Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xuezhou woke in Chang'an and learned that he had been appointed grand master of the palace, a post that gave him authority over rites and institutions. He dismissed the officials who came to meet him and planned to visit the emperor before leaving for Western Kunlun to ask his master about beings from another realm.

• Zhang Xuezhou resolved to wait twelve days before checking his situation again and decided to ask his master in Western Kunlun how to deal with beings from another realm.
• Zhang Xuezhou woke to find twelve red-robed officials in his courtyard and learned that the new emperor had appointed him grand master of the palace.
• An elderly official explained that Zhang Xuezhou could conduct his work at home, at the Office of the Jingzhao Intendant, or in the imperial palace.
• Zhang Xuezhou thanked the emperor, dismissed the visiting officials, and said he would visit the emperor before calling on their residences.
• After leaving, the officials realized Zhang Xuezhou had not asked for their names or addresses and wondered how he would find them.

Zhang Xuezhou left Chang'an City and flew west toward Western Kunlun, hoping his extended absence would cost him the Grand Palace Counselor post. After discovering Cai Ma’s map was unreliable, he continued through the harsh lands beyond Yanmen Pass until dwindling power forced him to land at a Xiong State nomad camp.

• Zhang Xuezhou decided to neglect his duties as Grand Palace Counselor and left Chang'an City without reporting to the palace or meeting his court colleagues.
• He flew west using the Technique Within the Clouds and spotted a large army marching below, but could not determine who led it or where it was headed.
• Zhang Xuezhou compared Cai Ma’s map with the terrain and realized its routes and directions were unreliable, so he continued toward Yanmen Pass without following it.
• After passing Yanmen Pass, Zhang Xuezhou crossed grasslands, rocky hills, Gobi Desert, and icy terrain, using the Wind Avoidance Instruction against the harsh weather.
• When his Law Power and Demon Power ran low, Zhang Xuezhou descended at a tent camp inhabited by Xiong State nomads.

Zhang Xuezhou entered a small Xiong State tribe seeking food and discovered that its captives were being abused and killed. After hearing two men mention the Brahma Udumbara Lotus as a way to endure hunger and cold while escaping, he considered their plan.

• Zhang Xuezhou sneaked into Centurion Nanshan’s tent looking for food and subdued Nanshan and the woman with him.
• Zhang Xuezhou found a dead captive in the tent and learned that Nanshan and the woman had abused her.
• Zhang Xuezhou saw two men dragging another dead captive and heard that the tribe was killing captives who could not bear children and consuming the dead.
• Zhang Xuezhou decided the tribe had no food to spare and considered taking livestock to recover his strength.
• Zhang Xuezhou overheard the two men discuss escaping with Brahma Udumbara Lotuses from the snowy mountains, and their plan caught his attention.

Zhang Xuezhou joined Ma Lang and Niu Xun in searching the snowy mountains for Brahma Udumbara Lotuses in exchange for their help finding food. After locating and testing the herb, he learned it could warm and sustain them but was poisonous if eaten carelessly, then divided the harvest and prepared to explain its safe use.

• Zhang Xuezhou offered Ma Lang and Niu Xun directions to Yanmen Pass if they led him to the Brahma Udumbara Lotus.
• Ma Lang and Niu Xun described their capture by Xiong State soldiers and guided Zhang Xuezhou toward the snowy mountains.
• Zhang Xuezhou followed the faint fragrance against the wind and found a clump of Brahma Udumbara Lotuses.
• Zhang Xuezhou ate three lotuses and discovered that their fire poison provided warmth but could be dangerous in excess.
• Zhang Xuezhou divided the harvest between himself and the two men, setting aside two lotuses as payment and planning to teach them how to take the herb safely.

Zhang Xuezhou entered the Xiehun Tribe seeking food and treasure, killed its chief Xiehun Dayan, and found Blood Essence intended for Dharma Master Hongye. He took the Blood Essence and used Mao Bei’s name to misdirect whoever sought it, leaving a feud to unfold between Hongye and Mao Bei.

• After Ma Lang and Niu Xun left, Zhang Xuezhou descended into the Xiehun Tribe to look for food and useful treasures.
• Zhang Xuezhou found Xiehun Dayan carving a human skull, overcame his resistance, and killed him before he could complete an incantation.
• Zhang Xuezhou found the ghost-face Law Treasure and destroyed it with lamp oil and fire.
• Zhang Xuezhou discovered three rubies of Blood Essence in a sealed box addressed to Dharma Master Hongye, took them, and heard a magical message asking who had stolen them.
• Zhang Xuezhou claimed in Mao Bei’s voice that he had taken the Blood Essence to refine a pill for the king, and the claw reaching through the flames vanished.

