Born Saints: Starting from Liaozhai

Chapter 76 Taoist Scriptures and the Inner Landscape of Yin (Two Chapters Combined)

Time passed slowly.

Su Chen flipped through the scrolls of scriptures.

Soon, after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he roughly understood what Foundation Establishment was all about.

Looking at the contents of the scripture in his hand, Su Chen murmured to himself, "Foundation Establishment is divided into Low-Grade Foundation Establishment, Mid-Grade Foundation Establishment, High-Grade Foundation Establishment, and there's also Earth-Level Foundation Establishment?"

"And what about the ancient legend of Foundation Establishment of the Heavenly Dao?"

He also understood the several conditions that affect the quality of foundation building.

Besides the most fundamental breathing techniques, there are also the quality of the foundation materials and the extent to which one has thoroughly studied and mastered the Taoist scriptures.

Su Chen focused his attention on the foundation building materials and the Dao scriptures.

"Taoist scriptures?"

Su Chen murmured, "The Scripture Pavilion of the Haoran Immortal Sect contains the contents of three thousand volumes of Daoist scriptures."

"The more Taoist scriptures you master, the more Taoist charm you will find in your inner vision. The amount of Taoist charm not only affects the quality of your foundation building, but also the purity of your magical power."

"However, the Daoist scriptures are written in the Cloud Register Daoist books. Although they are not as complicated as breathing techniques, it is still very difficult to read and understand them thoroughly."

"Moreover, the later Taoist scriptures become increasingly obscure—"

Su Chen seemed to be deep in thought.

The scripture in his hand reads that the Daoist scriptures are related not only to the quality of foundation building, but also to the strength of the Daoist power.

Some Taoist practices are very difficult. Without Taoist scriptures as a foundation, one cannot understand or master them. Forcibly practicing Taoist practices that are beyond one's own understanding is harmful and not beneficial.

The most difficult and powerful Taoist method is naturally the one based on the complete Three Thousand Taoist Scriptures, but it is also the most difficult to comprehend!

The easiest and weakest Taoist method is naturally the one based on a single Taoist scripture!

"So, there's actually a huge difference between different Foundation Establishment stages?"

Su Chen thought to himself with a strange expression.

After reading the contents of the Taoist scripture, his gaze fell upon the foundation building.

"Interior scene, gloomy area —"

Su Chen's eyes showed surprise.

This scripture describes the inner landscape not as a simple enclosed space, but as a place that can be explored.

Some call it the Inner Scenery, while others call it the Dark Place, which is a gloomy and terrifying place.

It was eerie and terrifying inside, and contained many unknown things.

The foundation materials needed for foundation building are obtained from this dark place.

The more dangerous the location, the higher the quality of the foundation!

Breathing techniques, Taoist scriptures, and foundation-building materials—these three elements all relate to the quality of the final foundation-building process.

Thinking of this, Su Chen carefully sensed the internal landscape within his body, as well as the twelve thousand nine hundred and sixty strands of pure white magic power.

Having grasped the concepts of lower-grade, middle-grade, upper-grade, earthly, and heavenly foundation building, he vaguely sensed something while sensing the inner landscape at this moment, relying on his once-in-a-millennium sage-like enlightenment.

In his mind, if he disregarded everything and proceeded directly to Foundation Establishment, there was a probability of over 40% success.

Foundation Building of Heavenly Dao!

It's something no normal person could do—the legendary Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment from ancient times!

"Is this the perfected level of the Pure Void Nourishing and Exhaling Breathing Technique, and the value of 12,960 strands of magical power?"

Su Chen was extremely surprised.

Of course, even though he felt that there was a more than 40% chance of achieving Foundation Establishment, he dared not attempt it just like that.

As someone with bad luck, he knew exactly what the consequences of his foundation-building would be.

If nothing unexpected happens, it will most likely turn into a tunnel foundation building!

Even if you want to establish your foundation, you must first master the Three Thousand Dao Scriptures, then obtain a precious foundation-building material, and only after you have absolute certainty can you establish your foundation!

Su Chen was confident about the Daoist scriptures and the foundation-building materials.

His gaze fell on the bookshelf not far away, a place where almost no one lingered.

Su Chen strode over and, amidst the strange looks from the servant disciples, picked up a scroll of Daoist scripture to read.

As soon as he opened it, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

All that could be seen on this Taoist scripture was a densely packed table of contents.

The First Volume of the Daoist Scripture —

Volume Two of the Daoist Scriptures —

Volume Three of Daoist scriptures, etc. —

He did not see the specific content of the Taoist scriptures.

