Recaps

The Heart Gu Tribe's Flying Beast Army arrived at Songshan County with reinforcements Xu Qi'an had arranged, turning the battle against Zhuo Haoran's forces and saving the town. Two days later, Tamo reached Qingzhou City as Yang Gong and his advisers prepared for Songshan County's fall, unaware that help had already arrived.

• Miao Youfang recognized Tamo's Flying Beast Army as friendly reinforcements sent by Xu Qi'an, and Xu Xinnian confirmed their arrival to Songshan County's defenders.
• Xu Xinnian sent the Flying Beast Army against Zhuo Haoran's retreating troops, and they killed or captured hundreds of soldiers and Vermilion Bird Army riders while Zhuo Haoran escaped.
• Tamo told Xu Xinnian that Strength Gu, Corpse Gu, and Shadow Gu had sent about a thousand more warriors, and Xu Xinnian dispatched Tamo to Qingzhou City with a letter for Yang Gong.
• Two days later, Yang Gong and his advisers discussed the likely fall of Songshan County and how to counter the Flying Beast Army.
• A clerk announced that a flying rider carrying a Great Feng flag had arrived outside Qingzhou City and claimed to be from the Gu Race.

Yang Gong learned that Xu Ningyan had secured a large Gu Race force for Great Feng, while Yunzhou discovered its troops had been defeated at Songshan County. In Dongling, Xu Pingfeng said he had finally worked out who the Gatekeeper was, but did not reveal the identity.

• Gu Qi and Tamo arrived in Qingzhou with Xu Xinnian’s report that Songshan County had been saved and Xu Ningyan’s letter detailing the Gu Race reinforcements.
• Yang Gong learned the Gu Race would send five hundred flying beast riders and thousands of other elite warriors, and the advisers celebrated the aid while discussing its cost.
• At the Yunzhou camp, Qi Guangbo learned that Songshan County had annihilated Zhuo Haoran’s six thousand troops and that only eight of the forty Vermilion Bird Army riders had returned.
• Xu Pingfeng, recovering from severe injuries in Dongling, told Jialuoshu that the Gu Race alliance was a pretext to bring the White Emperor’s incarnation to the Gu God.
• Xu Pingfeng said he had finally resolved who the Gatekeeper was, but left Jialuoshu without an answer.

Xu Qi'an woke after fighting Luo Yuheng’s evil personality, who teased him before warning that his coming expedition with the Demon Race might be a Buddhist Order trap. The chapter left Xu Qi'an realizing Luo Yuheng had deliberately tested him and questioning the danger of the campaign to reclaim the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

• Xu Pingfeng spoke with Bodhisattva Jialuoshu about the first generation’s failed attack and his plan to wait in Qingzhou.
• Xu Qi'an woke after Luo Yuheng’s evil personality had scattered his Primordial Spirit and recalled their fight over Mu Nanzhi.
• Luo Yuheng teased Xu Qi'an, then asked about his strength and how he and Sun Xuanji had held off Asuro.
• Luo Yuheng warned that the Buddhist Order might be luring the Demon Race into a failed attempt to reclaim the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
• Xu Qi'an realized Luo Yuheng had deliberately fought him to make him notice the danger.

Xu Qi'an questioned Asuro’s strength and suspected a conflict between Mahayana and Hinayana, then prepared to travel to the Southern Frontier. Meanwhile, Luo Yuheng stole Lina and Xu Lingyin’s roasted rats, and Asuro entered the Eight Sufferings Formation for the Buddhist Order’s trials.

• Xu Qi'an reasoned that Asuro had concealed his true strength and suspected the Buddhist Order’s internal conflict had shaped their battle.
• Xu Qi'an told Mu Nanzhi that Luo Yuheng had threatened her, then explained that he would take Baiji to contact the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox in the Southern Frontier.
• Xu Qi'an showed Chai Xing'er a half-map and learned that she knew little about her clan’s ancestor or the map’s other half.
• Luo Yuheng stole Lina and Xu Lingyin’s roasted rats, leaving Lina to claim they had run away and Xu Lingyin to cry.
• Arhat Du'e told Asuro to pass the Eight Sufferings Formation and Heart-Questioning Trial, and Asuro entered the golden alms bowl to begin.

