Chapter 704 - 693: Grandmaster-Level Clash

Xu Wuyi answered truthfully, "The first step is already consolidated. The second step... is underway."

A trace of surprise flashed through Flame Venerable’s eyes. "You’ve already started constructing your Domain?"

Xu Wuyi nodded. "Yes. During my promotion, the Flame of Order burned the surrounding space, leaving behind many Order Fragments. Those fragments naturally converge toward me, slowly forming the embryonic form of a Domain."

Flame Venerable remained silent for a moment before letting out a long breath.

"Good, very good," he said. "Being able to start constructing a Domain the moment you advance proves that the level of your Heart Image is indeed high. The Rules of Order are the culmination of all Rules. They naturally possess the tendency to form a Domain."

He paused, his tone turning even more serious.

"But I must remind you—don’t rush."

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

Flame Venerable said, "When it comes to a Domain, bigger isn’t always better, and faster isn’t always better either. It is the externalization of your Rules and the extension of your Will. A hastily constructed Domain will have an unstable foundation, and reinforcing it later will be incredibly difficult.

"It’s a good thing that you have this tendency now, but don’t deliberately push it. Let those fragments gather slowly and take shape naturally. This process might take a long time—perhaps months, a year, or even longer. Just don’t rush. Take your time."

Xu Wuyi listened intently and nodded.

"I understand."

Flame Venerable looked at him, his gaze holding a hint of gratification.

"Your greatest strength, kid, is your steadiness. From Martial Artist to Innate, from Innate to Quasi-Grandmaster, and now to Grandmaster, you’ve taken every step solidly. In this regard, you’re far better than those Geniuses who only know how to charge blindly forward."

He turned around and looked back at the bamboo grove.

"When I was young, I was also one of those who only knew how to charge forward. I advanced to Innate at thirty and Grandmaster at fifty, which was considered fast among my peers. But after reaching Grandmaster, I started getting stuck.

"I was stuck on the step from Dharma Form to Domain for ten years. Then I was stuck on the step from Domain to Divine Intent for twenty years. By the time I finally set foot in Divine Intent and thought I could go even further, I realized I was already old."

His voice grew somewhat low, tinged with a bit of emotion.

"My Qi and Blood began to decay, and my Realm began to slip. I slipped from Divine Intent down to Domain, and from Domain down to what I am now. Do you know what that feels like?"

Xu Wuyi didn’t speak; he just listened quietly.

Flame Venerable continued, "It’s like watching a tall building you painstakingly built collapse layer by layer. You can’t do anything; you can only watch helplessly."

He turned back to look at Xu Wuyi, an indescribable emotion in his eyes.

"So, kid, you must remember: Grandmaster isn’t the finish line, nor is it even a rest stop halfway there. It is merely a new starting point. From this point on, you still have a very long road ahead of you.

"Don’t rush, don’t panic. Take it one step at a time. Only by making sure every step is solid can you go far."

Xu Wuyi looked at him and nodded solemnly.

"I will keep that in mind, Senior."

Flame Venerable smiled, a smile containing both gratification and a trace of relief.

"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore." He waved his hand. "It’s rare for you to visit, so stay a few more days. Even though my Realm has slipped, I’m still someone who has walked the three steps of a Grandmaster. I can still give you some pointers on a few things."

Xu Wuyi bowed slightly. "Thank you, Senior."

Flame Venerable said, "What are you thanking me for? There’s no need for these empty formalities between us. Come, let’s sit inside. I’ll tell you about Grandmaster cultivation."

The two returned to the bamboo cabin and sat in their chairs.

Flame Venerable didn’t rush to speak. Instead, he first poured himself a cup of water, drank it slowly, and only then looked at Xu Wuyi.

"Grandmaster cultivation, in the end, comes down to three things: Heart Image, Domain, and Divine Intent. The Heart Image is the foundation, the Domain is the extension, and Divine Intent is the sublimation.

"Now that your Heart Image is consolidated and your Domain is taking shape, what you need to do next is slowly elevate the strength of your Heart Image based on this foundation."

He paused, raising his right hand and gently tapping his index finger in the air.

That tap seemed casual, but Xu Wuyi clearly felt the surrounding space slightly stagnate for a split second.

"Do you know how to elevate the strength of a Heart Image?"

Xu Wuyi thought for a moment before saying, "By comprehending the Rules and deepening my understanding?"

Flame Venerable nodded. "Correct, but not entirely. Comprehending the Rules can indeed elevate the strength of your Heart Image, but that’s a direction, not a method. The specific method is Visualization.

"You’ve practiced the Visualization Method, but Visualization at the Grandmaster stage is different from before."

Xu Wuyi sat across from him, listening intently without interrupting.

Flame Venerable picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued. "Before, when you practiced Visualization, you visualized external things. Mountains and rivers, the sun, moon, and stars, flames and lightning.

"No matter how grand those things are, they are someone else’s Rules. They are Rules that already exist naturally in heaven and earth. You visualize them to borrow their Momentum, allowing yourself to draw closer to those Rules."

He set down his teacup, his gaze landing on Xu Wuyi’s face.

"But at the Grandmaster stage, your Heart Image has already taken shape; it is now your own Rule. At this point, visualizing external things has little meaning. What you need to visualize is your own Heart Image."

Xu Wuyi was slightly taken aback. "Visualize my own Heart Image?"

Flame Venerable nodded. "Yes. What does your Heart Image look like? What are its operating patterns? Under what circumstances does it grow stronger, and under what circumstances does it grow weaker? How does it communicate with the Energy of heaven and earth? You need to find the answers to these questions through Visualization."

He paused, his tone growing even more serious.