Chapter Summaries

Daozheng’s Wu Earth radiance was blocked by a vast blood sea, leaving Su Yao to face Cang Lan alone. Su Yao used the slip of paper to unleash the Wu Earth Calamity, which killed Cang Lan, and then returned toward Golden Ao Mountain with Qingyang to recover.

• Daozheng’s Wu Earth radiance surged toward Su Yao and Cang Lan, but a vast blood sea intervened and entangled it.
• Cang Lan prepared to shoot Su Yao again while Su Yao watched the clash and drew out the yellowed slip of paper.
• Su Yao revealed the slip, releasing the Wu Earth Calamity and forcing Cang Lan to flee.
• The Wu Earth Calamity destroyed Cang Lan’s treasures and dispersed his body into the mortal-world presence he had carried.
• Su Yao scattered the slip’s ashes, acknowledged that he needed seclusion, and left for Golden Ao Mountain with Qingyang.

In the Great Void, Zhao Shouzhi and the mortally wounded Mo Yan reflected on Cang Lan’s sacrifice and their plan to protect Nanzhao’s people. After Mo Yan died, Zhao Shouzhi honored him and Cang Lan, then descended to face the disasters ravaging Nanzhao.

• Zhao Shouzhi helped the badly injured Mo Yan onto a boat and used mortal-world Qi to suppress his wounds.
• Mo Yan and Zhao Shouzhi discussed how Cang Lan had died stopping Su Yao, while Mo Yan had risked his life to delay Xue Min and protect Zhao Shouzhi’s chance to act.
• Mo Yan explained that he and Cang Lan had willingly surrendered their fates so Zhao Shouzhi could live and defend the people of Nanzhao.
• Mo Yan told Zhao Shouzhi to stop those threatening Nanzhao and died as his body dissolved into dusty yellow light.
• Zhao Shouzhi bowed toward Cang Lan’s and Mo Yan’s resting places, then descended into Nanzhao to confront its five calamities.

Su Yao reached the battle near Golden Ao Mountain and found Li Chaoxue, Ni Polu, and Yang Nan fighting Ao Xiao and Kuiwu over two Spirit Treasures. Though gravely wounded, he confronted the two attackers and threatened the Lu Household members in Ao Xiao’s water mansion, leaving the standoff unresolved.

• Su Yao arrived near Golden Ao Mountain and sensed Li Chaoxue, Ni Polu, and Yang Nan battling Ao Xiao and Kuiwu.
• Ao Xiao demanded that Li Chaoxue and Ni Polu surrender the Dusk Snow Flute and the Morning Mist Drum, while Kuiwu prepared to intensify the attack.
• Su Yao appeared at the battlefield and told Li Chaoxue, Ni Polu, and Yang Nan to leave.
• Su Yao warned Ao Xiao that the fight was taking place in Qixia territory and challenged him and Kuiwu to try to take the Spirit Treasures.
• When Kuiwu insisted they would seize the treasures, Su Yao threatened that Ao Xiao would be unable to protect the Lu Household members cultivating in his water mansion.

Kuiwu and Ao Xiao attacked Su Yao and his companions, forcing Su Yao to leave for Golden Ao Mountain to retrieve an object while the others held off the two enemies. Li Chaoxue and Ni Polu were pushed to the brink, but a golden light appeared from Golden Ao Mountain as the fight continued.

• Kuiwu struck Su Yao with Falling Star Rain, but Li Chaoxue used the Dusk Snow Flute to freeze and break the attack.
• Ni Polu and Yang Nan fought Ao Xiao, using the Morning Mist Drum and Subterranean Water to hinder him, while Su Yao recovered behind Li Chaoxue.
• Su Yao told his companions to hold the enemies off for half an incense stick's time, then vanished with Qingyang using Golden Light Across the Land to return to Golden Ao Mountain.
• Li Chaoxue blocked Kuiwu while Ni Polu and Yang Nan fought Ao Xiao; Ao Xiao sent Ni Polu flying with a water dragon, but Ni Polu got back up and continued fighting.
• Kuiwu overwhelmed Li Chaoxue as her Law Power ran low; she froze his calamity star briefly with a drawn-out flute note, then collapsed after he broke free.
• A golden light shone from the direction of Golden Ao Mountain.

