“Wood element transforms into lightning!”

But then, the wisp of lightning in Ning Zhuo’s hand dissipated, a failure.

Ning Zhuo sighed, “My foundation is still too shallow. Using a wood-element spell to gather lightning magic—the gap is just too wide.”

He could feel that his wood-element cultivation realm was sufficient, but his experience and realm in lightning magic were severely lacking.

Ning Zhuo was quite unfamiliar with lightning magic. The closest he came was using various one-time consumable lightning orbs.

Ning Zhuo looked up at the sky, “Cultivation techniques are as vast as the ocean and profoundly intricate. How old am I? How many years have I been cultivating? I haven’t even traveled the world for a full year.”

“There’s still so much more for me to learn.”

Ning Zhuo quickly planned and realized that if he wanted to master wood-element lightning magic, he would need to delve into the principles of lightning cultivation, at least studying many related lightning techniques.

After all, his three Dantian were already occupied, leaving no room to cultivate other techniques concurrently.

To master a certain lightning magic, the simplest way was to choose a technique and practice it. But back in Baizhi Xiancheng, Ning Zhuo had wanted some Wanxiang mana, and for that, he had Sun Lingtong cultivate the Wanxiang Jing. This path was long since blocked for Ning Zhuo.

If Ning Zhuo wanted to emulate Lin Jinglong, who could derive lightning from the wood element, he would need to comprehend much more. He would need to reach a much higher realm in both lightning and wood elements than Lin Jinglong to achieve such an innovation.

Lin Jinglong didn’t need to reach such a high standard—his primary cultivation was the Lin family’s sect-founding technique, Wanmu Chunlei Yin, which he only needed to practice step by step. Of course, if he wished to ascend to higher peaks, he would need to continuously contemplate the principles of wood and lightning during his cultivation.

From this perspective, one could understand the significance of cultivation techniques.

Cultivation techniques are methods that follow a particular part of the world’s principles, enabling cultivators to enact and learn these principles.

And a cultivation realm represents the degree of mastery of these principles.

Ning Zhuo’s profound mastery of the Five Elements realm meant he possessed an extremely strong comprehension ability for Five Elements techniques, spells, and so on.

Because Ning Zhuo already understood the Five Elements principles contained within these techniques and spells, looking at them was merely a form of review for him.

“Lightning magic is indeed powerful.”

“Especially against yin spirits and the like, it has a significant restraining effect.”

Although Lin Jinglong was not Ning Zhuo’s match, the Spring Thunder he displayed made Ning Zhuo envious.

“Alas, learning lightning magic can only be temporarily put aside.”

“This isn’t the immediate priority; I have more important things to do.”

As he pondered this, a wisp of lightning gathered again from the surging wood-element mana in Ning Zhuo’s hand.

This time, the lightning was at least twice as large as the previous one, and it was brighter, even emitting strands of vitality.

If Lin Jinglong were to see this, he would undoubtedly be utterly astonished!

With just one confrontation, Ning Zhuo was able to deduce some of the divine essence of Spring Thunder from wood-element mana. Such talent and ingenuity, if found in the Lin family, would surely be protected by the entire clan, regarded as a rare talent of a millennium, and the hope for the family’s prosperity!

“Young Master, it’s time for your night snack,” Chu Lao’s voice came from outside the door.

Ning Zhuo felt a moment of bewilderment. Two hours had passed already.

“Cultivation truly makes one forget the passage of time,” he sighed with genuine emotion.

He had been so engrossed in the deduction of wood-element lightning that he completely lost track of time. By the time he was reminded, a period had already elapsed.

Since Chu Lao joined Ning Zhuo, he would prepare spirit food to assist Ning Zhuo’s cultivation.

Ning Zhuo took his seat first, followed by Chu Lao, Qing Chi, and Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan looked at the table laden with delicacies, then at Chu Lao, a slight tremor in his heart. “So this old man is actually a spirit chef.”

Placed before Ning Zhuo was a bowl of deep black fish jelly, its color like dark jade.

Ning Zhuo first activated his cultivation technique, then took an jade spoon, scooped a piece, and put it into his mouth.

The fish jelly melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a cold current that rushed down his throat, through his esophagus, and directly to his stomach. Then, like a cold tide erupting, it rapidly spread throughout Ning Zhuo’s body.

Ning Zhuo’s flesh, tendons, and blood instantly solidified. On his entire body surface, a layer of translucent dark jade ice crystals visibly formed.

The dark jade ice crystals rapidly melted and vanished.

But Ning Zhuo’s entire physical body was tempered during this process. His physical foundation directly increased by a small margin.

Ning Zhuo’s physical foundation was already very strong, yet Chu Lao’s spirit food was still effective.

This cultivation efficiency couldn’t compare to胎息靈 (tai xi ling), but it was still good. The fish jelly not only enhanced his physical foundation but also increased his resistance to yin cold.

This was a request Ning Zhuo actively made—ever since his soul was elevated to a million human souls, he had reached the limit of what his physical body could bear, causing his soul to oppress his body and leading to many dark shadow marks appearing on his muscles.

