From the second day to the sixth day, the clone dedicated itself entirely to comprehending the Vitality Flame. On the sixth day, it finally achieved full mastery of integrating vitality rules with fire rules.
By combining these principles with its true energy, it successfully formed the Vitality Flame. However, the flame could only be sustained for 10 seconds due to its high energy consumption.
On the seventh day, the clone began refining the Vitality Flame within a glass bottle, merging it with his true energy. Once stabilized, the Vitality Flame was moved to his heart, initiating its transformation from an ordinary organ into a powerful core capable of pumping blood enriched with energy.
Previously, after refining his bones completely, the newly produced energy-rich blood had proven difficult for the heart to circulate throughout his body. The heart had begun transforming naturally to accommodate the energy blood, but its progress was painfully slow.
Now, with the Vitality Flame accelerating the process, the transformation speed depended on the resources the clone invested.
Based on the current resources available, the refinement was projected to be completed within 15 days, at which point the heart would fully adapt, advancing him to the 7th Realm or the initial Organ Realm of Grandmaster.
Rain fully received the memory of his clone, and as the genetic energy circulated through his body, a sudden realization struck him. The genetic energy gathered at a focal point, and a jade-colored flame emerged, devouring his genetic energy while releasing a more condensed and refined form of it. During this process, Rain lost awareness of his physical body as the knowledge of the Vitality Flame consumed his consciousness.
In this altered state, The practice method emerged in his mind and Rain began formulating a cultivation method uniquely suited to his body, drawing insights from the Vitality Body inheritance and the techniques he had gained from Helen.
In the blank space of his mind, an outline of his body appeared, and energy channels and nodes began forming and vanishing in an iterative process, seeking the most optimal configuration.
This search aimed to discover a structure that would allow him to unleash the full strength of his body in every movement. Once perfected, Rain would be able to channel the full power of his body from any point, transforming each strike or motion into a devastating force.
However, Rain remained unaware that during his immersion in the process of creating the body rules, the Vitality Flame consumed all his genetic energy. Unbeknownst to him, he was already halfway to the True Body Realm. With no genetic energy left to devour, the Vitality Flame began absorbing the radiation energy in the room.
Unfortunately, the available radiation energy was minimal, as Rain was 500 meters underground in a heavily sealed chamber. Within minutes, the jade-colored flame expanded from inside his body, engulfing him.
Once the radiation energy was exhausted, the Vitality Flame, finding no external source of energy, began targeting Rain's vitality. Initially, it consumed his outer vitality, which did not trigger an alert from the soul chip.
However, when the flame turned its attention to the Bit inside his body and the depletion of his vitality—it caused a significant drop in his vital signs. This triggered an alarm from both the Bit and the room's sensors.
The alarm was immediately relayed to the Central A.I. of the city, which was already monitoring Rain's status via the Bit and sensor data.
Acting quickly, the A.I. redirected radiation energy from across the city to Rain's chamber. The walls of the room rippled like liquid, opening multiple apertures along the inner surfaces to flood the chamber with radiation energy.
Simultaneously, Rain's status was transmitted to the personnel in the Central Control Room. At the time, Sky's mother, Sylvia, and Hei Lun's father, Hei Shun, were present, along with the city's councilors. These individuals, though B-rank and unable to participate in the Dead Battlefield at present, were entrusted with managing the city's internal affairs and closely monitored the unfolding developments.
The Central A.I. was requesting permission to flood Rain's retreat room with additional radiation energy. The current supply was only sufficient to prevent the jade-colored flame from further devouring Rain's vitality and the B.I.T., but it significantly slowed his progress toward advancing to the True Body Realm.
The radiation energy being supplied was impure, laden with contaminants, which forced the jade-colored flame to purify it before absorbing it into Rain's body and transforming it into newly condensed genetic energy.
However, the city possessed a store of purified radiation energy, which could accelerate Rain's breakthrough to the True Body Realm. This resource, however, was exclusive to the Inner Councilors and the City Lord, requiring either the City Lord's direct approval or a 60% majority vote from the Inner Councilors to authorize its use.
Under normal circumstances, the Central A.I. would not have sought this permission. However, Rain had been designated a key training asset by the City Lord just eight days prior, granting him exceptional privileges.
Hei Shun frowned when Rain's name appeared on the screen. Already in a foul mood after his son, Hei Lun, had been sentenced to prison for kidnapping and smuggling of civilians, his irritation only deepened.
Hei Lun had narrowly escaped execution, thanks to the intervention of the main family and Hei Shun's guarantees, which reduced the sentence to life imprisonment. Hei Shun was well aware of Rain's role in creating obstacles for his son and saw an opportunity to trip him up.
With only Sylvia present, both of them held equal authority, each representing 50% of the permission required to release the purified genetic energy. Without Hei Shun's approval, the energy would not be supplied, potentially hindering Rain's breakthrough or forcing him out of his enlightenment prematurely.
He heard Sylvia say "Yes," but before he could voice his denial, the Central A.I. displayed an "Approved" notification on the screen and began supplying the purified genetic energy to Rain. Hei Shun looked up at the ceiling in frustration, realizing what had happened—the approval bypassed his authority because the City Lord had already sanctioned the process.
As the purified energy surged into Rain's room, stirring the radiation energy within, both the City Lord and Francis appeared as energy clones in the chamber. Moments later, an image of Rain surrounded by the jade-colored flame filled the central screen.
