Chapter 522: Five Elements Sect
Chapter 524: Five Elements Sect
“Master, this Five Elements Absolute Formation is so important… will they even let me learn it?”
Mo Hua fretted.
Mister Zhuang replied calmly, “They wouldn’t dare refuse.”
Mo Hua blinked, then hesitantly asked:
“Master… do you have some kind of history with the Five Elements Sect?”
Mister Zhuang’s gaze drifted slightly. “You could say that…”
Mo Hua’s curiosity ignited.
Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi also looked toward Mister Zhuang.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Mister Zhuang nodded. “It’s fine to tell you…”
“To be precise, it isn’t just me—it’s our entire lineage that has ties to the Five Elements Sect.”
“Our lineage?”
Mo Hua was stunned, then whispered, “Master… we… still have a sect?”
“We do.”
“What sect is it?” Mo Hua asked eagerly.
Mister Zhuang hesitated, his gaze dimming. “It’s fallen. Better not speak of it.”
Mo Hua sighed, slightly disappointed.
Hidden deep in Mister Zhuang’s eyes, another kind of emotion flickered. Then he continued:
“The ancestors of the Five Elements Sect and our lineage were once very close.”
“Our lineage’s patriarch once saved the Five Elements Sect from calamity.”
“To repay that kindness, the ancestors of the Five Elements Sect passed down their Five Elements Absolute Formation.”
“Afterward, each generation of disciples from our lineage was allowed to visit the Five Elements Sect and study the Five Elements Absolute Formation—but only for seven days.”
“And because this formation is the very foundation of their sect, our patriarch didn’t wish to take advantage. So he also stipulated that only Qi-Refining disciples may attempt to comprehend it…”
Mo Hua nodded repeatedly. “Our patriarch and their ancestors were righteous people—each taking a step back, not exploiting each other.”
Mister Zhuang gave a faint, ambiguous smile. “That’s only what it looks like on the surface.”
Mo Hua froze. “On the surface?”
Mister Zhuang nodded. “I heard the story from my master and never questioned it… until I personally dealt with the Five Elements Sect. Only then did I realize the truth was different.”
“It was a transaction.”
“A transaction…”
Mo Hua opened his mouth, thought for a moment, then looked shocked.
“Master… don’t tell me our patriarch demanded the Five Elements Absolute Formation as a condition before helping them?”
“And the Five Elements Sect, desperate for survival, had no choice but to agree?”
Mister Zhuang nodded.
“Correct. It was a trade—Five Elements Absolute Formation in exchange for survival.”
Mister Zhuang continued warningly:
“In this world, truth is rarely clear. Never fully believe a single side of the story—not even if the one telling it is our own patriarch.”
“Patriarchs also have selfish motives. They also speak in their own favor.”
“And within the Five Elements Sect, the tale is very different.”
“In their version, our patriarch took advantage of their crisis, demanding a price far too steep, forcing them to hand over their sect-defining formation.”
“They resent it.”
“So the Five Elements Sect set a condition of their own…”
Mo Hua’s eyes brightened. “Only Qi-Refining disciples may learn it?”
Mister Zhuang nodded.
“Yes. At Qi-Refining, one can at most reach First-Rank formation mastery. Even if they learn it, it only reaches First-Rank. If a First-Rank formation leaks, it’s troublesome but survivable.”
“If not restricted, the high-rank formation masters of our lineage would easily strip them bare.”
“And this Five Elements Formation—First-Rank, thirteen runes—is already incredibly difficult.”
“Foundation Establishment might learn it. Qi-Refining? Almost impossible.”
“With these restrictions, the Five Elements Sect begrudgingly agreed.”
“And our patriarch didn’t overthink it.”
“A sect-defining absolute formation—being allowed to learn it at all was already generous. Their conditions were reasonable enough, so he didn’t haggle.”
“In his vision, our lineage specializes in formations, with countless geniuses across generations. Finding a Qi-Refining disciple able to grasp the Five Elements Absolute Formation… not easy, but far from impossible…”
“But—”
Mister Zhuang’s expression turned peculiar.
“He miscalculated.”
“This isn’t an ordinary First-Rank absolute formation.”
“Thirteen runes… far beyond the nine-rune Divine-Sense limit of Qi-Refining.”
“And when one goes to study it, the Five Elements Sect sets up all kinds of obstacles.”
“To this day, no genius of our lineage has succeeded in learning it…”
Mister Zhuang glanced at Mo Hua. “So the burden falls on your shoulders.”
Mo Hua instantly felt that his tiny shoulders had gained a mountain of weight.
He whispered, “Master… what if I also fail?”
“This formation is crucial for you. If you can learn it, you must. If you truly can’t… then so be it.”
Mister Zhuang comforted him. “Do your best. Even if you fail, don’t fret—there’s always a way forward.”