Su Yao summoned the Qixia Ritual Altar and used the Thunder Bureau’s power to attack Ao Xiao and Kuiwu as they tried to flee. He trapped both enemies in a vast lightning net and badly wounded Kuiwu, while Ao Xiao’s offer to surrender the Cibi Water Palace went unanswered.

• Su Yao’s Qixia Ritual Altar destroyed Kuiwu’s calamity star, and Ao Xiao recognized it and fled in his flood-dragon form.
• Su Yao struck Ao Xiao with Rebuke the Disloyal; Ao Xiao used his Fu Water and ancient bowl to withstand the blow, though he was wounded.
• Kuiwu tried to escape, but Su Yao invoked Oversee All Spirits and trapped him and Ao Xiao in a lightning net.
• Su Yao warned Li Chaoxue, Ni Polu, and Yang Nan not to approach, then struck Kuiwu with Slay the Evil and False, shattering his mace and severely burning him.
• Kuiwu counterattacked with comet light and falling stars, but the altar’s bronze beasts destroyed his attacks.
• Ao Xiao struggled against the lightning net and offered the Cibi Water Palace in exchange for release, but Su Yao dismissed his offer.

Su Yao used the Heavenly Thunder to capture Ao Xiao and destroy Kuiwu, whose Heavenly Chaos transformations were sealed and torn apart. Badly wounded, Su Yao ordered Ao Xiao taken back to Golden Ao and flew there with the others.

• Su Yao used Rebuke the Disloyal to drag Ao Xiao from the lightning net and chain him to the bronze cage.
• Kuiwu tried to detonate his Dharma body, but Su Yao used Receive the Thunder Edict to seal his powers and self-detonation.
• Su Yao struck Kuiwu with Oversee All Spirits, and Heavenly Thunder suppressed his transformations until he vanished.
• Su Yao, pale and bleeding, ordered Yang Nan to take the helpless Ao Xiao back to Golden Ao.
• Su Yao collected Kuiwu's Spirit Treasure and flew toward Golden Ao as Li Chaoxue and the others followed.

Danqiuzi and Qizhenzi discussed the turmoil surrounding Nanzhao and the competing plans of the Immortal lineages, imperial court, and Confucian School. As the Turbid Chaos of the Ten Directions spread, they concluded that Nanzhao’s upheaval was only the beginning of a struggle over the region’s future.

• Danqiuzi told Qizhenzi that the Heavenly Venerable’s Thunder Method had advanced and explained why the Heavenly Venerable had not met with them.
• Qizhenzi recalled his clashes with the South Sea Devil Lord and said the enemy had escaped only because someone intervened; Danqiuzi described how Mo Chen’s actions disrupted the Jade Pure lineage’s plans.
• Qizhenzi and Danqiuzi considered preserving their patriarch’s legacy by moving their grotto-heavens if necessary.
• Danqiuzi identified the violent spiritual disorder over Nanzhao as the Turbid Chaos of the Ten Directions and explained how nine Daos had been damaged.
• Danqiuzi and Qizhenzi discussed how the Proclaiming Earth True Lord’s return could spark rebellion and how the Jade Pure, Highest Clarity, Supreme Purity, imperial court, and Confucian School each sought to reshape Nanzhao.

Danqiuzi and Qizhenzi assessed how the imperial court, Confucian School, Mysterious Gate, Witch factions, ruler, Demonic Dao, and Buddhist School were maneuvering as Nanzhao descended into chaos. They feared that Proclaiming Earth's coming rebellion would unleash Turbid Chaos that no side could contain, and the chapter ended with Qizhenzi and Danqiuzi departing while calamities continued to ravage Nanzhao.

• Danqiuzi and Qizhenzi explained how the Confucian School, Witch factions, Yuanfu, and Witch Hall each sought to advance their interests or preserve themselves amid Nanzhao's unrest.
• Qizhenzi described the ruler's struggle to protect his people and preserve his worship without provoking the imperial court, Confucian School, Mysterious Gate, and Demonic Dao.
• Danqiuzi and Qizhenzi discussed the Demonic Dao's appetite for chaos and the Buddhist schools' decision to watch for an opening.
• Danqiuzi warned that the factions' efforts to push Nanzhao toward disorder might create Turbid Chaos that could not be contained once Proclaiming Earth rebelled.
• Qizhenzi and Danqiuzi left for the Great Void as calamities continued across Nanzhao and the waters of Cibi Lake sank.