Asuro passed the Eight Sufferings Formation and sounded the bronze bell, while Xu Qi'an and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox discussed the Buddhist Order’s plans and a possible strike near Aranda. The southern demons’ restoration and the war against Yunzhou remained in the balance as Zhao Shou brought news of a Gu Race alliance to the capital.

• Asuro calmly passed through the Eight Sufferings Formation, rang the ancient bronze bell eighty-one times, and received Du'e’s recognition of his unblemished Buddhist heart.
• Xu Lingyin reconciled with Lina after Lina gave her a sweet potato, then Xu Lingyin spat on the potatoes Lina hoped to share.
• Xu Qi'an questioned the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox about Asuro’s hidden strength, and she outlined possible Buddhist schemes and a plan to teleport near Aranda to seize Shenshu’s head.
• Xu Qi'an asked the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox to help capture Du'e and remove his final Demon-Sealing Nail, and she promised to reveal where Netherworld Silkworm Silk could be found after the demons restored their kingdom.
• Xu Pingfeng and Bodhisattva Jialuoshu chose to wait in Qingzhou, while Salun Agu and Wuda Baota discussed the southern demons’ chances and the missing Ringing Gold Stone.
• Zhao Shou told the Superintendent that the Gu Race had offered to ally with Great Feng, and the Superintendent allowed him to deliver Yang Gong’s memorial to the young emperor.

Emperor Yongxing learned that Xu Qi'an had secured an alliance with the Gu Race to support Qingzhou, then agreed to Qian Qingshu's proposal to suppress the refugee bandits. Fearing Xu Qi'an would join Prince Yan's camp, he decided to marry Lin'an to him, and the chapter ended with the empress telling Lin'an that His Majesty had come to discuss her marriage.

• Emperor Yongxing heard ministers argue over whether to suppress the refugee bandits or focus on Qingzhou, and Zhao Shou appeared to deliver a memorial announcing the Gu Race's alliance with Great Feng.
• Emperor Yongxing accepted Qian Qingshu's private proposal to send troops against the bandits, while privately recognizing that the refugee uprising was another threat to his rule.
• Emperor Yongxing decided to marry Lin'an to Xu Qi'an because he feared Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian would support Prince Yan.
• Prince Yan visited Huaiqing to discuss Zhao Shou's palace visit, and they agreed to go together to Clear Cloud Mountain to see him.
• The empress told Lin'an that Emperor Yongxing had come to discuss her marriage, and Lin'an's expression changed abruptly.

Lin'an learned that the Emperor intended to betroth her to Silver Gong Xu, and she eagerly accepted after first believing she was being offered to a noble’s son. Meanwhile, Xu Qi'an and Luo Yuheng witnessed the demons gather a vast living sacrifice to restore Shenshu, just as the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox arrived.

• The Empress Dowager told Lin'an that the Emperor wished to arrange her marriage, and Lin'an insisted she would marry no one.
• After learning the proposed groom was Silver Gong Xu, Lin'an immediately agreed, then nearly collapsed outside the palace and wept in confusion.
• At Clear Wind Cliff, Xu Qi'an and Luo Yuheng watched demons gather living creatures for a sacrifice to restore Shenshu's strength.
• Eighteen Fourth Rank demon protectors arrived with more captives, and Xu Qi'an considered the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons' strength.
• Elder Qingji welcomed Her Highness, and the demons' bell signaled the arrival of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox.

Xu Qi'an joined the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox in rallying the demons to reclaim their homeland and form an alliance against the Buddhist Order. As the demons began a ritual to restore a powerful figure, the Western Regions’ guards spotted a vast mass approaching Southern City.

