Little Pine was speechless. "Uncle Black Emperor, can you stop picking on your own people? Be serious for once."
"Fine. Let's think seriously about how to help him." Big Black Dog finally reined himself in.
Little Pine thought it over too. He went back through the scriptures Ye Fan had left behind, hoping to find some clue or sign.
When he returned half a day later, he found the Black Emperor clutching his cheeks, baring his teeth in a peculiar grimace.
"What happened?" he asked the young attendant beside him.
"Ancestor Black Emperor, he..." The attendant did not dare finish.
Little Pine understood at once. Big Black Dog really was impossible. In the end, he had bitten Ye Fan a few times to try to draw some Heavenly Emperor blood, only to nearly break every tooth in his mouth.
"You should be glad Master's Dao is restrained within him. Otherwise..." Little Pine shook his head.
"Of course it is. Do you think this emperor is stupid? I wouldn't have bitten him otherwise." Big Black Dog sounded thoroughly justified. Then he finally began to think and investigate in earnest. A long time later, he said, "He must be attempting some legendary Dao. External means alone probably won't wake him."
"I'll go to Master's secluded cultivation grounds and seek insight there. Perhaps I can learn what path he intends to walk in this life." Little Pine left.
"No need. I know what path he's walking. It should be Great Dream Through Myriad Ages." The Black Emperor had followed Great Emperor Wushi and was, after all, widely experienced.
"What kind of technique is that?" Little Pine asked.
The Black Emperor grew solemn. "It's a supreme technique. While asleep, he dreams through myriad ages, living hundreds or thousands of lives in his dreams. In