The Dao of Karma, also called the Dao of Fate, represents the primordial force of Cause and Effect. It is one of the most enigmatic and unfathomable Dao’s, its nature deeply interwoven with the essence of existence itself.
The Primordial Nature of Karma
Karma is a primordial force without an inherent beginning or origin. Its “true” inception predates the birth of the universe, transcending even the fabric of reality. The universe and everything within it are bound by Karma’s threads, making it a cosmic constant that governs the cycles of creation, destruction, and rebirth.
This timeless nature makes Karma a universal principle, existing beyond the limitations of mortal comprehension. Even the most enlightened cultivators acknowledge that they can only grasp fragments of its true essence.
Misunderstandings of Karma
Karma is often oversimplified as merely Cause and Effect. While this summarization holds some truth, it barely scratches the surface of its complexity. Many fail to understand that Karma is not merely a moral ledger of good and evil deeds—it is a dynamic and multifaceted web that encompasses every action, intention, and consequence.
Its threads connect not only individuals but also the natural elements, celestial bodies, and the laws that govern the universe. To truly comprehend Karma requires a level of insight that eludes even the most advanced cultivators, as it demands an understanding of the universe’s underlying mechanisms and their infinite interconnections.
The Role of Karma in Existence
- Connection to the Universe: Karma binds all beings, objects, and phenomena. A single thread of Karma may stretch across time and space, linking events that seem unrelated but are intrinsically connected.
- Cosmic Cycles: It plays a fundamental role in the cycles of life, death, and reincarnation, ensuring balance and continuity across the ages.
- Neutrality of Karma: Karma is impartial. It does not “punish” or “reward” but simply facilitates the natural progression of consequences based on actions and intent.
Cultivators and the Dao of Karma
The Dao of Karma is poorly understood, even among those who pursue it. Cultivators who attempt to comprehend it often face insurmountable challenges:
- Grasping its Essence: To tread the Dao of Karma is to accept that understanding may never be complete. Many cultivators falter, unable to reconcile their limited insights with the vast, primordial nature of Karma.
- Practical Manipulation: While some gain the ability to perceive and influence Karma’s threads, the outcomes of such actions are rarely predictable. The Dao of Karma is not a tool for control but a path to alignment with the cosmic order.
The Paradox of the Dao
The Dao of Karma is a paradoxical force—it exists before and beyond the universe, yet it operates within it. It is both a governing principle and an unknowable mystery, a force that cultivators may strive to master yet can never fully command.
Legend has it that those who approach the apex of the Dao of Karma can glimpse the Karmic Weave—a vision of the universe as a tapestry of infinite threads. To touch this weave is to see existence in its entirety, though such insight comes with profound consequences, often alienating the cultivator from the mortal and spiritual realms alike.
Kyro Eryndal and the Dao of Karma
Kyro Eryndal is a cultivator whose profound understanding of the Dao of Karma has shaped his actions, relationships, and even his destiny. His approach to Karma is marked by restraint, as he is acutely aware that even the smallest action can have far-reaching and unpredictable consequences. While cause and effect may be a simplified interpretation of the Dao of Karma, Eryndal has come to understand its deeper intricacies—its threads binding all beings in a vast and ever-changing web.
The Burden of Karma
Eryndal’s awareness of Karma has led him to be cautious in his dealings, but this restraint has not shielded him from the weight of unresolved Karma. His past actions, both deliberate and unintended, have created a web of connections that he cannot easily sever.
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Ling Yanshan and the Lingering Resentment: Four centuries ago, Eryndal made a fateful decision that deeply affected Ling Yanshan, an old acquaintance. While the specifics remain veiled in mystery, his actions resulted in a profound personal loss for Yanshan, sowing resentment that has lingered for centuries. The unresolved Karma binding them has only grown heavier with time, culminating in a confrontation in the Starry Sky during Eryndal’s journey to the Star River Court. Their clash disrupted the celestial balance, attracting the attention of other Transcendent cultivators. Though Eryndal avoided escalating the conflict, the incident highlighted the unresolved threads tying him to Yanshan and the weight they place on his soul.
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Jusoph and the Forbidden Act: More recently, Eryndal subtly interfered in the life of Jusoph, a mortal child with immense potential, during the child’s perilous journey to the Whispering Expanse. Despite the Transcendents’ strict non-interference mandate, Eryndal could not stand idly by, believing that inaction could lead to far greater consequences. Though his intervention was indirect and restrained, it drew the scrutiny of the Star River Court, whose suspicion further complicates Eryndal’s already precarious position.
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A Heavy Heart: These unresolved threads reflect the Dao of Karma’s inherent challenge—Karma must be resolved to move forward, yet resolution is rarely simple or painless. Eryndal’s struggles with these entanglements illustrate the immense difficulty of navigating the cosmic web without severing it entirely.
Touching the Karmic Weave
In an act of extraordinary insight and ambition, Eryndal once attempted to touch the Karmic Weave—the cosmic tapestry of all Karma within the universe. This profound experience allowed him to see the infinite connections that define existence, but such knowledge came at a cost.
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The Vision: For a fleeting moment, Eryndal perceived the universe in its entirety, the threads of Karma linking every being, object, and event. It was a sight so overwhelming and alien that it defied comprehension.
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Exile from Reality: The price of this knowledge was severe. The Karmic Weave rejected Eryndal, casting him into a state of exile—a liminal space outside the bounds of reality. This exile was both a punishment and a consequence of his actions, marking him as a being out of alignment with the cosmic order.
The Mysterious Figure
During his exile, Eryndal encountered a figure unlike any he had ever seen.
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Appearance: The figure was a colour darker than pitch black, wearing a black hooded cloak, with glowing green eyes that seemed to pierce through Eryndal’s soul. Despite being surrounded by the threads of Karma, this being was completely untouched by them, an enigma beyond the laws of cause and effect.
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Unfathomable Power: The figure’s power was immeasurable, far exceeding anything Eryndal had ever encountered. It radiated an authority that transcended mortal and divine realms alike.
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A Puzzling Rescue: For reasons unknown, the figure allowed Eryndal to re-enter reality. Eryndal’s memories of the Karmic Weave are now fragmented and unclear, as if veiled by the figure’s intervention. However, the encounter remains etched in his mind, an indelible reminder of the mysteries that lie beyond comprehension.
A Changed Reality
Upon his return, Eryndal found that many things had changed, both within himself and the world around him. The threads of Karma now seemed to behave differently, as though subtly altered by his brief connection to the Karmic Weave. This change has left Eryndal questioning not only his role in the universe but also the identity and motives of the mysterious figure.
The Unresolved Karma
Eryndal’s unresolved threads of Karma are manifold, but two stand out for their profound impact: his entanglement with Ling Yanshan and his interference in Jusoph’s fate. Both weigh heavily on his spirit, compounded by the uncertainties introduced by his exile. The lingering effects of his encounter with the Karmic Weave and the enigmatic figure serve as a constant reminder of the Dao of Karma’s power—and the risks of delving too deeply into its mysteries.