• The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox called on the demons to reclaim their homeland, and Xu Qi'an revealed himself with a dramatic display of power.
• Xu Qi'an announced an alliance between Great Feng and the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, then used Heart Gu to inflame the demons’ hatred of the Buddhist Order.
• Two chests and the Pagoda Treasure Tower’s arm released body parts into a pit, where tens of thousands of animals withered as bloody light rose into the sky.
• Yeji rallied demons at another stronghold, while the Bear King’s sleepy speech briefly made them drowsy before he roared them back into a battle frenzy.
• Western Regions guards on Southern City’s wall saw a vast mass of dark clouds advancing toward them.

The Demon Race launched a major assault on Southern City, where Buddhist defenders and Western Regions soldiers struggled to hold the walls. Xu Qi'an emerged during the battle and killed Asuro, leaving the fighting unresolved as he appeared like a god of war to both armies.

• The Demon Race attacked Southern City from the forest and sky, and the Southern Dharma Temple raised a golden dome that blocked the bird demons.
• An enormous iron-eating beast shattered the dome, allowing the bird demons and ground troops to breach the defenses and overwhelm the walls.
• Arhat Du'e and a formation of 108 Chan Masters strengthened the defenders with their chanting, while the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox countered with seductive illusions.
• Arhat Du'e and Asuro attacked Bear King together, and Asuro beheaded him while Du'e crushed his body with a Buddha palm.
• Asuro tried to seal Bear King with a golden alms bowl but was overcome by Bear King's drowsiness, allowing Xu Qi'an to emerge from a shadow and cut off Asuro's head with his sword.
• Xu Qi'an withdrew while recovering from Jade Shatters, then cast a ring of fire behind his head as the armies saw him as a god of war.

Xu Qi'an used the Pagoda Treasure Tower to turn Arhat Du'e against the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox long enough to break the Chan formation. The fight shifted when Du'e summoned a young monk whose Great Reincarnation Dharma Idol revived the fallen across the battlefield.

• Arhat Du'e used Buddhist Precepts and the Slayer of Thieves Fruition to hinder Xu Qi'an and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox while the 108 Chan Masters maintained their formation.
• Xu Qi'an used the Pagoda Treasure Tower's Great Wisdom Dharma Idol to reverse Du'e's judgment, making him attack the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox.
• While Du'e struck the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox with a Buddha's palm, Xu Qi'an unleashed a powerful sword strike and broke the Chan formation.
• The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox killed the fallen Chan Masters, and Xu Qi'an used the Pharmacist Dharma Idol to help her recover.
• Du'e summoned a young monk, whose Great Reincarnation Dharma Idol revived the dead across the battlefield, except those whose souls had been scattered.

Bodhisattva Guangxian resurrected the dead and offered the Demon Race territory and Xu Qi'an a place in the Buddhist Order, but both refused. Guangxian then used the Great Reincarnation Dharma Idol to weaken Xu Qi'an and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, and Shenshu arrived on the battlefield.

• Bodhisattva Guangxian resurrected the fallen and restored Asuro and the Bear King, while Xu Qi'an and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox realized Guangxian had sent an avatar.
• Guangxian offered the Demon Race half the Hundred Thousand Mountains, but the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox rejected his proposal and Xu Qi'an stirred the demons’ anger with Empathy.
• Guangxian invited Xu Qi'an to join the Buddhist Order and explained his role in Emperor Wuzong’s rebellion, while Xu Qi'an healed the Bear King and questioned him.
• Guangxian activated the Great Reincarnation Dharma Idol, shrinking the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, Xu Qi'an, and Qingji and weakening their strength.
• Asuro attacked the Bear King, but the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox pulled him away and summoned Shenshu, whose arrival alarmed Guangxian.

