Emperor’s Domination

n’t change anything.
There are benefits, sure, when following me.
But, you would lose your original pursuit.”

“My original pursuit?” The old man murmured.

“When you started your dao journey, I’m sure your blood was boiling with excitement.
Alas, the arduous path weathered and grind down everything you had.
What did you want at the start?” Li Qiye elaborated.

The old man seemed to be in a daze.
It took a while before he solemnly answered: “My heart goes where my saber points, always cutting a path forward.”

“Indeed, that is your original pursuit.
Would you still have it if you follow me?” Li Qiye asked: “I’m afraid that when you truly reflect on this, you won’t be sleeping well that night.”

A tempest emerged in the old man’s mind as he fell into remembrance regarding his past.
He used to be so confident, believing that he could do anything as long as he wielded his saber.

This confidence allowed him to tread fearlessly forward, always keeping his head up without fear.
Because of this, he became a renowned saber god.

Unfortunately, time wore him down and he began forgetting many things.
His heart became filled with callus; his hot blood turned cold.
Nothing was new and exciting anymore.

Li Qiye’s comment served as a reminder, breaking some of the calluses.
The hot blood started flowing once more, allowing him to turn back time as if he was eighteen again.

“I will go where my saber points.” He emphasized; his eyes became bright and his aura surged once more.

“Thank you for correcting my mistake, Young Master.” He took a deep breath and bowed towards Li Qiye.

Back in Myriad Beasts Mountain, Li Qiye’s guidance improved his cultivation.
Now, he remembered his original pursuit again, no longer being lost in the river of time.
Thus, his fate was changed because he found himself once more.

“Remember, living beings like us have emotions and desires.” Li Qiye sighed: “But as time passes, we forget about these things, even ourselves.
One day, we might become the things we hate the most.”

He paused for a bit then stared at the old man to conclude: “In history, numerous brilliant and invincible beings inadvertently lost sight of themselves.
It starts with losing our humanity then our pursuit.
What we desire so much loses its meaning and color and we become mere husks.”

The old man understood enough to follow the train of thoughts: “Because of this, some become angry at themselves, others stop moving forward, more fall into indulgence.”

He paused for a bit before finishing: “And then there are those who fall into the darkness.”

“Yes, let’s try to avoid that now, shall we?” Li Qiye said.

The old man sighed.
Without this conversation today, perhaps he would eventually be lost on this eternal path and change completely.
He would forget who he used to be.

“My dao heart is unstable.” He shuddered.

“It’s hard to criticize anyone for this.
The path towards the grand dao is just too long, not all can make it to the end.” Li Qiye put it simply yet described numerous historical events.