Ning Zhuo had been eating Chu Lao’s Youjing Yudong (Dark Crystal Fish Jelly) for some time now. Many of the dark shadow marks on his body had turned dark green, and most of them had faded.

Each person had a main dish in front of them.

Placed before Qing Chi was a roasted squab. The squab was entirely crimson, its skin glistening like glazed glass, emitting intense heat.

Qing Chi tore off a squab leg and put it into his mouth.

With a crisp sound, after Qing Chi took a bite, the squab leg’s skin cracked open. Inside was tender, juicy, spirit meat imbued with powerful fire essence.

It was continuously cut and ground between Qing Chi’s teeth.

A pure, overbearing, blazing torrent surged into Qing Chi’s limbs and bones, then rushed into Qing Chi’s Dantian, surging ceaselessly.

Qing Chi’s mana seemed to ignite, burning intensely, and rapidly grew within the fiery torrent.

Chu Lao’s main dish was a pot of thick soup.

The soup was viscous, grayish-black, with tiny bubbles continuously rolling and bursting. The ingredients in the pot were indistinguishable, appearing indistinctly.

Chu Lao scooped up a spoonful of the murky soup, slowly brought it to his mouth, savored it, and then swallowed it contentedly.

Seeing that Gongsun Yan hadn’t eaten, he smiled and reminded him.

Gongsun Yan had been observing Ning Zhuo and the others, hesitating to pick up his chopsticks.

Mainly, everyone else’s main dishes looked palatable, but the food in his bowl was a dark-colored, viscous lump that emitted an extremely complex and peculiar odor.

If one were to describe the smell, it would be close to a thousand-year-old medicinal dregs mixed with aged soil, fermented beast blood, all while giving off a foul, burnt smell!

Gongsun Yan held his breath, enduring the discomfort in his stomach, and braced himself to pick up a small piece and put it into his mouth.

The moment before it entered his mouth, he was still reassuring himself: perhaps it only looks bad, but it’s actually quite delicious!

It was too disgusting!!!

The instant it entered his mouth, Gongsun Yan felt a strong urge to vomit, nearly spitting it out.

A powerful strange taste, mixed with bitterness, foulness, earthy notes, and a burnt smell, exploded like a bomb in his mouth.

Gongsun Yan’s face instantly turned from white to green, veins bulging on his temples, his throat convulsing violently. Just as he was about to collapse, the viscous substance in his mouth suddenly transformed into an unimaginable, irresistible warm current!

This warm current contained no violent elements but was like the gentlest, purest life-giving spring, instantly spreading to every corner of his body!

Especially those stubbornly lingering hidden injuries, obstructed meridians, and internal organ pains that he had from improper cultivation, innate flaws, or brutal battles!

It was like ice melting and snow thawing, as all the obstructions slowly dissipated!

An unprecedented feeling of lightness, comfort, and vitality replaced all previous pain.

Gongsun Yan’s eyes suddenly widened, his pupils trembling!

He clearly felt his riddled body, like a flickering candle in the wind, being repaired and nourished!

“So powerful, what powerful spirit food!” he praised loudly from the bottom of his heart.

Chu Lao smiled, “This is Guiguai Guiyuan Zang, it has some healing properties.”

He offered only a brief explanation.

Gongsun Yan’s expression towards Chu Lao had completely changed.

“Chu Lao, your culinary skills are simply divine,” he stood up, cupped his fists, and bowed.

Chu Lao slowly stood up, received the bow, and then said, “You should be thanking the Young Master. It was the Young Master who took care of me. You’ve used your Heart Fire too many times; your Five Elements have just been harmonized and need to be strengthened at the root.”

Gongsun Yan bowed to Ning Zhuo again, this time a deep bow.

Ning Zhuo glanced at Gongsun Yan, then at Chu Lao, who quickly bowed slightly.

Ning Zhuo understood, smiled faintly, and said to Gongsun Yan, “Sit down and eat.”

Gongsun Yan and Chu Lao sat down again.

*Crack, crunch, crackle…*

Qing Chi was enthusiastically devouring the roasted squab.

After the night snack, Ning Zhuo called Gongsun Yan into the cultivation room again.

He gently fanned his natal magic tool, the Wuxing Shengmie Shan (Five Elements Life-Death Fan), manipulating the Five Elements to make Gongsun Yan’s bronze skin glow as if breathing.

After each breath-like flicker, his bronze skin dimmed a bit.

Ning Zhuo gazed at Gongsun Yan, “I want to examine your entire body, if that’s alright?”

Gongsun Yan didn’t hesitate, directly nodding, “Please, Young Master, do as you wish.”

Only then did Ning Zhuo release his divine sense, enveloping Gongsun Yan’s entire body, scanning everywhere.

The condition inside Gongsun Yan’s body gradually formed a clear outline in Ning Zhuo’s mind.

His previous treatment had greatly alleviated the issues. However, after eating the Guiguai Guiyuan Zang, while many of Gongsun Yan’s hidden injuries were healed, it also caused the Five Elements to become imbalanced again.

