Start from a baby to become a Taoist

Chapter 508 The Primordial Dao Bone Scripture

This seed may be eradicated soon.

But maybe…

It will take root and sprout in that seemingly perfect "high-dimensional matrix" until one day, it grows into a towering tree that can support the entire "system"!

"This... is not the end."

"But rather... a new beginning..."

Xu Ran's last consciousness, accompanied by this whisper, completely dissipated in the endless light of "annihilation".

His body, his traces, and even the last speck of dust in this universe, all vanished completely into nothingness.

it's all over.

……

……

I don’t know how much time has passed.

It may be a moment, or it may be billions of eras.

Deep within the "high-dimensional matrix," on a land where the bones of countless "wallbreakers" are buried.

An ordinary finger bone, belonging to a powerful figure from some unknown era, suddenly... trembled slightly.

A faint, almost imperceptible, hazy aura quietly escaped from between the finger bones.

The aura was filled with deathly stillness, the end, and... a greedy hunger.

It came back to life.

This seed may be eradicated soon.

But maybe…

It will take root and sprout in that seemingly perfect "high-dimensional matrix" until one day, it grows into a towering tree that can support the entire "system"!

"This... is not the end."

"But rather... a new beginning..."

Xu Ran's last consciousness, accompanied by this whisper, completely dissipated in the endless light of "annihilation".

His body, his traces, and even the last speck of dust in this universe, all vanished completely into nothingness.

it's all over.

……

……

I don’t know how much time has passed.

It may be a moment, or it may be billions of eras.

Deep within the "high-dimensional matrix," on a land where the bones of countless "wallbreakers" are buried.

An ordinary finger bone, belonging to a powerful figure from some unknown era, suddenly... trembled slightly.

A faint, almost imperceptible, hazy aura quietly escaped from between the finger bones.

The aura was filled with deathly stillness, the end, and... a greedy hunger.

It came back to life.

It was an indescribable feeling, not a resurrection, but more like stealing a sliver of "existence" from absolute "nothingness." Xu Ran's consciousness, like a flickering candle in the wind, swayed in the boundless silence and coldness, on the verge of being extinguished at any moment, yet stubbornly burning.

He had no eyes, yet he could "see" his surroundings. It was a gray-white world, desolate, deathly silent, and boundless. Beneath his feet stretched a vast expanse of bones to the horizon. Some skeletons were as massive as mountains, undulating and winding, their cracks still bearing the marks of their former masters, testifying to their former resentment and overwhelming fighting spirit. Others were as lustrous as jade, having perished for countless eons, yet still radiating an immortal divine glow.

This is the home of the strong, and the graveyard of the rebels.

And he, Xu Ran, is currently residing within a section of a finger bone in this endless graveyard.

This finger bone was unremarkable, mixed among millions of bones like a grain of sand in the Ganges. Its owner had long since vanished, leaving only this hardened remnant, bearing the final mark of his life's cultivation.

If it weren't for that "desolate" origin, if he hadn't transformed his will into a virus at the last moment, reversing the contamination of the "Dao" of that high-dimensional matrix, he and his universe would have been completely formatted, leaving not a trace.

It was that desperate invasion that gave him a glimmer of hope. His main body of will was wiped out by the "anti-virus" program, but the "wild" virus that was planted carried his most core memory imprint. Like the humblest grass seed, it drifted down to this land of bones and found a warm bed where he could hibernate and hide in this finger bone.

"I'm alive."

Xu Ran's consciousness fluctuated weakly, yet it carried an unyielding resilience forged through countless trials. He was neither discouraged by his "failure" nor despairing of his current predicament. To escape with his life from "Zeroing Out," to survive under the watchful eye of that supreme matrix, was itself an unprecedented victory!
He surveyed his "new home"—this finger bone. The bone was hard, containing a trace of energy so faint it was almost negligible, along with some broken, disorganized fragments of laws. To this land of skeletons, this energy was insignificant, but to Xu Ran at this moment, it was his only hope for a resurgence.

He's going to devour it!
Just like how he once devoured black holes and cosmic debris! This is his instinct in the "Wilderness" path!

However, when he tried to activate that faint wisp of will to draw upon the energy within his finger bones, an unprecedented feeling of weakness and stagnation washed over him. His will was like a rusty gear, each turn accompanied by a soul-tearing pain.

too weak.

He can't even move this finger bone now, let alone devour it.

