Rain's mind raced as he realized the black water was called a Devil Pool. "I believe this is the source causing the miners' corpses to turn into zombies."
Xue Lin nodded approvingly. "You're right, and you were wise to call me here."
Rain looked at her intently. "You called it a Devil Pool. What exactly does it do?"
Gou Li's expression darkened. "It acts as a gate through which foreign devils can invade our world."
The old man's voice, steady but urgent, cut in. "Miss, we should seal the gate before it grows more dangerous."
Rain's brow furrowed. "Foreign devils... So, the influence of the black ocean manifests in this way."
Xue Lin's voice took on a grave tone. "Yes, the pool serves as a portal. When its size grows, it can allow devils from beyond our world to enter. And once a Devil Pool forms, it cannot be closed—only sealed."
Rain considered this, knowing he himself was not of this world but different from the beings of the black ocean. "Can you two seal it?"
Gou Li shook her head. "We can't. Only a refining energy cultivator or someone of an even higher realm can seal such a portal."
Rain's eyes narrowed. "Is there anyone in the city who could handle this?"
Xue Lin shook her head slightly. "We do not know anyone, but the government's worshiper should be capable of sealing it."
The old man spoke up with urgency. "I'll go inform the city lord to send the worshiper to seal the Devil Pool." With that, he turned and began running back toward the city lord' mansion.
Rain glanced at Gou Li. "So, the worshiper is a refining energy cultivator?"
Gou Li nodded. "Yes, and every prefecture city within the Xia Dynasty has a refining energy worshiper assigned by the Tyrant Blade Gate."
Rain's curiosity was piqued. "Tyrant Blade Gate—is that an immortal sect?"
Gou Li nodded and explained, "The Tyrant Blade Gate holds dominion over the Xia Dynasty, the Wu Dynasty, and three other dynasties nearby. They are the true rulers of these five dynasties."
Rain's eyes widened at this new revelation. "I see."
Gou Li continued, "The immortal families and smaller sects within these dynasties are all vassals of the Tyrant Blade Gate."
Rain turned to Xue Lin, seeking confirmation.
Xue Lin met his gaze with a calm expression. "Not my family. We are part of the Golden Treasure House, which holds power equal to the Tyrant Blade Gate."
Rain nodded, impressed by the newfound understanding of the world's power structure. Then, a thought crossed his mind. "What about the Golden Plain Alliance? They're to the north, bordering the Xia Dynasty."
Gou Li's eyes flickered. "Not them. The Golden Plain Alliance is governed by the Golden Temple."
Rain's curiosity deepened. "Does the Tyrant Blade Gate, or the smaller immortal sects within their territory, accept disciples?"
Gou Li nodded. "The Tyrant Blade Gate is always open for new disciples, but one must pass their rigorous trial to be accepted. As for the smaller sects, their policies vary. Some open their gates annually and have trials for potential disciples, while others send their members to roam their jurisdiction. If they find someone with a spirit body, they bring them to their sect."
Rain's thoughts drifted to the immortal cultivators who took Yu Xin and possibly targeted Yun Ting. "Do you know of any immortal families or sects near Yulin City?"
Xue Lin shook her head. "I don't know all the smaller sects and families within the Xia Dynasty."
Gou Li added, "Yulin City falls under the jurisdiction of the Rainbow Butterfly Sect."
Rain's brows lifted slightly. "Oh, the Rainbow Butterfly Sect." He decided not to press further, mindful not to raise suspicion.
As they waited for the worshiper, Rain continued asking questions to deepen his understanding of the world. About twenty minutes later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the cavern. The old man returned, accompanied by another elderly figure clad in a white robe, a blade strapped across his back. Two others, appearing closer to Rain's age, followed him into the cavern.
Xue Lin inclined her head respectfully. "Worshiper, thank you for coming so swiftly."
The elder with the weapon on his back spoke with a measured voice. "Sealing the devil pool is my responsibility. You may call me Elder Meng." He turned his sharp gaze toward Rain. "You are the owner of the house who discovered the devil pool?"
Rain felt a wave of pressure as Elder Meng's attention fixed on him. The presence of the elder was imposing, almost as if he were more blade than man. Rain quickly understood that while they might share the same realm, Elder Meng was at the peak of the Refining Energy stage—a level Rain knew he couldn't challenge. "Yes, I bought the house two days ago. The previous owner mentioned there were zombies in the mine, and I cleared them out last night. That's when I found this."
Elder Meng regarded him thoughtfully. "A pity. With your talent, if you were an immortal cultivator, you could have had a chance to reach the Sky Palace Realm."
Rain offered a polite smile, unable to find the right response to such a statement.
Elder Meng gestured to the others. "You should all leave now. My sect members and I will handle the sealing."
Rain, Xue Lin, Gou Li, and the old guard nodded and walked out of the mine.
Once outside, Rain turned to the group. "If you don't have any pressing matters, let's sit in my house while we wait."
The three nodded and followed him to the front door, where Rain found Lian waiting with a bag of groceries.
Rain opened the door for the others to enter and spoke to Lian. "Sorry for making you wait."
Lian smiled. "Sir, it's no problem." She handed him the grocery bag and 12 bronze coins.
Rain accepted the bag, took out 38 bronze coins from his pouch, and added the 12 coins to make 50, offering them to Lian. To his surprise, she refused. Rain looked at her, puzzled.
Lian explained, "Sir, I don't need money from you. My friend and I want to ask if you could teach us how to practice martial arts."
Rain considered her request for a moment, understanding that power was crucial for advancing in this world. "Alright, come after sunset starting tomorrow."
A bright smile spread across Lian's face. "Thank you, sir," she said before leaving.
Rain carried the groceries inside and found the three guests sitting in the living room. Gou Li and Xue Lin were talking, while the old man remained silent. Rain walked over and stood by them. "Would you like some tea?"
Xue Lin shook her head. "No."
Gou Li also declined. "No."
The old man spoke up, "A glass of water would be fine."
Rain nodded, headed to the kitchen, set down the groceries, and returned with a glass of water. He handed it to the old man and sat down in an empty chair.
"Miss Xue," Rain said, "does the Golden Treasure House acquire drawn divine runes?"
Xue Lin's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, wondering why he was asking. "Yes," she replied, then realization struck. "You successfully drew a divine rune? How many did you manage to complete?"
Rain hesitated, unwilling to reveal that he had flawlessly drawn all 20 runes with the papers she had given him. "I was successful only twice."
Xue Lin's eyes lit up with surprise. "A 10% success rate on your first attempt? Impressive. Show me the runes."
Rain nodded, went up to the first floor to retrieve the two runes, and returned to the living room, holding them out. He handed the runes to Xue Lin.
Rain watched as Xue Lin tested the runes. Her hand glowed as she inspected them, and for a moment, both runes lit up briefly without activating—proof that they were authentic. Gou Li, who had been observing quietly, leaned in with interest.
Gou Li remarked, "Elder Meng was right. It's a pity, Rain, that you weren't born with a spirit body."
Xue Lin regarded Rain with a thoughtful gaze. "Rain, I'll keep an eye out for spiritual plants with fruits that might help you acquire an artificial spirit body."
Rain nodded, though he felt no sadness over lacking a spirit body. He was content as a warrior, and with the knowledge he now possessed from two worlds, and those yet to come, he intended to send his clones to explore new realms. With that accumulated wisdom, he is sure, he would one day create a path to a new realm beyond the Grandmaster stage.