Su Chen seemed to be deep in thought, and subconsciously reached out to touch the annotation of the first volume of the Daoist scripture in the table of contents.

The next second, the densely packed directory disappeared.

Then, the profound Daoist script described in the cloud-like Daoist texts appeared.

"Unseen and unheard"

"If you cannot grasp it, it is called profound—"

"The most mysterious of mysteries, the gateway to all wonders—"

As someone with a once-in-a-millennium innate sage-level comprehension, Su Chen has begun to experience the terrifying extent of it.

One by one, the Daoist inscriptions on the cloud-shaped talisman changed and slowly writhed on the scripture.

They are like celestial books, intertwined and nested, containing the principles of heaven and earth.

The first time a normal person sees it, they will feel dizzy and then be completely dumbfounded.

However, Su Chen clearly sensed the difference.

The moment he saw it, he instantly understood the meaning of these cloud-based Daoist inscriptions.

"Is this the terrifying aspect of having 7263 points of comprehension?"

"This is only 7263 points of comprehension. What if one's comprehension reaches 8000 points, or even 10000 points, transforming into the level of sages like Lao Tzu and Shakyamuni?"

Su Chen's heart was filled with anticipation.

As he pondered this, he immersed himself in the Taoist scriptures, rapidly turning the pages.

This situation naturally attracted the attention of some handyman disciples not far away.

The group, who had been talking in hushed tones, stopped abruptly and glanced in that direction.

Their expressions were strange.

"What is he doing?"

One person said in a low voice.

"Reading Taoist scriptures?"

The other person frowned, his tone dismissive.

They had read this scripture before.

But after just one glance, most of them gave up.

Although this scripture is not as complicated and difficult to understand as breathing techniques, and is relatively simple and easy to understand, it is still not that simple!

Those cloud-based Daoist inscriptions, seemingly simple, become increasingly confusing the more you look at them!

Often, after reading a single page, even the most basic logic remains unclear.

To truly understand it, one must ponder it repeatedly for a long time before even getting a basic grasp of it.

"I looked at it for a long time, and it gave me a headache."

A boy pursed his lips and muttered under his breath.

"Instead of studying these Taoist scriptures, it would be better to read commentaries on the Cloud Register Taoist texts, or those classics that record strange tales of Taoist practices. That way, you can at least broaden your knowledge."

The group whispered amongst themselves, their gazes returning to Su Chen with a hint of schadenfreude.

Especially when they thought about how this person had provoked Senior Sister Gu Jia before, a hint of sarcasm crept onto their lips.

"He doesn't believe in superstition."

"He probably thought he could understand it."

"It should be closed in a little while."

"This kind of thing isn't so easy to understand."

While they were discussing it.

Su Chen ignored them and immersed himself in the Cloud Talisman Dao Text.

Soon, he turned to the last page of a complete Taoist scripture.

Suddenly, Su Chen's mind jolted as a notification sound rang in his ears.

[Complete one scroll of Taoist scripture, Comprehension +1]

Name: Su Chen (18 years old)

Lifespan: 138 years

[Innate Talent & Comprehension: 7264 (Born Sage, Once in Ten Thousand Years)]

[Techniques: Grass-climbing Fist (100% Perfect), Tiger-Taming Fist (100% Perfect), Five Animal Frolics (100% Perfect)]

Qingfeng Sword Technique (100% Perfection), Qingxu Nourishing Yuan Breathing Technique (100% Perfection), One Scroll of Daoist Scripture (100% Perfection)

【道法：撒豆成兵（圆满100%）、花开顷刻（圆满100%）、天罡劫雷（大成1%）、焚劫阴火（大成1%）、离魂赑风（大成1%）】

[Realm: Qi Refining Perfection (99%) 12,960 strands of mana]

Hearing this notification, Su Chen was somewhat surprised.

"This scripture isn't even a cultivation method or a Taoist technique; it just explains some profound and mysterious things. I only glanced at it and tried to understand it, and my comprehension increased by 1 point?"

Of course, that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that there are still 2,999 volumes of Taoist scriptures waiting for him to read!

What does this mean?

"Doesn't that mean my comprehension will soon break through to over ten thousand? Reaching the next major level?!"

Su Chen's eyes were filled with anticipation and eagerness.

Without hesitation, he immediately began to peruse the second volume of the Daoist scriptures through the table of contents that appeared.

