"Grandpa, what does that mean? I don’t understand." Little Stone asked with curiosity in his sparkling black eyes, eager for knowledge.
The clan leader, Stone Yunfeng, looked out over the boundless wilderness, his voice deep and contemplative as he recalled the ancient times. "In the distant past, it was the dawn of humanity. The grand principles were established, and the eternal truths were laid out."
Stone Yunfeng patted the child's head and continued, "In the distant ancient times, it belonged to the early stages of humanity. The great way was first established, and eternal principles were spread."
The old clan leader patiently explained, clarifying Little Stone's doubts and sharing his knowledge, which inspired a deep longing in the child. This was akin to planting the seeds of understanding.
Stone Yunfeng was not very strong, but due to his nature, he naturally engaged in these teachings, which had been the case since Little Stone was very young. It was as if he was truly "planting the path."
"The order and truth of nature are laid out, and all things have a spirit. Some wise races favored by heaven are the epitome of this, and the true meaning of the way is manifested in them."
"Grandpa, are you talking about the primitive runes, the marks etched on the bones of ancient creatures?" Little Stone's eyes sparkled with intelligence.
"You are very smart," the clan leader praised him with a smile.
"The ancient ancestors had already noticed these things. Through battles with primordial beasts, they gradually discovered some of the rules of heaven and earth. Through the remains of the most powerful creatures, they slowly understood some simple divine powers."
Bone inscriptions developed gradually because humans borrowed methods from other races and explored the ways of natural order, eventually growing from weakness to prosperity.
"Unfortunately, truly supreme beings among humans are still pitifully few, while the ancient beasts are overwhelmingly powerful. A single beast can easily wipe out several great human clans with a mere wave of its hand."
In comparison, humans were still weak, with many races standing high above, almost like deities.
In fact, the ancient ancestors had beliefs and frequently worshipped deities, which was essentially worshipping a supreme being.
"Grandpa, can you explain in more detail?" Little Stone eagerly wanted to know more about the past and the powerful beasts like deities.
"I only know so much. I’ve traveled only 80,000 miles. Although it sounds impressive, this domain alone is vast beyond comprehension. To reach the end, one would need to travel at least several million miles. Other great domains beyond this one are even harder to fathom."
Stone Yunfeng spoke softly. Though he had traveled to what seemed like significant places, they were merely a small part of the vast domain, let alone the mysterious worlds beyond it, which were beyond understanding.
"Learning a hundred thousand volumes of knowledge is no match for traveling a hundred thousand miles. One day, if you become strong enough, you should go see the world yourself. Grandpa is old and no longer has such opportunities or abilities," Stone Yunfeng sighed.
"Grandpa, I know you have hidden injuries. In the future, I will find legendary heavenly herbs to cure you and take you to see the world," Little Stone promised.
Stone Yunfeng felt a bit bitter but was also very happy. His wrinkled face relaxed into a smile. "As long as you grow up safely and everything goes well, Grandpa will be at ease."
In the past, he had suffered from a peculiar internal injury, requiring a special medicine that even clans with millions of people might not have. It was challenging to cure completely.
"Howl! Grandpa is explaining again. Come and listen!" A group of children called out. Unlike before, the children no longer resisted. Instead, they eagerly sought power. Whenever Stone Yunfeng spoke about the bone inscriptions, they would gather around to listen attentively.
Several children had already begun to develop brilliant runes on their bodies, showing that they were on the path to surpassing their parents in the future.
"You mischievous kids, sit down quickly," the clan leader said with a laugh.
A gentle breeze rustled through the blackened, thick willow wood. A crystal-clear young branch swayed in the wind. The children gathered around the elderly man under the tree, listening to his teachings.
"Mastering bone inscriptions is like wielding a broad sword or drawing a bow. But if you put down these weapons, the essence of cultivation still lies in strengthening yourselves."
Some children were confused, some enlightened, and others were thoughtful.
"Bone inscriptions are just a form, a means. The true path is to transform them into your own power. Otherwise, everything is just a floating leaf without roots. Only by making yourself strong can you succeed."
"What should we do?"
"Integrate the bone inscriptions into your body, making them like celestial light and divine radiance. Each rune should become an eternal divine furnace within every inch of flesh and blood, refining the essence of heaven and earth, and transforming both body and spirit."
The clan leader explained that bone inscriptions, like muscle and hair, must blend seamlessly with oneself to become true power.
"Grandpa, teach us quickly."
"Don’t rush, take it slow," Stone Yunfeng said.
