These individuals were incredibly powerful, their strength unfathomable. Wisps of immortal mist swirled around them, neither forming distinct strands nor dissipating entirely, shrouding them in an aura of mystery and transcendence.
On the side of the Celestial Academy, the crowd was astonished. What kind of spectacle was this? It resembled certain records from ancient texts, a sign of cultivating supreme arcane techniques at a critical juncture.
“The Immortal Academy is truly remarkable, possessing secret scriptures of the immortal path. These direct disciples have inherited true teachings, their immortal energy already fused with the Dao—truly children of the heavens!” sighed an elder from the Celestial Academy.
This sent shockwaves through the academy’s disciples, as such high praise was rare—even figures like Lü Tuo and Wang Xi seldom received such acclaim.
“Merely minor achievements—they still have a long way to go. I observe that the Celestial Academy has a few promising talents. With careful nurturing, they could swiftly break free from their cocoons and transform into butterflies,” remarked an ancient being.
The Fourth Elder’s face twitched slightly, his heart filled with unwillingness. He understood the implication—the Immortal Academy would eventually come to select disciples, and the current prodigies would likely become their students.
“Shi Hao, return the Azure Armor to the Immortal Academy,” the Second Elder commanded.
This armor was an ancient relic, dazzling when infused with divine power but plain and unadorned in stillness, its blue luster dim as if veiled in dust.
Shi Hao held the armor reluctantly, sensing its extraordinary origins—it was no ordinary weapon or armor, and he was loath to return it.
“Please return it!” On the ancient ship, those friendly with Wu Tai spoke up again, emboldened by the presence of the Immortal Academy’s ancient beings.
Shi Hao glared, two golden beams shooting from his eyes, startling the group. When they saw the heads of Wu Tai and others at his feet, their courage faltered.
“You insulted me first, then spouted arrogance after defeat. Now you demand I return the armor—do you think me weak or easily bullied?” Shi Hao demanded sharply.
The group paled, involuntarily stepping back, intimidated by his aura.
Many in the Celestial Academy exchanged glances, even the elders falling silent. This brat had already beheaded his enemies and frightened the rest, yet he still acted aggrieved—clearly, he had no intention of returning the armor.
“Brother, let me remind you—that belongs to the Little Heavenly King. In our Immortal Academy, his prestige is unmatched,” a woman interjected with a faint smile. She was one of the later arrivals, her beauty ethereal, as if stepped out of a painting.
“A child of the heavens?” Shi Hao murmured, scrutinizing the group. The men and women were indeed enigmatic, their immortal energy blending with them, each as transcendent as exiled immortals.
“I didn’t seize this from the Little Heavenly King. It’s spoils from those who offended me. How I dispose of it is my own affair,” Shi Hao retorted.
“Ah, the Little Heavenly King is no simple figure,” the woman said sweetly, offering no further argument or action.
Others from the Immortal Academy watched with strange expressions—some expectant, others gloating.
“Who is this Little Heavenly King? Is he here?” Shi Hao looked down at Wu Tai’s mutilated body. At the Heavenly God Realm, even a severed head wasn’t fatal—given time, the body could regenerate.
“His cultivation is profound. He long ago fused with a mysterious immortal seed and became a sect master two years ago,” Wu Tai answered meekly, no longer defiant.
The Celestial Academy disciples were shaken. That man had already succeeded in merging with an immortal seed—now, only ancient beings could rival him.
However, the Little Heavenly King hadn’t come this time, as he no longer needed to seek Dao seeds, having already taken that step.
Shi Hao frowned. His words were final, and after repeated provocations, returning the armor at the first demand would make him appear weak.
“Since this young man wishes to study the Azure Armor, let him keep it for now. It is a relic from the Immortal Ancient Era, truly extraordinary,” an ancient being said with a chuckle.
The Second Elder of the Celestial Academy frowned but quickly composed himself. “Very well, Shi Hao, you may keep it.”
“Good!” Shi Hao agreed readily.
“Then let us each seek our own fortunes and part ways here,” an ancient being from the Immortal Academy declared.
The ancient ship, wreathed in immortal mist, emitted a dull roar as it slowly ascended and departed.