But just now, Ning Zhuo used the Wuxing Shengmie Shan for the second time, re-harmonizing Gongsun Yan’s Five Elements.

“That Chu Lao acted on his own initiative…” Ning Zhuo chuckled inwardly.

Chu Lao’s claim that “Young Master Ning Zhuo specifically arranged for me to make Guiyuan Zang for you” was naturally false, fabricated by Chu Lao in front of Ning Zhuo.

It was all to showcase his strength and impress Gongsun Yan.

Gongsun Yan held a prominent position under Lin Jinglong. As a newcomer joining Ning Zhuo, he would naturally adjust his position.

Who doesn’t want a higher status?

Chu Lao made an early move, using the spirit food to test Gongsun Yan.

He demonstrated his strength to ensure Gongsun Yan wouldn’t challenge his position. This was Chu Lao’s intention.

Ning Zhuo was pleased to see it.

On one hand, his friendship with Chu Lao was much deeper than with Gongsun Yan. On the other hand, Chu Lao’s character of gratitude was fully displayed in Baizhi Xiancheng. Therefore, Ning Zhuo trusted Chu Lao more.

Lastly, Chu Lao impressing Gongsun Yan also allowed Gongsun Yan to realize that Ning Zhuo’s strength was not just Ning Zhuo himself. This helped Ning Zhuo further solidify his authority.

Therefore, Ning Zhuo went along with it.

“Chu Lao has experience; taking action early eliminated potential problems. Truly excellent!”

Ning Zhuo’s assessment of Chu Lao secretly rose a notch.

Putting aside his thoughts, Ning Zhuo then said to Gongsun Yan, “Try to activate your Heart Fire, let me observe it carefully.”

Gongsun Yan responded, “Yes, Young Master.”

Ning Zhuo studied the Heart Fire for a while, broadening his horizons, and then discussed fire-element cultivation techniques with Gongsun Yan.

The more Gongsun Yan talked, the more surprised he became, his admiration for Ning Zhuo growing.

Ning Zhuo said, “Even if I have my natal fan to help you regulate the Five Elements, the drawbacks of the Heart Fire still exist.”

“Therefore, my method is no different in essence from Leiji Mu Chun Sheng (Thunder-Struck Wood, Spring Life); both merely alleviate, rather than cure!”

Gongsun Yan said, “Young Master, I understand this point. To resolve the drawbacks of the Heart Fire, I actually had the opportunity to do so a long time ago.”

“It’s very simple: choose a Buddhist cultivation technique and practice it.”

“Most Buddhist techniques can dispel my anger, agitation, and so on. There are even techniques like the Fudong Mingwang Jing (Immovable Wisdom King Sutra) that can directly utilize anger for cultivation.”

“But for the sake of achieving success in artifact refining, I did not choose Buddhist methods but instead chose a fire-element technique.”

“I want to pursue higher achievements in artifact refining, and I have long been mentally prepared for the drawbacks of the Heart Fire!”

Gongsun Yan was unwilling to be mediocre; he desired to achieve great things.

Ning Zhuo nodded slightly, falling into contemplation.

“Gongsun Yan chose a fire-element technique as his main cultivation, so he cannot cultivate Buddhist techniques. Unless he is lucky enough to find a suitable Buddhist method that he can cultivate concurrently with his upper Dantian Shenhai.”

“In fact, I have a method for a complete cure, and that is—the Huoxing Xinzang Miao (Fire Element Heart Temple)!”

Ning Zhuo’s Wuxing Lingshen Shu (Five Elements Spirit God Art) could transform the internal organs, allowing him to act as a deity within his body, completely controlling the Five Elements within.

This was precisely the solution for the Heart Fire.

“But for now, it cannot be directly used.”

Ning Zhuo had just examined Gongsun Yan’s body and found that his heart was abnormal.

Ning Zhuo’s Huoxing Xinzang Miao was designed based on himself and ordinary people, so it was definitely not well-suited for Gongsun Yan.

“Perhaps I can adapt this divine art to suit Rong Xin (Melted Heart)?”

Ning Zhuo kept this idea to himself, not voicing it.

He dismissed Gongsun Yan, then once again brought out Yuan Dasheng and Meng Yehu.

Yuan Dasheng was trapped in a block of ice, while Meng Yehu’s body was covered inside and out with earth dust.

Ning Zhuo once again activated his natal magic fan and also used the Wuxing Lingshen Shu, but no matter how he fanned, the two mechanical puppets remained unresponsive.

“Hmph!” Ning Zhuo sighed. Another fruitless attempt made him completely give up hope.

These two mechanical puppets were Golden Core level combatants, and Ning Zhuo needed to repair them as soon as possible to restore his combat power.

At the same time, Ning Zhuo also had a hidden worry: “Although Yuan Dasheng and Meng Yehu already possessed full sentience, with such severe damage, over time, I fear even full sentience won’t hold out and will be continuously worn away until it vanishes.”

“I must repair these two mechanisms as quickly as possible.”