As time passed, a series of notification sounds rang in his ears.

[Complete one scroll of Taoist scripture, Comprehension +1]

[Complete one scroll of Taoist scripture, Comprehension +1]

[Complete one scroll of Taoist scripture, Comprehension +1]

When he was immersed in the Taoist scriptures and unable to extricate himself from improving his understanding.

The miscellaneous disciples from other peaks, namely Wan Hongyi and others, had already arrived at the Eighty-Nine Peaks to inquire about the number one ranked fellow among the million miscellaneous disciples.

On the eighty-nine peaks, the mountain wind whistles.

"What?!"

"Our eighty-nine peaks produced the number one ranked handyman disciple?"

"Still at the peak of Qi Refining? How is that possible?!"

Gu Jia, dressed in a blue silk dress, had her clothes swaying gently in the wind.

Her face was aloof, her features exquisite yet exuding a chilling aura that kept people at a distance, her brows and eyes like frost and snow.

At this moment, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her lips tightened, and a rare look of shock appeared in her eyes.

Lin Bufan, standing to the side, was dressed in a fine blue robe. His handsome face and brows carried a hint of pride and composure. However, at this moment, his usually calm expression was somewhat stiff, and his pupils contracted, clearly shocked by the news.

Not far away.

Lu Quan, dressed in white, looked neat and tidy, with a jade pendant swaying gently at his waist.

He had delicate features and a gentle demeanor, exuding the aloofness typical of scions of prominent families.

At this moment, his eyes flickered, his knuckles tightened unconsciously, and the indifference on his face had faded.

Zou Li stood at the edge of the stone steps, her figure graceful and slender, her black hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall, exuding a sharp and heroic aura, her whole being like an unsheathed sword.

At this moment, her eyes were sharp as a blade, scanning her surroundings as if trying to find something among the crowd.

Zhang Qu stood beside him like an iron tower.

He was tall and muscular, with a rugged face, high brow bones, and an overall wild aura. His robes were bulging from his muscles.

At this moment, his brows were furrowed and his breathing was heavy, clearly indicating that he was greatly shaken.

There were eight other people next to them.

They also learned about the situation after hearing the accounts from other disciples serving on the mountain peaks.

At this moment, their faces were all filled with shock and confusion.

It should be noted that even the thirteen people living on the eighty-nine peaks are still comprehending the breathing techniques and have not yet truly embarked on cultivation!

And now, these people are telling them that among their eighty-nine peaks, there has emerged a prodigy who has surpassed a million menial disciples, whose cultivation has reached the peak of Qi Refining and who ranks first?!

absurd.

It's ridiculous!

How could a prodigy of this caliber possibly appear at their Peak 89, which has consistently ranked at the bottom for years?!

Gu Jia and the others were deeply shaken and remained unsettled for a long time.

"Even you don't know who this person is?"

A voice rang out from the front of the crowd.

Wan Hongyi strode over.

He stood tall and straight, his aura steady, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, falling on Gu Jia and the others with a sense of inquiry and subtle pressure.

The other mountain disciples who were watching also held their breath, their eyes filled with doubt.

"We don't know—"

Lin Bufan slowly shook his head, his voice lowering slightly.

"If you hadn't told us, we wouldn't even have known about this."

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhang Qu, Zou Li, Lu Quan, and the others, a hint of suspicion gradually appearing in his eyes.

"Who is it?"

His heart sank slightly.

A thought vaguely surfaced in my mind.

This prodigy who overwhelmed a million menial disciples is very likely—

They are hidden among the thirteen of them!

However, the other party concealed their cultivation level, which is why no one could detect them!

Looking at Gu Jia and the others beside him, he became more and more certain, his eyes filled with apprehension.

He couldn't think of any other possibility besides this one.

This disciple who has cultivated to the peak of Qi Refining, surpassing millions of disciples and ranking first among the miscellaneous disciples, could not possibly be among those people down the mountain, right?

How is that possible!

He preferred to believe that one of Gu Jia's people was hiding their cultivation level!

At this moment, not only he thought so, but Wan Hongyi and the others beside him also thought so to some extent, and their eyes were full of surprise and doubt as they looked at them.

"I want to see what's so special about this person who overshadows us millions of miscellaneous disciples. What makes him so special that he's above us and ranked first? And yet you're all hiding your heads and tails—"

A young man in the crowd snorted coldly.

He was thin, with a slightly gloomy face, and an uncontrollable dissatisfaction at the corners of his mouth. When he spoke, he raised his chin slightly and stared at Gu Jia and the others with obvious provocation in his eyes.

