Chapter 148

"The strength of this true qi..."

Jiang Ye stared at the single strand of five-colored light, chaotic and swirling, in his hand—his eyes instantly brightened, his heart surging with tumultuous waves.

He could clearly feel that though this five-colored light was but a slender thread, it contained a terrifying power far exceeding ordinary true qi.

It was no longer a mere stacking of the five elemental true qis, but a qualitative transformation born of their mutual generation and support.

Without exaggeration, he felt the strength of this strand of true energy was already approaching solid energy...

His mind instantly flashed back to the demon from the Seven Kill Cult—he had used half-gang qi.

Yet now, the five-colored light in his hand, its refinement and the aura it carried, was on par with that half-gang qi, even slightly stronger.

If they clashed again, setting aside the demon's eerie killing intent, Jiang Ye had full confidence he could subdue him without resorting to ambush.

The qualitative transformation brought by the convergence of the five elements far surpassed his expectations.

A faint smile curled his lips as he prepared to further sense this power.

The next instant, the chaotic five-colored light in his hand flickered once, then collapsed like a candle in the wind, dissolving into specks of light that vanished into the air.

"Huh?!"

Seeing his true qi suddenly dissipate, Jiang Ye frowned, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

He activated his true qi again—five-colored light surged from his palm—but after a moment, it flickered again and dissolved once more.

He fell silent for a moment, then quickly understood the issue.

The Metal true qi had only just begun; compared to the other four, its foundation was still shallow, slightly weaker.

Though the Five Elements' mutual generation had taken shape, the Metal element's "link" was unstable, unable to sustain the full cycle.

Like five pillars supporting a grand hall, if one pillar was shorter, the entire structure would tremble and collapse.

"I need to first cultivate the Metal true qi to Minor Completion before the Five Elements can truly stabilize."

Jiang Ye nodded inwardly, already formulating a plan.

He did not rush to continue cultivating; instead, he pulled from his robe the pearl the Five Elements Elder had given him.

Now that he had achieved the Five Elements true qi, he could finally glimpse this so-called "Path to Heaven."

Jiang Ye took a deep breath, suppressing his anticipation and unease, and channeled his internal Five Elements true qi, slowly pouring the five-colored light into the pearl.

Instantly, the pearl erupted in brilliant five-colored radiance.

Five-colored halos swirled across its surface like living things, as if something within were awakening.

Jiang Ye no longer hesitated—he closed his eyes and plunged his spirit directly into it.

The "Five Elements Steal Spirit Chaotic True Interpretation" once again appeared in his mind.

This time, his spirit was not repelled—it sank like into a deep pool, slowly descending into that mysterious realm of consciousness.

The archaic characters, intricate diagrams, unfolded before him like living things—each word, each stroke, brimming with profound martial truths.

Jiang Ye's expression gradually changed.

First, solemnity—brows furrowed; then, shock—eyes wide, pupils shrinking, as if he had witnessed an unimaginable secret.

Finally, incredulous embarrassment—even his aged face flushed faintly.

After an unknown length of time, Jiang Ye withdrew his spirit from the pearl and slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were filled with complex emotion; he could not help but exclaim:

"Genius..."

The "Five Elements Steal Spirit Chaotic True Interpretation" must be incomplete—or rather, his current strength could only perceive this much.

Even so, Jiang Ye could not help but marvel—the Five Elements Elder was truly a genius from nearly a thousand years ago.

Such talent, such audacity, was truly beyond comprehension.

The essence of this technique was to use Five Elements true qi as a foundation, applying an extremely special "secret method," to steal the primordial essence from those with unique physiques, supplementing oneself, and transforming into the legendary supreme special physique—the Chaotic Physique!

At this moment, Jiang Ye understood the meaning behind the Five Elements Elder's words—"Those like us must spare no means to complete ourselves..."

It meant this.

He now understood why the Five Elements Elder had been relentlessly hunted by the imperial princess, the sect's true heir, and the scions of thousand-year clans...

They were all prodigies of their generation, possessing unique physiques capable of dominating their era.

And yet, the Five Elements Elder had stolen their primordial essence with his "secret art"...

