The couplet exuded arrogance and painted the picture of a soul who looked down on the rest of the world.

However, Li Qiye interpreted it differently; he was the only one who could make the connection.

His eyes narrowed as he scouted across time and space. At a distant point in time, he saw a young man acting with absolute freedom, not conforming to any boundary and restriction.

His position was the dao itself. His thoughts were the dao. There was no need for him to cultivate. He was born with the dao or rather, the dao was birthed by him. To put it simply - freedom.

Unrestrained and unbound,...