Chapter Summaries

Ziyue deduced that the captain of the guard had helped the Daoist School develop biological puppets through the Ancient Demon Clan, and she revealed that the King of Qin had already found the Daoist School's gate. She left the captain alive so she could watch him panic.

• Ziyue connected the captain of the guard's Four Saints Guard plan and the Ancient Demon Clan's biological puppets to the Daoist School's hidden scheme.
• The captain of the guard said the King of Qin had fallen into the Daoist School's plan in the East Sea, but Ziyue said she and the King of Qin had made an agreement.
• Ziyue explained that she had saved the captain so the King of Qin could track him to the Daoist School's gate.
• Ziyue showed the captain a message confirming that the King of Qin had succeeded in finding the gate.
• Ziyue told the panicking captain that she had kept him alive because she wanted to see him like that.

The King of Qin investigated a fisherwoman’s report that her husband had become violent and obsessed with finding Penglai Island. At her home, he discovered that bizarre figures had taken over the household and revealed they had planted seeds in the East Sea people.

• The King of Qin greeted East Sea fishermen and considered how his rule protected them from monsters and dangerous weather.
• Auntie Li told the King of Qin that her husband had gone mad, bitten people, and insisted on sailing to Penglai Island.
• The King of Qin left his patrol and followed Auntie Li to her home, where the family appeared to be controlled by strange figures.
• The King of Qin sent Auntie Li and her child away, sealed the house with a barrier, and confronted the figures.
• The figures asked how the King of Qin knew they had planted seeds in the East Sea people, and he declared that the locals were not normal.

The King of Qin confronted three Daoist School figures and deduced that they had secretly replaced the people of the East Sea with flesh-and-blood puppets. He proposed an alliance, offering access to the Central Plains army, and left them intrigued by his claim that he still had resources from his past.

• The King of Qin explained that the East Sea people’s uniform lives, lack of commerce, and absence of education suggested they were deliberately created replacements.
• He identified the three figures as members of the Daoist School and linked their work to Painted Skin Mister’s methods.
• The King of Qin argued that the Daoist School needed the Four Saints Guard and a larger army to activate more Dao soldiers.
• The three figures doubted he could control the Central Plains army, which belonged to the Xiao Household and Ghost King Xiang.
• The King of Qin claimed he still had something left from his past, leaving the three figures curious about what he meant.

Zhang Zhengyuan and the Xiao Household’s head realized that many Flying Dragon Army officers still respected the King of Qin, who might have allied with the Daoist School. Chen Qing and Ziyue discovered that the King of Qin likely knew where their scattered army was and planned to use his own forces to protect the Daoist School.

• Zhang Zhengyuan learned that at least seventy percent of the Flying Dragon Army’s colonels and junior officers had once served the King of Qin, and the Xiao Household’s head feared he had contacted the Daoist School.
• Ziyue told Chen Qing that she had teleported much of the white jade and the army to an unknown location, and that the King of Qin probably knew where they were.
• Chen Qing and Ziyue reasoned that the King of Qin had joined forces with the Daoist School and intended to guard it during its early revival.
• Chen Qing concluded that the King of Qin could impersonate him to influence the Fighter Army, but would only need to deceive them briefly because he already had an army of his own.

The Grand Princess learned that Buddhist lights had changed most of her deputy generals and could also affect ordinary soldiers. Chen Qing and Ziyue set out for the capital instead of returning to Jiangnan, hoping to settle his debt to the Human Emperor and claim a share of the Central Plains’ providence.

• The Grand Princess met Tian Heng, who said joining Chen Qing had given him and his men a secure and prosperous life.
• Tian Heng revealed that nearly seventy percent of the Grand Princess’s deputy generals had visited Buddhist temples, returned changed, and might have spread the condition to their soldiers.
• Chen Qing told Ziyue to trust Wei Gongcheng, the Shen Family, and A Li to handle Jiangnan’s Buddhist awakening crisis.
• Chen Qing explained that Elder Liu’s defenses made the route to Jiangnan dangerous and that he was heading to the capital to settle his karma with the Human Emperor.
• Chen Qing said he had a fifty percent chance of success if Zhang Zhengyuan’s supercomputer had not failed them.

The eldest princess learned that the Ghost King army's commanders had visited Buddhist temples and that the Hong Household might still be trustworthy despite being affected by the Buddhist light. She headed to Great Azure Mountain to meet Hong Lie and his father, who were waiting to see whether the emperor would respond before the other deputy commanders made a move.

