Volume One: The Celestial Path Sect Chapter Eight: Rapid Advancement Is No Longer a Dream

In the following days, Chen Fangyu purchased some daily necessities at a shop near the mountain to sustain his basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. He had heard that the mountain he currently inhabited was the burial site of the third-generation Great Emperor of Central Earth, the Emperor of the Dao Tribulation. The pile of artificial intelligence robots in front of the cave where he lived was unearthed funeral objects from the tomb of the Dao Tribulation Emperor.

For several consecutive days, Chen Fangyu observed the newly unearthed AI robot moving those discarded artificial intelligences, carrying parts and broken robot components to other places. After several days of observation, when the pile of discarded AI was almost gone, his curiosity got the better of him. With a trace of doubt, he secretly followed the new AI robot to a hidden cave.

Inside the secluded cave were many AI parts, and the open space in the deep mountain only housed a portion of the AI robots. Chen Fangyu suspected this cave was a tomb raider's den. Driven by curiosity, he entered the cave alone while the AI robot returned to the open mountain area to move more AI robots. Inside, he discovered a mysterious place.

Unable to discern the true nature of the cave or any lurking dangers, Chen Fangyu ventured deeper to see if he could find anything valuable. In the pitch-black tomb chamber, he found more abandoned AI robots. He guessed this chamber was a side room in the Dao Tribulation Emperor’s tomb used for placing burial objects. Using the faint sunlight filtering through the ceiling, he explored the tomb chamber, hoping to find treasures to sustain himself or divine artifacts to enhance his cultivation.

The side chamber was small and distinct from the main tomb of the Dao Tribulation Emperor, isolated from the other rooms. After searching thoroughly, Chen Fangyu found nothing of value, no rare divine artifacts. Disappointed yet enlightened, he gave up on this place.

While rifling through the side chamber, he found a book titled "Central Earth Intelligence." Treating it as a treasure, he carefully packed it away. Taking advantage of the AI robot’s absence, he quietly slipped out of the side chamber, clutching the book, and returned to his cave.

In the days that followed, Chen Fangyu practiced swordsmanship while studying "Central Earth Intelligence," leading a life that was quite fulfilling.

The cold wind hinted at approaching winter; with every sword dance, he sought the meaning of his existence.

Snowflakes drifted and settled; in the lonely mountain, he searched for his true self.

Chen Fangyu practiced swordplay in the open mountain space, advancing steadily step by step.

He believed that the rank of Sword Disciple Stage Four was not his limit but merely a starting point. In the Dao Sect’s sword cultivation path, there were eleven major ranks:

Sword Disciple, Sword Warrior, Sword Sect, Sword Venerable, Sword King, Sword Emperor, Sword Lord, Sword God, Sword Immortal, Sword Sage, and Sword Ancestor.

Each major rank was divided into nine minor ranks. Chen Fangyu was currently at the Sword Disciple rank, where cultivators only mastered some basic sword moves, sometimes practicing just one technique a day.

Every day at the Sword Disciple stage laid the foundation, mastering each move well.

A single move linking to the next expressed my intent; even slight progress accompanies me on the path.

He practiced daily with the Dao Sect’s sword, which had become his constant companion.

Sometimes, Chen Fangyu roamed the mountains searching for wild game to fill his stomach or gathered wild fruits, adding some joy to his life. Beyond the deep mountains lay the bustling mundane world. In his spare time, he went down the mountain to purchase food and necessities. Fortunately, before joining the Dao Sect, he had adventured across Central Earth, earning some money, spirit stones, and silver, which made his life reasonably comfortable.

Day after day, Chen Fangyu cultivated his swordsmanship in the mountains, steadily rising through the Sword Disciple ranks until he reached the eighth minor rank. Looking around, he still found no equal opponent.

After reaching Sword Disciple Stage Eight, he felt somewhat bored. Reflecting on his martial arts skills yet lacking recognition, he considered leaving the mountains to seek rivals in the martial world to sharpen his techniques.

