Chapter 709: Grandmaster Level Clash

Chapter 709: Chapter 693: Grandmaster Level Clash

Xu Wuyi listened earnestly, taking these words to heart.

In the days that followed, such sparring sessions took place almost daily.

Flame Venerable truly lived up to his reputation as a veteran Grandmaster who had walked the three steps of a Grandmaster. His understanding of the Flame had seeped into his very bones; every application came effortlessly to him, and every variation was exquisitely sublime. Each method opened Xu Wuyi’s eyes. He had never known that the same rules could be played with in so many different ways.

Meanwhile, his own Power of Order began to slowly transform during these sparring sessions. He started trying to control the form of the Power of Order. He attempted to condense it, just as Flame Venerable condensed flames, to form a more concentrated attack.

However, the Power of Order was far too abstract. Unlike flames, it lacked a concrete form that could be molded at will. It was something on the level of rules, an intangible and invisible existence. He tried many times, but all his attempts ended in failure.

Noticing his confusion, Flame Venerable offered his guidance. “Don’t try to turn it into something tangible like flames. The essence of Order is rules, and rules are inherently formless. What you need to do is not shape it, but attach it to something tangible.”

Xu Wuyi fell deep in thought. “Attach it to something tangible?” he mused. He remembered his Flame of Order, which was a flame ignited by the Power of Order. It did not burn matter, but rather Order itself, yet its form was indeed that of a flame. What if he could attach the Power of Order to something else?

During their sparring, he tried attaching the Power of Order to his fist. As he threw a punch, the Power of Order spread out alongside it. The moment it struck the target, it also threw the rules surrounding the target into Chaos.

The result was unexpectedly good. Although that punch didn’t actually hit Flame Venerable, wherever the fist wind reached, Flame Venerable’s Flame Rules visibly experienced a brief stagnation. That stagnation was incredibly short, so fleeting it could almost be ignored, but it undeniably existed.

Flame Venerable sensed that stagnation, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. “Good boy,” he said. “Are you already starting to get the hang of it?”

Xu Wuyi withdrew his fist, reliving the sensation of that split second. Attachment. By attaching the Power of Order to a specific attack, every strike would carry the power of the rules. This would not only enhance the attack’s destructive force but also provide the Power of Order with a concrete vessel, preventing it from dissipating aimlessly. He looked at Flame Venerable and gave a solemn nod. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior.”

Flame Venerable waved his hand dismissively. Pausing for a moment, he smiled and said, “Still, you’re really something, kid, being able to draw inferences so quickly. If you keep practicing at this pace, it won’t be long before your Order Rules truly take shape.”

Xu Wuyi didn’t speak, simply taking this affirmation to heart.

In the subsequent sparring sessions, he consciously began to experiment with different methods of attachment. Every attempt deepened his understanding of the Power of Order. Meanwhile, Flame Venerable constantly created new challenges for him during these exchanges. Sometimes, he would suddenly change the way he applied his rules, catching Xu Wuyi off guard. Sometimes, he would deliberately expose a flaw to bait Xu Wuyi into attacking, only to counterattack at the very last second. Other times, he would use various minor tricks to interfere with Xu Wuyi’s judgment, such as using flames to create illusions or utilizing extreme heat to distort the surrounding air, preventing Xu Wuyi from seeing the reality of the situation clearly.

Many of these minor tricks were nothing profound, but when used at the right moment, they yielded unexpected results.

Xu Wuyi memorized them one by one, slowly digesting them and gradually making them his own. For him, this experience of fighting a Grandmaster was actually his greatest harvest, as such opportunities were exceedingly rare. If he were to directly battle an enemy Grandmaster in the future, falling for even minor tricks could cause him to suffer a massive loss.

Another seven or eight days passed like this.

As their sparring sessions neared an end, Flame Venerable asked Xu Wuyi about his future plans. Xu Wuyi shook his head and replied, “I haven’t fully decided yet. But I do have a general direction. I want to return to Red River first to properly think about how to construct my own Martial Arts. Then, I’ll go to the Federation Research Institute and have them help me analyze and deduce it.”

Flame Venerable nodded, expressing his approval of the idea. “Your train of thought is correct. Martial Arts at the Grandmaster stage aren’t just conjured out of thin air; they must be fumbled out through practice. Go back and think it over carefully. Digest everything you’ve learned during this period, and then go ask the Research Institute for help.”

He paused for a moment and added, “But you must remember, the Research Institute is only a supplement; the true protagonist is yourself. Their analysis and deduction can only provide you with a reference. In the end, how you walk this path will still depend entirely on you.”

Xu Wuyi nodded earnestly. “I understand.”

Flame Venerable looked at him, his gaze carrying a bit of gratification, as well as a hint of reluctance to part. Such emotions rarely surfaced in his heart. Having lived for so many years, he had seen too many people and bid farewell to far too many. However, the young man before him truly gave him a different feeling. It wasn’t because of his high talent, nor was it because of his youth, but rather his steadfastness and composure. From Martial Artist to Innate, from Innate to Quasi-Grandmaster, and now to Grandmaster—every step he took was solid and steady, without rush or impatience. Only such a person had the potential to go even further.

He reached out and gently patted Xu Wuyi’s shoulder. “Go on. Walk your path well. If you encounter any problems, you can come find me anytime. Although these old bones of mine aren’t of much use anymore, acting as a sparring partner for you is still no problem at all.”

Xu Wuyi looked at him and nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Senior. I will come visit you often.”

Flame Venerable waved his hand and turned toward the bamboo cabin. His retreating figure looked somewhat lonely in the afternoon sunlight, yet his footsteps remained steady. Xu Wuyi stood in place, watching that silhouette disappear into the cabin’s doorway before turning to leave.

Stepping out of the East Garden, he found the sunlight outside was just right.

He walked back along the familiar path, his mind still dwelling on Flame Venerable’s earlier words. The sparring sessions over these past few days had taught him far too much.