• Tian Heng told the eldest princess that Lan Shang had become commander of the Ghost King army and that the commanders had visited Buddhist temples.
• Tian Heng identified the Hong Household as the most reliable deputy commanders, though they too had visited the temples and might have been affected by the Buddhist light.
• The eldest princess decided to go to Great Azure Mountain and warned Tian Heng to watch out for the King of Qin.
• Hong Lie asked his father why they were on Great Azure Mountain, and his father explained that the other deputy commanders might attack them.
• Hong Lie's father said they would wait for His Majesty to react, since the other commanders might learn that the Thousand-Faced Fox was no longer on the mountain.

With Jiangnan weakened by the Buddha light and its enemies, A Li considered attacking Lan Shang, but Wei Gongcheng and Shen Er warned that she was still vulnerable. Shen Er revealed that the Grand Princess had arrived at Great Azure Mountain, and Wei Gongcheng was urged to meet her; there, she questioned the Hong father and son about the Buddha light.

• A Li proposed using her memory-altering ability to take down Lan Shang, but Wei Gongcheng refused because she had not recovered and might be bait for a trap.
• Shen Er arrived and warned that A Li's death would restore the dangerous woman's memories, while also admitting he could not recover without Master.
• Shen Er reported that the Grand Princess had passed through Nanming City and gone to Great Azure Mountain, prompting him to urge Wei Gongcheng to meet her and seek her help.
• The Grand Princess reached Great Azure Mountain and cautiously verified the Hong father and son were genuine before demanding to know what the Buddha light contained.

The Hong family head revealed that Buddhist light had awakened memories of nine past lives, including one as a Yaksha demon, and that his demonic bloodline and abilities were returning. The eldest princess reassured him of her trust, but the King of Qin appeared and interrupted them.

• The Hong family head told the eldest princess that Buddhist light had awakened memories of his past lives, and Hong Lie realized that his father's identity and loyalties might have changed.
• The Hong family head explained that he had lived nine past lives, including one as a Yaksha great general and man-eating demon, and insisted that he remained loyal to humanity.
• The eldest princess noticed the Hong family head's demonic scent, and Hong Lie saw scales covering his father's body.
• The Hong family head pleaded for the eldest princess to believe his loyalty, and she comforted him and affirmed her trust.
• The King of Qin arrived, startling Hong Lie and the others.

The King of Qin met the Hong Household Head and the eldest princess, offering to cooperate against the Buddha Kingdom and naming the Daoist School as his strength. Meanwhile, Wei Gongcheng inferred that the King of Qin had entered Great Azure Mountain and warned Wei Gongzhan that he might be targeting undefended Jiangnan.

• The Hong Household Head paid obeisance to the King of Qin, who reflected on their past disagreement and acknowledged why the Hong Household Head had opposed him.
• The King of Qin told the eldest princess he wanted to cooperate with her and her allies against the Buddha Kingdom, arguing that humans and demons had to coexist.
• The eldest princess challenged the King of Qin to explain what he could offer, and he answered, "The Daoist School."
• Wei Gongcheng brought Wei Gongzhan along to meet the eldest princess and praised his younger cousin's abilities.
• Wei Gongcheng tested Wei Gongzhan's judgment, and Wei Gongzhan concluded that the King of Qin might be the powerful intruder at Great Azure Mountain.
• Wei Gongcheng said the King of Qin would likely exploit Jiangnan's undefended interior and revealed that the soldiers Lord Ziyue had taken were in the King of Qin's hands.

At the pass, Tian Heng allowed the Grand Princess to proceed to Great Azure Mountain, while Lan Shang returned. The King of Qin met with Wei Gongcheng and explained how the Buddha Kingdom used dreams and fabricated past lives to tempt soldiers, leaving Wei to grasp the danger to the imperial army.

• Yan Lei questioned whether Tian Heng should let the Grand Princess enter Jiangnan, and Tian Heng said he could not stop her and hoped she might help counter the Buddha light.
• A captain reported that Lan Shang had returned, and Tian Heng went to see him.
• Wei Gongcheng arrived and met the Grand Princess and the King of Qin, who proposed a temporary cooperation.
• The King of Qin warned Wei that the imperial army's generals were being tempted by the Buddha light and could sway their troops into joining the Buddha Kingdom.
• Wei asked how the Buddha Kingdom could influence ordinary soldiers, and the King of Qin explained that its dreams could mix real and fabricated past lives.
• Wei realized the promise of a heroic past life could exploit frustrated soldiers' desires and potentially sway most of the imperial army within days.