The words were spoken.

The air seemed to be on fire.

A chorus of discontent quickly joined in.

"Exactly, let's see how long you can hide!"

"That person is definitely among the thirteen of you; they'll be exposed sooner or later!"

"Stop acting all mysterious—"

They were already resentful, unconvinced, and jealous, and now they are even more resentful.

Gu Jia and the others exchanged glances, their eyes filled with suspicion and jealousy as they wondered who this mysterious person was.

While the servant disciples were discussing and trying to find out who was ranked first among them,

Time slowly passed.

The blazing sun gradually set on the horizon, and the bright moon appeared.

Wan Hongyi and his group, along with a number of servants and stewards, returned empty-handed, filled with doubt.

Gu Jia and the others were filled with surprise and doubt.

In the darkness of night.

At this moment, Su Chen also brought Da Huang back to the wooden house.

In the dimly lit wooden house, Su Chen glanced at the panel.

[Complete reading of 100 volumes of Taoist scriptures, Comprehension +100]

[Innate Talent & Comprehension: 7363 (Born Sage, Once in Ten Thousand Years)]

In those four hours, including the first Taoist scripture he studied, he studied a total of one hundred Taoist scriptures before stopping.

"My comprehension improved by 100, not bad —"

Su Chen looked forward to the day when his comprehension reached eight thousand, or even ten thousand.

Thinking about it, he sat cross-legged on the ground and focused his attention on the inner landscape of his dantian.

At this moment, in his inner vision, besides streams of pure white magical power, there were also a hundred strands of mysterious Daoist aura.

It is mysterious and profound, beyond words.

Under the influence of these mysterious Daoist principles, his already extremely pure magical power became even purer.

If he previously felt there was only a 45% chance of achieving Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, now he feels it's closer to 46%!

Su Chen did not plan to rest. He decided to take advantage of the night to explore the inner Yin land and obtain the five foundation-building materials: Geng Metal Essence, Yi Wood Spiritual Marrow, Gui Water Source, Li Fire Essence, and Wu Earth Mother Qi.

He closed his eyes, focused his consciousness on his inner dantian, and condensed his yin spirit according to the method described in the Taoist scriptures of the Sutra Repository.

With his innate sage-level comprehension, his inner world quickly underwent a transformation.

In an instant, twelve thousand nine hundred and sixty thoughts landed in the bright inner landscape, condensing into a phantom-like figure that seemed ready to shatter at any moment.

Then, drawn by this figure.

The three souls: Tai Guang, Shuang Ling, and You Jing.

The seven spirits are: Corpse Dog, Hidden Arrow, Sparrow Shade, Devouring Thief, Non-Poison, Eliminating Filth, and Stinky Lung.

Most of them separated and converged into this human figure.

Suddenly, a mysterious, eerie light flickered.

Yin spirit formed!

A shadowy figure appeared.

Instantly, Su Chen felt dizzy and his perspective changed.

As soon as he opened his eyes, what greeted him was a bright, clear center with a hazy, gray outer layer. At the same time, Su Chen also felt his own fragility, as if a gust of wind could blow him away.

Upon realizing this situation, his powerful comprehension gave him an idea.

Then, the pure white magical power and wisps of Daoist energy surrounding him converged on his body.

The bright light shimmered.

His spirit was no longer illusory, but solidified and took shape.

A stream of pure, bright magical power formed a white robe, as if woven from moonlight, and slowly draped it over his body.

The white robes were incredibly light, not a physical object, but rather formed from pure light, swaying gently within the inner realm and emitting a faint glow.

One hundred strands of Daoist charm landed on the clothes, transforming into one hundred cloud-shaped Daoist characters.

Each cloud-patterned Daoist script shimmered with a bright light, and its characters changed constantly, altering their forms.

Sometimes it extends like flowing water, sometimes it condenses like thunder patterns, and sometimes it transforms into ancient seal characters that float and sink on it, climbing and flowing on the moonlit white robe.

It was as if these one hundred cloud-shaped Taoist inscriptions were telling and describing the mysteries of Taoist scriptures.

Faintly, the beautiful sounds of Taoism echoed in my ears.

Su Chen felt that his Yin Spirit was no longer weak, but had become very solid and powerful.

At least among Yin spirits at the Qi Refining level, it is considered a very powerful type!

Then, Su Chen's gaze turned to the outer layer of the hazy inner world.

"What exactly is there?"

He was very curious.