Eternal Tale

Water Flame Peak, within Chen Batian’s cave abode.

As time passed, the celestial phenomenon gradually dissipated, leaving only some flames surrounding Chen Batian. However, these flames were peculiar, evolving into a reddish-brown color similar to the reverse qi of the Five Elements seen in the Tianhang mine veins. Despite the flames burning, they emitted no heat; instead, they exuded a coldness, seemingly containing a devouring power.

The surrounding plants instantly withered, their life force consumed and refined, turning to ashes in an instant. Even with Qiu Haiping activating the protective array, more than half of the vegetation on the mountain peak withered, countless spiritual herbs perished, and all life force was drained.

This life force became nourishment, transforming Chen Batian’s immortal puppet body while nurturing the reverse power of the Five Elements. When the Five Elements Array completely reversed, all spiritual qi was converted, and the meridians were filled with the reddish-brown reverse power of the Five Elements.

The pseudo-spiritual roots, originally evolved from the power of the Five Elements, surprisingly gave birth to true spiritual roots under the influence of the reverse power, merging completely with Chen Batian. However, these spiritual roots were different from ordinary ones, having mutated to contain the strange devouring power evolved from the reverse power of the Five Elements.

It would be more appropriate to call them mutated reverse Five Elements spiritual roots now.

Gradually, as the immortal puppet’s body fully transformed into a reverse Five Elements body and the mutation ended, the reddish-brown flames containing the reverse power of the Five Elements retracted back into the body.

Chen Batian slowly awoke, a hint of confusion in his eyes, unsure of what had just happened. Before he could examine his condition, a figure, carrying an overwhelming presence, stepped through the air and appeared beside him.

”Master!” Seeing the newcomer, Chen Batian rose and saluted.

”No need for formalities.”Qiu Haiping nodded slightly, then continued to release his divine sense, examining every part of Chen Batian’s body, inside and out. After a moment, Qiu Haiping gave up. With his strength, he found nothing, unable to discern any changes.

To him, aside from a slight difference in aura, Chen Batian seemed unchanged.

”How can this be? The phenomenon just now was so astonishing, it couldn’t have been fake. So why hasn’t this boy changed at all?”

Qiu Haiping frowned deeper, puzzled and confused.

Chen Batian, under his gaze, felt a chill, as if he had no secrets left, and couldn’t help but grow nervous.

”Could it be that my identity as an immortal puppet has been exposed?” Thinking of this, Chen Batian’s expression changed slightly, preparing to act and escape at any moment.

Suddenly, Chen Yanshu walked in from outside the cave abode.

”Master!” He first saluted Qiu Haiping, then gave Chen Batian a look, asking with concern, ”Batian, are you alright?”

”I’m fine!”

Chen Batian shook his head, looking bewildered, indicating he didn’t know what had happened.

Seeing Chen Yanshu’s calm demeanor, he realized Qiu Haiping’s visit wasn’t due to his identity being exposed, which reassured him greatly.

Through their conversation, he learned of everything that had happened, and was dumbfounded, ”Wow, I was just in seclusion cultivating. My mind was blank, only feeling a burning sensation, as if being reforged in a furnace, completely unaware of the outside world...”

Chen Batian described his previous state truthfully, without hiding anything.

”In that case, take a good rest for a while! If you feel any discomfort, come find me immediately.”

Qiu Haiping could see that he wasn’t lying, offered a few words of comfort, and then left.

Only Chen Yanshu remained in the cave abode.

The two exchanged a glance, confirming Qiu Haiping had gone far, and immediately used the Five Elements mark to communicate, calling for Chen Xun and Black Bull.

”Elder Xun, Ancestor Bull!” Chen Batian felt deeply uneasy about the unknown changes and wanted answers.

Chen Xun’s calm voice echoed in their minds, ”Everything is caused by the reverse power of the Five Elements.”