Tian Heng and Lan Shang each suspected the other of disloyalty after learning that the Eldest Princess had returned, and both prepared to seize control of the army. Lan Shang decided to act that night, planning to break through the pass and head north with the Heavenly Python.

• Tian Heng noticed Lan Shang's wariness when he mentioned the Eldest Princess and concluded that Lan Shang might rebel before she returned.
• Tian Heng told Lan Shang that the Eldest Princess was coming to bring the army back to the capital, while privately ordering his troops to prepare for a possible attack.
• Tian Heng explained to his deputy general that he intended to use Lan Shang's move as justification to take control of the imperial army and claim half its troops.
• Lan Shang and his deputy general agreed to advance their plan, seize the army, break through Cheng Pass with the Heavenly Python, and head north that night.

Lan Shang used the soldiers’ shared dreams to rally them against Tian Heng, while Tian Heng hesitated to act. By the time Wei Gongcheng reached the border, Lan Shang had ordered his troops to break out.

• Tian Heng watched the Buddhist light and delayed attacking Lan Shang’s camp despite his deputy’s urging.
• Lan Shang judged that the shared dreams alone would not convince the soldiers, so he decided to use the threat of Tian Heng’s army to unite them.
• Lan Shang’s deputies roused the soldiers and spread word that Tian Heng’s forces were surrounding them.
• Lan Shang told the soldiers that their past lives made them heaven’s chosen and urged them to fight for survival, winning enough support to form up the troops.
• Lan Shang ordered Lan Shan to lead five thousand Flying Dragon riders and Hou Lie to lead five thousand sharpshooters as the army prepared to break out.
• Wei Gongcheng reached the border through the Underworld temple and realized the worst outcome had already begun.

Wei Gongcheng and Wei Gongzhan rushed to the pass after learning that Tian Heng had taken the West Sea Army to suppress the imperial troops. Tian Heng revealed his plan to capture Lan Shang and force the Ghost King Army to surrender, but the confrontation remained poised to erupt.

• Wei Gongcheng learned that Tian Heng had led troops against the imperial army, and he and Wei Gongzhan hurried to the pass.
• Wei Gongcheng refused to bring the eldest princess or the King of Qin into the Underworld, fearing the King of Qin's power to replace people and endanger Jiangnan's foundation.
• Wei Gongcheng and Wei Gongzhan reached the pass and found the two armies facing each other.
• Tian Heng explained that he planned to expose Lan Shang's claim that Jiangnan threatened the imperial army, then seize Lan Shang and make the Ghost King Army surrender.
• Tian Heng said he had not previously been confident of capturing Lan Shang but could try now, as sword intent flashed in his eyes.

Tian Heng departed with an unfamiliar sword power, while the King of Qin froze Wei Gongcheng to keep their plan secret. The King of Qin and the eldest princess decided to wait and let Lan Shang test Tian Heng, and Wei Gongzhan woke in an unknown black-and-white space beside Wang Ye.

• Tian Heng assured Wei Gongcheng of his confidence and left to carry out their plan.
• The King of Qin used Flying Star to reach Wei Gongcheng, froze him, and killed him before he could alert the Shen Family.
• The King of Qin and the eldest princess discussed Tian Heng’s newly revealed power and agreed to let Lan Shang test him.
• Wei Gongzhan woke in an unfamiliar black-and-white space and recognized the man beside him as Wang Ye.

Tian Heng confronted Lan Shang after the imperial army’s attempt to break through Jiangnan’s defenses failed, but Lan Shang rejected his offer of a peaceful surrender and sought control of the imperial troops. The armies began their battle, with Lan Shang and Tian Heng leading their forces toward a direct clash.

• Tian Heng reminded Lan Shang that Jiangnan had sheltered and provisioned the imperial soldiers, while Lan Shang accused him of plotting against them and demanded safe passage.
• Tian Heng offered to spare the imperial army if it returned to camp and waited for the Eldest Princess, but Lan Shang convinced his troops that the offer was a trap.
• Lan Shang ordered the imperial army to form its battle formation, and Tian Heng answered by raising the West Sea Army’s formation.
• Lan Shang led the Flying Dragon Cavalry into a charge, while Tian Heng personally advanced with powerful guards whose strength surprised Lan Shang.