Shenshu fought Bodhisattva Guangxian and Asuro while Xu Qi'an and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox battled Arhat Du'e. Shenshu unleashed a devastating attack that left Asuro apparently dead, with no trace of his Primordial Spirit.

• Shenshu's presence drove the soldiers and demons into madness, so Guangxian used his Great Compassion and Great Mercy Dharma Idol to calm them and stop the fighting.
• Shenshu defiled Guangxian's Dharma Idol and smashed a wide breach in the southern city wall, while Asuro intervened to keep him from attacking Guangxian.
• The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox attacked Guangxian, and Xu Qi'an helped defend her from Du'e's prayer beads before trying to stab Du'e with the Nation-Guarding Sword.
• Shenshu overpowered Asuro despite his Buddhist Precepts and meditation art, then struck him with black-and-red energy that destroyed his head and chest.
• Xu Qi'an sensed no trace of Asuro's Primordial Spirit and wondered whether he was dead.

Xu Qi'an and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox watched Bodhisattva Guangxian use the Great Reincarnation Dharma Idol to awaken Shenshu’s buried memories, but the attempt sent Shenshu into a frenzy. Shenshu attacked Xu Qi'an and then turned toward the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, Asuro, and Arhat Du'e.

• Xu Qi'an realized the Reincarnation Dharma Idol had made him regress in age, while the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox explained its effects and warned Shenshu to devour Asuro’s blood essence.
• Asuro’s Primordial Spirit emerged through the Great Reincarnation Dharma Idol, freezing Shenshu and letting Bodhisattva Guangxian appear and attempt to guide him into reincarnation.
• Xu Qi'an’s Corpse Gu made Asuro’s headless body kick apart Bodhisattva Guangxian’s avatar, after which Asuro revived and shattered the parasites inside him.
• Shenshu remained confused about his identity, then lost control and transformed into a towering Dharma Idol; Xu Qi'an recognized that Shenshu was seeking the severed limb inside him.
• Shenshu struck Xu Qi'an, shattering his bones and sending him crashing into a mountain, but Xu Qi'an used Jade Shatters to disrupt Shenshu and buy time.
• Arhat Du'e and Asuro confronted the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, while Shenshu lost track of Xu Qi'an and turned toward the three Transcendent experts.

Xu Qi'an and the Transcendents joined forces to suppress Shenshu with a Demon-Sealing Nail after his rampage threatened the Demon Race’s plans. The nail shrank Shenshu’s Dharma Idol and Asura Domain, but he still did not recover his sanity, instead remembering that he was the Buddha.

• Asuro, Arhat Du'e, and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox attacked Shenshu, while Du'e used the Worthy of Offerings Sarira to save Asuro and strengthen a prayer-bead strike that destroyed Shenshu’s head.
• Shenshu recovered his head, trapped the fighters in the Asura Domain, and prevented Du'e’s Sarira from teleporting him and Asuro away.
• Xu Qi'an proposed using the Bear King’s sleep-inducing power to weaken Shenshu, then pierced Shenshu’s chest with the Nation-Guarding Sword and drove a Demon-Sealing Nail into him.
• Shenshu’s Dharma Idol and domain contracted, but he remained confused and asked who he was before declaring that he was the Buddha.

Xu Qi'an and the Transcendent experts debated whether Shenshu was Buddha, the Asura King, or both, then avoided a fight while the Demon Race prepared to reclaim its homeland. After defeating the Western Regions’ armies, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox restored the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons.

• Shenshu claimed he was Buddha, and Xu Qi'an questioned Du'e and Asuro about Buddha, the Asura King, and the demon-sweeping war.
• Xu Qi'an proposed that the Buddha in Aranda might be an impostor, or that Buddha and Shenshu were once one being; Du'e and Asuro agreed to investigate the Confucian Sage’s statue in Aranda.
• Xu Qi'an and the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox withdrew with Shenshu and the Bear King, while Xu Qi'an promised the demons would retake the Mountain of Ten Thousand Demons in three days.
• The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox teased the temporarily child-sized Xu Qi'an, and he told her he planned to treat Fuxiang to enoki mushroom.
• After twenty days of fighting, the Demon Race drove the Western Regions’ armies out of the Southern Frontier and captured troops and civilians.
• The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox proclaimed the restoration of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, an event later called the Southern Demon Restoration.

