Ch. 881Fate's methods: Sages in the palm of his hand
Key plot points and events
- Fate corners Tongtian and Laozi, declaring that they must help establish the Immortal Realm if they hope to survive and eventually reach the Heavenly Dao Realm. He gives them three days to decide.
- The two Sages lament their earlier choices, realizing their pride and separation from Daochen left them vulnerable to Fate.
- Zhunti and Jieyin arrive and reveal that Fate has already coerced them. They admit they could have warned Tongtian and Laozi but chose not to, unwilling to suffer alone.
- Tongtian and Laozi submit, asking Fate to lift their curse. Fate agrees to have them establish the Immortal Realm in the Thirty-Three Heavens, transmitting the method directly into their minds. They also request materials, including Nine Heavens Breath Soil, which Fate promises will appear when needed.
- Fate directs Zhunti and Jieyin to establish the Buddha Realm near Mount Sumeru, promising them resources as well.
- As the Sages set to work under pressure, Fuxi continues developing laws for the Ten Thousand Races Alliance. The Heavenly Dao secretly comes to believe that the Human Path may strengthen rather than threaten it, and quietly supports its creation.
Character developments and interactions
- Tongtian and Laozi move from regretful resistance to resigned cooperation, recognizing that they have no way to oppose Fate without Daochen.
- Zhunti and Jieyin reveal their self-interest and then quickly adapt to serving Fate, prioritizing survival and the chance to grow stronger.
- Fate demonstrates his control over the Sages, manipulating them into creating new realms while supplying the methods and promising resources.
- The Heavenly Dao’s view of the Human Path shifts: what others expect to be a rival may instead complement and empower it. It keeps this insight private while encouraging Fuxi.
Significant themes
- Fate and coercion: The Sages’ choices are presented as constrained by Fate’s power and the threat of the curse.
- Pride, regret, and survival: Tongtian and Laozi recognize that prideful decisions helped lead them into their predicament.
- Self-interest and shared hardship: Zhunti and Jieyin’s choice not to warn the others reflects their reluctance to suffer alone.
- Unexpected cooperation: The Human Path may strengthen the Heavenly Dao, showing that apparent rivals can become complementary forces.