Su Yao arranged for the wounded Li Chaoxue, Ni Polu, and Yang Nan to recover at the Water Palace while Yang Nan took the captured Ao Xiao there under guard. Left alone on Golden Ao Mountain, Su Yao struggled with severe backlash before Daoist Zheng, Nannuo, and Jueming hurried to him in alarm.

• Su Yao sent Qingyang back into the Transforming Azure Bracelet and assessed the injuries of Li Chaoxue, Ni Polu, and Yang Nan.
• Su Yao ordered Yang Nan to take Ao Xiao's Water Palace Secret Realm token, confine Ao Xiao in the Water Palace, and recover there with Li Chaoxue and Ni Polu.
• Yang Nan found the token in Ao Xiao's Storage Bag, gathered the scattered belongings, and left with Ao Xiao as Li Chaoxue and Ni Polu went to the Water Palace.
• Su Yao remained before the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall as his turbid Qi turned into dim gray-yellow light and scattered in the wind.
• Daoist Zheng, Nannuo, and Jueming came out of the hall and saw Su Yao's battered condition.

Su Yao selected spirit pills to treat his injuries and prepare for secluded cultivation, assigning Daoist Zheng to guard Golden Ao Mountain. In his sealed cave, he began purging the Qi of the mortal world from his body with the pills and his Sword Intent.

• Su Yao identified pills for repairing the Law Bodies and nourishing the Qi Seas of Li Chaoxue, Ni Polu, and Yang Nan, then sent Nannuo to deliver them.
• Su Yao kept four pills for his own cultivation and ordered Daoist Zheng, Jueming, and Nannuo to guard the mountain and avoid contact with Yang Nan and the others.
• After sealing his cave, Su Yao took a Subterranean Water Spirit-Healing Pill to calm his Qi Sea.
• Three months later, Su Yao took three Green Embryo Law-Restoring Pills to mend his Law Body, then used a Purple Qi pill to stabilize his Rising Yang.
• Su Yao took the Heavenly Pure Dust-Cleansing Pill and joined its Pure Qi with his Sword Intent to cut the Qi of the mortal world away from his Law Power and Divine Abilities.

In Nanzhao’s declining royal city, four men whose faces no one could remember watched an opera about fallen dynasties while debating the fate of the old order. The dark-robed man resisted pressure to submit, as the talk ended with a warning that the land itself might become scorched soil.

• Four unrecognizable men watched “Autumn in the Old Court” at an opera stage in Nanzhao’s royal city.
• The man in red argued that a new dynasty naturally replaced a fallen one, while the dark-robed man asked where the old master was meant to go.
• The old man in black warned that the old order might be denied even a small territory or the standing to preserve its rites.
• As the opera mocked the plight of ritual officials and shamans, the dark-robed man challenged the others to take responsibility for the old rites themselves.
• The performers sang of Nanzhao’s decline, and the man in red urged the dark-robed man to act before it was too late.
• The old man in black warned that by then both heaven and earth might have become scorched soil.

A play about the fall of kingdoms prompted a confrontation between the man in dark blue-green and the other elders over the people's loyalty, the immortals, and whether he would change course. After the theater emptied, a song warned that the true gate lay among the mountains, and grayish-purple Profound Qi swept across the northern sky.

• An old actor sang of immortals watching mortals and of kingdoms rising and falling, while the men below debated whether they were players or pieces in a larger game.
• The man in dark blue-green declared that he would keep the stage standing as long as he remained, and the man in red accused him of ignoring the people who had left.
• The man in red departed, followed by the Confucian-robed elder, who offered to stay in the royal city for three days if the ruler changed his mind.
• The old man in black withdrew the Witch Hall's incense offerings, leaving the man in dark blue-green alone in the empty theater.
• A song from backstage urged the ruler to bring his bamboo slips up the mountain and asked whether he would take off his crown.
• After the night rain eased, grayish-purple Profound Qi surged from the north and covered the sky.

