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Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

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[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.

Ah, to put on the airs of such grand dramatics.
When in reality the Ling clan is a frazzled mother, scatter brained daughter, glutinous turtle/imperious snek, a star seeking idol and small child.

I wonder if all clans start like this, faking it until they make it?
 
[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power grants no meaning of its own.

I think this is the better option in the longer run for Ling Qi.
 
[] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.
I like this. Since it can be argued anything can be power, even weakness.

[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power grants no meaning of its own.
But I think that the futility of power by itself is something that is important to understand early on. Power is a means to a goal and not the goal itself. You don't become the strongest in the realm to be the strongest in the realm, you become the strongest in the realm to not fear others.
 
The First Festival of Precious Things was wonderful, I loved it <3
here's something I made
EDIT: oh I should probably tag @yrsillar since it's sort of an omake hehe
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follow winter, somewhat blind
lanterns made by someone kind
hold close to the lights that shine
and carry on to yonder shrine

aching muscles, weary mind
calloused skin and worry lines
burdens bending down the spine
still carry on to yonder shrine

misty trail through forest wind
twist and turn the path a skein
the mist curls close, asks you to lie
but carry on to yonder shrine

Still follow winter, somewhat blind
trust those with careful thread that bind
lanterns made by someone kind
the land to man and spirit kind
hold close to the lights that shine
let dreams of warmth light through the pine
and carry on to yonder shrine
and know you'll reach that yonder shrine

aching muscles, weary mind
the air is cool, fav'r'ble clime
calloused skin and worry lines
strength of will, how far you've climbed
burdens bending down the spine
unbroken back, the worst behind
still carry on to yonder shrine
you've almost reached that yonder shrine

misty trail through forest wind
the earth is warm, reward to find
twist and turn the path a skein
the fabric wove, grapes stomped to wine
the mist curls close, asks you to lie
the flowers soft, the garden fine
you've made it to that yonder shrine
rest well earned at Precious Shrine

--Best Guess Translation of Nonverbal Immortal and Spirit Song played during the Festival of Precious Things
 
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query said:
[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.

Ah, to put on the airs of such grand dramatics.
When in reality the Ling clan is a frazzled mother, scatter brained daughter, glutinous turtle/imperious snek, a star seeking idol and small child.

I wonder if all clans start like this, faking it until they make it?
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CRX definitely knows how that feels.
 
[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power grants no meaning of its own.
Not really fussed about which one wins, both are good.
But i slightly prefer this one.
 
[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.
 
al103 said:
That way can be argued that there is no such thing as seeking power for the sake of power. As at worst you enjoy having power and so seek power for your enjoyment. Which render this insight meaningless.
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For some people sure.
What's the point of body building or power lifting, realistically you're training to lift far heavier things than you would ever need to IRL. Surely the point is people enjoy the struggle or just being that strong? And most other people do not, and so they don't do it.
Why is magic cultivation power any different?
Meaning isn't actually a physical thing. Its a thing we assign to things that we think are important.
 
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[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.

It's not a bad insight, and, importantly, it's not going to cause any additional heart-demons. It'll help her with interacting with and valuing the other people in her family, which will help to resolve heart-demon issues she's had in the past. Trying to tell herself that power is hollow, however, is... potentially problematic, given the other paths she's taken.
 
Sirrocco said:
[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.

It's not a bad insight, and, importantly, it's not going to cause any additional heart-demons. It'll help her with interacting with and valuing the other people in her family, which will help to resolve heart-demon issues she's had in the past. Trying to tell herself that power is hollow, however, is... potentially problematic, given the other paths she's taken.
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One thing to consider is that this is not an insight, it is a concept upgrade. Concepts are meant to be upgraded and built upon.
 
[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.

Power is simply the ability to influence (the object being others, environments, situations, etc.), and that can come from so many sources beyond strength and cunning. Ling Qi understands and values certain sources of power, the ones she can readily and naturally tap into, but I really think she would benefit from widening her scope of where power can come from so she can see how those she loves truly DO measure up to her level, just not in the ways she intrinsically values.

I'm not AGAINST her learning that power for power's sake is meaningless, I don't think that's necessarily a bad lesson given that an empty, undirected pursuit of power could result in some horrific choices down the line. But I think she has other aspects of her Way that counteract that sort of behavior and I just don't find it relevant at this stage in her cultivation.
 
Why can i only like this update once?????

now, moving on....

[] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.

I REALLY want this, would help to knock LQ down from the "I need to do everything to protect the family" line of thoughts which Sun Shao is a good example i think, sacrificing/treading/baptizing his grand daugther for the sake of family.
Would curtail other problems that would result in simply focusing on her personal power as well and as was said before by others, the power of teamwork, family, friendship and all that diversity entails is good.

[] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power grants no meaning of its own.

On the other hand, this would ensure she wont pursue power for power's sake, and would be harder to sway with promises of power..... though, i can only see skeledady as a potential danger for that, in the near future anyway.
Though, it has the potential of breaking her, just like Jiao had broke himself...

Im sadly not happy how i worded these, but this is as close as i could, i hope it will be enough to suffice.

I want both though. and can only hope the one we didnt chose will come back the next time we can advance Power.
 
[X] Power III: Without Power one can hold nothing and accomplish nothing, but power may spring from many sources.
 
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