Dao and the Quest of Immortality II

*Sip

Clay is sitting on a seat made of marble below a tree as he enjoyed a cup of tea while watching the sun set. Counting the number of days since he accepted a menial job as janitor of school, it should be around 369 days.

After a long day at work, he would find time to sit on this small bench beside a man-made lake and wait until the stars show up before heading home.

That day when the school arranged him an apartment to settle into, the first thing he did is to watch the series that accidentally came up when he was searching for Rimar’s whereabouts.

Who ever came up with that television series, a portion of it was definitely depicting that time when he rampaged at Mage Baum’s Tower and when Merea was finally placed into illusion. The exact details of what he did during those moments were not at all replicated and mostly exaggerated but that fact that the leading actor looks exactly the same as him means that he was once part of the planet’s history.

However from what he read, for the protection and survival of the planet, Navarum ordered all information prior Rimar Era but not Rimar Era itself. He doesn’t really know what is going on but if he were to guess, Rimar should be the same Flame Emperor pertained to in this history and if he were to speculate what Rimar’s inheritance is all about, then is it should be the Naraheim Enlightenment Tree which absorbed the mysterious energy from one of his Pseudo Spiritual Veins.

If there is a treasure that would move true experts, then similar to the Dao Stones from his past life, that Naraheim Enlightenment Tree should be the reason. After all, who does not want to touch the realm of Grand Dao and live long life.

Clay wanted to investigate more what happened during his seclusion but after watching the series that depicted his life, he realized that even if he knew every details of what transpired in the past, none of which will matter as everything is already buried in the past. It is not like investigating the past would bring the very few people he had encountered with including Merea.

Remembering that time when he was reunited with Merea, he was blinded by emotions brought about by extreme guilt and anger which slowly subsided as he watched a different version of Merea’s life, the life he had hoped Merea should have had.

His only prayer is that, if Merea is reincarnated and would remember her past, Clay hopes she will remember that life he gave her even if it is just an illusion.

However as someone who has an ability to see souls and how it scatters when someone dies, deep down he knew that Merea will pass through the reincarnation cycle like everybody else. Everything will be forgotten and will start over.

Unlike him who is an anomaly. Someone doomed to continue on remembering his past every time he dies. For now he is fine but as one day, he will have too much memories of being alive, of happiness and regrets, maybe of loved and being hated, of being unsatisfied and contentment.

Similar to that dream he once had. One day he will become like that tree, numbed to everything and alive with no meaning.

*Sip

Clay sipped his tea as he reminisce and contemplate on his life.

So what meaning is there if everyone and everything disappears and enter the cycle of reincarnation like there is no past?

“What is the meaning of life?”

It is a basic question which majority does not like. A question which when brought up during a party would ruin a happy celebration.

*Sip

Clay continued sipping his tea as his mind is in deep thought. Everyone knew the fickleness of life yet we all go on with our lives tacitly presuming were are going to live forever. We deny the fact of our own mortality. We create things and believe in things that gives us a sense of continuity. We take photos and record moments of our lives we hope would continue forever but deep down we all know that one day it will fade away and be forgotten.

We keep denying the fact that we will all someday die until that day we realize our own impermanence. Lucky are those who realize this truth and start living their lives early but many are unlucky they cry in their death beds full of regrets hoping to turn back time and wishing they had the courage to live their lives like they have wanted.

It is a cruel reality of existence so in order to answer the question, “What is the meaning of life?”, one must have the wisdom and first realize if they are asking the right question. Because the question was wrong to begin with and the question we should be asking is, “What meaning should I give my life?”

In the Mortal Realm where beings can only accept their predestined deaths, in a world where supernatural energies exist, some people want to live for as long as time exists. They are called cultivators and the ultimate goal of cultivation is immortality and power.

But what about for someone who can exist beyond universes and can remember his past even after death?

Having seen the tabulated data of lifespans of Dao cultivators, Clay estimates that he can live for as long as immortals do and with this long life, he can only follow the steps of Lord Lao which is to become a scientist and understand the laws of the universe.

As Clay was contemplating on his life, and elderly Elven appeared behind him.

“You’re too young for this kind of hobby.”

Clay smiled upon hearing the president speak. For the past 369 days, he had received at least seventeen invitations and he declined them all. He is still under suspicion and avoiding contact should be the easiest way for him to clear his name without implicating anyone.

“I have no interest in watching talented cultivators competing with each other. In fact, I’d rather stay here and watch some insects bite me.”

“This time, the dedicated Dao teacher of the school, including me is required to attend. I’ve calculated it so when we arrive, it should be the final round and the awarding ceremony.”

“You mean now?”

“Yes. You have five minutes to prepare.”

The president watched Clay leave. To this day, he has little knowledge about Clay. A year ago when Clay left the underground base, she went to retrieve details of what Clay did so she could make a report however when she checked the report from the AI Doll, she almost cannot believe what she saw.

As a Nascent Soul expert, she had seen and met the most talented of Dao cultivators and they all pride themselves even if their comprehension is Half-Step but the AI Doll had reported that Clay is 1ST-Phase Dao expert and maybe even stronger.

When she was younger, she had always believed that Dao cannot be the only way to become a cultivator. Gifted with superior Elemental Affinity she became one of the youngest cultivator to have had reached Nascent Level. People respected and acknowledged her talent however when the time came when she was given an opportunity to participate in an interplanetary mission, it was then she understood how lacking her strength was.

Their ship encountered a Sentient space beast and all it took was a simple aura release from the beast and everyone below Nascent level had their dantians crippled and she was severely wounded. From then, she was never able to advance. She retired but her will has not faltered. In her attempt to undercover the mysterious power, she became a principal of a small military school on a countryside. She thought that one day, she would be able to come across a real talented cultivator and observe how they comprehend Dao however the next thing she knew, more than 700 years had already passed and not one student came close to become a Dao practitioner.

She had long accepted her fate and embraced a peaceful life but that day when she learned that Clay was a Dao practitioner, memories of her old self resurfaced that she had to meditate for two days to clear her mind. If this was 700 years ago, she probably have had offered her body but she knew she is already old now and her golden time is already over.

She had hoped that Clay would at least impart his knowledge upon the younger generations but for some reason, Clay declined all her invitations. She had been observing him and all this time, Clay repeated a cycle of the least interesting any man does. Wake up and go to work, watch the sunset then go home and sleep and repeat the same thing the next day.

And one thing she cannot really understand is why does Clay hides his cultivation. Ever since he became a janitor, Clay restricted his aura he looks like a common man and even worse than a regular man as he is human. At times, some of the students would taunt him but he never retaliated like he is averted to cultivation.

The truth is, Clay was assigned to teach but to not offend him, the president had not imposed any responsibilities and allowed Clay to do whatever he wishes however this time, they have no option to decline and must attend the competition.