Volume One: Celestial Dao Sect Chapter Three: The Celestial Dao Sect's Mission

Chen Fangyu had a good rest in the dormitory arranged by the Heavenly Dao Sect. Before dawn the next day, the sect’s disciples were roused early for morning training. They were assigned their attire and organized for morning exercises. At this time, the sect’s stewards arranged unified training for the new disciples, coordinated their collaborative tasks, assigned some to manage daily living needs, and others to oversee the sect’s operations.

The Heavenly Dao Sect was divided into three major branches: the Sword Sect, the Dao Sect, and the Mystic Sect. The Sword Sect instructed disciples in swordsmanship; they typically carried the sect’s swords and hurried about handling sect affairs. The Dao Sect trained disciples in the Way, accepting new disciples as Dao followers who practiced talisman arts, Feng Shui, physiognomy, geomancy, and rituals. This branch had produced many renowned Daoist masters. The Mystic Sect’s disciples cultivated mysticism, often shrouded in secrecy; their methods were profound and esoteric, practicing the Great Vehicle path where mysticism was both a skill and a doctrine.

Chen Fangyu followed Elder Liaochen for cultivation. Elder Liaochen was an elder of the Sword Sect branch, specializing in swordsmanship. Yet as the sages say, a master only guides you to the door; cultivation is one’s own responsibility. Although Chen Fangyu belonged to Elder Liaochen’s faction within the sect, the elder bore no obligation to teach him how to cultivate.

After distributing personal supplies, the sect’s stewards arranged a formal apprenticeship ceremony. Elders like Liaochen, Elder Baiyuan, and Elder Ruchu accepted the tea offerings from their new disciples, their expressions brightening considerably. Other new disciples performed the same ritual in different halls for their masters, pleasing the sect’s senior members who were deeply gratified and hopeful for the younger generation. The senior leaders generously presented gifts in return—magical treasures, spirit talismans, gold and silver, and precious valuables. With such exchanges, the ceremony was complete, forging an unbreakable bond between master and disciple, to respect the master as a father for life. These new disciples now had both support and connection within the Heavenly Dao Sect.

In the following months, Chen Fangyu ardently pursued his cultivation under the sect’s arrangements. Gradually familiar with the sect’s rules, he advanced his swordsmanship to the third stage of Sword Disciple.

As his training progressed, the sect further refined its division of labor. One day, the Sword Sect issued branch assignments. Upon hearing the news, Chen Fangyu brought his sword to receive his task.

“A White-grade mission: near the Heavenly Dao Sect lies Jiang Water, where a man-eating monstrous beast is said to dwell. This beast has devoured humans before. Sword Sect disciples may form teams to subdue it.”

“A Good-grade mission: nearby, a band of bandits has taken residence on our mountain, notorious for highway robbery and causing havoc. Sword Sect disciples may organize teams to suppress them.”

“A Superior-grade mission: in the Northern Sea, a demon resides on the Boundless Island, stirring storms and wreaking havoc. Sword Sect disciples may gather teams to confront it.”

Chen Fangyu, an ambitious cultivator, was among the first to claim a task. The Heavenly Dao Sect awarded merit points for contributions, which could be earned by completing missions. After scanning the three tasks on the board, he disregarded the latter two, focusing solely on the first assignment.

“White-grade mission: near the sect’s vicinity at Jiang Water, a man-eating monster lurks. Sword Sect disciples can team up to suppress it.” Chen Fangyu reviewed the notice again, and reassured by the white-grade rating, he tore down the announcement, preparing to meet the beast of Jiang Water.

“Are you the one taking up the mission to confront the Jiang Water monster?” Just as Chen Fangyu pocketed the notice and prepared to leave, a disciple blocked his path.

He looked up to see a fair-featured young woman—Liu Yu, who had also been a direct disciple of Elder Liaochen, having joined at the same time as him. Liu Yu’s delicate face held a hint of beauty, her figure petite, and she too carried the Sword Sect’s sword.

“So it’s you,” Chen Fangyu recognized her and felt a sense of camaraderie. “What of it? This is a Sword Sect mission. As a disciple, am I not allowed to accept it?”

“You misunderstand, senior brother. That’s not what I meant,” Liu Yu hurriedly explained.

“Then what do you mean?” Chen Fangyu countered, causing Liu Yu to pause before revealing her intent.

