Chapter Eighty-Two: The Five Elements Reunite, Yin and Yang Revive Life

Page (1/3)

The unification of the five elements and the reversal of yin and yang represent the loftiest realms in the cultivation world. Ordinary cultivators can only practice techniques corresponding to the element closest to their nature; of water, fire, or earth, they may choose but one. Yet, there are those of profound attainment who, upon reaching a certain level, can command the power of the five elements at will, summoning all manner of techniques with effortless grace—this is the unity of the five elements. It is said that only those who have survived the sevenfold heavenly tribulation can comprehend the essence of the five elements and attain this unity.

But to reach the state of reversing yin and yang is vastly more difficult. Such a realm cannot be described in words; only those who have survived the ninefold tribulation and ascended to the immortal state may begin to understand it.

“At his age, it’s impossible for him to be a master who has endured the sevenfold tribulation. Yet, there are those born with the five elements already unified, advancing far beyond ordinary cultivators,” the woman remarked calmly.

Shui Mu Feng’s expression changed. “A reincarnated celestial? Could it be that the cultivation realm has produced another Bai Yijian? Senior Sister Ji, between this man and Bai Yijian, which is superior?”

Senior Sister Ji smiled. “That’s a question for Yaxin Yi.” As she spoke, all eyes fell upon the woman standing atop the broken pillar, cradling a zither.

The matter was critical, so Shui Mu Feng quickly dismissed the other disciples and looked intently at Yaxin Yi, poised on the pillar.

Yet Yaxin Yi seemed not to have heard their conversation, head bowed in silent contemplation.

Shui Mu Feng frowned and called out, “Xin Yi, are you all right?”

Only after being called twice did Yaxin Yi return to herself. “Master, I am fine.”

Shui Mu Feng pressed, “Did you hear your Senior Aunt’s question? Compared to Ling Yun Sect’s Bai Yijian, who is stronger?”

Yaxin Yi hesitated before answering, “I cannot say.”

Shui Mu Feng was surprised. “You have faced both this man and Bai Yijian in combat—how can you not tell?”

Yaxin Yi replied, “In terms of true energy cultivation, he is perhaps slightly inferior to Bai Yijian, but his cultivation is strange, and I cannot judge him clearly.”

She continued, “The man’s techniques are those of the Supreme Void Sect’s ‘Highest Clarity Art’—he has not yet studied more advanced techniques. Yet he wields the five elements with perfect ease, his movements fluid and harmonious. However, where Bai Yijian’s attacks are fierce and unstoppable, this man lacks that overwhelming aura—he does not exert such oppressive force.” Pausing, she added, “But Chen Mu often holds back a third of his strength, unceasing and inexhaustible, as if growing stronger the longer the battle endures.”

Shui Mu Feng let out a thoughtful sound. “How confident are you in dealing with them?”

Yaxin Yi’s fingers brushed the zither strings, producing a crystalline note. “Ninefold Echoes, spirits startled, immortals retreat—even Bai Yijian is no immortal. If he hears my music, victory is mine!”

Shui Mu Feng, still worried, said, “But his attacks are so fierce, I fear you may not withstand his opening moves.”

Yaxin Yi shook her head. “That is not so difficult. The real challenge is the Supreme Void Sect’s Chen Mu…”

Shui Mu Feng was startled. “Chen Mu? He’s no immortal either—can he truly withstand your zither’s power?”

Yaxin Yi gently plucked the strings, her melodious voice flowing with the music through the woods. “Threefold resonance, mortals withdraw; sixfold rhyme, spirits startled; ninefold echoes, immortals retreat! Just now, I already used the sixfold rhyme.”

Page (2/3)

“Ah!” The words startled Shui Mu Feng, Fairy of Forgetfulness, and Senior Sister Ji. “You mean that even under your sixfold rhyme, he remained unaffected by illusion and still fought Yan Ruo’er and Shui Wufeng?”

Yaxin Yi nodded.

“How is that possible?” Shui Mu Feng exclaimed. “Even Bai Yijian cannot withstand sixfold rhyme. How could an obscure Chen Mu both resist your sixfold attack and fend off Yan Ruo’er and the others?”

Yaxin Yi mused for a long while. “For ordinary cultivators, even the threefold resonance would be impossible to withstand. When I saw him appear, I immediately played threefold resonance, but he was unmoved. Then I gradually raised it to fourfold, then fivefold, until at sixfold rhyme he could no longer restrain his emotions and attacked. Yet even so, he was not harmed by my music. I truly do not understand the reason.”

Shui Mu Feng exchanged glances with her sisters, all equally perplexed. The Fairy of Forgetfulness blurted out, “Could he have some protective artifact that shields him from your zither?”

Yaxin Yi immediately dismissed the notion. “The seven-string zither stirs the seven emotions in the heart—joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hate, desire. All mortal feelings arise from the heart itself—how could any artifact shield against that?”

“If it’s not that, then what is it? In two days’ time, the grand competition will begin. You saw how Master Zheng Yi said nothing, but his junior, Carefree One, looked as smug as could be. If word gets out that the three most talented disciples of Shuiyue Sect cannot best a single disciple from Supreme Void Sect’s Wuyafeng branch, we’ll lose all face!” The Fairy of Forgetfulness stamped her foot in frustration.

