Chapter Summaries

Nüwa recognized Hongxuan as an existence whose methods could rival those of the Sages and abandoned her plans to interfere in the tribulation or avenge Lu Ya. In Pingxin Palace, Hongxuan explained to Houtu why he had killed Lu Ya and framed it as repayment for the Golden Crow’s past crimes against the Witch Race.

• Nüwa inferred that Hongxuan had used the Law of Destiny to bring about Lu Ya’s death and decided not to oppose him or seek revenge.
• Houtu arranged for the Three Xiao Sisters to rest and recover after their killing tribulation.
• Houtu questioned Hongxuan about killing Lu Ya despite the possible cost to his merit and fortune.
• Hongxuan said Lu Ya had died through his own Seven Arrows Book with Nailhead, while Jiang Ziya had carried out the curse and should bear its consequences.
• Hongxuan recalled Lu Ya’s role in the Golden Crows’ past slaughter and the Demon Race’s attempts to harm him, explaining that he felt no guilt about killing him.
• Hongxuan told Houtu that Lu Ya’s death also avenged the Witch Race and Hou Yi, and Houtu questioned the connection.

Hongxuan told Houtu he intended to pursue the Sub-Sage Ninth Heaven and would join the final battle of the Investiture Great Tribulation after cultivating in Pingxin Palace. He began preparing to face the Decline of Mana and Decline of the Primordial Spirit, seeking to protect himself from Sage-level attacks.

• Hongxuan dismissed Lu Ya as insignificant and told Houtu he intended to walk the path of the Sub-Sage Ninth Heaven.
• Houtu warned that the path was difficult and advised Hongxuan to resolve his karmic ties by taking part in the Investiture Great Tribulation.
• Hongxuan said he would cultivate lightly before making a journey for the tribulation's final battle.
• In a quiet chamber in Pingxin Palace, Hongxuan decided not to attempt a realm breakthrough before the tribulation.
• Hongxuan began preparing to undergo the Decline of Mana and Decline of the Primordial Spirit tribulations so his mana and primordial spirit could gain protection from innate indestructible divine light.

Hongxuan endured the Decline of Mana Tribulation as the transparent Grand Dao Fire burned away all the mana in his body. After the final Acupoint World was emptied, the power of the Grand Dao and innate indestructible divine radiance began filling his Acupoint Worlds and meridians.

• Hongxuan steadied his mind and prepared to face the Decline of Mana Tribulation, knowing the later Primordial Spirit Tribulation would be more dangerous.
• The transparent Grand Dao Fire ignited Hongxuan's mana, leaving him unable to use it as he endured overwhelming pain.
• As the mana in his 365 Acupoint Worlds burned away, the explosions shook his destiny, but the Yellow Court Scripture had made it resilient.
• Houtu worried as she watched Hongxuan suffer but chose not to interrupt his seclusion.
• After the Grand Dao Fire consumed the last of Hongxuan's mana, the power of the Grand Dao and innate indestructible divine radiance filled his Acupoint Worlds and meridians.

After overcoming the Decline of Mana Tribulation, Hongxuan's mana and Foundation transformed, strengthening his resolve to complete the Sub-Sage Ninth Heaven path. With Houtu standing guard, he prepared to face the Decline of the Primordial Spirit Tribulation.

• Hongxuan's mana recovered after the Grand Dao Fire and Innate Imperishable Divine Light transformed it into pure, endlessly regenerating mana.
• Hongxuan realized the tribulation had transformed his Foundation and brought him closer to a mid-grade Chaos Godfiend Origin.
• Hongxuan vowed to continue through the Five Signs of Decay and face the Decline of the Primordial Spirit Tribulation.
• Houtu worried about Hongxuan's safety but trusted his resolve and left the cultivation grounds to guard him in secret.

Hongxuan underwent the Decline of the Primordial Spirit, enduring the Grand Dao Fire as it refined his Primordial Spirit and True Spirit. The fire burned away the last remnant of his True Spirit, leaving him vacant and seemingly lifeless.