Such a grievous enmity made the pursuit unsurprising.

Jiang Ye shook his head, his emotions overwhelmingly complex.

No wonder the Five Elements Elder had told him, "Take on this karmic debt..."

Once he began cultivating this "Five Elements Steal Spirit Chaotic True Interpretation," the next one hunted would be him.

This was a technique destined to unleash a bloodbath.

But what did this have to do with him, Jiang Ye, a senior elder of a righteous sect, and the Killer Demon?

"If I'm going to cultivate it, whose essence should I steal first..."

Jiang Ye mused inwardly.

His mind instantly flashed to Yang Han's peerless beauty.

This woman possessed a unique physique capable of absorbing lunar essence—a very promising target.

The only thing that gave him pause was her ability to detonate herself in a final, suicidal attack.

Then, Jiang Ye's mind turned to Liu Liu Qingyu, who could summon starlight...

Thinking of her power, Jiang Ye shook his head slightly.

Finally, his thoughts settled on Hua Ning and Hua Tian—the twin sisters with the Dual Heart Spirit Physique.

"Their Dual Heart Spirit essence probably won't be useful to me..."

Jiang Ye pondered inwardly.

Suddenly—

Sssss!

A cheerful cry came from beneath his feet—sharp, clear, brimming with the excitement of reunion.

Jiang Ye looked down—it was Xiao Huo, awake.

The tiny crimson creature was circling joyfully at his feet, writhing like a dancing flame.

"You little brat, slept on that pearl for so long—you're finally awake!"

Jiang Ye waved his hand—Xiao Huo, still chirping happily on the ground, was gently pulled upward by a soft suction and landed steadily in his palm.

The little creature rolled over in his palm, then lifted its head, nuzzling his fingers affectionately, like a puppy begging for attention.

"Huh? This little guy has tattoos now!"

Jiang Ye examined closely—his eyes flickered with surprise.

Across Xiao Huo's entire fiery crimson body, new dark patterns had appeared.

These patterns were intricate and delicate, winding from head to tail along the carapace like serpents, yet radiating an eerie beauty—reminiscent of ancient totems or natural markings.

"Could it be that the black mist from the pearl was absorbed by the Fire Centipede..."

Jiang Ye's heart stirred—he quickly pulled the black pearl from the Seven Kill Cult demon from his robe and examined it closely in his palm.

The black mist within still churned like a living thing, Sisilvlv, evoking instinctive dread and fear—as if staring into an abyss.

But the dark patterns on Xiao Huo's body carried no such feeling.

They harmonized perfectly with its crimson form, like dark currents flowing through flame, or basalt solidified within lava, radiating an indescribable sense of power.

Sssss~

Xiao Huo nuzzled his palm affectionately, its twin mandibles opening and closing gently, emitting a contented hum.

It seemed utterly unconcerned with its new markings—even proud of them.

Jiang Ye, sharing its mind, understood its meaning—it had grown much stronger!

"Fine. If you can absorb it, it's your fortune."

Jiang Ye tucked the black pearl away and gently stroked Xiao Huo's body, feeling the latent power thrumming beneath its fine scales.

Perhaps, when the chance arises, he could test this little creature's strength.

At that moment—

A faint footstep sounded outside the herb garden—light, slow, deliberately muffled.

Jiang Ye casually tucked Xiao Huo into his sleeve.

His gaze shifted slightly, piercing through the morning light toward the garden entrance.

Moments later, Lu Ming tiptoed to the edge of the herb garden.

In his hand he held a gilded invitation; his plump face was troubled, brows slightly furrowed, hesitating whether to disturb Elder Jiang in seclusion.

The next instant—

"Any news?"

Jiang Ye's voice sounded beside his ear.

Lu Ming's face lit up instantly, his small eyes gleaming.

He hurried to the garden gate, his plump face beaming: "Elder Jiang, you've emerged from seclusion?"

He extended the invitation in his hand:

"Elder Jiang, this is the wedding invitation from Jin Hai, the true disciple of Jin Chen Peak—he's holding his wedding tomorrow."