Xu Qi'an learned more about the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox and prepared to travel with Mu Nanzhi to Silkworm Island. Mu Nanzhi asked to return to the capital, but Xu Qi'an arranged for Baiji to keep her company, while Asuro and Du'e began investigating the Buddhist Order's next moves.

• Yeji told Xu Qi'an that she and her eight sisters were split souls of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox and explained the fox's innate abilities.
• Baiji told Mu Nanzhi she might stay in the Southern Frontier, and Qingji came to take her away.
• The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox gave Xu Qi'an a map of Silkworm Island and described its poisonous creatures and dangerous Netherworld Silkworms.
• As Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi left Southern City for Silkworm Island, Mu Nanzhi said she wanted to return to the capital, and Xu Qi'an arranged for Baiji to accompany her.
• Asuro told Du'e that Bodhisattva Guangxian and Bodhisattva Liuli were contacting Bodhisattva Jialuoshu, and Du'e sent Asuro to check the Asura King's remains while he went to see the Buddha.

Asuro entered the Demon-Suppressing Ravine to search for the Asura King's remains and heard someone breathing in its darkness. Meanwhile, Arhat Du'e discovered that the Confucian Sage's statue had been shattered, but Bodhisattva Guangxian stopped him from seeking the Buddha, and a voice whispered for help as Du'e left.

• Bodhisattva Guangxian, Bodhisattva Liuli, and Bodhisattva Jialuoshu discussed the restored southern demon nation, Asuro's Buddhist heart, Liuli's injuries, and the stalemate in Qingzhou.
• Asuro entered the Demon-Suppressing Ravine and heard rhythmic breathing deep in its pitch-black passage.
• Arhat Du'e entered the meditation grove and found the Confucian Sage's statue shattered beneath the bodhi tree.
• Bodhisattva Guangxian told Du'e that the Buddha would awaken and grant an audience only when He chose, then ordered him to leave.
• As Du'e passed Bodhisattva Guangxian on his way out, an eerie voice whispered, "Save me, save me."

Arhat Du'e and Asuro compared their probes into Aranda's secrets and decided to await a Southern Demons attack before investigating further. News of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons' restoration spread through Great Feng, while Lin'an worried about marrying into the Xu Household and a strange beast arrived at the Heaven Sect.

• Arhat Du'e heard a cry for help near the collapsed Confucian Sage statue, avoided questioning Bodhisattva Guangxian further, and left the meditation grove.
• Asuro reported breathing in the Demon-Suppressing Ravine, and he and Arhat Du'e agreed to suspend their investigation until the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox came to retrieve Shenshu's head.
• Xu Pingfeng questioned whether Bodhisattva Guangxian was unable to leave Aranda, but Bodhisattva Jialuoshu gave no answer.
• Zhao Shou assigned Cloud Deer Academy essays on the Southern Demons' restored nation, and the scholars credited Xu Qi'an with helping restrain the Buddhist Order.
• Wang Simu made Lin'an wary of the Xu Household's mistress and Xu Lingyue, before Emperor Yongxing confirmed Xu Qi'an's leading role in the Southern Demons' victory.
• A strange white-scaled beast descended from the sea of clouds above the Heaven Sect.

The White Emperor studied the Heaven Sect’s cultivation texts and concluded that the Dao Venerable had likely perished, though the identity of the Gatekeeper remained unknown. Meanwhile, Xu Qi'an and the Heaven and Earth Society discussed Emperor Yongxing’s actions and Xu Qi'an’s betrothal to Lin'an before Xu Qi'an began revealing what he had learned about Buddha.

