Chapter Summaries

Randeng fled from Zhao Gongming after the wooden zither revealed its immense power, but the treasure pursued him relentlessly. As the wooden zither caught up, Randeng brought out the Pangu Banner and the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle, and the chapter ended with the zither and banner colliding.

• Randeng sensed the wooden zither's power, abandoned his attack on Zhao Gongming, and fled.
• Zhao Gongming realized he could not control or recall the zither, then detected it chasing Randeng and thanked Lin Tian, believing Lin Tian was guiding it.
• Zhao Gongming sent a message to the Three Xiaos and flew after Randeng.
• The wooden zither continued pursuing Randeng wherever he ran and rapidly closed the distance.
• Randeng prepared the Pangu Banner and the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle, then struck at the approaching wooden zither with the banner.
• The Pangu Banner and the wooden zither collided with a deafening crash.

Zhao Gongming’s wooden zither overwhelmed Randeng’s Pangu Banner and trapped him, allowing Zhao Gongming to attack with the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls. Just as Randeng seemed doomed, an unexpected change interrupted Zhao Gongming’s attempt to kill him.

• The wooden zither defeated the Pangu Banner and charged at Randeng, leaving the banner powerless and unresponsive to his commands.
• The wooden zither repeatedly blocked Randeng’s escape until Zhao Gongming appeared and taunted him.
• Zhao Gongming summoned the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls and launched them at Randeng while the wooden zither held him in place.
• The wooden zither restrained Randeng’s body and primordial spirit as the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls rushed toward him.
• Just as Zhao Gongming declared that Randeng would die, a startling change occurred.

Yuanshi arrived to save Randeng from Zhao Gongming and empowered him, but Randeng still could not stop the wooden qin. Yuanshi tried to intervene himself, yet the qin pierced through his Sage power and continued onward, leaving both of them stunned.

• A golden Sage power erupted from Randeng, repelled Zhao Gongming and the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, and revealed Yuanshi beside him.
• Yuanshi empowered Randeng and promised to help kill Zhao Gongming and seize the wooden qin and Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, but Randeng's attack failed to move the qin.
• Yuanshi scolded Randeng, stepped forward, and used Sage power to push the wooden qin back.
• The wooden qin broke free and rushed at Yuanshi, while Randeng dodged behind him and shielded himself with magical treasures.
• Yuanshi unleashed more Sage power, but the wooden qin pierced through it and continued onward, shocking Yuanshi and Randeng.

The wooden zither pierced Yuanshi’s Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud and pursued him and Randeng, despite their attempts to flee. Yuanshi unleashed his full avatar power, but the zither smashed his Sage dharma body to pieces, leaving Randeng stunned.

• The wooden zither broke through the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud, forcing Yuanshi to grab Randeng and flee.
• Yuanshi retrieved the badly damaged Pangu Banner and realized it would take tens of thousands of years to recover.
• When the wooden zither attacked again, Yuanshi cast aside his restraints and unleashed his avatar’s full Sage power.
• The wooden zither passed through Yuanshi’s blockade and struck his face, shattering his Sage dharma body into golden light.

The wooden zither destroyed Randeng’s body and cultivation, then devoured him after he was left near death. It flew after Zhao Gongming, who was fleeing from Yuanshi and heading toward safety.

• Yuanshi’s Sage Dharma body dissipated in a powerful blast, but the wooden zither remained unharmed and Randeng was injured by the force.
• The wooden zither caught up with Randeng and struck him, destroying his body and leaving his primordial spirit gravely wounded.
• Randeng realized his cultivation had vanished and hoped Yuanshi would rescue him, but the wooden zither appeared again and devoured him.
• The wooden zither absorbed Randeng’s scattered Qi and flew toward Zhao Gongming, who was fleeing from Yuanshi toward the Interception Sect or the courtyard where Senior lived.

Zhao Gongming discovered that the wooden zither had defeated Yuanshi's avatar, destroyed Randeng's body, and captured his injured primordial spirit. As Zhao Gongming took Randeng into custody, Yuanshi Tianzun ordered the Chan Sect to attack the Interception Sect and kill its disciples.

• Zhao Gongming turned to confront his pursuer and found the wooden zither carrying Randeng's wounded primordial spirit.
• Randeng accused Zhao Gongming of destroying his body and Yuanshi's avatar, while Zhao Gongming realized Senior Lin Tian had controlled the wooden zither from afar.
• Zhao Gongming sealed Randeng away and thanked the wooden zither before heading to Lin Tian's courtyard.
• Yuanshi Tianzun appeared above the Jade Void Palace and commanded the Chan Sect Disciples to attack the Interception Sect and exterminate its disciples.

