with his sword, revealing the great bell that hid Spring-Gazing Mountain, and demanded that Azure Dragon Cave remove its archway.
• Cheng Xinzhan defeated the Elephant Dragon with the Peach Capital when he tried to interfere, then entered Azure Dragon Cave with Liu Tian Fang.
• You Gaomin explained that eighteen years of disasters and the threat of the True Dragon had driven the Miao Borderlands to submit, and said the sect would fight if Cheng Xinzhan could protect the region or slay the dragon.
• Cheng Xinzhan said he could guarantee favorable winds and timely rains, then asked what You Gaomin would say if he intended to unite with the Dao in the Miao Borderlands.

Cheng Xinzhan revealed that he had survived the Three Calamities and persuaded You Gaomin to have Azure Dragon Cave return to the world when Cheng united with the Dao in the Miao Borderlands. The chapter ended with Cheng arriving at Cloud Mountain, also called Immortal’s Cave.

• Cheng Xinzhan displayed his majestic-form mirror wheels, convincing You Gaomin that he had perfected the Fourth Realm and was ready to unite with the Dao.
• Cheng Xinzhan rebuked You Gaomin for keeping Azure Dragon Cave withdrawn and argued that the sect must protect its teachings and help the people of the Miao Borderlands.
• Cheng Xinzhan urged Azure Dragon Cave to join the fight against the Demon Cult, and You Gaomin promised the sect would unseal itself on the day Cheng united with the Dao.
• You Gaomin warned that Azure Dragon Cave could face the Green-Robed Ancestor’s wrath, and Cheng Xinzhan assured him that he had plans to protect the sect.
• Cheng Xinzhan arrived at Cloud Mountain, also known as Immortal’s Cave, and disappeared into its clouds.

Cheng Xinzhan found the Immortal's Cave hidden behind its Cloud Mountain and met its Sect Master, Xi Xinghuai. Xi claimed an ancient prophecy identified Cheng as the one meant to lead the sect against the demons, leaving Cheng convinced the prophecy was an excuse to recruit him.

• Cheng Xinzhan examined the Immortal's Cave's history and traced its cloud barrier to its founder, Cao Jingxiu, the last of the Central Grotto Eight Immortals.
• Cheng Xinzhan followed a distinctive wisp of cloud qi to the Immortal's Cave's mountain gate and criticized its descendants for hiding behind Cloud Mountain.
• Xi Xinghuai emerged from the gate, identified himself as the sect's master, and invited Cheng Xinzhan inside for tea.
• Xi Xinghuai asked whether Cheng's secular name contained [Yun] and whether he carried the Eight Immortals' Dao Tradition.
• Xi Xinghuai cited Cao Jingxiu's prophecy and begged Cheng to lead the Immortal's Cave out of seclusion to fight the demons.
• Cheng Xinzhan suspected Xi had invented the prophecy to fit him and recruit him.

Cheng Xinzhan secured Immortal's Cave's promise to emerge and fight demons without accepting its leadership, then traveled to Chiyou Cave to seek its support. He was welcomed into a hidden Miao stockade and greeted its three leaders as familiar acquaintances.

• Xi Xinghuai offered Cheng Xinzhan Immortal's Cave's leadership, but Cheng refused and promised the sect would prosper if it joined the fight against demons.
• Cheng left Xi Xinghuai a poem urging Immortal's Cave to stand firm, then set out for Chiyou Cave, the last major Miao Borderlands sect he had yet to approach.
• Gan Zhenjia met Cheng in the mountains and explained that the Demon Dragon's control of the weather threatened Miao crops and could cause the dead to become jiangshi.
• Gan Zhenjia led Cheng through a limestone cavern into Chiyou Cave's hidden stockade, where Cheng recognized the old chief, Red-Crest Gentleman, and Lord White Dragon.

Cheng Xinzhan discovered his long-standing ties to Chiyou Cave and learned that it had secretly protected Miao people from the Demon Dragon. Convinced by his past actions and plans to achieve Union with the Dao, the cave’s leaders agreed to join the counterattack and named Hundred Spirits Valley as its starting point.

• Cheng Xinzhan shared Burning Knife with Jiuli, Hong Jiawen, and Bai Kaifeng, then asked them to guide Red-Crest and White Dragon in cultivating their demon bodies.
• Jiuli revealed how Chiyou Cave had traced Cheng Xinzhan’s paintings and his connections to Chestnut Creek Stockade, Silver Bell Stockade, and Master Wen.
• Jiuli explained that Chiyou Cave had outwardly submitted to the Demon Dragon while helping Miao stockades hide in caves, survive, and prepare for renewed war.
• Cheng Xinzhan learned that Chiyou Cave trusted him because he had aided the Miao and raised White Dragon, and Jiuli agreed the time had come to fight back.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked where the counterattack should begin, and Jiuli, Hong Jiawen, and Bai Kaifeng answered, “Hundred Spirits Valley.”

