The part of a rune system that governed its functions was called the "Core Node."
In the world of runes, this node was also known as the "Dominant Rune."
A Dominant Rune usually occupied no more than nine bytes, yet it could sustain a component's core function. It bound a wizard's idea, a few pieces of rare metal and gems, and several unrelated spells together with a few drops of ink, turning them into a finished product that worked.
The classic example was the Suiyang Talisman within the Alchemy Battle Puppet known as the Yellow Turban Warrior. Also called the Yellow Dragon Talisman or the Tathagata Amulet, this Dominant Rune contained three "Yellow Dragons," representing the Three Luminaries, and one "bird," representing the Heavenly Mandate. According to classical Talisman Studies, calling upon the "Destiny Bird" in the rune would summon a Yellow Turban Warrior to help accomplish one's goal. The "Yellow Dragons" referred to the three celestial lights of sun, moon, and stars. As the ancients said, "Let us honor the immortals upon the earth and shine alongside the Three Luminaries." To set the Yellow Dragons in motion was to wield the power of celestial gods. By calling upon the energy of the Three Luminaries and the Destiny Bird, a wizard could gain the support of a higher power in the mortal world, use the Suiyang Talisman to summon aid, and ultimately bring a Yellow Turban Warrior into being.
Yet no matter how carefully Zheng Qing examined the scroll before him, he could not find a single rune he would call its "core." The runes strung together seemed to be there by chance, with no clear reason for their placement.
In the end, though, his attention settled on several runes he had initially found out of place.
"Could it be