After escaping an attack by Xiehun Tribe warriors, Zhang Xuezhou disguised himself as a mage of the Yedie River Holy Land and returned to the tribe. The tribespeople knelt before him, and he demanded to know whether they had seen the criminal Mao Bei.

• Zhang Xuezhou escaped from Xiehun Dayan's tent as the Xiehun Tribe warriors attacked with arrows and fire.
• He reflected on the tribespeople's coordinated, fearless fighting, then rested and ate on a mountainside.
• Zhang Xuezhou used the Heavenly Robe and altered his face to disguise himself as a mage from the Yedie River Holy Land.
• He approached the Xiehun Tribe and announced himself as a mage, prompting Xiehun Qu and the warriors to kneel and abandon their hunt.
• Zhang Xuezhou demanded that Xiehun Qu tell him whether he had seen Mao Bei, the criminal who had ruined the Holy Land's blood essence.

Zhang Xuezhou traveled west through Xiong State on horseback while pretending to be a mage from the Yedie River Holy Land, using a pursuit of Mao Bei as an excuse to gather followers and find food. After Xiehun Qu identified signs of a nearby tribe, Zhang Xuezhou rode ahead toward it, hoping to continue across the western states and reach Western Kunlun.

• Zhang Xuezhou claimed that Mao Bei had stolen the Sacred Land's Blood Essence and ordered the Xiehun Tribe to provide horses for his pursuit.
• Zhang Xuezhou rode west in his red mage's robe, and more than a hundred Xiehun Tribe riders initially followed him.
• Zhang Xuezhou lamented that he could not use his black and white horses and hoped Rong Tianding would eventually restore the Spirit Artifact.
• Xiehun Qu identified recent grazing signs and directed Zhang Xuezhou toward a tribe camped northwest, about thirty to fifty li away.
• Zhang Xuezhou galloped toward the tribe, and most of his followers fell behind as he sought food and a route farther west.

Zhang Xuezhou crossed from Xiong State into Greater Yuezhi, leaving his pursuers behind as he continued chasing Mao. Two Buddhist monks attacked him, leaving the encounter unresolved.

• Zhang Xuezhou left the Xiong State slaves at the border and rode into Greater Yuezhi alone.
• The slaves discussed his pursuit of Mao and feared entering Greater Yuezhi, where Tocharian forces and Buddhist monks could threaten them.
• As he traveled west, Zhang Xuezhou noticed many people with Han features and reflected on allegiance, national unity, and the Great Han Dynasty.
• Two monks in yellow robes attacked Zhang Xuezhou with a staff and Law Treasures.
• Zhang Xuezhou evaded their attacks and realized he could not talk his way past them because they did not speak the local language.

Zhang Xuezhou subdued two monks in the Greater Yuezhi Kingdom and questioned them about Cai Ma’s landmarks. After learning directions to several sacred temples, he knocked them unconscious and flew toward the route they described.

• Zhang Xuezhou defeated Batuoluo and Yinjietuo and forced them to speak Greater Yuezhi Language.
• Zhang Xuezhou questioned the monks about Jiamanba, and they revealed that their sacred temple was in Nuna City, five to six hundred li away.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked about Cai Ma’s other landmarks and learned that Aimenba lay south of Nuna City, though the monks could not identify all the names.
• Zhang Xuezhou thanked Batuoluo and Yinjietuo, knocked them unconscious, and discarded their staff and golden clang-clang.
• Zhang Xuezhou’s red robe faded toward pale yellow as he took to the air and flew toward the directions the monks had given.

Zhang Xuezhou flew through a vast, frozen mountain region while searching for people who could direct him toward Western Kunlun. He found a city being destroyed by a war elephant army and realized he had likely reached the country where his senior brother Rulai had been born.

• Zhang Xuezhou flew west and south through snow-covered mountains, finding no temples, settlements, or signs of life.
• As his Demon Power dwindled, Zhang Xuezhou switched to the Cloud Soaring Technique and continued into the darkness, suspecting he might have taken the wrong route.
• Zhang Xuezhou spotted a huge blaze and flew toward it, discovering a city whose houses were burning as a war elephant army slaughtered its people.
• A leader with a multicolored shield killed a captured bald old man after he invoked Tathagata, and Zhang Xuezhou recognized the name as Rulai's.
• Zhang Xuezhou concluded that he had probably reached the country of his senior brother Rulai.

Zhang Xuezhou arrived at Kapilavastu and witnessed King Virudhaka’s army slaughtering and plundering the city. He captured an elephant demon for information and learned it knew of Buddha Son Shigong and Brahma, leaving him to wonder whether they had attacked Rulai’s home base.

