Emperor's Domination

“A curse.” She said softly and suddenly realized she had never thought about this before.

When she chose the dao of her ancestor, he and Fardao stood far above the rest while being on the return path.

Although the ancestor didn’t create this path like Fardao, he caught up in an unprecedented feat.

If he had broken through the return path, his name would have overshadowed everyone else including Fardao. Other supreme overlords of the imperial path couldn’t compare to him either.

She unconsciously inherited his legacy and path recently. She didn’t have this ambition before because North Kun God, Tenacious, and Fairy Companions were ahead of her.

However, with her improved understanding of the dao heart, she saw hope of becoming just like her ancestor - a forerunner.

This thought or seed had planted and taken roots in her mind, turning cultivation into a competition.

“Cultivation means cultivating the self, an internal dialogue and competition.” Li Qiye said.

“So this is the main challenge of the return path?” She murmured.

“It depends on what you want, to go farther in the future or to be the first. Remember, the dao is arduous and long, it’s easy to forget one’s original aspiration.” Li Qiye said.

“There is no other choice outside of starting over?” She took a deep breath.

“Yes, such as continuing to fortify yourself but that’s no guarantee. As you progress step by step, you will never know if you have reached it because you are looking backward, not forward.” Li Qiye smiled.

“Not as good as starting over.” She understood.

“Your ancestor knew this as well, it’s a matter of whether one can let go and stay strong, it’s more than just cultivating from the start.” Li Qiye said.

She stood there in silence. Starting over meant abandoning everything she had now. Currently, she believed it would only be a matter of time before she grew strong enough to become the first overlord of the return path.

Who would wish to start over given this bright future?

“How grim is it to continue as I am?” She asked softly.

“Grim as in you won’t be able to progress because the same problem will surface again. Of course, all is well if you stay content at that point, maintaining your dao heart.” Li Qiye said.

“There’s no guarantee I can reach this point again after starting over.” She murmured.

“That’s how it is or everyone would redo each time to become stronger.” Li Qiye nodded: “If you know you are unkillable, you will have no problem getting infinitely close to death to reap the rewards.”

“Yes.” She agreed.

“It shows that you don’t understand the truths of being unkillable. When you do, you will avoid it unless there is no other choice.” He shook his head.

“Why is that?” She looked confused.

“Putting aside pain itself and the process before death, when you return from death, the pain of life returns as well.” Li Qiye said.

“The pain of life? I do not understand why that is a con.” She didn’t understand this because life was naturally better than death.

“The pain of death is often the flesh. Although the mind is afflicted by pain, death comes soon enough.” Li Qiye stared at her and said: “Life, its pain will lord over you eternally for as long as you live, flaying you piece by piece.”

“You make living sounds horrible.” She said.

"The ones who are alive will slowly fade away, reminding you of their mortality. The ones who have passed will forever be remembered in your heart. Whether they are the ones you love or the ones who love you, they will all eventually fade away. If you want to live a proper life, then you must love this world. But whether it’s this world and those in it, they will all die in one way or another. Dying solves this pain, but remember, you can’t die. The cycle will just repeat.”

“An endless cycle of life and death.” She said: “I see how it is painful.”

“Of course, the premise is that you can love. Otherwise, why should you die and not the world?” Li Qiye smiled.

“Mmm…” She was stunned momentarily.

“When it reaches that point, it becomes easy to consume their world. All the problems will be gone. Those you love and those who love you? Mere delicious meals.” Li Qiye said.

“True.” She reluctantly agreed.

“As one perseveres with the dao heart regardless of the path, they will find themselves alone. There is no one behind.” Li Qiye said.

“Doesn’t this render everything meaningless? What is the point of continuing?” She asked.

“If that’s the case, do you want to die instead of suffering the cycles?” Li Qiye asked.

“Of course not.” She answered right away.

“Yes, no one would agree. This is why you are not prepared, the same with your ancestor. He was not willing to try for something intangible and potentially unrewarding.” Li Qiye patted her shoulder.

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