Yang Xiu emerged from seclusion at Qingnuo Mountain amid a surge of Profound Qi, and Xue Min concluded that he had successfully reached the Purple Mansion realm. Meng Shixi feared the consequences for Nanzhao, while Xue Min prepared to enter seclusion for the Divine Core realm.

• Yang Xiu's breakthrough filled the sky above Qingnuo Mountain with Profound Qi as onlookers gathered in the Great Void.
• Meng Shixi recalled the bloodshed that followed Su Yao's emergence and worried that Yang Xiu would bring another storm to Nanzhao.
• Xue Min told Meng Shixi he had recovered from his injuries and would seek the Divine Core realm after the events at Qingnuo Mountain.
• Yang Xuanye asked Xue Min and Meng Shixi whether Yang Xiu had succeeded, and Xue Min judged that the orderly Profound Qi showed he had.
• Xue Min admitted he had said Yang Xiu might fail only to ease Meng Shixi's worry, while Yang Xuanye overheard them and thought the empire was beset by monsters.

Yang Xiu emerged as a Purple Mansion cultivator, accepted Qingnuo Mountain as a gift, and swore to protect the people living nearby. He then received an edict from the Jade Void and learned that Su Yao had reached the Purple Mansion before him.

• Yang Xiu stepped out of the Profound Qi currents after attaining the Purple Mansion, and Meng Shixi offered him Qingnuo Mountain on the ruler's behalf.
• At a mysterious voice's instruction, Yang Xiu accepted the gift and swore that outsiders would not harass or harm people within three hundred li of Qingnuo Mountain.
• Yang Xuanye urged Yang Xiu to protect all of Nanzhao, but Yang Xiu said safeguarding the land and its people was the governor's responsibility.
• The Purple Mansion cultivators congratulated Yang Xiu, then departed after a distant burst of starlight vanished; Yang Xiu descended into Qingnuo Mountain, and Meng Shixi left with Xue Min.
• Inside the mountain's grand formation, Yang Xiu met a boy bearing an edict from the Jade Void and learned that Su Yao had reached the Purple Mansion before him.

Yang Xiu accepted Jade Void’s decree, receiving the Daoist name Void Clarity and instructions to work under Qingyan on Proclaiming Earth. He kept his oath to protect the people around Qingnuo Mountain, despite being warned it could bind his Dao Path, and the immortal departed.

• Yang Xiu argued that he could challenge authority while still respecting Jade Void’s rules and accepting responsibility for his actions.
• The boy explained that Yang Xiu’s breakthrough had diverted the sect master and senior immortals from other matters, and Yang Xiu admitted his fault while citing his service at Longchuan.
• The boy read Jade Void’s decree, naming Yang Xiu Void Clarity, admitting him to Golden Court’s Void generation, and ordering him to assist Qingyan in Nanzhao and on Proclaiming Earth.
• The boy warned Yang Xiu that his oath to protect the people within three hundred li of Qingnuo Mountain could become a dangerous shackle on his Dao Path.
• Yang Xiu said he chose to keep the oath so he would not become another calamity over Nanzhao, and the boy vanished after telling him to take care.

After emerging from ten years of seclusion, Yang Xiu received a token and a life-saving talisman, along with warnings to follow his own Dao and be wary of diverging paths with Qingyan. He learned that calamities had ravaged Nanzhao and prepared to meet Qingyan after refining his new Divine Ability, Calamity Befalls Fate.

• A mystical voice gave Yang Xiu a Storage Bag, a token granting access to Qingnuo Mountain's formation, and a talisman that could shield him from one fatal tribulation.
• Another voice cautioned Yang Xiu to leave room in his Dao and consider how his path might diverge from Qingyan's, reminding him that the talisman could protect his life but not his Dao.
• Lu Daoyuan, Gong Shouzhuo, and Jing Xuanpu congratulated Yang Xiu on attaining the Purple Mansion and told him about the disasters and battles that had shaken Nanzhao during his seclusion.
• Yang Xiu thanked the three for watching over Qingnuo Mountain and said he would refine his Divine Ability and Spirit Treasures before they went to Golden Ao Mountain to find Qingyan.
• Yang Xiu studied Calamity Befalls Fate, which let him draw existing calamities down upon an enemy, and his Profound Qi mark turned deep purple as his understanding grew.

