Chapter 264: Five Elements (4K)

Ironheart Daoist has already spent a hundred years passing through the fourth calamity of the Yin Spirit, with only the fifth calamity of the Yin Spirit remaining.

After that, he will attempt to prove the Primordial Spirit.

However, due to insufficient opportunity and foundation, Ironheart Daoist still dares not lightly attempt it.

But if he had the foundation like Zhang Jian, the Yin Spirit could advance to Yang Spirit transformation early, and he would have already proven the Primordial Spirit.

Ironheart Daoist wanted to ask along the way, but he also knew such opportunity was Zhang Jian's secret, so for now he could only keep it in his heart.

After Zhang Jian entered the Slay Demon Hall, he then asked Zhang Jian about his purpose.

"Ironheart Martial Uncle, in the Scripture Pavilion of Slay Demon Peak, are there any Yin Spirit-level or Primordial Spirit-level Five Elements technique inheritances?!"

Upon hearing this, Ironheart Daoist was slightly surprised, thought for a moment, and asked.

"Martial Nephew, may I dare to ask you one question: what is your purpose in exchanging for this Five Elements technique?"

According to his knowledge, Zhang Jian had previously exchanged for the 'Nine Heavens Riding Wind and Controlling Thunder Method', and later received the 'Holy Virtue Sword Washing Art', so his cultivation direction should mainly be sword technique and wind and thunder techniques.

Next is the fire-attribute 'Vermilion Bird Imitation Art'!

Zhang Jian did not hide this, and said:

"The Primordial Spirit-level technique I cultivate requires comprehension of the Five Elements True Meaning; currently I need at least a Yin Spirit-level technique!"

"Now I understand!"

Ironheart Daoist nodded his head, this matter he could understand.

He knew many fundamental Dao methods are vast and profound; sometimes one needs to extensively absorb the strengths of many schools to achieve harmony.

After a brief pondering, he said: "In Slay Demon Peak, there are no stored Yin Spirit-level Five Elements techniques, but the Ancestral Hall of the Sect has a complete Yin Spirit-level Five Elements technique, named 'The Minor Five Elements Transformation'!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression moved, and he couldn't help but ask: "The 'Minor Five Elements Transformation', could there also be a 'Major Five Elements Transformation'?"

Ironheart Daoist laughed upon hearing this.

"Indeed, that 'Major Five Elements Transformation' is also called the 'Orthodox Five Elements Transformation'; it is the secret learning of the Five Elements Immortal Sect, a Primordial Spirit-level Dao method inheritance; Martial Nephew, if you encounter it, you must be careful to deal with it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

He did not expect it to truly exist.

However, having heard of the name of the Five Elements Immortal Sect, he knew it was also an extremely ancient immortal sect lineage.

Unlike reclusive sects like Tongshan, the Five Elements Immortal Sect is a manifest sect.

What is a manifest sect? It is one that possesses broad influence and appeal, and requires subordinate sects and dynasties to pay tribute and submit as vassals.

Such sects follow the path of seeking hegemony.

Their methods are not as gentle as Tongshan's, but rather much more domineering.

Sometimes it is 'those who oppose me perish, those who follow me also perish'.

Inside the Slay Demon Hall, at this moment there were already shape-shifting spirits of the Winged White Tiger clan who came forward to serve tea and snacks, as well as some spiritual springs and spiritual wines.

Zhang Jian asked: "Martial Uncle, then what mysteries does this 'Minor Five Elements Transformation' hold, and can it be effective?"

Ironheart Daoist pondered briefly, then said.

"Relatively speaking, it belongs to the general standard.

According to my knowledge, cultivating this Five Elements Transformation can condense a strand of minor Five Elements spiritual light, which gathers and disperses unpredictably, can be used for attack or defense; although it has some mysteries, it still falls somewhat short compared to those mighty Yin Spirit-level techniques.

If Martial Nephew you want something better, there is actually a way.

As long as Martial Nephew you are willing to part with one or two pieces of ink treasure, within the sect there are many Yin Spirit venerables, even Primordial Spirit old ancestors, who would be willing to exchange with you!"

At this moment, Ironheart Daoist's eyes gleamed with light.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian was speechless.

Ironheart Daoist still kept this matter in mind.

Zhang Jian felt that this 'Minor Five Elements Transformation' already met his requirements.

