Chapter 384: Element Sensor

Lin Xuan stood in the central plaza, watching the endless stream of new students entering the campus. Ever since Xuan Qingzi issued the warning through the Heaven Origin Instrument, the five Guardians had accelerated the implementation of various plans. The establishment of the Five Elements Academy was precisely the most important link among them.

"The headquarters is finally built," Shi Qi walked to Lin Xuan's side and said with satisfaction, "The branch academies on every continent have also started construction, and the North America Branch, the fastest one, is expected to be completed next month."

Lin Xuan nodded: "Everything is developing much faster than we anticipated. It seems the Earth Consciousness is also pushing this process forward."

The academy adopted a brand-new organizational structure, establishing five major departments, each corresponding to the Five Elements. The Wood Department teaches the perception and application of Life Energy, with Lin Xuan personally serving as the department head; the Fire Department focuses on energy Zhuanghua and control techniques, led by Li Yan; the Water Department cultivates communication and healing abilities, hosted by Ling Bo; the Earth Department imparts the Dao of stability and perception, led by Shi Qi; and the Metal Department teaches artifact refining and mechanism arts, managed by Xu Feng.

The first batch of recruited students came from all over the world, including descendants of traditional Practitioner families, elite talents from various countries, and ordinary people who displayed talent during the recent awakening wave. Unlike the closed and conservative attitude of the traditional cultivation world, the Five Elements Academy opened its doors to everyone who showed potential.

"Look at that girl," Shi Qi suddenly pointed to a young girl standing quietly under a tree in the distance, "Her energy fluctuations are very special."

Lin Xuan looked in the direction her finger pointed. It was a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, with short hair, wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans. She looked no different from other ordinary students, but Lin Xuan did indeed sense an unusual energy fluctuation.

"Her name is Xiao Yuan," Shi Qi explained, "She comes from an ordinary family in the central region. Last week in a park, she inadvertently made a withered tree sprout again, and was discovered and recommended to the academy by a local Practitioner."

Lin Xuan was just about to step forward to talk, but was interrupted by Xu Feng who hurried over: "The first batch of equipment has been installed, we can begin the first lesson."

The teaching model of the Five Elements Academy completely broke the master-disciple system of the traditional cultivation world. It adopted a method combining theory and practice, and integrated modern technology to assist training. The "Element Sensor" developed by Xu Feng could measure students' affinity for various elements, helping them find the development direction most suitable for themselves.

The opening ceremony for the first day was held in the central hall. Five hundred first-batch students gathered together, and the five Guardians stood on the podium, behind them a huge holographic projection displaying the basic principles of the Five Elements system.

Lin Xuan stood in the center: "Welcome to the Five Elements Academy. Here, what you will learn is not only the technique of energy control, but also the way to coexist harmoniously with this world. The Five Elements system is the oldest and most natural energy system on Earth, and you will become the new guardians of this system."

He briefly introduced the characteristics of the five major departments, then announced that all freshmen would undergo one month of basic training to help them discover their own elemental affinity. Afterward, they would enter the corresponding departments for professional study.

"Unlike traditional cultivation," Lin Xuan emphasized, "we encourage cross-element learning. Although everyone has their own most proficient elemental direction, understanding the characteristics of other elements is crucial for building a complete Five Elements view."

After the opening ceremony ended, the five Guardians led the students to their respective training grounds. Lin Xuan led the potential students of the Wood Department to a specially designed garden, where rare plants from all over the world were planted, forming a miniature ecosystem.

"Before starting formal training, I want you to experience true Wood Element Energy," Lin Xuan stood in the center of the garden, closed his eyes, and stretched out his hands, "Please follow my guidance and try to feel the life pulse of the plants."

The students imitated his movements and closed their eyes. Lin Xuan gently released his Wood Element Energy, forming a green energy field that enveloped the entire garden. With the help of this energy field, even students with zero foundation could faintly feel the weak energy fluctuations emitted by the plants.

"Plants, like us, are all lives on this planet," Lin Xuan said softly, "The first step of Wood Element cultivation is to establish a connection with plants and understand the essence of Life Energy."

During this meditation, Lin Xuan keenly noticed that the Wood Element Origin was undergoing a subtle change. Ever since the Earth Consciousness awakened, all plants seemed to have displayed unprecedented vitality, and their energy fluctuations had become more intense and more orderly.

He began to guide the students to try to establish a mental connection with nearby plants; this was a basic but extremely important skill. Surprisingly, many students made significant progress within just a few hours, forming a preliminary "Green Net"—a simple Energy Network based on plant connections.

"This speed of progress is not normal," at night, the five Guardians gathered to discuss the day's teaching situation, and Lin Xuan expressed his surprise, "In traditional cultivation, establishing a mental connection usually requires months or even years of training."

"My students have a similar situation," Ling Bo nodded, "Their progress in Water Element Perception is far beyond expectations."

"The awakening of the Earth Consciousness has changed the energy rules," Li Yan analyzed, "The concentration of Spirit Qi has increased significantly, and the energy structure is also more stable, which makes starting easier."

Xu Feng pulled up a set of data and displayed it on the holographic screen: "According to the measurements of the Element Sensor, the average elemental affinity of the freshmen is more than three times that of traditional Practitioners. If this trend continues, we might see a whole new generation of Practitioners rise."

"Speaking of this," Shi Qi suddenly remembered something, "That girl named Xiao Yuan, have you noticed her?"

The other four nodded. Ling Bo added: "I saw her in the Water Department test. Although she showed a strong affinity for the Wood Element, her performance in the Water Element test was equally outstanding."

"Not only that," Li Yan showed an expression of surprise, "She also displayed impressive talent in the preliminary test of the Fire Department."

Xu Feng quickly pulled up Xiao Yuan's detailed data: "This is too unusual. She seems to have a high affinity for all Five Elements; this kind of 'Five Element Affinity' is extremely rare in known records."

Lin Xuan thought for a moment: "Xuan Qingzi once mentioned it; perhaps, an All-Element User like Xiao Yuan is exactly the key."

"We need to give her special training," Ling Bo suggested, "Not limited to the framework of a single element system."

The five agreed unanimously and decided to personally guide Xiao Yuan's cultivation to help her fully explore the potential of this rare talent.