Ch. 861Haotian's flight, Water Spirit's doom
Plot points and events
- Water Spirit breaks free from Fuxi and pursues the fleeing Haotian, but Fuxi stops him.
- Water Spirit pretends to bargain: he promises to leave Fuxi and the Heavenly Soldiers alone if allowed to pursue Haotian. Fuxi agrees, hoping to end the conflict and avoid further trouble with the Heavenly Court.
- Once out of Fuxi’s reach, Water Spirit breaks his promise and attacks the fleeing Heavenly Soldiers, hoping to devour them and grow stronger.
- Fuxi calls for the Human army to deploy the Starry-Sky Five-Element Eight-Trigram Formation and summons Jin Chanzi to help defeat Water Spirit.
- Jin Chanzi’s Buddhist power counters and erodes Water Spirit’s demonic strength. Fuxi prevents him from escaping, and the Human army captures the forces remaining on the battlefield.
- Fuxi ultimately kills Water Spirit. The surviving troops surrender, and the Heavenly Court’s remaining leaders are taken prisoner.
- The Ziwei Emperor recognizes Fuxi’s disguise as Marshal Fulong and remarks that the Heavenly Court has been badly weakened. Fuxi assures him he does not intend to kill the captives.
Character developments
- Fuxi acts decisively once Water Spirit betrays their agreement, shifting from negotiation to coordinated action. He shows strategic restraint afterward by sparing the prisoners.
- Water Spirit is revealed as treacherous and overconfident. His ignorance of how Buddhist power interacts with his demonic energy contributes to his defeat.
- Jin Chanzi proves to be Water Spirit’s key counter, using Buddhist power to steadily weaken him.
- The Ziwei Emperor acknowledges Fuxi’s strategic skill and recognizes that the Heavenly Court is no longer strong enough to rival the Human Race.
Themes
- The danger of misplaced trust: Fuxi’s temporary agreement with Water Spirit is exploited, reinforcing the risk of trusting an enemy.
- Knowledge and adaptability: Water Spirit’s unfamiliarity with Buddhist power helps bring about his downfall.
- Power and political balance: Water Spirit’s death and the capture of the Heavenly Court’s forces leave the Human Race ascendant and the Heavenly Court severely weakened.
- Mercy after victory: Fuxi chooses not to slaughter the defeated forces, despite having the power to do so.
Character interactions
- Fuxi repeatedly confronts Water Spirit, first blocking his pursuit of Haotian and later trapping him while Jin Chanzi attacks.
- Jin Chanzi and Water Spirit clash as Buddhist and demonic forces counteract each other.
- Fuxi coordinates with Jin Chanzi and the Human army to defeat Water Spirit and secure the battlefield.
- The Ziwei Emperor praises Fuxi’s infiltration and discusses the Heavenly Court’s vulnerability; Fuxi responds by assuring him the prisoners will be spared.