After five days of cultivation, Yang Xiu mastered the first uses of Calamity Befalls Fate and examined the Golden Armor Robe and his other treasures before setting out for Golden Ao Mountain. There, Li Chaoxue recalled how Nanzhao had secretly protected her and Ni Polu, leaving them resolved to remain with Su Yao until the Purple-Blue Secret Realm matter was settled.

• Yang Xiu refined his understanding of Calamity Befalls Fate and decided to keep its calamities under control.
• Yang Xiu examined the Golden Armor Robe, whose Geng Metal power renewed attacks away, and checked the bell and other treasures he carried.
• Yang Xiu left his cave with Lu Daoyuan and two others and announced they would go to Golden Ao Mountain.
• At the mountain, Yang Nan accepted that he had to stay with Qixia Temple, while Li Chaoxue recalled the City God's account of Nanzhao's secret aid to her and Ni Polu.
• Li Chaoxue understood that she and Ni Polu needed to remain with Su Yao until the matter was settled, after which the Dusk Snow Flute and Morning Mist Drum would have to be returned.

Yang Xiu arrived at Golden Ao Mountain and learned from Li Chaoxue and Yang Nan that they had been serving Su Yao while he remained in seclusion. After identifying himself as the Golden Court’s Dao Son, Yang Xiu entered the sealed mountain to visit Su Yao, though he could only wait outside the cave until Su Yao awakened.

• Yang Xiu emerged from the Great Void and challenged Li Chaoxue and Yang Nan, suspicious of the two Purple Mansion cultivators outside Golden Ao Mountain.
• Li Chaoxue explained that she and Yang Nan served Su Yao and had been recovering at Cibi Water Palace after his battle with Ao Xiao and Kuiwu.
• Yang Xiu introduced himself as the Golden Court’s Dao Son, sent Lu Daoyuan, Gong Shouzhuo, and Jing Xuanpu to wait at the mountain’s foot, and advised Li Chaoxue and Yang Nan to return to the Water Palace.
• Yang Xiu reached the sealed gate and announced that he had come at the Jade Void’s behest to see Su Yao.
• Daoist Zheng welcomed Yang Xiu onto Golden Ao Mountain but explained that Su Yao’s cave could not be entered until Su Yao opened it himself.

Yang Xiu reflected on Su Yao’s recent battles and the advantages he had built through his allies and influence, then waited for his three protectors to join him. As they gathered at Golden Ao Mountain, the three-colored light of Proclaiming Earth surged across the northern sky.

• Yang Xiu listened as Liu Yunhe recounted Su Yao’s recent ordeals and considered how far Su Yao’s abilities and influence surpassed his own.
• Yang Xiu asked Liu Yunhe to bring his three protectors up the mountain, and Liu Yunhe left with Daoist Zheng’s acknowledgment.
• Yang Xiu compared Su Yao’s five well-positioned protectors with his own three companions and reflected on Golden Court’s decline beside Qixia’s continued prosperity.
• Liu Yunhe guided Lu Daoyuan, Gong Shouzhuo, and Jing Xuanpu to the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall, where they all turned toward the north as Proclaiming Earth’s light filled the sky.
• Yang Xiu appeared before the four and gazed toward the northern horizon.

As Proclaiming Earth's omens spread across the northern sky, Su Yao emerged from seclusion and reunited with Yang Xiu. The signs were suppressed by an unknown force, but Ge Wei then announced that he had attained the Dao and established a talismanic lineage.

• Daoist Zheng recognized the northern vision as signs of the Proclaiming Earth True Lord's reincarnation, and Yang Xiu warned that the True Lord's emergence was inevitable.
• Su Yao emerged from seclusion and reunited with Yang Xiu before the Embracing Rosy Clouds Hall.
• Su Yao took his place before the hall and asked Yang Xiu whether he was afraid; Yang Xiu shook his head.
• Colored lights descended over the northern sky and suppressed Proclaiming Earth's visions until only a faint afterglow remained.
• Ge Wei announced that he had attained the Dao on Gezao Mountain and completed a talismanic path that could summon Yellow Turban Strongmen, transmit voices, and stabilize mountains and rivers.