The tirade of the Black Magnate left an impact on Gravis. The goal he was chasing would only result in emptiness? If some random person said that, Gravis wouldn't believe them, but this was one of the most powerful beings in the Cosmos. His power was only second to the Opposer and Heaven.
Yet, contrary to expectation, Gravis actually didn't feel the surrounding oppressive atmosphere inside of him. The Black Magnate's words brought an aura of gloominess and helplessness to the city, but for some reason, Gravis didn't feel like this helplessness had anything to do with him.
Gravis was even surprised at himself. He would have expected himself to get shaken and fall into an emotional crisis, but surprisingly, this didn't happen.
Instead of feeling the pressure of emptiness, Gravis felt like it actually wasn't such a big deal.
"I believe you," Gravis said after a sigh, "I truly believe that this is how it is when someone reaches the Heaven's Magnate Realm."
The young man furrowed his brows as he looked at Gravis. Due to Gravis' Spirit being the only Spirit not attuned to Energy, Gravis was the only person that the Black Magnate couldn't see through. He had the power to see through everyone since everyone was comprised of the same Laws. Yet, Gravis was different. That was also the main reason why the Black Magnate was so interested in Gravis. He was something completely new.
"That sounds like there should be a but," the Black Magnate said.
"But," Gravis said, "I don't think this is true for everyone."
"What makes you think that?" the Black Magnate said.
"You said it yourself," Gravis said. "You said that there is one being that is at your same Realm but doesn't feel this oppressiveness," Gravis said as he looked at the Black Magnate. "You are talking about my mother, right?"
The Black Magnate sighed as he looked to the side. "Yes. She is the only being at my Realm that seems to also be happy. Every other Heaven's Magnate feels identical to me. As soon as you understand everything, nothing is interesting anymore, even other beings."
"Yet, your mother is able to remain happy and cheerful, even though she has the same knowledge as us. I honestly can't understand why that is. I am in the same position as her, but my feelings are so very different."
"How can it be so different? We know the same things and have the same power, but the same thing that gives me such turmoil doesn't affect your mother," the Black Magnate said with longing. "I have tried to find the reason for millions of years, thinking that I might recover. Yet, I never found it. I just don't know how it is possible."
Gravis looked at the horizon as the city calmed down again. "I don't mean any disrespect, but I think nobody can help you with that."
"What do you mean?" the Black Magnate said with furrowed brows. "Are you saying that it is hopeless for me to ever find color again?"
Gravis shook his head. The calm he felt even surprised himself. By all accounts and purposes, Gravis should feel devastated after hearing that power brought emptiness, but for some reason, he wasn't. "I think it's just you," Gravis said slowly. "Actually, I see a lot of similarities between you and my father."
"Us powerful beings are all very similar to one another," the Black Magnate said.
"And maybe that's the issue," Gravis said. "You have all reached supreme power with the same way, taking everything from the world and others. My father doesn't talk much about himself, but I feel like he has felt very similar feelings for a long time."
"That makes me think that it is not the power itself that makes you feel empty inside, but the way you acquired it," Gravis said. "The only happy, supremely powerful being is my mother. Yet, is it only a coincidence that she was also the only one that had been granted her power instead of acquiring it herself?"
"I've also thought about that," the Black Magnate said, "but I can't come to a definitive conclusion."
"Because you can't," Gravis said.
The Black Magnate glared at Gravis. "Explain," he said.
Anyone would feel threatened when such a powerful hegemon glared at them, but Gravis didn't feel afraid. In actuality, the only thing Gravis felt was pity. The Black Magnate was so powerful, yet he felt so horrible and empty.
"Because you focus too much on power," Gravis said. "You explained to me how power is everything with firm conviction, and that conviction is your problem, I believe."
"Is it not the truth?" the Black Magnate asked evenly. "Is there a fault in my explanation?"
Gravis slowly shook his head. "No, there isn't. Your conclusion and reasoning are perfect," Gravis said slowly. "Your speech about power has affected me far more than your speech about power being empty. Power truly is everything."
"But?" the Black Magnate asked.
"But," Gravis continued, "only if your goal is to survive."
The Black Magnate furrowed his brows. "Isn't survival the very goal of our existence? Isn't it Heaven that wants us to become powerful?"
"That is Heaven's goal, but is it your goal?" Gravis asked. "If you could sacrifice your power right now to become happy, would you do it?"
The Black Magnate frowned as he fell into thought for the first time in a long while. Would he do that? Would he be willing to lose his power to become happy?
After some seconds, the Black Magnate looked back at Gravis. "I think I would," he said.
"So your goal is not survival or power, but happiness," Gravis said with a smile, "and power is not the way to happiness."
"How did you come to that conclusion?" the Black Magnate asked with a raised eyebrow.
Gravis actually had to chuckle, and the Black Magnate frowned. "Isn't it interesting?" Gravis askes. "Sometimes, we can't see the forest because of all the trees. You said that power leads to emptiness. So, therefore, the logical conclusion is that power doesn't lead to happiness. You said that yourself."
The Black Magnate frowned as he looked at the sky. "I did say that, yes," he said.
"You said power is everything, and then you said power is emptiness. So, as long as you chase and rely on power, will you not always rely on and chase emptiness?" Gravis asked.
"Are you suggesting that the only way I can feel something again is to sacrifice my power?" the Black Magnate said.
"No," Gravis said with a smile. "What I'm saying is that power is neither the friend nor the opponent of happiness. I think power is not related to happiness at all. A powerless mortal can lead a happy life. Yet, my mother can also lead a happy life with her power. I think power has nothing to do with happiness."
"That's different," the Black Magnate said. "Your mother hasn't achieved her power on her own, which makes her not reliant on it."
CLAP!
Gravis suddenly clapped loudly once. "Exactly! You said it!" he said. "She doesn't rely on it. It doesn't matter if she is the most powerful or the weakest person there is. She simply is happy. Also, she isn't the only example."
"Who else is there?" the Black Magnate asked skeptically.
Gravis had to laugh a little again. "You're truly lost in the woods," Gravis said. "Look around you! Look at the city! Most cultivators living here have given up on the path to power."
"Look at them," Gravis said, gesturing to the city. "Are these comparatively weak beings happier or sadder than you?" Gravis asked.
"Happier," the Black Magnate said without any emotions, "but that is logical. I see all the Laws working in tandem in their beings. I know what will make them feel happy and what will make them feel sad. They generally feel more happiness than me."
"So," Gravis said. "When you know why people feel happy, why don't you know how to feel happy?"
"I've thought a lot about this, and I can't come to a conclusion," the Black Magnate said.
"It's the same," Gravis said. "You said everyone is comprised of Energy and Laws, even you. So, wouldn't the same Laws that govern happiness also make you feel happy?"
By now, both of them stepped to the side. Gravis leaned on a wall with the Black Magnate standing in front of him. In the beginning, it had been Gravis that felt annoyed by the Black Magnate. Then, it was the Black Magnate that felt angry as all the frustration in his being welled forth.
Yet, as soon as Gravis started talking, the gloominess slowly receded.
The Black Magnate didn't notice, but right now, he had an earnest discussion with someone many, many times weaker and younger than him.
They were just two people talking right now.
Nothing more, nothing less.
