The form of the Five Elements Divine Lord constantly shifted. The postures of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth unfolded in succession before Ning Zhuo's eyes.

Azure Wood, Crimson Fire, Yellow Earth, White Gold, Black Water.

Under Wood were the Fusang Tree where the Three-Legged Golden Crow perched, the Jianmu Tree that connected to the heavens, the Longevity Peach Tree that prolonged life, and the Parasol Tree where phoenixes nested...

Under Fire were the passionate Southern Bright Li Fire, the inextinguishable Samadhi True Fire, the civilizing Flame of Suiren, the karmic Red Lotus Karmic Fire, and the Eight Trigram Furnace Fire used for alchemical refinement...

Under Earth were the boundless Breathing Soil, the Five-Colored Stones that mended the heavens, the unceasing fertility of the Earth Mother, and the sacred Kunlun Soil...

Under Metal were the Kunwu Gold prized for refining tools, the Xuan Yuan Gold symbolizing royal authority, and the Meteor Iron representing the divine might of outsiders...

Under Water were the drowning Ruoshui, the brilliant Star River, the distinct Waters of Jing and Wei, and the Longevity Spring of Penglai...

Each of these treasures embodied the ultimate essence of the Five Elements, representing the principles of each element.

Due to the overwhelming convergence of principles, even cultivators who merely witnessed these phenomena could have their Divine Sea produce true intent and comprehend corresponding truths.

Of course, this was strongly related to the cultivator’s innate perception.

Ning Zhuo surveyed the various treasures of the Five Elements and swiftly grasped their appearances. As a result, his Five Elements Realm rose to the mastery level of the basic grade.

The transformations of the Five Elements Divine Lord continued.

This time, instead of manifesting the concrete images of treasures, he displayed abstract concepts and illusory representations.

The white radiance of Metal sometimes took the form of a sword’s tip, the edge of a blade, slicing, cleaving, cutting.

From this, Ning Zhuo comprehended the rigidity and killing nature of Metal—its role in judgment and execution.

The green glow of Wood spread like vines, sprouted like leaves, growing from tiny shoots to sturdy trees, and then into towering greatness.

Thus, Ning Zhuo understood the Wood attribute’s meaning of growth and vitality.

The inky flow of Water transformed into towering waves that devoured everything, then flattened into calmness, sometimes bubbling as a stream, sometimes still and dead as a stagnant pool.

Ning Zhuo realized that Water was gentle and adaptable, the master of change, able to overcome the rigid through softness.

The flames of Fire turned into gentle lantern lights, appearing small and delicate yet capable of burning moths to ash. They became roaring blazes, spreading fiercely, illuminating in every direction.

Ning Zhuo grasped that Fire was fierce—it was light, it was heat, ever charging forward, never looking back.

The yellow glow of Earth solidified into stones that stacked into mountains. When mountains collapsed, they turned into boundless plains—vast, immeasurable, and steadfast.

Ning Zhuo came to understand the heaviness of Earth. It bore all things, serving as the foundation of the world.

Blood slowly flowed from all seven apertures on Ning Zhuo’s face.

The characteristics and personalities of the Five Elements directly pushed his understanding from basic grade to master grade!

His comprehension deepened significantly.

The Five Elements Divine Lord burst into hearty laughter, pointing at Ning Zhuo. “Kid, to have comprehended this much, you’ve got decent perception. You’re a thinker. Keep watching!”

He continued to transform, now displaying the doctrines of the Five Elements more thoroughly.

The white radiance of Metal turned into a pill—compact and potent, indestructible like Vajra.

Ning Zhuo felt a jolt in his heart. “So Metal governs killing—not only slaying others but also oneself, cutting away impurities and foreign influences, refining oneself into purity. Hence, Metal is both slaughter and cessation, it is restraint.”

The green radiance of Wood sprouted from seedlings into towering trees, then in an instant shed leaves, withered, and decayed.

Ning Zhuo grasped the true meaning. “Wood appears as life, but within lies death. Because there is death, life exists. Life brings death. The cycle of birth and decay, like sprouting and wilting, embodies the impermanence of life and death.”

A black river flowed silently. Flowers and grass along its banks flourished. Beasts drank from it. People lived and bred nearby.

Ning Zhuo understood. “Water is tolerance, compassion that nurtures all beings, effortless and non-contentious, yet present in all things.”

This time, the crimson flames formed a human shape. Rings of radiant wisdom bloomed in concentric circles.

Ning Zhuo came to know. “Fire is not only destruction—it burns away inner troubles and desires, illuminates the path of wisdom, guiding self and others. Fire represents awakening, enlightenment.”

Yellow earth fragments crumbled into countless pebbles that rolled down the mountains, mingled into the soil, were trampled, eroded, and eventually became part of the land again.

Ning Zhuo felt the truth. “Earth is not just support—it is also return. No matter how high a stone flies, it will eventually fall to the ground. Great virtue bears all things. All things return to the foundation. Support is also burial!”

At last, Ning Zhuo reached the core of the Five Elements, mastering their essential truths.

His Five Elements Realm ascended to grandmaster level!

From this point forward, by following their inner essence and foundational truths, he could create techniques and cultivation methods corresponding to each element.

Ning Zhuo's mind was empty, his stomach growling. His physical and spiritual strength were completely depleted.

He was utterly spent!

