Recaps

Ye Xuan stopped at Chentang Pass on the way to Flower-Fruit Mountain and discovered that Li Jing’s wife was about to give birth to Nezha. He concealed himself at the Li residence to watch as Li Jing anxiously awaited the birth.

• Ye Xuan traveled overseas with Su Daji and Jiu'er, heading for Flower-Fruit Mountain to seek its immortal stone and gather more monkeys.
• While passing Chentang Pass, Ye Xuan recognized Li Jing’s residence and wondered whether Nezha had been born yet.
• Ye Xuan concealed himself and approached the Li residence, where servants and more than a dozen midwives rushed about in confusion.
• Li Jing grew anxious as his wife cried out during labor after carrying their third child for three years and six months.

Li Jing's wife gave birth to Nezha amid demonic flames, and Li Jing tried to kill the child while his wife protected him. When a servant announced that a Daoist from Golden Light Cave of Mount Qianyuan had arrived to seek a disciple, Li Jing was startled.

• Li Jing waited anxiously as his wife endured a painful labor, then saw red light and fire erupt from the room.
• Li Jing rescued his wife from the burning building and saw a flaming ball of flesh roll outside.
• Li Jing split the ball of flesh with his sword, and Nezha emerged from the flames as a four- or five-year-old child.
• Li Jing raised his sword to kill Nezha, but his wife clung to his leg and pleaded with him to spare their son.
• A servant reported that a Daoist from Golden Light Cave of Mount Qianyuan had arrived to seek a disciple, startling Li Jing.

Taiyi Zhenren arrived at the Li household to claim Li Jing’s newborn third son as his fated disciple, but Ye Xuan appeared and declared the child was already destined to be his disciple. Li Jing welcomed Ye Xuan as the Human Emperor, leaving Taiyi Zhenren displeased as the dispute over the child began.

• Li Jing learned that Taiyi Zhenren had come from the Golden Light Cave of Mount Qianyuan and hurried to welcome him.
• Taiyi Zhenren explained that he had divined Li Jing’s third son was fated to become his disciple.
• Li Jing warned Taiyi Zhenren that his newborn son had stayed in the womb for three years and six months, was born amid demonic fire, and had grown rapidly.
• Taiyi Zhenren said the child’s unusual birth showed exceptional gifts and recalled that Yuanshi Tianzun had ordered the Twelve Golden Immortals to find disciples for the coming Investiture of the Gods tribulation.
• Ye Xuan arrived with two women and told Taiyi Zhenren that Li Jing’s third child was fated to be his disciple, since he had arrived first.
• Li Jing welcomed Ye Xuan as the Human Emperor and ordered tea, while Taiyi Zhenren grew annoyed at being slighted.

Ye Xuan challenged Taiyi Zhenren to wager their magical treasures over who had a fated connection with the Li family's third son. Taiyi Zhenren's own test of cause and effect showed that Ye Xuan had the connection, leaving the old immortal stunned and furious.

• Ye Xuan insisted that the Li family's third son had a fated connection with him and proposed a bet with Taiyi Zhenren.
• Ye Xuan wagered the Sea-Spanning Purple Gold Beam of the South Sea against Taiyi Zhenren's Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover.
• Taiyi Zhenren accepted and used his method to manifest the power of cause and effect.
• Su Daji worried that Ye Xuan might lose the treasure, while Ye Xuan secretly took her hand.
• Taiyi Zhenren's test showed that the cause-and-effect connection landed on Ye Xuan, leaving Taiyi Zhenren shocked and enraged.

Ye Xuan forced Taiyi Zhenren to confront his failed divination and demanded the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover, then accepted a second wager over their treasures. Taiyi Zhenren swore an oath before they began their combat, and the chapter ended as he prepared to use a technique against Ye Xuan.

• Taiyi Zhenren divined again, but the result remained unchanged, confirming that Nezha’s fate had not shifted.
• Ye Xuan demanded that Taiyi Zhenren hand over the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover after losing their first bet.
• Taiyi Zhenren proposed wagering all their treasures on a spar, and Ye Xuan accepted despite recognizing the mismatch in their treasures.
• Taiyi Zhenren swore an oath to the Heavenly Dao and flew into the air to fight Ye Xuan.
• Ye Xuan’s words scattered the dark clouds, and Taiyi Zhenren took a deep breath before using a technique.

Ye Xuan effortlessly resisted Taiyi Zhenren’s attacks in Chentang Pass, revealing a strength far beyond the Golden Immortal’s. He prepared to devour the nine fire dragons of the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover with his Nirvana True Fire.

