67. Artistic Conception, Grand Master

Rain began reading the book, immediately intrigued by its content. It opened with an introduction to the practice methods for warriors in the Strength Realm, also known as the Master Warrior level. As he continued, he found detailed information on the Grandmaster Realm, revealing it to be divided into twelve stages.

The book also introduced the concept of 'artistic conception'—the first step in understanding the laws or rules that govern the world. Artistic conception was divided into five realms:

1. Seed: When a warrior grasps a small glimpse of artistic conception, they can break through to the Master Realm.

2. Sprout: This level of understanding enables a breakthrough into the 1st realm of the Grandmaster stage.

3. Young Tree: Achieving this allows advancement to the 4th realm of Grandmaster.

4. Tree: Reaching this level grants access to the 7th realm of Grandmaster.

5. Fruit: With this final stage, a warrior can break through to the 10th realm of Grandmaster.

Rain's eyes lingered on each level, realizing that in this Star Immortal World, the rules governing existence were divided into realms, with 'artistic conception' serving as the gateway to understanding these universal laws. Artistic conception marked the first stage, and it seemed there were higher realms yet unwritten in the book. Each realm of artistic conception was further divided to indicate the degree of mastery over a particular rule, allowing warriors to measure their comprehension of the world's underlying principles.

Pausing in his reading, Rain closed his eyes, attempting to gauge his own level within this framework by examining his mastery over the Spring Rain rule. In the darkness of his mind, he focused on compressing this rule, concentrating until it gradually formed a seed—just as the book described. He wasn't surprised; unlike the Grandmasters of this world, his entry into the Grandmaster realm had not relied on refining true energy through artistic conception. Instead, he'd drawn from methods originating in the Radiation World, combining them with energy-refining techniques of this world's immortal practices.

Reflecting further, he recalled how the Spring Rain rule had been instrumental in his main body's comprehension of the Rain Stone. He attempted to infuse the seed with the Rain Stone's principles through the Spring Rain rule. Surprisingly, the seed absorbed only part of the Rain Stone's essence, leaving the rest untouched. At first, Rain was puzzled by this selective absorption, but he soon deduced that while the two worlds shared similar rules, there were subtle differences. To wield the Rain Stone's power effectively here, he would need to 'localize' its rule to match this world's structure.

He realized that in adapting the Rain Stone's essence, his Spring Rain artistic conception would transform into a more encompassing 'Rain artistic conception,' embodying the rule of rain across all seasons and places, attuning him further to this world's unique order and take it to the next realm of artistic conception 'sprout' stage.

Rain opened his eyes and resumed reading the book, which now detailed the 'Blood Flame Palm.' It began with instructions on sensing one's blood, learning to control it, and eventually forming a seed within the heart. This was followed by a complex 36-movement palm technique, accompanied by an illustration of a seed surrounded by flame. Examining the image, Rain had an uncanny sensation that the seed was alive. When he focused his soul energy on the picture, he felt a surge of vitality as if the seed held real life. A faint, metallic scent of blood reached his nose, and when he use his soul power to sense, the picture burned out of the book, releasing a voice that began explaining the artistic conception of a rare flame called 'Blood Flame'—an innate flame.

The voice described how the blood flame's artistic conception allowed a warrior to manipulate the blood seed into forming a flame. the blood provide energy for the flame. This flame could then be used to refine true energy, endowing it with the destructive power of blood flame.Rain noted that each strike, infused with this refined energy, would wield the relentless, scorching strength of blood itself.

He considered that this might not be the complete technique since they had called it a fragment of a superior practice. Rain thought of asking the old man for more information but realized he couldn't ask too directly. How could a Grandmaster warrior claim not to know such techniques when they were the very methods by which most warriors advanced to his level?

Rain cleared his throat, "Hey, old man! We've been fighting half the day, but I still don't know your name."

The old man replied, "My name is Wang Da, but most call me the Evil Crow Master."

Rain nodded. "Well, you're older than me, and it'd feel disrespectful to call you by name. I'll stick to Evil Crow."

The Evil Crow murmured under his breath, "He beats me, points a sword at my throat, and threatens to kill me, yet it's 'disrespectful' to call me by name?"

Rain raised an eyebrow. "What are you muttering about?"

Evil Crow quickly replied, "Nothing."

Rain, pretending not to have heard, continued, "So, why is the reason you wanted these technique?"

The Evil Crow answered, "I have a fragment of a superior martial art that contains a method of body refinement—the second part of the technique. The Zhang family holds the first part of a superior martial art, and both are fire-based, so I thought they might be part of the same art."

Rain's interest piqued. "Really? Did you write down this fragment of yours?"

Evil Crow shook his head. "No need—I keep it with me."