• Zhang Xuezhou watched King Virudhaka’s forces burn Kapilavastu, kill men, and abduct women.
• An elephant demon transformed into a human-like form and wandered away from the warriors in search of green bananas.
• Zhang Xuezhou lured the elephant demon away and subdued it with Realm Suppression.
• Zhang Xuezhou questioned the elephant demon and learned that the city was Kapilavastu and King Virudhaka ruled Kosala.
• The elephant demon recognized Buddha Son Shigong and Brahma, prompting Zhang Xuezhou to suspect they had attacked Rulai’s home base.

Zhang Xuezhou rode Nuxina toward Mahabodhi Temple, hoping to find Buddha Son Shigong and ask him to guide him to Kunlun Sacred Land. Along the way, he encountered the Peng Demon King and another great demon, both of whom wanted Western Sect tokens to protect their lives.

• Zhang Xuezhou persuaded Nuxina, an elephant demon seeking the Western Sect’s protection, to carry him toward Mahabodhi Temple.
• Zhang Xuezhou urged Nuxina to hurry through the Peng Demon King’s territory rather than risk a confrontation.
• The Peng Demon King appeared on Nuxina’s back and asked Zhang Xuezhou for an identity token, so Zhang Xuezhou invited him to come to Mahabodhi Temple.
• Zhang Xuezhou showed the Peng Demon King the Purity Bamboo that Buddha Son Shigong had given him, and the demon became more friendly.
• Another great demon appeared beside Nuxina and pleaded with Zhang Xuezhou to help him obtain a life-saving token.

Zhang Xuezhou traveled toward Mahabodhi Temple surrounded by seven demon kings seeking identity tokens, while fearing an attack from Western Sect cultivators. At the temple, the monks fled rather than resist, and the demon kings called for Buddha Son Shigong to come greet Zhang Xuezhou.

• Zhang Xuezhou warned the seven demon kings not to gather more demons, since the number of identity tokens was likely limited.
• The demon kings rejected his suggestion to seek help at the Nine Spirits Holy Land and praised Jiumoluoxi for having a token and a peaceful life.
• Zhang Xuezhou and the demon kings traveled on without encountering Western Sect cultivators, and the Peng Demon King announced that Mahabodhi Temple was less than a hundred li away.
• The demon kings reached Mahabodhi Temple, where the monks fled instead of fighting or organizing a defense.
• The Peng Demon King and Pixiu King called for Buddha Son Shigong to come out and receive Zhang Xuezhou.

Zhang Xuezhou and the demon kings reached Mahabodhi Temple to find Buddha Son Shigong, but learned he had entered the Realm of Ultimate Bliss. Zhang Xuezhou arranged for the temple to send him a message, while the demons waited outside, hoping to receive tokens that would let them enter.

• The demon kings caused panic at Mahabodhi Temple, and Zhang Xuezhou entered to ask for Buddha Son Shigong.
• Zhang Xuezhou questioned the temple’s leader and learned that Shigong had gone to the Realm of Ultimate Bliss and could only be reached with a token.
• The temple’s leader explained that a message could be sent by praying with incense and speaking to a guiding envoy.
• Zhang Xuezhou told the leader to send Shigong a message asking him to collect treasures at the Western Kunlun Holy Land.
• The demon kings waited outside, discussing whether Shigong would provide tokens and lamenting the loss of their former status.

Zhang Xuezhou used Mahabodhi Temple’s smoke signal and teleportation passage to summon Buddha Son Shigong, then persuaded him to join a planned trip to Western Kunlun by promising treasures. Shigong agreed after hearing about Zhang’s past gains and his goal of reaching the Sole Self Realm.

• Zhang Xuezhou recognized a smoke-filled chamber in Mahabodhi Temple as a passage linked to the Western Heavenly Gate and waited for someone to arrive.
• A middle-aged foreign monk appeared, and Zhang Xuezhou told him that an Eastern Land friend wanted Buddha Son Shigong to visit Western Kunlun Holy Land for treasures.
• Buddha Son Shigong arrived but failed to recognize Zhang Xuezhou until Zhang reminded him of their shared trip to Kunlun Sacred Land.
• Zhang Xuezhou claimed he had gained treasures and learned from books in Kunlun Sacred Land, and said he planned to seek enough resources to reach the Sole Self Realm.
• Buddha Son Shigong, eager not to miss another chance at Kunlun’s treasures, agreed to accompany Zhang Xuezhou to Western Kunlun.

Zhang Xuezhou persuaded Buddha Son Shigong to travel with him to Western Kunlun in search of treasures, and they prepared to set out at once. Before they could leave, Buddha Son Shigong and Nalzha Raja fought the yao outside the Mahabodhi Temple, while the Deer Demon King found Zhang Xuezhou inside.