Tongtian struggled to abandon his Sage position and was interrupted by news that Yuanshi was attacking the Interception Sect. A sheet of paper carrying Lin Tian’s Sword Dao filled the gap in Tongtian’s understanding, and he used a divine stone to protect the sect before returning to his meditation.

• Tongtian tried to comprehend Lin Tian’s Sword Dao poetry but found that abandoning his Sage position required him to transform his state of mind and disperse his previous cultivation.
• Tongtian sensed that Yuanshi was leading troops against the Interception Sect and prepared to leave Biyou Palace.
• The sheet of paper Lin Tian had given Tongtian entered his brow and filled the missing piece in his understanding of the Sword Dao.
• Tongtian decided to use the divine stone to protect the Interception Sect rather than abandon his sudden enlightenment to face Yuanshi.
• Tongtian activated the divine stone with his Sage’s origin Hunyuan Qi, spreading merit and defensive power across Jin'ao Island.
• Tongtian returned to the Wind and Fire Meditation Cushion and continued gaining sudden enlightenment of Lin Tian’s Sword Dao.

The Great Wall Divine Stone released golden merit and spiritual Qi that strengthened the Interception Sect, raised its providence, and helped its disciples advance. Duobao absorbed the power while studying the Dao book “Buddha Is the Dao,” reached Peak Quasi-Saint, and set out to visit the Western Teachings.

• Tongtian set up the Great Wall Divine Stone and went into seclusion, while its golden radiance spread across the Interception Sect and filled the disciples with merit and spiritual Qi.
• The Interception Sect disciples cultivated under the radiance, making breakthroughs as the sect’s providence rose and a golden protective dome surrounded Jin'ao Island.
• Duobao cultivated with the Dao book “Buddha Is the Dao” as the incoming merit and spiritual Qi merged with his power and transformed him.
• Duobao opened his eyes and discovered that he had advanced from Mid-stage Quasi-Sage to Peak Quasi-Saint.
• Duobao credited Senior Lin Tian with guiding him to his gentle Dao and Buddhist teachings, then announced that he would visit the Western Teachings.

Duobao left the Interception Sect for the Western Land while Yuanshi led the Chan Sect toward an attack, but Taishang stopped him and proposed using the Kongtong Seal to strengthen Xiqi. The Kongtong Seal suddenly escaped Taishang’s control, leaving Taishang and Yuanshi in pursuit.

• Duobao reflected on cultivating Buddhism within the Interception Sect, then set off for the Western Land to recruit disciples from the Western Teachings.
• Yuanshi led Chan Sect disciples toward the Interception Sect, seeking revenge for Randeng’s death and the damage to the Pangu Banner.
• Taishang appeared, halted Yuanshi, and confined them in a world formed by the Taiji Diagram while warning him against attacking the Interception Sect recklessly.
• Taishang persuaded Yuanshi to focus on the Human Clan, join forces with the Western Sages, and use the Kongtong Seal to manipulate Great Shang’s fate in Xiqi’s favor.
• Taishang brought out the Kongtong Seal and tried to infuse its Human Dao power into the Chan Sect disciples, but the seal broke free and flew away.
• Taishang and Yuanshi rushed after the escaping Kongtong Seal, and Yuanshi wondered whether the Human Dao was awakening.

Di Xin learned that Jiang Ziya had rampaged through Xiqi and fled after attempting to kill Ji Chang and Ji Fa, and he resolved to enforce Shang law against him. Before Di Xin could act, the Great Dao Diary Scroll revealed new information that he believed might help the Human Clan escape its predicament.

• Di Xin read secret reports stating that Jiang Ziya had slaughtered people in Xiqi, tried to kill Ji Chang and Ji Fa, and failed to stop them from fleeing to Chaoge.
• Di Xin condemned Jiang Ziya's actions and considered sending troops to seize Xiqi and arrest him.
• The Great Dao Diary Scroll began shining, and Di Xin set aside the Xiqi matter to retrieve it.
• The scroll opened and displayed new Dao characters, which Di Xin believed could show the Human Clan a way out of its predicament.

Di Xin read the Great Dao Diary Scroll’s advice to summon Kong Xuan and retrieve the Kongtong Seal, then learned that Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao planned to bring the Human Clan under their control. He vowed to defend the Human Clan, and a vast golden force descended from the heavens toward him.