He only needs to comprehend the Five Elements True Meaning; he does not need this Five Elements technique to be particularly powerful.

However, when interacting with the sect, sometimes one cannot just think of oneself.

In the cultivation world, there are also human relationships and exchanges.

If one's effortless action can both obtain a technique and benefit those around, and even make new 'friends', then naturally it is the best result—not only gaining a treasure, but also bestowing benefits upon those nearby; why not do it?

Zhang Jian glanced at this Martial Uncle, then smiled and said.

"Martial Uncle's words are indeed correct, but unfortunately I, Martial Nephew, am not close with the sect's fellow martial brothers and elders, nor is it easy to trade!"

Upon hearing this, Ironheart Daoist was overjoyed, he stroked his beard and said.

"If Martial Nephew you trust me, Martial Uncle, this matter can be entrusted to me; Martial Uncle guarantees you will obtain a satisfactory technique!"

Zhang Jian nodded, thought for a moment, then had the White Tiger clan's spirits prepare brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and directly composed two poems within the Ancestral Hall.

These are two Daoist poems, both from the hand of a Daoist grandmaster in Zhang Jian's impression.

Ironheart Daoist watched his actions, his gaze following the tip of the brush, and just at a glance his eyes suddenly brightened!

He followed along and chanted it out!

"The perfected person has no dreams; his dreams are but wandering among immortals. The true person has no sleep; if he sleeps, it is like floating clouds and mist. The furnace nearby brings joy; the pot holds another heaven. To know the sleep and dream realm, it is the first mystery of the human world."

"What a wonderful 'first mystery of the human world'! Martial Nephew, you are indeed worthy of having participated in creation and exhausted the universe!"

Upon reaching the wonderful part, Ironheart Daoist couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh.

In this Daoist poem, he saw a vast and distant great Dao intention within it.

And as his gaze turned to the second poem, his heart and spirit trembled even more, able to sense within it a vast and grand vow, a great Dao heart.

"All the world are guests of fame and profit; I alone now awaken in the Dao. At that time I shall surely see ascension, breaking through the autumn sky with a point of green! Untitled!"

"Marvelous!"

Ironheart Daoist glanced and couldn't help but feel his Dao heart stirred; he felt all his sorrow and suffering, all distracting thoughts, had turned into firmness.

He immediately said: "Martial Nephew, with these two Daoist poems, you will surely be able to obtain a true classic for Martial Nephew!"

Zhang Jian saw this and waved his hand, saying: "This second poem I will give to Uncle Iron Heart, hoping it may also be of some help to you!"

Taoist Iron Heart heard this and was startled, urgently asking.

"Nephew, do you truly intend to give this poem to me, your uncle?"

Zhang Jian gave a slight nod.

Taoist Iron Heart, upon hearing this, was overjoyed.

"Nephew, then Uncle will not stand on ceremony!"

Zhang Jian's poetic calligraphy fame had gradually spread; being singled out to receive a gift, Taoist Iron Heart would not refuse, and his heart surged with waves of resolve.

He then treasured the poem, putting it away carefully, and hurried off.

At the same time, Taoist Iron Heart also managed to inform Zhenmo Zhenjun.

……

At this time, Zhenmo Zhenjun had received an invitation from a good friend and was a guest in a magnificent palace deep in the wilds, surrounded entirely by eminent figures from the unknown reaches of the Manghuang and other realms, all engaged in lively discussion and exchange.

Upon receiving the news from Taoist Iron Heart, Zhenmo Zhenjun's expression showed a slight peculiarity.

The Yin Spirit had prematurely transformed into the Yang Spirit; she had seen some of this before, those being ancient true cultivators whose achievements were immense, so great that even she could not disregard them.

"It seems, A Yu Zheng has already attained the Yuanshen, and may not need to wait another hundred years! I must hasten back at once!"

"Zhenmo Elder Sister, what's the matter?"

At this moment, a charming and melodious voice sounded from beside her, that of a face more beautiful than flowers, her jade-like countenance glowing with radiant clarity and loveliness; Zhenmo Zhenjun spoke lightly.

"Just a trifle of worldly matters!"

Upon hearing this, that figure's eyes flickered, but she still withdrew her gaze.

