High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 706: Chapter 693: Grandmaster Level Clash

But now, battles at the Grandmaster stage utilized the Power of Heaven and Earth; they were confrontations on the level of Rules. As for how to integrate those abstract Rules into specific Spear Technique movements, he still didn’t have any particularly good ideas.

The Flame Venerable looked at his thoughtful expression, smiled, and asked, “Got any ideas?”

Xu Wuyi nodded, then shook his head. “I want to integrate Order into my Spear Technique, but I don’t know exactly how to do it yet.”

“There’s no rush,” the Flame Venerable said. “Integrating Rules into weapons inherently requires a long period of exploration and trial. You can start by referencing the experiences of others to see how those Grandmasters who use weapons do it. Their methods might not suit you, but they can offer you some inspiration.

“The Federation’s research institutes have a wealth of materials on this subject. There are also researchers who specialize in Grandmaster combat tactics who can help you analyze and deduce. After you return, you can go have a chat with them.”

Xu Wuyi nodded, taking the suggestion to heart.

The Flame Venerable looked at him and suddenly asked, “Do you know why it’s so difficult for Grandmasters to find ready-made Martial Arts to learn?”

Xu Wuyi thought for a moment before replying, “Is it because everyone’s Rules are different?”

The Flame Venerable nodded. “Correct. That’s the most fundamental reason. Different Rules require different Martial Arts. For someone who cultivates fire, trying to learn the Martial Arts of someone who practices Water Cultivation is not only useless, but potentially harmful.

“But the deeper reason is that battles at the Grandmaster stage have already transcended the level of Techniques,” he continued after a pause. “When ordinary Martial Artists fight, they compete over whose Techniques are more profound, whose reactions are faster, and whose strength is greater. But when Grandmasters fight, they compete over who has a deeper understanding of the Rules and whose application is more ingenious.

“Techniques are rigid; Rules are alive. The exact same Rules, in the hands of different people, can be utilized in completely different ways. Some excel at direct frontal assaults, some excel at flanking maneuvers, and some excel at control and containment. What you need to do is not to imitate others, but to find the combat style that suits you best.”

Xu Wuyi listened earnestly, committing every word to memory.

Having said all this, the Flame Venerable let out a long breath and leaned back against his chair. “I’ve said enough for today. Take your time to digest it. Cultivation at the Grandmaster stage cannot be rushed; you must comprehend it slowly.”

He paused, suddenly remembering something else. “Right, there’s one more thing I need to remind you about.”

Xu Wuyi looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

The Flame Venerable’s expression turned serious. “You must not neglect Refining your body.”

Xu Wuyi was slightly taken aback. “My body?”

The Flame Venerable nodded. “Yes, your body. Many people begin to neglect their bodies after becoming Grandmasters. Because combat relies primarily on the Power of Heaven and Earth and the application of Rules, the physical body seems less important. But this is a mistake.”

He paused, his tone growing even more solemn. “Do you know what the third step of a Grandmaster is?”

“Divine Intent,” Xu Wuyi answered. “Condensing the Domain into Divine Intent. Wherever the Divine Intent reaches, that is the Rule.”

The Flame Venerable nodded. “Correct. That is the external manifestation of the third step. But there is an even more important internal change in the third step, which is reincorporating the Divine Intent into the physical body.

“At that stage,” he said, looking at Xu Wuyi with a profound gaze, “the Heart Image is no longer something independent of your body. It will completely fuse with your physical form, becoming a part of you. By then, your body will be the Heart Image, and the Heart Image will be your body.

“What does this mean? It means your body must be strong enough—strong enough to bear the power of the Heart Image. If your body isn’t robust enough, the result of a forced fusion will be the collapse of your physical form.”

As Xu Wuyi listened, a wave of enlightenment washed over him.

He realized no wonder the physical requirements grew increasingly demanding the further one progressed through the three Grandmaster steps. It turned out the final step was to pack the entire Heart Image back into the body.

The Flame Venerable looked at him and continued, “Therefore, starting from now, you must pay attention to Refining your body. You cannot relax the tempering of your physique just because you can manipulate the Power of Heaven and Earth. On the contrary, you need to emphasize it even more.

“Your daily basic punches and kicks must not cease. The circulation of your Qi and Blood must not stop. The Refining of your muscles, bones, and skin must not slacken. These things look simple, but persisting in them is not easy. Yet, you must persevere, because the further you go, the more important your body becomes.”

Xu Wuyi nodded solemnly. “I’ll remember this, Senior.”

Seeing his earnest demeanor, the Flame Venerable smiled in gratification. “Good. As long as you remember it. You are young, and your physical foundation is excellent. Starting to prioritize it now is completely in time. Unlike me back then—I didn’t realize my body couldn’t keep up until I was about to step into the third stage. By the time I tried to compensate for it, it was already too late.”

As he spoke, he stood up and walked to the door of the bamboo hut. Sunlight spilled in from outside, shining upon him and casting a long shadow across the floor.

Xu Wuyi also stood and walked over to his side. The two stood in the doorway for a while, neither speaking a word.

After a long moment, the Flame Venerable finally spoke again. “What are your plans for the afternoon?”

“Tana’s younger sister, Ufei, wants to meet me,” Xu Wuyi replied. “I gave her some guidance a few times before, and she has always insisted on thanking me in person.”

The Flame Venerable nodded. “Go then. I’ve seen that girl a few times; her aptitude is decent, and her temperament is good, too. Since you’ve instructed her before, you should meet her. It’s good to see things through to the end.”

He paused, then added, “If you’re free tonight, you can come by again. You’re always welcome here.”

Xu Wuyi bowed slightly. “Thank you, Senior.”

The Flame Venerable waved his hand dismissively. “Off you go.”

Xu Wuyi turned around and left along the path he had come from.

By the time he stepped out of the East Garden, it was already noon. The sunlight was scorching, baking the ground until it was hot to the touch, and the distant Royal Palace architecture gleamed with a red luster beneath the sun.