Yulin Sword immediately beamed, "That changes things. Since you are a disciple of the Martial Saint, it's a different story. We are saved."
Ming Zhi Tian asked, "You just said... this place is called Gu Ming Yuan?"
Yulin Sword replied, "This is the tomb of Divine Marquis Zhuge, Gu Ming Yuan."
Ming Zhi Tian inquired, "Who is Divine Marquis Zhuge?"
Yan Wang Sword scoffed, "You don't know Divine Marquis Zhuge? That man was the most intelligent and longest-lived person in the entire world."
Ming Zhi Tian frowned, "You just said that this Gu Ming Yuan is Divine Marquis Zhuge's tomb? If he was so intelligent, why did he die?"
Yulin Sword explained, "Nothing in this world is invincible, especially when it comes to longevity. People will always face birth, aging, sickness, and death, and fortunes can change in an instant. Do you know how long Divine Marquis Zhuge lived?"
Ming Zhi Tian shook his head. Yulin Sword continued, "A full nine thousand years. He was the longest-lived person in history."
Ming Zhi Tian couldn't help but express astonishment, "Could someone really live that long?"
Yulin Sword asserted, "Believe it, for it is truer than pearls."
Searching his mind, Ming Zhi Tian saw that the encyclopedia was signed by Divine Marquis Zhuge himself!
Ming Zhi Tian was shocked, "So the author of the encyclopedia was Divine Marquis Zhuge. What a genius."
Yulin Sword urged, "Enough talk. Let's cultivate quickly and leave this accursed place."
Yan Wang Sword pointed upwards, "See that? Only when you break through to the Shen Luo Realm as soon as possible can you wield us and break free from these shackles."
Ming Zhi Tian shook his head, "Outside, there are a multitude of powerful individuals. Even if I escape from here, I'll be no match for them, not even for a single move."
Yulin Sword retorted, "Fool! With the ancient artifact 'Shu Jian Lu' in your hand, why should you fear them?"
Ming Zhi Tian incredulously asked, "Is 'Shu Jian Lu' truly that powerful?"
Zhan Huang Sword declared, "It's not 'Shu Jian Lu' that is powerful, but *we* are. Here, each of us is a peerless divine sword, capable of cleaving stars and shattering the moon, unmatched by anyone."
Ming Zhi Tian looked at the swirling sand vortex still flowing ceaselessly above and wanted to test his strength.
Yulin Sword blocked him, "Are you mad? With your current frail body, you cannot break through the sand vortex. Trust us, reach the Shen Luo Realm, and we will assist you."
Yan Wang Sword agreed, "Exactly. It's better to build up strength and wait than to rush to your death. We will help you gather your astral energy to shake the sands and strike with precision."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded, wanting to speak but hesitating. He wasn't afraid of death, but he was worried about the Divine Sect and the women. He placed all his hope on Empress Xing Chen, "Xing Chen, I'm counting on you."
One month later...
Under the guidance of the Four Divine Swords, Yulin Sword, Ming Zhi Tian had advanced to the third level of the Awakened Realm! The Longevity Art reached level 170, the Imperial Artifact Art reached level 52, and his Mechanical Arts reached level 10!
The Four Divine Swords looked at him with a mixture of disappointment and exasperation, calling him "trash."
Yulin Sword grumbled, "A month has passed, and this brat has only advanced two minor stages."
Ming Zhi Tian was also perplexed. In the past, not to mention a month, he could break through a major realm with practice in just a week. Did the Awakened Realm require more resources? Perhaps.
Ming Zhi Tian looked at the Dragon Taming Gloves that Piaoling'er had given him, feeling that his strength had increased tenfold over the past month.
Yan Wang Sword remarked, "However, this kid has the Mysterious Harmony Divine Body within him. His destiny far surpasses that of the ancient Divine Demonic Emperor, Ouyang Yuan Xia."
Zhan Huang Sword sneered, "So what if he has the Mysterious Harmony Divine Body? He's still trapped here. Like a dragon trapped in shallow waters, waiting to die."
Ming Zhi Tian clenched his fists, his eyes shining with starlight as he looked up at the sand vortex. "I think I can try."
Qi Bu Fei Jian advised, "Act within your means. We can wait another month."
Yan Wang Sword became impatient, "Another month? I'm going mad. I need to fight."
Yulin Sword sighed, "I've had enough of this desolate place. Let him try. We can act simultaneously to prevent him from being sucked in."