Meanwhile, in the Supreme Void Sect’s quarters, Carefree One was laughing triumphantly. “You should have seen it! The faces of those three Shuiyue sisters were green with anger. Even when they joined forces, they couldn’t beat Wood, and in the end they needed Fairy of Forgetfulness to step in!”

Upon returning, Carefree One boasted to the other branches, making Wood rather embarrassed.

Master Zheng Yi frowned. “Junior Brother Carefree, we have been on good terms with Shuiyue Sect for generations; how can you mock them behind their backs?” Then he turned to Wood. “A Mu, do not speak of your contest with them. First, we must conceal your strength before the competition. Second, I have already instructed your master—remember this well!”

Wood nodded. “Rest assured, Master—I won’t spread word of it.”

Carefree One curled his lip, unconvinced. By his nature, he would have trumpeted such a triumph to the world, but since the sect leader had spoken, he held his tongue.

Leaving the temporary rest quarters built for the sect elders, Wood did not return to his own room. The memories he had long forced down or forgotten were stirred by the zither’s melody, leaving him restless and troubled. He wandered toward the heights of Chaotian Peak, longing to shout into the void to release his feelings.

By this time, night had fallen. Lightning still flashed beneath the platform of Chaotian Peak, rumbling in the distance, though much diminished.

Following a narrow, steep path up the mountain, Wood soon saw a white-clad, veiled woman ahead, standing with her zither. He paused in surprise, but she bowed and greeted him, “Senior Brother Mu.”

Her voice was gentle, and though veiled, her every motion radiated a graceful charm—who but Yaxin Yi could it be?

Although they had just inexplicably fought, for some reason, he felt an immediate fondness for her. After a brief pause, he replied, “Junior Sister Xin Yi, have I disturbed your solitude again?”

Yaxin Yi smiled. “You jest, Senior Brother. I came here specifically to wait for you—I have a question to ask.”

Wood was surprised. “Ask me? I am new to cultivation and know little—you must have the wrong person!”

Page (3/3)

Yaxin Yi replied, “Only you can answer this.”

Wood was taken aback. “Let’s hear it, then.”

As soon as he spoke, he felt Yaxin Yi’s gaze fixed intently upon him from behind her veil.

“I wish to ask, Senior Brother, how you were able to remain yourself beneath a melody that evokes the seven states of the human heart—and even fight others at the same time?”

Wood finally understood. “Ah, so that’s why your music stirred my emotions so easily today—your seven-string zither’s ninefold echoes are an attack on the soul itself.”

Yaxin Yi’s slender fingers brushed the strings, producing a series of notes. Wood jumped, about to retreat, but she said quietly, “All mortals possess the seven emotions and six desires. My music merely stirs the feelings and moods within, causing one to become lost in their own illusions.”

Wood’s expression grew serious. “Remarkable—truly remarkable. No wonder there is a saying that with the seven-string zither and ninefold echoes, even ordinary men flee three leagues. I’ve heard it said, the most difficult trial is to overcome oneself. Under the influence of your zither, one’s enemy is truly their own heart demon—few, whether mortal or cultivator, can overcome that trial.”

Yaxin Yi’s bright eyes swept over him, and she nodded. “You say the same—I never quite understood before. My master says my ninefold music is beyond the power of worldly experts to resist. I began to believe it, but meeting you today has left me in doubt again. My zither has three realms: threefold resonance, mortals withdraw; sixfold rhyme, spirits startled; ninefold echoes, immortals retreat. Just now I used the sixfold rhyme, yet still could not draw you into illusion—I truly don’t understand why.”

Wood said, “In truth, you succeeded. I consider myself calm and steady, but under your music today, old memories surfaced, and I grew restless, losing control and attacking you.”

Yaxin Yi responded, “That is not enough. If sixfold rhyme were so simple, it would not have its reputation. Even Bai Yijian, said to be a reincarnated celestial of Ling Yun Sect, dares not let me use the sixfold music on him.”

Wood was stunned. Not only had he withstood her sixfold attack, he had also fought a fierce battle with Shuiyue Sect’s two most outstanding disciples, and emerged unharmed—he could not explain it himself. Aside from stirring his aggression, the music seemed to have no ill effect.

As a cultivator, and an opponent besides, Wood ought to have maintained an air of mystery. But for reasons unknown, he felt a fondness for this woman and could not bear to deceive her, so he spoke plainly. “Other than bringing up old sorrows I’d rather forget, your sixfold music seemed to have no effect on me.”

Yaxin Yi was silent for a long time, then bowed to him.

Wood stepped aside in confusion. “What are you doing?”

Yaxin Yi said, “My music stirred up painful memories, Senior Brother. I must offer you my apology.”

Wood smiled bitterly. “Those are matters from long ago—what have they to do with you?”

Suddenly, Yaxin Yi said, “These old sorrows weigh most heavily on the heart. Senior Brother, since there is no one else here, why not let me be your listener?”