• Taiyi Zhenren engulfed Ye Xuan in Mortal Dust Fire, but Ye Xuan’s Yin Dharma Body and Nirvana True Fire left him unharmed.
• Taiyi Zhenren furiously intensified his flames while Ye Xuan strolled through them, then Ye Xuan swept the fire away with a wave of his sleeve.
• Taiyi Zhenren launched numerous magical treasures at Ye Xuan, but they could not cross the three-foot forbidden zone around him.
• Taiyi Zhenren summoned the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover, sending nine fire dragons to attack Ye Xuan.
• Ye Xuan opened his mouth and inhaled, intending to devour the fire dragons and strengthen his Nirvana True Fire.

Ye Xuan defeated Taiyi Zhenren without making a move, collected his treasures, and ordered him to surrender the rest before letting him flee. He returned to Chentang Pass and asked Li Jing to take him to his third son, where he saw the young child.

• Ye Xuan swallowed Taiyi Zhenren’s nine fire dragons, making Taiyi realize he was outmatched and flee.
• Ye Xuan demanded that Taiyi honor their wager and hand over his treasures; Taiyi gave them up and escaped when Ye Xuan also demanded his Daoist robe.
• Ye Xuan examined the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover and considered the strength of the Twelve Golden Immortals.
• Li Jing apologized to Ye Xuan after the Human Emperor returned safely to Chentang Pass.
• Ye Xuan asked Li Jing to take him to his third son, and Li Jing led him inside to see the young child.

Ye Xuan named Li Jing and Lady Yin’s youngest son Nezha, gave him a collection of treasures, and warned his parents that his brothers were in danger. He then arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain to seek the sentient stone destined to become a mighty being.

• Ye Xuan met the naked young Nezha and, after joking about names, bestowed the name Nezha at Li Jing and Lady Yin’s request.
• Ye Xuan gave Nezha the Fire-Tipped Spear, Wind Fire Wheels, Universe Ring, and other treasures he had won in a bet.
• Ye Xuan told Li Jing and Lady Yin that Nezha was connected to Nuwa and that he planned to take the boy to her as a potential master.
• Ye Xuan warned Li Jing that Jin Zha and Mu Zha faced mortal danger if they remained close to the Chan Sect, then flew toward Flower-Fruit Mountain with Daji and Wushuang.
• Ye Xuan explained that Flower-Fruit Mountain held a sentient Five-Colored Divine Stone left by Nuwa and said he hoped to bring it into the world early.

Ye Xuan found the Five-Colored Divine Stone on Flower-Fruit Mountain and used his Chaos Creation Brush to hasten the formation of the Intelligent Stone Monkey within it. The stone transformed into the shape of an ape and began to shake violently as its birth approached.

• Ye Xuan told Su Daji and Wushuang that the Five-Colored Divine Stone would give birth to the Intelligent Stone Monkey, then led them to Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• Ye Xuan and the others explored the unclaimed mountain and found the immortal stone at its summit.
• Ye Xuan declared that the stone-born being would become one of his strongest fighters and took out the Chaos Creation Brush.
• Ye Xuan formed a mysterious totem with the brush and pressed it onto the stone, causing it to absorb the totem and the spiritual Qi around it.
• The stone's openings shifted into a face, its outline became ape-like, and it began trembling violently as the immortal embryo neared birth.

Ye Xuan welcomed the newly born Intelligent Stone Monkey, who chose the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron and wielded it as a staff. Ye Xuan planned to take him and the newborn Nezha to Empress Nuwa for training, while Nuwa overheard Ye Xuan’s thoughts and took offense at his insults.

• The Intelligent Stone Monkey burst from the immortal stone, leaped through the sky, and affectionately approached Ye Xuan.
• Ye Xuan considered asking Empress Nuwa to train the monkey and Nezha, while privately wondering what gift might please her.
• Empress Nuwa overheard Ye Xuan calling her a silly old woman and warned that she would make him pay if he came to visit.
• Ye Xuan presented three divine rods, and the Intelligent Stone Monkey chose the black-and-gold Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron.
• The needle transformed into a staff as the monkey swung it with excitement, and Ye Xuan took him away to prepare for Nuwa’s training.
• On Western Spirit Mountain, a Saint suddenly opened his eyes.

Ye Xuan returned to Chentang Pass to take Nezha to become Empress Nuwa’s disciple, but Nezha refused to leave because he believed Li Jing had beaten Lady Yin. Ye Xuan confronted Li Jing and demanded an explanation, leaving the truth unresolved.

