Chapter 431 - 235: The Five Directions and Five Elements Dojo

Chapter 431: Chapter 235: The Five Directions and Five Elements Dojo

"I was in a daze when a sudden moment of clarity woke me. I realized then that you had arrived, young friend."

"If you are willing, young friend, please come into the cave so we may speak further."

Faced with True Master Xu Chen’s invitation, Xuzhuang hesitated for a moment. After informing Lan Su Nu, he rode the wind alone to the top of the iceberg, where a cave entrance had indeed manifested before him.

He entered the cave and followed the passage downward, soon finding himself back in the ice cavern. The scene was just as he remembered. Xuzhuang walked directly toward the massive, deep blue ice pillar in the center that connected the floor to the ceiling. The closer he got, the more surprised he became.

’Back when I was only at the Golden Core realm, I could only make out a blurry shadow within the pillar. Now, however, I can faintly discern the scene inside. Is this because my cultivation has advanced, or... is it because of True Master Xu Chen’s condition?’

With his Spiritual Sense, he could perceive that the seated figure inside the ice pillar was barely human-shaped; not a single part of it was intact. A thin layer of flame flickered over the damaged areas, waxing and waning, now blazing, now dying out.

Xuzhuang couldn’t help but ask, "True Master, what is this?"

True Master Xu Chen’s voice emerged from within, showing no sign of weakness. "After I left the Dharma Origin Grotto Heaven, I was soon beset by the fire tribulation. That is how I ended up like this."

’Just as I expected,’ Xuzhuang thought. True Master Xu Chen, however, seemed unwilling to elaborate. Instead, he said, "We haven’t seen each other for only two or three hundred years, yet your progress has truly exceeded my expectations, young friend."

Just as Xuzhuang was about to reply, his Spiritual Sense flared with a warning. He whipped his head around to see a small figure that had appeared in the tunnel at some unknown moment.

It was a chubby, rosy-cheeked Daoist Child who looked to be four or five years old, his hair tied in a topknot that stuck up like a little umbrella.

’The Mixed Element Child,’ Xuzhuang thought, his heart stirring.

"Xuchenzi!" the Mixed Element Child yelled the moment he appeared. "Why did you suddenly wake up? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Mixed Element Child," True Master Xu Chen replied gently. "I had a sudden premonition today and realized a young friend from the past had arrived. That is why I woke."

"Address me as Zhenren!" the Mixed Element Child snapped back, displeased. Only then did he seem to notice Xuzhuang. "Oh, it’s you," he said. "No wonder I sense my aura on you."

As he spoke, the Mixed Element Child suddenly cried out in surprise. He circled Xuzhuang, looking him up and down in utter confusion. "Aren’t you a Tai Su Disciple? How did you learn the Five Elements Origin Fusion Art?"

A glimmer appeared in Xuzhuang’s eyes. "Child, you know of the Five Elements Origin Fusion Art?"

He had long suspected a connection between the Five Elements Origin Fusion Art and the Myriad Rivers Returning to the Source Supreme Dharma. Instead of being surprised, he felt as if his guess was being confirmed.

"Of course I know it," the Mixed Element Child said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "The Five Elements Origin Fusion Art originated from the Five Directions Five Elements Dojo. It’s derived from the Dao Fruit technique of Primordial Extreme Immortal Venerable, the ’Five Elements Primordial Extreme True Union Immortal Talisman’..."

’A Dao Fruit technique?’ Xuzhuang’s mind raced. Recalling some of the scriptures he had read, he felt he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH." True Master Xu Chen coughed lightly. The Mixed Element Child was jolted back to his senses, snapping his mouth shut. "Are you trying to trick me into talking?" he asked angrily.

Although a True Form Treasure possessed complete spiritual intelligence, it took more than a brief moment to grow from its initial naivety to a level of wisdom rivaling that of a Primordial Spirit True Man. The Mixed Element Child might have the abilities of the Immortal Gods, but his mind was far from mature.

Xuzhuang chuckled. "I did not do it intentionally, child. Please don’t be offended."

The Mixed Element Child stamped his foot. "You still haven’t explained how you know the Five Elements Origin Fusion Art! Aren’t you a Tai Su Disciple? And how are you able to cultivate multiple true dharmas at once?" By the end of his tirade, his indignation had given way to curiosity.

"That is a secret of my cultivation, and I’m afraid I cannot disclose it," Xuzhuang said. "As for the Five Elements Origin Fusion Art, it has already been added to the Tai Su heritage. It was contributed by a True Disciple of my Tai Su Orthodox Sect."

"So that’s how it is," True Master Xu Chen mused. "It seems that after the destruction of our Grotto Heaven, the karma of my Dharma Origin Sect has fallen upon your esteemed sect."

"Perhaps so." Xuzhuang had his own suspicions, but he was unsure of True Master Xu Chen’s attitude, so he remained noncommittal.

To his surprise, True Master Xu Chen sighed. "This is for the best. At least the lineage of the Dharma Origin Sect will not end with me."

Xuzhuang was startled and couldn’t help but ask, "True Master, why would you say that?"

True Master Xu Chen spoke with a detached air. "My cultivation is insufficient. Right before the calamities were to befall me, I fought another and suffered a Dao injury. I now have no hope of surviving this fire tribulation."

Xuzhuang fell silent. No matter how powerful the Profoundly Refined Tribulation-Avoiding Ice Soul was, it was unlikely to be of much help in such a dire predicament.

A Primordial Spirit True Man, who should have been ageless and undying, had been reduced to little more than bones in a tomb even before his tribulation. Although True Master Xu Chen spoke with a detached air, a hint of sorrow seemed to permeate the ice cavern.

"When I first met you in the Grotto Heaven, young friend, I thought your foundation was extraordinary and your potential impressive. Meeting you again today, I realize I still greatly underestimated you."

Seeing that both of them had fallen silent, True Master Xu Chen changed the subject. He said slowly, "Perhaps in the near future, you too will take that most crucial step on our path of cultivation, young friend. It is a pity that I will likely not be fated to witness it. Allow me to congratulate you in advance, fellow Daoist."

"You praise me too highly, True Master. I am still searching for my path, how could I be worthy of such congratulations?" Xuzhuang replied. "The great Dao is not absolute; there is always one path left to chance. You must not be discouraged, True Master. There may yet be a sliver of hope."

"’The great Dao is not absolute; there is always one path left to chance?’" This saying did not exist in the Profound Yellow Realm, but True Master Xu Chen had no trouble understanding its meaning. He didn’t respond to Xuzhuang’s encouragement, but instead praised him. "You have already grasped the true meaning of the Great Dao, young friend."

Before Xuzhuang could explain, True Master Xu Chen continued slowly, "My demise was sealed tens of thousands of years ago. I am merely prolonging the inevitable now. You need not say more, young friend."

"However, I do have a small favor to ask of you, young friend."

Xuzhuang replied solemnly, "Please speak, True Master."