Chapter 79

The first type of rune is called the 'Heavenly Book True Rune'. Tracing its origin, it is the essence of the Great Brahma, forming characters a hundred feet tall with eight corners radiating light, known as the Eight Assembly Spirit Runes.

This type of rune is a manifestation of the Great Dao's resonance. Its meaning is so profound that even Immortals of Longevity cannot fully comprehend it.

The Heavenly Book True Rune is named as such because these runes are recorded in a book called the 'Great Brahma Hidden Language Infinite Grotto Chapter'. This book is a condensation of the Dao's resonance, a natural spiritual treasure, and is only mentioned in legends, with no one knowing its whereabouts.

The second type of rune is called the 'Dragon Chapter Phoenix Seal Rune'. It was created by ancient great sages, drawing on the power of dragons and phoenixes. Although its power is inferior to the Heavenly Book True Rune, it can be understood by deities and Buddhas, allowing them to comprehend profound truths.

The third type of rune is the 'Cloud Seal Thunder Rune', which represents the natural changes of yin and yang. It can also be used by those with shallow cultivation to draw runes on paper or peach wood, generating power. This type of rune can be seen as the prototype of modern writing.

The 'Introduction to Rune Dao' introduces three rune systems, but only the 'Cloud Seal Thunder Rune' can be learned from it.

Even Shen Lian suspects that throughout the entire Qingxuan, there might not be a detailed explanation of the 'Heavenly Book True Rune'. Even for the 'Dragon Chapter Phoenix Seal Rune', there might not be a detailed explanation.

Most cultivators in the world have some knowledge of rune dao, but those who claim to be proficient are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Once one becomes proficient in rune dao, it may not significantly enhance combat power, and it is even inferior to sword cultivators who can break all laws with a single sword. However, for a sect, a powerful rune master can provide many other conveniences.

For example, powerful Dao runes can be given to disciples to use as a means of self-preservation when traveling the world. After all, making runes is much simpler than refining magical artifacts, and some of the power of magical artifacts can be sealed within Dao runes.

Some spirit runes, when worn, can continuously absorb the essence of heaven and earth, cleansing the cultivator's body, or they can be given to the cultivator's friends and family to extend their lives and prevent illness.

Even some Earth Immortals, if proficient in rune dao, can change the landscape of a region, transforming desolate lands into blessed grottoes, and establish sects.

Shen Lian, with his powerful memory, can almost recite anything he reads. However, remembering the 'Cloud Seal Thunder Rune' from the 'Introduction to Rune Dao' was not as easy as he imagined.

Every time he thought he had memorized a rune, he found it somewhat different when he looked back, as if the rune was constantly changing.

If not for his excellent memory, he would not have noticed such details.

Shen Lian had already prepared white paper to copy the runes.

However, he found that he could not transfer the 'Cloud Seal Thunder Rune' from the 'Introduction to Rune Dao' onto the white paper, even by copying it exactly.

Shen Lian did not become discouraged but instead began to think about where he was going wrong.

He sat in meditation for several hours, until the sun had set.

Shen Lian felt a chill on his back, and an irresistible force made him lose control of his body, as if he were falling into a cloud. He finally landed on the ground, but he managed to flip in the air and land on one hand, avoiding a face-plant.

Shen Lian knew it was the old Taoist who did this. He was really direct. Even if he couldn't speak, he could have walked up to him and reminded him to leave. There was no need to be so impulsive.

Shen Lian only dared to think this in his mind and would never argue with an old Taoist who was probably much more powerful than a Core Formation cultivator.

The truth in this world, Shen Lian understood long ago, is often within the range of a fist.

He did not make a vow to wait for thirty years, even though he was still a young man.

Shen Lian believed that learning is a gradual process. Although he did not master the 'Cloud Seal Thunder Rune' today, he still learned a lot about rune dao.

He found rune dao more interesting than sitting in meditation to cultivate qi.

Because of his powerful divine will, sitting in meditation to cultivate qi was a routine process that required no careful attention. He could even practice while walking, sitting, or lying down, although the effect was slightly less.

Shen Lian had not seen Lu Shouyi for many days. When he returned to the lower courtyard, he was greatly surprised to see Lu Shouyi.

Lu Shouyi was emaciated, with yellow hair and a dirty robe, looking nothing like a scholar but more like a beggar.

Shen Lian approached and patted Lu Shouyi, who was sitting at the entrance of his Daoist academy. Lu Shouyi's expression was scattered, and he looked at Shen Lian with confusion.

"Senior Brother Lu, what's wrong with you?" Shen Lian asked, secretly using true qi to infuse it into Lu Shouyi's ears.

Lu Shouyi's confusion gradually disappeared. He shook his head and said, "Brother Shen, oh no, Junior Brother Shen, you have already collected the Yin Jade and returned."

Since they were fellow disciples, they naturally addressed each other as senior and junior brothers. Shen Lian, being younger, was naturally called junior brother, and he did not mind this.

It was because of their shared entry into the sect that Shen Lian bothered to greet him. Otherwise, he would not have bothered with the other new lower courtyard disciples.

"I have already collected thirty pieces. I won't have to go again. Hasn't the Sect Master already bestowed the orthodox cultivation method upon you? How is your cultivation going?" Shen Lian asked, though he could see that Lu Shouyi had likely not succeeded.

He could see that Lu Shouyi's eight meridians were already open, but it did not seem to be the result of his own cultivation. His control over himself was still lacking.

"My master gave me a visualization method to calm my mind and gather my thoughts. He said my mind is like a monkey and a horse, and I must first subdue these wandering thoughts before I can further cultivate qi. But I can't seem to master this visualization method," Lu Shouyi said, holding his head in frustration, looking very weak.

"Haven't you eaten anything these past few days?" Shen Lian asked curiously.

He had condensed his divine will and could absorb essence into his body, allowing him to go without food. However, Lu Shouyi was not quite there yet. It had been almost a month, and Lu Shouyi had become emaciated, likely due to lack of food, but he had not starved to death.

"I took a grain-repelling pill earlier, which allows me to go without food for ten to fifteen days," Lu Shouyi replied.

"But do you know that it has been almost a month since we returned from Mount Taiyi?"

Lu Shouyi was taken aback and said, "Is that so?"

"A month has passed, and Senior Brother Lu still hasn't mastered the orthodox cultivation method. As a disciple of the Sect Master, this is somewhat unacceptable," someone said leisurely.

The person was dressed in white, wearing a long sword, and had a handsome face with a sword-like brow and star-like eyes, a nose like a hanging gall, and a heroic demeanor.

However, in terms of the demeanor of a swordsman, no one in the lower courtyard could match Chen Jianmei.

Of course, this person was also quite handsome and spirited.

But his words were somewhat harsh to Lu Shouyi.

Lu Shouyi knew that being chosen by the Sect Master and taken as a disciple was a great honor. Without remarkable achievements, it would be hard to convince others.

He was not dull and guessed that the person was a new lower courtyard disciple. He replied, "Junior Brother, if you have any advice for me, please speak freely."

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Thank you to Gu Cangmen for the 588 reward, Shan He You Lei for the 588 reward, Zui Yi Mo for the 588 reward, Rong Mo for the 200 reward, and Miseria, Shuyou 160222211854162, Yi Shi Liu Li, Xun Qian Mo, and Sui Feng | Xian You for the rewards. Finally, I recommend the Xianxia novel "Ding Dao" for those who are looking for something to read.