• Saint Zhunti sensed that a vital karmic tie had snapped, failed to calculate what had happened, and returned to cultivation.
• Ye Xuan left Flower-Fruit Mountain with Su Daji and Wushuang and went to Chentang Pass to take Nezha away.
• Ye Xuan explained that Nezha was the reincarnation of Lingzhuzi, not a demon, and said he had found Nezha a master.
• Nezha refused to leave, saying he had seen Li Jing beat Lady Yin and feared for his mother.
• Ye Xuan stopped Lady Yin from speaking and demanded that Li Jing explain himself, and Li Jing finally began to answer.

Ye Xuan took Nezha away after explaining that Li Jing had not been hurting Lady Yin, then decided to seek an alliance with Empress Pingxin against the Heavenly Dao. He sent Wushuang and Daji back to Chaoge and arrived alone at Wa Huang Palace to visit Nuwa.

• Nezha explained that he had mistaken Li Jing and Lady Yin's intimate moment for a beating and had set a fire to stop it.
• Ye Xuan reassured Nezha, took him away, and left Li Jing and Lady Yin behind.
• As he traveled, Ye Xuan considered asking Empress Pingxin to join forces with the Human Dao and the allies he already had against the Heavenly Dao.
• Near Chaoge, Ye Xuan sent Wushuang and Daji back and traveled alone toward Wa Huang Palace.
• Ye Xuan reached Wa Huang Palace and marveled at its treasure-filled splendor.

Ye Xuan brought the Intelligent Stone Monkey and Nezha to Wa Huang Palace, hoping Empress Nuwa would train them. He encountered Nuwa bathing, and after she teased him about his identity, he turned around and was overwhelmed by her beauty.

• Ye Xuan released the Intelligent Stone Monkey and Nezha outside Wa Huang Palace, intending to ask Empress Nuwa to take them as disciples.
• Several of Nuwa’s attendants welcomed Ye Xuan and escorted him to her bedchamber, gossiping about his looks and reputation as they left.
• Ye Xuan reached a garden and found Nuwa bathing in a hot spring, so he turned away awkwardly.
• Nuwa overheard Ye Xuan’s thoughts about her appearance and teased him by asking whether he would call her Empress Nuwa, Fellow Daoist, or Human Dao Saint.
• Ye Xuan turned around to look at Nuwa and silently marveled at her beauty.

Ye Xuan visited Nuwa with Nezha and explained that Lingzhuzi had been manipulated into reincarnating as Li Jing’s third son. Nuwa’s ability to hear Ye Xuan’s thoughts exposed his insults and fantasies, leaving their meeting tense as he began asking for her help.

• Ye Xuan thanked Nuwa for repeatedly saving him, while Nuwa asked what he meant by calling her a “hag” and a “stupid old hag.”
• Ye Xuan tried to pass the insults off as affectionate terms, then worried that Nuwa could hear his thoughts and discover his fantasies about her.
• Nuwa heard Ye Xuan’s fantasies and grew furious, while Ye Xuan sat awkwardly through their tense silence.
• Ye Xuan asked Nuwa for a favor and indicated that it concerned the two children with him.
• Ye Xuan identified one child as Nezha, formerly Lingzhuzi, and said that hidden schemes had caused him to reincarnate as Li Jing’s third son.

Ye Xuan warned Empress Nuwa that Yuanshi Tianzun could use Lingzhuzi to drive a wedge between her and Sect Master Tongtian, then brought her the Intelligent Stone Monkey and asked her to teach him. Nuwa had not agreed to take disciples when Ye Xuan urged the two little fellows to kowtow, and the chapter ended with him seriously pleading for her help against the coming Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods.

• Ye Xuan warned Nuwa that Taiyi Zhenren might take the reincarnated Lingzhuzi as his disciple and turn him against Interception Sect, making Tongtian suspect Nuwa of siding with Chan Sect.
• Nuwa realized Yuanshi Tianzun’s plans included making her bear the blame for the Great Tribulation, and she grew angry at his scheme involving Lingzhuzi.
• Ye Xuan told Nuwa that the Intelligent Stone Monkey came from a Five-Colored Divine Stone she had lost while mending the heavens, and asked her to teach him.
• Ye Xuan urged the Intelligent Stone Monkey and the other little fellow to kneel and take Nuwa as their master, but Nuwa rebuked him for assuming she would accept them.
• Ye Xuan stopped pretending that he was helpless and gravely begged Nuwa to help protect the living beings of the Primordial World from the coming tribulation.

Ye Xuan warned Nuwa that Dao Ancestor Hongjun was using the Investiture of the Gods to weaken the Primordial World and seize the Human Dao Repository and Earthly Dao Repository. Nuwa agreed to consider joining forces with Ye Xuan, who planned to recruit Tongtian and Empress Pingxin next.

