Ch. 821[Professional Scapegoat, Ninefold Causality]
Chapter Summary: “Professional Scapegoat, Ninefold Causality”
Key Plot Points and Events
- Other Shore Practitioners traditionally abandon their identities and accumulated burdens to pursue the perfected Dao Fruit and eventual Transcendence. Lin Xian takes the opposite path, deliberately gathering identities and Causality because he expects to die in the final battle against the Eerie Plateau.
- Lin Xian activates his Ninefold Causality, revealing that he has existed as many major figures throughout history:
- He died in the Demon Emperor’s place, preserving the Demon Emperor’s True Spirit in the Demon Emperor Claw.
- He became Eastern Emperor Taiyi, whose death produced the Eastern Emperor Bell.
- He sacrificed himself for Houtu and the Human Emperor, leading to the creation of the Reincarnation Seal and Human Emperor Sword.
- He died in the Demon Lord’s place, allowing the World-Ending Demon Saber to arise.
- Finally, Lin Xian himself “dies,” using all these accumulated identities and deaths to create an overwhelming Status Dao Fruit.
- His power shocks the Other Shore Practitioners. Although his realm is technically only that of an Ancient One, his Ninefold Other Shore status gives him strength comparable to or greater than a Most Ancient One.
- Lin Xian attacks Ancient Buddha Bodhi to collect an old Causality from the End of Primordial Antiquity. Bodhi’s Three Corpses and Daoist Zhunti’s Seven-Treasure Wondrous Tree initially resist him.
- The Other Shore Divine Weapons connected to Lin Xian’s past sacrifices—Demon Emperor Claw, Human Emperor Sword, Reincarnation Seal, World-Ending Demon Saber, and Eastern Emperor Bell—arrive to support him.
- Amitabha intervenes from the Western Pure Bliss World, manifesting three powerful Ancient Ones through his Buddhist Dharma, Reward, and Response bodies. Lin Xian effortlessly defeats them with a single finger, proving that his strength has surpassed expectations.
- Yuanshi Tianzun, Golden Mother, and the Azure Emperor arrive and surround Lin Xian. They fear that his actions may allow fallen Other Shore Practitioners to return and disrupt everyone’s pursuit of the Dao Fruit.
- Lin Xian promises that the fallen Other Shores will leave this world with him and will not return in the current era. After negotiation, he agrees to depart for the New Era before the Final Tribulation.
- To settle his Causality with Ancient Buddha Bodhi, Lin Xian receives Buddhist divine arts, including the Tathagata Divine Palm, Eight-Nine Mystical Art, and Bodhi Golden Body. He also demands Bodhi’s help in cultivating the Seven Swords of Severing Heaven and severing his Three Corpses.
- Daoist Zhunti’s Incarnation Body fuses with Lin Xian’s replacement body, creating a weak Other Shore-level Heavenly Emperor who will govern the Heavenly Court and replace Lin Xian’s historical imprint.
- Lin Xian’s true body departs with several Other Shore Divine Weapons, escorted by Yuanshi Tianzun and the other major practitioners.
Character Developments
- Lin Xian: Fully reveals the scale of his long-term plan. Rather than pursuing Transcendence by discarding burdens, he embraces immense Causality and turns his own eventual death into a devastating final “firework.” He becomes independent of the other players’ control and demonstrates overwhelming confidence and strength.
- Ancient Buddha Bodhi: Shifts from opponent to negotiator. After witnessing Lin Xian’s power, he accepts responsibility for their ancient Causality and agrees to provide both divine arts and cultivation assistance.
- Amitabha: Acts to protect Bodhi and the Buddhist side, displaying one of his strongest techniques. However, even his three manifested Ancient Ones are defeated instantly, forcing him to recognize Lin Xian as a power no longer safely controllable.
- Yuanshi Tianzun and the other Ancient Ones: Move from observing Lin Xian to actively confronting him. Their concern is less personal rivalry than the danger that his Ninefold Causality could alter history and revive fallen Other Shores.
- Daoist Zhunti: His incarnation becomes the foundation for Lin Xian’s replacement Heavenly Emperor, allowing Lin Xian to leave without abandoning the Heavenly Court’s administration.
Significant Themes
- Burden versus Transcendence: The chapter contrasts the traditional path of discarding identities with Lin Xian’s decision to accumulate them. His immense power comes from accepting burdens others seek to escape.
- Sacrifice and Legacy: Lin Xian’s repeated deaths preserve other beings and create divine weapons, showing how sacrifice can become a source of future power and influence.
- Causality as Power: Rather than merely being a restriction, Causality becomes Lin Xian’s weapon. His historical connections allow him to summon support and construct a unique Dao Fruit.
- Manipulation of History: The Other Shore Practitioners treat history as a battlefield, capable of suppressing, reviving, or erasing figures by altering their foundations.
- Independence from the Chessboard: Lin Xian’s rise overturns the established balance among the major powers. He is no longer a piece controlled by others but an independent force capable of dictating terms.
- Preparation for the Final Tribulation: His departure and preparations suggest that the coming conflict will involve not only survival but the deliberate sacrifice of accumulated power in a final, world-shaking confrontation.
Important Character Interactions
- Lin Xian confronts and defeats Ancient Buddha Bodhi, forcing him to negotiate the settlement of their ancient Causality.
- Bodhi calls on Amitabha for aid, prompting Amitabha to reveal his three-body Buddhist manifestation.
- Lin Xian defeats Amitabha’s three Ancient Ones with a single finger, alarming every observing Other Shore Practitioner.
- Yuanshi Tianzun, Golden Mother, and the Azure Emperor confront Lin Xian and demand an explanation, threatening to alter history if necessary.
- Lin Xian reassures them that the fallen Other Shores will not return in this world and negotiates his departure to the New Era.
- Lin Xian and Bodhi reach a final agreement: Bodhi provides divine arts and assists with severing Lin Xian’s Three Corpses, while Zhunti’s incarnation becomes Lin Xian’s successor in the Heavenly Court.