Chapter Summaries

Yang Jian and Lei Zhenzi fought to a draw in Xiqi’s camp, then celebrated their arrival together. Meanwhile, King Wen of Zhou’s health continued to deteriorate, and San Yisheng began restricting his contact with the outside world.

• Yang Jian and Lei Zhenzi battled for hundreds of exchanges until Jiang Ziya called them to stop, and the two withdrew with mutual respect.
• Yang Jian celebrated Lei Zhenzi’s arrival with a feast, though he treated him coolly during the celebration.
• Lei Zhenzi stayed in the military camp for several days, then traveled alone to Xiqi City with Jiang Ziya’s letter of introduction.
• King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, grew weaker, slept for long stretches, and lost his appetite as Xiqi’s ministers worried about his declining health.
• San Yisheng began limiting King Wen of Zhou’s contact with the outside world.

News of King Wen of Zhou’s failing health and a scathing letter of condemnation spread through Xiqi, exposing his hypocrisy and alleged role in rebellions. King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, collapsed after reading it, while San Yisheng suspected Ji Fa had brought the letter to hasten his father’s downfall.

• News that King Wen of Zhou was nearing death spread through Xiqi, alarming the people and angering King Wen of Zhou.
• A letter of condemnation circulated in Xiqi, accusing King Wen of Zhou of lechery, maintaining slavery, and plotting the rebellions in Jizhou and the North Sea.
• The letter promised further explosive revelations, and King Wen of Zhou recognized the threat and was overcome with rage.
• San Yisheng blamed Ji Fa for deliberately bringing the letter before King Wen of Zhou and feared his ambition and malice.
• King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, cursed the Human Emperor, spat blood, and collapsed, unable to rise.

Lei Zhenzi arrived in Xiqi and struck Ji Chang, forcing the black blood from his chest and restoring him to consciousness. Ji Chang recognized Lei Zhenzi as his hundredth son, while news of Xiqi gaining another immortal ally spread as Chaoge remained silent.

• After Ji Chang collapsed, Lei Zhenzi appeared and struck him in the chest, causing him to cough up blood.
• Lei Zhenzi introduced himself as Ji Chang's hundredth son and presented a letter from Jiang Ziya, but Ji Fa tried to attack him.
• Ji Chang regained consciousness, explained that Lei Zhenzi had driven out the black blood, and asked who he was.
• Lei Zhenzi knelt before Ji Chang and recounted how Yun Zhongzi had taken him as a disciple and sent him to help Xiqi.
• Lei Zhenzi explained that two divine fruits had changed his appearance, and Ji Chang embraced him after accepting him as his son.
• News of Lei Zhenzi's arrival spread, stirring excitement over Xiqi's growing support while Yin Shang's people waited in vain for Chaoge to respond.

Ye Xuan ended his seclusion and appeared in court as Xiqi’s rebellion and growing influence unsettled Yin Shang. He rebuked his ministers for losing the people’s confidence, then heard that Jiang Ziya had become Xiqi’s prime minister and that many immortals were aiding its campaign against Shang.

• Su Daji urged Ye Xuan to stop cultivating and attend to state affairs, and he agreed.
• Ye Xuan rang the Immortal-Gathering Bell, summoning Chaoge’s civil and military officials to court.
• Ye Xuan entered the hall and told his ministers to remain composed and set an example for the people.
• Ye Xuan asked about Xiqi’s situation, and the ministers reported that Jiang Ziya had taken charge of its military and political affairs and that many immortals had joined its campaign against Shang.

Ye Xuan heard reports that Xiqi had won the regional lords’ support, raised a six-million-strong army, and drawn numerous immortal disciples and auspicious signs to Mount Qi. He dismissed the Grain-Holding Rice Measure as militarily insignificant but recognized that Xiqi’s hidden strength and growing fortune posed a serious challenge to Yin Shang.

• Ye Xuan listened as ministers reported that Jiang Ziya had become Xiqi’s prime minister and the regional lords were turning toward Xiqi.
• A minister reported that Xiqi had secretly mustered six million soldiers, startling Ye Xuan and exposing failures in the Green Mound Shadow Guards’ intelligence gathering.
• Ye Xuan dismissed Xiqi’s Grain-Holding Rice Measure as too limited to sustain a large army and contrasted it with Yin Shang’s abundant provisions.
• A minister listed Xiqi’s growing ranks of immortal disciples, including Han Dulong, Xue Ehu, Wei Hu, Yang Jian, and Lei Zhenzi, but Ye Xuan remained confident in his own forces.
• Wen Zhong warned Ye Xuan that a massive Black Bird had appeared above Mount Qi and activated Xiqi’s fortune.