”Reverse power of the Five Elements?” Chen Batian and Chen Yanshu were shocked, increasingly curious, as it was the first time they had heard of this.

Chen Xun didn’t hide anything, truthfully explaining the situation with the Tianhang mine veins and the reverse power of the Five Elements.

Only then did they understand the cause and effect, unable to suppress their worry, ”Elder Xun, according to you, have I now completely mutated, with everything in my body transformed into the reverse power of the Five Elements?”

”Correct, not just you. After Black Bull and I investigated, Yanshu’s body is also undergoing mutation.”

Chen Xun’s eyes narrowed slightly, a gleam flashing in his pupils, ”The array has already begun to reverse, and it won’t be long before you too fully transform into a reverse Five Elements body.”

Hearing this news, Chen Yanshu’s expression changed, unable to remain calm, feeling bitter inside.

”Elder Xun, what should I do now?”

”Go with the flow.”

Chen Xun softly advised, telling him this was the decision he and Black Bull had reached after discussion, then offered no further explanation, leaving the two standing there in a daze.

After a while, they withdrew their divine sense from their minds, taking a deep breath.

For a moment, they couldn’t accept their transformation, and the cave abode fell into a brief silence.

Coming to his senses, Chen Batian’s expression was complex, his mood slightly heavy, with a hint of bitterness, as he looked at Chen Yanshu, hesitating to speak, ”Yanshu, we...”

”Batian, don’t overthink it. Elder Xun and Ancestor Bull have already said, just let things take their course.”

Chen Yanshu sighed slightly, his expression somewhat melancholic, a rare trace of confusion in his eyes, but he forced a smile to comfort Chen Batian, telling him not to worry.

Chen Batian nodded silently, saying no more, knowing that at this point, he could only face it calmly.

”Yanshu, how about we spar for a bit? Elder Xun mentioned that this reverse power of the Five Elements might be a fortuitous opportunity.”

Having thought it through, Chen Batian’s mood improved considerably. He glanced at Chen Yanshu, smiling, ”I want to test the power of this reverse Five Elements, and you can get used to this mana in advance.”

”Alright!” Chen Yanshu readily agreed, dispelling the gloom.

The two walked out of the cave abode, found an open space, and with fighting spirit surging, began sparring without reservation.

To truly feel the power of the reverse Five Elements, they refrained from using magical treasures, instead channeling their spiritual power to cast spells against each other.

”Fight!” Chen Batian shouted, his entire body glowing, reddish-brown energy bursting from within, gathering in his fists and palms.

With a strike towards the void, the reddish-brown reverse power of the Five Elements transformed into a sea of burning flames, incinerating everything, eventually forming a fire dragon that lunged at Chen Yanshu.

Chen Yanshu remained calm, with a thought, strands of water-attributed spiritual qi surrounded him, evolving into a swirling mist.

”Slash!”

With a shout, the mist churned, condensing into droplets.

Countless droplets, imbued with vast spiritual qi, converged into a river, forming a grand sword of water-attributed spiritual qi, its momentum vast, slashing at the fire dragon from afar.

Though they only used Foundation Establishment level cultivation, the power of their spells was already comparable to Golden Core experts.

In an instant, the fire dragon and water sword collided in the void, erupting in a thunderous roar!

Yet, something bizarre occurred!

The formidable water sword couldn’t harm the fire dragon in the slightest.

The fire dragon roared, swallowing the water sword whole, the reverse power of the Five Elements instantly decomposing and refining it, effortlessly neutralizing the attack.

Witnessing this, the two were shocked, not expecting the reverse power of the Five Elements to be so terrifying.

”Not bad, not bad, this reverse power of the Five Elements is indeed strange, able to counter the power of the Five Elements.”

Chen Batian was in high spirits, laughing heartily, casting aside all previous worries.

Chen Yanshu smiled slightly, feeling much more at ease after witnessing the reverse power of the Five Elements, and even began to look forward to his impending transformation into a reverse Five Elements body.