• Hongxuan steadied his resolve and unleashed the tribulation of the Decline of the Primordial Spirit.
• The Grand Dao Fire engulfed Hongxuan's Primordial Spirit, severing his senses and filling him with terror and despair.
• Hongxuan endured as the fire refined his Primordial Spirit and began to make it dissipate.
• The fire burned the remaining fragment of Hongxuan's True Spirit, causing the light in his eyes to vanish.

Hongxuan recovered after surviving the Decline of the Primordial Spirit Tribulation and realized his primordial spirit and True Spirit had become indestructible. He transformed his Foundation by advancing his body cultivation to the middle stage of the Tenth Revolution Body, leaving him with a mid-grade Chaos Godfiend Origin and renewed hopes of progressing further.

• Hongxuan regained consciousness and discovered that his primordial spirit and True Spirit had survived the tribulation and fused with indestructible divine light.
• Hongxuan reflected on how close he had come to failure and decided to reach the Sub-Sage Seventh Heaven before attempting the next Five Signs of Decay Tribulation.
• Hongxuan realized that surviving the third decay had given his Foundation a chance to transform, so he activated the tenth revolution of the Hongxuan Body Refinement Art.
• Hongxuan reached the middle stage of the Tenth Revolution Body, transforming his Foundation into a mid-grade Chaos Godfiend Origin.

Hongxuan emerged from seclusion after advancing his Foundation to the mid-tier Chaos Godfiend Origin realm, then discussed the ongoing Investiture Great Tribulation and his suspicions about Pangu with Houtu. Houtu asked whether she should establish a Netherworld lineage in the Primordial Wilderness, leaving Hongxuan considering the possibility.

• Hongxuan completed his seclusion and attained a mid-tier Chaos Godfiend Origin Foundation, resolving to stay cautious and continue strengthening himself.
• Houtu welcomed Hongxuan and noticed that his aura had become too mysterious for her to see through.
• Hongxuan calculated that less than ten years had passed and learned that Shen Gongbao had drawn many Western Sect disciples into the Investiture Great Tribulation.
• Hongxuan shared his suspicions about Pangu and the Chaos Gods and Demons with Houtu, whose Earth Dao Supreme Treasure contained related information.
• Houtu asked Hongxuan whether she should establish a Netherworld lineage in the Primordial Wilderness.

Hongxuan advised Houtu to prepare Netherworld lineages for the Human Race after the Investiture Great Tribulation, while the war in the Primordial Wilderness intensified. The chapter leaves the Four Sects’ disciples increasingly caught up in the conflict, with its most dangerous phase still ahead.

• Hongxuan urged Houtu to plan Netherworld teachings for humanity and establish the Netherworld’s prestige after the tribulation.
• The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning and Lord Tongtian watched the war closely, each seeking to protect their disciples from the greatest threats.
• After Wen Zhong died, Deng Jiugong led the campaign against Western Qi and became a major obstacle to Jiang Ziya, aided by Shen Gongbao’s recruited experts.
• Cultivators from the Human Sect and Chan Sect joined Jiang Ziya’s side, while Jie Sect and Western Sect disciples supported Deng Jiugong.
• The tribulation drew disciples from all Four Sects into battle, and lower-level cultivators suffered most as the war grew more intense.

The great tribulation’s battles caused heavy losses among the Chan Sect and Jie Sect, drawing more senior disciples toward the conflict as their grievances deepened. Hongxuan kept Longji protected and prepared for her coming killing tribulation, while Lord Tongtian remained occupied in the chaos.

