Chapter 1780 - 456: The Lonely Ember, Cang Xuan of the Sword Dao

Chapter 1780: Chapter 456: The Lonely Ember, Cang Xuan of the Sword Dao

The days of practicing swordsmanship quietly slipped away amidst sweat and repetition.

Tu Hu gradually began to grasp the emotional nuance within the plain sword moves, and as he wielded the heavy sword, the faint golden aura of protection became more substantial.

However, as his cultivation deepened, his curiosity about the elder Cang Xuan did not diminish but grew daily.

This person, who willingly perished along with civilization but left behind a shadow to pass on the "Dao," what kind of past did they have?

Why did the Dream Weaving Clan perish?

What other secrets are hidden within the background story?

These questions scratched at his heart like a cat’s claw.

Finally, unable to resist his intense curiosity, he called out in his mind during a training break:

"Brother Guide, I need you."

[Release.]

"I want to know Cang Xuan’s past."

[30,000 sacrificial power.]

"Given."

As his voice fell, the sacrificial power was automatically deducted, and a light screen unfolded before Tu Hu’s eyes.

...

Dream Weaving World.

This is a world driven by "Dream Power" at its core, advancing technology.

Here, dreams are not illusions during sleep but the foundation of civilization.

The entire development of civilization is built upon "dream simulation" via the subconscious network.

The world’s development, as early as thousands of years ago, branched into numerous paths.

There are four core systems.

They are: Technology Path, Dream Weaving Path, Spiritual Ability Path, Genetic Path.

Researchers of the Technology Path use dreams as the most powerful simulator, completing countless material syntheses and energy formulae calculations in dreams, then bringing successful dream results to reality, similar to Earth’s virtual technology.

Cultivators of the Spiritual Ability Path hone their spirits in dreams, learning to manipulate objects with thoughts, weaving illusions.

Explorers of the Genetic Path decompose life maps in dreams, seeking the optimal evolutionary direction for themselves.

Scholars of the Dream Weaving Path attempt to weave illusions in dreams, turning inspiration into reality.

Apart from the four major systems, there are over three hundred other development paths.

Every development path is based on dream exploration.

This is a golden era of a hundred schools blooming and contending; civilization bears diverse fruits through dreams.

This is also a golden era where imagination turns into great power.

The borderland, Martial City.

This ancient city, built with massive Black Stones, once had a glorious past.

In the distant past, when other systems were still budding, Martial Arts was the sole supreme power in the Dream Weaving World.

At that time, martial artists were the initial spear of exploration and the shield of protection for civilization.

But the tides of the era surged forward.

When other systems rapidly rose relying on efficient "dream simulation," the Martial Arts path, which required years to temper muscles, hone willpower, and heavily depend on individual talent and insight, seemed incompatible.

It was too slow, too arduous, filled with uncertainty.

The birth of a top martial artist required decades, while a Dream Weaver or Spiritual Ability User could emerge after a successful dream enlightenment.

Martial Arts gradually declined.

The former glory faded, and Martial City slipped from the center of the world to the border of civilization.

The younger generation left in droves, heading to the brilliant Floating City, seeking more "promising" paths.

The once bustling Martial Arts Arena now had only sparse figures, repeating those moves now regarded as "outdated."

In a corner of this ancient city enveloped in a sense of loss, the black-haired youth Cang Xuan repeatedly swung the Iron Sword toward a mottled wooden stake.

His gaze was intensely focused, merging with the environment.

Many of his companions had turned to study the "Spiritual Ability Path," which offered quicker power, or entered the Dream Net to study the more advanced "Dream Weaving Path."

Only he continued day after day to swing the seemingly clumsy Iron Sword at the wooden stake.

"Cang Xuan, still practicing that outdated stuff?" A boy with a backpack, about to leave, called out from the Martial Arts Arena, his words carrying no malice, but a trace of regret.

Cang Xuan did not respond, tightening his grip on the Iron Sword.

His gaze remained focused forward, as if he saw a scenery on the stake that others could not.

In this world dominated by dream simulation, a boy who could not align with dreams, who could only temper himself in reality with punches and kicks, seemed to have his path predestined from the start.

Nightfall shrouded the ancient Martial City, the lights scattered, far less brilliant than the distant Floating City.

Ending his practice, Cang Xuan pushed open a creaking wooden door, with an old plaque hanging above the lintel, the writing weathered and faint, barely discernible with the character "Cang."

This was his home, a Sword Dao Martial Arts Hall long without any apprentices.

On the dining table, the meal was simple.

An old man, hair and beard all white, his face marked by the ravines of time, placed the largest piece of meat into Cang Xuan’s bowl.

He was Cang Xuan’s grandfather, the last owner of this martial arts hall.

Watching his grandson eat in silence, a complex flicker passed through his cloudy eyes.

He set down his bowl and chopsticks, his hoarse voice breaking the silence:

"Xuan’er, today... the Spiritual Ability Academy from the City Lord Mansion sent a recruitment order, giving us a spot. They tested you, and your spiritual power is actually strong, just in a different direction. Switching to the Spiritual Ability Path might not be without prospects."

Cang Xuan’s hand paused as he picked up food, but he did not look up.

The old man sighed, continuing:

"This martial arts hall has been kept for 42 generations by our family. It’s done its part. Times have changed; some things should be let go when necessary. Grandpa doesn’t want to see you spend a lifetime on this dead-end path."