Chapter Summaries

After news spread that Deng Jiugong had appeared in Xiqi, Ye Xuan learned from Su Daji that Tu Xingsun had taken Deng Jiugong and Deng Chanyu from Three Mountains Pass. Ye Xuan then confronted Su Daji over the Green Mound Shadow Guards’ failure to track Tu Xingsun.

• Yin Shang’s people and regional lords reacted to reports of Deng Jiugong’s presence in Xiqi, and officials gathered in Chaoge to await Ye Xuan’s response.
• Su Daji reported that Deng Chanyu had met Tu Xingsun and brought him to Three Mountains Pass, where Deng Jiugong made him a vanguard general.
• Su Daji explained that Tu Xingsun disappeared with Deng Jiugong and Deng Chanyu, while the delayed report from Three Mountains Pass arrived alongside news of their supposed defection.
• Ye Xuan suspected Tu Xingsun had abducted the pair and lamented that Deng Chanyu’s fated marriage to him might still come to pass.
• Ye Xuan angrily questioned Su Daji about why the Green Mound Shadow Guards had failed to track Tu Xingsun, and Su Daji knelt without defending her subordinates.

After the Green Mound Shadow Guards failed to detect Tu Xingsun, Ye Xuan reprimanded Su Daji, ordered a public denunciation and bounty, and appointed Kong Xuan to defend Three Mountains Pass. The Golden-Winged Great Peng arrived in Chaoge to pledge allegiance to the Human Clan, bringing news of his tens of thousands of bird fighters and his hope of openly joining the Primordial World.

• Ye Xuan scolded Su Daji for the Green Mound Shadow Guards' failure to report Tu Xingsun and warned that another failure would end the organization.
• Ye Xuan ordered Bi Gan to explain Deng Jiugong's capture, condemn Xiqi, and announce a bounty on Tu Xingsun, then appointed Kong Xuan to defend Three Mountains Pass.
• Su Daji told Ye Xuan that the Golden-Winged Great Peng had arrived in Chaoge, and Ye Xuan welcomed him with his ministers.
• The Golden-Winged Great Peng told Ye Xuan he had come to pledge allegiance to the Human Clan and revealed he was Kong Xuan's younger brother and Yuanfeng's offspring.
• The Golden-Winged Great Peng said he had gathered tens of thousands of bird fighters, including about a hundred Golden Immortal experts, and hoped to bring his people into the open.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng pledged his bird forces to the Human Clan, and Ye Xuan gathered the Dragon King Ao Guang and the Qilin King in Chaoge. After introducing the assembled experts, they waited for Kong Xuan to return from Three Mountains Pass.

• The Golden-Winged Great Peng pledged allegiance to Ye Xuan and brought his forces to Chaoge.
• Ye Xuan summoned Dragon King Ao Guang and Kong Xuan to join the Golden-Winged Great Peng and the Qilin King.
• Ao Guang arrived, greeted Ye Xuan, and was astonished by the powerful figures gathered in the hall.
• Ye Xuan introduced the Four Divine Monkeys, Nezha, the Qilin King, and the Golden-Winged Great Peng to Ao Guang.
• The guests drank while they waited for Kong Xuan, and the tipsy Ao Guang prepared to present treasures to Ye Xuan.

Kong Xuan arrived in Chaoge with Colorful Phoenix and reunited openly with her younger brother, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, after their long separation. They embraced and spoke of the hardships they had endured, while Kong Xuan praised his cultivation and then chided him for being lax.

• The East Sea Dragon King brought a giant whale to Ye Xuan, who sliced it into portions for everyone to eat.
• Ye Xuan sensed Kong Xuan approaching, and the Golden-Winged Great Peng recognized his sister's presence and grew emotional.
• Kong Xuan entered the hall with Colorful Phoenix and greeted the Golden-Winged Great Peng.
• The Golden-Winged Great Peng called Kong Xuan his sister, then wept in her arms as they reunited.
• Kong Xuan praised the Golden-Winged Great Peng's efforts and Quasi-Saint cultivation, then told him he had been lax in his cultivation.

Kong Xuan introduced Colorful Phoenix to Golden-Winged Great Peng and encouraged them to get to know each other, while Ye Xuan offered to grant them a marriage if they fell for one another. The gathering also revealed the Qilin King's lingering heartbreak over Kong Xuan, and Huo Ling greeted Kong Xuan as her beloved sister and teacher.

