Also, Beyonders are not as powerful as you imagine them to be, especially a low-Sequence Beyonder. Heh, why would we use 1 to represent the highest grade and 9 the lowest? Isn’t this against intuition and logic?
Sequence (序列, Xùliè) is the basic hierarchical classification of Beyonders among the Paths to the Divine. The higher the Sequence, the closer the Beyonder is to divinity and the greater abilities are manifested. The first and last Sequences are usually used as the name of their associated Pathway.
Etymology[]
The Sequence might refer the 10 different nodes (Sefirot) of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, the ascension path to divinity. An interpretation of the Tree of Life is a series of divine emanations of God's creation, the nature of revealed divinity, the human soul, and the spiritual path of ascent by man.[1]
Concept[]
The concept of Sequences was established on Earth with the appearance of the First Blasphemy Slate and the differentiation of the 22 Standard Pathways. Each Pathway has a total of 10 Sequences from the lowest Sequence 9 to the highest Sequence 0. This is applicable to both Standard Pathways and Non-Standard Pathways, so in a way, this division into Sequences follows the bottom-layered rules of the world.[2] In the potion system introduced by the First Blasphemy Slate, a Beyonder requires the Acting Method to adapt themselves to the potion of its respective Sequences. The Second Blasphemy Slate born after the fall of the Ancient Sun God renamed some Sequences.
Sequence 0 can modify the abilities of different Sequences in the pathway to some extent. Not only Sequence 0 can do such things; certain Kings of Angels can too. Amon, for instance, once altered the mystical knowledge and some abilities acquired in different Sequences of the Error Pathway, transforming the original, full version abilities into benefiting "Him" for other subsequent Beyonders of the same pathway.[3]
Classification[]
The classifications of the Sequences in the Fifth Epoch are as followed:
- Low-Sequence: Sequences 9 and 8.[4]
- Mid-Sequence: Sequences 7 to 5.
- High-Sequence (also known as Demigods): Sequences 4 to 1.
- Saints: Sequences 4 and 3.
- Angels: Sequences 2 and 1.
- Kings of Angels: Sequence 1 Angels who have accommodated more than 1 Sequence 1 characteristics and/or have accommodated the Uniqueness of the pathway.
- True Gods: Sequence 0.
Additionally, there is another level above Sequence 0 named Great Old One that transcends the Sequences.
Pronoun[]
There is a different pronoun for Beyonders at the Angel level. Instead of "他" in common third person distinction, the pronoun "祂" is used for Beyonders at Sequence 2 and above. The Webnovel English translation uses "he/him" for 他, and capitalized pronoun with quotation mark "'He'/'Him'" for 祂.
- 他 (tā): a gender-neutral pronoun. It can be used when the gender of a certain person is unknown or unimportant.
- 祂 (tā): third person pronoun for a divine being.
Levels of Sequences[]
Low-Sequence[]
A thousand years ago, Low-Sequence refers to Sequence 9, 8 and 7 Beyonders. As for the current epoch, it refers to Sequence 9 and 8.[4]
These sequences are the starting point of the Sequence chain as a Beyonder. Low-Sequence Beyonders are no match for guns, much less cannons. They are just more fascinating and indefensible than firearms.[5] Almost all the ritualistic magic they can perform is the seeking of external powers and help. Nevertheless, even the weakest Beyonder can be impressive in their own domains.
In the Fifth Epoch, obtaining a Sequence 9 potion formula is relatively easy, at Beyonder Gatherings. However the circle of Beyonders is very scattered, and most people don’t know about the acting method or the three Laws of Indestructibility, Conservation and Convergence.[6]
For Beyonders below Sequence 7 of the potion system, there’s not much that can be done to save up more money than a Sequence 6 potion formula so quickly, and most of them are gray areas that border on breaking the law.[7]
Mid-Sequence[]
Mid-Sequence refers to Sequence 7, 6 and 5 Beyonders. In the Fourth Epoch, it refers to Sequence 6 and 5.[4] Mid-Sequence is the more common period when a Beyonder initially faces madness hidden within the non-Outer Deities pathways, upon advancement.
Their powers are starting to become more powerful, convoluted, and conceptualized. Some sequences might still be unable to match or survive a cannon, but they tend to outperform guns and other conventional weaponry in most ways. At this point, they can truly be considered supreme and mystical entities in the eyes of regular people.
Beginning at Sequence 5 of the potion system, advancement will require a ritual in addition to the potion ingredients. Otherwise, there are extremely high chances of losing control, even with full digestion.
Below High-Sequences, different pathways' sequences have their own characteristics which didn’t overlap. Each of them had their own strengths and weaknesses, and their strengths and weaknesses were all very obvious. Shepherds were ranked first below High-Sequences.[8]
High-Sequence (Demigod)[]
There’s a qualitative change that has happened to them in a particular aspect, it was as though they’ve transformed into a deity. It’s no wonder that we describe them as ‘Demigods’, though I think calling them ‘Legendary beings’ is more fitting.