At Sword Disciple Stage Eight, Chen Fangyu exuded a powerful and robust aura. After days of meditation, hard cultivation, and ample food, he had developed the sturdy physique typical of a Sword Disciple. Dressed in rough linen clothes and wielding the Dao Sect's sword, his strength grew steadily. With enough time and energy, he aimed for another breakthrough.

In the morning breeze, Chen Fangyu’s sword cultivation broke through to the Sword Warrior stage, startling the birds and beasts of the mountain. For a moment, he was unrivaled, even the descendants of the war beasts from the ancient battlefield occasionally roared, radiating fierce battle intent, eager to challenge him. But Chen Fangyu, engrossed in martial arts, had no desire to fight them.

As time passed, Chen Fangyu noticed that all the abandoned AI in the mountain clearing had been moved. After transporting all the AI, the robot became motionless again.

One day, out of boredom, Chen Fangyu returned to the side chamber of the tomb and saw the robot leaning against the pile of discarded AI machines. Its body was dim, devoid of light, resting lifelessly.

With some regret, Chen Fangyu left the place.

The biting cold wind blew fiercely, and dazzling sunshine illuminated the wild mountain forest.

Sunlight poured onto the earth, filtering through the branches to cast mottled patches beneath the trees.

In the open mountain space, Chen Fangyu gathered a few belongings, preparing to explore the mysteries of the ancient battlefield once more.

Beneath the radiant sun, he took advantage of the clear weather to enter the ancient battlefield area again. The banners in the distance still fluttered violently in the wind. Amid the smoke-filled battlefield, Chen Fangyu ventured deeper into its heart.

Tattered banners no longer bore their former splendor; the raging wind left only desolation on the battlefield.

A black crow perched on a broken skull, pecking at maggots in the eye sockets, cawing mournfully, signaling the battlefield’s bleakness.

Avoiding the sinister forces within, Chen Fangyu pressed on. The war beast descendants seemed to have vanished; he was fortunate not to have encountered them directly. Though now at the Sword Warrior stage, he was not afraid of these creatures but preferred to avoid conflict while treasure hunting alone.

As he walked the desolate battlefield, near the tattered banners, Chen Fangyu suddenly sensed a shadow of a blade attacking him. Thinking it a hallucination, he ignored it.

Soon after, the faint blade shadow struck again. Startled, Chen Fangyu realized the battlefield was filled with supernatural phenomena. He deduced that a malevolent weapon must be present to cause such illusions.

He searched the battlefield and finally found the weapon’s core when the phantom blades appeared for the fourth and fifth times.

Digging beneath a stone-covered mound, Chen Fangyu unearthed the weapon—a delicate, exquisite dagger inscribed with the characters "Divine. Skill. Clumsy." The dagger gleamed golden, its blade sharp, clearly a divine weapon long hidden from the world.

At that moment, as the dagger "Divine. Skill. Clumsy" surfaced, the ancient battlefield suddenly erupted with a powerful energy fluctuation. Chen Fangyu bit his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the dagger, instantly calming the restless weapon.

Relieved, he fastened the dagger to his waist. As he lingered, a rotten corpse appeared beside the standing national guardian stone tablet. The corpse reeked of decay, and from a distance, Chen Fangyu felt chills crawl up his spine. The corpse’s murky, hollow eyes vaguely looked at him and gestured for him to leave the battlefield.

Witnessing the eerie scene, fear crept into Chen Fangyu’s heart. Clutching the dagger for reassurance, he decided not to stay longer. He left the ancient battlefield with the dagger.

As Chen Fangyu departed, the corpse faded into the mist, vanishing from sight. With a sense of relief, he returned to the cave where he had lived for over a month.

He gathered his few belongings, preparing to return to the Dao Sect.

Before leaving, Chen Fangyu cast a reluctant glance at the cave he had called home for some time, then looked toward the cave where the AI robots had been. Putting on his straw hat, he turned his back without hesitation and headed toward the Dao Sect.