Zhenmo Zhenjun gazed toward the center of the banquet; this time she had come not merely to attend the feast, but also to trade several heavenly and earthly spiritual materials necessary for her own cultivation.

This is the ordinary process that cultivators must undergo.

……

Zhang Jian's Yang Spirit, within Zhenmo Palace, had only been waiting for half a day when he saw Taoist Iron Heart come rushing in from outside, full of vigor.

Zhang Jian looked somewhat astonished at this uncle; in just half a day, Taoist Iron Heart appeared to have already gained something.

Within the sect, he seemed quite well-connected!

"Nephew, Uncle has just communicated with several Yuan Shen elder brothers of the sect, as well as the Patriarch; among them, two seniors possess the Yin Spirit-level Five Elements techniques you need—take a look!"

At this moment, he held two jade slips in his hand.

"These two have each transcribed a portion of the preface and outline of the Five Elements techniques; you may first examine them!"

Taoist Iron Heart now wore a smile.

Zhang Jian took them readily, while Taoist Iron Heart simultaneously introduced them.

"The jade slip on the left is the 'Five Dragons True Classic' bestowed by the second-generation ancestor of Zi Dian Peak; this technique is a top-tier Yin Spirit-level art; once cultivated, one can condense the Five Dragons Dharma Aspect and simultaneously transform into the Five Dragons Spirit Wheel, with extremely strong offense and defense, giving a distinct advantage in magical combat!"

"The jade slip on the right is an ancient scripture, the 'Great Peacock Classic,' given by Junior Sister Qing Yun of Yu Chi Valley; this is an extraterritorial wondrous book; Qing Yun Junior Sister says she obtained it unexpectedly after slaying a demon god, but it can certainly be affirmed as genuine! If cultivation proves impossible, Qing Yun Junior Sister is willing to provide a refund service!"

Zhang Jian glanced at the prefaces of the two jade slips; this resembled the introduction of a high-end product, beautifully crafted, with many strange rune variations inside, very much like the 'advertisements' of his previous life!

Clearly, these two have undergone much such ordeal and are now quite professional.

Zhang Jian pondered slightly, then directly chose the left-hand 'Five Dragons True Classic.'

Without any hesitation.

He came to the sect not to hunt for treasures.

He merely sought a cultivable Five Elements technique.

Admittedly, the 'Great Peacock Classic' is an extraterritorial heavenly book, possibly containing greater value within, but it might also harbor strange traps, or simply be some demon god's delusional fabrication of a cultivation method.

Such extraterritorial heavenly books are like this: their precious value is extremely high, yet the uncertainty contained within is also extremely great.

Zhang Jian currently has no interest in playing such gambling-like puzzle games.

Of course, there is another extremely important reason: this third-generation disciple's personal feelings obviously cannot compare to those of the second-generation ancestor.

Seeing Zhang Jian make his decision, Taoist Iron Heart nodded slightly, immediately went to reply, and soon returned with a jade slip covered all over with five-colored dragon patterns, its entire body circulating with special Five Elements Dao rhythms.

Zhang Jian took it, performed a slight verification, confirmed it was genuine, and then put it away.

Zi Dian Peak, at this moment before a thatched hut, a tall figure with purple hair stood in stillness.

He merely stood quietly before the hut, like a hermit cultivating body and nature, yet between his brows appeared thread after thread of vicissitudes, as if he had witnessed the vicissitudes of the vast seas and mulberry fields.

At the foot of the peak, at this moment, a richly dressed old man hurried over, holding a poetry scroll in his hand.

Seeing this purple-haired youth whose stature was like an abyss and a mountain, he slightly bowed his hands.

"Master, the disciple has brought the ink treasure!"

"Open it!"

The purple-robed figure stood with hands behind his back, his voice filled with a sense of tranquil detachment.

Chang Chi Daoist did not dare to be slow, hurriedly opened the poetry scroll in his hand, only to see it gradually floating in midair, line after line of large characters in the void's depths, as if emitting a layer of faint, elusive Dao rhythm.

As if about to transform into a dream of the Great Void, silently fleeing!

Chang Chi Daoist at this moment also stared fixedly, unblinking, at the lines of poetry before him; merely glancing at it, he felt in the depths of his eyes as if he could sense an intangible Dao rhythm rushing straight to his Dao heart, bringing a soothing influence on the Dao heart and the power to mend the Yuanshen.