“I want to join the mission as well. Please allow me to accompany you to meet the Jiang Water monster,” she said, hoping to tag along.

Chen Fangyu considered that the white-grade mission was not something to be monopolized by one person. Since they were fellow disciples under Elder Liaochen, he consented to Liu Yu joining.

“Please stay!” As Chen Fangyu and Liu Yu prepared to move, another interrupted.

“What do you require?” Chen Fangyu recognized the man as Lu Youdao, who had organized participants in the sect’s selection trials.

“The sect has a rule: mission leaders must wear the sect-issued communication talisman. I’m here on behalf of the sect leadership to deliver this talisman,” Lu Youdao said with a smile.

“Thank you for your courtesy. I did not expect such a visit from the steward,” Chen Fangyu responded warmly, realizing Lu Youdao had come bearing a gift.

“Since you’ve accepted the mission and will lead the team, this communication talisman is bestowed upon you. Use it well. I wish you success and may you bring glory to the Heavenly Dao Sect,” Lu Youdao said, bowing respectfully.

Holding the talisman, Chen Fangyu pondered their two-person team. Could they really contend with the Jiang Water monster? As leader responsible for his comrades’ lives, he began strategizing. Something felt off—he realized a five-person squad would be more suitable. Standing at the mission point, he began recruiting teammates.

After Lu Youdao’s departure, Chen Fangyu and Liu Yu waited briefly at the mission post. Soon, three more disciples arrived and accepted Chen Fangyu’s invitation to join. The five-man Sword Sect team comprised Chen Fangyu, Liu Yu, Fang Yi, Li Wu, and Lu Daoyi.

By midday, Chen Fangyu told the group to prepare change of clothes and supplies. The five teammates dispersed to pack and get ready.

Half an hour later, laden with gear, Chen Fangyu gathered the five and set off toward Jiang Water near the Heavenly Dao Sect.

Central Earth lay in the middle of the eastern hemisphere of the Tianchen Star. To the east was the Ancestor Nation, said to be inhabited by ancient forebears with many prehistoric tribes. About ten miles in the direction of the Ancestor Nation lay Jiang Water. After trekking through mountain and valley, the five-man team finally arrived at Jiang Water.

At the lake’s edge, they spotted an elderly man in a straw hat and gray robe, fishing with a bamboo pole. When Chen Fangyu’s team approached, the old man was startled, abandoned his fishing rod, and transformed into a huge snake thick as an arm, which slithered into the lake and vanished.

The team marveled. Lu Daoyi exclaimed, “Ah! The Jiang Water beast is truly extraordinary—it even fishes!”

Chen Fangyu nodded, “Remarkable indeed. If the beast is so cunning, we’ll need to show our skills to succeed.”

“Right,” Fang Yi smiled for the first time in a while. “Let’s stay here a few days to observe what powers this beast has. Our long journey wouldn’t be in vain otherwise.”

Heeding this, the team set up camp. Days passed without sight of the monster, but they did meet a boatman ferrying across Jiang Water.

It was late autumn; leaves yellowed and drifted down, leaving bare branches. The boatman rowed a small boat near the shore. Chen Fangyu sensed that though the mission was difficult, the boatman might offer useful information.

“Boatman, we’ve been waiting for you. I can tell you’re a benefactor. Thank you for your hard work,” Chen Fangyu greeted warmly, hoping to glean intelligence.

The boatman moored his boat to an old tree, squinting his eyes with age. “Young master, you’re so cordial—are you heading across the water?”

“No, sir, I have no such intention,” Chen Fangyu replied honestly.

“Then what brings you? No need to flatter me—are you trying to hire my skills for something?” The boatman, having lived long, was shrewd and cautious, though he did not expose Chen Fangyu.

“Oh, sir, I mean to ask you something. You are my benefactor,” Chen Fangyu said.

“What would you like to know?” The boatman’s eyes dimmed.

“I heard there’s a man-eating monster by Jiang Water. As members of the Heavenly Dao Sect, we’ve come to suppress this beast,” Chen Fangyu shared openly, trusting the boatman’s experience.

“That man-eating monster, huh? Well, that’s a long story…” The boatman’s eyes briefly cleared as memories flooded back, drawing Chen Fangyu’s team into the depths of a distant past.