Free Web NovelChapter 40: 10,000X
"...Ten..."
Dan stared at the final line of the notification as though afraid it would disappear if he blinked.
"...Ten thousand."
For several long moments, he remained completely still. The emerald cavern was silent save for the distant dripping of water from countless crystal formations, and even the six terrifying Boss auras lurking in the deepest part of the dungeon seemed insignificant before the change that had just taken place.
His Infinite Amplification Talent had evolved — not by a small margin, not from one thousand to fifteen hundred, not from one thousand to two thousand, but from one thousand to ten thousand.
Dan slowly exhaled.
"That’s... terrifying."
He knew exactly what this meant. A single spark could ignite an entire prairie, but increase that spark tenfold and one might burn a forest, increase it a thousandfold and one might consume an empire. But increase it ten thousandfold, and one no longer measured destruction in forests or kingdoms. One measured it in worlds. That was precisely what Infinite Amplification represented. Its greatest terror wasn’t what it could do today — it was what it could do tomorrow.
Today, an Epic-grade treasure could become Mythical. Who could confidently say that tomorrow, an Abyssal-grade treasure wouldn’t become something even higher? Perhaps such a realm didn’t even exist. Perhaps it did. Dan didn’t know, nor did he intend to limit his imagination. The greatest prison was often the one people built inside their own minds, and if Heaven had granted him a Talent capable of transcending common sense, then why should his ambitions remain bound by common sense?
He smiled faintly.
"I suppose the road ahead just became much longer."
Yet instead of dwelling upon his Talent, Dan gradually shifted his attention toward the true prize he had gained moments ago — the Eternal Dark Heaven Art, a Divine-grade Sword Art capable of allowing him to seek enlightenment beneath the Dao of Darkness.
That single sentence carried tremendous weight. Seek. Not comprehend, not master, but seek. It meant this Sword Art merely granted qualifications. Walking the path still depended entirely upon him.
Dan slowly opened the newly unlocked Stream Chat. Tens upon tens of usernames flowed before his eyes, but many were unfamiliar, as his promotion to Silver III had clearly exposed his livestream to countless additional realms.
Some names radiated immense pressure despite existing only as text, others seemed ordinary, some amused, some curious, and some simply watched in silence. Dan’s gaze calmly swept across them.
"If I wish to understand the Dao, then asking those who have already walked it is undoubtedly the fastest method."
Searching through the countless usernames, two immediately attracted his attention — @AbyssButcher and @ShadowWarden. From their names alone, both appeared deeply connected to darkness. Without hesitation, Dan tagged them.
[Dan Moriarty: @AbyssButcher @ShadowWarden, may I ask both Seniors several questions regarding the Dao of Darkness?]
The chat briefly quieted as several viewers became interested.
[@GoldenFeatherPrincess: Oh? He’s seeking guidance instead of blindly comprehending . A wise decision.]
[@StoneGiantKing: Hmph. Better to ask questions than cultivate incorrectly for decades.]
[@DrunkenSwordImmortal: Hahaha! Little brat finally understands that asking old monsters has its benefits.]
A few seconds later, one reply appeared.
[@AbyssButcher: You may ask.]
Almost simultaneously —
[@ShadowWarden: I am listening.]
Dan nodded and began with the simplest question.
[Dan Moriarty: Is darkness merely another element, or is it something more fundamental?]
The first to answer wasn’t ShadowWarden, but it was AbyssButcher.
[@AbyssButcher: Darkness devours. Strength comes from consuming weaker things.]
Dan read it quietly. Then he frowned. Something felt wrong. Before he could continue, ShadowWarden finally spoke.
[@ShadowWarden: Incorrect.]
The entire chat became noticeably quieter.
[@ShadowWarden: Darkness can devour, but devouring does not define darkness. To mistake one application for its essence is to confuse a sword with the act of killing.]
Dan’s eyes brightened. That answer contained depth. He immediately asked another question.
[Dan Moriarty: If darkness is not defined by destruction, then what distinguishes it from simple absence of light?]
[@ShadowWarden: Light and darkness are observations made by living beings. The Dao exists whether observers remain or not. Darkness isn’t created because light disappears. It simply exists where it has always existed.]
Dan became increasingly interested, and his questions accelerated, each one more profound than the last.