• Kong Xuan greeted the Dragon King and Five-Virtue Qilin, then teased the Qilin King about his lack of progress.
• Kong Xuan introduced Colorful Phoenix to Golden-Winged Great Peng, and both blushed at the unexpected matchmaking.
• Ye Xuan praised the pair and offered to grant them a marriage if they took a liking to each other.
• Golden-Winged Great Peng called Ye Xuan his brother-in-law and said he would wait until Ye Xuan married Kong Xuan.
• The Qilin King reflected on his rejected feelings for Kong Xuan and accepted that she cared for Ye Xuan.
• Huo Ling greeted Kong Xuan, who fondly remembered teaching her the Fire Dao when she was young.

Ye Xuan asked the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans to disclose their strength as they gathered in Chaoge to prepare for the Investiture of the Gods. Their leaders revealed that each clan could field tens of thousands of fighters, and the chapter ended with the Qilin Clan’s forces surprising the assembled experts.

• Kong Xuan teased Huo Ling about marrying Ye Xuan and protested when the Qilin King said she had been promised to the Human Emperor.
• Ye Xuan welcomed the gathered leaders of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans and asked them to explain their clans’ strength.
• Dragon King Ao Guang said the Four Seas held more than forty thousand dragons, of whom around thirty thousand could fight.
• Colorful Phoenix reported that the Phoenix Clan had more than twenty thousand members and could field around twenty thousand fighters.
• Huo Ling said the Qilin Clan had more than twenty thousand members and could field them all, astonishing the assembled experts.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng revealed that he had gathered ten thousand powerful Bird Clan fighters to support Chaoge, while Ye Xuan remained concerned about the battles among experts and the threat beyond the Primordial World. Ye Xuan then introduced Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven, whose arrival led the Qilin King and Kong Xuan to suspect that Ancestor Minghe had allied with the Human Clan.

• The Golden-Winged Great Peng said he had assembled roughly ten thousand formidable Bird Clan fighters, bringing the allied forces available to Chaoge to about eighty thousand.
• Ye Xuan told everyone to prepare for a possible conflict between Chaoge and Xiqi, but withheld what he knew about the Chaos Ferocious Beasts.
• Ye Xuan had Su Daji bring Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven out to meet the gathered leaders.
• The Qilin King recognized Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven as someone close to Ancestor Minghe and wondered whether Minghe had formed an alliance with the Human Clan.
• Kong Xuan recognized Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven and recalled that Ancestor Minghe had once offered her to Ye Xuan.

Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven revealed that Ancestor Minghe had sent her to Chaoge to negotiate an alliance between the Ashura Clan and the Human Clan. Ye Xuan welcomed the alliance but worried that the Primordial World faced growing danger from Chaos beings.

• Kong Xuan recognized Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven and grew angry, suspecting Ancestor Minghe wanted to send her to Ye Xuan.
• Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven introduced herself as one of the Ashura Clan’s four great devil kings and an envoy from Ancestor Minghe.
• Paranirmita-vaśavartin Heaven announced that Ancestor Minghe wished to ally with the Human Clan and distributed Blood God Sons to the people in the hall.
• Ye Xuan asked the crowd about Ancestor Minghe, and they recalled his formidable power and the Ashura Clan’s potential military strength.
• Ye Xuan considered the threat of Chaos beings entering the Primordial World and resolved to gather strength for what might come.

Ye Xuan welcomed three powerful demon women who arrived at Chaoge and recognized them as old acquaintances: Bai Susu, Huanhuan, and Ye Wudao. Bai Susu reported that she had completed the task he assigned her, but Ye Xuan questioned why it had taken seven years.

• Ye Xuan urged Chaoge's allies to stay united as they prepared for the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods.
• Yuxin told Ye Xuan that three powerful demon women had come to Chaoge seeking an audience and had brought him a surprise.
• Ye Xuan recognized the visitors as Bai Susu, Huanhuan, and Ye Wudao, each of whom he had met before.
• Bai Susu greeted Ye Xuan and said she had completed the arrangements for his task after several years away.
• Ye Xuan asked Bai Susu whether seven years had been too long to finish the arrangements.

Bai Susu explained why her western organization had taken seven years to establish, then brought Huanhuan and Ye Wudao to Chaoge. Ye Xuan learned Ye Wudao was a Night Devil Horse and completed the Twelve Zodiac Animals, which he planned to set against the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals.

• Bai Susu explained that the west's sparse population, powerful experts, Great Mount Sumeru's influence, and difficult communications had made her organization slow to establish.
• Su Daji realized Ye Xuan had built networks across the east and west and worried that Bai Susu's organization might outshine the Green Mound Shadow Guards.
• Bai Susu introduced Huanhuan, a Quasi-Saint who hoped to serve Ye Xuan, and Ye Xuan acknowledged her without comment.
• Bai Susu revealed that Ye Wudao was a Night Devil Horse, and Ye Xuan called the Twelve Zodiac Animals forward and confirmed that all twelve had gathered in Chaoge.
• Ye Xuan asked Ye Wudao to accept restrictions and join the group; Ye Wudao agreed, completing the team that Ye Xuan intended to pit against the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals.

