Fus Ro Dah!
A Dragon Shout, like a thunderclap from nowhere, sent a surging torrent of air straight into the sky, tearing a corner off the overcast clouds.
Jonas took a breath, then turned to Simon, "Sir, would you like to do it again?"
Simon rubbed his face, wanting to study the divinity of the Dragonborn, but lacking any good methods, his efficiency was low.
The Breton boy, whose voice was breaking, spoke with a quacking tone, and his Dragon Shout sounded strange. He even made a face at Dilo, who was in a horse stance not far away, from behind the Troll.
Simon waved his hand, "Go practice your sword skills. I'll sit for a while."
The boy gave a small cheer and scampered off to chat with his companions, brandishing his longsword and spouting some saucy remarks. He was completely natural, not at all affected by the violent nature of Unrelenting Force—something neither the Greybeards nor Simon could achieve.
The Troll sighed with a hint of weariness, sitting cross-legged in the snow, gazing at the world below the cliff, his thoughts drifting into his mind. Master Arngeir walked over, sat beside him, and asked, "Any thoughts yet?"
"Oh, Master, you're here. I have a question. How do you manage the mental transition between different Dragon Shouts?" Although Simon hadn't learned a second Thu'um yet, he deduced that each time he learned a Thu'um, there was a major hurdle, like a personality split. Shouts also had their own 'thoughts,' and if not handled properly, it would be like a lycanthropy patient losing their humanity.
Arngeir's tone was also heavy upon hearing this, "It is indeed very difficult. Each Thu'um requires repeated practice and long periods of meditation. The more Thu'ums I know, the more time I need to meditate and suppress them. Six years have passed since I learned the last Thu'um…"
Simon nodded. Learning Dragon Shouts was truly difficult at the beginning, difficult in the middle, and increasingly difficult later on. Perhaps the Greybeards could publish a textbook, "The Way of the Voice: From Novice to Nirvana," to warn the world not to waste time on the mountain with a bunch of old men.
Simon still hadn't grasped the essence of the Dragonborn's divinity.
It was certain that Dragonborn divinity was not a mode of thought. Jonas's temperament was that of a precocious child, clear as day to Simon. His special quality must be the soul of a dragon. Because of this different soul, he possessed mental power at a young age, and this mental power must also be extraordinary.
Body, soul, mind—of these three, ordinary people can only change the mind. Mortals seeking divinity have only two paths: either seek it from the Divines, or let their minds transcend the ordinary.
So, what exactly is the difference? Why, with this subtle divinity, does mental power become so strong?
Since mental power is intangible and leaves no trace, Simon could only infer someone possessed mental power from their demeanor and aura, but he couldn't observe its operation. This was vastly different from internal energy. Mental power could neither be transmitted nor externally released; to affect reality, it required a medium. Everyone's mental power is different, yet its manifestations can be completely identical, which deeply puzzled Simon.
Arngeir asked, "What is the state of 'no thought' that you once spoke of? I have a feeling that the key to resolving Thu'um conflicts might lie there."
The Greybeards had always used an ascetic doctrine, resisting the distracting thoughts brought by the Thu'ums with tenacious will, which was very arduous. In Buddhist terms, it's like, "Diligently wipe it clean at all times, lest it gather dust." This is certainly not wrong, and it is indeed a righteous path, but people always have limits. The human mind is like an isolated island; if the surrounding sea of suffering is too turbulent, it will also drown the spiritual platform. So the only way out is to "realize the Dao and become a Buddha," to possess divinity.
Simon felt he was still lacking. He needed to see through the obsession with seeking outwardly and seeking inwardly before his mind could be complete. That is to say, when he could generate mental power without relying on prayers to the Divines, he would have attained the Dao. Thinking about this now was too far off. If he took a step back and thoroughly studied the Thu'ums, to the point where he could create or change Thu'ums, that would be the day his Way of the Voice reached its peak.
Each person has their own destiny. Simon told Arngeir a viable path forward, but he couldn't walk it for him. He could only try to describe some requirements and feasible methods for a state of no thought.
"First, let go of urgent thoughts and leave your old ways. Thoughts arise and dissipate in your mind; don't chase them. Countless ideas pass in a flash, leaving only the pursuit of the Dao. It must be utterly pure and without doubt to have a fixed point. From there, gradually align all your thoughts with your nature. Do not have prejudiced, erroneous, or empty ideas. Once you've made up your mind, do it well. When every word and action from then on does not violate reason, then you have achieved something.
"Dragon Shouts are like distracting thoughts in the mind. You must first let go of your attachment to them, concentrate on cultivating your own principles, and then pick them up again once you have a Core that can connect all Shouts."
Arngeir nodded, "What are your principles?"
"Not to stop. To always move forward, constantly changing, pursuing an ultimate answer whose existence is unknown."
"Ultimate answer?"
Simon smiled, "Yes, the ultimate answer that every rational being will pursue. This is the final solution to questions about the universe, life, value, and so on."
"Would you die for it?"
"Of course, this is my destiny."
The Troll's dark eyes gleamed with a cold, hard light, perhaps softened by a faint halo, but its essence was still like an iron banner on a glacier, standing unyielding. This gaze made Arngeir suddenly understand.
Destiny is like that. Unavoidable.
The Dragonborn has a destiny; how could a Bodhisattva's incarnation not have a destiny?
We each bear our burdens, each walking on a cliff with no retreat. No one knows what lies ahead. The unpredictability of fate is precisely the greatest obstacle preventing people from seeing the ultimate answer.
Isn't it romantic to die for an ideal?
Arngeir nodded, "You will be a hero."
"I know. Everyone is their own hero."
…
Months flew by. It was now Hearthfire, and the temperature had plummeted. People began to stay indoors, huddling around hearths and fireplaces to ward off the cold, and pedestrians on the road became increasingly scarce.
This day, after afternoon tea, the Greybeards suddenly announced that they would all be entering seclusion. This news was difficultly delivered by the greatly overweight Master Arngeir. Simon and the other two watched as the four fat old men, whose grey robes were almost bursting, disappeared out the door.
Jonas suddenly said, "Sir, I miss Winterhold a bit."
Dilo also sighed, "I really miss Whiterun."
Simon glanced at them, "In another two months, I'll take you down the mountain. By the way, I need to go to Ivarstead and might not be back for a couple of days. You don't need to keep practicing combat skills intensely; just maintain your current state. Solve your own food problems; food and cooking utensils are in the usual place. All right, I'm leaving." He finished his words in a few seconds and left immediately, without any hesitation, leaving Jonas and the other boy stunned.
After a long time, they looked at the empty council hall, exchanging glances.
…
[Quest: Memories of the Voice]
Quest One (Completed): Go to High Hrothgar
Quest Two (Completed): Learn a Thu'um
Quest Three (Completed): Understand the Laws of the Voice
Quest Four (Completed): Create a Thu'um
[Quest: Leaves Return to Their Roots]
Quest One (Completed): Go to Ivarstead
Quest Two (Uncompleted): Inquire about Mother's Past
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