Sword God in a World of Magic

Yet, even though the Lightning Emperor understood Shang better now, the problem still hadn't been resolved.

Naturally, the metaphor the Lightning Emperor had given couldn't completely cover all the aspects of the problem.

For example, while the beast in the metaphor could help the person become more powerful, Shang couldn't possibly help the Lightning Emperor become more powerful.

The Lightning Emperor was already at the peak of what he could achieve. Even if Shang became a Warrior Emperor and even if he decided to help the Lightning Emperor with everything, what would that accomplish?

At most, the Lightning Emperor would become the strongest Emperor after Shang, but that didn't make much difference to him.

Not everyone was like Shang, and the Lightning Emperor was fine with the power he had.

He could do what he wanted, talk with whomever he wanted, and go wherever he wanted.

Becoming the strongest Emperor wouldn't change that.

As for reaching Lucius' power, that was impossible. The Lightning Emperor knew that much.

Sure, Shang could become an incredibly powerful Warrior King, which would boost the Lightning Manor's prestige and soft power.

But then what?

They would have a bit more power for 100,000 years, and then Shang would die, and everything would return to normal.

And if he hadn't died by then, it meant that he had become an Emperor, in which case every other Emperor needed to fear for their lives.

There was nothing positive about supporting Shang.

"Your goal is to become powerful?" the Lightning Emperor asked.

Shang nodded.

"Powerful in what sense?" the Lightning Emperor asked. "Do you want to rule over others?"

"No," Shang answered.

"Do you want the freedom to do whatever you want?"

"No."

"Do you want to use your power on others?"

"No."

"Then what do you want with that power?" the Lightning Emperor asked with furrowed brows.

Everything Shang had said up to now was in tune with the world, which meant that he wasn't lying.

Yet, exactly that confused the Lightning Emperor so much.

was not a goal, but

It was a tool.

do whatever one wanted

Shang only wanted to have the power without actually having a reason

hoard the most powerful weapons in the

Look at them?

Have them?

do you want to have power?" the Lightning

want to be the strongest,"

the

didn't immediately

answered after

Lightning Emperor blinked

world, would you still chase after power like this?" the Lightning

"Yes," Shang answered.

don't care about

"No."

you are at the Fifth Realm, and it is completely impossible for anyone else to even reach the Fourth Realm?

"Yes," Shang answered.

"Why?"

to understand. I don't know why I want to

like this is

is what I am supposed to do,

this point since he was too enraptured by this

Lightning Emperor said. "It sounds like

"Mind control?" Shang asked.

mind control. Humans do things because they have reasons to do these things. You can question every conscious action

"You want power, right?"

Shang nodded.

you want

"Because I want power."

problem," the Lightning Emperor said. "Your action is self-referential. The reason for your action is your action, and

exists because

be things in this world that might actually have this

and even if you don't know the reason, you can be assured that

that something exists

"Then, what's my reason for wanting

seen your life," the

have strayed too far from the actual

Shang nodded.

became a Warrior King and you reached the top of

to become an Emperor," Shang

what would

become a God," Shang

why you want to become