Ye Xuan sent the Twelve Zodiac Animals and Nezha into secluded cultivation while Xiqi reeled from Chaoge’s growing strength. Yuanshi Tianzun saved Ji Chang, warned the Chan Sect Golden Immortals that the great tribulation was beginning, and hinted that the Chan Sect had far more hidden power than others knew.

• Ye Xuan ordered the Twelve Zodiac Animals and Nezha to join him in secluded cultivation, and appointed Grand Tutor Wen Zhong to keep the army ready.
• News of the Dragon Clan, Qilin Clan, Phoenix Clan, and three powerful women gathering in Chaoge crushed Xiqi’s morale, and Ji Chang collapsed from the shock.
• Jiang Ziya brought the dying Ji Chang to Jade Void Palace, where Yuanshi Tianzun used Five Elements True Fire to suppress Ji Chang’s Fire of Delusion and save his life.
• After Ji Chang awoke, Yuanshi Tianzun told him to attack Yin Shang without hesitation and seek help if he met an opponent he could not defeat.
• Yuanshi Tianzun warned the Golden Immortals that the great tribulation was beginning and urged them to seek help from Daoist Randeng or him.
• Yuanshi Tianzun thought of Chaoge and Ye Xuan, then revealed that the Chan Sect’s hidden strength went far beyond the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Ji Chang returned to Xiqi and, after mourning Bo Yikao, authorized Jiang Ziya to lead the Campaign Against Shang and appoint its generals. As Jiang Ziya prepared to name a commander, King Yinshi appeared and demanded a position in Western Zhou’s army.

• Ji Chang returned safely to Xiqi, and San Yisheng suspected Ji Fa’s grief was hypocritical.
• Ji Chang mourned Bo Yikao at the Spirit Terrace and declared his intent to avenge him by sending out the army.
• Jiang Ziya urged Ji Chang to attack Yin Shang, and Ji Chang gave him the authority to mobilize troops and lead the campaign.
• Jiang Ziya prepared to appoint Nangong Shi commander-in-chief of the three armies.
• King Yinshi arrived on a dark cloud, identified himself, and challenged Western Zhou for scolding him instead of welcoming his talent.

King Yinshi joined Western Zhou’s campaign against Yin Shang, but Jiang Ziya appointed Nangong Shi commander of the three armies instead of him. Jiang Ziya then assigned Wei Hu as vanguard general and offered Yuan Futong command of the front army, leaving Yuan Futong stunned by the appointment.

• King Yinshi said Lu Ya had sent him to help Western Zhou fight Yin Shang, and Jiang Ziya welcomed him before continuing the appointments.
• Jiang Ziya restored Nangong Shi as commander of the three armies, giving him the tiger tally and moving King Yinshi to fury.
• Jiang Ziya appointed Wei Hu vanguard general, placing fifty thousand troops under his command.
• Jiang Ziya appointed Yuan Futong general of the front army, assigning him five hundred thousand troops plus Wei Hu’s fifty thousand.
• Yuan Futong stood stunned as Jiang Ziya asked whether he would accept the command.

Jiang Ziya appointed commanders for Xiqi’s campaign against Yin Shang and approved a force of more than two million troops. He left Han Dulong and Xue Ehu responsible for guarding and transporting the army’s provisions as the expedition prepared to set out.

• Yuan Futong accepted command of the forward army and vowed to challenge Chaoge again.
• Jiang Ziya appointed Jin Zha and Mu Zha generals of the left and right wings, each commanding one hundred thousand troops.
• Jiang Ziya appointed Liang Fan general of the rear with five hundred thousand troops, valuing her steady command and martial skill.
• Jiang Ziya and Nangong Shi agreed to mobilize 2.05 million troops, including eight hundred thousand in the central army.
• Jiang Ziya appointed Han Dulong and Xue Ehu generals of the grain guard, assigning them two hundred thousand troops and responsibility for the army’s provisions.

Jiang Ziya appointed King Yinshi as military strategist while Xiqi prepared to attack Yin Shang. Xiqi’s army reached Sishui Pass, where Wen Zhong and Shen Gongbao awaited them, bringing the opposing forces to the brink of battle.

