Chapter 150: Five Elements Balance
Chapter 150: Five Elements Balance
It was unexpectedly simple, which took Mu Yuan by surprise.
He originally thought True Lord Liuguang would set many more tests to evaluate his temperament, aptitude, and similar qualities. Yet, he never imagined that after just two months, True Lord Liuguang would send Zuo Hui to impart the cultivation method to him.
Recalling the breathing technique of the Eternal Art, Mu Yuan felt somewhat puzzled. Then he shook his head and stopped thinking about it.
“Whatever he might think, I gained the benefit anyway. I’ll cultivate first!”
Mu Yuan collected his thoughts and took out many sparkling crystals from the Black Water Gourd. He set up a Mirage Dragon Thousand Illusions Grand Array and a Profound Water True Dragon Grand Array around the guesthouse. Only then did he sit cross-legged in the center, completely releasing all his Zhenqi seals.
Instantly, Great Sun Zhenqi, Longevity Zhenqi, Tide Zhenqi, and Refining Furnace Zhenqi surged out. Starting from the Dantian, they wildly flowed through all his meridians.
For cultivating Five Elements Divine Abilities, using spiritual energy matching the corresponding attribute was best. For example, if Mu Yuan cultivated the Eternal Art with pure Geng Metal spiritual energy, it would be twice as effective!
Although he could also absorb non-attributed Zhenqi from the world, he needed to circulate, temper, and adjust it himself, which was much slower.
That was why Yuan Kong cared so much about that flame dragon earth vein. If he could really capture the spiritual vein, setting aside the most precious imprints of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, just the abundant and pure spiritual energy alone could save a cultivator a lot of effort!
Mu Yuan slowly activated the Eternal Art technique. Wisps of Geng Metal spiritual energy gathered from the mountains, rivers, stones, and jades around him, and from the wandering Void between heaven and earth, forming tiny threads that poured into his body through all his pores.
Mu Yuan had opened his Yin-Yang Dual Spirits and achieved Condensing Fiend and Refining Yang. His Divine Sense was incredibly powerful. Back when he absorbed True Solar Heaven’s Might from the chaotic and mixed Nine Heavens Yang energy, he could still manage it. Now, with an even stronger Divine Sense, he could naturally easily identify Geng Metal spiritual energy, making his cultivation extremely fast!
This was why accomplished cultivators found it very easy to learn other techniques. Divine Sense was the foundation of cultivation. Being able to extract the most beneficial type from the mixed Primordial Qi was something completely incomparable to many novices just starting cultivation!
While cultivating Eternal True Qi, Mu Yuan also released the other four types of Zhenqi. But to isolate their influence, he set up two layers of arrays outside to eliminate Zhenqi fluctuations and proceed low-key and slowly.
The trickle-like Geng Metal spiritual energy rushed into Mu Yuan’s body, was immediately broken down and reorganized. Tiny, specific silver-white fragments of light formed into hexagonal crystalline Zhenqi particles inside his body. They circulated through his meridians and finally gathered in his Dantian.
His Dantian gradually became full.
Great Sun Zhenqi, Longevity Zhenqi, Refining Furnace Zhenqi, and Tide Zhenqi had already merged into one mass. Through the encompassing wonder of Refining Furnace Zhenqi, they formed a rotating sphere of multicolored light. Now, as a thread of Eternal True Qi rushed in, it was like igniting a firecracker, causing crackling noises!
Mu Yuan’s whole body shuddered suddenly. The originally thin and weak thread of Eternal True Qi, upon entering the Dantian, seemed to create something from nothing and expanded on its own!
The five-colored radiance flowed magnificently, wondrous and splendid, gradually forming a perfect Five Elements cycle!
The five streams of light, flowing like water, transformed into each other. The earth-yellow Refining Furnace Zhenqi stayed in the center, connecting the other Zhenqi types. Each had a crystal-clear, rope-like strand of Zhenqi rooted into the Refining Furnace Zhenqi.
As the Five Elements power transformed, the Eternal True Qi inside his body gradually strengthened. From a tiny spark, it grew into a rotating sphere of light. Only then did Mu Yuan gradually cease his cultivation.
“The Five Elements techniques are indeed meant to be used together. It’s just a pity that the Great Sun Divine Fire Art isn’t the best match for the Five Elements Path. Its circulation feels a bit sluggish. I need to gradually smooth its edges and integrate it into the other four Zhenqi types to make it proper.”
Originally, reaching this stage would have required Mu Yuan to diligently cultivate for over twenty days. But now, in just half a day, he condensed Eternal True Qi into a mass, and the other four types became more pure and smooth.
The various Zhenqi types transformed into each other, cycling continuously without end.
“In the future, I don’t need to seal my Zhenqi anymore. As long as the origin remains indestructible, it can regenerate anytime. I can first transform it all into Tide Zhenqi, then slightly alter it using the Clear Water Zhenqi heart technique, returning it to its original state. Even with heavenly insight, no one could detect any clues. Truly wonderful!”
Mu Yuan was extremely pleased.
Suddenly, a light flashed in his Dantian, and the Heavenly Fiend Child appeared. “Master, were you just practicing a metal path Divine Ability? Next time you use it, call me out. Gathering Geng Metal spiritual energy will be much more convenient.”
“Ah, right! This child’s spiritual awareness contains part of an earth vein metal spirit. Controlling the Geng Metal energy between heaven and earth is much faster for him than for me!”
