CHAPTER 56: THE POWER OF FIVE ELEMENTS

When he finished speaking, the burly man spat out a mouthful of phlegm. Instead of spittle, it transformed into a swirling mass of five-colored energy.

Metal Ancestor caught the energy, gave Little Green a few instructions, then led Qi Yuan deeper inside.

Moments later, all the coffins in the valley creaked open at once. Figures sat upright one after another, each radiating terrifying auras.

The burly man said with a trace of awe, "I didn't expect it. He’s stepped into the Divine realm! Truly a heaven-blessed prodigy, second only to Feather!"

Everyone turned to look at Feather. In the Five Elements Forbidden Zone, only two had reached Peak Divine realm, with Feather being one of them. There were only three such Peak Divine realm experts across the whole world.

Feather wore pure white robes covered in feathers. His face was breathtakingly beautiful, as if he was one of heaven’s angels.

"Give him a few thousand more years, and he could’ve become a Divine realm Giant... What a shame." His voice was soft, almost feminine. "Three hundred years in the Five Elements Trial Grounds and the Wedding Garment Empress’ blessing might grant him power equal to a Divine realm Giant.”

Divine realm Giants were unimaginably rare, as they were second only to Peak Divine realm experts. At the mention of Wedding Garment Empress, many eyes flickered in recollection.

In the age of the Celestial God’s dominion, the Wedding Garment Empress’s role was pivotal. With her aid, their power could rise to Giant level, perhaps even brush against Peak Divine realm.

Had Feather or Dragon Judge obtained her support, they could’ve surpassed even the Celestial God himself, vastly improving their chances against the alien demons. However, they all knew that the Wedding Garment Empress wasn’t so easily obtained.

Feather's soft voice cut through their thoughts, "No infighting."

Though gentle, the warning was unmistakable. Everyone knew Feather's temperament. The fewer words he spoke, the more serious the matter. At once, the gathering fell silent, each masking their schemes.

Little Green couldn’t hold back. "That Garment Division Master has dangerous thoughts! He wants to seize the Five Elements Forbidden Zone!"

The burly man was startled. "What?!"

The girl hurriedly recounted what had happened earlier. Expressions shifted all around.

"To fully control the Five Elements Forbidden Zone? How ambitious of him."

"Could that brat be a traitor? Is he with the alien demons?"

"If we let an outsider take control of this place, we'd be wiped out by the alien demons long before the Demon-Slaying Assembly."

"You're all overthinking. With the Five Ancestors here, what's there to fear? Do you truly believe that boy's talent surpasses even the Celestial God's? Enough to win even the Five Ancestors' recognition?"

In the Five Elements Forbidden Zone, the five pillars were Metal Ancestor, Wood Ancestor, Water Ancestor, Fire Ancestor, and Earth Ancestor. Their presence alone kept this forbidden zone from falling to the alien demons, unlike the Garment Tomb Forbidden Zone.

After a bit of debate, most of them dismissed the matter as laughable.

Collecting his thoughts, the burly man reassured Little Green. "I know you’re worried for Metal Ancestor, but don’t be. No matter how gifted that boy is, he can’t possibly take control of the Five Elements Forbidden Zone."

He didn’t say the rest aloud: even if the boy somehow displayed monstrous talent, they’d still lack confidence against the alien demons. After all, the boy didn’t only lack talent, but also centuries of accumulation, and the very breadth of worlds themselves.

Little Green's eyes brightened. Yes, maybe that brat was just boasting. Even if the Celestial God returned, he can't just take the Five Elements Forbidden Zone from the Five Ancestors! It isn't just about strength, but also talent!

***

Following Metal Ancestor, Qi Yuan arrived by the Five Elements Trial Grounds' entrance.

Metal Ancestor explained, "The trial grounds contain five souls: Metal Soul, Wood Soul, Water Soul, Fire Soul, and Earth Soul. Each soul has qi, and slaying them grants their respective elemental energy, aiding cultivation. The more souls you absorb, the deeper your comprehension of the Divine realm, and the faster you progress."

Most Heaven or Divine realm experts cultivated along a single or two elements. Their techniques were tailored to that element, allowing them to advance faster, just like a pure spirit root cultivator progressing faster than one with mixed roots. Those who walked the path of all five elements often progressed far slower. Thus, most Divine realm experts focused on one element.

The Celestial God had been unique. His main element was Metal, but he balanced it with all four others.

Qi Yuan asked the key question, "What must I achieve to control the Five Elements Forbidden Zone?"

Metal Ancestor replied, "There are five of us ancestors. If you perfect Metal, you'll win my recognition. Perfect Water, and you'll earn Water Ancestor's. If you master all five elements, then you shall be the Master of the Forbidden Zone."

It was a nearly impossible condition. Even for the Celestial God, perfecting Metal alone had taken centuries. The Demon-Slaying Assembly would be long over before he perfected all five. Moreover, not every cultivator was suited to all elements. Slaying the souls didn’t guarantee power absorption.

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up. "I understand."

This was just like collecting shards in a game. Gather all five pieces, and exchange them for the Forbidden Zone master's key!

Taking Little Bride’s hand, he glanced at Metal Ancestor. "I'm going."

Metal Ancestor chuckled, reminding him, "There are also other young geniuses of the forbidden zone in the trial grounds. If you meet them, look after one another."

"Got it!" Qi Yuan replied, stepping forward and vanishing inside.

Just then, a watery figure appeared, taking the shape of a woman. She was Water Ancestor.

"Metal Ancestor, do you think he can gather all five?"

Metal Ancestor shook his head. "I sure hope he can. If he does, we’ll have another Peak Divine realm expert on our side by the time the Demon-Slaying Assembly arrives. Our chances will be greater."

Water Ancestor sighed. "Greater, perhaps. But still not certain."

"Hmph! You put too much faith in him." A fiery blaze erupted as Fire Ancestor appeared, hot-headed as always. "Even if he becomes the master, if he can’t defeat the alien demons, we’ll still end up dead!"

"We're already dead," said Wood Ancestor softly, barefoot, radiating an aura of renewal. "Only our obsessions remain. What’s the worst that can happen?"

Fire Ancestor cursed, "Damn you, Old Ghost! You had to bring it up! I'd finally managed to forget I was dead! Now I won't be able to sleep tonight!"

With that, he shot off in a streak of flame. The remaining ancestors exchanged looks, each with different thoughts.

***

Meanwhile, inside the Five Elements Trial Grounds, Qi Yuan held Little Bride's hand and gazed ahead.

"These monsters aren't that high-level, mostly 40 and 50. The strongest ones are in the 70 and 80... Actually, some are in the 90." He studied them, deep in thought. "If I build my Heavenly Dao foundation like this, won’t my Qi Refinement be unstable? Still, by reforging it with the power of the five elements, I could completely rebuild my cultivation base. If it works, my foundation would surpass anyone of my generation."

Qi Yuan was already thinking ahead. Sure, his Foundation Establishment was incomplete, but what if he filled it with the five elements' power?

Then, on some desolate planet, could he not recreate earth, water, wind, and fire anew?