Cheng Xinzhan agreed to target the Heavenly Silkworm Immortal Lady and learned about her dangerous Gu arts before sending Book Sword to attack Hundred Spirits Valley. As Cheng Xinzhan stayed behind to drink with the Miao leaders, a golden sun burst through the night sky toward the valley.

• The stockade chief and Hong Jiawen urged Cheng Xinzhan to strike Hundred Spirits Valley first because the Silkworm Lady's heavenly silkworm Gu could suppress the Miao people's Gu and control their insects.
• Hong Jiawen described the Silkworm Lady's Dao Domain, poisonous Gu, magical treasures, and Love Gu, while the old stockade chief and Bai Kaifeng added warnings.
• Cheng Xinzhan said he would act immediately, then clarified that Book Sword would go in his place while he continued drinking and discussed plans for Three Xiang.
• At the start of the Chou Hour, a fissure opened above the Miao Borderlands and a golden sun flew toward Hundred Spirits Valley.
• The Demon Path Gu masters around Hundred Spirits Valley saw the sun and fled in terror.

Peach Capital attacked Hundred Spirits Valley and defeated Silkworm Lady, capturing her after she fled in butterfly form. Green Robe intercepted Peach Capital and repeatedly drove it from the void, but the sword escaped underground, leaving him unable to find it.

• Peach Capital broke through Silkworm Lady’s defenses, destroyed her Hundred-Poison Golden Silkworm Gu, and forced her to flee using Heavenly Insect Butterfly Transformation.
• Peach Capital’s rooster form awakened roosters across the Miao Borderlands, whose calls weakened Silkworm Lady and let the sword capture her alive.
• Green Robe appeared in Peach Capital’s path and struck the flying sword, forcing it to retreat into the void.
• Green Robe pursued Peach Capital through the void and knocked it down repeatedly with his sword.
• Yellow light swallowed Peach Capital beneath the earth, and Green Robe searched the area but could not find it.

Cheng Xinzhan captured Silkworm Lady and gave her Love Gu to Chiyou Cave, then asked the stockade chief where he should unite with the earth qi of the Miao Borderlands. He explained that he wanted to remain in the human world as an Earthly Immortal to keep the Demon Path from overpowering the Righteous Path.

• Cheng Xinzhan produced the wounded Silkworm Lady from the Earth Book and gave her Love Gu to Chiyou Cave while keeping the demon for the Three Xiang Daoist Sect.
• The old stockade chief transferred the Love Gu to Duolan, and Cheng Xinzhan accepted Silkworm Lady’s pouches of Gu insects, magical treasures, manuals, and resources.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked the Miao stockade leaders where he should unite with the earth qi, and the old stockade chief described the regions’ varied landscapes and celestial phenomena.
• Cheng Xinzhan said he intended to become an Earthly Immortal, surprising the stockade leaders, and the old stockade chief urged him to pursue the heavens and the Golden Immortal path.
• Cheng Xinzhan explained that he wanted to remain in the human world and keep the Demon Path from overpowering the Righteous Path, arguing that Earthly Immortals could also seek the Golden Immortal path.

The Miao Stockade chief explained how Green Robe planned to retrace the West River’s main course and why the Meng River could help counter him. Cheng Xinzhan instead chose the Peach Blossom River, revealing that he intended to seize Green Robe’s Dao sanctuary and cultivation fruit.

• The old stockade chief thanked Cheng Xinzhan for reviving Red Hair and recommended the upper Meng River as a site for his Union with the Dao.
• The old stockade chief traced the West River’s main course and explained Green Robe’s plan to retrace it from Ma Xiong Mountain to the sea.
• The old stockade chief described how the Miao Borderlands, Xuanmen, and Yuyang’s Daoist Sect were trying to block Green Robe’s expansion along the rivers.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked whether the Peach Blossom River would be a better site, and the old stockade chief realized he meant to seize Green Robe’s Dao and pluck his cultivation fruit.
• Cheng Xinzhan asked whether the Peach Blossom River was more suitable than the Meng River for achieving Union with the Dao.

Cheng Xinzhan traveled through the Miao Borderlands and confronted Green Robe at Wumeng Mountain, where the two powerful cultivators exchanged devastating Divine Abilities. The battle left both wounded but standing, and Green Robe recognized Cheng Xinzhan as the youth he had encountered more than fifty years earlier.