“…Okay.” Mo Hua nodded.
Then he frowned, thinking about something else.
Mister Zhuang asked, “What now?”
Mo Hua considered his words.
“Our patriarch back then… wasn’t that kind of… taking advantage of their crisis? Wouldn’t the Five Elements Sect resent that?”
Coveting their absolute formation, making demands during their darkest hour—forcing them to trade their heritage for survival.
He even wondered:
Could our patriarch have had a hand in the Five Elements Sect’s calamity…?
If not directly fanning the flames, perhaps at least watching from the sidelines?
Mister Zhuang gently ruffled his hair.
“That was the patriarchs’ affair. It’s not your burden.”
“So many years have passed—old恩怨 are impossible to untangle.”
“Even if our patriarch had selfish intentions, he still saved them.”
“The Five Elements Sect chose survival. The deal was struck.”
“You need not worry.”
“And precisely because this old grudge exists, they will not treat us kindly. So don’t hold back—learn boldly.”
“If you truly manage to strip the Five Elements Sect of their secrets, that’s your own ability. They won’t dare complain.”
Mo Hua whispered, “They have Golden Core cultivators inside…”
“If I really learn it, they won’t… keep me, right…?”
Mister Zhuang snorted lightly. “They wouldn’t dare.”
Mo Hua blinked—feeling much safer now.
“Oh right, Master—what’s this formation called?”
Mister Zhuang paused, then said slowly:
“Five Elements Spirit Formation.”
“Five Elements Spirit Formation…” Mo Hua murmured. “Sounds kind of plain…”
Mister Zhuang shook his head.
“You don’t understand the meaning. That’s why it sounds plain.”
“Formations with the word ‘Spirit’ deal with the nature or behavior of spiritual power itself.”
“The Spirit-Gathering Formation, though simple, is essential—forming the eyes of formations, the root of activation.”
“The Spirit-Reversal Formation is an absolute formation, involving reversal-collapse of spiritual power.”
“The Spirit-Pivot Formation is also an absolute formation, involving the central control of spiritual power.”
“The Five Elements Spirit Formation is the same.”
“It concerns the amplification of the Five Element spiritual powers.”
“It has five parts—Metal Spirit Formation, Wood Spirit Formation, Water Spirit Formation, Fire Spirit Formation, Earth Spirit Formation—each amplifying and strengthening its respective attribute…”
Mo Hua listened intently, fascinated.
But suddenly Mister Zhuang stopped.
“Master, go on.”
“No. The rest you must comprehend yourself.”
If he explained further, there would be no challenge left.
Mo Hua sighed with regret. “Alright, Master.”
Mister Zhuang glanced at him and added:
“The Five Elements Spirit Formation is a full set of absolute formations, spanning from low rank to high rank.”
“But most of the higher-rank portions are likely lost. The Five Elements Sect probably only retains First and Second-Rank parts now.”
“But First and Second Rank are enough.”
“Absolute formations must be learned from shallow to deep—start low, build foundation.”
“With First Rank comes Second, with Second comes Third…”
“Learn the First Rank and lay your foundation. Only then can you progress step by step…”
His words paused. In his heart, he murmured:
“But the later parts… you’ll have to seek on your own…”
He looked at Mo Hua, a hint of sorrow and reluctance in his eyes—but these emotions quickly vanished.
Only warmth remained.
Mo Hua, frowning as he pondered the formation, didn’t notice the shift.
…
After resting one night, Mister Zhuang gave a few more instructions.
The next day, they departed for the Five Elements Sect.
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived before the sect gates.
Towering pavilions glittered with gold and jade. Aside from the Formation Pavilion, there were pill rooms, forging halls, training halls, debate rooms, spirit-steam towers—everything imaginable.
Luxurious from top to bottom—clearly rolling in spirit stones.
Its steps were tall and steep, and before them stood a few gate-keeping disciples in sect robes.
They blocked the carriage.
Their expressions were cold and condescending.
“What cultivators are you? Don’t you know carriages aren’t allowed inside the Five Elements Sect?”
Mo Hua lifted the curtain and hopped off. Under their surprised stares, he handed over a jade slip.
A gatekeeper frowned. “Who are you? And what is this?”
Mo Hua’s face chilled.
He had a temper.
If others were polite, he would be polite. If they weren’t—well, courtesy was off duty.
These gatekeepers had a whole storm of arrogance about them. Mo Hua couldn’t be bothered. Chin raised, he said:
“Give it to your sect master. He’ll know.”
Their expressions darkened.
Few cultivators in Leaving-Mountain City dared speak so rudely at the Five Elements Sect’s gate—and this brat even showed zero respect toward their sect master.
And he was just a kid.
One gatekeeper sneered:
“Brat, open your eyes. Know where you’re standing?”