Lan Shang overpowered Tian Heng in their first clash, but Tian Heng revealed he had been holding back a dangerous power. The Grand Princess and the King of Qin recognized its arrival as the confrontation shifted.

• Lan Shang and Tian Heng clashed in personal combat, each seeking to end the battle quickly and limit casualties.
• Lan Shang shattered Tian Heng’s halberd and killed his warhorse with one strike, sending Tian Heng tumbling across the ground.
• Lan Shang mocked Tian Heng and believed he had the chance to kill him, while Tian Heng realized Lan Shang’s skill far exceeded his own.
• Tian Heng warned Lan Shang that he had lost his only chance to kill him and admitted he had been careless in trying to fight without using his power.
• Tian Heng’s presence changed and filled Lan Shang with an unfamiliar sense of danger, while the Grand Princess and the King of Qin recognized the power awakening.

Tian Heng unlocked overwhelming sword power and killed Lan Shang, prompting the imperial army to falter and consider returning to barracks. As Tian Heng’s deputy tried to secure their surrender, the eldest princess unexpectedly appeared and praised the speech.

• Lan Shang recognized the sword intent that suddenly surrounded Tian Heng and ordered his forces to retreat, but he could not escape.
• Tian Heng drew his sword and killed Lan Shang with a single strike that neither the eldest princess nor the King of Qin could clearly see.
• The eldest princess and the King of Qin suspected Tian Heng had manifested a Dao Fruit, while the eldest princess approached the battlefield.
• Tian Heng’s deputy urged the imperial troops to return to their barracks and lay down their weapons, and the soldiers began to hesitate.
• The eldest princess called out in approval, startling Tian Heng and the deputy generals with her unexpected arrival.

The Eldest Princess took command of the pass after exposing Tian Heng's weakened state, while concealing her larger plan to buy time for the Daoist School's power. Wang Ye met Wei Gongzhan and reflected on how Chen Qing had arranged for him to disappear from the world's attention while carrying the supercomputer's seed.

• The Eldest Princess revealed that Tian Heng had been set up and used his exhaustion to claim command of the pass and the imperial army.
• The Eldest Princess praised both armies and promised to defend the pass, leaving Tian Heng too weak to refuse her command.
• The King of Qin explained that taking command would let the imperial army defend the city and divert suspicion while the Daoist School prepared its power.
• The King of Qin told the Eldest Princess that Wei Gongcheng's absence would keep the Shen Family occupied and that they only needed a few days before the divine mechanism descended.
• Wang Ye met Wei Gongzhan and said his appearance was part of an arrangement by Wei Gongzhan's mysterious master.
• Wang Ye recalled that Chen Qing had arranged his departure from Data City and his apparent split with Chen Qing so others would overlook him and the supercomputer's seed in his possession.

Nie Xingjun activated the supercomputer to protect his newborn child from becoming like the inhuman ancestors, while Chen Qing reached the capital and explained the path to becoming a Venerable. He revealed that he had brought a new slot, leaving the emperor to learn what it could mean.

• Nie Xingjun told his secretary that the ancestors and other powerful beings saw humans as food, unlike Chen Qing.
• Nie Xingjun activated the supercomputer after deciding he would not let his child inherit that inhuman outlook.
• Chen Qing arrived at the capital and assured the emperor that the revived monsters were unlikely to risk attacking him.
• Chen Qing explained that a Dao Fruit alone could not make someone a Venerable without the necessary talent and hardware support.
• Chen Qing told the emperor that he had brought a new slot.

Chen Qing told the emperor that supercomputers had enabled the nobles to become super life-forms, and asked him to cover for a secret trip to Data City so Chen Qing could try to recreate the process. Elder Liu learned that Chen Qing had evaded the blockade and headed toward the Buddha Kingdom, where the Xiao Household’s emperor made an attack too dangerous to risk.

• Chen Qing explained that super life-forms depended on powerful supercomputers, whose development and use the nobles had secretly controlled.
• Chen Qing told the emperor he had found the necessary hardware but lacked an engineer, then offered to attempt the process himself.
• Chen Qing asked the emperor to conceal his movements while he secretly returned to Data City, warning that the emperor might face increased pressure and that the Grand Princess in Jiangnan was also involved.
• Elder Liu learned that Chen Qing had left no trace despite the blockade and suspected he had changed direction toward the Buddha Kingdom.
• Elder Liu and his grandson considered attacking the Xiao Household, but recognized that its emperor’s fortune made the mission dangerous for anyone short of a Venerable.