Victory and defeat were both feedback. The power of the [Heaven-Climbing Ladder] allowed Jiang Wang to leap beyond time and trace back into the past, mending past deficiencies and naturally elevating the present as well.
This was Master Zi's path to Transcendence, and also the fundamental reason this battle could not be observed by outsiders. Though he could no longer take that final step, he treasured it beyond measure.
Yet Jiang Wang was able to share in it.
On River Viewing Terrace, he had said, "Those who understand my path all stand behind me." But in truth, most of those who stood behind him simply loved him more.
Master Zi, however, had been a complete stranger to him, yet today he said, "The path does not walk alone."
Just as Jiang Wang himself had said, he had never expected that doing the right thing would earn him support or recognition. But when that support and recognition came in such a weighty fashion... he still drew immense strength from it.
He lowered his eyes slightly. "Upon hearing you say this... the Milky Way no longer feels so distant."
Master Zi waved a hand. "Your Great Void Pavilion often decides whether to carry out proposals through a vote. This is also the vote this old man casts for himself—for the world I desire."
"Personally, I hope this world can be a little gentler. Even if some people are only gentle because the edge of a sword leaves them no choice... that is still better than letting them run wild without restraint."
"Seeking fame through false appearances is better than being steeped in evil."
"A hypocrite is better than a true villain."
"When everyone does things aboveboard, they will preserve some measure of decency. When those heroes and great men mind their table