The ultimate form of the dao was the Great Dao.
And the ultimate goal of human Dao Cultivation was to seek immortality.
If becoming an immortal meant attaining the Great Dao, even Gongsun Jing would give up immortality for an attachment.
What did I amount to?
Besides, I had neither Gongsun Jing's great love nor his great righteousness. I had only lesser love and lesser righteousness.
"Unless the heart dies, the dao cannot be born."
I murmured, "I've been through so much, yet I still have attachments. I think, isn't this also a way of letting nature take its course? Holding on to my attachments is natural, and letting my heart die is natural too. Since both are natural, I haven't strayed from the dao."
"The seven emotions and six desires are desires unique to humans. If the Great Dao considers them bad, it shouldn't have given them to humans. If the Great Dao thinks humans shouldn't exist, then humanity itself shouldn't exist."
"Since all of this falls within what the Great Dao permits, even the lesser dao has a reason to exist."
"The lesser dao is also part of the Great Dao, and I was born within the lesser dao. If I can't break free of it, I'll stand firm upon it. Why insist on seeking the Great Dao?"
The Patriarch said, "It seems you see things quite clearly. You're fairly quick-witted, too. So what are you afraid of?"
I shook my head. "The lesser dao always involves attachments. I really can't accept dying just like this, but if I truly can't change the outcome, I'll accept my fate. I have no way to change the fate the Great Dao has given me. I gave up the Great Dao, so I can't blame Heaven, nor is it up to