• Di Xin read that Xiqi would rebel and Great Shang’s fortune would decline unless he acted, with the Kongtong Seal identified as the key to saving the Human Clan.
• The scroll urged Di Xin to seek Kong Xuan’s help against Xiqi, so Di Xin summoned the commander of Three Mountains Pass to an audience.
• A burst of divine light from the scroll revealed that Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao planned to depose Di Xin and make Xiqi their chosen ruler over the Human Clan.
• Di Xin vowed that the Human Clan would govern itself and resolved to reclaim the Kongtong Seal with the scroll’s help.
• A mysterious force gathered around Di Xin, and golden light swept across the sky before charging down toward him.

Taishang and Yuanshi pursued the Kongtong Seal, fearing its return to the Human Clan would threaten Taishang’s control and standing as Leader of the Human Sect. When Taishang used the Taiji Diagram to retrieve it, the seal awakened in response to the Human Dao, and the Human Dao revived above the Human Clan.

• Taishang explained that the Kongtong Seal’s strange movement threatened his control of the Human Clan, and Yuanshi sensed it was heading toward Human Clan territory.
• Taishang and Yuanshi searched the eastern reaches for the Kongtong Seal, but when they failed to find it, Taishang brought out the Taiji Diagram to draw it back.
• The Kongtong Seal appeared above the Human Clan, and Taishang tried to pull it in with the Taiji Diagram.
• Taishang warned Yuanshi that the Kongtong Seal had awakened to the Human Dao and was breaking free of his control, so they had to suppress it before the Human Dao awakened.
• The Human Clan’s fate erupted with immense power, and Taishang and Yuanshi recognized that the Human Dao had revived.

A red light entered Di Xin and awakened a vast power within him as Taishang and Yuanshi demanded the Kongtong Seal and threatened the Human Clan. Di Xin emerged, rebuked Taishang, and revealed that the Human Dao’s power protected him, leaving the two Sages wondering whether the Human Dao had awakened.

• A red light entered Di Xin’s brow, transforming his presence and awakening power that had long been sealed within him.
• Taishang and Yuanshi appeared above the Human Clan, and Taishang demanded that Di Xin return the Kongtong Seal.
• When Di Xin did not answer, Taishang unleashed his pressure over the Human Clan, injuring many beings and killing some unaffiliated cultivators.
• Di Xin’s voice swept through all beings, denouncing Taishang for neglecting the Human Clan while claiming its fortune and control of the Kongtong Seal.
• Di Xin emerged in the air amid red light and used the Human Dao’s power to repel the Sages’ pressure and protect the Human Clan.
• Taishang and Yuanshi recognized the power around Di Xin as the gathered providence of the Human Dao and wondered whether the Human Dao had awakened.

Di Xin openly rejected Taishang and Yuanshi’s threats, wielded the Kongtong Seal, and declared that the Human Clan would govern itself. Taishang trapped them within the Taiji Diagram and prepared to seize the seal, but Di Xin’s Human Dao power destabilized it as he began to announce his next move.

• Taishang and Yuanshi threatened Di Xin and demanded that he kneel and return the Kongtong Seal.
• Di Xin invoked the Human Dao and the Human Emperor’s authority, denounced the Sages’ interference, and vowed that the Human Clan would decide its own affairs.
• Di Xin revealed that he controlled the Kongtong Seal, shocking the surrounding beings and alarming Taishang and Yuanshi.
• Taishang told Yuanshi to help him seize the Kongtong Seal, then used the Taiji Diagram to isolate the three of them from the outside world.
• Yuanshi realized Taishang was trying to shift the karmic consequences of the attack onto him and decided to let Taishang bear the fight alone.
• Di Xin defied the two Sages, and his Human Dao power shook the Taiji Diagram as Taishang’s face twisted with rage.

Hongjun discovered that Di Xin had awakened the Human Dao and reclaimed the Kongtong Seal, threatening his plans for the Investiture of the Gods Calamity. He uncovered Tongtian's plan to renounce his Sage position and the Interception Sect's newly revealed merit treasure, then turned toward the Human Clan after sensing the Human Dao awaken completely.

• Hongjun used the Jade Disc of Creation to investigate the disrupted calamity and found a mysterious force near the southern coast of the Interception Sect's territory.
• Hongjun searched the area but detected Tongtian preparing to abolish his Sage position, so he decided to stop him.
• A golden pillar, nine dragons, and vast merit and fortune appeared over Jin'ao Island, revealing the Interception Sect's powerful defensive treasure and alarming Hongjun.
• Hongjun rushed toward Tongtian, then sensed a terrifying change near the Human Clan and discovered that the Human Dao had awakened completely.

Di Xin wielded the awakened Human Dao and the Kongtong Seal to challenge Taishang’s authority as Leader of the Human Sect, revealing that the Heavenly Dao had restrained the Human Clan. After Taishang threatened him with the Six Sages, Di Xin summoned the Three Human Emperors, whose presences rose from the direction of Fire Cloud Cave.