Seeing the City Lord and Francis, Hei Shun and Sylvia both bowed deeply, a mixture of respect and unease evident in their expressions. Francis's presence was no coincidence—he had been with the City Lord since leaving the domain, and the City Lord had been keeping a close eye on him the entire time.
When Rain's information was sent to the City Lord, Francis was present. For the sake of his future disciple, he appeared alongside Martin in the city's control room. As Francis and Martin observed the detailed data on Rain, ready to assist should any issues arise, they overheard one of the officials murmuring to a colleague:
"According to the information, Rain's genes merged with those of the super-healing lizard, but how does his practice method now involve fire rules?"
Francis found the question too trivial to warrant an answer. However, Martin, considering these officials his people and recognizing the opportunity to broaden their understanding, chose to address it.
"There are no fire rules in his practice method," Martin explained, his tone calm yet instructive. "What you're observing is merely the application of a rule. If Rain desires, he can alter the manifestation to appear surrounded by water or wind instead. Do not confine yourselves to preconceived images when comprehending rules—they may hinder your understanding."
The room fell silent as the officials nodded in acknowledgment, absorbing the valuable insight. For those unaware, Martin's explanation was an eye-opener.
About an hour later, the jade-colored flame around Rain surged, expanding outward to engulf the entire room before receding around his body. From the sensors and the B.I.T. within Rain, it became evident—he had successfully advanced to the True Body Realm.
However, the officials were struck by something unexpected: Rain did not stop advancing. The display indicated that his realm was progressing toward the Intermediate True Body Realm, and if he continued at his current rate, he would reach it in approximately eight hours.
This realization unsettled many of the officials—especially those who had been stuck in the Initial True Body Realm for years. As older individuals, their passion had been extinguished by the ruthlessness of time and the invisible ties to their families that held them back. They were hesitant to enter the Dead Battlefield for further advancement.
Now, they were witnessing a young boy—barely a quarter of their age—who had only begun his practice two months ago. They dismissed his progress through E-rank as irrelevant, seeing it as mere preparation.
It was only once a practitioner reached D-rank that they truly considered themselves on the path of a genetic warrior. And yet, here was this boy, having crossed the entire D-rank, entered the True Body Realm, and was now advancing rapidly toward the Intermediate True Body Realm.
For these older officials, it was a bitter reminder of their stagnation. And based on what they knew of the boy—his body already beginning to comprehend the ancient rules of Sharpness and Bluntness—it was clear that he would not stop here.
With his extraordinary talent, it wouldn't be long before he reached the Peak True Body Realm, and from there, advancing to C-rank would pose no difficulty for him. Or, he could remain in the True Body realm and choose to perfect his True Body Realm without any obstacles standing in his way.
They were confident that Rain would have no trouble perfecting his True Body Realm. With his extraordinary talent, they doubted he would ever lack resources. Even without Rain asking, the city—and likely the entirety of Spark Technology—would pour resources into him. The officials, using their B.I.T.s, began placing bets on how far Rain would advance today: some predicted 10%, others 30%, and a few rare wagers exceeded 60% of the Intermediate True Body Realm.
Soon, a second round of betting began—this time on when Rain would reach the Peak True Body Realm. It didn't stop there; they even started wagering on the exact year Rain might advance to B-rank.
None of the officials believed C-rank would pose any challenge for Rain. Based on his current data, Rain seemed even more exceptional than their own Lord Martin at his age—and potentially even the other three A-rank Lords.
After today, Rain's monstrous training speed and talent for comprehension would undoubtedly spread across Spark Technology, causing an uproar. He might even qualify for the Seed Plan of the Spark Federation and receive a summons to reside in the capital, Spark City.
Even when their shift ended and the next group of officials took over, they remained glued to the central city's screen, captivated by Rain's progress.
Seven hours after Rain entered the True Body Realm, the jade-colored flames around him surged again, spreading through the room before receding to envelop his body once more. Tiny fire swords emerged and vanished around the flames, an awe-inspiring display of control and refinement. Four hours later, the fire receded fully into Rain's body, and the display showed his progress: 47% of the Intermediate True Body Realm, halting entirely at 49.6%.
Francis broke the silence. "Martin, tell Helena to proceed with her plan."
Martin didn't respond verbally; instead, he disappeared, followed closely by Francis. Their energy clones disintegrated into the radiation energy from which they were formed.
Martin stepped out onto his balcony, then flew to the adjoining balcony of the next room. Entering, he found Francis already seated, sipping tea served by Sierra, who had set another cup aside for Martin.
Taking the empty seat, Martin lifted his tea and addressed Francis. "If he finds out you're involved in this, he might rescind your position."
Francis replied calmly, "It's for his good. With Helena's plan, the likelihood of him advancing to an A-rank genetic warrior will increase by 30%. Besides, I'm not orchestrating the plan—I'm simply adding an option for him to consider."
Martin smiled faintly. "Why do you think I agreed? But if you're so confident, why not just have Helena help him outright? Why make him pay a price?"
Francis's tone grew thoughtful. "Is anything in this world truly free? Everything has a cost, visible or hidden."
As their conversation lapsed into silence, both sipped their tea in tranquility.
Breaking the quiet, Sierra asked, "Lord Francis, when will you officially take Rain as your disciple?"
Martin's eyes flickered with curiosity as he awaited Francis's response.
Francis finally answered, "After Helena's plan is completed. By then, he'll have no choice but to accept." He turned to Martin, adding, "You should also ensure all his avenues of escape are closed, so he has no option but to walk into Helena's trap."