The Eight Trigrams are one of the foundations of Dao of Talismans. The Rune Core invented by Chen Mu uses many principles of the Eight Trigrams.
Taiji gives rise to Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang give rise to the Four Symbols, the Four Symbols give rise to the Eight Trigrams, and the Eight Trigrams can be used to explain the most basic relationships between all things in the world.
The binary principle of computers and the I Ching have many similarities. In the field of computers, the smallest unit of storage is the byte.
A byte consists of eight bits, and these eight bits can only store zeros and ones, just like the yang and yin lines in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams).
On Earth, computer chips, also known as integrated circuits, are made of semiconductor materials, which are mainly used to create diode devices. Diodes only have a positive and a negative terminal, which are zero and one in binary.
Everything we see in a computer is, in essence, composed of zeros and ones. Therefore, the Rune Core invented by Chen Mu uses the yin-yang principle in runes to form circuits, thus realizing a rudimentary computer chip.
Now, after years of iteration by Chen Mu, the Rune Core is countless times more complex than the first generation.
But its underlying principle remains unchanged; it is still yin and yang, zero and one. Through countless combinations and pairings, this has become Chen Mu's main reliance in quickly becoming a master of Dao of Talismans arts.
"The Bagua runes here are very ancient; they're not easy to deal with!"
The valley was vast, filled with turbulent energy flows. Chen Mu circled around it twice, his brows furrowed.
The surrounding area was filled with scattered rocks, on which many strange symbols were carved. These symbols exuded an ancient and primitive aura. Chen Mu looked at them for a long time, and although he could tell that they were runes, he didn't recognize a single one of them.
Judging from the shape of the runes, these runes are probably even older than the era of the Rune Ancestor. Although there are few strokes, each one points directly to the origin of the Great Dao. It will not be easy for him to find something in the energy turbulence formed by these Ancient Runes.
"This place is called Divine Furnace Valley. Legend has it that it is a natural site with the Supreme Bagua Being, and it was the place where an ancient great being refined elixirs."
After the ancient war of the gods broke out, this place was destroyed and turned into a land ravaged by runic power.
However, even today, there are still legends that ancient elixirs capable of helping people become gods remain here.
Back then, I was young and impetuous, and it was because of this legend that I ventured deep into this place. In the end, I was trapped here and forced to lose the item I had entrusted with my life.
When Fan Jing spoke of what happened back then, his expression became somewhat melancholy.
With a wave of his hand, he grasped a scroll, which he then unfolded and showed to Chen Mu.
"This is what I'm looking for. You should be able to tell what it is, right?"
The pattern on the scroll is an oval-shaped jade stone, surrounded by multicolored light, exuding a solemn and sacred aura.
"It's... Śarīra?"
Chen Mu was greatly surprised to find that Fan Jing, one of the leaders of the underground forces on the Pan Emperor Continent, was actually a Buddhist cultivator.
The biggest difference between Buddhist cultivators and traditional martial arts cultivators is that after breaking through to the Core Formation Realm, what condenses in their bodies is not a spiritual pill, but Śarīra.
Buddhist Sect cultivation methods place greater emphasis on the dual cultivation of spirit and body. Therefore, Śarīra are not purely formed from Spiritual Power, but rather a combination of physical strength and Spiritual Power. Their combat power is often a notch stronger than that of martial artists of the same level.
Although Chen Mu had also practiced the Buddhist Sect technique [ Acala Heart Sutra ], he created his own Battle Talisman Master System in the later stages, so he did not condense Śarīra.
Now that Fan Jing says that what he lost was Śarīra, it is clear that he was once a Buddhist practitioner.
"That's right! I used to be a Buddhist Sect disciple."
Chen Mu, I hope you won't tell anyone about this.
Fan Jing's tone carried a warning undertone.
"Understood! I won't say anything carelessly."
Although Listening Wind Tower primarily focuses on intelligence gathering, it also maintains close ties with many assassin organizations. After all, assassins and intelligence gathering are inseparable, and it's not exactly a legitimate organization.
The fact that Buddhist Sect disciples have become the underground rulers will cause Fan Jing considerable trouble if this becomes public. That's why he came here and revealed to Chen Mu that he was looking for Śarīra.
"Brother Fan Jing, since this is Śarīra that has been intertwined with your life, shouldn't you be able to recall it directly with your mind?"
Like Śarīra, relics are the crystallization of a cultivator's cultivation. Even after leaving the physical body, they maintain a connection with the original body, and this connection cannot be severed by ordinary means.
"It was no use. When I entered the valley, I was trapped by a stone wall covered with runes. I tried everything but couldn't get out, so I spat out the Śarīra to attack the runes on the stone wall."
In the end, although I escaped, the Śarīra lost control and disappeared in the valley.
Over the years, all I've been able to sense is that it hasn't been destroyed, yet I've never been able to bring it back.
After losing the relic, Fan Jing's strength plummeted. If it weren't for the help of his friends, he would have almost been unable to return to the Pan Emperor Continent.
Over the years, he could only maintain his strength through other means. He had always wanted to find his Śarīra, but unfortunately, all his efforts had been in vain.
"Understood! I'll give it a try then."
Chen Mu nodded and refocused his gaze on the turbulent energy flows within the valley.
"That... should be the 'Gen' pattern. If we apply it to the Eight Gates, it's the Life Gate, which is a relatively auspicious direction. Entering from this direction should be safe."
With Fan Jing's reminder, Chen Mu incorporated the valley's terrain into the Eight Trigrams diagram and quickly came up with a plan.
"Brother Fan Jing, you wait for me outside, I can go in by myself."
That way, if something unexpected happens, we can have someone to rely on.
Chen Mu gave Fan Jing some instructions.
"No problem! Just call me if you need anything."
Fan Jing had no objection to it, but the Divine Furnace Valley was extremely dangerous, and he hoped he wouldn't have to go in.
Whoosh! Chen Mu leaped into the Divine Furnace Valley and disappeared into the turbulent energy flow in a moment, vanishing without a trace.