Daoist Bookworms, Severing Heaven and Earth

At the inn's second floor, the four of them did not hesitate for long before accepting the invitations.

They kept their eyes fixed on the woman in white, waiting for her to reveal more about the opportunity for Foundation Establishment.

Guardian Bai stood with her back to them, surveying the scene beyond the window. She spoke unhurriedly, "Do not be anxious, everyone. Since this concerns Foundation Establishment, Bai ought to explain it to you properly, lest there be any oversight and cause you misunderstandings."

Old Apothecary Sun immediately said in a deep voice, "Guardian, you worry too much. We shall naturally listen patiently to your instruction."

"Please speak, Guardian. We will only be grateful."

The woman in white turned around and looked at the four behind her.

"Do you know that in ancient times, before immortals like us appeared—or, more precisely, before the Former Sages and Former Masters founded the disciplines of immortal learning—there were also cultivators in the Outer World, and they too possessed the realm of Foundation Establishment?"

The four in the room fell silent in thought upon hearing this.

After considering it, the Luo-surnamed female talisman master responded, "Could Fellow Daoist be referring to those heretical demons once known as 'Daoists'?"

"Correct." The woman in white nodded. "However, the term 'heretical demons' that Fellow Daoist Luo used may not be entirely accurate."

This again caught those present by surprise. Only Fang Shu felt his thoughts stir, and many ideas rose in his mind.

"According to what Bai knows, before immortal learning was founded, the so-called Daoists were not merely fiends from beyond the domain. One could even say that true Daoists who came from beyond the heavens were exceedingly few. Most Daoists were in fact natives of the Outer World who cultivated the immortal path and pursued