[Dan Moriarty: If darkness shelters seeds before they sprout, protects children before birth, and grants rest each night... can darkness be considered a form of nurture rather than destruction?]
[@ShadowWarden: Both.]
[Dan Moriarty: Then is destruction merely one consequence of darkness rather than its purpose?]
[@ShadowWarden: Correct.]
[Dan Moriarty: Suppose two swordsmen both cultivate the Dao of Darkness. One hides because he fears defeat. The other waits because patience creates certainty. Their actions appear identical. Are their Daos identical?]
Even the chat became silent. Several viewers admitted they hadn’t considered such a question.
[@GoldenFeatherPrincess: Interesting...]
[@StoneGiantKing: The brat thinks deeply.]
ShadowWarden replied almost immediately.
[@ShadowWarden: No.]
[@ShadowWarden: Fear conceals itself from reality. Patience prepares itself for reality. The movement appears identical. The heart differs completely.]
Dan smiled. Exactly. Another question followed. frёewebηovel.cѳm
[Dan Moriarty: If one day I completely comprehend the Dao of Darkness, should I reject light entirely?]
This time ShadowWarden remained silent for nearly twenty seconds. Then —
[@ShadowWarden: No.]
[@ShadowWarden: Any Dao that demands hatred toward another Dao is incomplete.]
[@ShadowWarden: Darkness doesn’t become greater because light exists.]
[@ShadowWarden: Light doesn’t become purer because darkness disappears.]
[@ShadowWarden: Heaven permits both.]
Dan slowly nodded as his understanding deepened further. Then a single realization suddenly surfaced, and his gaze shifted toward AbyssButcher. Something no longer added up. Dan typed calmly.
[Dan Moriarty: Senior AbyssButcher...]
[@AbyssButcher: Speak.]
[Dan Moriarty: Forgive my boldness... but... you don’t cultivate the Dao of Darkness, do you?]
The chat exploded.
[@GoldenFeatherPrincess: What?]
[@StoneGiantKing: How did he conclude that?]
[@DrunkenSwordImmortal: Hahaha! Interesting!]
Even AbyssButcher seemed surprised.
[@AbyssButcher: ...What makes you think that?]
Dan answered honestly.
[Dan Moriarty: Because every answer you’ve given emphasizes slaughter, devouring, and conquest.]
[Dan Moriarty: Yet when I first touched the Dao... I experienced peace.]
[Dan Moriarty: Senior ShadowWarden consistently describes principles.]
[Dan Moriarty: You describe outcomes.]
[Dan Moriarty: One speaks of truth.]
[Dan Moriarty: The other speaks of battle.]
Silence. Absolute silence. Several moments later, AbyssButcher laughed.
[@AbyssButcher: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!]
[@AbyssButcher: Brilliant.]
[@AbyssButcher: You’re correct.]
[@AbyssButcher: I walk the Dao of Slaughter.] fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
[@AbyssButcher: I merely happen to wield dark energy.]
[@AbyssButcher: Darkness is my weapon.]
[@AbyssButcher: It isn’t my Dao.]
The chat erupted as countless viewers expressed astonishment.
[@GoldenFeatherPrincess: He discerned the difference from only a few sentences...]
[@StoneGiantKing: Remarkable perception.]
[@DrunkenSwordImmortal: Hahaha! Little brat, your comprehension is frightening.]
Only ShadowWarden remained quiet. Finally, a new message appeared.
[@ShadowWarden: You possess an excellent heart for seeking the Dao.]
[@ShadowWarden: Most beginners ask how to become stronger, but you asked what the Dao truly is. Those are entirely different questions.]
[Dan Moriarty: Thank you for your guidance, Senior.]
Several seconds passed. Then a notification suddenly appeared before Dan.
[Ding!@ShadowWarden has gifted you: Epic-grade Sword, Netherreaver.]
A magnificent black longsword slowly materialized within his palm. Its blade resembled polished obsidian, yet crimson runes pulsed faintly along its edge, and the crossguard curved like outstretched raven wings. Merely looking at it caused the surrounding darkness inside the Emerald Cavern to ripple. The livestream became completely silent once more. Then ShadowWarden spoke one final time.
[@ShadowWarden: A swordsman who asks the right questions deserves a proper blade.]
[@ShadowWarden: Congratulations, little seeker. Today... you have truly taken your first step upon the Dao of Darkness.]