• The White Emperor visited the Heavenly Venerable, questioned him about the Dao Venerable’s disappearance, and requested the Heaven, Earth, and Human Sects’ cultivation methods.
• After reading the three texts, the White Emperor concluded that the Dao Venerable had likely perished and wondered who the Gatekeeper was, then left without revealing what had happened.
• Xu Qi'an read messages from the Heaven and Earth Society as Li Lingsu and Li Miaozhen reported that government troops had attacked their forces.
• Huaiqing explained that Emperor Yongxing likely suspected a prince was secretly building power, and the members criticized Yongxing’s lack of ability and boldness.
• Huaiqing announced that Yongxing had arranged Xu Qi'an’s marriage to Lin'an, prompting congratulations and teasing from the Society members.
• Xu Qi'an changed the subject by reporting that the southern demons had restored the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, then said his Southern Frontier trip had revealed something major about Buddha.

Xu Qi'an told the Heaven and Earth Society that Shenshu was Buddha and discussed the mystery of Buddha's identity and the Sixty-Year Demon-Sweeping Campaign. Meanwhile, the White Emperor met Salun Agu at Jingshan City and began explaining its return to the Nine Provinces, leaving its purpose still unknown.

• Xu Qi'an revealed that Shenshu had been the Half-Step Martial God in the Sixty-Year Demon-Sweeping Campaign and that Shenshu was Buddha.
• Xu Qi'an recounted Shenshu's transformation from Asura King to Buddha, and the Heaven and Earth Society members considered who might have sealed him.
• Huaiqing suggested that an unknown being above the First Rank might have sought to usurp Buddha, while the others weighed possible explanations.
• Lina asked Xu Qi'an to bring her and Lingyin to the capital for his wedding, and he put away his Earth Book Fragment.
• The White Emperor met Salun Agu at Jingshan City and explained that it had returned after discovering the Dao Venerable had disappeared.
• Salun Agu asked why the White Emperor had returned to the Nine Provinces and sought him out, but the White Emperor had not yet answered.

The White Emperor told Salun Agu that he suspected the First Chief Astrologer had been the Gatekeeper, prompting them to revisit the astrologer’s rise and death. Later, Xu Pingfeng agreed to a request from the White Emperor, while Xu Qi'an realized the Chai Clan’s map was no longer useful because Xu Pingfeng had already seen the Corpse Gu Tribe’s copy.

• The White Emperor explained that an ancient upheaval was approaching and that finding and killing the Gatekeeper was necessary to survive it.
• Salun Agu revealed that the First Chief Astrologer had rapidly developed unusual ideas about fate and created the Warlock System while campaigning with Great Feng’s Emperor Gaozu.
• The White Emperor suspected the First Chief Astrologer had been the Gatekeeper, and Salun Agu confirmed that the astrologer had truly died and his Dao had dissipated.
• The White Emperor sent Xu Pingfeng a message agreeing to his request, and Xu Pingfeng told Qi Guangbo that the time had come.
• Xu Qi'an asked Li Miaozhen and Li Lingsu to interpret the Chai Clan’s map, but neither recognized its patterns as mountain and river earth veins.
• Xu Qi'an inferred that Xu Pingfeng had already studied the Corpse Gu Tribe’s map before searching the Chai Clan, making the half-scroll map worthless.

Xu Qi'an reconsidered the ancient tomb’s requirements, arranged for Chai Xing'er to be sent to Li Lingsu, and amused himself aboard the ship. Meanwhile, Daoist Jinlian emerged from half a year of seclusion as a transcendent, and Chu Caiwei traveled with Yang Qianhuan toward Li Lingsu.