That purple-clad person did not know when he had already turned around; merely glancing, the corner of his mouth revealed a smile.

"Fine verse: 'Who would know in dreams, the first mystery of the mortal world!'"

"That disciple of the Zhenmo lineage is indeed a wonderful person! This poem's intent can be called superb!"

This purple-robed Daoist's gaze shifted; after a moment, he gently took down this scroll, and in a few steps brought it back into the thatched hut.

Seeing this, Chang Chi Daoist felt a slight regret.

Such Dao poetry can be called a precious treasure for cultivating the Dao heart.

It surpasses the polishing of many years.

Especially for cultivators with flaws in their Dao-heart.

……

Zhuangyuan Mansion

After Zhang Jian returned, he temporarily focused his attention on the Five Dragons True Scripture.

With his extraordinary comprehension, his study proceeded smoothly.

This method has two cultivation approaches: one is to condense the five elemental energies of heaven and earth to establish the foundation; the other is to directly contemplate the Five Dragons Dao Diagram, refine the false into the true, and also transform it into Five Dragons talismans, which can serve as the foundation of techniques.

The former is more friendly to cultivators with weaker comprehension.

The latter is prepared for those of exceptional comprehension and keen intellect.

Zhang Jian directly visualized five true dragons of five colors born from the void realm of the Dharma realm, and thus condensed the Five Dragons talisman.

The Five Dragons talisman sank into his sea of consciousness; what Zhang Jian needs to do next is to condense the spirits of the Five Dragons, ultimately forming the Five Dragons Dharma Aspect, just the same.

Once the Five Dragons Dharma Aspect is born, he can thereby contemplate the true meaning of the five elements.

For Zhang Jian, this is merely a matter of time.

And just as Zhang Jian had anticipated, half a month later, State Preceptor Jingming Daoist arrived with generous gifts at the Zhuangyuan Mansion, seeking an audience with Zhang Jian.

At this time, Jingming Daoist was not seated in the main position, but rather took the secondary seat; his eyes bore a serious expression.

"Mr. Zhang, before Master Zhenzhen left the capital, he had instructed this poor Daoist: Mr. Zhang possesses great Dharma, especially the method of salvation; if there is trouble, please ask Mr. Zhang to come out of retirement!"

"And now, the battle souls of Jinzhou have escaped; only Mr. Zhang may be able to bring them back!"

"We also know this request is extremely presumptuous, but perhaps only Mr. Zhang can help resolve this; if Mr. Zhang lacks anything, our Dongshen Guan will bear the cost!"

Jingming Daoist spoke with extreme tact, but the implication was clear: no matter the cost, Dongshen Guan will accept any condition Zhang Jian wishes to propose.

Zhang Jian inwardly listened and silently nodded.

Although his cultivation is nearing completion and he currently needs few resources—at least for now—yet Zhang Yi, Zhang Zhao, and even other disciples of the Zhang family who wish to cultivate do require resources.

However, having decided to involve himself, Zhang Jian still needs to clarify the full circumstances.

He thought for a moment, then spoke.

"State Preceptor, with the cultivation levels of your fellow Daoists at Dongshen Guan, handling the battle souls in these few battlefields should not be difficult; could it be that something unusual has occurred?"

Jingming Daoist nodded slightly, then at this moment drew a deep breath and said:

"If it were merely battle souls, they could indeed be contained by relying on the original sealing prohibitions existing on the ancient battlefield; but we have sensed that this time the ancient battlefield's sealing prohibition has loosened, likely due to cultivators specifically targeting Dongshen Guan, someone intending to lure us away from our stronghold and then wipe us out completely!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian furrowed his brow.

It seems Dongshen Guan is facing great trouble this time.

Only hearing Dongshen Daoist again say: "Of course, the outer traps, Scholar Zhang, need not worry—you may fully entrust them to us of Dongshen Guan to handle; but the battle souls within the battlefield must not escape, and still require Scholar Zhang to suppress and ferry them across!"

Zhang Jian nodded.

To aid the common people and eliminate calamity, he naturally is willing to act!

Moreover, although he hopes to control the imperial court and replace it, that is not now.

At present, the Zhang family's wings are not yet fully grown; he naturally also does not wish for Dongshen Guan to collapse at this time.