The Five Elements Divine Lord showed surprise and let out a soft "Hmm?" “Strange… how close this Lingyin Willow is to you. Did you raise it by hand from seed?”

“To think it still wants to sacrifice itself for you!”

“Kid, seems your fortune isn’t over yet. Keep watching, hahaha!”

The Divine Lord laughed loudly and continued his transformations.

But this time, he no longer demonstrated each element separately. Instead, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth began to blend and merge.

Ning Zhuo's pupils dilated, and his face went blank.

All kinds of principles were poured violently into his soul like a raging flood.

Wood gave birth to Fire, Fire to Earth, Earth to Metal, Metal to Water, Water to Wood.

The Five Elements generated each other. All things in the world could mutually support and enhance, linking life, cosmos, and fate into unbroken continuity.

Thus, the Five Elements cycled endlessly!

Wood overcame Earth, Earth overcame Water, Water overcame Fire, Fire overcame Metal, Metal overcame Wood.

The Five Elements restrained each other. When anything overreached, another would rise to check and balance it.

Thus, the Five Elements maintained harmony and balance!

The Five Elements were separate categories, yet also a whole. Though the world was vast and complex, all things were one.

Ning Zhuo felt his whole body burn, his head about to explode, unable to think!

Even the Five Elements Divine Lord showed surprise and joy. “Kid, you have dual talents. Beyond Early Wisdom, there’s also…”

“So that’s it!”

He seemed to discern Ning Zhuo’s innate gift, his expression turning strange. “Did Heaven bestow this to keep you from walking the righteous path?”

“How interesting.”

The Five Elements Divine Lord's expression turned complicated. He raised his head to look at the sky, sneering. “Well, Heaven and Earth! Still resenting me for privately controlling the Five Elements? Won’t even let me pass it on!”

“There is talent that catches my eye, yet I may not become his master!”

“Fine, fine. Legacy first. I won’t be his master then.”

At this point, the Five Elements Divine Lord’s eyes glowed as he stared at Ning Zhuo and said sternly, “Kid, remember—I’m not your master! I’m only performing the principles of the Five Elements. You saw them by chance. I was not teaching you!”

Ning Zhuo was already mentally drained and spiritually exhausted, unable to even comprehend the Divine Lord’s words. But his left arm began to heat intensely.

The Five Elements Divine Lord’s face turned solemn. “Next, I’ll unveil the secret of the ‘Divine Spirit Art of the Five Viscera Temple.’”

“Heaven has Five Elements, man has Five Elements!”

“Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—Liver, Lung, Kidney, Heart, Spleen—Grief, Anger, Fear, Joy, Worry!”

“As the Five Elements rotate and the Five Viscera wax and wane, one can harmonize nature, transform all things, and embody the Five Elements!”

The Five Elements Divine Lord had once founded this divine art, ascending directly to the rank of Supreme Grandmaster.

Unprecedented in the past, unparalleled in the future. Even now, though no longer considered ‘supreme,’ it had still reached an incredibly profound and intricate level.

To Ning Zhuo, every word thundered like a celestial drum.

Each phrase, each character from the Divine Lord turned into cosmic resonance. The sound was both massive and minuscule—paradoxical to the extreme.

What Ning Zhuo could comprehend was vast and boundless; what he couldn’t was faint to the point of inaudibility.

He was like a lone boat in a tempestuous sea, tossed and turned, utterly lost.

The Lingyin Willow finally reached its limit. Not a single leaf remained. It was not yet a withered corpse, but already dim and barely alive.

Ning Zhuo had relied entirely on his mysterious talent and the aid of the Lingyin Willow.

With that strength gone, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. The lone boat shattered in the storm and was swallowed by the waves.

Ning Zhuo collapsed unconscious on the spot.

Who knows how much time passed before Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes.

His head ached terribly. His vision blurred, filled with white spots. Only vague shadows moved.

Though the face was unclear, Ning Zhuo immediately recognized Sun Lingtong.

He was far too familiar with Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong had stayed by the bedside. Seeing Ning Zhuo awaken, he clapped in joy. “Great! Xiao Zhuo, you’re finally awake!”

“When I saw you stayed too long inside the Spiritual Plant Cabin, I went to check. You’d collapsed!”

“I used Wanli Dragon’s healing chamber to stabilize your vitality. You’ve been asleep for three days and nights.”

“What happened to you?”

Ning Zhuo gave a bitter smile. “The opportunity was too grand. I couldn’t digest it. Almost burst from it.”

Sun Lingtong: ?!

With a weak voice, Ning Zhuo explained everything in detail.

Sun Lingtong scratched his head. “So the Five Elements Divine Lord took a liking to you? Wants to make you his heir from another era? No wonder the Lingyin Willow looks like it's dying.”

“What? Boss, what happened to the Lingyin Willow?” Ning Zhuo was jolted and tried to sit up.

But Sun Lingtong was quick to react and pushed him down firmly.

“Lie still.”

“You’re still in poor shape. You need rest.”

“This is bad news. Don’t get too worked up… the Lingyin Willow is dying.”

Ning Zhuo struggled anxiously. “Boss, the Lingyin Willow is a legacy treasure. We can’t lose it!”

“Quick, help me check on it!”

Unable to resist, Sun Lingtong helped him up and brought him back into the Spiritual Plant Cabin.

Ning Zhuo circulated his energy, digested the medicinal power, and his vision cleared slightly.

“Damn it!” He saw the Lingyin Willow—and his heart plummeted.