263: Chapter 263 Subtle Changes in Attitude, the Stage of Comprehension Begins

Following the battle in the War Soul Tower, the news of Xu Ruyu, a Qi Refining body, forcefully contending with a Nascent Soul imprint swept through the entire Tianyin Mountains like a hurricane.

All doubts, mockery, and contempt were utterly crushed at this moment, replaced by endless shock and a sense of awe toward the unknown.

Xu Ruyu was arranged to recover in a quiet room with abundant Spiritual Qi within the Moon Fox Palace.

Lady Qingli personally watched over him, using the clan's treasured healing sacred medicine to tend to his condition.

Under the Taihu Clan's unrestrained pouring of resources, his severely overextended and multi-injured body recovered at an astonishing speed.

In just three days, his external injuries had healed, though the internal depletion and the subtle hidden damage to his Meridians caused by that life-risking strike still required time to nurture.

During these three days, the attitude of the Taihu Clan's higher-ups underwent subtle yet profound changes.

Although the Clan Chief and the Supreme Grand Master had not summoned Xu Ruyu publicly again, the grade of resources sent to the quiet room increased day by day, even including several rare items that were greatly beneficial even to Nascent Soul Cultivators.

The Grand Elder personally inquired about the healing progress, and Elder Lan Yi also visited frequently, her attitude being gentle yet carrying obvious importance.

Elder Mo Feng, on the other hand, fell completely silent; it was said that after being summoned by the Clan Chief for "questioning," he lived in seclusion and never appeared in public again.

Everyone understood that regardless of Xu Ruyu's background or how "lowly" his outward cultivation appeared, the potential he displayed and his uniquely different "Dao" had already earned the serious attention of the Taihu Clan's highest authorities.

The trial of the Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array was no longer a simple matter of making things difficult or expulsion, but more like a deep investigation into his true foundation.

On the morning of the fourth day, Xu Ruyu was invited to the main hall of the Moon Fox Palace.

Inside the hall, the Clan Chief was still shrouded in hazy moonlight, seated high in the main seat.

The phantom image of the Supreme Grand Master floated quietly to one side, his aura a bit more solid than before, appearing to have recovered from the incident at the Illusory Moon Well.

The Grand Elder and Elder Lan Yi stood in attendance below, with Lady Qingli also by their side. There were no other outsiders in the hall, and the atmosphere was solemn.

"Xu Ruyu, how is your recovery progressing?"

The Clan Chief's voice remained cold as ever, yet it lacked the initial indifference and held a bit more scrutiny and inquiry.

"Thank you for your concern, Clan Chief. This Junior's injuries are no longer a major issue." Xu Ruyu bowed and spoke calmly.

After the life-and-death struggle in the War Soul Tower, his state of mind seemed to have become even more steady.

"Very well." The Clan Chief nodded slightly. "The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array has already passed the three stages of 'Natural Talent', 'Willpower', and 'Cultivation'.

Today is the fourth stage—the 'Comprehension Stage'."

She paused, her gaze beneath the moonlight seemingly able to pierce through one's heart. "Ordinary comprehension tests are nothing more than meditating on runes, deducing Formations, or analyzing Cultivation Techniques.

However, for you, those ordinary tests might fail to reveal your true depth."

The phantom image of the Supreme Grand Master spoke slowly at this moment, his voice ethereal and misty. "My Taihu Clan has a long-standing Legacy and profound foundations.

There is a Forbidden Ground called the 'Ancient Inheritance Ground', where the ancestors' blessings reside.

Standing within it are over a hundred 'Legacy Saint Tablets', each inscribed with an ancient Cultivation Technique or secret art passed down from antiquity."

"These Cultivation Techniques, due to their ancient age, fractured legacies, or shifts in the Laws of heaven and earth, have become incomplete, obscure, and even contain many errors and contradictions." The Supreme Grand Master continued, his tone carrying a hint of reminiscence and regret. "Over countless years, the geniuses and ancient sages of our clan have all entered to meditate, attempting to complete them, yet their gains have been meager.

The vast majority of these techniques remain fragmentary to this day."

The Clan Chief took over: "The trial of this stage is to have you enter this 'Ancient Inheritance Ground'.

The time limit is indefinite.

The rules: If you can comprehend the operating principles of one incomplete Cultivation Technique or complete part of its key content, it will be considered a pass.

If you can comprehend two, it is considered excellent.

Comprehending three or more makes one a peerless Genius of comprehension."

"As for the time," the Clan Chief's gaze narrowed slightly, "In the past, when our clan's Disciples entered to meditate, the fastest among them took the time of one incense stick to comprehend one fragmentary technique, and was hailed as a once-in-a-century Genius.

Those who comprehend within three incense sticks are also considered outstanding.

If there is no comprehension after more than three incense sticks, the Legacy Ground will naturally sense it and teleport the meditator out."

The Supreme Grand Master added: "Xu Ruyu, your performance in the first two stages has already proven you are no ordinary person.

The Clan Chief and I have discussed this; for you, this stage has no specific requirement for the number of techniques comprehended. We only wish to see how far you can go and how deeply you can comprehend within this Legacy Ground."

"Do you understand?"

Xu Ruyu felt a sense of awe in his heart.

The Ancient Inheritance Ground? Over a hundred fragmentary saint tablets? The difficulty and weight of this trial far exceeded his imagination!

This was no longer just a test of Comprehension Ability, but a test of his depth of understanding of the essence of the Great Dao, the breadth of his knowledge system, and that kind of creative thinking that steps outside the box to discern the big picture from small details!

"This Junior understands."

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath, his eyes becoming sharp and focused.

He vaguely felt that this might be an unprecedented opportunity, not only to prove himself but also to come into contact with the truly ancient and profound cultivation wisdom of this world.

"Good."

The Clan Chief said no more and waved her hand.

The ground in the center of the hall split open silently, revealing a staircase of light extending downward, leading to the deep and unknown underground.

At the end of the light stairs was an ancient and heavy bronze giant gate inscribed with a pattern of Nine Foxes Worshipping the Moon.