Just as he fell into silence, preparing to slowly accumulate power over eternity, a cold, emotionless mechanical voice suddenly rang out in the deepest part of his consciousness.

"Abnormal logical variable detected... Adaptive refactoring in progress..."

"Reconstruction complete."

"The 'Liver Ascension to Dao' system is activating for you..."

Xu Ran's consciousness jolted violently.

system?

What is this? Is it some kind of trap in a "high-dimensional matrix"? Is it a program specifically designed to lure and capture this kind of "virus"?

His first reaction was wariness and resistance. However, before he could react, an incredibly clear panel composed of countless faint lines of light unfolded directly in his consciousness.
-
[Host]: Xu Ran (Remnant Will Form)
[Status]: On the verge of dissipation (Warning! Risk of overwriting fundamental logic!)
[Location Coordinates]: High-Dimensional Matrix, Abandoned Ruins, Primordial Bone Sea, Geng No. 73 Skeleton Domain
Current Realm: None

[Mastering the Dao]: Wilderness (Original Seed - Dormant State), Will of the Breaker (Fragmented)
[Bound Cheat Code]: "Grind to Become a Daoist Master" System

System Description: This system is an adaptive error correction/evolutionary program generated after the underlying logic of a high-dimensional matrix is ​​contaminated by unknown variables (wilderness). It aims to provide the host with a feasible path to "existence" under the current environment. Everything gained requires hard work. Diligence is rewarded; hard work will be rewarded.

[Main Quest (Activated)]: Rebuild your Dao body and return to the world.

Mission Description: Existence is the prerequisite for resisting everything. The host must quickly detach from the "Echo of Will" form and condense a body capable of bearing your will.

Current Stage Goal: [Bone Forging Chapter - Part One]: Completely refine the currently possessed "Nameless One's Finger Bone" and condense the "Dao Source Finger Bone". Task Progress: 0.001%
Task Rewards: All basic system functions are now available, plus a mystery newbie gift pack.
-
Xu Ran's consciousness fell into a long silence under the onslaught of information.

He got it.

This is not a trap, or rather, it is more than just a trap. This is the "cause" he himself sowed, and the "effect" he reaped.

He polluted the "Tao" of the matrix with "desolation," while the "Tao" of the matrix is ​​absolute rationality and logic. When these two diametrically opposed forces collided, in order to "understand" and "correct" this bug, the underlying program of the matrix constructed a completely new set of operating rules for this "variable" in its own way.

This is the origin of the "Liver as the Daoist Master" system!

It is both a "shackle" that the matrix monitors and restricts him, and at the same time, it is the only "cheat" he can rely on in this land of despair!
“Interesting…” A cold smile crept into Xu Ran’s eyes. “You define my existence as a game that requires ‘grinding’ to continue? You treat me like an account in your program that needs to constantly fight monsters and level up?”

"Alright."

"Since you've given me the rules, then I'll use those rules to my advantage and destroy you!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Ran immediately devoted all his attention to the first task issued by the system.

【Bone Forging Chapter - Part 1】: Completely refine the "Nameless One's Finger Bone".

He no longer blindly used his will to attack the energy within his bones as before. Instead, he carefully guided his "wild" origin aura, following a vague energy flow diagram provided on the system panel.

It was a wisp of gray air, countless times finer than a strand of hair. It separated from the core of Xu Ran's will and, like the most precise carving knife, began to grind the internal structure of his finger bones bit by bit.

This process is tedious, lengthy, and accompanied by immense pain.

Each grinding felt like scraping his soul with a dull knife. The shattered will of the original owner, remaining in his finger bones, instinctively resisted. Though chaotic, that will carried an indomitable pride, as if roaring, refusing to allow any outsider to occupy its last territory.

"You have fallen in battle, but I will carry on your indomitable spirit."

Xu Ran's will conveyed a cold yet firm message to that remaining will.

"Your bones will become the foundation of my rebirth. If I ever reach the summit, I will surely seek justice for you, and for all the 'Wallbreakers' on this land of bones, against the high and mighty Matrix!"

His will contained the majesty of a former supreme being in the universe, and carried with it a resolute determination to sever the dimensional locks. Under the impact of this higher-level will, the chaotic remnant will seemed to sense the presence of a kindred spirit, and its violent resistance miraculously subsided.

It tacitly agreed.

Without internal obstacles, the refining process became much smoother.

Xu Ran's mind was as still as a deep well, completely immersed in this slow and meticulous process.