Ye Xuan responded to Xiqi’s preparations by ordering Yin Shang to ready its armies and awakening Yuanfeng to make a phoenix cry over Chaoge. Yuanfeng’s blazing presence spread across the city, and her second cry shook the heavens.

• Ye Xuan ordered Grand Tutor Wen to offer wine to the troops and prepare to march, while he made further military arrangements.
• Ye Xuan summoned Yuanfeng’s coffin and used Spirit Awakening to briefly restore her consciousness.
• Yuanfeng recognized Ye Xuan as her master and agreed to reveal her true form above Chaoge.
• Yuanfeng transformed and flew into the sky, where her phoenix cry startled the people of Chaoge.
• A vast mass of thunder and fire spread above Chaoge, and Yuanfeng’s piercing cry rang out across the heavens.

Yuanfeng appeared above Chaoge as Yin Shang’s fortune surged across the Primordial World, stirring awe among its people and fear among its rivals. Watching from Xiqi, Ji Chang saw Western Zhou’s fortune dwarfed by Yin Shang’s and trembled at the sight.

• Yuanfeng emerged from the flames above Chaoge, and his fiery wings scattered flames that strengthened the people they touched.
• The mighty experts recognized Yuanfeng and feared that Chaoge was preparing a powerful counterattack against Xiqi.
• The people of Yin Shang knelt and prayed for the Black Bird to bless their nation and the Human Emperor.
• Yin Shang’s auspicious clouds of fortune spread across the Primordial World and visibly grew stronger.
• Ji Chang watched from the spirit platform and saw that Western Zhou’s fortune was tiny beside Yin Shang’s, leaving him ashen and trembling.

The providence gathering over Chaoge and Yuanfeng’s return alarmed powerful figures across the Primordial World as the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods drew closer. Nuwa decided to send two unruly monkeys and Lingzhuzi down the mountain, while the story left Chaoge’s strength under scrutiny from its potential allies and enemies.

• Ji Chang trembled as he realized his defiled body had become a flaw in Xiqi’s providence.
• Zhen Yuanzi witnessed Yuanfeng soaring above Chaoge and grew eager for the coming conflict.
• Ancestor Minghe watched Chaoge’s providence and resolved to judge whether its strength was worth his support.
• Yuanshi Tianzun grew furious as Chaoge’s counterattack threatened to undo his plans for Xiqi.
• Zhunti and Jieyin worried that Chaoge’s rising providence would make the great tribulation difficult and undermine the West’s rise.
• Nuwa considered the danger facing Chaoge and decided to send two unruly monkeys and Lingzhuzi down the mountain.

Bai Ze appeared over Chaoge after the Black Bird vanished, and the people hailed the Human Emperor as the holy ruler recognized by heaven and earth. The spectacle demoralized Xiqi and convinced Jiang Hengchu that Chaoge could withstand its rebellion.

• Sect Master Tongtian realized that Chaoge’s display meant the great war was drawing closer and began considering preparations for the Interception Sect.
• After the Black Bird disappeared, Bai Ze arrived over Chaoge and roamed through the auspicious clouds.
• The people recognized Bai Ze and declared that his appearance proved the Human Emperor was a holy ruler, dismissing Xiqi’s phoenix omen as meaningless.
• The people of Xiqi saw the spectacle and fell into despair over their hopes of rising to power.
• Jiang Hengchu watched from Eastern Lu, trusted that his son-in-law and the Human Dao Saint could defend Chaoge, and resolved to support them with Eastern Lu’s soldiers.

The Queen Mother of the West sent Bai Ze to Chaoge with Hundred Flowers Brew, bolstering Yin Shang’s public standing as Xiqi prepared to rebel. Outside Wa Huang Palace, Nezha and two divine monkeys set off for Chaoge, racing to reach Ye Xuan first.

• The South Marquis E Chongyu and North Marquis Chong Houhu wavered over whether to support Ji Chang’s rebellion as Chaoge’s power became clear.
• Bai Ze arrived in Chaoge on the Queen Mother of the West’s orders, paid respect to Ye Xuan, and gave him a gourd of Hundred Flowers Brew.
• Ye Xuan thanked Bai Ze and drank the Queen Mother of the West’s gift before Bai Ze departed.
• Nezha and two divine monkeys left Wa Huang Palace for Chaoge after Empress Nuwa sent them to help Ye Xuan.
• Nezha launched ahead on his Wind Fire Wheels when the three agreed to race to Chaoge.

Nezha raced the Intelligent Stone Monkey and Six-Eared Macaque toward Chaoge, where Ye Xuan recognized them and welcomed the arrival of all Four Divine Monkeys. The two newcomers and Nezha appeared before Ye Xuan and his ministers, who reacted with surprise and compared their appearance to the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey and Long-Armed Ape.