• Di Xin drew on the Human Dao to block Taishang and Yuanshi, then declared that he would strip Taishang of his position as Leader of the Human Sect.
• Taishang argued that the Heavenly Dao had granted him the position, but Di Xin invoked the Kongtong Seal and the Human Dao’s authority to depose him.
• Human Dao power surged through the Kongtong Seal and exposed the Heavenly Dao’s chains restraining the Human Clan, and Di Xin condemned the suffering they caused.
• Yuanshi threatened Di Xin, while Taishang tried to bargain and warned that he could summon the other Sages; Di Xin answered that the Human Clan’s former emperors would stand with him.
• Di Xin invoked the Three Human Emperors despite Taishang and Yuanshi’s claim that they could not leave Fire Cloud Cave, and three ancient Sage presences rose from the southwest.

The Three Sovereigns emerged from Fire Cloud Cave Heaven as the Human Dao awakened, and their power sent Human Clan fortune surging skyward. Taishang and Yuanshi recognized their presence at Shouyang Mountain and were stunned that the supposedly sealed emperors had escaped.

• Beings debated whether the Three Sovereigns could stand against the Six Heaven-Ordained Sages, while a mighty expert argued that the awakened Human Dao had freed them from Fire Cloud Cave Heaven’s restrictions.
• Taishang and Yuanshi sensed three immense forces emerge within Human Clan territory and turned toward their source.
• Three pillars of light rose from Shouyang Mountain as six golden dragons manifested the Human Clan’s flourishing imperial fortune.
• Taishang recognized the presences of Fuxi and Shennong and realized that the Three Sovereigns had emerged from Fire Cloud Cave Heaven.
• Taishang and Yuanshi wondered in disbelief how the Three Human Emperors had escaped their Heavenly Dao seal.

The Three Sovereigns awakened in the restored Fire Cloud Cave Heaven after the Human Dao’s power broke the Heavenly Dao’s restraints. Finding the Human Clan weakened and suspecting the Heavenly Dao had deceived them, they sensed Taishang and Yuanshi near the Kongtong Seal and hurried toward Di Xin.

• Golden light from Shouyang Mountain healed and strengthened people across the Human Clan’s territory, and the Fire Cloud Cave Heaven reappeared in its former glory.
• The Human Dao’s power erased the sealing runes inside the cave, freeing Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan from the Heavenly Dao’s binding power.
• The Three Sovereigns sensed that the Human Dao had awakened, destroyed the remaining restraint, and left the Fire Cloud Cave Heaven.
• Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan found the Human Clan far weaker than they had expected and questioned whether the Heavenly Dao had truly protected it.
• Fuxi sensed Taishang and Yuanshi near the Kongtong Seal and led Shennong and Xuanyuan toward Di Xin.

The Three Sovereigns appeared to defend Di Xin and the Human Clan, and Fuxi confronted Taishang over his claim to the Kongtong Seal and his role as Leader of the Human Sect. Fuxi backed Di Xin’s plan to abolish the position, leaving Taishang furious and threatening to attack.

• The Three Sovereigns—Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan—appeared and declared that no one could trespass on Human Clan territory.
• Taishang and Yuanshi realized the Three Sovereigns’ return endangered their plans for the Investiture of the Gods Calamity.
• Fuxi stood before Di Xin and challenged Taishang’s claim to the Kongtong Seal, accusing him of taking a Human Clan treasure and neglecting his duties.
• Taishang defended his actions by citing Xia Jie’s misuse of the Kongtong Seal and Di Xin’s attempt to depose him.
• Fuxi argued that Taishang had failed the Human Clan and agreed that Di Xin should abolish the Leader of the Human Sect position.
• Taishang’s Taiji Diagram trembled as he threatened to strike at Fuxi.

Taishang and Yuanshi attacked the Three Sovereigns and Di Xin to seize the Kongtong Seal, whose awakened Human Dao power protected the Human Clan. After the Three Sovereigns were driven back, Di Xin stood alone before the seal as Taishang and Yuanshi closed in, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan invoked the Kongtong Seal’s power and condemned Taishang for threatening the Human Clan.
• Taishang and Yuanshi agreed to seize the Kongtong Seal, believing its Human Dao power could strengthen them.
• Taishang attacked the Three Sovereigns while Yuanshi pressed them at close range, and the Kongtong Seal’s red array repelled their combined power.
• Di Xin warned the Three Sovereigns that Taishang was targeting the Kongtong Seal, but they could not reach it in time.
• Di Xin rushed to guard the Kongtong Seal as Taishang sent the Taiji Diagram toward it and Yuanshi moved to pull Di Xin aside.