Xue Lin nodded slightly. "Yes, but we call ourselves cultivators." She walked to the front of the monkey and took out another paper, this one white with green markings, and placed it against the monkey's body. A soft green light surrounded the creature, and Rain watched as its wounds began to close.
"Old man, go into the forest and bring out the wine," Xue Lin instructed.
Rain knelt beside the monkey, observing the healing effects of the green light with fascination. He felt as if he could perceive underlying rules of vitality within the light.
Noticing his curiosity, Xue Lin said, "This is the method of divine runes."
"Divine runes," Rain muttered, standing up. He pointed at the white paper with the green markings and asked, "Can you give me a paper containing this rune?"
Before she could answer, the paper on the monkey crumbled to ash, just like the previous one. Rain noticed that about half of the monkey's injuries had healed. Without hesitation, Xue Lin took out two more white papers from her bag. "Take it," she said, handing one to him and placing the other on the monkey. Once again, the green light radiated from the paper, enveloping the creature and continuing the healing process.
Rain looked intently at the paper with its intricate green markings. Though he knew the markings were called divine runes, he couldn't sense the vitality rule directly from them; instead, he felt it emanating from the green light surrounding the monkey.
As he stared at the rune, Xue Lin noticed his interest. "Do you wish to learn how to write the runes?" she asked.
"I can?" Rain responded, surprised. He had always assumed that divine runes were exclusive to immortal cultivators, not warriors.
Xue Lin nodded. "Yes, anyone can learn to write and use divine runes."
"Really?" Rain said, a spark of curiosity igniting in his eyes. Yet, he wasn't interested in simply writing or using them. What he truly wanted was to understand the rules contained within them. "Can I comprehend the rules within the divine runes?" he asked.
Xue Lin smiled knowingly. "Divine runes are manifestations of the world's rules expressed in written form. Each time you inscribe a divine rune, you can sense the rule for a few moments."
Rain asked, "How can I learn the divine runes?" Their conversation was interrupted as an agitated commotion spread among the monkeys. Rain looked up to see the old man and several warriors emerging from the forest, each holding a pot. He counted ten pots in total. Behind them, more monkeys appeared, some cradling their young, shrieking at the group. The cries of the females and children stirred the previously silent monkeys, now restless since their leader had been defeated.
Xue Lin muttered a few words, and the leader monkey groaned before slowly standing up. The first-rank monster stood in silence, eyes fixed on Xue Lin, awaiting her command.
"Go and calm your tribe," Xue Lin ordered. The monkey leader roared, turned around, and walked toward the distressed females and young. The other monkeys on the river moved to join him, forming a protective circle around their leader.
Rain glanced at Xue Lin. "What are you going to do with him?"
"We'll leave him here to control the tribe and produce monkey wine. His fighting power doesn't interest me," she said calmly.
Rain nodded as the old man and warriors, carrying the wine pots, approached them. "Miss, we've collected all the wine," the old man reported.
"Leave one pot for the monkeys," Xue Lin instructed. The old man nodded and handed one pot back to the monkey leader, who took it cautiously.
"I'll return next year," Xue Lin said, holding out a jade token. "Produce more monkey wine and break this if you're in trouble."
The monkey leader let out a sharp cry, as if acknowledging her words.
Xue Lin added, "I'll send fruit and herbs for the wine." The monkey nodded before retreating back into the forest with his tribe.
"Let's return to the boat. I'll explain divine runes to you, Grandmaster," Xue Lin said, turning to Rain.
"Thank you. You can just call me by my name," Rain replied.
"Rain or Yun Ting?" Xue Lin asked with a sly smile.
Rain's eyes narrowed slightly. "How do you know my real name?"
Xue Lin's smile widened. "It was on the sale contract for the house you purchased. It read 'Yun Ting.'"
Rain's eyes widened slightly. "Oh," he muttered, realizing she might know more about him than he had anticipated. Did she know where he was from? The troubles that followed him?
"I prefer the name Rain," he said, changing the topic. He turned and walked toward the boat he had arrived on. Once he boarded, the others on the water followed suit, and within moments, the boats began their journey back to the city.
As Rain stood at the bow, watching the rippling water, Xue Lin approached and handed him a book. "Take this."
Rain glanced at the cover, curiosity piqued. "What's this?"
"It's a basic book on divine runes," Xue Lin explained.
"There's more than just this?" Rain asked, flipping through the pages.
"Yes," Xue Lin confirmed. "This is the basic book on runes, often called 'mortal runes.' These are the runes mortals can draw without causing themselves harm. Completing a divine rune the rune will absorb a bit of a mortal's vitality to form. If a mortal doesn't draw too frequently and has proper replenishment, they can recover the lost vitality."
She continued, "Gathering Strength realm is still considered mortal. Only when one breaks through to the Grandmaster level in the warrior path or reaches the stage of refining energy in the immortal path do they transcend mortal limitations and become an extraordinary life."
Rain nodded thoughtfully. "Can these runes be drawn on anything?"
Xue Lin pulled out a few blank sheets of paper. "They can be drawn on any surface, but these specially prepared papers are best. They hold runes for an extended period and are easier to practice on." She handed the papers to him.
Rain took the sheets and examined them. They were the size of his palm and rectangular. He carefully placed them into his robe pocket and shifted his attention to the book, eyes settling on the rune for healing. He noticed Xue Lin heading back inside the boat, and a thought that had been nagging him since learning she was an immortal cultivator resurfaced.
"Xue Lin, I have a question," Rain called out.
Xue Lin paused and turned to face him. "Yes? What is it?"
Rain's expression turned serious. "Do you know anything about the six immortal families in the core region of the White Stone Mountain Range, particularly the Gou family?"
Xue Lin fell silent, pondering for a moment. "You arrived in the city aboard a ship belonging to the Gou family, and in a month, the Blue Moon Lake Secret Realm is set to open. The Gou family, having no extraordinary talents under the age of twenty, likely invited you to join them."
Rain's eyes widened, surprised by how accurately she had deduced the situation. "Yes, that's correct."
Xue Lin nodded. "The Gou family is typical for a smaller immortal family. They won't harm you without sufficient reason—unless doing so yields them more benefits than the loss of their reputation. Entering the secret realm would be advantageous for you. There are herbs and spiritual fruits there that will enhance your true energy and refine your body."
Rain considered her words, realizing that the Gou family wouldn't gain anything by harming him since they couldn't uncover his most guarded secrets.
Sensing Rain's thoughtful silence, Xue Lin continued, "Take this token. If they threaten you, show it to them and tell them you are a guest official of the Golden Treasure House." She handed him a golden metal token etched with the symbol of the Golden Treasure House.
Rain looked at the token, then at Xue Lin, puzzled by her generosity. "Why are you helping me? First, the book on divine runes, and now this token—without asking for anything in return."
Xue Lin offered a subtle smile. "Who said I won't ask for anything in return? I'm not asking now, but it's not certain I won't ask for a favor in the future." Without waiting for a response, she turned and made her way inside the boat, leaving Rain alone on the bow.
Rain watched her disappear into the cabin, then leaned against the railing as the sun set, casting golden and crimson hues across the river. With the calming sounds of the water surrounding him, he opened the book and began reading about basic runes, letting the rhythmic sway of the boat accompany his study.