• Nezha and the two monkeys competed to reach Chaoge, but the monkeys’ space-crossing abilities outpaced his Wind Fire Wheels.
• Ye Xuan sensed two powerful figures approaching Chaoge and recognized their flight as the Somersault Cloud and The Ends of the Earth Within Reach.
• Nezha arrived, and Ye Xuan realized the Intelligent Stone Monkey and Six-Eared Macaque had joined him, bringing all Four Divine Monkeys together in Chaoge.
• The two monkeys teased Nezha about losing the race, and he insisted they might not beat him if they were at the same realm.
• Ye Xuan brought the three into the palace and told his ministers that the two monkeys were among the Four Monkeys of Havoc, prompting them to compare the monkeys’ looks with the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey and Long-Armed Ape.

Ye Xuan reunited with Nezha, the Six-Eared Macaque, and the Intelligent Stone Monkey in Chaoge, then ordered the two monkeys to spar. Their first clash showed that both could match the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey and the Long-Armed Ape, though the fight had not yet produced a winner.

• Nezha told Ye Xuan that Empress Nuwa had sent him and the two monkeys to assist their master.
• Ye Xuan asked the Six-Eared Macaque and the Intelligent Stone Monkey to demonstrate what they had learned from Nuwa by sparring.
• The Intelligent Stone Monkey created an arena in the sky above Chaoge and wielded the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron.
• The Six-Eared Macaque flew up with his As-You-Will Iron Rod, and the two monkeys exchanged a powerful first blow.
• Yuan Hong and the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey recognized that both newcomers were strong enough to stand on equal footing with them.

The Six-Eared Macaque and the Intelligent Stone Monkey fought a fierce, evenly matched battle in the sky while Ye Xuan and his companions watched. The Six-Eared Macaque landed a blow that sent the Intelligent Stone Monkey flying, but the Stone Monkey countered by enlarging his Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron and striking the Six-Eared Macaque.

• The Six-Eared Macaque and the Intelligent Stone Monkey unleashed their full power and traded rapid, earth-shaking blows.
• Ye Xuan reflected on Chaoge’s formidable forces, while the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey and the Long-Armed Ape remarked on the two fighters’ strength.
• Su Daji described the Six-Eared Macaque’s ability to anticipate attacks and the Intelligent Stone Monkey’s unpredictable battle instincts.
• The Six-Eared Macaque struck the Intelligent Stone Monkey in the abdomen and pressed forward to attack again.
• The Intelligent Stone Monkey enlarged his Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron into a colossal pillar and struck the Six-Eared Macaque.

The Intelligent Stone Monkey and the Six-Eared Macaque escalated their battle, revealing their divine abilities and enormous true forms. The two golden giant apes clashed in the sky as their fight reached its fiercest point.

• The Intelligent Stone Monkey used the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron to suppress the Six-Eared Macaque, but the Six-Eared Macaque broke free and knocked the staff aside with his As-You-Will Iron Rod.
• The Intelligent Stone Monkey created thousands of external incarnations from his fur and sent them after the Six-Eared Macaque.
• The Six-Eared Macaque used The Ends of the Earth Within Reach to vanish into the sea of clouds, then attacked the Intelligent Stone Monkey with an enormous palm.
• The Intelligent Stone Monkey recalled his incarnations and transformed into a golden giant ape over ten thousand zhang tall.
• The Six-Eared Macaque revealed his similar golden giant ape true form, and the two monkeys met each other's palms in a collision that shook the sky.

The Intelligent Stone Monkey and the Six-Eared Macaque fought for two days and nights to determine which was stronger, with the Intelligent Stone Monkey gradually gaining the upper hand. Their battle ended with both monkeys trading brutal staff blows in midair while the spectators watched in shock.

• Ye Xuan asked Nezha which divine monkey was stronger, and Nezha said their previous sparring had never settled the question.
• The Intelligent Stone Monkey and the Six-Eared Macaque fought from morning through two nights, and the Intelligent Stone Monkey began driving his opponent back.
• The Six-Eared Macaque struck the Intelligent Stone Monkey with the As-You-Will Iron Rod, but the Intelligent Stone Monkey returned from the sea of clouds and reclaimed the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron.
• The monkeys exchanged powerful blows with their staffs, injuring each other and knocking feeling from each other's left arms.
• The spectators in Chaoge watched in astonishment as the two divine monkeys continued their savage, evenly matched brawl.

The Intelligent Stone Monkey narrowly defeated the Six-Eared Macaque in a brutal rod fight, though the two soon resumed brawling after the Six-Eared Macaque kicked him. The Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey and Long-Armed Ape assessed the Four Divine Monkeys’ combat strength and experience.