In fact, using runes consumes one's vital essence. Just like when Little Stone used treasure techniques, it required significant consumption, and prolonged use could weaken one’s vitality.
Strictly speaking, learning bone inscriptions can be damaging to the body, especially when reaching certain stages. Continuous use can cause severe harm.
After the clan leader’s detailed explanation, the children's faces turned pale.
"Don’t be afraid. Just pay attention and don’t risk life and death or continuously use primordial techniques. You haven’t mastered the secrets of treasure techniques like Little Stone. Even if you lose some vitality, it can be restored."
This is true for both the bone inscriptions in Stone Village and those in the great clans outside. To achieve success, one must go through this stage, even as an entry-level experience.
"Little Stone’s understanding of bone inscriptions is deep enough to learn how to change this situation."
Once truly initiated and with a certain level of understanding, it becomes a different mode of cultivation. The clan leader brought several bone books and taught Little Stone the final runes.
In the following days, the clan leader spoke daily, teaching the children according to their individual needs.
Clearly, Little Stone was far ahead of others. Even among the great clans outside, his talent would leave people astonished.
These days, Little Stone was absorbed in his studies, listening to teachings and reading bone books with a happy smile on his face, his eyes nearly squinting into crescent shapes.
Initially, bone inscriptions required consuming one's essence and blood to nourish and strengthen. But once they took shape and understanding deepened, the situation could be reversed.
"Let the runes merge into your body, becoming like celestial light and divine radiance. Each rune becomes an eternal divine furnace within every inch of flesh, refining the essence of heaven and earth, drawing divine essence into your body, and completely transforming your body and spirit."
This was the path Little Stone would follow. He had already laid a solid foundation and, with the runes taking shape, the transformation was not too difficult.
In just a few days, Little Stone achieved extraordinary results.
When he next used his treasure techniques, every inch of his flesh glowed, and the runes flickered as if each were a divine furnace continuously providing vitality. He felt invigorated and at ease.
Seeing this result, Stone Yunfeng was astonished. Although he knew the child’s talent was exceptional, he was once again deeply impressed.
In just a few days, Little Stone’s progress had been revolutionary. For an ordinary person, it would take at least several years, and even a genius would need a few months.
"I anticipated you would need more than two months, but at your current pace, one month might be sufficient, and possibly even just twenty days," Stone Yunfeng said.
Little Stone’s performance was so astonishing that the elder clan members laughed heartily like children, while the young adults like Stone Linhu and Stone Feijiao grinned broadly, revealing their white teeth and laughed continuously.
"Comparable to the cubs of ancient beasts! Our Stone Village might one day produce a supreme being capable of battling the ancient True Hound and pure-blooded Pixiu."
"This child is a gift from heaven to our Stone Village, naturally surpassing the ordinary."
Everyone was elated. That evening, the feast in Stone Village was lavish, with various meats from beasts either steamed or roasted to a golden, shiny perfection, filling the village with tantalizing aromas that made mouths water.
"Do not become too complacent. At the far end of that distant land, there are unimaginably powerful super clans. In that prosperous and flourishing realm, there will surely be prodigious talents," the clan leader advised.
Of course, whether it was praise or caution, the adults did not speak in front of the child, fearing that Little Stone might be influenced.
In the following days, Stone Hao made rapid progress. Every inch of his flesh and blood glowed with a crystalline brilliance, as if ancient deities were seated within him. The runes were transforming and reorganizing, fundamentally altering his physical state.
Stone Yunfeng was extremely excited and happy. At this rate, it might take only half a month for Little Stone to succeed and be ready for the next step.
"Grandpa, what should I do in the future?" Little Stone asked.
"The path is long. You are currently in the Blood Transformation stage and are far from needing to forge your own way. True supreme beings among humans may eventually manifest sacred bones and their own original marks, with their exclusive primordial techniques," Stone Yunfeng explained.
"It’s truly inspiring," Little Stone said, clenching his small fists with sparkling eyes.
Stone Yunfeng continued, "The ancient ancestors traveled a great distance, but the journey is still long. When you are strong enough, you will be able to leave this vast wilderness and see the world beyond. There are things I cannot teach you; they are out there in the world."
As he spoke, Stone Yunfeng’s expression changed slightly. He touched a piece of white bone in his arms and his body trembled.
"Yonder, in ancient times, at the dawn of humanity. The supreme order was established, and eternal principles were laid out," Little Stone recited softly, gazing out over the boundless wilderness. His eyes seemed to penetrate the endless mountains, glimpsing another vast expanse of the world.
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