He felt as if he had returned to the days when he first embarked on the path of cultivation. In his hometown, which had long been "reset" to zero, he had started from the lowest level, taking one step at a time, enduring countless tedious days and nights, before finally reaching the summit.

Steadfastness and resilience are traits ingrained in his character.

Task progress: 0.002%

Task progress: 0.003%

……

Time, on this desolate land of bones, is the most meaningless thing.

It might be a day, a year, or even ten years.

The moment the task progress on the system panel finally jumped to 100%, the entire finger bone suddenly emitted a dazzling gray-white light!
boom!
A surge of extremely pure energy, mixed with countless fragments of shattered laws, poured into Xu Ran's core will. His weakened soul, like parched seedlings receiving timely rain, began to grow and solidify at a visible speed.

And that ordinary finger bone, under the complete transformation of the "Desolate" origin, underwent a tremendous change. Its entire body turned into a deep gray, as if composed of the purest annihilation and end. Profound patterns naturally formed on the bone, which were the manifestation of the "Desolate" way!
"Congratulations, host, on completing the mission: Bone Forging Chapter - Part One!"

"Rewards are being processed..."

"Reward 1: All basic system functions are now available!"

Reward Two: A Mysterious New Player Gift Pack. Open it now?

"Activate!" Xu Ran said without hesitation.

"New player gift pack successfully opened!"

[Congratulations, host, you have obtained:]

1. *The Primordial Dao Bone Scripture (Fragment):* A fundamental cultivation method that can be practiced within the "Primordial Bone Sea." It allows one to reshape their Dao body and condense an immortal divine form by devouring and refining various bones. Currently, the first level [Concentration Realm] and the second level [Bone Forging Realm] have been unlocked.

2. Dao Source Points x10: The system's universal currency, which can be used to deduce cultivation techniques, repair injuries, and unlock special functions.

3. Storage space (1 cubic meter): A subspace created by the system logic, which can store non-living entities.

Looking at the contents of the gift package, Xu Ran's will stirred for the first time.

The Primordial Dao Bone Classic!
This is exactly what he needs right now! A cultivation technique that allows him to legitimately "devour" this land of skeletons!

Without this cultivation technique, no matter how many bones he devoured, he would only be strengthening the origin of "Desolation," remaining merely a mass of energy. But with it, he could transform the power he devoured into tangible cultivation, condensing a real body!

This is a crucial step in the transformation from "virus" to "monk"!
"Concentration Realm, Bone Forging Realm..."

Xu Ran quickly digested the information about the cultivation technique.

The Concentration Realm, as the name suggests, is about condensing one's soul and strengthening one's will. He refined this finger bone, and his will strengthened more than tenfold, which means he has barely stepped into the threshold of the Concentration Realm.

The Bone Forging Realm, on the other hand, is based on a "Dao Source Bone" and continuously devours other bones, like building blocks, forging a complete skeletal body for oneself one by one!

The gray finger bone he now possesses is his first and most crucial "Dao Source Bone"!
Just as Xu Ran was about to begin his "assembly project," an extremely dangerous premonition rose from the bottom of his heart without warning!
He "looked" into the distance.

On the gray-white horizon, a huge figure was slowly moving.

That was a... monster!

Its body was entirely pieced together from countless pale white bones, resembling a deformed spider magnified a thousand times. Its eight legs were the ribs of some giant beast, making a grating, grinding sound as it moved. Its torso was the skull of a massive, unidentified creature, with two dark, gaping eye sockets burning with two eerie blue flames, filled with greed and savagery.

"Hostile unit detected!"

[Species: Skeleton Predator (Low Tier)]

[Realm: Early stage of Bone Forging Realm (Thirty-four bones have been condensed)]

"Description: A low-level scavenger in the Primordial Bone Sea, it feeds by devouring other weak creatures or high-value skeletons and is extremely sensitive to energy fluctuations."

"Warning: The disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is enormous. It is recommended that the host immediately enter stealth mode to avoid risks!"

[Realm: Early stage of Bone Forging Realm (Thirty-four bones have been condensed)]

"Description: A low-level scavenger in the Primordial Bone Sea, it feeds by devouring other weak creatures or high-value skeletons and is extremely sensitive to energy fluctuations."

"Warning: The disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is enormous. It is recommended that the host immediately enter stealth mode to avoid risks!"

(End of this chapter)