Immediately, he said with a smile, “I actually forgot about you. What abilities do you have now? Tell me about them.”
The Heavenly Fiend Child’s eyes flickered. “I know most of the dragon clan’s Divine Abilities. I don’t know about others.”
Mu Yuan saw a trace of fierceness always lingering between his brows. His whole body faintly emitted killing intent, as if a single displeasing thought would lead him to kill. Even with Mu Yuan’s current cultivation level, facing this child gave him a chilling feeling all over.
But it was no wonder. The Longevity Sword itself contained the Indestructible resentment of dozens of dragon souls, with a strong desire for revenge. Now mixed with a large amount of killing energy, the Heavenly Fiend Child’s cool aloofness was understandable.
Fortunately, the Longevity Sword itself had been refined by Mu Yuan with his heart’s blood and Zhenqi. This Heavenly Fiend Child remained extremely respectful towards him. In the following days, while cultivating Eternal True Qi, with the Heavenly Fiend Child presiding, the Geng Metal spiritual energy became even denser, and Mu Yuan’s progress was extremely fast!
Among the Five Elements, yellow earth generates metal. The Refining Furnace Zhenqi integrated the other four major Zhenqi types and replenished back. Before long, the Five Elements Zhenqi balanced within Mu Yuan’s body. His whole person seemed more settled and dignified, with inner treasure light brimming. His body, previously tempered by the Dragon King’s Dynamic Force, was originally knotted with muscles, but now it was outlined into balanced lines. His whole person resembled an elegant work of art, carved from jade. Even his face had become more handsome!
Unknowingly, another six months passed. Mu Yuan spent his days refining essence, balancing energies, and harmonizing opposites. His Magical Power became more fluent and natural. No one disturbed him, and there were serving children. His life here was even more comfortable than his cultivation days back at the Longevity Palace.
One day, after finishing his cultivation, Mu Yuan was atop a small hill gazing at the sky, breathing fresh air. Turbid air rolled out from his lungs, and he felt clear, bright, and comfortable all over. Casually, he stirred the Eternal True Qi, transforming it into a silver, shimmering sphere of dancing light. This was the final technique from the “Great Illumination Universal Salvation Curse.”
“Finally, the Five Elements are complete, and the six curse powers are all gathered. In the future, with diligent cultivation and cleansing of the Dao Heart, one day I will achieve the sixth layer of Elixir Formation!”
Facing the rising sun, Mu Yuan felt full of confidence and brimming with vitality!
Xingshi Peak stood alone, supremely majestic, reaching the sky and scraping the clouds, hidden amidst mist and clouds.
A stream of light, like a meteor piercing the sky, rushed down from the mountaintop. In a few blinks, it arrived before Mu Yuan.
The visitor turned out to be Yun Xi, the one who had brought Mu Yuan here that day!
His white robes fluttered, sashes flying, riding a sword as if an immortal from the heavens!
“Brother Mu!”
Yun Xi landed, sheathed his Flying Sword, and slightly cupped his hands.
Mu Yuan asked with a smile, “What brings you here, Yun Xi?”
Yun Xi looked around, studying Mu Yuan. “Brother Mu, your progress is so fast! Eternal True Qi is already taking shape. This truly surprises me!”
Now, Mu Yuan’s Zhenqi could transform freely among the Five Elements, combining effortlessly. What he showed outwardly were circulating Clear Water Zhenqi and Eternal True Qi. His eyes shimmered with white light, and his whole body was crystalline and radiant, which stirred Yun Xi’s heart.
Mu Yuan laughed. “Metal and Water generate each other, mutually assisting. I’ve been cultivating diligently these days without stop, and it’s a familiar path, so it’s not slow either!”
Yun Xi chuckled and got to the main point. “A few days ago, a prince from the Tianyu Kingdom came to pay respects to our mountain. He said it was about various kingdoms discussing how to resist the Southern Barbarians’ Demon Beasts. My master, in his early years, also traveled the world and held the title of Demon-Slaying True Lord in the Tianyu Kingdom. This time, they came asking for my master’s help. But since Master formed his Primordial Spirit, he has long stopped concerning himself with worldly affairs. So he asked me to go to the Tianyu Kingdom. I thought about it and figured you, Brother Mu, haven’t left the mountain for eight or nine months either. How about coming along?”
Mu Yuan nodded. “That sounds good.”
Yun Xi looked slightly pleased. “Excellent! Shall you pack your things, Brother Mu?”
Mu Yuan laughed heartily. “What is there to pack? We cultivators are not tied to material possessions. We can leave anytime!”
Yun Xi said, “Then let’s go.”
The two exchanged a smile. With Yun Xi leading the way, they headed for the Tianyu Kingdom’s capital, Fanming City.
From their brief conversation on the way, Mu Yuan learned that although Buddhism flourished in the Tianyu Kingdom, the reputation of Daoist sages was also strong. The various kingdoms coming to Tianyu for the alliance also secretly had a sense of competing and comparing. Among their entourages were some Qi Refining Practitioners.
“However, truly powerful experts don’t get involved in mortal affairs. Most are like you and me, either wanting to gain experience or sent out by our masters. As long as we don’t lose face in discussions and technique comparisons, it’s fine!”
Listening to Yun Xi’s earnest words, Mu Yuan suddenly had a feeling that this Yun Xi, who was younger than him, should be an old man instead!