Feng Muhan wanting to become Wang Wu's personal attendant did not trouble him much. His mind was still turning over the Righteous Qi Path of that Senior Brother who hated evil as though it were his mortal enemy. Only after they left the council hall did he suddenly ask, "The Dao comes in greater and lesser forms, right?"
"Eh, why do you say that, my lord?" Feng Muhan was taken aback at first, then looked at Wang Wu expectantly, as if eager to hear his thoughts.
"Because to live, one always needs some purpose. Even mortals are like this, let alone Earth Immortals and Grand Unity True Immortals whose lifespans casually stretch to tens of thousands of years." Wang Wu pondered. In the past, he had cultivated for cultivation's sake—for survival, for the law of the jungle. But those were all short-term purposes. Now, he needed to understand what he truly cultivated for, because that was itself part of understanding the Dao.
"Granted, longevity is the long-term goal pursued by all cultivators. But strictly speaking, it is still only a means, a process of pursuing a goal, rather than the true goal itself."
"It is like how mortal women hope to remain young and beautiful forever, while mortal men hope to remain healthy and strong forever. They wish to live longer, but not merely for the sake of living longer. It is because that lets them enjoy more."
"What about immortals, then? We cultivate bitterly, brave all kinds of dangers to explore, gather materials, and refine pills. Surely, we are not simply pursuing the result of longevity either. We must be pursuing the various benefits that longevity brings."
"Of course, I do not rule out immortals who sever their emotions and cast away their desires—who want no benefits at all,