Ch. 201Saints Convene to Redefine the Investiture Rules
Chapter Summary: Saints Convene to Redefine the Investiture Rules
Key Plot Points and Events
- The six Saints—Laizi, Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian Cult Master, Jieyin, Zhunnti, and Houtu—gather at Zichen Mountain after being summoned by Nüwa and Xuan Chen.
- Xuan Chen reveals that the Heavenly Dao has secretly created an embryonic Hidden Investiture List within its origin.
- This list uses Merit to automatically assign divine offices, appearing to reward virtuous beings while secretly binding their wills and restoring the Heavenly Dao’s control over the Primordial World.
- The Saints recognize the threat and agree that the Heavenly Dao’s scheme is more subtle and dangerous than the former Investiture system.
- Xuan Chen proposes replacing it with Autonomous Investiture Rules, based on:
- A new Primordial Investiture List generated through the Merit of all beings, the Saints’ power, Chaos Dao, and the collective will of every race.
- The complete separation of Merit from divine offices.
- Voluntary application, inheritance, or relinquishment of divine offices.
- An Investiture Council composed of Saints and representatives of every race, with decisions determined by majority vote.
- All the Saints support the proposal, seeing it as a way to preserve order while protecting individual and racial autonomy.
- Using their sacred treasures and Dao powers, the Saints join Xuan Chen to forge the Primordial Investiture List.
- Xuan Chen blocks a surge of Heavenly Dao Merit that carries hidden controlling intent, ensuring the new list remains independent.
- The marks of Xuan Chen, the Saints, and major racial leaders—including Ao Guang, Huang Xi, Lin Xuan, and the Yellow Emperor—are imprinted on the list, symbolizing the shared authority of the Primordial World’s races.
- The list rises above the Nine Heavens, and its principles of autonomy, fairness, and justice spread throughout the world.
- Beings with sufficient Merit receive the option to apply for suitable divine offices, while those who decline retain their Merit without penalty.
- The Heavenly Dao reacts angrily but is unable to destroy the new system because the combined power of Xuan Chen and the Saints now rivals its own.
- The chapter ends with Xuan Chen sensing the revival of a powerful evil aura near the Jiuli Tribe: the remnant soul of Chiyou, previously sealed by the Yellow Emperor, is awakening—potentially as the Heavenly Dao’s next weapon.
Character Developments
- Xuan Chen establishes himself as the chief strategist and defender of the Primordial World’s autonomy. He not only exposes the Heavenly Dao’s plot but creates a practical alternative.
- Laizi demonstrates caution and wisdom, immediately grasping the danger and later warning that the Heavenly Dao may seek other methods of interference.
- Yuanshi Tianzun emphasizes fairness and orderly governance, supporting the Investiture Council as a safeguard against abuse.
- Tongtian Cult Master strongly champions freedom and individual choice, especially for Interception Sect disciples.
- Jieyin and Zhunnti frame the new system in terms of independent cultivation, Buddha-nature, and the natural principles of the Great Dao.
- Houtu highlights the connection between investiture, karma, and reincarnation, ensuring that the Netherworld’s interests are considered.
- The Heavenly Dao shifts from an active controller to a frustrated rival, forced to abandon direct opposition and seek indirect means of destabilization.
- Chiyou, though not physically present, is reintroduced as an impending threat through the revival of his remnant soul.
Significant Themes
- Autonomy versus control: The central conflict is whether beings should determine their own paths or be secretly governed by the Heavenly Dao.
- Merit and freedom: The chapter separates moral achievement from political or divine authority, preventing Merit from becoming a tool of coercion.
- Collective governance: Authority is distributed among Saints and representatives of all races rather than concentrated in one will.
- Fairness and justice: The new system allows beings of any race or cultivation level to earn recognition through Merit.
- Civilizational progress: The Primordial Investiture List represents a transition from imposed divine order to a participatory system based on shared responsibility.
- The danger of hidden manipulation: The Heavenly Dao’s scheme demonstrates that control can operate through seemingly benevolent rewards rather than open force.
- Unresolved conflict: Although the investiture crisis is settled, the Heavenly Dao remains hostile and may exploit ancient evils such as Chiyou.
Character Interactions
- Nüwa formally welcomes and guides the Saints into the meeting, while Xuan Chen takes the leading role in explaining the crisis.
- The Saints question and evaluate Xuan Chen’s proposal, but their responses reveal their individual priorities: order for Yuanshi, freedom for Tongtian, spiritual independence for the Western Saints, and karmic balance for Houtu.
- Their unanimous support transforms Xuan Chen’s plan into a collective project rather than a unilateral act.
- During the forging ritual, each Saint contributes a sacred treasure or Dao power, symbolizing cooperation among the major factions of the Primordial World.
- The inclusion of racial leaders’ origin marks extends this cooperation beyond the Saints to the wider population.
- At the end, Laizi’s concern about further Heavenly Dao interference prompts Xuan Chen’s warning about sealed evil forces, immediately leading into the revelation of Chiyou’s awakening.