• Chan Sect disciples including Huang Tianhua and Yang Ren fell, while Nüwa restored Nezha to his Ling Zhuzi origin and brought him back to cultivate at her side.
• Lei Zhenzi recovered Lei Ze’s memories and strength, leaving him destined to reclaim the position of Gouchen Emperor rather than join Western Qi.
• Yin Jiao and Yin Hong fought for the Shang Dynasty, while Jie Sect disciples including Yu Yuan and Holy Mother Fire Spirit were killed and listed.
• The deaths of Wen Zhong and Holy Mother Fire Spirit stirred Holy Mother Jinling and Duobao, but Lord Tongtian could not stop Jie Sect disciples from entering the tribulation.
• Deng Jiugong and Jiang Ziya learned part of the truth and sent cultivators, rather than mortals, into battle; Deng Jiugong resolved never to surrender to Western Qi.
• Hongxuan secretly protected Longji in Deng Jiugong’s camp and prepared for her killing tribulation, which would free her to return to the Heavenly Court.

Hongxuan told Houtu that Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning had plotted against him and the Jie Sect using the Blood Mosquito Demon. He sent mysterious seals toward the Primordial Wilderness, intending to use the demon as a piece in a scheme against Yuanshi, while an unseen voice condemned someone for damaging a supreme treasure and the West’s providence.

• Houtu explained the Blood Mosquito Demon's origins, its Devouring Law, and its long-standing enmity with Old Ancestor Minghe.
• Hongxuan revealed that Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning had targeted him and several Jie Sect disciples after Grand Yi's death.
• Hongxuan said he would turn the Blood Mosquito Demon into a chess piece and make Yuanshi suffer backlash.
• Hongxuan sent mysterious seals toward the Primordial Wilderness, leaving Houtu unable to discern their purpose.
• During the Investiture of the Gods War, someone cursed a fiend for damaging a supreme treasure and destroying the West's providence.

During the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, Mosquito Daoist infiltrated Mount Sumeru and devoured more than half the Eight Treasures Merit Pool and three petals of Sage Receiving’s Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus before escaping. The great experts identified Mosquito Daoist and learned Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning had once threatened him, but they could not discover where he had gone or what scheme had involved him.

• The spreading tribulation aura drove many cultivators to fight recklessly as the Four Sects suffered heavy losses, while Jieyin and Zhunti accepted the Western Sect’s casualties as a chance to spread its teachings eastward.
• Mosquito Daoist infiltrated Mount Sumeru, devoured more than half the Eight Treasures Merit Pool and three petals of the Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus, then escaped before Sage Receiving could catch him.
• Sage Receiving roared in fury after discovering the damage to his treasure, drawing the attention of countless mighty experts.
• The great experts calculated that the culprit was Mosquito Daoist, a powerful devourer from the Blood Sea, but they could not locate him.
• The great experts learned that Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning had once threatened Mosquito Daoist and wondered whether he had used the demon in a scheme against the Western Sect.

The Primordial Wilderness’s powerful figures suspected Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning had arranged the Blood Mosquito Demon’s attack to damage the Western Sect’s foundation. In Pingxin Palace, Hongxuan revealed to Houtu that Mosquito Daoist was a pawn he had influenced through karma and destiny, leaving Houtu reassured about his ability to protect himself.

• The powerful figures realized that damaging the Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus could cripple the Western Sect’s fortune and prevent it from threatening the Chan Sect.
• They concluded that Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning had schemed against the Western Sect and grew wary of him.
• Houtu asked Hongxuan how he had known Mosquito Daoist would infiltrate Mount Sumeru and suspected that the demon was his pawn.
• Hongxuan confirmed Mosquito Daoist was a piece he had laid long ago, but said the demon had never met him or known he existed.
• Hongxuan explained that he used the Law of Karma, the Law of Destiny, and other abilities to influence pieces indirectly and scheme against Sages.
• Houtu stopped questioning Hongxuan’s methods and felt reassured that he could protect himself from the Sages.

Hongxuan revealed that he had arranged for Mosquito Daoist to kill Immortal Chang'er Dingguang, whom he considered a traitor to the Jie Sect. The chapter left Houtu learning that Dingguang had been used as a substitute to avert Senior Sister Guiling’s destined death.

