However, in reality, the rune system is a slow evolutionary process, and it is difficult to completely distinguish between different runes.
The world first had Innate Runes. Cultivators, through comprehending these Innate Runes, created Ancient Runes, which then gradually evolved into Modern Runes Ancient Runes.
Even Modern Runes contain a small number of Innate Runes, so generally speaking, there is no inherent superiority or inferiority among runes; what matters is the cultivator's understanding and application of them.
For cultivators who don't study runes, Innate Runes are actually of no use at all. But for a rune fanatic like Chen Mu, he wouldn't trade them even for a divine artifact.
This is like a system programmer who has developed countless popular software programs finally being able to see the system's source code; for him, this is undoubtedly a sublimation of his entire life.
Innate Runes are like the source code that builds this universe. Although they are incredibly profound, if you master them, you can become a creator god, omnipotent.
"Only in a primitive world that is not yet fully developed could so many Innate Runes manifest."
It seems I'll have to stay in this grotto-heaven for a while longer, trying to collect all the Innate Runes here so I can bring them back to the Chen Kingdom's archives later."
Although Modern Runes also contain Innate Runes, this is like modern writing containing pictographs; it is impossible to go back in time.
Only by tracing the changes from the source can we gain clarity.
If Chen Mu collects all the Innate Runes in this world, it will help him decipher the essence of the universe, which will greatly assist his subsequent cultivation breakthroughs.
Soon, more than half a month had passed.
For the past two weeks, Chen Mu has basically never left the safe zone. He has been studying various spiritual materials and comprehending Innate Runes, and has achieved considerable results.
Chen Mu now held a black cane, with a huge, top-grade fire crystal embedded at its tip. He simply shook the cane slightly, and dense golden runes lit up on it.
"That's about enough. With this cane protecting me, ordinary creatures can't hurt me at all."
This walking stick can shield Chen Mu from the high temperatures and harmful rays within a radius of a hundred feet, ensuring his unimpeded passage through the Yang Soul Grotto-Heaven.
He had not forgotten his original purpose for coming to Yang Soul Grotto-Heaven. Even if Elder Ming was probably safe here, he still wanted to meet up with Elder Ming before making any further plans.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Chen Mu set off with his substitute puppet, both bodies surrounded by golden runes, moving as fast as the wind.
After this period of adaptation, he not only comprehended a large number of Innate Runes, but also learned how to use runes in this cave. Therefore, his current strength is more than ten times greater than when he first entered.
With such capabilities, his efficiency in finding people is naturally much faster.
On the other hand, Elder Ming the first intelligent being to arrive at this grotto-heaven, Chen Mu only needed to pay attention to where there were traces of intelligent beings to reduce the scope of the search.
Finally, after eight days and nights of searching, Chen Mu finally found Elder Ming's whereabouts.
"Master!!"
When Chen Mu found Elder Ming, Elder Ming had already set up a safe zone with a radius of about three kilometers. Judging from his progress, he could probably complete the trial in another month.
" Little Mu, what brings you here too?"
Elder Ming was also very happy to see Chen Mu Chen Mu. They exchanged information and had a long talk.
"Master, judging from the spiritual materials you've collected, you should have already completed the construction of a safe zone within a ten-kilometer radius!"
Why haven't you completed the trial of the cave yet?
Chen Mu noticed that Elder Ming had already collected a large amount of spiritual materials. As long as he went all out, he should be able to expand the safe zone to ten kilometers in a week. However, for some reason, he was expanding very slowly, as if he did not want to expand too quickly.
You don't know this!
Every time I expand my safe zone beyond five kilometers, a large number of fire creatures will come to attack me.
I've experienced this twice already, so Chen Mu, you absolutely mustn't be careless!
Elder Ming stroked his long beard and explained with a smile.
Chen Mu then realized that the trial of this cave was indeed not so easy to pass; there was even a final trial involving being besieged by fire creatures.
"It's alright, Master! With me here, you'll definitely pass the test smoothly."
As Chen Mu spoke, he planted his rune scepter into the ground, then stood up, preparing to help Elder Ming reinforce the protective formation here.
" Little Mu, don't panic!"
Elder Ming quickly pulled Chen Mu back and explained to him that being unable to withstand the siege was only one of the reasons he stayed in this cave.
He also discovered that some powerful fire creatures also possessed Innate Runes within their bodies. These Innate Runes were completely different from those found in spiritual materials and greatly aided the cultivation of rune masters.
"Alright! Then I won't disturb Master's cultivation for now."
I'll go and create a new safe zone nearby to experience the power of these fire creatures.
During his search for people, Chen Mu encountered some fire creatures, but they were generally only on the defensive and rarely attacked people, so he wasn't very clear about their strength.
Since Elder Ming has said so, he naturally needs to consider whether he can successfully pass the test here; he doesn't want to be trapped in this cave forever.
Chen Mu spent eight days constructing a safe zone with a radius of more than six kilometers.
The reason he was able to do it so quickly was mainly because he had already collected a large amount of spiritual materials beforehand, and Elder Ming even brought some spiritual materials for him.
The protective formation he constructed was his most proficient Eight Gates Dunjia Array. However, due to the uneven distribution of the five elements in the Yang Soul Grotto-Heaven, his Eight Gates Dunjia Array was biased towards the fire element, making its destructive power stronger than its defensive power.
"The safe zone has been more than five kilometers in radius for almost half a day now, why haven't they arrived yet?"
Chen Mu sat cross-legged on the ground, silently waiting for the fire creatures to attack him, appearing somewhat impatient.
Da da da...!
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the distance; the attack of the fire creatures had finally arrived.
As a cloud of red mist approached, Chen Mu saw firebirds, fire rats, fire bugs, and other creatures—nearly a hundred in total, each with considerable strength.
" Eight Gates Dunjia, Summon Lightning!"
As soon as the fire creatures entered the range of the Eight Gates Dunjia Array, they were immediately subjected to a fierce attack. Dense dark clouds gathered in the sky, unleashing powerful lightning bolts that struck down upon them.