• Zhang Xuezhou told Buddha Son Shigong about the treasures and places he had found in Western Kunlun, making Buddha Son Shigong eager to return there with him.
• Buddha Son Shigong agreed to cooperate with Zhang Xuezhou and set out immediately, borrowing Buddha Son Vishnu's Thousand-Li Red for him to ride.
• Buddha Son Shigong and Zhang Xuezhou headed outside, but a commotion broke out as Buddha Son Shigong charged into a fight with the yao.
• Nalzha Raja joined Buddha Son Shigong against the Ten Thousand Fox King, Nuxina, the Azure Lion King, the Yellow Lion King, the Pixiu King, and the Rakshasa King.
• The Deer Demon King entered the stone temple and found Zhang Xuezhou amid the smoke.

The demon kings mistook Buddha Son Shigong for an attacker and chased him in a chaotic brawl, while Zhang Xuezhou tried to stop them. The fight left Buddha Son Shigong badly wounded, and he called on Zhang Xuezhou to help him escape.

• The Deer Demon King struggled to communicate as Nuxina and the Pixiu King fled from the fighting, while Buddha Son Shigong dodged the demon kings’ attacks.
• Zhang Xuezhou urged the demon kings to catch up with Buddha Son Shigong and asked why they had attacked him, but they insisted he had struck first.
• The Azure Lion King and Yellow Lion King misunderstood Zhang Xuezhou and rallied the demons to attack Buddha Son Shigong, who was soon surrounded.
• Nuxina joined the fight, and the demon kings battered Buddha Son Shigong until he spat blood and prepared to use his Divine Ability.
• Zhang Xuezhou arrived and called for the demons to stop; Buddha Son Shigong halted his Divine Ability and asked Zhang Xuezhou to help him escape.

Zhang Xuezhou and Buddha Son Shigong calmed the demon kings after a misunderstanding, then discussed the life-saving tokens the demons wanted. Zhang Xuezhou told them that Rulai would obstruct Shigong, and the demon kings prepared to confront him.

• Zhang Xuezhou broke up the fight between Buddha Son Shigong and the demon kings, who blamed Animo for triggering the confusion.
• Buddha Son Shigong told Zhang Xuezhou that he could not provide life-saving tokens because the Western Sect had only granted Jiumoluoxi’s token under pressure.
• Buddha Son Shigong explained that he needed to reach the Sole Self Realm and overcome Rulai before he could have a chance at becoming sect leader.
• Zhang Xuezhou told the demon kings that Buddha Son Shigong had agreed to obtain tokens, but warned that Rulai would interfere.
• The demon kings cursed Rulai and vowed to stop him, pleasing Buddha Son Shigong.

Zhang Xuezhou diverted the demon kings toward Buddha Son Rulai while he and Buddha Son Shigong traveled east toward Western Kunlun. Shigong considered using the demons to eliminate Rulai, and his hint about a powerful backer protecting the western demons led Zhang Xuezhou to remember Bai beneath Fengxi Marsh.

• Zhang Xuezhou stopped Buddha Son Shigong from revealing that Rulai had gone east with Wu Chao and told the demon kings they could seek Rulai and recover the life-saving tokens.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Buddha Son Shigong set off east with the demon kings, while Shigong privately weighed how he might kill Rulai if the demons restrained him.
• Zhang Xuezhou told the Ten Thousand Fox King that Shigong had a trump-card Divine Ability capable of killing Rulai, prompting the demon kings to plan to beat and tie Rulai up.
• Buddha Son Shigong explained that the western demon kings were disorganized and said unreliable information suggested they had a powerful top-tier backer.
• Zhang Xuezhou wondered who could make the Western Sect wary of the demons, then recalled Bai beneath Fengxi Marsh.

Zhang Xuezhou and Buddha Son Shigong continued east toward the Kunlun Sacred Land as the demon kings split up to search for Buddha Son Rulai. Along the way, Zhang Xuezhou reflected on the Western Aparagodaniya Continent’s sparse settlements and concluded that the Great Han Dynasty was still his best choice.

• Zhang Xuezhou and Buddha Son Shigong sent the demon kings in different directions to search for Buddha Son Rulai, while they took the eastern route toward the Kunlun Sacred Land.
• The Ten Thousand Fox King emerged from the Peng Demon King’s wing and suggested that Buddha Son Shigong wanted to eliminate Rulai so he could become the Western Sect’s sole successor; the Peng Demon King accepted the plan as a way to secure life-preserving tokens.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Buddha Son Shigong stopped when their steeds grew tired, and Shigong explained that even the region’s capitals and cities were small and far apart.
• As they hunted for food, Zhang Xuezhou considered how the continent’s limited urban development restricted education and talent, and why Emperor Qin might have seen little value in campaigns abroad.
• Zhang Xuezhou told Buddha Son Shigong that he had seen Rulai in the Eastern Land and expected him to head west, while Shigong dismissed the Eastern Land as even more backward than his own region.
• Zhang Xuezhou concluded that despite its troubles, the Great Han Dynasty was more developed than the lands he had crossed and offered him the strongest Fortune.