• Laozi, Yuanshi, and Lord Tongtian sensed Jieyin’s fury after Mosquito Daoist devoured the Western Sect’s Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus, and Lord Tongtian accused Yuanshi of scheming against other sects.
• Yuanshi discovered that Mosquito Daoist had appeared in Human territory after leaving the West and had encountered Immortal Chang'er Dingguang.
• Mosquito Daoist attacked Dingguang and devoured his body, primordial spirit, mana, and True Spirit, killing him beyond the reach of the Investiture of the Gods.
• Houtu asked Hongxuan whether he held a grudge against Dingguang, and Hongxuan explained that Dingguang had harbored thoughts of betraying the Jie Sect.
• Hongxuan said he had arranged for Dingguang to take the place of Senior Sister Guiling, who had been destined to suffer the utter destruction of her soul and spirit.

Hongxuan told Houtu that he had arranged for Immortal Chang'er Dingguang’s death to save Holy Mother Guiling from her destined end, while Houtu warned him about an unsettling suspicion concerning Yuanshi. In the chaos, Lord Tongtian blamed Yuanshi for Chang’er’s death, severed the brotherly karma between the Three Purities, and threatened the Chan Sect.

• Hongxuan explained that Immortal Chang'er Dingguang’s death had been arranged to change Holy Mother Guiling’s fate, repaying her for the kindness she had shown him.
• Houtu warned Hongxuan that she had once sensed something disturbing about Yuanshi and advised him to scheme against Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning less often.
• Hongxuan resolved to watch Yuanshi more closely and consider testing him after he reached Sub-Sage Ninth Heaven.
• Lord Tongtian attacked Yuanshi more fiercely, believing he had arranged for Mosquito Daoist to kill Immortal Chang'er Dingguang and destroy his body and soul.
• Lord Tongtian accused Yuanshi of targeting Jie Sect disciples, severed the brotherly karma among the Three Purities, and threatened to slaughter the Chan Sect if Yuanshi attacked his disciples again.

Lord Tongtian severed his ties with Laozi and Yuanshi after Chang'er’s death and vowed to defend Jie Sect against them. As he left to hunt Mosquito Daoist, Jieyin and Zhunti confronted Yuanshi over the damage to the Western Sect’s Merit Golden Lotus.

• Lord Tongtian rebuked Laozi and Yuanshi, declared that he would retaliate against future attacks on Jie Sect, and ended their brotherhood.
• Lord Tongtian resolved to prepare Jie Sect for a life-and-death war with Chan Sect and to avenge Chang'er by destroying Mosquito Daoist, but he could not find the demon.
• Laozi asked Yuanshi whether he had sent Mosquito Daoist to kill Tongtian’s disciples, and Yuanshi stayed silent rather than deny it.
• Jieyin and Zhunti confronted Yuanshi and demanded that he hand over Mosquito Daoist, accusing him of causing the Western Sect’s losses.
• Yuanshi denied knowing Mosquito Daoist’s whereabouts and blamed Jieyin for failing to stop him.

Sage Receiving confronted Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning over Mosquito Daoist and the stolen Three-Petal Golden Lotus of Merit, but Yuanshi refused to yield and drove the Western Sages away. Hongxuan suspected Yuanshi’s behavior was abnormal and prepared to investigate while Mosquito Daoist secluded himself to digest the Golden Lotus of Merit.

• Sage Receiving offered to set aside his hatred if Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning handed over Mosquito Daoist and returned the Three-Petal Golden Lotus of Merit.
• Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning refused to give up Mosquito Daoist or the damaged treasure, and Sage Receiving left with Zhunti after threatening retaliation.
• Hongxuan watched the confrontation with Houtu and suspected that Yuanshi had developed an unknown problem or was acting deliberately.
• Hongxuan told Houtu to continue comprehending the Earth Dao Supreme Treasure and said he would investigate the Sages and prepare for their next moves.
• Mosquito Daoist entered seclusion in a hidden cave to digest the Golden Lotus of Merit he had devoured.