• The Intelligent Stone Monkey and Six-Eared Macaque fought with their rods until each broke the other's left arm, and the Intelligent Stone Monkey stopped his weapon beside the Six-Eared Macaque's ear first.
• The Six-Eared Macaque accepted his narrow defeat, then kicked the Intelligent Stone Monkey, prompting the two to grapple.
• The Long-Armed Ape judged that the two fighters matched him and the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey in strength but lacked their combat experience.
• The Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey considered how he would fight each rival, noting the Six-Eared Macaque's restricted six-eared ability and the Intelligent Stone Monkey's growing strength.
• The Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey ranked himself first, the Long-Armed Ape and Intelligent Stone Monkey second and third, and the Six-Eared Macaque fourth.

Ye Xuan welcomed the Four Divine Monkeys together in Chaoge and planned to complete the Twelve Zodiac Animals next. Their gathering and Chaoge’s growing strength spread across the land, leaving Yin Shang’s people proud and Xiqi’s people dejected.

• The Long-Armed Ape privately ranked himself first among the Four Divine Monkeys and regretted that his earlier fight with the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey had been stopped.
• Ye Xuan judged the Intelligent Stone Monkey strongest in a fight to the death, with the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey, Long-Armed Ape, and Six-Eared Macaque following.
• Ye Xuan introduced the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey and Long-Armed Ape to the Intelligent Stone Monkey and Six-Eared Macaque, and the Four Divine Monkeys displayed their power together above Chaoge.
• Ye Xuan celebrated the arrival of the two monkeys and Nezha, then resolved to find the final Zodiac Animal and raise all twelve to the Daluo Golden Immortal realm.
• News of the Four Divine Monkeys spread, and Yin Shang’s people grew proud of Chaoge’s strength while looking down on Xiqi.
• The people of Xiqi felt dejected as they saw Yin Shang’s people remain poised and seemingly dismiss them.

Jiang Ziya sought the Antarctic Immortal’s help after Chaoge’s rise damaged Xiqi’s prestige, and the Antarctic Immortal persuaded Daoist Lu Ya to challenge Chaoge’s Black Bird. Daoist Lu Ya arrived at Chaoge and demanded to see the Black Bird, prompting Ye Xuan to recognize him.

• Jiang Ziya summoned the Antarctic Immortal and explained how Chaoge’s signs and powerful allies had weakened Xiqi’s standing.
• The Antarctic Immortal decided that Daoist Lu Ya could restore Xiqi’s morale by defeating Chaoge’s Black Bird.
• The Antarctic Immortal traveled to West Kunlun, brought Daoist Lu Ya gifts, and persuaded him to go to Chaoge.
• Daoist Lu Ya used the Rainbow Transformation Technique to reach Chaoge in half a day and called for the Black Bird to appear.
• Chaoge’s mighty figures sensed Daoist Lu Ya’s Quasi-Saint presence, while Ye Xuan awoke and recognized him as the last Golden Crow.

Ye Xuan explained Daoist Lu Ya’s origins and warned Kong Xuan about his strength and treasures before she confronted him in Chaoge. Kong Xuan revealed herself as the first Innate peacock and declared that she intended to defy heaven.

• Ye Xuan told Wushuang that Daoist Lu Ya was the last surviving Golden Crow and suspected he had caused the phoenix cry on Mount Qi.
• Kong Xuan returned to Chaoge and offered to deal with Daoist Lu Ya, while Ye Xuan warned her about his Quasi-Saint cultivation and magical treasures.
• Kong Xuan met Daoist Lu Ya in the sky and claimed to be Chaoge’s Black Bird, while Daoist Lu Ya demanded an explanation for her opposition to him.
• Kong Xuan rebuked Daoist Lu Ya for serving the Heavenly Dao despite its role in his parents’ deaths.
• Kong Xuan identified herself as the first Innate peacock and declared that she intended to defy heaven and overthrow it.

Kong Xuan confronted Lu Ya outside Chaoge after he challenged her, and the two began battling with their divine flames. Kong Xuan’s Nirvana True Fire gained the upper hand, but Lu Ya escalated the fight by summoning a powerful fire dragon.

• Kong Xuan condemned Lu Ya for serving the Heavenly Dao and offered to spare him if he left Chaoge, but he refused and challenged her.
• Lu Ya unleashed his Solar True Fire, while Kong Xuan answered with the five-colored Nirvana True Fire inherited from Yuanfeng.
• Ye Xuan watched the flames clash as Su Daji and Wushuang joined him, and Su Daji asked whether Kong Xuan could handle Lu Ya.
• Kong Xuan’s flames gradually overwhelmed Lu Ya’s Solar True Fire, so he roared and summoned a blazing fire dragon that made Chaoge’s inhabitants feel the heat.
• Kong Xuan’s expression changed slightly when she saw the fire dragon.