• Nuwa told Ye Xuan that she could barely protect herself against the forces behind the tribulation.
• Ye Xuan argued that staying out of the struggle would cost Nuwa her Saint's Dao fruit and explained that Hongjun was plotting to weaken the Primordial World and plunder its Human and Earthly Dao repositories.
• Nuwa realized the Investiture of the Gods was meant to trap powerful figures, empower the Heavenly Dao, and leave the Primordial World under Hongjun's control.
• Nuwa asked Ye Xuan whether they could defeat their enemies and outscheme Hongjun.
• Ye Xuan proposed that he and Nuwa join forces with Tongtian and seek Empress Pingxin's support in the Nine Nether Underworld.

Ye Xuan persuaded Nuwa to join his plan to oppose the Heavenly Dao, provided he could bring Pingxin into the alliance. Nuwa revealed her preparations and warned him to keep his secret dealings hidden, while Ye Xuan turned to asking her for magical treasures.

• Ye Xuan explained that the Human Dao Repository and Earthly Dao Repository could unite against the Heavenly Dao, and Nuwa agreed to join him if he could invite Pingxin out.
• Ye Xuan urged Nuwa to prepare forces, and she revealed that the Holy Mother of the West, King Yinshi, hidden experts, and demons answering to her Demon-Summoning Banner could support her.
• Nuwa warned Ye Xuan that his secret dealings could expose their plans, and he realized she had learned about his connections through the Queen Mother of the West.
• After their serious discussion, Ye Xuan teased Nuwa and asked her to give him a few magical treasures.

Ye Xuan asked Empress Nuwa for her golden gourd, and she lent it to him on the condition that he fulfill a favor later. After Nuwa kicked him out for secretly admiring her legs, Ye Xuan set off to find another of the four monkeys.

• Ye Xuan asked Nuwa for her Seven-Colored Gold Gourd, and she lent it to him in exchange for a promise to fulfill a request when the time came.
• Ye Xuan admired Nuwa’s legs in his thoughts, which she heard, and she kicked him out of Wa Huang Palace.
• Nuwa reflected on Ye Xuan’s plans involving the Human Dao and Pingxin of the Earthly Dao.
• Ye Xuan recovered in midair, pleased with the gourd and his glimpse of Nuwa, then headed off to find another of the four monkeys.

Ye Xuan traveled to Mount Mei to meet Yuan Hong, the Long-Armed Ape, hoping to bring him into his forces before the war progressed. After arriving, Ye Xuan introduced himself as Di Xin, the Human Emperor, leaving Yuan Hong astonished and honored.

• Ye Xuan decided to seek Yuan Hong on Mount Mei so he could recruit him early and strengthen his position alongside Nuwa and Sect Master Tongtian.
• After three days of travel, Ye Xuan reached Mount Mei and admired its extraordinary scenery.
• Yuan Hong sensed Ye Xuan’s arrival and invited him to his cave abode, where Ye Xuan observed how different he looked from the other divine monkeys.
• Yuan Hong welcomed Ye Xuan with fruit wine and asked where he came from and why he had visited Mount Mei.
• Ye Xuan praised Yuan Hong’s peaceful life, drank his spirit wine, and revealed that he was Di Xin, the current Human Emperor.
• Yuan Hong was shocked by Ye Xuan’s identity and felt honored by the Human Emperor’s visit.

Ye Xuan visited Mount Mei to recruit Yuan Hong, the Long-Armed Ape, and revealed his knowledge of the Four Divine Monkeys and their powers. Yuan Hong was deeply shocked by Ye Xuan’s revelations, while Ye Xuan’s invitation remained unresolved.

• Ye Xuan urged Yuan Hong to leave seclusion and join him in Chaoge, praising the value of his aid.
• Ye Xuan told Yuan Hong that he knew his origins and explained that the Four Divine Monkeys were extraordinary beings outside the ordinary cycles of life and reincarnation.
• Ye Xuan described the Six-Eared Macaque and said he had already found the Intelligent Stone Monkey and sent him to Nuwa.
• Ye Xuan identified Wuzhiqi as the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey and said he had rescued him and sent him on a mission in the North Sea.
• Ye Xuan described the Long-Armed Ape’s divine powers, leaving Yuan Hong astonished that the Human Emperor knew his true form and the secrets of the other monkeys.

Ye Xuan tried to recruit Yuan Hong, the Long-Armed Ape, by describing the other divine monkeys and provoking his competitive spirit. After considering Yuan Hong’s legendary Eight-Nine Arcane Art, Ye Xuan offered him a treasure, leaving its identity unrevealed.