Rain held out his hand. "Well? Let's see it."

Reluctantly, the Evil Crow removed his shoe, pried open the sole, and pulled out a small, worn book. He handed it over to Rain, a mix of reluctance and resignation in his gaze.

Rain took the book and opened it, finding the title 'Fire Demon Body.' As he skimmed through, he realized it was a manual detailing specific yoga postures to strengthen the body initially. Upon mastering these postures, a practitioner was to use the blood of a fire wolf, combined with particular herbs, to prepare a boiling blood bath. The user would then absorb the fiery essence of the blood, repeating the process until physical improvements ceased.

Finishing the two books, Rain finally understood why superior martial arts techniques were divided into two parts. He had used precious energy liquids to break through to Grandmaster, but for most warriors, such resources were scarce. Instead, they refined their true energy through their understanding of the world's laws. However, even the purest refined true energy from an ordinary body couldn't break through to Grandmaster.

This was where the body-refining techniques came into play—they pushed the human physique to its utmost potential, increasing the reserve of true energy. True energy was a blend of body energy and soul energy, but manipulating the soul was perilous. Warriors relied on body refinement to expand their true energy reserves safely, ultimately enabling them to reach higher realms, Rain surmised from his newfound understanding of the world's practices. It may be wrong after he get new technique where soul is refined to increase the true energy reserved

Rain than considered himself he will refine his true energy by spring rain artistic conception or rain artistic conception. Rain thought he cannot think of the immediate gain but think about the future.He considered the process by which Master-level warriors ascended to Grandmaster: if they refined their true energy through their artistic conception, that energy would embody the essence of the rule they had mastered. In time, this energy would transform both body and soul, enhancing the warrior's affinity for that particular rule. However, this would also make it harder to understand other rules, possibly binding the warrior more closely to one path. 

Lost in thought, Rain was pulled back by the Evil Crow's voice. "Grandmaster, I've finished writing."

Rain shook off his musings. "Alright, hand over the techniques." The Evil Crow passed him the parchment, brimming with martial arts insights. "Now we can go," Rain added, preparing to depart.

The old man hesitated, glancing nervously at Rain. "Could I… see the technique that the Zhang family girl gave you? Just for a moment."

Zhang Yue's immediate, instinctive reaction was to cry out, "No!" Her voice caught the attention of both Rain and the Evil Crow, who turned to look at her.

Evil Crow smirked. "It's not yours anymore, girl—it belongs to the Grandmaster now. He'll decide if I get a look or not."

Without a second glance at Zhang Yue, Rain handed him the book. He was curious to hear the old man's opinion on whether the two fragments of these seemingly unrelated techniques could be practiced together. Rain's own instinct told him they couldn't. The challenge, he believed, lay in how the 'Blood Flame Palm' required blood as fuel for energy. If the practitioner's body couldn't replenish blood rapidly, the blood flame would drain them completely. Rain suspected that the 'Fire Demon Body' alone couldn't fully address the demands of the 'Blood Flame Palm'. However, he hoped the Evil Crow's practical experience might offer some clarity.

"Can the two techniques be practiced together?" Rain asked.

Evil Crow shook his head. "No. To use the 'Blood Flame Palm', you'd need a body refinement technique capable of either halting the blood flame's consumption of blood or rapidly increasing blood production within the body." He handed the book back to Rain.

Rain considered this, then held out his hand. "Your sword."

The Evil Crow looked hesitant but handed it over. Rain tested its weight, swinging it a few times. The blade felt solid and balanced.

"It's made from cold iron," Evil Crow offered.

Rain nodded approvingly. "Nice. It's mine now. You're free to go—before I change my mind."

With a final glance, the Evil Crow and his masked men quickly melted into the forest, disappearing among the trees.

Rain glanced at the darkening sky, noticing the sun dipping toward the horizon and the faint shimmer of the rising moon. Turning back, he searched for his horse, spotting Zhou An's father holding its reins.

As Rain approached, he gestured for them to come closer. Taking the reins, he nodded in thanks. "Thank you for holding my horse."

Zhou An's father replied with a respectful nod. "It's no trouble."

Rain carefully stowed the coins, books, and parchment in his saddlebags before mounting his horse.

Zhou An looked up at him, eyes wide. "Brother Rain, you never told me you were a Grandmaster."

Rain raised an eyebrow. "You didn't ask."

Zhou An's expression softened. "I was worried about you, Brother Rain."

Just then, Zhang Yue stepped forward. "Grandmaster, may we travel with you to Wutan City?"

Rain thought for a moment, then gave a slight nod. With a signal to his horse, he urged it into motion, the others falling into step behind him as they began their journey once more.