• Xu Qi'an learned that opening the ancient tomb required blood from a Chai Clan descendant and decided to send Chai Xing'er to Li Lingsu.
• Xu Qi'an used the Heaven-Encompassing Divine Mirror and traded teasing remarks with its spirit while watching Mu Nanzhi aboard the ship.
• Daoist Bailian and her disciples witnessed Daoist Jinlian break through into the transcendent realm after half a year in seclusion.
• Daoist Jinlian learned from the disciples about the many disasters and upheavals that had occurred during his absence.
• Chu Caiwei continued traveling with Yang Qianhuan, who planned to visit his sworn brother Li Lingsu and discuss a scheme against Xu Qi'an.

Yang Qianhuan and Chu Caiwei encountered starving refugees and followed their leader, Lan Lan, to Li Lingsu’s mountain stronghold. Yang Qianhuan arranged to shelter the refugees and revealed his plan to raise an army and outshine Xu Qi'an, though he kept the details secret.

• Chu Caiwei gave steamed buns and water to a starving mother and child, who explained that bandits brought food to the refugees nearby.
• Lan Lan led riders to distribute buns, then brought Yang Qianhuan and Chu Caiwei to her stronghold to meet Li Lingsu.
• Li Lingsu introduced Yang Qianhuan and Chu Caiwei to Zhao Susu, Yu Hanxiu, and Lan Lan, who helped run the stronghold.
• Chu Caiwei explained that she and Yang Qianhuan had been banished after Yang planned to donate the Directorate of Astronomy’s wealth.
• Yang Qianhuan asked Li Lingsu to shelter the refugees, promising to buy provisions with the gold he had received.
• Yang Qianhuan said he planned to gather the refugees into an army and use the effort to eclipse Xu Qi'an.

Yang Qianhuan planned to surpass Xu Qi'an by quelling the rebellion, but Li Lingsu told him Xu Qi'an had already achieved deeds destined for history. At Silkworm Island, Xu Qi'an obtained Netherworld Silkworm Silk by trading three drops of his blood essence, and the ancient Netherworld Silkworm noticed a familiar presence on Mu Nanzhi.

• Yang Qianhuan announced his plan to gather displaced people, defeat the rebels, and win lasting fame greater than Xu Qi'an's.
• Li Lingsu revealed that Xu Qi'an had helped restore the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons and changed the fate of the Nine Provinces, leaving Yang Qianhuan stunned.
• Xu Qi'an, Mu Nanzhi, and Baiji entered the miasma-filled valley on Silkworm Island and drew out the giant Netherworld Silkworm.
• Baiji translated between Xu Qi'an and the Netherworld Silkworm, allowing them to agree on an exchange of silk for three drops of Xu Qi'an's blood essence.
• The Netherworld Silkworm regained its youthful appearance after drinking the blood and then sensed a familiar presence on Mu Nanzhi.

Xu Qi'an learned from the Netherworld Silkworm that the Gods and Devils had slaughtered one another in an ancient catastrophe, and that Mu Nanzhi was the reincarnation of the Undying Divine Tree. The story then shifted to Qingzhou, where Yang Gong weighed a desperate proposal to feed Songshan County’s flying beasts human corpses as the defenders faced starvation.

• The Netherworld Silkworm recognized Mu Nanzhi as the Undying Divine Tree and told Xu Qi'an that the Gods and Devils had suddenly gone mad and killed one another.
• The Netherworld Silkworm said the Dao Venerable might know what caused the Gods and Devils’ madness, and identified the White Emperor’s race as the Lin, which a descendant of Great Desolation had devoured.
• The Netherworld Silkworm explained that eating Mu Nanzhi could only take a share of her spiritual essence, then Xu Qi'an left the island with Mu Nanzhi and Baiji.
• Li Mubai told Yang Gong that Songshan County’s defenders were running out of provisions because the Gu tribesmen and flying beasts consumed so much food.
• Yang Gong rejected using rebel corpses to feed the flying beasts, and Li Mubai urged the advisers to wait until the spring sacrifice as Qingzhou’s situation held.