• Cheng Xinzhan left Chiyou Cave, sent word to Silkworm Lady, Ji Kaiming, and White Dragon, and continued east through the Miao Borderlands.
• Green Robe had appointed the secluded Owl Dragon as Wumeng King, but news of the recent attack on Silkworm Lady caused many demons to flee Wumeng Mountain.
• Cheng Xinzhan arrived at Wumeng Mountain and invited the demon ancestor to discuss dragon cultivation, but Green Robe suddenly attacked him.
• Cheng Xinzhan and Green Robe traded thunder, fire, and other Divine Abilities; Green Robe tore off Cheng Xinzhan's arm, and Cheng Xinzhan used it to summon Dragon Thunder.
• Green Robe survived the Dragon Thunder and struck Cheng Xinzhan with purple lightning, but both revealed Dragon Clan chest-scale defenses and recognized each other's abilities.
• Green Robe remembered meeting Cheng Xinzhan as a young cultivator at Rotten Peach Mountain and greeted him by the name Guanghong.

Cheng Xinzhan began uniting with the Dao at Redwood Ridge while a double held Green-Robed Ancestor back, and the Divine Land responded across many regions. He attained the Fifth Realm, subdued Elephant Dragon, and left the mountain at peace.

• Cheng Xinzhan’s double fought Green-Robed Ancestor with spells, then revealed that Cheng Xinzhan was uniting with the Dao at Redwood Ridge in Southeastern Guizhou.
• Green-Robed Ancestor realized the plan and raced toward Redwood Ridge, but Cheng Xinzhan’s double used spells and treasures to intercept him.
• Cheng Xinzhan opened his Dao Domain at Redwood Ridge, and the mountain’s dragon, fire, wood, and water qi responded as nearby spiritual lands also stirred.
• Cheng Xinzhan declined to unite with the other responding lands and drew Redwood Ridge’s four earthly qi into his Dao Domain.
• Cheng Xinzhan attained the Fifth Realm, and Elephant Dragon begged him to spare his life.
• Cheng Xinzhan put away his Dharma Seal and ended the disturbance, while Elephant Dragon knelt and congratulated him.

Cheng Xinzhan united with the Dao at Redwood Ridge and claimed Three Rivers Gorge, overcoming Green Robe’s attacks and establishing himself as a rival even on the Dragon King’s territory. Green Robe withdrew when a demonic challenge arose in Eastern Dian, while Cheng Xinzhan remained at Redwood Ridge.

• Green Robe sent his Li Pearl incarnation to attack Cheng Xinzhan at Redwood Ridge, but Cheng’s qi body and the Earth Book held it off while he united with the Dao.
• Cheng Xinzhan caught the Earth Book, shattered Green Robe’s river-dragon, and revealed that he had claimed Three Rivers Gorge as his cultivation ground.
• Cheng Xinzhan and Green Robe faced each other, and Green Robe realized the new Daoist was no longer fundamentally weaker than him and was strengthened by water fortune.
• Green Robe’s true body arrived as Cheng Xinzhan’s third qi body joined him, and Green Robe restored his full strength by swallowing his Li Pearl incarnation.
• Cheng Xinzhan told Green Robe that he chose the mortal world because it was home to him, and Green Robe fell silent under Redwood Ridge’s growing pressure.
• A demonic voice from Eastern Dian demanded that Green Robe reclaim the Peach Blossom River and surrender the Nanpan River, so Green Robe left for Dianwen Ma Xiong Mountain.

Cheng Xinzhan received congratulations across the Miao Borderlands after attaining Union with the Dao, while news of Green-Robed Ancestor defeating Ancestor Haha renewed respect for his strength. At a feast on Redwood Ridge, Heavenly True Boy explained why Cheng Xinzhan was considered to have the makings of a Golden Immortal, leaving Cheng to hear his name added to a list of legendary cultivators with that potential.

• Chiyou Cave and other Miao factions congratulated Cheng Xinzhan on attaining Union with the Dao and honored him as Master Guangjing.
• News arrived that Green-Robed Ancestor had torn off Ancestor Haha's arms, burned Wildman Mountain, and forced him into hiding.
• Hong Changbao welcomed Heavenly True Boy and Ji Kaiming at the feast on Heavenly Hound Cliff while Cheng Xinzhan escorted True Person Chengchu away.
• Cheng Xinzhan returned and discussed his Union with Earth Qi in the Miao Borderlands with Heavenly True Boy and Hong Changbao.
• Heavenly True Boy explained that speed and extraordinary strength marked someone as having the makings of a Golden Immortal, and said Cheng Xinzhan met both criteria.
• Heavenly True Boy listed past cultivators with Golden Immortal potential and included Cheng Xinzhan among them.