Only bloodstains remained on the ground. Wu Tai and the others had been released—though only their heads remained, their Heavenly God bodies would regenerate in time.
The volcanic region remained restless. All disciples of the Celestial Academy scoured the area, especially the central giant volcano.
“There’s a sealing force, but no flawless Five Elements Seed!” an elder lamented. This was expected—the ancient beings had lingered here, surely probing with divine sense before leaving empty-handed.
Still, the disciples retrieved two Fire Dao Seeds from the central volcano, a valuable find that made the trip worthwhile.
Time flew, and half a month passed. Across the Five Elements Continent, young figures searched for Five Elements Seeds.
The Celestial Academy’s silver warship traversed the land, following ancient stele records and vague clues to locate the mysterious ancient site.
Yet, after scouring several locations, no traces were found.
“Are the records wrong?”
“After all, they’re only ancient speculations, not true treasure maps. If the ancients knew the exact location, they wouldn’t have left anything behind.”
The elders deliberated their next steps.
The Five Elements Continent was vast, boundless. Searching region by region would take an eternity—it was as immense as the cosmos.
In the distance, golden light surged into the sky as a great tree swayed—the Golden Ancient Tree, its leaves adorned with stars that trembled in unison.
“The Quasi-World Tree has absorbed vast amounts of Five Elements essence. It will likely depart in a few days.”
“Do you think its root site might be the sealed location?”
As the elders debated, they raised this possibility.
The silver warship set sail again, landing near the Golden Ancient Tree. Yet, after searching the vicinity, no trace of the legendary seed was found.
“Five Demons Sealing the Heavenly Seed!” The Second Elder paced, deep in thought, then pointed at the Quasi-World Tree. “Its landing site must hold significance. Let us use it as the center for deduction.”
“Is it… Reverse Five Elements?” Finally, an elder proposed this hypothesis while arranging various formation diagrams.
“Reverse Five Elements, disrupting the foundation, inverting heaven and earth?!” The Second Elder’s expression shifted—he recalled the ominous legends surrounding this formation.
Those who sought it in the past had all perished, said to have sealed something terrifying.
“Among the myriad formations, some are ranked for lethality, others for malevolence. The Reverse Five Elements Formation is said to rank within the top three of the latter,” an elder said gravely.
“Use the Quasi-World Tree as the center and begin deductions!” the Second Elder decided.
On the silver warship, no disciple dared disturb, knowing the elders were exhausting their mental energy in deduction.
Shi Hao watched in amazement as the elders sat solemnly on a high platform, sweat soon beading their foreheads as they inscribed formations.
“The essence of Reverse Five Elements should mirror the standard Five Elements Formation, with a dividing line in between!”
Through relentless deduction, they uncovered clues. The Second Elder swiftly carved symbols on the platform.
“What is this…?” The surrounding disciples gasped.
At the Quasi-World Tree’s position, a symbol was inscribed, followed by a dividing line, with another symbol appearing opposite.
Soon, yin and yang energies flowed, forming a circle that enveloped both symbols and the dividing line.
“A Taiji Diagram!” The crowd was stunned.
This was supposed to be about the Five Elements—how had it led to such a profound Daoist symbol?
The Second Elder explained, “The Quasi-World Tree’s root site is one of the Taiji’s eyes. The Five Demons Sealing the Heavenly Seed should be at the opposite eye.”
They had truly deduced it, sending shockwaves through everyone present.
On the high platform, yin and yang energies swirled, the grand Daoist symbol manifesting mysteriously and magnificently. The Taiji’s eyes corresponded to the standard and reverse Five Elements sites.
The crowd turned to gaze at the World Tree, then the boundless continent. The platform’s diagram was merely a deduction—the true terrain was far more terrifying, a formation laid since antiquity. What kind of staggering arrangement was this?
“Are you certain the other Taiji eye seals a Heavenly Seed?” An elder voiced doubt and unease.
Legends spoke of horrors within the Reverse Five Elements site—none who ventured there had ever returned.
“Let us observe from afar, without entering the formation!” the Second Elder said, eager to unravel this ancient mystery.
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