• Ye Xuan told Yuan Hong that two of the Four Divine Monkeys had joined him and invited him to become the third.
• Ye Xuan described the Intelligent Stone Monkey and the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey, claiming their talents and power could rival or surpass Yuan Hong’s.
• Yuan Hong grew displeased and eager to test himself against the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey.
• Ye Xuan reflected on Yuan Hong’s mastery of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art and clarified that Yuan Hong and the Intelligent Stone Monkey were different beings.
• Ye Xuan told Yuan Hong that he had brought him a fine treasure and invited him to look at it.

Ye Xuan gave the Long-Armed Ape, Yuan Hong, the Sea-Spanning Purple Gold Beam, and Yuan Hong pledged his allegiance after testing its power. Ye Xuan left him hidden on Mount Mei while Yuan Hong prepared to send his brothers to Chaoge.

• Ye Xuan offered Yuan Hong a choice between the As-You-Will Iron Rod and the Sea-Spanning Purple Gold Beam, and Yuan Hong chose the purple treasure.
• Ye Xuan explained the Sea-Spanning Purple Gold Beam’s power and gave it to Yuan Hong, who transformed it into a staff and tested its destructive might.
• Yuan Hong pledged his life to Ye Xuan, who noted that only the Six-Eared Macaque remained unaccounted for among the Four Divine Monkeys.
• Yuan Hong asked to gather his powerful brothers and take them to Chaoge, and Ye Xuan agreed while keeping Yuan Hong on Mount Mei as a hidden asset.
• Ye Xuan spent several days discussing the Dao with Yuan Hong, then departed; Yuan Hong returned to his cave to contact his brothers and send them to Chaoge.

Yuan Hong summoned the six demon kings of Mount Mei and told them that their shared karma tied them to the Investiture of the Gods tribulation. After revealing that the Human Emperor had personally invited them and that he had accepted, Yuan Hong ordered his brothers to go to Chaoge while he remained on the mountain until the time was right.

• Yuan Hong gathered Jin Dasheng, Dai Li, Zhu Zizhen, Chang Hao, Yang Xian, and Wu Long, the other six Monsters of Mount Mei.
• Yuan Hong proposed that the brothers descend the mountain to help the Human Emperor and earn merit.
• Jin Dasheng warned that aiding the Human Emperor would make them enemies of the Heavenly Dao Sages.
• Yuan Hong explained that they all carried karma and would be better off facing the tribulation by choice, then revealed that the Human Emperor had personally invited him and he had agreed.
• The six demon kings decided to follow Yuan Hong's lead, and he ordered them to settle their subordinates, go to Chaoge, and seek positions as generals while he stayed behind.

Ye Xuan received Xuan Nü, a visitor from the Human Clan’s Fire Cloud Cave, while learning that the sages there had safeguarded the Nine Provinces Cauldrons and the clan’s fortune. The chapter ended as Xuan Nü removed her veil before him.

• Jin Dasheng led his five brothers toward Chaoge, scolding Zhu Zizhen for slowing them down before agreeing to travel at a more leisurely pace.
• Ye Xuan returned to Chaoge, while Su Changkong went to the small Heavenly Pool to adapt to his new strength as a Human Dao Saint.
• A palace report announced that a woman from Fire Cloud Cave had come to meet Ye Xuan, who ordered that she be brought in.
• Xuan Nü introduced herself as a descendant of the Human Clan’s Fire Cloud Tribe and bowed to Ye Xuan.
• Ye Xuan apologized for never visiting the Human Clan’s sages, and Xuan Nü reassured him that they understood before removing her veil.

Nine Heavens Profound Lady visited Ye Xuan on behalf of the ancestors in Fire Cloud Cave and presented him with the Human Clan’s holy sword, Xuanyuan. Ye Xuan recognized its immense power and learned how its history was bound to the Human Clan’s suffering and hopes.

• Xuan Nü explained that Nine Heavens Profound Lady was a title passed down among the purest women of the Fire Cloud Clan.
• Xuan Nü told Ye Xuan that the ancestors praised his actions and believed he could lead the Human Clan to great flourishing.
• Xuan Nü presented Ye Xuan with the Xuanyuan Sword on behalf of the ancestors in Fire Cloud Cave.
• Ye Xuan opened the bundle and examined the sword’s carvings of the heavens, the land, and all living things.
• Ye Xuan recalled how the Witch-Slaying Sword and Demon-Slaying Sword had been forged from Human Clan victims and later combined by ancient Human Clan sages into Xuanyuan.