High-Sequence refers to Sequence 4, 3, 2 and 1 Beyonders, also called Demigods and are subdivided into Saints and Angels.[9]
Sequence 4 is the beginning point of the higher Sequences. It is said that merely achieving such a level brings about qualitative changes in vitality and energy,[10] as well as the attainment of a measure of "godhood". They gain the unique Mythical Creature Form of their respective pathway. Sequences 4 and 3 have incomplete Mythical Creature Forms while Sequences 2 and 1 have complete ones. High-Sequence Beyonders' Soul Body experiences a qualitatively change and gains a certain level of divinity to it, allowing them to remain even in death or when their powers are dispersed in the form of Evil Spirits.[11]
High-Sequence Beyonders can influence corresponding lower Sequence Beyonders of the same Sequence pathway to a certain extent.[12]
Saints[]
Saints refers to Sequence 4 and 3 Beyonders. Beyonders at this level gain great lifespan, it varies depending on their pathways, but most cannot live longer than 500 years. Their Mythical Creature Form is incomplete, and cannot be used without severe consequences. Female Saints and above can stop their menstruation cycle.
At Sequence 4 and higher, Beyonders can exchange to a neighboring pathway in the same Above the Sequence group. The only known exception is the Lord of Mysteries group, as sequences in this group are only exchangeable starting from Sequence 3.
At Sequence 3 and higher, the Beyonder gain the capability to respond to prayers within a certain area by creating an Honorific Name that points to them. Due to their different personalities, experiences, and characteristics, the corresponding honorific names are essentially different, while their area can be greater depending on their pathway.
According to Mr. Door, Sequence 3 may be the best level in a Beyonder pathway:
At this level, there is no need to rely on external forces to resist the madness and the inclination towards losing control. They will be more godlike than they are human. Furthermore, they can obtain a small number of anchors and stabilize their mental state. If not for the fact that most Sequence 3 Beyonders don’t have long enough lives, with it being difficult for them to live to more than 500 years old. I believe there won’t be many saints who have the motivation to advance to an angel.
Angels[]
Angels refers to Sequence 2 and 1 Beyonders. "They" are still Demigods, but no longer need food and only eat as a hobby;[13] however, "They" can still mortally die and even Sequence 2 can die of old age.[14] Their Mythical Creature Form becomes complete. "They" can respond to prayers all over the world[15][16] and were known as Subsidiary Gods in ancient times. Existences at the Angel-level and above are referred to with a different pronoun reserved for divine beings. At this level, "They" require Anchors to prevent "Them" from going mad.
In ancient times, Angels were referred to as Subsidiary Gods.
In the Church of the Evernight Goddess’ bible, there was the division between angels and archangels, the latter refers to Sequence 1.[17]
Sequence 1 Angels who have accommodated more than 1 Sequence 1 characteristics and/or have accommodated the Uniqueness are known as Kings of Angels.
Generally, if there exists a Sequence 0 in the pathway, there can be no Sequence 1 Beyonders (with some exceptions). This is because advancing to Sequence 0 requires the Uniqueness and all three Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristics of said pathway. If there is no Sequence 0, then there can be a maximum of three Sequence 1s. If a Sequence 1 Angel possesses more than 1 Sequence 1 characteristic or accommodates the Uniqueness of "Their" pathway, "They" are known as a King of Angels.
The number of Sequence 2 characteristics of each pathway is different. For example, the Fool Pathway has 9 of them.[18]
Sequence 0: True God[]
True Gods refers to Sequence 0 Beyonders. At any time, there can only exist a maximum of one Sequence 0 Beyonder for each pathway: there can only be one god. There is a qualitative change at this level.
Sequence 0 Beyonders can modify "Their" respective pathways' Sequence abilities to some extent and permanently change the pathways' Mythical Creature Form.[3][19]
Above the Sequence: Great Old One[]
Above the Sequence is an umbrella term that refers to any level above Sequence 0 (i.e., levels that involve the Sefirot). Great Old One refers to the complete level where one has fully fused with the corresponding Sefirah, and has accommodated the Uniqueness and 1 Sequence 1 Characteristic of all Pathways within the group.
On Earth, based on the 22 Standard Pathways, only 9 Great Old Ones can exist, corresponding to the 9 Sefirot. In the Cosmos, there also exist Outer Deities who are Great Old Ones over Non-Standard Pathways that do not belong to the 22 Standard Pathways on Earth. Beyonders on Earth can advance to a higher Sequence of these Non-Standard Pathways not by relying on Beyonder Characteristics, but by praying to the corresponding Outer Deities to become Boon Recipients.
Chart of Standard Sequences[]
Chart of Non-Standard Sequences[]
References
- ↑ Tree of Life (Kabbalah) on Wikipedia
- ↑ Circle of Inevitability, Chapter 60
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Circle of Inevitability, Chapter 861
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 96
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 19
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 274
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 431
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 273
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 146
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 96
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 933
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 169
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 1363
- ↑ Circle of Inevitability, Chapter 11##
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 1016
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 1236
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 1370
- ↑ Lord of Mysteries, Chapter 1178
- ↑ Cuttlefish's comment on Weibo
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