“This is a Third-Rank sect—THE Five Elements Sect!”
“Our sect master isn’t someone you can meet just because you want to!”
Mo Hua didn’t bother replying. He simply lifted his right hand and raised his thumb.
On that thumb was a large jade thumb-ring—emerald carved, adorned with nine star-lines, luxurious and radiant.
Even they, haughty as they were, could recognize it:
A genuine First-Rank Tianshu Ring, symbol of an officially Appraised Formation Master recognized by the Dao Court.
But—it was on the hand of a kid barely in his teens.
Absurd.
Still, arrogant or not, they weren’t entirely witless.
A First-Rank formation master wasn’t someone they were qualified to pick a fight with.
And if he dared flaunt it so boldly, maybe it wasn’t fake after all.
One gatekeeper swallowed the words “little brat” and instead forced out:
“…Little brother, are you truly a First-Rank Formation Master?”
Mo Hua straightened. “Correct.”
The gatekeeper still couldn’t quite believe it.
Mo Hua shot him a cold glance. “Still not going?”
His attitude was terrible—yet the worse it got, the more cautious the gatekeepers became.
A little cultivator wouldn’t act this boldly unless he truly had the backing for it.
Besides—he’d arrived in a horse carriage.
Outside the carriage sat an old coachman, looking utterly ordinary… yet impossible to read.
And inside the carriage—who knew who was sitting there, or what status they held?
But anyone who could make a first-grade formation master get down and open the way… the one inside was definitely no simple figure.
The leading gate disciple cupped his hands.
“Little brother, wait a moment. I’ll report to the Sect Master at once.”
Whether the claim was true or false—the Sect Master would judge.
If this young cultivator really was a first-grade formation master, they’d naturally offer proper respect.
If he wasn’t…
Daring to bluff at the gates of the Five Elements Sect—he’d surely suffer for it.
The disciple’s expression chilled as he went to report.
Mo Hua swung himself onto Big White’s back to wait, idly scratching the big fellow.
In just the time it takes for a cup of tea, movement stirred within the Five Elements Sect.
Auras rose one after another.
The noise swelled.
A short while later, all those auras converged toward the mountain gate.
Sitting atop Big White, Mo Hua looked up and saw that at some point, the long stairway before the gate had filled with cultivators.
Each one had deep, steady cultivation and wore expressions like still water, staring hard at the carriage—ready for battle at any moment.
Soon, the crowd parted.
From within stepped a cultivator wearing a golden crown and an especially ornate Daoist robe embroidered with the five-colored Five Elements pattern. His bearing was dignified and commanding.
He certainly looked like the Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect.
Though stern-faced, he carried the faintest trace of anticipation as he approached the carriage and greeted with cupped fists:
“I am the Sect Master of the Five Elements Sect, here to respectfully welcome Senior Zhuang.”
At those words, those within the Sect who knew the truth revealed glints of cold light.
Those who didn’t were struck with shock.
Just who was inside that carriage, to make the dignified Sect Master of a third-grade sect bow and address him as “Senior”?
From within the carriage came Mister Zhuang’s calm voice:
“How many generations have passed?”
The Sect Master cupped his hands. “To be frank, Senior… since that time, three generations have changed.”
Mister Zhuang responded with a quiet “Mm.”
The Sect Master’s eyes flickered. He stepped aside. “Senior, please enter.”
Grandpa Kui turned and glanced at Mister Zhuang.
Through the curtain, Mister Zhuang looked at the threshold of the Five Elements Sect… then raised his gaze, taking in the entire sect in one sweep. After calculating silently in his mind, he said nothing.
Only after a long time did he seem to resolve himself.
The road one must walk… must eventually be walked.
And that day would always come…
“Let’s go.”
His tone held a faint, complicated decisiveness.
Grandpa Kui nodded and looked at Mo Hua. Mo Hua patted Big White.
Receiving the signal, Big White pulled the carriage forward toward the sect.
They had barely taken a few steps when they reached the tall threshold.
Towering and obstructive, it stopped the carriage outside.
Cultivators of the Five Elements Sect watched coldly from top to bottom. Some even smirked, clearly intending to give Mister Zhuang a humiliating “welcome.”
Mo Hua raised a brow and patted Big White again.
Big White instantly understood. He reared back with a sharp whinny, lifted his front hooves high, and stomped down fiercely—shattering the threshold into powder. Then he lowered his big head and rubbed Mo Hua’s hand in a fawning manner.
Mo Hua beamed, praising Big White and smoothing his mane.
Big White proudly lifted his head and chest, pulling the carriage leisurely into the Five Elements Sect.
From top to bottom, the entire sect wore expressions of anger—yet none dared speak.
Only the Sect Master’s eyes flickered with a murky, unreadable chill.