• Jiang Ziya offered King Yinshi the post of military strategist, and King Yinshi accepted after Jiang Ziya assured him the position was worthy of his status.
• After learning Xiqi was preparing for war, Bi Gan and Shang Rong visited Ye Xuan, who told them Wen Zhong and his million troops were ready at Sishui Pass.
• Shen Gongbao joined Wen Zhong as his deputy and vowed to oppose Jiang Ziya in the coming battle.
• Jiang Ziya led Xiqi’s 2.2 million troops from Mount Qi Pass and camped near Sishui Pass, where he saw Shen Gongbao among the opposing forces.
• The next morning, Wei Hu led Xiqi’s army toward Sishui Pass, and the two armies assembled against each other.

Western Zhou and Yin Shang faced off at Sishui Pass, where Wen Zhong and Jiang Ziya traded accusations before agreeing to an honorable battle between vassal lords. Jiang Ziya appointed Wei Hu to lead the first charge, and Wei Hu rode out to challenge Yin Shang’s forces.

• Wen Zhong accused Western Zhou of rebelling against the Human Clan Saint Emperor, while Jiang Ziya defended the campaign as a righteous effort to depose a tyrant.
• Shen Gongbao challenged Jiang Ziya’s claims, but Jiang Ziya insulted him by bringing up his origins and expulsion from the Chan Sect.
• Wen Zhong dismissed further argument and asked Jiang Ziya whether the armies would fight an honorable battle or use stratagems; Jiang Ziya chose an open battle.
• Jiang Ziya called for a general to lead the first charge and selected Wei Hu, the great general of the vanguard.
• Wei Hu rode forward and challenged Yin Shang’s soldiers to send someone to fight him.

Wei Hu and Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal fought to a mutual defeat in the first battle between Xiqi and Sishui Pass. As both generals recovered, Xue Ehu challenged the defenders, and Wen Zhong’s side prepared to answer.

• Wen Zhong sent Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal to face Wei Hu, who attacked with his Demon-Subduing Vajra.
• Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal struck Wei Hu with hundreds of thousands of golden steel needles, then moved in to capture him.
• Wei Hu feigned defeat and smashed the Demon-Subduing Vajra into Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal’s head, leaving both generals badly injured.
• Jiang Ziya and Wen Zhong called off the fight, and soldiers carried the two generals back to their camps.
• Xue Ehu, angered by Wei Hu’s injuries, went alone to challenge Sishui Pass, while Wen Zhong’s side considered who should answer him.

Jinguang Xian fought Xue Ehu at Sishui Pass, but defeated him with a powerful sonic attack. Yang Jian intervened to rescue Xue Ehu and quickly gained the upper hand against Jinguang Xian, leaving Grand Tutor Wen alarmed by his strength.

• Jinguang Xian volunteered to fight Xue Ehu and tried to persuade his old acquaintance to join Yin Shang.
• Xue Ehu refused to abandon his revenge for his brother and clashed with Jinguang Xian.
• Jinguang Xian countered Xue Ehu's sonic attack with his own roar, defeated him, and moved to capture him.
• Jiang Ziya ordered Yang Jian to bring Xue Ehu back, and Yang Jian rushed into battle against Jinguang Xian.
• Yang Jian overwhelmed Jinguang Xian with his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade, while Grand Tutor Wen watched in alarm.

Yang Jian defeated Jinguang Xian, but held back when Yin Shang sounded the retreat gong. Yuan Hong, the Long-Armed Ape sent by Wen Zhong, then challenged Yang Jian, and their battle left both armies wondering how powerful the monkey was.

• Jinguang Xian withdrew after Yang Jian overwhelmed him, and Yang Jian refrained from attacking because the battle's rules forbade it.
• Yuan Hong, the Long-Armed Ape, emerged from hiding and told Wen Zhong he would test Yang Jian.
• Yang Jian and Yuan Hong introduced their weapons and began fighting, each wielding a treasure of formidable power.
• Yang Jian and Yuan Hong battled from the ground into the clouds, matching each other blow for blow.
• The Yin Shang and Western Zhou camps watched in astonishment as neither warrior gained an advantage.

Yuan Hong and Yang Jian fought to a standstill until their commanders recalled them for the night. As Western Zhou worried about the other divine monkeys, King Yinshi offered a golden needle designed to pierce even powerful physical bodies.

• The Western Zhou forces feared Yuan Hong might be one of Chaoge’s Four Divine Monkeys, but King Yinshi reassured them that he could defeat such opponents.
• Yuan Hong and Yang Jian fought fiercely from midday until nightfall, with neither able to overcome the other.
• Jiang Ziya and Grand Tutor Wen repeatedly sounded the gongs, and Yang Jian finally withdrew after Wu Wenhua urged him to return.
• Yang Jian complained that he had been recalled before defeating Yuan Hong, but Jiang Ziya explained that the battle could continue another day.
• Jiang Ziya worried that other divine monkeys might join the enemy, and King Yinshi offered a golden needle that could pierce even a Great Witch’s body.