Hongxuan secretly sealed the Three-Petal Golden Lotus of Merit inside Mosquito Daoist and watched the Investiture of the Gods conflict grow more violent as the Western Sect joined the battlefield. He later met Longji and reflected on Deng Chanyu’s fate and the opportunities the tribulation could bring to those outside the Four Sects.

• Hongxuan concealed the Three-Petal Golden Lotus of Merit within Mosquito Daoist, preventing anyone from refining or extracting it while preserving it for his plans.
• Jieyin and Zhunti sent more Western Sect disciples, including Master of Healing and Maitreya, into the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, intensifying the fighting and casualties.
• Hongxuan secretly aided some Jie Sect disciples but stopped intervening often after finding that their death tribulations remained unavoidable and further interference risked drawing in the Sages.
• Longji arrived to meet Hongxuan after spending time in Deng Jiugong’s camp and befriending Deng Chanyu.
• Hongxuan considered that Deng Chanyu’s listing in the Investiture of the Gods could give her a better future than her limited cultivation talent would otherwise allow.

Hongxuan reflected on the benefits of being entered onto the Investiture of the Gods, sent Longji back to the Heavenly Court after her killing tribulation ended, and watched Holy Mother Jinling dominate the Shang-Zhou War. He discovered that Daoist Randeng had allied with the Western Sect, while Longji and Jinling had become close allies.

• Hongxuan considered how being invested could give Deng Chanyu a secure future in the Heavenly Court, so he did not interfere with her destined path.
• Hongxuan told Longji her killing tribulation had passed and sent her back to the Heavenly Court.
• Holy Mother Jinling entered the Shang-Zhou War and defeated Guang Chengzi, Daoist Randeng, and other Chan Sect disciples despite their combined efforts.
• Hongxuan discovered that Daoist Randeng had accepted help from Zhunti to advance to Quasi-Sage in exchange for betraying the Chan Sect and joining the West.
• Holy Mother Jinling's victories spread her fame, and Hongxuan realized she had helped Longji complete her killing tribulation and become her ally.

Hongxuan watched Kunpeng join the battle against the Jie Sect, but returned the Qingping Sword to Lord Tongtian when he learned Tongtian planned to confront Laozi and Yuanshi. On the battlefield, Lei Ze challenged Kunpeng to settle their karmic debt, while Hongxuan remained hidden.

• Hongxuan recognized Kunpeng as Yuanshi's Quasi-Sage ally and considered intervening to protect Holy Mother Jinling.
• Lord Tongtian sent word that he would recall the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords and the Immortal-Slaying Formation Diagram to battle Laozi and Yuanshi, so Hongxuan sent back the Qingping Sword.
• Hongxuan decided not to appear because Tongtian's attention had turned to the battlefield and Jinling would be protected.
• Lei Ze appeared on Deng Jiugong's side, and Hongxuan understood that Kunpeng would serve as a test of Lei Ze's fitness to become the Gouchen Emperor.
• Lei Ze challenged Kunpeng to settle their karmic debt, and Kunpeng sneered at him for having only just returned through reincarnation.

Lei Ze defeated Kunpeng and headed to the Heavenly Court to take up his destined role as Gouchen Emperor, while Haotian celebrated his return. The Queen Mother warned Haotian that a Sage might be backing Lei Ze and that his strength could threaten their interests.

• Kunpeng underestimated Lei Ze, but Lei Ze revealed late Quasi-Sage strength and a mysterious power that restrained Kunpeng.
• Lei Ze injured Kunpeng, who fled the battle as observers praised Lei Ze and condemned Kunpeng.
• Hongxuan realized Lei Ze could return to his place as Gouchen Emperor without the Investiture of the Gods, completing the return of the Heavenly Court's Four Emperors.
• Lei Ze nodded to Deng Jiugong, Holy Mother Jinling, and the others, then left for the Heavenly Court while considering his debt to Goddess Nüwa.
• Haotian celebrated Lei Ze's impending return, but the Queen Mother cautioned that a Sage might be supporting him and that he could oppose their interests.